Hunting to Hunted

Halloween

At first, Silvina had suspected the coven was hiding in plain sight, their true nature obscured by charming facades and careful manipulation. She had observed several townspeople, convinced they might be vampires or at least in league with the creatures of the night. However, the more time she spent here, the more her initial suspicions unravelled. They displayed none of the telltale signs—no unnatural beauty, no cold, predatory gazes. In fact, they were entirely… normal.

Silvina sat on her bed with her legs crossed, her other finger entangled in a black strand of hair.

Despite her casual attire, there was an intensity in her gaze, as if she were grappling with thoughts too heavy to share.

With only a day left before Noaptea de Halloween, Silvina was in her rented room above the town’s inn, the map of Blackwood spread out before her, lines drawn and names circled where she had conducted her investigations. Her fingers hovered over the names of the townspeople, each one struck through as she ruled them out as suspects. Then, she traced the area near the edge of the forest once more. The coven had to be there; it was the only place left unexplored.

Curiously, the coven wasn’t harming the residents. There were no reports of disappearances or strange deaths. In fact, the town had been thriving, which made no sense at all. Vampires, at least those she knew, were creatures of hunger, always preying on humans for sustenance, leaving a wake of fear and blood in their path. Yet here, life pulsed vibrantly, and Silvina was left to grapple with the unsettling feeling that she was missing something crucial.

The truth lay somewhere in the shadows, just beyond her reach.

“Why are they so hard to find?” Silvina murmured softly to herself.

She gazed out the window, trying to put the puzzle together. The crisp autumn air was filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation; Halloween would start tonight. She watched as the townspeople bustled about, transforming the streets into a vibrant tapestry of orange, red and black.

Children raced by, their laughter echoing in the cool air, clutching bags, Some wore costumes that Silvina recognized from her own childhood—witches with pointy hats, superheroes with capes billowing in the wind, and ghouls with painted faces. Others were more creative, a mix of homemade outfits and store-bought finery. She smiled at the sight of a little girl dressed as a sparkly unicorn, her laughter ringing out as she twirled in delight.

“A little early for costumes, but okay.” She muttered again.

Outside, the trees swayed gently, their leaves swirling to the ground like confetti.

Silvina could see families gathering in the town square, chatting and laughing as they decorated the streets with cobwebs and skeletons, preparing for the festivities that would soon fill the night.

As she leaned closer to the window, Silvina saw a unfamiliar silhouette of a man near the old library.

Her training kicking in immediately.

Standing up and moving closer to the window. Silvina squinted through the glass, her heart racing slightly. The figure stood in the shadows, partially obscured by the gnarled branches of an old oak tree. Silvina carefully observed him from the second floor.

She had spent countless afternoons here, watching, waiting, but she had never encountered anyone like this man.

The shadow of a man stood motionless, like a statue carved from darkness. Silvina felt a chill crawl up her spine, an unsettling sensation that he was staring directly at her, though she couldn’t be sure.

The door creaked behind her, the sound sharp in the quiet room, making her flinch. Her head jerked toward the noise, her hand instinctively moving to the hidden blade tucked in her boot, fingers brushing the cold metal. The faint tension in the air thickened, her pulse quickening as she stood frozen for a moment, ready for whatever might come next.

But there was nothing, only an open closet door that swayed slightly from side to side. When her gaze drifted back she saw that the man had vanished.

With a deep breath, Silvina turned away from the window.

Adrenalin rushing into her veins, she knew this was what she had been waiting for.

“A Vampire at last.” She spoke a smile creeping on her lips.

***

Later that night, Silvina stood confidently in the town square, her vampire hunter outfit a striking blend of practicality and style. The deep crimson and black fabric hugged her form, designed for both mobility and stealth. Her black hair was neatly tied up in a sleek bun, with a few rebellious strands framing her face, giving her an air of fierce determination. Her blue eyes observing every detail around her.

In the heart of the town square, the air buzzed with excitement and anticipation as the festival unfolded. Twinkling lights adorned the trees, while carved pumpkins flickered with grinning faces, casting playful shadows on the cobblestone path. Children darted about in colorful costumes, their laughter blending with the sounds of festive music.

At the centre of it all, a woman’s voice soared above the chatter, captivating every ear. She sang a haunting melody that seemed to weave tales of ghosts and goblins, of love lost and found. Her voice enchanted all who listened, echoing through the square and adding an otherworldly aura to the night.—a blend of deep violet and shimmering black fabric that flowed elegantly around her. The dress was adorned with intricate silver embroidery, resembling delicate vines and stars, each glimmering as she moved. A wide-brimmed hat, tilted at a jaunty angle, added an air of mystery to her presence.

Her long, flowing blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her vivid green eyes sparkled with playful energy as she sang, her voice carrying a magic all its own. A small cup for tips was placed in front of her.

The townspeople gathered around her, entranced, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. Every few seconds someone threw a coin in her cup, the tingling of the coin making the woman smile slightly.

Silvina watched from the edge of the square, leaning against a weathered stone wall. She observed the joyous chaos, the swirling colors of costumes, and the flickering lights, feeling both a part of it and apart from it. She admired the woman’s confident performance, feeling a tug of longing to join in the celebration, yet she remained a quiet observer.

As the melody swayed through the air, Silvina noticed a group of children dancing playfully, their laughter ringing out like chimes in the night..

The woman’s voice faded into the night, and the applause of the crowd erupted, breaking Silvina from her own thoughts. Silvina heard a scream and her eyes immediately sought out the danger.

Silvina’s piercing gaze scanned the surroundings, her senses heightened, ready for any sign of the creatures she hunted, but she was disappointed when she saw a man dressed as a Zombie scaring the children and chasing them.

She adjusted the silver heirloom around her neck. A silver tree that represented the roots of family.

“Excuse me,” A husky voice spoke behind her.

Startled, Silvina turned and met the gaze of a tall hooded figure. His dark hair framed a chiseled jaw, and his piercing green eyes seemed to see right through her. His skin was tanned and he’s smile was rugged.

“Excuse me,” he said again with a hint of a smile, his voice smooth like velvet. “You seem a bit out of place. What brings you to this corner of the world? Searching for something, perhaps?”

There was something undeniably magnetic about him, a sense of mystery that both intrigued and unsettled her. She hesitated, weighing her words carefully.

“I… I’m just passing through,” she finally admitted, her voice softer than she intended.

The stranger raised an eyebrow, a playful glimmer in his eyes. “Passing through, you say? That sounds intriguing. But you have been here for months?”

Silvina sensed the danger in the man. “How do you know?”. Her voice steadier this time. “Your also not from here.”

“I have lived here my whole life,” he remarked, stepping a bit closer, his gaze unwavering. “You can ask anyone”

His words hung in the air between them. Silvina’s brow raised in question.

Silvina secretly reached for a vile under her corset.

“Don’t… My master won’t like that.”