I'm no genius, I don't understand how these things work or get started. I work the night shift and I love it that way. Around the time I head to work, the rest of the world is heading home or heading to bed. This greatly reduces the interaction I have with other people. Not that I'm difficult to get along with, it's just easier to be alone. The work is easy and sort of interesting, all I do is direct a loading dock. I prepare things for the next morning loads, I set up the dock, and I drive a fork truck. Easy, isn't it? I work by myself. As long as things are ready the next morning, no one gives me any crap. I listen to music all night and generally take things easy. The worst problem I have is finding good espresso. It's hard to find great espresso when I head into work, mostly because the places are closed when I wake up, but I found one and I frequent it a lot.
This is how my tail goes.
I had taken a break at work and made a trip to the Café. I ordered a couple of double espressos to go and then headed back to work. The first sip was always my favorite, it was like a slap in the face and really got me up and going. The first double went down fast, that was why I always bought two. I took my time with the second. You know, kind of savored it. Because I worked at night, I had to be careful. There seemed to be unsavory characters lurking about in the shadows, sometimes they were high or drunk, occasionally they would want to rob you. You just had to watch out.
I left the Café and I noticed some movement in the alley, so I kept my eyes open and avoided that side of the street. My instincts said I was being followed. I watched my back but saw nothing, my nerves were tingling now. I knocked back the second espresso. Out of nowhere, in my face, there was hair, red eyes, and teeth. Everything went black. I woke up later on my ass and my throat was sore. What kind of freak did I run into? I contemplated calling the police.
What would I say? "Hey! Police guys. I was just bitten by a Vampire."
Instead, I got up and returned to work. I didn't feel too bad, just tired. I looked in the mirror at work. Yup, two little holes. I made myself get back at it. The sooner it was finished, the sooner I could sit on my ass. As long as things got done, no one said anything.
Who the hell goes around biting people in the night? Duh! Vampires do that. I
guess I would need to be more careful. Maybe buy a cross or find some holy water. Probably can't buy holy water, the churches are all locked up at night. I briefly considered the stake idea, but who wants all that blood and mess? That is, if it works like it does in the movies. I didn't know what to do.
The rest of the week went without incident. I tried to be wary and keep watch, but nothing happened, and I must have let my guard down. Friday night, my instincts kicked in. I really didn't need this before the weekend. I was tired already from working all week. Two double espressos had been consumed and now I was working on the third. Yeah, I know, I was pretty wired. My hair was standing on end, my heart was racing, it had to be more than the espressos. Something was out here.
Then, like the first time, boom! Next thing I knew, I woke up on the ground. Dammit. I made it back to work and finished up for the weekend. Just before dawn, I headed home. I was really tired and, forgive me, drained.
I slept most of the weekend. Keeping to my schedule was important for me. So, I slept during the day, the nights I spent getting things done. Laundry, grocery shopping, paying bills and doing what normal people do. My neck seemed to be healing quickly. I didn't feel any call to do evil, no strange desire to stand guard over a crypt. It occurred to me that I should do something to keep this from happening again. I came up with an idea, I purchased a big thick leather collar from one of those Goth stores. If I wore this, it was going to make it hard to bite my neck. I liked this plan.
I headed out for work Monday night. The first stop was the Café. Just before I left for work, I put the collar on. I was ready. My senses were on edge. Whatever it was, it was out there, and I could feel it. A shadow came to life and went for my throat. It was surprised that all it got was leather. I pushed it away from me. I was shocked when I noticed it was a girl. She was sitting on the sidewalk, crying.
"Well that wasn't nice." She whined.
"Nice? What the hell?! You were gonna bite me." I replied.
She looked up at me with tears streaming down her face.
"Just a little, I wasn't gonna drain you. I just needed the caffeine." She answered.
My brain went through all known Vampire facts.
"Caffeine? I thought they drank blood to sustain themselves."
I stepped back.
"Well, dummie, were do you think the caffeine goes?"
I reached out my hands to help her stand. That was my first real look at her. She was very pretty for a blood sucking fiend. I gave her my handkerchief to let her wipe her face. I was a sucker for a crying girl.
"Listen, I have to get back to work. I got stuff to do. Are you okay?" I asked to her.
More tears.
"NO! I'm not okay. I have a bad lack-of-caffeine headache." She said.
"Well why don't you just have some coffee then?" I answered.
She seems a little exasperated.
"It doesn't work like that. I can't drink coffee straight. It makes me sick. The caffeine has to be in your blood. Don't you know anything about vampires? You suck at this."
I was now somewhat offended.
"I suck? You're the one that sucks. What kind of creature are you?" I asked.
Well now she seemed inclined to spill her guts to me. This was just what I needed. A hard luck story from a caffeine craving vampire.
"By the way," I asked, "What's your name?"
She looked at me.
"Anna. Anna Wilson." She replied.
I think for a second.
"Well, that doesn't sound very scary or creepy. Doesn't a vampire have to have an exotic sounding name? Like Anastasia Berezovsky?"
Anna sulked.
"Well, we can't all be glamorous and exotic, can we?" She grumbled.
I gave her the once over.
