As Croft embraced its crisp atmosphere adorned with red coats, tams, and festive embellishments, the air hummed with holiday cheer. Every passerby exuded blissful contentment, a stark contrast to my somber demeanour as I navigated through the crowd like a spectral figure pushing against an unseen tide. But they say the journey of one thousand miles starts with the first step. For me, the journey felt as vast as a million miles, with the first challenge akin to crossing a wide expanse of lava.

In the calm ambiance of Croft's clinic, bathed in the soft glow of muted lighting, I found myself wandering through the tranquil corridors. The hushed whispers of dedicated staff echoed faintly around me. As I walked the near-deserted corridor, I instinctively drew my hoodie closer, sheltering myself within its folds, and proceeded with a casual gait. The faint murmur of patients in their rooms intermingled with the soft symphony of medical instruments resonating with a gentle hum, created a serene nocturnal melody within the clinical confines. In the corridor ahead, a nurse and two female walked. The older woman enveloped the younger one in a comforting embrace. The blood storage room lay just a few doors down. I continued my leisurely pace while watching them. I noticed the young girl once buoyant posture wilted under unseen burdens, her delicate frame seemingly bearing a heavy weight. She cradled her face in her hands briefly. Then something crazy happened. She directed her gaze in my direction.

Upon encountering her for the first time since our last meeting, she appeared visibly burdened. Clad in an ill-fitting, oversized t-shirt that failed to complement her delicate frame. The presence of sorrow seemed out of place on her angelic visage. Compelled to approach her and implore for a glimpse of her radiant smile, memories of our last encounter two months prior flooded my mind. Seeing her now brought a sense of relief, surpassing any elixir I had ever concocted, as her mere presence had an unparalleled ability to elevate my spirits.

Darkness had a profound capacity to conjure sorrow within me. However, a distinct shift occurred upon seeing Willow. Her presence radiated a luminous essence akin to a dark blue butterfly in the night. An embodiment of grace and delicacy reminiscent of the young maidens depicted in historical dramas, possessing both ethereal beauty and unwavering dedication to their responsibilities.

Willow’s expression softened upon noticing me. The two women retraced their steps back into the room they had briefly vacated. Sensing the urgency to distance myself, I cast my eyes downward and proceeded down the hallway, my steps purposeful as I made my way towards the exit. Stepping just a few feet beyond the village's boundary, I ventured into the serene expanse of Greenland. Within moments, I detected Willow's discreet presence trailing behind me. In that solitary moment, I held the power to do any without a soul being the wiser to her pursuit. Unseen and unnoticed, her silent steps echoed my own, a clandestine dance in the quiet night.

“Why are you following me?” I demanded   “How foolish of you, human.”

"You didn't show up," she said. "I was waiting." Her words felt like a painful struggle as she spoke.

I remained silent as I walked on. As the atmosphere grew strangely hushed, I stopped, worried that she might have fallen. I looked back to find Willow propped against a tree, her hands hanging lifelessly by her side.

“Why didn’t you come?” she questioned me.

"Aren't you supposed to stay away?" I demanded.

"You expect me to hate you just because you are a vampire? I won't. Eden, I refuse to judge you based on others' opinions."

"Then, what a remarkably unproductive and foolish way to waste your time by pestering me,” I nearly yelled. “What do you want from me?”

“I apologise," she murmured. "I didn't intend to upset you."

Her voice carried unmistakable sadness, a subtle yet palpable presence in the air. Despite my natural inclination to console her, I resisted the urge, mindful of the boundaries we had set. The issue wasn't Willow herself, but the regulation we abided by. She couldn't fathom the toll it took on me to utter words that caused her distress. I shuddered at the thought of Tobias potential reaction if he were to discover the truth. And as for Aki and his cohorts—well, they posed a threat of a different kind. Did the prospect of death surpass the anguish of my current existence?

Throughout my time as a vampire, I have continuously sought an exit, yet my efforts have consistently been foiled. Every attempt to terminate my existence had been in vain, as if I had traversed every conceivable path to demise without the resolve to see it through. However, is it acceptable to pursue forbidden actions, risking death at the hands of another, simply to align with the desires of Willow? I gathered my resolve and took a deep breath, attempting to convince myself that I would not proceed with this reckless plan of mine. However, my efforts were in vain, and I ultimately succumbed to the allure of my own impracticality.

“If I accept your request for friendship, you should be aware that once things get complicated, I am out,” I told Willow.

“Will that be all?” Willow inquired, exuding confidence that there wouldn't be any issues. "We can maintain a facade of non-friendship in public, as per your preference."

A public display was precisely what I needed, but Willow misunderstood my intention when I referred to "complications." I had meant it in a broader context, encompassing various factors, rather than solely negative implications.

"When I mention complications, I am referring to..."

“Oh!" she exclaimed, her gasp resonating loudly through the bamboos, the sound carrying back to me.

“What do you hope to achieve bringing me into your life, lass?” I asked with a rather curious tone.

With a slight smile that concealed more than it revealed, Willow moved away from the tree that had been her solace, her demeanour exuding a sense of reservation.

“Willow," I uttered cautiously. "I am not someone you should befriend. I am not even human. I am darkness within this world."

“You don't resemble darkness. If anything, you are..." She trailed off, her thoughts seemed to have carried her elsewhere.

“I don't feed on humans, but that doesn't mean I am not a vampire."

Willow assured, "I have spent time around women before without any issues. I am confident it will be the same with you."

“You haven't entertained anyone like me, lass.”

"Indeed, I haven't," she said, looking down.

“Please look at me. I want to see your face.”

Willow snapped her head up at this, and I offered her an encouraging yet wry smile. She seemed visibly flustered by the situation.

“I thought you said no complications.”

“This is not complicated, Willow. Your expression merely gives me a clue about what you're thinking. That's all.”

"It's okay," she said, speaking to me as if I were a child. "I won't ask for something you can't give."

I had to be mindful of her as I was still in the process of understanding what she truly wanted.