Chapter 1
Who would’ve ever thought I’d find myself in this predicament? As I took a puff from my cigarette, I leaned against the white-paved wall. Here I am, in this white porcelain mansion, and it ain’t even fucking mine. That’s the shit.
“Hey, Betty Boop. The master said it’s time to go.”
I put out my cigarette. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m coming.”
Well, I should tell you how this ratty situation came about, but I’ll have to start at the beginning. It was the day I found myself working at Mr. B’s Diner. The night shift, as always, was pretty slow. Jessica, Marie, and I were all on, and it was boring as hell.
I decided to take a quick smoke break. “Yeah, yeah, Maria. Anyways, I’ll be out back.”
Maria giggled and said, “All right, Amy. And see if you can run off that hobo that’s hanging around the garbage bin in the back, would ya? It’s getting ridiculous.” She joked.
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll see what I can do,” I replied as I exited the back door.
Just as the door clicked shut, I heard a rustling in the distance.
“Come on, old man, it’s time to go. What have we told you about being around here?” I said as I walked toward the source of the noise. As I got closer, I could make out the silhouette of a person standing near the garbage bin area.
“Come on, George, it’s time to go,” I called out as I approached.
But when I got closer, I saw the figure of a slim-built man, dressed in blue jeans and a white top, holding what looked like George up in the air—by one hand. I mean, the fucking guy was holding a grown-ass man up in the air by one hand, with George’s neck bent at an awkward angle.
I glanced at George’s fear-stricken face as he managed to gurgle out, “Run.”
I mean, he didn’t have to tell me twice. I turned and made a break for it, but it was no use. I felt the sharp blow of a hand knock me in the back, and I went flying against the diner wall with a hard thump. Dazed and disoriented, I managed to get up before I was pinned against the wall.
A thick British accent graced my ears, “Well, isn’t this my lucky night? I thought I would have to feed off of that disgusting male by the garbage, and then a little bird just walks my way.”
I could barely make out his face, but his fucking teeth were the problem. I stared at two sharp canines protruding from his mouth.
I winced as he pinned me harder against the wall. I felt the moment his hand twisted my neck at that awkward angle, and a sharp grimace escaped my lips. The pain shot down my spine, but before I could react, I felt something worse—his wet tongue sliding against my skin.
“Mmm, your skin tastes absolutely delectable,” he whispered, his voice dripping with dark satisfaction. “I wonder if your blood tastes the same.”
My heart pounded in my chest, every beat echoing in my ears like a countdown. I tried to move, but his grip was iron-tight, and panic surged through me as I realized there was no escape.
His lips hovered over my neck, and I felt the heat of his breath as he chuckled softly, like he was savoring the moment. My breath came out in short, terrified bursts. The adrenaline pumping through my veins screamed at me to fight, to run, but my body wouldn’t respond. All I could do was brace myself as I felt the sharp prick of his fangs graze my skin.
Then, the pain hit. His teeth sank deep into my neck, and I gasped, my entire body tensing from the searing pain. It wasn’t just physical—it felt like something deeper, like my very life was being drained from me, pulled out with every pull of his mouth.
I struggled, my hands weakly pushing against his chest, but it only made him hold me tighter, pinning me against the cold, unforgiving wall. My vision began to blur as I felt myself growing weaker by the second. My thoughts raced, panicked. Was this it? Was this how I was going to die?
Just when I thought I couldn’t take any more, he suddenly pulled back, releasing me. My knees gave out, and I collapsed to the ground, barely conscious. The world spun as I tried to make sense of what had just happened. Through the haze, I could hear his voice again, a dark, amused chuckle.
“Ah, not bad at all,” he mused, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Consider yourself lucky, little bird. I’ve had my fill for now.”
I could barely lift my head to look at him as he stood there, towering over me, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. He turned away, walking off into the shadows as though nothing had happened, leaving me trembling and gasping for air on the cold pavement.
I was alive. But for how much longer?
