As I ran through the rugged area, the others surged forward, but my stride faltered as a mesmerising glow captivated my gaze. A radiant luminescence beckoned, a siren's call amidst the darkness. Ah, the folly of mortals, heedless of the perils that lie concealed. How they flout danger with reckless abandon, oblivious to the sanctuary they forsake. If only they understood the treacherous allure that awaits beyond the safety of their tranquil haven.

I turned in the light’s direction.

What do I hope to achieve going to this human? 

As I caught sight of her from behind, I instantly recognised her elegant poise and graceful demeanour. It was unmistakably her, though she had already gone home. Her earlier attire had been substituted with mud cargo pants, complemented by a sleek black blouse, all accentuated by the knapsack adorning her back. Even in this more casual ensemble, she exuded an air of refinement that was truly captivating.

I found myself in a state of heightened anxiety, and yet the source of this unease remained unaware.

"Excuse me, but what business does a lady have roaming Greenland at this late hour?" Willow spun around, clearly startled by my interruption. I raised my hand to shield my eyes from the harsh light. "Do you mind?"

Lowering the flashlight, she revealed a captivating smile.

“We need to stop meeting like this, lass,” I said.

Willow scanned me with an air of curiosity, but no caution. “Are you following me?” Her voice, akin to a sweet melody, effortlessly enveloped me in its warmth.

“With such a bright light, don’t you want someone to follow?” I asked.

Her mouth, possessing the delicacy befitting her fine features, curved into a shy smile, exuding a gentle and appealing charm.

“My sight is not as great as yours,” she admitted.

“Perhaps you should switch.” I teased.

“There is an idea, but if you don’t mind, I will remain human." Extending her arm gracefully, she continued, "I have not properly introduced myself. My name is Willow Nu Riya Intan.”

With her graceful poise and refined demeanour, she embodied the ideal of a young woman whom parents wished their children to admire, and mothers hoped their sons would bring home.

“Won’t you tell me yours?” Willow inquired, noticing my hesitation to reciprocate.

“I am Eden Pierce.”

Willow's hand fell gracefully to her side as I declined to shake it. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Eden Pierce.”

A sense of wonder overtook me, as her voice spoke my name. It was an experience both unusual and delightful, evoking a profound sense of fascination within me.

“Isn’t it a bit too late strolling through Greenland? Scary these nights, you know,” I said.

“Everyone seeks adventure,” Willow replied.

Her answer surprised me. "At this hour?” I started at her oddly.

“Living close by, I have grown accustomed to venturing here. It is peaceful. The utter blackness does not bother me.”

I could not shake off my unease with her late-night strolls. It just did not sit well with me. Despite my discomfort, I found myself unable to compel her to cease. The lack of control left me feeling helpless, and as I pondered the situation, a troubling question lingered: did I truly desire to have control over Willow? It was as though I was caught in a delicate dance, torn between my concern and a desire to dominate.

“You are not afraid of vampires?” I asked.

“Should I?” She gazed upon me so beautifully. “Should I fear you?”

“It is not like I do not understand why you are not afraid. You could kill us with your mystery weapon.” I sneered.

This caught Willow off guard.

“I would never kill anyone.” She sounded deeply distress at the mere notion of taking another person's life.

“You tried to kill me,” I accused.

“No, I did not.”

“Then what happened?” I demanded.

“You do not remember?” Willow seemed surprised by this revelation.

“How about you enlighten me, lass?”

She briefly shifted her gaze before speaking, "I'm uncertain about what you expect me to say.” 

“My aim was to scare you, not hurt you,” I informed her. “This life isn’t all that it cracks up to be, and it bores me sometimes.”

Willow’s gaze locked with mine, and in that moment, her expression shifted to one of sheer astonishment.

“Then again,” I continued before she could, “I am a vampire, and it is my nature to kill, right? I am not trying to justify “all vampires are good” because some of us are an actual piece of work.”

Willow confidently declared, "I will not be ashamed of the person I am," with a matter-of-fact tone.

“And what kind of person are you, little lass?" I inquired, my gaze reflecting genuine intrigue.

This made Willow smiled.

“I would like to believe that you aren’t like the orders,” I continued when Willow remained silent.

“That’s what you want to believe?” Willow asked me.

“Don’t we all want to believe in something?”

"I don't know," she replied with a distant look. "What do you believe in?" Her tone carried a sense of contemplation and curiosity.

"Life is inherently unjust, leading us to assume the roles of actors and actresses, portraying the individuals we wish others to perceive."

“Oh. How thoughtfully deep. I bet you are proud of yourself for coming up with that.”

I found it difficult to discern whether she was pleased or mocking me.

“Are you impressed?” I questioned.

“Not nearly as much as you were hoping,” Willow replied.

What a feisty little thing. I must admit, her response was quite endearing. It was charming how she held her ground.

“You are one, aren’t you? A pretender.” I accused.

“Why must I pretend?”

“To escape our miserable reality,” I answered. “Perhaps you have not suffered a day in your life, otherwise, you would understand.”

Willow gazed into the distance, as she replied, “It is quite a perception you have of me.”

“It is not a perception.”

“You know nothing about me.” She seemed hurt by my insinuation.

I found the situation quite amusing. Engaging in playful banter with people from the temple was a rare occurrence for me. Past experiences have instilled a belief that such interactions tend to lead to trouble. However, when it came to Willow, I could not resist the temptation to provoke her.

“I am upsetting you,” I said.

She sighed. “I am more upset at myself.”

“Why?”

"I am allowing you to get to me. People hardly get to me. Somehow..." She paused, and a silence as thick as the surrounding darkness hung between us.