EPISODE 5
Dahlia's house was a treasure trove of secrets, and Harrison was determined to uncover them all. With a sly grin, he snooped around every room, devouring every detail. The drawings on the walls, the books on the shelves, and the scent of her perfume in the air - everything was a clue to unravel the mystery that was Dahlia.
But Harrison's curiosity was soon replaced by a mischievous plan. He dialed Richard's number, his eyes gleaming with excitement. The phone rang several times before Richard's gruff voice answered.
"What do you want now?" Richard growled, his annoyance palpable.
Harrison chuckled, his voice low and conspiratorial. "Chill, little bro. Aren't you curious about where I've been after what you did to me?"
Richard's response was laced with disinterest. "I'm not in the slightest way curious."
Harrison's grin widened. "Fine, I'll still tell you. I'm in Dahlia's bedroom right now."
The silence on the other end was deafening. Then, Richard's voice exploded in anger. "What! What are you doing there?"
Harrison's laughter was soft and taunting. "Chill, like I told you" he said.
Harrison's voice was tinged with intrigue. "I'm wondering, Richard, why Dahlia would so readily open her door to me, the brother of her boyfriend. We just met this morning, and she's already letting me into her inner sanctum."
Harrison's chuckle was low and conspiratorial. "I don't see any signs of you being there. How long have you two been together? Three weeks? A month? Never?" he asked, his tone dripping with disbelief.
Richard's concern was apparent, despite his nonchalant tone. "Where is she?" he asked, his mind racing with possibilities.
Harrison's response was tinged with mischief. "She's out, and I'm making myself at home. Don't worry, nothing happened... yet. But let's just say, she seems to like you. No girl you've dated has ever been able to resist my charms, Richard."
"I don't care" Richard retorted. Deep down, he breathed a sigh of relief that Dahlia had dodged the bullet of Harrison's charms. His brother's reputation as a ladies' man was well-deserved - Harrison was a tall, dark, and handsome Adonis with a silver tongue that could talk the wings off an angel. He had a way of making women weak in the knees, and Richard knew that Dahlia was no exception. He could almost see Harrison's wheels turning, plotting his next move to get her into his bed. It was a tactic he had used countless times before, and Richard knew that Harrison's success rate was staggering. He had seen it firsthand, how Harrison had effortlessly wooed and won over Richard's own girlfriend before the incident that changed everything. Harrison's track record was impeccable, and Richard knew that he was the last person who should be trusted around Dahlia.
Richard's threat was infused with a hint of desperation. "You better leave that place before I get there." He ended the call, his mind racing with the thought of Harrison's charm and good looks winning Dahlia over.
Harrison's smile was triumphant as he took one last look at Dahlia's house. He knew Richard's weaknesses all too well. With a chuckle, he headed to Anthon's place, already planning his next move in the game of seduction.
Dahlia returned to her house, her mind racing with the events of the previous night. But as she entered, her eyes widened in shock. The door was open, and Harrison was nowhere to be found. Her heart sank, feeling abandoned and ignored. Where had he gone without even a goodbye?
Richard burst into Dahlia's house, his heart racing with urgency. He had to see her, had to talk to her. But as he entered, the sound of the shower greeted him, and he hesitated. Minutes ticked by like hours, and his restlessness grew. He paced back and forth, his mind racing with thoughts of her, of the hospital, of the secrets they shared.
Five minutes felt like an eternity, and his patience snapped. He strode towards the bedroom door, his hands shaking with anticipation. He pushed it open, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of her. The shower still ran, and his heart raced with every passing second. He stepped inside, his senses on high alert, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
As Richard turned to lock the door, Dahlia emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, her eyes blazing with terror. Her piercing scream shattered the silence, sending shivers down Richard's spine. But as she saw him, her fear gave way to shock and anger.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice trembling.
