“Welcome, Mrs. Hayes,” said the doorman. “I see you have your invitation.”

            “I’m sorry?” said Alice.

            “You’re invitation, Ma’am.  You were invited to the ball, were you not?”

            Alice found herself on the front steps of a mansion, a shining example of classic architecture.  The building’s white walls and gilded windows shone in the light of the moon.  People in formal suits and dresses came down the walkway and up the mansion's steps, excitement written all over their faces.  A vibrant garden flanked either side of the walkway, and fountains of sparkling water decorated the gardens.  Even the doorman, dressed like a butler, had a distinguished air about him.  It was one of the most beautiful places Alice had ever seen, and for the life of her, Alice couldn’t remember how she’d gotten there.

            Alice raised her arm, and sure enough, there was an invitation in her hand.  Alice also noted that she was wearing a beautiful blue dress with a furred shawl around her shoulders.  She was definitely dressed for a ball, but something about all of this seemed off to her.

            “I’m sorry,” said Alice. “I just…I feel like I was doing something important just now.”

            “How do you mean?” asked the doorman.

            “I feel like I was looking for someone.  Well…several people, actually.  People I really need to find, and one of them is someone I haven’t seen in a long time.  A very long time.  I just can’t remember who it was.  Who any of them were.  I guess I’m just a little confused.”

            “I’m afraid I can’t help you with that, Mrs. Hayes.  Perhaps you will meet them inside?”

            Alice thought about it and decided she didn’t have any better ideas.

            “Maybe I will,” she said. “Thank you.”

            The doorman took her invitation, and she went up the steps.  Passing through the giant carved oak doors, Alice found herself in a massive ballroom where people danced to classical music, the couples gazing into each others’ eyes.  A golden chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting golden light over the room, and in the back, Alice could see the musicians playing passionately.

            It was an intoxicating atmosphere, and part of Alice would have liked to just let go and enjoy herself.  No matter how hard she tried, though, she still couldn’t remember how she’d gotten there.  Curiously, Alice went to a window and looked at the reflection over the gardens displayed outside.  Alice could vaguely see people dancing behind her in that faint reflection, but she was mostly focused on her own image, finding herself almost unrecognizable. 

            Alice’s face had makeup on, with a subtle blush to her cheeks and soft eyeshadow bringing out her eyes.  She wore sapphire earrings that sparkled in the light and matched her blue dress perfectly.  Her hair went down in waves to her shoulders, shining like silk as she ran her fingers through it curiously.  Alice couldn’t remember the last time she’d made herself look like this.  A part of her wondered why she didn’t anymore because she had to admit that she looked good.  Really good.

            Behind her, a deep voice said, “Welcome.”

            Alice gasped, startled, as she turned around. 

            “I’m sorry,” said the other man apologetically. “I didn’t mean to startle you.  I’m Victor Sorenson, and this is my manor.”

            “Oh,” said Alice, still a little rattled. “I’m Alice.  Nice to meet you.”

            Alice reached out to shake his head, but he gently took that hand, raised it, and kissed it, making Alice blush.  She found this Victor Sorenson astonishingly handsome.

            “A woman like you shouldn’t hide at the side of the room,” said Victor.  “That’s like the sun herself hiding her face when all should revolve around her.”

            “Oh wow,” said Alice, looking away as she tucked her hair behind her ear.

            For a moment, Alice questioned why she was acting so flustered.  She didn’t wear fancy dresses or go to balls or get flustered when a handsome man kissed her hand.  At least, Alice hadn’t done anything like this as an adult. 

            It was upon thinking this that Alice realized what was so strange about this situation.  It had been a long time since Alice had done anything even remotely like this.  That last time she had, she’d been just a teenager at a high school dance.  The reason this was all so strange because high school was the exact time she’d stopping doing things likes this in the first place.  Alice had stopped going to dances, or any social event for that matter, not so much as a visit to a friend's house.  Alice hadn’t even gone to her prom.  She’d just withdrawn from the world after…after what she’d seen the day her brother disappeared.

            Alice backed away, feeling faint at the thought of that day.

            “I’m sorry,” said Alice, turning to leave. “I…”

            “Wait,” said Victor. “Please.  I don’t know what troubles you, but tonight is not a night for grief.”

            Alice stopped.  There was just something comforting about the sound of his voice.

