I never thought finding a roommate would be the most dangerous decision of my life.
My name is Mia Carter, I'm 22, and I'm broke. Like, "eating instant noodles for 3 days straight" broke. My rent was due in 2 days and I only had $200 in my bank account.
That's why I posted an ad: "Roommate Wanted. $500/month. Must be clean."
Within an hour, I got one reply.
Subject: Interested in your room.
Name: Adrian Vance.
Message: I will take it. No questions.
No questions? Weird. But I was desperate.
We met at the apartment that night. And holy hell.
Adrian Vance was... unfair. Tall, around 6'2, with black hair that looked like he never needed to comb it. Pale skin. Sharp jawline. Eyes that were too dark, almost black. He wore a black suit at 9 PM like he just came from a board meeting.
"You look young," he said. His voice was low, smooth, dangerous.
"I am," I said, trying not to stare. "Are you... okay with splitting bills?"
"I pay cash. Six months in advance." He pulled out an envelope. $3000.
I took it so fast I probably looked pathetic.
"Good," he said. "Three rules."
He held up one finger. "Don't enter my room."
Second finger. "Don't go out after 12 AM."
Third finger. His eyes locked on mine. "And don't ask about what I eat."
I laughed nervously. "What, are you a vampire or something?"
He didn't smile. "Something like that."
That should've been my sign to run.
The first week was normal. Too normal.
Adrian was never home during the day. His room was always locked. I never heard him cook. He left exactly at 11:55 PM every night and came back before sunrise.
On day 8, I woke up with a headache and two small bruises on my neck.
"Must've slept weird," I told myself.
On day 9, all my milk was gone. But I hadn't drank it.
On day 10, I broke rule number 1.
It was 2 AM. I couldn't sleep. Thirsty. I went to the kitchen and saw his door was slightly open.
I should've walked away.
But curiosity killed the cat.
His room was pitch black. No furniture. No bed. Just a coffin.
An actual black coffin in the middle of the room.
And inside it... Adrian was sleeping. Eyes closed. Pale. Not breathing.
My phone slipped from my hand and crashed to the floor.
His eyes snapped open. Red. Like blood.
"Mia," he whispered. "You broke rule number one."
He was standing in front of me in 0.2 seconds. So fast I didn't see him move. His hand was around my throat. Not squeezing. Just... holding.
"You smell," he said, leaning in. His breath was cold. "You smell like summer and fear. Delicious."
I couldn't breathe. Couldn't scream.
Then he let go.
"Pack your things," he said softly. "Leave before sunrise. Or stay... and be mine."
He walked back to his coffin and closed the lid.
I stood there shaking. $3000 in my account. Nowhere to go.
And a vampire for a roommate.
What the hell was I supposed to do?
[TO BE CONTINUED...]