Richard stood his ground, his eyes locked on hers. "You still don't know my scent?" he asked, his tone laced with a hint of disappointment. "Maybe it was the smell of soap, but you're supposed to know when someone walks in. Try to heighten your senses."
Dahlia's eyes narrowed. "I asked what you're doing here," she repeated, her voice firm.
Richard's explanation was weak. "I wanted to talk to you, but you weren't coming out."
Dahlia's anger boiled over. "And so you decided to sneak up on me in the shower? Pervert!" she spat, her voice venomous.
Richard's face flushed with shame. "I'm not a pervert, I just wanted to see if you were alive in there. You have a knack for taking your time in the bathroom."
Dahlia's response was icy. "Who asked you to talk?" she asked, her eyes flashing with anger. "Give me some privacy, will you?"
Richard's apology was barely audible as he beat a hasty retreat, his back against the door. He sucked in deep breaths, trying to calm his racing heart. What had he just done?
Richard's mind reeled as he tried to process the intense encounter. "What just happened there?" he thought, his eyes fixed on the bedroom door as Dahlia who was inside, swiftly dressed and composed herself.
Within minutes, she emerged from her room, her eyes still flashing with anger, and sat down opposite him. The tension between them was electric, the silence deafening. Richard's heart raced with anticipation, wondering what would happen next.
Dahlia broke the silence, her voice firm but measured. "What is it you wanted to say?" she asked, her eyes never leaving his face.
Richard hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Harrison said he was here, so I wanted to check on you."
Dahlia's expression softened slightly. "Yes, he was here, but he left before I could come back from school." Her voice trailed off, her eyes clouding with worry. "I wonder if he's okay."
Richard's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. "You're concerned about him?" he asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.
Dahlia's response was swift and sharp. "Who wouldn't be? You saw his wounds, Richard. And besides, you were the one who did that to him."
Richard's face flushed with guilt, his eyes dropping in shame. "I have an explanation for that," he began, his voice barely above a whisper.
Dahlia's laughter was bitter. "You always have an explanation for things you do, Richard." Her eyes flashed with anger. "You should have seen his wounds. And besides, you were the one who did that to him."
Richard dropped to his knees, his eyes pleading for forgiveness. "Dahlia, I swear, I never meant to change your life. I was compelled to do it, I swear." His voice cracked with emotion. "I would never hurt you, Dahlia."
The silence that followed was oppressive, the only sound the heavy breathing of two people locked in a silent standoff.
Finally, Dahlia spoke, her voice measured. "Then why were you acting like you didn't know I was a vampire?" she asked, her eyes narrowing.
Richard's response was weak, his eyes dropping in shame. "I really didn't know," he whispered.
Dahlia's laughter was cold, her eyes flashing with anger. "Do you expect me to believe that lie, Richard?" Her voice rose, her words dripping with disbelief. "You knew I was a vampire, but you didn't tell me. Instead, you kept it to yourself, shrouding your secrets in deceit."
"I didn't want you to figure out I was the one who bit you," Richard admitted, his voice heavy with remorse. "I knew you'd hate me, just like you do now."
Dahlia's expression softened, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and hurt. "I don't hate you, Richard," she said, her voice firm but measured. "I'm just furious that you didn't tell me. I could have understood you, rather than you keeping it from me."
Richard's eyes pleaded for forgiveness. "Please forgive me," he whispered.
Dahlia's gaze held his, her expression unyielding. Then, in a soft whisper, she spoke. "I forgive you."
The atmosphere was charged with feeling, the stillness between them almost unbearable. It was as if they were communicating without words, their gazes speaking a language only they understood. Time stood still until Richard's phone shattered the silence, breaking the spell that bound them.
"Hello, Nurse Abigail," Richard answered, his voice firm and professional.
"Doctor Richard, we need you at the hospital immediately," she urged, her tone grave.
Richard's expression turned serious. "I'm on my way," he replied, already moving towards the door.
