Chapter 3: Hope and Blessings

Six months ago…

I knew those red curtains all too well. They were thick and heavy, like the robes of an illustrious king, yet the two awaiting my arrival inside that tent were anything but. The infamous leaders of the Temory clan sent for me, and as their son, I heeded their call.

A few moments before, I was sparring with Mikel out in the fields until we heard Theresa yelling out to us from the forest. She was moving at a pace that was a bit above a jog. She also looked a bit tense, so Mikel and I tossed her a spare wooden sword while offering her a chance to spar even though we knew she wouldn’t. She would much rather help around the camp or read a book than play around, so when she shook her head and scolded us, Mikel and I laughed. But unlike the other times we’d poke fun at her, it did little to diminish her anxious expression.

“Your parents want to see you…” Theresa said to me while fidgeting with her long black hair. “I think it’s time.”

Knowing what that meant, Mikel and I looked at each other. I tossed aside my wooden sword and ran up to her.

“Where are they now?” I asked while wiping the sweat from my brow.

“They’re waiting in their quarters.” She said before appraising me with her eyes. “They want to see you right away, so skip the change of clothes.”

“Got it. Thanks for letting me know.”

“Don’t thank me just yet. We've got a lot of work ahead of us…” Theresa added with a pat on my shoulder. “In the meantime, I guess I’ll keep you company.”

“Don’t we still have to pack supplies?” Mikel asked as she bent down to pick up the spare.

“What do you guys think I was doing all day?” She said with a shrug before pointing her sword towards him. “We finished a little while ago.”

“Well if that’s the case, here I come!” Mikel yelled while rushing towards her.

“I guess it’s time…” I said to myself before running into the forest. While the sound of their wooden swords snapping against each other became more distant the closer I got to the campsite.

Standing in front of the tent, I took a deep breath. The blood inside my mask gurgled in the back of my throat like a cauldron’s brew. I was nervous, yet my strong sense of duty pushed me forward.

“Tonight is the night…” I muttered to myself while pushing aside the curtain.

Unlike the thin blades of grass, the thick black carpet felt rough on the soles of my feet. The heavy scent of iron that hit my nose lit up my senses, thanks to my heightened sense of smell. The smell of blood tingled like a sharp blow to the back of the head, that got more intense as I kept walking the candle-lit path.

When I entered their study, I heard the faint sound of a book closing. I realized it was Mother journaling at her desk. Her deep orange eyes were fixated on one page at a time before taking another one from the small shelf beside her desk. It was hard to get a word in with how focused she was until she looked up.

“Oh, I didn’t expect you to get here so fast.” She said while turning her chair towards me. “How is your sparring going?”

“Nothing special, just sparring like usual.” I said before clearing my throat of the blood clotting in the back of it.

“Happy to hear.” she said while twirling her dark red hair. “Isn’t that right, Astaroth?”

Father stood there leaning against the larger bookshelf with a book in hand. It was a journal we’d taken from a group of traveling warthog merchants. They’d made records of the regions they traveled to, along with how to get there. To him, it was a treasure trove of invaluable information, given his role as the clan's strategist. Since without an understanding of the lay of the land, our clan wouldn’t survive a night.

With a glance my way he closed his book.

“Yes of course. It’s good to see you two working so hard.” he said with a smirk.

“All of us have been, not just Mikel and I. And we are grateful for the support most of all.”

“Well of course. To see all of you so willing to take the reins in rebuilding the Temory name, is a thing of dreams.” He explained while swiping away a bright red strand of hair in front of his eye. “Becca, have they finished putting together the supplies?”

“Since Theresa is in charge of those rookies, I suspect it’s already been taken care of.” Mother explained while closing another journal.

“Indeed. Marco and Jess have a real busybody on their hands.” He said with a shake of his head. “What about food?”

“They were instructed to pack twenty percent of the reserves.” She explained while flipping through the pages of another journal on her desk. “It might be a bit much for just the twenty of them, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. We wouldn’t want them initiating a Hunt on their own. As for whether or not the rest of the supplies will last, it’s questionable.”

“If you’ve already figured it out then that’s good enough for me. Besides, if anything were to happen, he’s more than capable of handling it.” Father said with a shrug. “Isn’t that right, Sintobi?”

