Colette's morning ringtone sounded off as she begrudgingly rubbed her eyes and snoozed the alarm. Another night of restless sleep, she thought as she sighed. She'd reached her limit with the vivid nightmares disrupting her sleep. Every night she felt the suffocating weight of unseen hands tightening around her throat, a pressure that threatened to crush her windpipe, and the terrifying glow of crimson vampire eyes that seemed to pierce her very soul. What the heck is going on with me?
She shuffled her feet in her slippers across the cold tile floor toward the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. She scrutinized her reflection, noticing the heavy, dark bags under her eyes. Colette sifted through her mom's makeup to find a foundation that would help her look better. She forced a smile in front of the mirror and thought; you got this. Pull yourself together.
Colette arrived at school early so she would be the first student in the classroom. With a sigh, she rested her head on the desk, her eyes fluttering shut as she surrendered to a moment of much-needed rest. Somehow, through the rumbling chatter in the hallway, she could pick out Rika's voice. As she turned her head toward the doorway her eyes fell upon Rika, who was chatting with the vampire boy she remembered from yesterday. She couldn't make out what they were saying, but they both had concerned looks on their faces.
Just as Colette was about to hear more, the school bell rang. The vampire boy's crimson eyes locked with hers, and she felt an immediate, intense intimacy radiating from their depths. As much as she wanted to look over her shoulder to confirm that he wasn't looking at her, she knew she was the only student in the classroom. She quickly rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't seeing things, but before she could get another peek, he was gone.
Rika shuffled into her seat inconspicuously, as if Colette hadn't already noticed her talking to the vampire boy in the hallway.
"You're here early today…How are you feeling?" Rika questioned, concerned.
"I still can't sleep…but what was all of that about?"
"All of what?" Rika fidgeted with her notebook and pens, trying to hide her true intentions.
"How well do you know that vampire boy?… He stopped me in the hallway yesterday and acted like he knew me, and now I see him talking to you today too!"
"Oh, you know!… Remember that one time me and another student got trapped in the janitor's closet trying to avoid exams? It was with him!" Rika took a chance with an impromptu lie. "So anyway, those nightmares got me thinking… sleepover tonight? I'll have bedtime stories and melatonin ready to knock you out! You'll be sleeping like a baby in no time."
Before Colette could come up with a counterargument, the teacher strolled in, readying the students for a lecture. Colette couldn't ignore Rika's suspicious behavior during the majority of the class period. Her fidgeting and near-constant texting to someone during most of class suggested she was preoccupied with something else. The teacher had to warn the girl twice about her blatant use of her cell phone during class time because she was texting so openly. Who is she texting like this first thing in the morning?
Colette seemed to lose track of time, entranced by Rika's unusual mannerisms. Before she knew it, the school bell rang, dismissing first period. Although Colette fully intended to question Rika thoroughly, she quickly escaped to the doorway, preventing any attempt at an interrogation.
Rika looked back towards Colette, "I was serious about you sleeping over tonight! It's all going to be okay." She rushed off as she muttered those words.
It's all going to be okay? Why does that sound like famous last words? Colette spent the rest of the day considering Rika's request. Mostly because she was being nosey. She was used to the fact that Rika was an odd duck. In fact, it was one of the reasons why they had been friends for so long. To see Rika acting out of character was weird, even for her. Maybe I should sleepover…it seems like she has something going on too.
The rest of the school day felt like it was dragging. Colette was tired and she couldn't focus because she kept wondering about Rika. By the end of the day's classes exhaustion had drained her, but she looked forward to returning to the library. It was a good way to get her mind off of everything that was going on.
Colette rushed over to the library after the last period bell. She hadn't been there since she was out sick, so she figured there were going to be several items that needed her attention. As she sped through the hallways, she bumped into another student. Before she had a chance to apologize, a familiar voice asked, "Are you okay, Colette?"
She looked up to meet his gaze. His soft, red eyes, filled with compassion, held a gentle warmth. Theo reached out towards her but avoided touching her. His actions seemed deliberate, as if he were intentionally seeking approval or permission for what he was doing.
"Um…I'm okay?" Colette answered as if she were uncertain of herself. She felt as if this had already happened once before. Why am I having a case of déjà vu? Suddenly, her chest felt tight, her heart raced, and her cheeks burned. She quickly hid her face to prevent him from noticing her blush. "I-I've got to go to the library! Sorry about that again!"
