Work of Blood

On a sweet spring night, a young boy named Shing crept out of his bed. He wanted to surprise his mother for her birthday in the morning. And he knew just where to get it.

Shing had gathered up some sticks, leaves, moss, dirt, and grass for a pretend cake for her. All he needed now was some fire.

So the boy creep back into the house to get a candle. Shing came back with a perfectly lit candle. But soon, a twist of fate would occur.

Shing wasn't looking at where he was going. So naturally, he tripped on one of his thick twigs, fell face down, and dropped the candle. The flame met up with the sticks and rushed out to the land. The boy looked un in terror. His mom was still asleep. If he tried to save her, it would be too late. But Shing had to do something.

"Kami, Buddha!" he cried out. "Save my mother!" Then a great white light came up and swallowed him up.

"Shing!" a voice called out to him. "Shing!"

"Un....." the boy said as he woke up. All he saw was a full sea of light.

"Shing!" it called again. The boy became startled and looked around. Who's calling me?

"Shing!" it called again. The boy couldn't see who was calling him.

"What do you want?" he asked at last.

"Shing." it said again. "I heard your wish." Shing was confused.

"But, I didn't make a wish." said he.

"Yes, you did." the voice said. "You said, save your mother. That was your wish." Shing fell into disbelief.

"Your mother is safe." the voice said. Shing sighed in relief.

"However...." it began again. Shing's head sprung up.

"There is a price to pay." the voice hissed. Shing became afraid.

"What do you mean?" asked he.

"You belong to me." it hissed.

"No!" Shing cried out. But it was too late. The boy felt a needle sharp pricking into his neck. Shing soon felt weak and dizzy. That thing was draining the life out of him. Shing tried to speak but was too weak. Finally, the boy fell into darkness.

When Shing awoke, he found himself as pale as yuki. At first, he thought he was still dreaming. So the boy went to a puddle and looked down. He wasn't dreaming! Shing was as pale as snow. What... has that... thing done... to me?

Then Shing looked to the sky. The sun was slowly rising. The boy suddenly felt some intense pain. "What's-- happening... to me?!" he cried out. His cries grew louder. Shing soon lost his strength and fell out.

Pretty soon, Shing awoke near river. Where... am... I?

"In Purgatory." a voice asked. Shing looked up. A lovely dark-haired woman knelt over him. She was like a breath of fresh air.

"Who are you?" he asked. The girl put her finger to his mouth.

"I'll explain everything later." she murmured. "Just go to sleep now." Her voice was passive and gentle.

So peaceful, Shing thought as he drifted asleep.

When the boy awoke, his savior was standing over him.

"It's you." he murmured. The girl said nothing. Shing rose to his feet.

"Who are you?" asked he.

"I am Helenia." the lovely savior answered. Shing was overtaken by her beauty.

"You are no longer human." she continued. The boy eyed her sharply.

"What do you mean?" Shing asked.

"That demon that saved your mother killed you." Helenia explained. Shing's eyes grew big.

"Am I..... a...." he began to say.

"No, you're not a ghost." his savior finished.

"So," Shing started up again. "What am I?" Helenia shut her eyes tight.

"You shall be called a 'vampire.'" said she. Shing was lost.

"I don't know either." Helena spoke up. Shing felt a little better.

"You can no longer walk in the sun." the savior said. Shing felt terror go through him.

"What do you mean?" he asked. Helenia couldn't answer. How could she? This poor boy had become a creature of the night. But she had to.

"The sun will kill you." Helenia said. Shing didn't feel any easier.

"I will care for you." the savior said. The boy felt better.

For many years, Shing and Helenia roamed the night together. All seemed well at first. But soon, Shin felt the loneliness.

So one night, he wandered Edo alone. He came across a beautiful young girl. The old feeling of lust came to him. Shing followed her in secret. When she was almost home, Shing appeared in front of her. At first, the girl was scared. The vampire grinned.

"Don't be afraid!" said he. The girl was still frozen in shock. Then he moved closed to her. She began to relax. Shing bit into her neck and drank her blood. After moments of ecstasy, the girl was like him.

When Helenia found out, she was furious.

"In affect of your deed," she yelled. "You and your breed will seduce, use, make, and kill!"

And it was so to this very day.