They turned to me with their bright orange eyes. It felt like I was about to burst into flames from their gazes alone, but I understood why they were looking at me that way. And It’s because this is a part of my birthright.

During an encounter with the elves a few hundred years ago, my grandparents fought alongside the other heads of our clan on the frontlines against them. They’d managed to buy my parents, along with the rest of the clan enough time to escape, but they died in battle. That loss of leadership not only fractured our clan, but also left my parents as the sole holders of the Firsts blood.

As you know, all races have two first ancestors deriving from the old humans that used the potion’s wish to become their desired creature. And while there are many first ancestors, some were more imaginative with their wishes. Ours had the capabilities that allowed the Temory clan the authority to shepherd all other vampires, the same way the dominant First descendants of other races do with their own. But my parents were still kids, so they lacked the authority to keep the clan from falling apart.

Since then, my parents have been working to rebuild the Temory name to its former glory with those who stuck around. The first thing they decided to do was embark on an endless pilgrimage to mitigate the possibility of encountering other races. Which has given us the element of surprise to carry out Hunt’s against other races. All for the sake of survival.

But even so, they knew it wasn’t enough. To restore the clan, they needed to reestablish the hierarchy that was lost. They understood that their death would be the end of our Firsts bloodline, so they sought to preserve it as siblings. Even if the act itself was taboo.

After hundreds of years, they had eighty-three children, many of which are now the parents or grandparents of many in our clan today. But when they realized I resembled our First, they stopped. Since then, with my bright red eyes, paler than-usual skin, and short black hair, they raised me for the sole purpose of someday bringing glory to our clan. And it just so happened that I, along with most of the other younger vampires, had a dream of our own.

So when staring back at their fiery gazes, I smiled.

“Yes! I will lead everyone towards a brighter future!” I shouted with my fist clenched over my heart.

They smiled.

“Tomorrow, all of you will be setting out on a journey. Not only will it take courage, but it will require careful attention to detail.” Father said while handing me the book he was reading. “I’ve memorized most of the important details already, so you kids can have it.”

“This is your dream after all, we wouldn’t want to interfere with where your journey might lead all of you.” Mother said while getting up to put her hand on my shoulder. “And remember, while no one else is as special as you, all of you are in this together. There is always power in working together as brothers and sisters. Do not forget that.”

“Indeed. You kids may be embarking on this journey with the hopes of achieving your dreams, but you represent the clan as well. You will surely encounter powerful and influential creatures who will refuse to see the future you have envisioned, and it is your responsibility to show them what you are capable of, not just for the sake of your dream but also for the sake of the clan.”

“I understand…I will not fail.” I said while noticing the glimmer in their eyes.

“Good…” Father said before turning to Mother. “Though before you go, we’d like to make sure you are in good health.”

“We won’t be seeing you for a while, so we’ll need to do a thorough examination.”

“Of course…” I said while taking a step back.

When I took off my shirt, I unveiled the sutured scars running along my forearms. Mother had stitched up them a little while ago, yet they were still bleeding. And it’s because I used to let my excess blood seep out from the open wound before they made my mask. It’s similar to the old human practice of bloodletting, which was done to remedy any sort of ailment. And while I wasn’t trying to cure any diseases, it did help with practicing my regeneration.

“I see you're still not letting it heal.” Mother said while running her fingers along it.

“It’s not like I need to. Besides, healing it and unhealing it is good prac-”

In a split second came the whistle of a blade along with a warm feeling across my torso. Noticing the knife in Father’s hand, I looked down at my chest only to see my two hearts beating behind my ribcage. The pain became unbearable, but I bit my lip. I knew it was a test.

With labored breath, I handled my split-open flesh and pushed it closed. The warmth of my own blood calmed me as it seeped through my fingers. All I needed to do was reabsorb my blood and mend the wound as the seams, which took me a few seconds.

“Your healing factor far exceeds anything we’ve seen, even our own.” Father said while leaning in to trace his finger along where he cut. “And with enough practice, you might even be able to regenerate a wound like that without contact.”

“A word of warning would have been appreciated…” I said while still feeling the sting of the cut.

“Oh come now, The enemy isn’t going to give you a word warning before they strike, you know this…” Mother explained while placing her palm on my chest. “Good, your hearts are beating at the same rate too.”

