2024, Present day
Zach dropped onto his bed, the weight of the night settling over him like a heavy blanket. The beauty of the garden, still vivid in his memory, felt a world away from the familiar comfort of his own room. He let out a long, tired sigh, the sound swallowed by the silence of his house.
With a resigned click, he turned on his computer. Velor's words replayed in his head, a constant reminder that his life would never be the same. The carefree days were gone, replaced by a need for constant vigilance.
His fingers hovered over the keyboard, but the page remained stubbornly blank. He tried to summon the words, to lose himself in the world of his novel, but his thoughts were tangled, refusing to cooperate. The bizarre events of the past few days had shaken him to his core, leaving him creatively paralyzed.
A sudden tapping at the window jolted Zach from his thoughts. His heart hammered in his chest, his mind racing to the worst-case scenario: the sunspawned, hot on his trail. But then he saw Mable's smiling face through the glass, a reassuring sight despite the oddity of her appearing at his window. She held a bag in her hands, gesturing towards the front door.
"I thought someone was trying to eat me for a second there," Zach said, relief washing over him as he ushered Mabel inside.
"I forgot to give you this earlier," Mabel said, handing him a package. "It's a nice sweater I found back in the forest."
Zach took the package, his brow furrowing. "The forest?"
"There's a Moonspawned lair out there," Mable explained with a smile. "I went to gather some ingredients for an elixir for you."
"Speaking of the elixir..." Zach started, then paused, carefully gauging Mabel's expression. "I always wondered why it smells... well... really strong."
Mabel giggled. "You can just say it smells bad, Zach. I won't hit you if you're not one of those idiots at the mansion."
"Yeah, it's pretty bad," Zach admitted with a sigh. "I mean, could you at least make it strawberry-flavoured?"
Mabel laughed heartily at the suggestion. "No can do, I'm sorry," she replied. "The stronger the scent, the better the elixir works."
"But wasn't I already found by the sun's kid?" Zach countered.
"True," Mable admitted, "but it still helps. They might know you're here, but not your exact location. The smell will throw them off."
Zach watched as Mable wiped away a stray tear. The question that had lingered in his mind since he arrived finally surfaced. Why was she so kind to him? It wasn't just the protection and the warnings; it was the little things – the snacks, the concern, the way she looked after him like a mother hen. It was all so unexpected, given their unusual circumstances.
Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Zach took a deep breath and broke the silence. "But I've always wondered," he said, his voice growing serious. "Why are you so nice to me? We're basically strangers, and I might die eventually."
Mabel's expression shifted, her smile faltering for a moment. "Don't say that," she replied, her voice tinged with a mix of concern and determination.
"You are just..." Mable shook her head. Her chair scraped against the floor as she stood up.
"I'm going back to the mansion," she said. Her face was a mix of emotions Zach couldn't untangle. At the door, she forced a smile. "Rest up. We'll talk later."
The door clicked shut behind her. Zach sat there, staring at his hands. His fingers were calloused from work, but right now they felt useless. Confusion swirled in his gut. He hadn't meant to make Mable uncomfortable. The question had just burst out, like a dam breaking.
He ran a hand through his hair, feeling the rough strands. Maybe it wasn't his place to ask. If Mable wanted to tell him, she would have. Her kindness was a mystery he'd have to live with.
Zach shook his head and stretched out on the couch. The cushions sagged under his weight, familiar and comforting. As he closed his eyes, the room's shadows deepened. Time for sleep, and maybe tomorrow would make more sense
A loud bang on the door jolted Zach awake. His whole body screamed in protest, cramped from sleeping on the couch. He stumbled to the door, muscles aching with each step.
He pulled the door open, revealing Eva with worry etched on her face. She took in his bruised and swollen face, her eyes filled with concern. It was clear she wanted to ask, but she held her tongue.
"Thought you weren't home yet," she said.
"Got back last night," Zach mumbled, heading straight for the elixir bottle. He poured out a dose of the murky liquid and downed it in one gulp.
"What's that? It reeks in here," Eva wrinkled her nose.
"Elixir, from one of the vampires," Zach explained, grimacing as he tried to shake off the bitter, foul taste.
"You sure it's safe to drink? It smells like death," Eva questioned, her brow furrowed.
Zach shrugged. "Doesn't seem to have any effect, except the smell." He forced a smile and chugged some water to wash away the lingering taste.
"If you're sure," Eva replied, her tone still dubious.
