First shot

On the first of August, walking along my usual route, I helped a little old lady cross the street. “Thank you very much, dear,” she said—and right after that she held me there for five minutes telling me how her son had gone to live on the other side of the world and now only comes back two or three times a year. I thought that if I answered her curtly she’d stop talking and let go of my arm; then she started talking about her sister, who had left taking her television with her. And I asked her, why would she do that?

“It was hers anyway.”

That made sense to me.

“They’re living together.”

I thought she meant they’d moved in together, or something like that.

“They got married some time ago.”

I understood perfectly, though something didn’t quite add up.

“Wasn’t he your son?”

“He was actually my husband’s.”

“Oh…”

With confusion and strangeness on my face, I asked,

“And do you miss them?”

Staring out at the urban horizon, she put on a gentle smile.

“I miss my television.”

A few steps later I watched her disappear among the passengers on the bus she boarded.
I kept walking to school.

“Will you be busy this afternoon?”

Samanta was sitting across from me. You were one of the few who stayed inside the classroom—it was recess, but we didn’t feel like going out to socialize.

“Depends.”

I had absolutely nothing to do at that hour, neither before nor after.

“It’d be nice to go to that cultural festival.”

“Ah…”

“Ah? Do you want to go or not?”

“Yes, I’ll go. What time?”

Between the bus stop and nothing at all, there’s a small video game shop.

A bell rang.

“Can I help you?”

“I was actually just looking around.”

The air conditioning was a marvel—seriously. The heat here has always been unbearable.

It’s two o’clock sharp.
Why did I come so early?
Right, I get bored at home…
I’m bored here too. Guess all that’s left is to wait.

I walked several meters and still hadn’t reached the end of the hallway. “This place really is huge,” I thought.

On the shelves there were games from different generations. It makes me sad I couldn’t play any of them when they first came out.

“Do you want this one?”

A girl was trying to reach something on the shelves.

“Thanks, it’s my favorite game.”

I took a look at the cover.
I was stunned.

“Mine too,” I said, looking at her excitedly. “I never thought anyone else liked it.”

“But why would you think that?”

“Well, the company that made it—it only brought them losses.”

“Yeah, I heard about that too. But so what?” A smile rose on her face. “Games are for the people who play them.”

“You’re right.”

As we went up the stairs, I noticed in her a subtle grace—something noble about her. She reminded me a little of Eris.

“This really is huge…” she said, glancing up at the sky.

“And there are more floors.”

“Is this a skyscraper or what?!”

The place was filling with the sound of footsteps.
People at this hour must have come out to relax a bit. This isn’t just a video game shop—it’s more like an entertainment center… I can’t remember the exact word for it.

“One token.” She held a small red token in her hand. “Want to try some games?”

We entered one of the building’s sections. The architecture was imposing—I never imagined that such a simple façade hid an incredible amount of square footage.

We tried a fighting game.
I won three to zero.

“Let’s try again.”

Of course I agreed.

“Let’s switch to another game, a better one.”

In the end we put on something she was better at. I didn’t object—I just wanted to have a good time.

“Want to go eat something?”

“Well…” I looked at my watch; there was an hour left. “Yeah, that’s fine.”

We left the building and looked around the nearby streets.

This girl, who barely reached below my shoulders, grabbed my arm.
She must be very affectionate, I assumed.

But then I understood it wasn’t very safe for them to do that. I mean, I know I’m a good guy. Others might not be.

Walking together, we stopped.

“This looks like a good place.”

A local food restaurant—always a good place for a first date. This is a date, right?

“Do you think this is a date?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t think I’m that easy…”

“I never thought that. In fact, I didn’t even think this was a date.”

“Oh, relax. Don’t talk too much, don’t ruin this, sweetheart.”

The delicacy set before me was covered in chocolate.

“You really like sweets?”

I simply nodded.

I glanced at my watch from time to time. I didn’t want to linger too long.
With every bite, I thought up some excuse to leave—though I didn’t really want to. She…

She seemed interesting.

“Have you ever heard of the purple apple tree?”

“Not at all.”

“There’s one near here.”

“I don’t think there are apple trees around here.”

“Are you calling me a liar?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Yes, you did.”

“Anyway, where is it?”

“Cross two more streets, where the bus terminal ends.”

She had a very gentle look.

“Shall we go see it?”

We headed there—after all, it was close to the station.

The path grew darker and darker. We went into an alley.
When we were completely alone, she stood with her back to me a few meters ahead.

“So, where is it?”

No answer.

I tried calling out to her again, but then I remembered she still hadn’t told me her name.

The atmosphere, and how strangely she had approached me in the video game building, finally made me doubt. At first I thought it would just be a small joy—an improvised date with a stranger. I’m not unattractive enough to think that’s impossible. I’d say I look pretty good.

“What’s your name?” I asked as I approached her.

When I managed to touch her shoulder, a harsh voice jolted me.

“I don’t have one.”

I tried to jump back, but the sudden action of what I now realize was a monster made me slip backward. As I pulled out my revolver, a brutal flurry of scratches pierced my right hand, sending my weapon flying far out of reach.

As I struggled up, the beast drew out enormous claws and drove them into my arms, pinning me against the alley wall.

Her face terrified me—that sweet girl who had approached me now had huge fangs and eyes so piercing they hurt to look at.