“Remove the mask.” Father said while pointing towards his mouth.

When taking it off, at least a few ounces of blood spilled out onto the floor like an unfastened bottle of liquid. And as I spat out the globules of blood that coagulated in the back of my throat, the little creature inside my mask began to squirm and squeal. It was a vampiric mandrake, born from starving one enough right when it’s about to ripen so that it craves anything, even blood. But unlike us, it cannot fully process blood, so what’s left ends up congealed in my mouth, where I reabsorb it into my body.

“You’re bleeding the amount you normally do, but I sense your Influence steadily rising with it off.” Mother said while smearing the blood on my upper lip with her thumb.

“I know, but wearing this mask is annoying.”

“We still don’t know why the amount of blood you have closely correlates with your Influence, not to mention your capacity for both.”

“Yeah, but my Influence still increases no matter what.”

“Which is why you are not allowed to take it off!” Mother yells while pointing her finger in my face, before flashing a smile. “And besides, it adds a little mystery to you.”

I’d been forced to wear that mask for the past seven years, and the only time I could take it off was when I was eating. Even Theresa was bugging me about it during the journey.

“Now open wide.” Mother said while pointing to her mouth.

The seams running from the corners of our lips along our cheeks allows our mouths to gape open wider, but I have a quirk. I can grow fangs along those seams, though they are much weaker than my regular teeth and fangs.

“Everything seems fine.” Mother said while picking away at my newly formed teeth. “Now one last thing. Drain your excess blood through here.”

As she traced her finger along the scar on my forearm, I drew my claws and reopened the wound by cutting through the stitches. And after a few seconds of bloodletting on the floor, I sealed it without contact.

“Excellent!” Father said before patting me on the shoulder. “It seems like you’re ready.”

“What should I do now?” I asked while putting my shirt back on.

“The sun should be rising in the next hour or so, so you should head off to bed.” Father explained with a glance towards Mother. “You're gonna need plenty of rest for the journey ahead.”

“Understood…” I said with a nod while putting my mask back on.

When turning around to leave, I felt a mixture of emotions. The fate of the clan rests on our shoulders, along with a dream we all share. I knew it would come to this, yet I still felt unprepared. But the moment that thought crossed my mind, I clenched my fist. That fear and excitement I felt was odd, but I knew it was just as important as the mission ahead.

“Sintobi!” Mother shouted.

When I turned to her, there were tears in her eyes.

“Oh, look at me getting all sappy before I even send you off…” She said while wiping her face. “The road ahead may be hard and unpredictable, but nothing in this world is stagnant. We believe you are capable of great things, things that will Influence those you cross paths with. And with your gifts, there is no doubt in my mind that your existence is itself a blessing. So remember, even if your goals take longer than you would like them to, know that just fighting for them could be enough to change the world. Even if it’s only a small change…”

I stood there speechless. I’d once again realized that they were putting everything on the line for me. But it was a gamble, a shot in the dark. Yet even still, they had hope. Hope in me.

As my lip started to quiver, I bit down. “Do not worry… I won’t fail.”

I didn’t expect to talk this much about my past, but I guess I have been starving for a good conversation these past few days. Although, now that I think about it, Ava hasn’t gotten much of a word in. I bet she’s bored of hearing me talk-

“Are you…?” I ask, shocked by her tears.

Welling up underneath her jade green eyes like glimmering pools were her tears, as they gave way into a steady stream down her face. And like a sailor without a paddle, I am caught in the current. I didn’t think my story was that special, so to get a response like this…

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt you. Please, go on!” Ava sniffles while removing her glasses to wipe away her tears.

“Was it something I said?” I ask as she puts on her glasses with another sniffle.

“No, it’s just what your mom said along with the rest of your story. I didn’t expect it to be so… sad.”

“What’s so sad about it? I think it’s great that everyone is counting on me, it means they believe in me. I would be sad if they didn’t, considering it’s been my purpose in life.”

“Yeah, but that’s the sad part!” Ava shouts while leaning in towards me. “Your parents made it your responsibility to save their clan, even though you’d much rather achieve your own dreams.”

“Haha, I wouldn’t say that now.” I chuckle, realizing that she isn’t entirely wrong.

When we proposed this journey, they insisted we do so for the clan's sake. And while I wanted to protest, the looks on their faces. I’d never seen them so happy before. To them, it was like their dream had come true.