A moment of silence passed between them before Eva spoke again. "Hey..." she began hesitantly, "Could you introduce me to those vampires?"
Zach looked at her, surprised. "You want to meet them?" He wasn't sure what to make of this. Eva wasn't exactly the type to open up easily, much less trust strangers, especially ones of the undead variety.
"Yeah," Eva insisted, "If they're your friends, I should know them too."
"Well, if that's what you want..." Zach agreed, reaching for his phone. But then he remembered the hour. Vampires weren't exactly morning people. "We'll have to wait until this evening."
Eva laughed. "Right. Forgot it was still morning."
"Do you want to go out?" Eva asked, her voice a gentle nudge. "Clear your head a bit?"
Zach looked at her, the idea tempting. He certainly needed to shake off the unsettling thoughts swirling in his head, but the fear of venturing outside still lingered. He weighed his options, his eyes darting to his phone for a moment before returning to Eva.
"Come on," Eva coaxed, taking Zach's arm. "Just for today."
Zach sighed, finally giving in. "Fine," he agreed. "But give me time to shower, yeah? I haven't even brushed my teeth yet."
Eva let go of his arm, her face breaking into a broad smile. "Deal!" she exclaimed, hurrying out of the room.
A few moments later, Zach emerged from his house, his face refreshed and his hair neatly combed. He grabbed his jacket from the rack, then paused, scanning the empty rooms for Eva. Stepping outside, he locked the door behind him and spotted Eva leaning against her car, a cigarette held loosely between her fingers.
Eva had been trying to quit smoking for years, but it was a habit she hadn't quite managed to kick. Whenever stress threatened to consume her, she'd light up. And judging by the tight line of her brow, she was carrying a heavy burden today. Zach debated whether to ask about it but decided to stay silent. If Eva wanted to talk, she would, just like Mabel.
"Come on, before it's midday," Zach called out. "I'm craving something spicy." He yanked open the car door, waiting for her response.
Eva pulled out a silver box, stubbing out her cigarette. She flashed a smile and slid into the driver's seat.
"So, spicy, huh?" she asked, clicking her seatbelt.
"Yeah, need to clear my head," Zach replied, fiddling with his phone.
"Got a place in mind?"
"Nope," Zach pulled out his phone with a grin. "Guess you get to choose."
"Let's go to my favourite place then," Eva declared, pulling away from the curb. "Not exactly my favourite-favourite, but I always end up finding it pretty good," she added, as if sensing Zach's hesitation.
"What is it?" Zach asked, curious despite his initial reluctance.
"It's a Korean place. A bit far from your house, but it has good reviews," Eva explained. Zach's mind flashed back to the Korean takeout he'd ordered at the mansion, a wave of unease washing over him.
"Why Korean?" he frowned. "It's not spicy enough."
Eva giggled. "Oh, so you're a spice master now, Thai boy?"
"Just want you to try it," she added, glancing at him. "Their rice dishes are fire."
"Whatever," Zach muttered, cranking up the radio.
The car filled with music, drowning out their silence. It had been ages since they'd hung out like this. The quiet between them felt familiar, comfortable.
Zach watched the city blur past his window. The elixir's aftertaste still lingered, a reminder of the strange world he now lived in. But here, with Eva and the promise of good food, things felt almost normal. Almost.
As they arrived, The Korean place was tucked between a laundromat and a convenience store. A faded sign hung above the door, letters Zach couldn't read. Inside, the smell hit him first - spices, grilled meat, and something fermented.
It was smaller than he expected. Maybe ten tables crammed into a space meant for half that. Red plastic chairs squeaked against linoleum floors. The walls were plastered with faded posters of Korean pop stars and landscapes.
Behind the counter, an old TV blared a Korean drama. The cook, a stocky guy with a permanent scowl, barked orders in rapid-fire Korean.
Their table wobbled when Zach sat down. The menu was a laminated sheet, stained with sauce marks. Pictures of dishes Zach didn't recognize stared back at him.
"Cozy, right?" Eva grinned, looking way too pleased with herself.
Zach snorted. "If by cosy you mean cramped, so I-"
Zach froze mid-sentence, his eyes locked on a figure near the counter. It was him - the delivery guy. Pale skin, electric blue hair, those unnaturally green eyes. Zach's stomach dropped.
"Eva," he whispered, "we need to go."
"What? Why?" She followed his gaze, frowning. "You know that guy?"
Zach shook his head, not wanting to explain, the guy looked up. Their eyes met. Recognition flashed across his face, and Zach tensed, ready to bolt. But the blue-haired man just smiled, a knowing look in those eyes.