Theo couldn't help but wonder what she meant by again. Does she remember the day that we met? As much as he wanted to go after her, he knew he would have to be patient. Hopefully, the plan works…
*****
Flustered and agitated, Colette stayed in the library, unable to regain her composure or calm her racing heart. She thought sorting books in the library would keep her busy, but she felt restless. Why am I feeling this way?! I don't even know him!
It suddenly hit her that Rika and the boy were all buddy-buddy this morning. Colette realized Rika was hiding something. Immediately she texted her, confirming their sleepover arrangements for the night. Rika responded immediately, as if she had been waiting for the text.
'Great…I'll meet you halfway into the park around 930PM. I still want to investigate that anomaly I was telling you about by the park bench! I'm telling you, it's a ghost! And before you can say no, a brisk walk should be good for your headaches! See you there.'
Colette felt a little frustrated at having to go home, pack, and then meet in the park at an ungodly hour. Since Rika lived near the school, she could have packed her bag and brought it with her from the start. Oh, well…At least I'm going to get some answers.
When Colette got home, she started packing her backpack to bring to the sleepover. She packed light, sticking to the essentials. However, she thought it would be wise to bring something along, just in case she experienced another sleepless night. She noticed an unfinished grey knitting piece, its origin and intended owner lost to her memory. If she had time, she figured she might as well finish it.
The walk back through the park was cold and deserted. The air was so cold that with every exhale, Colette's breath became a visible cloud, wafting gently in the frigid air. She came prepared for the cold weather, wearing a good winter jacket and mittens but, she still felt the frigid air bite at her skin. Exaggerating her breaths, she created a small cloud of mist around her, feeling the damp coolness against her skin.
Why did I agree to this again? I'm sure there isn't even a ghost. With each step, the path seemed to get more lonely, and she wondered if she'd meet anyone at all. The silence around her grew heavier as she proceeded down the secluded park trail. Colette wasn't necessarily afraid, but there was something eerie about being alone this late in the park in the middle of the winter. A profound silence reigned, broken only by the soft crunch of her boots on the walkway.
She arrived at their meeting place—a simple bench beneath a sprawling oak—and settled onto the cool wood, listening to the wind while she waited for Rika. Growing anxious, Colette double checked her phone to check the time. She said 930, right? At 9:40 PM, she sent a text to Rika and continued scanning the pathways for any sign of her.
Five more minutes elapsed in the quiet, then the distinct sound of a nearby branch snapping reached her ears.
"Rika?" Colette questioned, as she continued to look around. "Rika, is that you?" Colette asked again, in a louder tone. The silence that followed the creaking and snapping of branches was heavy, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves, but she couldn't locate the source. "Rika! This isn't funny! Come out from wherever you are."
"She isn't coming…" a voice announced from the darkness.
"W-Who said that?! Show yourself!" Colette demanded. Her knees were shaking with fear and she was bracing herself to run.
"Look up…"
High above, almost hidden in the canopy, Colette could see a shadowy figure crouching on the highest branches of the trees. Though she couldn't see their face, she recognized the glint of iridescent red eyes in the dim light, eyes that belonged to a vampire. Panic seizing her, she fled back toward her house, the sound of her own heartbeat pounding in her ears.
Ignoring the frantic pounding of her heart, she kept her eyes fixed on the path ahead, running as fast as her legs would carry her, never once looking back. Cold air filled her lungs, the ache in her chest a dull throb against the adrenaline, fueling her desperate flight. Just as she was about to take another step forward, her foot caught on the uneven pavement of the park, causing her to lose her balance and stumble forward. Before she hit the ground, a strong hand shot out, catching her by the waist and pinning her against a nearby tree; its rough bark pressing into her back.
Although Colette's mind raced with a mix of fear and disbelief, her vision remained sharp enough to recognize the vampire's face. She would recognize that vibrant, fiery red hair and the soft, almost luminous red eyes anywhere.
"Y-you again? What do you want?" She demanded to know.
He leaned in closer, his pupils curving and his fangs drawn. "Are you afraid?" Theo asked.
"Should I be?" she questioned.
"Do you trust me?" he questioned as he pulled her closer.
"Why should I trust you?"
"I'm going to have to show you… Wrap your arms around my neck and close your eyes."