As I slipped into unconsciousness from the pain, I felt her mouth slowly approaching my exposed neck. An icy gust froze my body. I couldn’t move. Then I felt something pierce near me. My neck—I still haven’t regained my girth—what is this sensation?

Then I remembered an enchantment. I whispered it with what strength I had.

“Ah!”

A feral scream made her release me. I fell to the ground, and while she writhed, I crawled toward my weapon—until a blow to my abdomen slammed me into the wall.

It was then, as I caught my breath, that I realized what stood valiantly before me.

A vampire. She seduced me and brought me to die in this stinking alley. I’ve been through this before—why did it happen again?

“Listen, boy, don’t make a scene. You won’t escape.” She glanced down at my revolver still on the ground. “Oh, you want this?”

She threw it at my face, smashing my nose.
Blood poured.

“Shoot me. Come on—just so you lose all hope at once.”

With what little strength and will I had left, I stood up.

“Listen,” I said, raising the gun at her. “Is this your first time?”

Confused, she tilted her head.

“What are you talking about? I—”

The shot rang out so fast I didn’t even get to hear the end of her sentence.

“I told you, I’m immortal.”

A blow, a piercing wound. A vampire in the middle of a pool of blue blood. She kept touching her abdomen, unable to believe the hole.
She sobbed nonstop.

“How? These pieces of shit aren’t supposed to hurt me.”

With my one good leg, I limped over to her.

“How long since your transformation?”

“I think it’s my third day.”

“I see.”

Vampires—those immortal creatures that sink their teeth into any living being they cross paths with—have always had two weaknesses and always will: silver, and as ridiculous as it sounds, a stake. It might as well be wood—the fact is that with just that, one can pierce the hearts of these beasts without the help of a firearm like a revolver.

If I remember correctly what old Renn said, they shouldn’t be anywhere near here. Had she traveled many kilometers from another city?
Given her physique, it’s possible.

She bit me—I just remembered.

I grabbed a silver bullet and scraped some of it off. I swallowed it.

Even now that I’m home, I’m still a bit shaken after everything that’s happened these past hours.

I looked at my watch.

“3:30.”

I called Samanta and explained the whole situation, just in case she believed me right away. And I didn’t have to try very hard. I guess that was to be expected after she herself had gone through something so supernatural—vampires must not seem that unreal to her anymore.

I went back to the living room.

“Are you okay?”

I watched her sit up. This time her face looked calmer.

“Where am I?”

I sat down across from her.

“What’s your name?”

“I don’t remember.”

That was strange. Normally the turned don’t forget any kind of information; it’s even said that memories their minds erased return—like memories from childhood.

“How did you get to this city?”

“I walked for days without resting. I didn’t want to hurt anyone—I swear.”

After questioning her, I decided to free her from Hellen’s sacred bindings. The marks were still visible on her hands and feet.

Someone knocked on the door.

We both sat together, watching the vampire, constantly exchanging glances.

“Sonia.”

“Sonia… I like it.”

“I’m not a pet for you to decide my name.”

“Then what do you want to be called?”

“During my run I heard on the news about Alicia Kate. I’m not sure what she actually did, but I think I like her name—and besides, she was very pretty, just like me.”

“Alicia Kate—wasn’t she accused of being the serial killer of Ludrow?”

“I’m not up to date on the news.”

“What kind of person are you? How can you not be aware of news that important?”

“I have things to do.”

Sam pointed at the vampire.

“Anyway, you’ll be called Sonia.”

Sonia let out a sigh.

“Fine. Whatever you say.”

We went out to get some air—the weather called for it. Despite the faint cold, the atmosphere was somehow cozy, a nostalgia floating in the gusts that cooled our bodies now and then. None of us understood how we’d ended up together like this. Why am I surrounded by a psychic and a vampire, carrying a lethal weapon at my waist under my coat? If a police officer questioned me, I could say security in the area has declined—that’s why I take precautions. As for the mythical monster clinging to my arm as we walk, and the girl who can see things others can’t… there wouldn’t be enough time to find an explanation.

After the short walk, we decided it was time for each of us to go home.

As for Sonia, I took her to the ruined building. That place still smells of blood and death—but she’s a vampire after all, isn’t that her natural habitat? The time will come to find her somewhere nicer.

I couldn’t bring her home. My parents wouldn’t be understanding enough—not even if I said she was an old friend or pretended she’d suffered some calamity.

I felt a bit guilty, but there was nothing more I could do for now.

I was a few streets from my house when an old woman approached at a slow pace.

“Son, how good it is to see you.”

She was pushing a shopping cart, and inside it a long, thin box.

When she greeted me again, I realized it was the same little old lady from earlier—the one I’d met that morning.

“I’m a bit tired. Could you help me take this to my house?”

Accepting kindly, I grabbed the cart and guided it where she indicated.

Our conversation was pleasant.

“And this? It looks like a television.”

“Of course it is. My son bought it for me—told me at dawn. He didn’t want my sister to find out.”

“Oh, I see.”

“It’s just that the local delivery service is out of order. I couldn’t wait any longer, so I was just going to take it home myself.”

“It’s a long way—you could’ve gotten hurt.”

“Nonsense, son. I could even carry it myself with my own arms.”

When we arrived at the house, I noticed a strong smell of coffee.

“Grandma, where were you?”

From behind the curtain separating the living room from the kitchen, a very familiar silhouette appeared.

“Samanta?”