Chapter 23: Chapter 23

PRESENT

CHAPTER 15: ON A RAMPAGE

Gualtiero had never felt happier in his life. He felt euphoric upon exiting the airport hearing Diana’s unspoken thoughts loud and clear in his head. His mind was still busy with reruns of every interaction he ever had with Diana when he suddenly felt something was not quite right. A figure came into his peripheral vision. It was a girl sobbing her heart out. She had just exited the airport moments ago before he did. He didn’t have to turn around to recognize it was Anastasia.

“Anastasia?” Gualtiero called, walking towards her. “What’s wrong? Did you miss Diana? Were you supposed to be at the airport earlier and you ran late?” His eyebrows still furrowed in confusion.

“I’m fine, thanks,” Anastasia replied, curtly. “Why didn’t you answer my call or my text?” She wiped her tears and tried her best to sound annoyed at him but failed. Everything was alright the moment he noticed her presence there.

Gualtiero checked his phone and noticed for the first time the missed call and text from Anastasia. “I apologize. I am still new to this cellular phone thing. And when I hear the word ‘text’, I think of words printed in a book. Wait, is that why you are crying? Because I did not respond right away? You humans are strange.”

He laughed at that observation, and Anastasia decided to join it. Her heart fluttered hearing his laugh fill the air.

“So… you and Diana…” she said, not wanting to finish the sentence. She could feel a permanent ache in her heart threatening to drown her.

“I know. It was probably not the most sensible decision, but I couldn’t stand the thought of her being away for a week or two. It just… happened. You will help me, right? You will help me keep my secret so she would not stay away from me?” Gualtiero asked, hopeful. “I hate lying to her about myself but there are things I need to keep from her, or I lose her forever.”

“You know I would always help you,” Anastasia replied quickly. Gualtiero’s proclamations of love for Diana were tugging at her heartstrings and she didn’t want to hear more. “Since you hate lying to her, make some of your lies true. Like, you should really be a med student. Easy for you, right? You just need to compel someone from the registry.”

“Good suggestion,” Gualtiero said, mulling it over. “Anyway, you seem so cold. I think you need something.”

He looked around and noticed a few people still roaming around the area. He focused on one rich-looking guy wearing a coat and made small talk.

“That coat looks mine,” Gualtiero eventually said to him, smiling and looking straight in his eyes.

“The coat is yours,” the man said, absentmindedly. The woman he was with didn’t understand what happened and kept reminding him it was her present for him, but he handed the coat gallantly to Gualtiero.

“Thank you,” Gualtiero muttered politely. When the couple was out of sight, he handed the coat to Anastasia. “You need this.”

Anastasia took the coat and laughed. “You really had to compel someone to give me a coat?”

“I did not think to wear a fine-looking suit coming here,” he replied. “So, I borrowed from him. I am certain he would not mind.”

“You are really the cutest,” she said thoughtlessly before she could stop herself. “Anyway, I’m starving. I have blood bag in my car by the way. Food session?”

“You know, I need to actually learn how to eat the human way. I have never heard of a vampire dying by ingesting human food, anyway. I hate worrying Diana. I don’t want her to notice I don’t really eat,” Gualtiero stated.

“That’s a really good idea,” Anastasia winked.

An hour later, they were already eating food Anastasia ordered in her car. At first, Gualtiero felt so dizzy and made retching sounds as he attempted to eat but he finally got used to it. The food tasted bland to him and could never be compared to blood but at least he was getting better at being human and it was enough for him.

“How long did you say she will be away?” Anastasia asked, noticing a vestige of food near his mouth and wiping it away by her thumb. He was cold, but she felt warm from touching him. He seemed to not welcome it though, as he quickly made an attempt to swat away her finger.

“Sorry I was just…” Anastasia tried to explain, embarrassed.

“Do not do that again. It would be safer for you if you never touch me again,” Gualtiero said angrily. He did not wait for her reply. He got out of the car and left Anastasia shocked and humiliated.

***

Gualtiero left upset because Anastasia’s action reminded him of Lilith. Lilith was long gone but the trauma she had caused him still lingered. Why did Anastasia touch him like that? He found it inappropriate and lustful. It was the tactic Lilith had done to him one too many times.

He felt an ache for Diana. He was already missing her so much. He realized he would welcome any kind of touch from Diana. Perhaps he overreacted with Anastasia. Checking his phone, he smiled. The wallpaper thing was a good idea. He liked looking at Diana’s picture staring back at him.

