The Monster Inside
It was a cold, wet, Monday night. Silence had befallen the desolate streets, and the only sounds echoing through the sleepy town were those of dogs howling.
Charles trudged up the hills, the frigid air stinging his face, his heart pounding so loudly he could hear blood pulsing in his ear.
‘Blood’. He thought bitterly, as its familiar smell filled his nose, and his stomach growled hungrily. Perhaps there was a rabbit nearby. Charles’s empty stomach groaned again, almost making him give into the enticing scent. But then he pushed the horrible feeling down, feeling disgusted with himself. This was exactly like the night he’d been bitten by the vampire, the night he’d been turned into a monster.
Finally, after what seemed like an hour of wading through thick brambles and wild creepers, a castle came into view. Charles stopped to look at it, his mouth falling open in awe.
It looked magnificent, glistening in the moonlight, the white marble in striking contrast to the midnight sky.
Charles clenched his fists, swallowing the lump in his throat as he neared the towering fortress; this was not the time to be afraid. Yet his chest constricted painfully; his palms were sticky with sweat even though it was freezing.
When he neared the castle, he found there was already someone waiting for him. It was a woman, clad in sweeping, midnight blue robes. She grinned when she saw him, like she’d been expecting him all along, her fangs in full view.
‘Hello, Charles’ she cooed, stepping closer to him. Her mahogany hair fell loose in ringlets, and her face looked harder, sharper in the moonlight. Charles could hear her magic, it was buzzy and chaotic, like static. But now it reached out to him, creeping inside and warming his body, relieving the tension in his muscles.
‘Hello, Celeste,’ Charles nodded, surprised at how calm he sounded. Celeste smiled wider, like she was impressed he even knew her name. Of course, he did. He’d done his research well.
‘I knew you would come someday,’ she continued, patronizingly, ‘Finally realised that you’re a pariah, have you? Come on, then, follow me, I shall introduce you to the others.’
She threw open the door to the castle, then turned to him, frowning, like she’d just noticed something. He gulped, hoping she hadn’t noticed his uncertainty.
‘You are hesitant to join us. I can sense your dilemma,’ she whispered, appalled, recoiling as if he’d caused her physical pain. And then, Charles felt it again. The buzz of static, the same warm feeling he’d felt a few moments ago, spreading through his bones, his stomach, and he felt all the doubt melt away.
‘But you are safe here, Charles. You are protected. You are with family now,’ she whispered again, her face softening.
‘Come on, be brave. This is what you were sent for,’ a small voice croaked in the back of his head. Charles looked at Celeste’s expectant face, her extended hand.
Sighing, he stepped in, slipping his hand into hers.
Celeste grinned again.
-
Inside, the castle was just as splendid. Grand chandeliers hung from every ceiling; the intricately carved pillars were lit up by flame torches at every corner.
Everything smelled strongly of cologne, and blood. But it was familiar blood. Vampire blood.
Celeste led him to a room which looked like a drawing room. Inside the other vampires were curled up on the plush sofas next to the fire, dressed in resplendent robes, showing off their razor-sharp fangs and chatting and laughing.
All of them fell silent once he walked in.
‘Everyone, may I have your attention please! This is Charles. He will be joining our pack from now on,’ Celeste declared loudly. Her magic was different now; snappy and demanding and controlling.
The vampires duly got up and bowed. In the dimly lit room, their skin glowed, their eyes twinkled. Charles felt that sickening feeling in his stomach again as he noticed their bloodthirsty expressions, but it was overpowered by another emotion. Acceptance.
‘You are with family now,’ Celeste’s words came flooding back.
-
Charles was awarded his very own scarlet robe before the pack of vampires set out for their nightly hunting. Celeste was by his side at all times. He supposed she was still wary of him, so he tried his very best to win her trust.
In the forest, he saw how well-oiled the pack was. They hunted swiftly, aware of each other’s strengths, and looked out for each other when there was danger lurking around.
Charles tried to mirror them, but the animals were faster. The forest had become alive with different scents of blood, and Charles gazed around hungrily as the others bit into their prey.
Celeste came up beside him, blood shining on her teeth. She grabbed him by the elbow and led him deep into the forest.
‘Where are we going?’ Charles asked when she finally let go of him.
‘Hunting,’ she replied, without looking at him.
‘So, what were we doing back there?’
Celeste looked at him, smiling manically and shaking her head. ’Not that kind of hunting, Charles. Human hunting.’
A thrill ran down his spine. He stopped walking.
’B-but then, why’re we going into the forest? Shouldn’t we be near civilisation?’
She laughed, throwing her head back. ’If you’re saying we go out on the streets, well, then, you might as well have a death wish. There are police patrolling the streets Charles, I’m sure you know that. If they see us…. Well, anyways. We’re going to the edge of the forest. We’ll find some civilians there. They sometimes venture there to find some peace of mind. Honestly, that is such hogwash.’
They both fell silent after that. Charles’s mind was racing. Celeste was right in front of him, and he was suddenly aware of the dagger in his pocket.
He could easily stab her. She wouldn’t see it coming. It would be quick, and easy.
But Charles felt scared, and ashamed. Celeste had welcomed him with open arms. And being with the pack felt… right. He knew it wasn’t real. The feeling was superficial. But it still felt good. Charles almost didn’t want to go back home.
’Don’t stall for long, Charles, you can kill me now. I’d love to see you try,’ Celeste smirked, snapping him out of his thoughts. It took a moment for him to register what she had said, but when he did, he did a double take.
‘H-how did you-’
‘Do you think I’m stupid? I knew from the moment you stepped into my palace that you never meant to join us. You were here to kill,’ she snarled, inching closer to him.
Charles stepped back, his back hitting a tree. Celeste had cornered him. There was no escape now. This was how he’d die, in a dark, lonely forest, without fulfilling his mission.
Celeste’s long, slender fingers wrapped around his throat. His heart lurched. His chest was tight. It was getting harder to breathe. Celeste gripped his throat tighter. He felt dizzy. Hopeless.
But, then, something came over him; he didn’t know if it was an adrenaline rush or simply the vampire in him, but he found himself pushing Celeste back with newfound energy.
She gasped, surprised, and he took that to his advantage. He pinned her to the ground.
Celeste grabbed his collar threw him to the side. She still had a manic grin plastered on her face. Charles punched her, hard, knocking her into a tree.
Celeste screamed. For the first time, she looked terrified. Disarmed. He wasted no time. Grabbing the dagger, he lurched forward, and stabbed a wide-eyed Celeste right in the chest. Her hands fell limp at her side. The buzz of her magic went silent.
The agonising scream was still ringing in his ear as he was escorted back into town by his crewmates. He was exhausted; his muscles were sore and his legs felt numb.
The other vampires, too, were carried back to town. They were to be given new homes, and enough food. Celeste had had them all under her control, Charles realised, as he watched the tired, confused vampires.
His chest constricted painfully when he thought of how he’d acted around the pack. Entitled and violent, almost animal. The minutest flicker of ecstasy he’d felt when Celeste had mentioned ‘human hunting’. He’d let the beast inside take over and consume every part of him, relished his newfound power.
But, as Charles lay slumped in his chair, with his aching bones and battered body, he resolved that he would never, ever torment an innocent soul. He’d never repeat Celeste’s crimes.
He would never, ever let the monster inside him win.
