There is an island here in Sweden, whose residents are kind of weird. I have been living there for two years. How I arrived here? This was about my profession.
I have been a degreed biologist for 4 years and I was invited to participate in a research team related to the marine life around the island. And since then I've never left it.
Not by my will.
Regarding what they did to me and the rest of my team. The invitation came by e-mail and was negotiated professionally. But what happened on the night of our first day there changed our lives forever.
When we arrived there, everything seemed beautiful and wonderful. It was in mid-July when the summer was in its magnificence and the sun contemplated these lands with great heat and light. It is worth mentioning that in the Swedish summer the sun rises around four o'clock in the morning and sets around eleven o'clock in the evening.
And they came at midnight. The locals who once welcomed us with warmth and affection have made us the monsters we are today.
I never believed this could exist or happen. I thought those creatures only existed in books or on TV series, but I was wrong.
They've drunk our blood and then made us part of the family
And this is what we are now, besides prisoners:
Vampires
Demons
Monsters
I have already helped to transform more than twenty people all those days and years I have been a prisoner here. Leaving is not an option. They say if we cross the island border, we will burn like a barbecue. Until now, no one wanted to check if it is true or not.
There is a difference between legends and reality. We don't die having contact with the sun. Maybe it is something only related to vampires in this part of the world, for having predominant sun during summer. But one thing is certain: we transform during the night. My rationality goes away, I feel much more animal than human.
And our powers only appear when the moonlight touches the floor too. Before that, we are ordinary human beings, like any other, except for the fact we live isolated in a society that grows every year. Not with newborns, because it's impossible that we have this part of nature with us: creating life. It was removed from us the moment the demon kissed our souls. Our power now is creating death.
Our village grows with new integrants we bring. We need to eat and we need to grow. This is what the boss says. Why? I never knew and never asked.
But the loneliness is huge and there are days the idea of crossing the border and ending this miserable life comes to my mind. It seems to be those little demons from cartons repeating over and over again that I should jump in the sea and swim until I become a fireball and finally don't exist anymore.
But I'm such a coward to really do something like that. My next step proves that. I am not only a coward but also a selfish and kind of evil. I believe the darkness of my new life has stolen the rationality I once had. I know that in the past I would never have put my family at risk. However, this solitude is overwhelming and I need them with me.
If I have to live stuck in this place forever, I want the people I love beside me, at least. If they will forgive me one day, I don't know.
But I don't want to live miserably like this alone.
Maybe this is all coming to my mind because it is almost Christmas and the memories that come with this time. Especially because I didn't have the chance to spend this time with them after that: my beloved father, my mother and little Rebeca.
In about one day, Christmas dinner will happen and this time I want them with me.
Even if it means that they will have to abandon their humanity, as I was forced to do.
I hope I will be forgiven.
But even so, I guess it will be much better living with them, even if they hate me forever.
***
The cell phone is in my hands. They are shaking, I can notice.
I was already decided, then why am I feeling so bad and sad about what I am about to do?
Shouldn't I be happy and excited about the idea of meeting them again? Not having to make up excuses saying the researches are getting better and better and we have many material and discoveries to share with the world?
At least I won't have to deny their visits, saying I won't have time.
Even with my hands shaking, I dial the numbers. I feel like I'm signing a death sentence for an enemy. But I don't go back.
The loneliness in my chest screams harder than the sadness of dooming my family to eternal exile.
The phone calls twice and my heart jumps as high as the ring tone.
Someone answers it.
"Son, what a great surprise."
It's mom. Tears start to come down from my eyes as I hear her voice
For happiness or guilt? I can't say.
"Hi, mom! How is everything going around there?"
"Oh, my son, everything is ok. We are getting ready for Christmas dinner. Are you sure you can't come this year again?"
I can hear the sadness in those words, and I take a deep breath not to show it in mine either.
"That's why I am calling. What do you think of coming to the island to spend Christmas with my friends and me? We cannot leave now, but we can receive visitors for some days.".
The crying noise comes to my ears through the machine, this time for happiness. Now it is easier to distinguish.
"Are you sure? I was even talking to your father about this idea, but we thought it would be better not to bother you with more problems.".
"Yes, mom! Nothing would make me happier now than having you three here beside me.".
"Then it's settled. If we leave now, we can arrive there early tomorrow.".
"It's perfect for me.". I answer it with a tear running through my cheek.
"All right. Do you have turkey there? Mom can take other things then.".
" Yeah, we do! We are in charge of the poultry then, and you of the beverage and other food.",
"Great, my son. I'm so happy to know I'll finally see you after all those years. Do you want to talk to your father or sister?".
" I can't now, mom. They're calling me. So, tomorrow morning I'll be waiting for you at the port of the island. Kisses.".
I don't wait for her answer; I hang up the phone and throw it on the floor. It's done.
It's settled.
Tomorrow night, during Christmas dinner, they will be the meal.
And after that, they will be with me forever.