Gualtiero realized he still had a few hours to hunt before sunrise, and he decided to make use of it. It would certainly help him not to feed on Lucky, who was in his care temporarily while Diana was away. His heart warmed thinking of Diana’s innate goodness towards the cat. Maybe when he finally revealed to her what he was, maybe she would accept him wholeheartedly. Or maybe it would be the end of everything…

***

Zari and her boyfriend Oliver were making out on her couch when they heard a sound coming from the outside. It was a loud clank as if something fragile was broken.

“Babe, come on, really?” Oliver groaned. “That’s more interesting to you than kissing me? I’m still recovering. I need you.”

Zari rolled her eyes at Oliver’s theatrics, and decided to remain in her seat. They did more make out sessions until Oliver got impatient and attempted to unbutton her blouse. But they were stopped by another sound. It was louder this time and seemed to be coming from right outside her flat’s main door.

“Someone’s outside,” Zari observed nervously.

“Stop being a tease already. Why are you so jumpy?” Oliver asked. He could not hide his irritation anymore.

“Someone killed Roman,” she answered in a whisper.

“Jesus. It’s not someone. It’s something. It was an animal attack. Get over it!” Oliver snapped.

“How many animal attacks did this town have before his?” Zari asked again, trying to make a point.

“It’s probably Walter who offed him, you know? That guy is demented, I’m telling you. Even Jake and Dan said so.”

“Gualtiero is not a murderer. You’re just jealous because you’re not the hottest guy around anymore,” Zari teased, trying to calm her own nerves. But the sound kept getting louder and louder. She finally decided to check what was causing it, but made sure to take a pocket knife to protect herself in case it was someone who wanted to hurt her.

Upon opening the door, she was awestruck. It was a gorgeous blond guy she had never seen before.

“May I come in?” was his immediate greeting. Zari didn’t even hesitate. She dropped her pocket knife, still lost for words at the beautiful sight she was seeing.

“Yes, sure. Come in,” Zari said.

The beautiful blond guy about her age came entered. He smirked to himself, perhaps at being invited in so easily.

“Who the fuck are you? Do you think you can just barge in here in the middle of the night and…” Oliver yelled in rage upon seeing him, but was not able to finish what he was going to say.

The guy hovered toward Zari and hissed, “Pick up the knife.”

Oliver could not believe what was happening. Zari picked up the knife on the floor as instructed.

“Babe, what are you… Put that down!” he screamed.

“Stab it deep, deep down his ugly chest and cut his heart out,” the guy continued.

Zari moved towards Oliver, looking so possessed. She tried to thrust the knife in his chest but missed. Oliver used his strength to overpower Zari. He punched her in the stomach and she dropped on the floor writhing in pain. Oliver ran to the kitchen to get himself a knife. He did not notice the hostile guest approaching behind him. When he did, it was too late. It was the first time he noticed the guest had sharp fangs and they sank deep into his neck before he could register what was happening.

“Hee…lp,” Oliver cried. But there was no one to help him, as the vampire whom they thought was an ordinary guy continued to drain his blood.

Oliver did not notice Zari getting up and coming towards him from behind. The horrendous act happened in a flash. Zari stabbed Oliver in the back and opened his body up from behind to rip his heart out.

Oliver dropped dead in an instant.

“Well done,” the vampire said to Zari, grinning like a maniac. He started kissing her and moments later, they had sex on the floor where Oliver’s body was lying lifeless.

When they finished, the vampire made sure to compel her not to remember anything: hearing loud noises, meeting him, and especially not murdering Oliver brutally.

“My name is Kieran. It was nice meeting you,” the vampire introduced himself proudly, before turning his back from her to head out the door.

---

Gualtiero had just returned from the hunt when he noticed a number of Anastasia’s missed calls and frantic messages. There was nothing from Diana.

Where are you? Please pick up. Something happened. I’m so scared.

Gualtiero? Pick up.

Please, I am so alone. Oliver is dead.

That caught Gualtiero’s attention. He dialed Anastasia’s number.

“Oh, thank god, thank god!” she screamed frantically on the other line. “Gualtiero, someone killed Oliver horribly. The cops think it’s Zari because the crime happened at her place and she is currently missing and nobody can reach her, but… Gualtiero, they found bite marks on Oliver’s neck similar to Roman’s. Oh God, I know you won’t do it. But if it wasn’t you, then one thing’s for sure. There is another vampire in town!”