Crimson Whispers

Lucian

It happened over a century ago. I was running away from some townsfolk who thought I was cursed and would doom the land, making the crops fail. As I fled, I spotted him. I had hidden behind a tree, trying to catch my breath. "Phew, man, they are persistent even with just bows and spears. I think my trick will keep them busy."

You see, I had the ability to create doubles of myself, but only when in danger. I hated using it because it drained my energy, but it was for emergencies only. Then, a young man with blonde hair, who looked to be in his twenties, appeared, hanging from the branches. "Wow, they really don’t like you, huh? What did you do?"

I sighed. "I don’t know. All they did was look at my eyes and call me cursed." The young man jumped down from the tree and looked into my eyes. "Wow, they're so pretty! I’ve never seen red and purple eyes in this century before!"

I laughed. "This century? What are you, immortal?"

He smiled brightly. "Yup, I’m a vampire and have been since I was 21 years old. My name is Aries. What about you?”

His voice was soft but sincere. I smiled as I took a sip of water. "Human, and 21 as well. The name's Lucian."

Aries smiled at me. "So, Lucian, I know we just met, but since they already treat you like an outcast, how about becoming immortal?"

I lay down on the grass, looking at the clouds. "Hm, me, immortal?" There was a brief moment of silence as the clouds floated by us, as if time had frozen just for a bit. The wind was soft and calm. Then I smiled. "Why not? What's worse than how I'm treated right now?"

Aries knelt down beside me, bit my neck, and then snapped it. That’s how I was turned into a vampire.

The memory fades, pulling me back to the present. I blink, refocusing on the here and now. The centuries have passed, but the events of that day remain as vivid as ever. As I lie on the ground in the forest, the rustling leaves whisper reminders of the passage of time, grounding me in the moment.

I sigh deeply, feeling the weight of years gone by. "Man, it feels like that was just yesterday, but it’s been over two centuries since that happened." I push myself up, brushing off leaves and dirt. "Well, I better get started. I'm not gonna get full just laying here, even if it’s peaceful. Man, I hate running from people, but... Aries told me it’s time to start the prophecy today. What a drag!"

The thought of the prophecy, with its burdensome expectations, nags at me. I've carried its weight for so long, always wondering when the time would come. And now that it’s here, I can’t help but feel reluctant. The forest, with its serene beauty, offers a stark contrast to the chaos that awaits. Despite my reservations, I lie back on the ground, staring up at the canopy. Procrastination feels like my last act of rebellion against the destiny that's been thrust upon me.The memories of what Aries told me about the prophecy begin to surface.

"Aries, you called me?" Aries sits in his chair, almost resembling a king's throne. "Yes, Lucian. You have done well adjusting to the vampire lifestyle. How do you enjoy it?"

I look around and take a deep breath. "It's amazing,no more running, and it's peaceful. Being full of energy is awesome, and man, the blood just fills the thrill. I love it. And the fact I don’t have to run a lot is awesome!"

Aries laughs. "Lucian, have you always been lazy?"

I tilt my body, placing my hand on my hip and chin. "Hm?" I start to think of the right words, drifting into thought. "Am I lazy? Hm, who knows. I’m just not motivated enough to do anything. I guess I'll say that!"

Then Aries snaps at me. "LUCIAN, focus!"

I smile. "Lazy? No, I’m just not motivated enough to do much of anything but look at clouds and eat."

Aries smiles. "Well, I guess that’s fine, for we want our existence to be a secret for now."

Curiously, I ask, "For now? Aries, what do you mean by that?"

Aries leans in, pointing at a chair. I walk over to the chair and sit down. Aries takes a deep breath. "I talked to the vampire elders you know, the ones you met after you got turned a few months ago."

My eyes widen. "Wow, they summoned you? Did they tell you your future?"

Aries leans back. "No, they told me your future, and I asked them to let me tell you."

My eyes widen. "Wait, my future! So what is it, Aries?"

Aries chuckles a bit. "Lazy but curious as ever, huh? Okay, I’ll tell you. But don’t worry, if you forget it in the future, I’ll remind you when it gets closer."