“Not only do you have to worry about not letting everyone down, but then there’s your own dream!” she protests further, leaning in closer to my face. “Isn’t that a lot of pressure?”

“There’s already a lot of pressure when trying to achieve one, so why not take on another? That way, if I achieve both, everyone will be happy!” I explain to her with a shrug while smiling.

Shocked by my admission, her eyes are left widened with her mouth agape. It’s as if she couldn’t make sense of it, despite it being how I truly felt. And when seemingly realizing that fact, she sat back in her chair with a smile.

She sighs. “How can I be upset for your sake with that confidence?”

“The best part is you don’t have to be.”

“Wow, smooth.” The Man snickers from the corner of the room like a fly on the wall, yet no one else can hear him buzzing.

“But this dream of yours, what is it exactly?” Ava asks. “You’ve only mentioned what they wanted.”

“Well where should I start…” I contemplate while rubbing my chin. “For as long as I can remember, all of us have wanted to change something. Sure, we’ve managed to survive thanks to my parents, but that’s all we’ve been doing. Surviving for the sake of survival.”

“Okay, but so is everyone else. This war has long been unpredictable, with no end in sight. It's thanks to us being an established nation that we still manage to weather the storm.” Ava explains while straightening her glasses. “But you guys, you guys have managed to survive without borders to call your own. And the same even goes for those who left your clan. Nations larger than us would kill to have the coordination and proficiency you guys have as a race. So as the old humans used to say, if it ain’t broke, why fix it?”

“This is starting to sound like a lot more than just simple curiosity.” I chuckle while scratching the back of my head. “Although, I guess we are past that point anyway.”

She smiles. “It’s just as I said before, this conversation will stay between us.”

I don’t mind telling her, but it’s going to be a hassle having to explain things again during negotiations.

I take a deep breath. “Well when you explain it that way, I can’t deny that our current methods work. But the question is, for how long? More races fear us now than ever before, but that’s all it is. Fear.”

“Then what is your alternative?”

“Peace.”

“Sorry?”

“Peace.” I repeat with a nod, noticing her look of confusion. “All anyone wants to do is fight, which is important for survival, but for what? Even if they win, it won't bring an end to their suffering. You have to bring an end to the war itself.”

Ava raises her hand with the same look of concern. “Isn’t that a bit optimistic? This conflict has been going on for almost four thousand years, I’m sure there have been a few that believed the same thing.”

“I don’t believe it!” I deny with a shake of my head, causing her to take pause. “If there were, you’d see remnants of the legacy they left behind. You’d hear tales about their endeavors. But we’ve found neither, so we’ll be the first.”

Just like before, Ava stares at me in awe, only to then sit back down with her arms crossed. I don’t expect her to understand our dream since accepting their invitation to their capital was just the first step. Establishing an amicable relationship with not just her and the mayor, but also the Houndex family, is key to jumpstarting peace. Since if we manage to do that as one of the most hated races, others will believe it’s possible.

Ava closes her eyes and purses her lips, still considering what I said while tapping her heel against the tiled marble floor.

“You’ve really racked her brain haven’t ya?” The Man says with a shake of his head as he walks next to my bed. “Though to be honest I can’t blame her really, it’s probably the most naive set of ideals I’ve heard as well.”

“That’s easy for you to say, you’re just a spectator.” I mumble, making sure Ava can’t hear me as The Man chuckles.

Ava opens her eyes. “Alright, I understand.”

“Uh, you do?”

“Yup!” Ava says. “To be honest, I thought you only wanted to exchange resources, which of course is always up for negotiation. But you guys are looking at the bigger picture.”

“Yes, exactly! A simple exchange of resources is nothing compared to an alliance.” I explain further, as a wave of relief washes over me. “And with how bad Domesticatia is, I’m sure the mayor would agree as well.”

“Well…” She says with a pause. “Let’s just say that he’ll be a bit harder to please.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’ll save that for the actual negotiations.” Ava says while standing up in her chair. “With that aside, I’d like to thank you for humoring me. I’ve been meaning to have this talk with you, but I’ve been so busy these last few days that It’s been difficult to find the time.”