Zach's heart hammered in his chest. He felt exposed, like all his secrets were written on his face.
"Zach?" Eva's voice cut through his panic. "What's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost."
He forced himself to breathe, to act normal. "It's nothing. Just thought I recognized him."
Zach's heart raced as he gripped the menu, knuckles white. His eyes kept darting to the blue-haired guy, whose knowing smile made Zach's skin crawl. How could he explain this to Eva without sounding crazy?
Eva wasn't buying it. "You're a terrible liar, you know that? Spill it."
"Look, it's complicated," he muttered. "Can we just order and get out of here?"
Eva studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Fine. But you owe me an explanation later."
Zach felt a pair of emerald eyes burning into him, the unsettling smile on the man's face never wavering. It was just an ordinary Korean restaurant, he told himself, but he couldn't shake the feeling that two vastly different worlds had just collided.
He pulled out his phone, intending to send Velor a quick text and a photo of the man. But before he could snap a picture, the blue-haired man was already at their table.
"Welcome, what can I do for you today?" His voice was eerily familiar, sending chills down Zach's spine.
Zach tried to look at him, but those red eyes from their first meeting flashed in his memory. He found himself leaning towards Eva, seeking comfort. Still, he tried to put on a brave face.
Eva frowned, glancing between Zach and the waiter, she looked directly at the blue-haired man. "This one and this one," she said, pointing at the menu without breaking eye contact. "To go." she added
The man's smile widened, and even though Zach avoided his gaze, he could feel the man's intense stare. He let out a frustrated sigh.
"To go," the man repeated. "I see. So, do you—"
"That's it," Eva cut him off sharply.
"Very well." The waiter's smile was chilling as he retreated to the kitchen.
Zach's mind raced as they waited for their food. The blue-haired guy was a vampire. But not just any vampire - one who could walk in daylight.
He glanced around the restaurant, suddenly seeing it in a new light. Was this place a front for vampires? Were the other customers in on it? His palms were sweaty as he gripped the edge of the table.
Every time the kitchen door swung open, Zach tensed. He half-expected to see fangs or glowing eyes. But it was just normal staff, carrying plates of steaming food.
The blue-haired vampire appeared again, carrying their takeout bags. His smile was friendly, but his eyes held a predatory gleam
"Enjoy your meal," he said, handing over the food. His fingers brushed Zach's for a moment, ice-cold despite the warm restaurant.
Zach practically leapt from his seat, grabbing the bags. "Thanks. Let's go, Eva."
As they hurried out, Zach felt those unnaturally green eyes following them. He didn't relax until they were in Eva's car, the restaurant fading in the rearview mirror.
"Okay," Eva said, turning to face him. "Start talking. What the hell was that about?"
Zach took a deep breath. How could he even begin to explain?
"Don't overthink it. Things have been weird since day one," Eva said, flipping her hair.
Zach sighed. "Where do I even start?" He hesitated, then spilled everything he'd been holding back. All the crazy details he'd kept from her, not wanting to drag her into this mess.
As he finished, Eva's eyes flashed. "I'm going back there to teach that guy a lesson."
"No, Eva, it's too dangerous," Zach grabbed her arm.
"I don't care if he's lived a thousand years. There's got to be a way to put him in a coffin, right?" Eva frowned, determination etched on her face.
Zach glanced back at the Korean place. "Yeah, but... let's just leave. This whole thing feels off."
"Fine, let's just go back and wait for the night," Eva started the car. "And I'll talk to your vampire friends."
As they pulled away, Zach stared out the window, the Korean restaurant shrinking in the side mirror. His world had shifted again, the line between normal and supernatural blurring even further. He'd wanted to keep Eva out of this, to protect her. But now she was diving in headfirst, as fearless as ever.
The familiar streets of the city rolled by under the bright midday sun. It felt surreal - vampires and danger in broad daylight, hidden behind the facade of everyday life. Zach couldn't shake the feeling that eyes were watching them from every shadow, even in the harsh light of day.
He glanced at Eva, her face set with determination as she drove. Whatever came next, at least he wasn't facing it alone. But as they headed back to wait out the long hours until nightfall, Zach couldn't help but wonder: was he protecting Eva, or was she protecting him?
The day stretched out before them, full of unanswered questions and looming confrontations. Night would come eventually, bringing with it the answers they sought - for better or worse. For now, all they could do was wait and prepare for whatever the darkness might bring.