I sigh, leaning back in my seat, knowing he's right. I’ve had fighting training and finished it, ready for the world out there if I had to protect myself. But I’m so much of a person who'd rather stare at the clouds than run from being killed. Yet, when there’s something interesting, I want to know it as soon as possible.

Aries smiles “they told me in two centuries from now after you being turn the world will know of our race and you will go on a killing spree that will make you the most wanted man in the world and this group called vampire hunters who kill vampire criminals will send a skilled hunter to kill you and you will fall for her and brake her ice heart and turn her creating a even more powerful vampire that allows both of you to live without your day light rings and that’s it for now !” 

My eyes widen “another girl I think I’ve had enough after that Lilith chick” Aries chuckled “oh in due time Lucian you will want another woman in your life as the prophecy tells but for now it’s time for you to travel the world and be yourself but when I call you to do the prophecy then you must understand?”

I sighed “do I have a choice?” 

“No not really it’s been pre told” Aries spoke 

The memory fades, pulling me back to the present. I blink, refocusing on the here and now. The centuries have passed, but the events of that day remain as vivid as ever. As I lie on the ground in the forest, the sounds of the rustling leaves anchor me in the present moment once more.

I let out a sigh. "Well, let’s hope this girl is cute and not stubborn like Aries." I close the book I had been reading, titled How to Be a Bad Boy. Standing up, I dust myself off and look around, still not fully motivated. I place the book in my bag. "There's a town at the end of the forest. It would be the perfect start. I'll nab about twenty people, then head to the next town, rest, and start again. Sounds like a plan."

Talking out loud always helps me plan when motivation doesn’t come easy. I walk through the forest in silence, accompanied by the occasional sounds of nature from the trees and animals. As I reach the end of the forest and the small street leading to a new town, I hear a couple fighting. A woman yells, "You asshole! I wish you were dead!"

I pause, the raw emotion in her voice cutting through my thoughts. “This new town promises to be anything but dull.” I step out onto the street where the couple stands, offering them a slight smile “I may be of help then miss?” She stares at me as my eyes gleam bright red. The girl smiles and laughs “haha, really,  for a stranger ?”

 I walk closer to the man and bare my fangs. "Yes, really. And perhaps you and I can have a talk." I sink my fangs into his neck, draining the warm, soft blood from his body. The kick of adrenaline rushes through me as I feel his body go numb. I drop him to the ground with a quick motion.

Moving behind her, my breath against her skin, I sense her fear. "Now, you will show me the taste of your desire." I sink my fangs into her once more, her hot blood filled with fire only intensifying my craving. Removing my fangs, her body numb under my touch, I release her and head into the city, wiping the blood from my face.

My hunger drives me onward, finding more victims in the town until I reach the edge of another forest. Taking the last one, I decide not to feed from him.

Instead, I say, "Tell everyone I'm coming for them, all the young. I am Lucian." The man nods in fear as he falls, and I disappear into the forest, continuing my quest through town after town, taking the blood of the young.

Finally tired after reaching the third village, I stop to rest and enter an inn for the night. The next morning, I wake up and turn on the TV. As the news comes on, I see a segment about me.

My eyes widen, and I quickly shut off the TV. I finish getting dressed and put the rest of my belongings into my bag. I sigh, "Man, I knew this was going to be a drag! Now I have to find a place to hide, and I've got to start running!"

I put my backpack on and walk to the front desk, handing them the key. I put on my black cloak, covering my face, and head to one of the stores to buy some food for a few weeks. Once l check out, I leave the town and enter the forest. Placing the black cloak into my backpack, I go deep into the forest.

Suddenly, a few voices yell, "Lucian, we will find you and hunt you down for sure!"

I laugh, "Okay. Give me your best shot. I'll drink your blood too!"

I start running, passing trees and birds.

I hide for a bit to catch my breath while I hear them slowly catching up. I look around and see a cave that might help me execute the next part of my plan to get farther away from them and lead them away from me. 

I reach the cave, my breath coming in slow, steady puffs in the cold night air.

The ground beneath me is damp, the chill seeping through my clothes as I sit down, my back pressed against the rough, cold stone of the cave wall. Het out a deep sigh of relief, feeling a momentary sense of calm wash over me.