“No problem, in fact, I really should be thanking you!” I laugh while stealing a glance at The Man standing next to the door. “It was getting a bit boring being in here by myself.”

Ava giggles. “I can tell. You even resorted to counting the ceiling tiles.”

“Can you blame me? I needed something to entertain myself.”

“Speaking of which, since your injuries were minor, you’re in the clear to roam around as you like.”

“Well that's a relief, I was almost worried there…” I say with a chuckle.

“We’ve also installed curtains on each of the windows across the hall.”

“Uh, thanks…” I say to her, with a glance at The Man. “You guys seem to be really going all out for us.”

“Why of course!” Ava nods with a big grin, seeming proud of herself. “Speaking of your friends, would you like to see them?”

“I’d love to!” I say while pulling away the sheets and hopping out of bed.

The moment my bare feet hit the floor, I raise my arms towards the torturous ceiling and stretch everything from my arms to my lower back. After being on the move for so long, my body needed a rest. But with all these little pops and cracks, I think I was starting to get used to it.

“I guess it’s time to head out.” I say while marching out the door, as a lone breeze brushes past my knees. “...Uh, on second thought, give me a moment to change out of this gown.”

Refugees. Groups of men, women, and children displaced by the cycle of war. I’m sure other nations have different methods of handling circumstances like these, but I am certain the reality is still the same. These citizens have nowhere else to go during an ever-changing war. They have realized that awaiting anything resembling a ceasefire is futile with the entire world involved, so maintaining one is an impossibility. Just like the brief moment of quiet that followed those explosions, all attempts before were fleeting. And the unavoidable consequence is that many will get caught in the line of fire.

The alternative for some is to fight for themselves, to stand against those who have killed their loved ones and destroyed their homes. But when looking at their faces while walking through these halls, it's clear that the spark just isn't there. Whether it's been beaten out of them, or those that had it are long dead, many seem to have lost the will to fend for themselves.

“Damn Vampires…”

“He’s just walking around like he owns the place…”

“I knew they would come for us, it was only a matter of time…”

“That secretary is walking around with him all calm. What is Mayor Greene thinking?”

I can overhear their mumbling, similar to how one’s teeth chatters in fear. Their discomfort gives off a sweet and intoxicating aroma akin to honey, causing all of my senses to flare up. And with so many of them glaring at me, I am practically bathing in the scent. But I’ve learned not to give in to those base instincts. No matter how tempting it may be…

“Is something the matter? Your pupils look really dilated” Ava asks with a glance as we continue walking.

“Nothing in particular, I’m just excited to see everyone.” I attempt to explain while turning away from her.

“It has been a few days, so I can imagine your excitement.” Ava says with a smile. “The doctors have been working nonstop to make sure everyone gets the care they need.”

“I truly appreciate it…” I say while looking around the hall. “Running such a tight operation must be tough, huh?”

“It’s difficult for sure, but we manage. Our citizens are our priority, no matter the circumstances.” Ava explains with her finger against her cheek. “Though that isn't to say that you guys are in any way unwelcome here.”

“With how much you two have done for us, I think that goes without saying at this point. You and the mayor are running this place rather effectively.”

“Thank you! We work ourselves around the clock, but a lot of it is thanks to the Houndrex family. Without them, we wouldn't have nearly enough resources.” Ava explains with a shrug.

“Is that so…”

So it’s as I figured. While the mayor is doing the groundwork, the Houndrex family runs the show. Now I’m certain that we’re gonna need their support. Though I’ll need to run it by everyone else beforehand.

As Ava and I approach the main infirmary, a pair of feline nurses shuffle through the door with clipboards held toward their chests. Both of them greet Ava with a smile, while avoiding eye contact with me as I pass by.

Pushing through the door, I find everybody resting atop the rows of beds on each side. The air is humid and almost smells stale, but it makes sense. Like the hallway, all of the windows have been covered with black curtains as a precaution.

When taking a closer look around, I notice that some of us are fast asleep, while others are still moaning in pain. But seeing their bandages along with the many nurses tending to them at their bedside, it’s apparent that they are being well taken care of.

With a deep breath, I turn to Ava. “Thank you.”

“You seem very relieved, did you have any doubts? ” Ava asks, looking almost conflicted.

I nod. “Admittedly I did, but it seems we really did get lucky.”