"I have to go," he told Dahlia, his eyes locking onto hers. "But I'll be back soon, if you want me to."
Dahlia's smile was sly. "Bring some blood, and we'll have a lesson or two."
Richard's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "When I return, we'll explore that further," he promised, his voice low and mysterious.
With a swift kiss on her forehead, he vanished into the night, leaving Dahlia stunned and yearning for more. She touched the spot where his lips had grazed her skin, her heart racing with excitement. This was the first time she'd witnessed his supernatural speed, and it left her breathless. The anticipation of his return hung in the air, filled with tantalizing potential, and she couldn't help but smile at the allure of the unknown adventures that would soon unfold.
*
Lucita sashayed down the dark alley, her heels clicking on the wet pavement, a sly smile spreading across her face. The shadows seemed to dance with her, casting a mystical glow on her confident stride. Gone were the days of timid glances over her shoulder, of hasty steps and nervous trembles. As a vampire, she owned the night, her skimpy clothes a bold declaration of her newfound power.
Fresh from a night of revelry at the club, her thirst for blood sated, she exuded a sense of satisfaction and strength. Unlike Dahlia, who was no doubt still searching for her next fix, Lucita was radiant, her eyes gleaming with a fierce inner light.
As she reached the door at the end of the alley, she rapped out a sharp tattoo, three knocks that seemed to echo through the darkness. The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit stairway that plunged into the depths of the night, inviting her into the secrets that lay within. With a flick of her hair and a toss of her head, Lucita stepped forward, disappearing into the shadows like a queen claiming her throne.
Lucita stepped into the dimly lit lair, a voice growling from the shadows. "How is it going?" it asked, the tone dripping with malevolence.
"Won't you let me enter first?" Lucita retorted, her eyes flashing with defiance as she swept into the room.
But before she could take another step, a hand like a vice clamped around her throat, lifting her off the ground. The voice sneered, its owner revealed in the faint light: a towering figure with eyes that burned like embers from the underworld, skin like blackened leather, and horns that curved from his forehead like twisted scimitars.
"Then why did you report to me?" he snarled, his breath reeking of brimstone. "This isn't the reason I'm keeping you alive."
Lucita's eyes bulged as she struggled to speak, her voice barely a whisper. "Lord, I'm sorry..."
The demonic lord's grip tightened, his eyes blazing with fury. "Do as I say, or you'll be really sorry, I promise you," he hissed, his voice like a snake slithering through the darkness.
With a flick of his wrist, he released Lucita, who collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. The lord's eyes never left hers, his gaze piercing like a dagger, warning her that obedience was her only option.
*
Dahlia's room was a whirlwind of chaos, clothes scattered everywhere as she frantically searched for the perfect outfit for her meeting with Richard. Her mind raced with the daunting task ahead - embracing her newfound vampirism and attempting to regain a sense of normalcy. The memory of Richard's charming smile and piercing eyes calmed her nerves; he had promised to guide her through this dark new world.
As she rummaged through her wardrobe, she critiqued each dress with a mixture of humor and self-deprecation. "Too short, I'll look like a seductress!" she laughed, dismissing the first option. The pink dress earned a playful eye-roll: "I look like a doll, not a vampire!" The third dress, a bold red number, was deemed "too vampy," while the black dress was dismissed as "too date-like."
Finally, she returned to the red dress, a sly smile spreading across her face. "After all, I am a vampire," she reasoned, slipping into the dress as if it were a second skin. The mirror reflected a stunning vision - the red fabric hugged her curves, accentuating her porcelain skin and raven hair. "Perfect," she purred, her eyes gleaming with a newfound sense of confidence and self-acceptance.
In a whirlwind of activity, Dahlia transformed her room from chaos to serenity and herself from vampiric novice to stunning siren. As the clock struck seven, Richard's call sent her heart racing - he was on his way, and fast! Panic set in as she scrambled to finish getting ready. "Oh my God, I'm not ready!" she thought, her mind racing.