            “Look out the window,” he continued. “It’s a beautiful evening.  The sky is clear, the moon is bright, and the stars are shining.”

            Alice looked out the window at the moon and the stars and had to admit he wasn’t lying.

            “Would you spend such a night alone with no one but sorrow for company?  It would be such a waste.  Tonight is not a night for sadness, Alice.  It is a night for leaving your troubles at the door and getting swept off your feet, a night for joyous merriment and reckless abandon.  Tonight, Alice, is a night for dancing your cares away as the music serenades you with a romantic melody.  I’d like a chance to show you…if you’ll allow me.  Alice Hayes, may I have this dance?”

            Slowly, Alice turned around to see Victor offering his hand, right as the music swelled to a crescendo.  Alice considered for a moment.  A part of her just wanted to go home and be alone like she always did.  And yet, as she stood there, the moon shining through the window and the music singing in her ears, Alice felt captivated by Victor’s deep voice, piercing green eyes, and charming smile.

            Before Alice even realized what she was doing, she’d accepted his hand.  Soon her hand was on his shoulder as his was on her waist as they danced through the crowd of people.  Alice could practically feel the blood rushing to her cheeks, and she into those eyes that threatened to swallow her up.

            “I…I don’t normally do this,” said Alice.

            “Why not?” asked Victor. “You are young and beautiful.  Why shouldn’t you live life to the fullest?  Should not a bird fly when it can spread its wings?  Should not a flower bloom when the sun shines upon it?  Should not the stars shine when night has come?”

            Alice looked away.  No one had ever talked about her like this.  It was so overwhelming.  A part of Alice was quite flattered by his attention, but something nagged at the back of her mind telling her that she should leave right now.

            “There’s no need to be nervous, Alice,” said Victor.

            “I’m sorry,” said Alice. “This is all a bit much.”

            “For a woman like you,” said Victor. “I’d fear doing too little.”

            Alice felt dizzy.  She had to admit to herself that the nagging warning in the back of her mind was fading.  The chandelier sparkled above them, the music echoed in her mind, and everyone who danced around them seemed joyous and carefree.  For a moment, Alice almost, just almost, let herself get swept away by the glamor of it all.

            And then, as they danced through the room, a woman in the crowd stuck out to Alice.  While the room was filled with couples smiling as they looked into each other's eyes, this woman stood alone, staring straight at Alice and Victor.  She wore a striking black dress with billowing sleeves, had long hair as red as blood, and blue eyes that sparkled with mischief. Yet, despite this woman’s playful eyes and sly grin, she carried herself with an almost regal demeanor.  Alice only saw her for a moment, just long enough for the other woman to put a finger to her own lips, telling Alice to remain silent.  She disappeared just as quickly, leaving Alice to wonder who she was.

            “Alice,” said Victor.

            He took his hand off Alice’s waist just long enough to lightly touch her chin and move her gaze back to him.  Alice found herself unable to tear herself away from those vibrant green eyes.

            “Listen,” said Victor. “Listen to the music.  Someone wrote that music for a night such as this.  He poured his heart and soul into a sound that would exemplify romance, a sound for couples to while away the hours just staring into each others’ eyes.  It was made, Alice, for people just like us.”

            To their side, a snide, feminine voice said, “Someone like her, maybe.”

            Alice and Victor looked over to see who had interrupted them, she with curiosity, and he with venom in his eyes.  It was the red headed woman from before, and faster than Alice could process, this woman reached up, grabbed Victor’s face, and ripped his skin clean off.

            Underneath that skin was the hideous, monstrous face of a vampire, dripping with blood.

            The vampire shrieked, grabbing Alice’s arms, and Alice screamed as she struggled to break free.

            “Let go of me!” she shouted. “Let go of me!  Let go of me!”

            “Mrs. Hayes!  Mrs. Hayes!”

            Alice froze and looked around.  She wasn’t in a ballroom.  She was lying in a hospital bed, connected to a heart rate monitor and an IV line as a few nurses held her arms.  She wasn’t dressed up for a ball but wore a hospital gown.  Finally, her hair wasn’t long and wavy. It was as short as it usually was.  Alice also had a bandage on her cheek and another over a spot on her neck that throbbed.  Something about that seemed important to her, but she was too confused to think of why.  Alice looked around at the nondescript hospital room as she breathed heavily, the nurses holding her arms firmly but gently.