From my bag, I pull out a sandwich, the smell of it cutting through the musty scent of the cave. It's still warm from being packed, and I take a slow, savoring bite. The flavors burst on my tongue-comforting, familiar. I finish the sandwich quickly, crumpling the wrapper and shoving it back into my bag.

"Okay," I mutter to myself, the words echoing slightly in the cave's hollow.

"The plan is going as expected. Next stop, the nearest town. After the third, I'll find another cave, lie low, and then..." let my voice trail off, my mind already dritting.

The exhaustion pulls at me, and I let myself slide further down, my eyes fluttering shut. Sleep comes quickly, but it's restless, filled with fragmented images of faces l've seen, places l've passed, and the ever-present, gnawing hunger.

When I wake, it's dark. Nighttime.

Perfect. I've learned by now that the hunters don't come out at night not unless they're desperate. I pick myself up, brushing off the dirt from my clothes, and make my way to the cave entrance. The forest is thick, shadows playing tricks on the eyes, but I've been here long enough to know the path well.

I slip through the trees, making my way toward the next town. The air is still, almost unnaturally so. Then, just ahead, I see a girl standing alone at the edge of town, her shoulders shaking as she cries softly. Her voice is a broken whisper, "I want this to end. I'm sick of this life!"

A smile creeps onto my lips. She doesn't hear me approach, doesn't sense the danger until I'm already behind her, leaning in close. I whisper softly in her ear, "I can help with that."

She gasps, but it's too late. My fangs sink into her neck, the warm blood flowing into my mouth, filling me with a rush of energy. Her body goes limp, a numbness spreading through her, and I lower her gently to the ground.

The hunger is still there, gnawing, relentless. I move into the town, my senses sharpening, picking out the scent of fresh blood. The young ones-so full of life, so unaware. I move from one to the next, quick and efficient, feeling their warmth fade as I drain them.

At the edge of town, I spot a young man. He's frozen, staring at me with wide, terrified eyes. I can feel the blood still wet on my lips as I approach him. I lean in close, my voice a soft, deadly whisper. "I'll leave you alive, but you tell them it was me, Lucian, who allowed you to live."

His eyes are wide, trantic, and he nods quickly, too scared to speak. I step back, giving him one last look before turning away, disappearing into the night.

I move swiftly through the forest, the wind rustling through the leaves as the first light of dawn begins to break. I know they are close behind me the vampire hunters. I push forward, slipping through the shadows of the trees until I reach the edge of the next town. My quest remains the same: drain the life from the young, leave them numb, their vitality sapped. 

As I make my way through the town's dimly lit streets, I hear footsteps crunching on the ground behind me. They’re catching up. One of them shouts, "Lucian! We will catch you and put you down, you vile vampire!" I chuckle at their bravado. "You can try," I call back, my voice a dark whisper on the wind, "but you won’t succeed!"

I push myself faster, tapping into my vampiric speed, far beyond any human capability. The distance between us grows as I move like a shadow through the town. I can feel the energy coursing through me, the remnants of the last soul I drained still potent in my veins. By the time I reach the third town, I slow my pace and stop at a hotel.

Inside, I check in, making sure to hide any trace of my nature. In my room, I strip down and step into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the grime and sweat from my skin. The warmth soothes me, momentarily calming the hunger that always churns within. I step out, towel myself off, and dress. I turn on the TV, only to see my face flash across the screen. Awarning to the townspeople, especially the young, to be on alert. They speak of me like I'm some kind of monster. I smirk and turn the TV off, exhaustion pulling at me. I lie down on the bed and let sleep take over.

When I wake, it's dark again. Night is my domain. I check out of the room and head back into the forest, finding a secluded cave to rest in. Leaning against the cold stone walls, I speak to the silence, "This should keep me hidden for a while. She should be on her way soon. When morning breaks, I'll move on to the next town."

The forest around me is deeper, darker than the rest a path that leads to the old town, where fewer people dare to tread. I let myself relax and pull out a book, the title ironic in my hands, How to Be a Bad Boy. I chuckle softly and start to read.