The bustling streets in Washington, D.C. do not benefit Milla to single out the male vampire out of all those people. Compared to the polluted roads before, the air is much cleaner now after they banned all transportation with billowing smoke from their exhaust pipe. What remains are the electric cars, motorcycles, and scooters.
Gone are the days of manual driving and numerous car accidents. As most individuals have self-driving cars that let them eat or do anything inside, while not fretting about traffic and other vehicles. Some conduct business meetings whether inside a car or an impressive shuttle- these enable them to make use of the LED screens or table to discuss project proposals and the likes.
For those who do not have the access to the above-mentioned amenities, robot taxis are available that they can choose to share with others or ride it alone. These taxis have no driver inside, they only have two to three rows of seats inside with nine passengers capacity for the larger taxi. The rows of seats face one another with seatbelts for all passengers, and a large automatic door that opens upwards in every designated stop a passenger chooses.
Safety is not an issue in this driverless robot taxi because there are requirements before riding one. Every passenger should book and pay it first with their phones, then whoever rides any of the taxis will be tracked by employed individuals who see to it that no delays or complications will occur. These horseless carriages as Milla names them are a marvel to her especially since there are no cars in her time and now this.
Even electric motorcycles are popular this year, specifically the self-balancing feature of it where the sensors let it stay upright despite not moving. It is accompanied by a helmet or visor that has a digital screen in it- guiding the driver with information about the motorcycle and directions. It also provides a 360 degrees view of its surroundings.
Not only that, these motorcycles come in different sizes and types. Some have lower or higher seats, while a reasonable price is given to those with no self-balancing feature. Others appear like a small singular car because the driver is inside the transparent enclosed capsule-like room.
Milla mentally prepared herself for what the world has to offer after 300 years have passed. But she does not expect this tremendous change in comparison with people riding in horse-drawn carriages before. Witnessing these moving things, she is kind of overwhelmed and skittish. So she does not wish to stay on the streets any longer and gives up on finding the vampire.
Coincidentally, a young man approaches her, "Miss, do you need help?"
Still wearing her oversized hoodie and mask, he fails to recognize who she is but he never intends to look at her face for some reason. She lifts up her right arm and opens her watch so she can ask for locations. Then she shows the map to him, "Where am I right now?"
The young man eyes her expensive watch and bag which she takes notice of, "Uhh, let me see…"
Pretending to look at her watch until a well-timed opening arrives for him when groups of people are about to pass by them. He easily snatches her duffel bag, runs, and blends in with the crowd. Meanwhile, the male vampire watches the scene unfold from afar. He almost proceeds to chase after the guy when he catches sight of an indifferent Milla. Then he hears her thoughts which brings a small smile on his face upon hearing this old term, 'Larcener.'
The thief glances back to check if someone is running after him. To his relief, he sees no one and weirdly- even the owner of the bag is out of the picture. During the time that he is looking behind him, he disregards the people in front of him and keeps bumping into them. Exactly when he turns his head around, a strong flick on the forehead causes him to bounce back, "Wa- what was that- for...?"
He realizes that the hooded lady from earlier is now standing in front of him and begins to stutter, "Y-you! Ho-how are you here?!"
Then an answer falls on him so he chooses to garner attention from other people, "Are you- you're a vampire! You can't use your strength or your quickness outside! Don't you know that? What's the law for if you won't conform to it?!"
Hearing someone mentions a vampire, results in other people stopping and waiting to watch a spectacle. But they are confused as to why the hooded vampire is not running away, he/she seems unperturbed. Until they listen to a voice that gives chills to their souls, "So? Is that enough reason so you could get away from trying to steal my things? Does that justify your wrong actions?"
Most of the people have their phones unlocked or digital glasses to record since the beginning while vampires are split into two categories. Some move away from the scene and some want to defend her. The thief holds on to the bag, wishing a police officer will see the commotion and arrest the vampire, like always.
"Give me my bag or I will make you."
This is not what he has in mind, his plan is to make people criticize her for being a vampire which will lead her to run away before someone arrests her. Left with no choice, he forcefully throws the bag to Milla and rapidly flees from this brazen vampire. However, she catches it with her left hand like it's a purse and clutches the man's jacket using her other hand.
The guy attempts to slide out of his jacket when she suddenly appears ahead of him with her hand holding his neck, "Someone calls a sheriff while I'm being nice."
Unexpectedly, a woman raises her hand and says, "Miss, if you could follow me to the sheriff's station."
Milla feels like something is wrong with the woman but she's moving and talking normally. While two male vampires volunteer to drag the guy instead. Unknown to her, the male vampire is controlling everything that woman says or does. The thief discovers that the crowd of people disperse unusually and he cannot shout literally despite wanting to.
The videos of her recorded by the bystanders are being deleted by themselves. But some are live streaming it so it's already circulating on the internet. Sooner or later, Rhine and Josh will see it.
Upon pointing her at the police station, the woman leaves her and regains consciousness after walking a few blocks away. Milla enters with the two vampires that are dragging the guy then she declares openly, "Punish this thief." The male vampire from the restaurant is laughing so hard because of this declaration of her.
But everyone inside stares at her and silence ensues. The police officer at the reception desk shakes his head then waves at them, "Please file your report or complaint here."
"She's a vampire! She used her strength and speed outside without-" He doesn't finish his complaint because Milla knocks him out of consciousness.
"Miss, is he telling the truth?"
"And what about it?"
The police officer feels unnerved because of this dreadful aura she emits just from listening to her voice. But he remembers that he has the authority here, "Well… it's against the laws, Miss so you might be charged."
"Oh, then have you read our laws?"
"Your laws? Wha-what…" Milla puts her duffel bag down, all of them anticipate as she straightens her back again while her right hand is on top of her hoodie. It's like a scene from a movie where the main character slowly reveals his or her face.
She takes off her hood, revealing her dark red long hair and black eyes with red irises. Most of them are familiar with what the Vampire Empress looks like but they find it hard to believe that she's actually here. Their worst fear emerges when she removes her mask, "Our laws."
"Vam...pire Empress?" The police officer unconsciously utters.
"So, have you read 'our' laws? If not, I suggest you read it or 'you might be charged', too." This is her mimicking what the police officer said previously.
He continuously nods at her with his eyes looking like saucers, "Yes, Vampire Empress. And I will see to it that the thief receives the punishment he deserves. We apologize for troubling you, let my colleagues take him to the holding cell. If you need anything else, we will gladly assist you."
"Just know that… I'll be around. Also, I don't want any information leaving this place about my presence here or in this city. Do you understand?" Her tone of voice is serious but it gives rise to an eerie feeling.
Before she runs out, she recalls the two male vampires that help her who are currently looking at her with amazement. They are about to greet her with all of their hearts when she whispers to them, "No need to greet me. Thank you for your help. And keep this a secret, will you?"
They both answer right away, "Yes, Vampire Empress." And she's gone. But these two males keep giving playful jabs at each other- releasing their excitement and happiness, "Bro, tell me I ain't dreaming!"