August 31st, 2249: 8:00pm
I'd just finished washing my dinner bowl when a loud knock sounded at the front door. Like clockwork, the time for collect had come. They would do what they always did at the end of every month; come into my home, check all the rooms, remind me of next month's collection, take the blood, and leave.
I lived in a one story home; three bedrooms, two bath and a tiny, little kitchen. It's sound like a nice home, and it was if you ignored the holes in the ceilings, the molding walls and the 'hit or miss' plumbing situation. But I had it better off than most I suppose.
It used to be my brother, my mom and I until my mom passed a few years back from heart failure. I don't know anything about my father. He was gone before I was born. My mother once told me that he wasn't a very good man and that's about all I know of him.
My brother passed before my mother. He went to work in the werewolves district when I was about 13; he'd just turned 17 the day he went off to work. About a year into the job, mom told me there was an accident there and my brother had passed. But I know the truth. They killed him, my mom just didn't want to tell me that.
After the aftermath of the war, and my brothers death, my mothers heart just seemed to become weaker as the years past. I knew she missed what life use to be. I could only imagine how much it effected her because she once lived a normal life; before the beast made themselves known. I can't imagine having so much freedom and then one day everything changed in an instant. It doesn't bother me as much. I was born in the era of the beast. This was normal to me.
Mom passed three years after my brother; on the day of a collection. I remember it well. The sun had just gone down and we were in the kitchen making dinner; we had an hour to spare before the collector came by our home.
I remember her telling me another one of her story's from her past life; always telling it with a sad smile and low, watery eyes. She'd told this story to me a million times, the story of how she grew up riding bikes, going to school, hanging out at crazy hours of the night without a care in the world. She'd laugh about the crazy things she and her friends once got into.
Then her laugh turned into a cough like it normally did, only this time she clutched her chest in pain, falling to the floor.
She never did get back up. I couldn't call the ambulance or drive her to a hospital because of the curfew rules. So I had to sit and wait an hour until the collector came. When he arrived, he not only took the four gallons of blood, but he also took my mother saying, 'I'll throw this out for you'.
The sad part is, I didn't shed a tear. I was just happy that my mother died of natural causes instead of by the hands of one of the beast.
It's been a year since her passing. Every time it's time for a collection, my mother's death always comes back to haunt me.
And here they were again just like every month since the day I was born.
I went to open the door and there stood a werewolf and a vampire. I could tell them apart because the wolves skin always looked as though they'd been in the sun all day and got a nice tan, and the vampires looked like they never seen the light of day. They were both very tall. I never looked them directly in the eyes though, Ive heard stories of people who did and they were torn apart.
They pushed past me and into my house.
"Anna, good evening. Hope all is well", the vampire spoke. It seemed like a normal greeting, but I'd known better. His words were laced with sarcasm and humor. I knew not to respond back; keeping my eyes locked on the floor. Each month, they'd switch out collectors so the same ones didn't get stuck with pick up every month I assumed. They would rotate the same three wolves and vampires though, so they all knew our names and who we were. It also helped that since the war, all homes were labeled with the names of the residents on the front door. At least that's how it worked in the town I lived in. My town or "unit" as the beast called it, was in what used to be called Moscow, Russia. Now it's called мертвая земля, or Deadland.
The vampire stood at the front door looking bored as the wolf went to checked the house, making sure I was the only one living here. He tore through my rooms leaving a mess that I always had to clean up. I stood in the kitchen and silently watched the back of him as he rummaged through.
I'd never actually seen the werewolves in wolf form. Some of the people my age don't believe they really change into one, but I knew better. Just because you've never seen a shark attack first hand, doesn't mean they don't attack.
His human form was extremely well built though. His muscles looked as though at any moment, they'd tear apart the thin white shirt that covered them.
I quickly cast my eyes down as he made his was back towards the kitchen; stopping in front of me.
"You've got so many rooms yet you stay here all by yourself. Why don't I believe that", the vampire spoke. If this were a normal situation, it would be rude not to answer, but since I live in a not so normal world, keeping quiet what the best thing i could do. Honestly, I hadn't spoken to anyone since my mother passed. Even if I tried to speak, I doubt my voice would be strong enough to be heard.
"Very well then, if others are here, you'll be caught sooner or later." he said
"Now," the wolf began, " You know the drill, myself or another group will be back next month for the next collection." The vampire grabbed the two gallons of blood with my last name that labeled the bottle and headed towards the door. The wolf didn't follow.
"Wait" the wolf said to his peer. He stood still for a moment, looking as though he had drifted off into space. I'd heard that the wolves could communicate through their minds. Talking to each other without actually speaking or being around one another. When he snapped out of it he began to whisper to the vampire; their backs facing me. I got a little nervous because this wasn't apart of the normal. I had done nothing wrong, I hadn't even spoken. What could they possibly be whispering about instead of just taking the blood and leaving like they always do.
When they turned around, the vampires eyes held what looked like curiosity but it was quickly gone.
"Hmm." was all he said.
My eyes were still cast to the floor but I could feel both of them just staring at me, I started to sweat.
"How very strange. Are you sure?" the vampire asked him.
" My Alpha just told me, I'm just as surprised as you are, but he definitely said Pavlishchev" the wolf responded; he said my last name. He studied the blood gallons, reading over the name as though he was double checking something.
"Well then, Anna Pavlishchev, you're to come with us" The vampire said.
My ears began to ring and my throat dried up. The only times I've heard of a human being asked to come with a beast was when they'd not provided enough blood, or if they'd been caught doing something wrong. I had done neither one so why was my fate sealed? This fear alone caused me to break my three year silent streak.
"For what" my throat felt weird after not speaking for so long, it sounded harsh like I'd been yelling all day and my voice was going out. It was quiet but I know they heard. I couldn't help but to ask. I knew I shouldn't ask any questions and just go along, but I wanted to know why I was about to be slaughtered at the tender age of 17. I thought I would at least make it to my birthday at the end of this year.
In a flash, both of the men where in front of me.
"You're so lucky the King himself has asked for you, other wise you'd be laying on the floor right now." he snarled at me.
The King.
What could he want with me. If I were to die, any of the monsters could do it. Why did it have to be him. The beast of all beast asked for me. He's known for killing people just for sport. Cruel and ruthless. What did I do to deserve this.
"She'll be dead soon enough, don't touch her. He's going to drain her. You know how he is every time he taste some blood that's pure. He can't help himself" The vampire said laughing. "Although, maybe a little taste wouldn't hurt, I wanna know what's so special about her blood that's got the King wanting it fresh from the source"
He leaned into me, smelling my hair.
"Don't, my Alpha said to leave her as is unless you want to deal with the King" the wolf said, saving me for the few hours left I had to live.
"I know, I know but doesn't she smell good, you have to admit it"
Without answering, the wolf motioned me out my front door. I reluctantly followed, turning around to take one last look at my house. I knew that would be my last time seeing it.