With a swift swipe of her black sandals and a grab of her matching bag, she was ready to face the night. The doorbell rang, and with a confident smile, she beckoned him in. Richard's eyes widened as he took in the vision before him - Dahlia, resplendent in her finery, her beauty radiant as a goddess.
"Please, when is Dahlia coming out?" he asked, his tone laced with humor.
Dahlia's laughter was music to his ears. "Very funny. I'm Dahlia."
Richard's gaze lingered on her, his admiration evident. "You look perfect," he said, offering his hand. "Shall we?"
The night air was electric as they drove to their destination, the sign "DO NOT CROSS WITH CARS" a ominous warning that only piqued Dahlia's curiosity. "It says don't cross," she cautioned, tugging on Richard's arm.
"Wrong, dear," he whispered, his eyes glinting with mischief. "It says don't cross with cars. That's why I'm parked here."
The darkness of the woods enveloped them, the only sound the rustling of leaves beneath their feet. Richard's grip on her waist tightened as he sped through the underbrush, finally stopping in a clearing. "We are here," he announced, his voice low and mysterious.
Dahlia's heart raced with anticipation - what lay ahead in this eerie, enchanting place? "So, what are we doing here?" she asked
Richard's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze piercing with intensity. "I have something crucial to share with you, Dahlia."
Her mind raced like a wild animal, anticipation coursing through her veins. What could he possibly want to say? Was it a confession of love, or a request for her hand?
"What is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her purse clutched tightly in her hands.
Richard's chest expanded with a deep breath, his words spilling out in a rush. "Vampires, Dahlia, we've been living among humans for centuries, hiding in plain sight. We blend in, mimic their behavior, and keep our true nature a secret."
Dahlia's confusion was evident. "I'm not following," she admitted, her mind reeling with questions.
Richard's eyes gleamed with a knowing light. "Take me, for instance. I'm a doctor, surrounded by blood and patients daily, yet no one suspects a thing. I'm just like them, or so it seems."
Dahlia's frustration mounted. "Why are you telling me this, Richard?"
His gaze burned with an inner fire. "Be a vampire, Dahlia, but not one that preys on humans. Feed on animals, like I do. The bulls, the livestock, they're our sustenance."
The weight of his words settled upon her like a shroud. "You're asking me to join you, to become one of the... I don't know, undead who doesn't feed on human blood?"
Richard's voice was low and urgent. "If the humans discover our secret, we'll be forced to flee Kingston. Do you understand the gravity of this, Dahlia?"
Her mind reeled, the implications sinking in like a cold shroud. "That's why you brought me out here?"
Richard's eyes narrowed, his voice laced with a hint of danger. "What do you mean, Dahlia?"
Dahlia's disgust was visible as she turned to leave, her elegant sandals clicking on the pavement. "I can't believe I dressed up for this nonsense."
Richard's grip on her arm was firm, pulling her back. "Wait, Dahlia, hear me out."
She spun around, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "What is it now, Richard? What else could you possibly say to make this night any more ridiculous?"
Richard's expression was contrite, his voice filled with sincere regret. "I know this wasn't what you expected. But please, just listen-"
Dahlia's sarcasm cut him off. "Oh, I can't wait to hear more."
As they walked towards the car, the night's tension escalated. The vehicle's shattered windshield glared like a broken mirror, a gruesome note scrawled in blood: 'Richard, Dahlia, the shadow's embrace awaits. You will be claimed by the voidborn, forever trapped in eternal darkness'
Dahlia's legs buckled, her body shaking like a leaf as Richard caught her, his arms wrapping around her like a shield. "Who is this?" she whispered, her voice trembling with fear.
Richard's jaw clenched, his eyes scanning the darkness with a fierce determination. "I don't know, but I promise, nothing will happen to you. I'll protect you with my life."
The night air seemed to vibrate with malevolence, the shadows hiding secrets and threats.