“So you're the type to only believe it when you see it, interesting…Well, there’s no harm in that. Especially when it concerns your comrades.”

“Thank you for understanding, so I guess-”

“Aaaaaaaah!”

A lone scream fills the room in an instant, sending all of the nurses into an immediate frenzy towards the door at the far corner. I couldn’t help but jolt at the sudden outburst, but what’s most concerning is who that scream is coming from.

“Theresa?”

“Wait, Sintobi!” Ava shouts as I’m rushing towards the room.

I almost trip on my own feet the moment I reach the doorway, but the thought of falling flat on my face is nothing compared to the sight before me. The nurses surrounding Theresa are struggling to hold her down, as she thrashes around on the bed. She isn’t the type to pick fights, so something must be wrong.

“Hey stop, what are you guys doing?!” I shout.

“Sintobi, help me! The pain, it hurts!” Theresa cries with tears running down her face. “It hurts! It hurts! It hurts so much!”

“Let her go dammit!” I scream, seeing as how much they are still manhandling her despite her cries. But since they’re listening to neither of us, I put my thumb in my mouth and start biting down on my fingernail.

“No, Sintobi wait!” yells another familiar voice, as they grab onto my waist. And with a glance behind me, I realize it’s Mikel.

“What are you doing?!” I shout while trying to shake out of his grasp.

“Stop, you’ll only make things worse!” Mikel yells while pulling me back with his bandaged arms.

“Can’t you see, they're hurting her!? Screw the mission!” I shout before crunching down on another fingernail.

“No, it’s not what you think man, calm down!” Mikel pleas while tightening his hold around my waist. “Just look!”

Hearing the desperation in his voice, I realize. Mikel is usually cool headed, so if he’s begging me to stop, I have to be missing something. So despite the blood trickling down my thumb, I listen to him.

One of the nurses pulls out a syringe and jabs it into her shoulder.

“Ow! That hurts! You’re…You’re gonna pay for…that…”

Theresa’s eyes glaze over as her entire body falls limp into a deep sleep. The administering nurse checks her pulse before giving the rest of them a nod. Each of them takes a sigh of relief, almost as if they were used to this.

“What’s going on here?” I ask Mikel, as Ava enters the room with the click of her heels.

“She was so concerned about her younger sister's injuries that she downplayed her own.” Ava explains with a downcast expression.

“After their examinations, they found that many of our wounds were still withering slowly.” Mikel continues while rubbing his bandaged arm. “And when it turned out that that was the case for Eena as well, Theresa insisted that they focus all of the resources they would spend on her, on Eena instead… But soon after, she collapsed.”

Ava walks up to the nurse and takes the empty syringe she jabbed Theresa with.

“After she collapsed, she immediately started convulsing with this blank look in her eyes. Everyone sprung into action only to then realize to their horror how severe her injuries truly were. Not only was she still withering, but it had damaged her spine to the point she could no longer feel pain.” Ava explains while staring at her sleeping face. “It’s a miracle she was even able to move.”

“She could have died…” I mutter, as my hands start trembling.

Theresa isn’t one to fight, but that isn’t to say that she isn’t a fighter. All of us have our roles, and Theresa has the tendency to never miss a step. That strong sense of responsibility is why she insists on handling all of the busywork herself. And when it comes to Eena, she always puts her first. It’s why I’m not surprised that she did what she did, but to think it was such a close call…

“Mikel nudges my shoulders. “Look, you and I know she would have said the same thing even if she knew. Let’s just be happy that she made it through.”

“I know, but I’ve never seen her like that before…”

“I’m sure the pain she’s feeling is immense.” Ava says while giving me the syringe. “They were able to stop the withering, but with our limited knowledge of vampire biology, the only thing we can do is sedate her so that her healing factor can do the heavy lifting.”

“We are forever grateful…” I say to her before glancing around the room. “And where’s Eena?”

“If you’re referring to her younger sister, she’s in remission currently.” one of the nurses mentions. “The doctors said that the surgery on her eyes was a success, but it’s unlikely her eyesight will ever recover.”

Nothing but bad news… I was expecting to see at least some improvement in their condition, but nothing. In fact, things seem to have only gotten worse.

Lost in thought, I feel someone grab my clenched fist. It’s Ava.

“I know it’s our fault that your friends are in such a terrible situation, but believe me, we are committed to making sure everyone makes a full recovery…” She says while rubbing the back of my hand.

There’s a profound sadness in her eyes, the kind you’d expect when mourning a loss. And while I should be angry at her, I can’t bring myself to blame her. It would be no different than kicking a punching bag.

“Those bags under your eyes don’t come from lazing around.” Mikel says with a glance my way. “We see how hard you’re working, right Sintobi?”

“Yes, of course…”

“See?” Mikel says while wrapping his arm around my shoulder. “So long as he sees it that way, I see it that way. And I’m certain that’s the case for everyone else.”

“Thank you…That really means a lot.” Ava says with a smile while wiping away her tears. And that’s when I realize.

While Ava is capable of a lot, she’s still just a secretary. It’s a position given to those who can manage the responsibilities of their superiors on their behalf. And sure, if I were to grade her based on her managerial and communications skill, she would pass with flying colors. But she’s still just that, a secretary.

That isn’t to say that she isn’t capable of doing more, it’s just odd that she took it upon herself to apologize again. And sure, the mayor did initially, but I can’t help but get this weird feeling. If only I was able to discern his scent from the crowd…

Soon after the nurses finish checking her vitals, all of them leave the room, leaving the three of us standing here.

Ava clears her throat. “You can stay with her for as long as you like, but I only ask that you don’t give the nurses too much trouble.”

“Of course.” I say to her with a glance towards Theresa's bed.

“Also, dinner will be served in the next hour.” Ava says while putting her hands together with a smile. “Both of you are welcome to join us in the dining hall.”

“An actual meal sounds great! I’m sure it’s a far cry from the blood packs we’ve had to rely on.” Mikel says with a grin while patting me on the back. “Ain’t that right Sintobi?”

“Yes, that sounds lovely…” I respond, while again noticing his bandaged arms.

It was thanks to him that any of us managed to survive, which is why I still feel ashamed. Not only could I not save them, but I came out unscathed. As their leader, I have been nothing but a failure, yet somehow, Mikel can still smile.

If I had refused The Man’s offer, our journey would have ended on that street corner. Leaving what remained of our bodies to continue withering away until there was nothing to indicate the hopes and dreams we had. I couldn’t let it end there, so I skirted our untimely death using means I still don’t understand. But what I am sure of, is that he is the one who granted me the power to do so.

While Mikel and Ava leave the room, I stay by Theresa’s bedside. Compared to just a few moments ago, she looks so peaceful now. But the sedatives are temporary. She will surely be stricken by the same agony when she regains consciousness. It will be a constant loop of administering the drug until she heals, so what if…

I’ve been clotting my excess blood ever since I lost my mask since I know bloodletting would freak out the medical staff. But at this rate, It’ll be too much for my body to handle. So before I end up painting any of these walls and floors with a splash of red, maybe I could…

Tracing my fingers along her slender neck, I go in for the bite. She whimpers for a second as I sink my teeth into her artery, filling her body with my excess blood. My condition is abnormal, so I don’t know if it will work, but I have to try. There has to be another use for all this excess blood; Otherwise, my body is just a weapon incapable of saving those around me.

When pulling away, the marks left behind bleed a bit before closing up. Her face is now flushed red, yet she’s still fast asleep.

“I hope it works…” I whisper while running my fingers through her dark hair.

With one last look at her sleeping face, I walk towards the door. When we started this journey, we thought that working together will bring us closer to our collective dream, but we were wrong.

Mikel is a level-headed guy with a competitive spirit, but it wasn’t enough. Sure, he can rival me in combat, but that explosion made one thing clear. Mikel’s birth wasn’t a blessing, mine was.

Theresa is a kind-hearted girl with a silver tongue that makes her a force to be reckoned with in a battle of wits. She’s also no stranger to combat herself, making her a jack-of-all-trades in a sense, but even that wasn’t enough. It didn’t matter that she was the smartest, because one thing was already clear. Theresa’s birth wasn’t a blessing, mine was.

Then, there is Eena. She was just happy to be included in this journey, and look how that turned out. I’m sure Theresa was beating herself up over the fact that she brought along, but it wasn’t her fault. Since one thing is now clear…

“I’m sorry Mother, relying on everyone will leave me the last one standing…”