A VAMPIRE BITE by UBEBE BECKY

Lisa's P.O.V. ​Just like every other day, I dragged myself home after a long, exhausting shift. My body ached, and the only thing on my mind was the quiet solitude of my apartment. It was just a small, one-room space, but some nights it felt vast and empty. The silence could be deafening, but I wasn't complaining. I'd always craved peace after a hectic day, and here, in my small corner of the world, I had it. The hum of the old refrigerator was the only sound in the room, a constant companion that felt more familiar than any human voice. ​My name is Elisa Blackwood, and I'm an orphan. I never knew my father. He disappeared the moment he found out my mom was pregnant, leaving her a stack of cash and a demand to get rid of me. She never saw him again after that day. ​When I was fifteen, my world fell apart. My mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, already in its final stage. "A working dead," the doctor had said to her face, a casual cruelty that still haunts me. Six months later, she was gone. I was sent to a foster home, but no one ever wanted me. I was a quiet, sad child, and I aged out of the system the moment I turned eighteen, with nothing but a garbage bag of my belongings. Since then, I've just been trying to survive, begging just to make ends meet.And that's where I am now. Twenty years old, working at a small café downtown. The pay is barely enough to cover my daily expenses, but it's a living. Most days, I'm just trying to make it to the next paycheck, hoping for a day when the silence in my apartment doesn't feel so heavy. ​I got home and the first thing I did was head straight for the shower, letting the hot water wash away the aches of the day. Afterward, I made my nightly ritual: a bowl of noodles and a steaming mug of coffee. I live for coffee—the rich, bitter smell, the first warm sip that settles my soul. It’s how I start my mornings and how I end my days. ​I was curled up on my bed, the warmth of the mug in my hands, when my phone vibrated, jolting me out of my peaceful moment. I glanced at the screen and let out a long, weary sigh. The name "Caro" lit up the screen. ​I sighed and picked up the phone. ​"Hey, babes," Caro's cheerful voice chirped from the other end. ​"Hey," I mumbled back, my voice heavy with exhaustion. ​"Why do you sound so tired?" she asked, her tone softening. ​"Because I am," I said, a slight laugh escaping me. ​"I'm sorry," she replied. ​"It's okay," I assured her. ​"So... how have you been?" ​"Surviving," I said, a familiar answer to a familiar question. "You?" ​"Oh, I'm great! You won't believe what happened," she said, her voice practically buzzing with excitement. ​"You know I hate guessing, Caro." I smiled, already knowing this was going to be a long conversation. ​"Okay, fine," she conceded, giggling. "I called to tell you that Blake asked me out." ​"What?!" The word burst from me. Caro was my best friend; we had met at the café last year, and she knew everything about me. I loved her, and I also knew about her massive crush on Blake. It had been going on forever. I didn't blame her, of course. Blake was a truly good person, with kind brown eyes and a smile that reached them. He was tall, handsome, with a messy shock of brown hair that always seemed to fall just right. I had always thought they'd make a cute couple. ​"Aww, I'm so happy for you!" I said, my exhaustion forgotten as a genuine wave of happiness washed over me.Thanks!" Caro said, her voice filled with relief. ​"So, when?" I asked. ​"This weekend," she said, her voice suddenly sounding nervous. "I'm so scared. I don't even know what to wear." ​"I guess that's where I come in," I said, a small smile forming on my face. ​"Let's go shopping!" she said excitedly. ​"No," I groaned. "You know I hate shopping." ​"Please, pretty please?" she begged. "I promise to buy you ice cream and brownies." ​I couldn't help but laugh. "Carolina Eddie, are you trying to blackmail me?" ​"Maybe," she said playfully. "Is it working?" ​"Of course it's working. You know I can't say no to ice cream and brownies," I said, a small grin on my face. ​"I know," she laughed. ​"Fine," I said, giving in. "But you know the rule. It's always payment before service." ​"I know, Ms. Blackwood. You'll receive your payment by morning. See you on Friday, love," Caro said. ​"See you on Friday, babes. Bye, love you," I said. ​"Love you too. Night, cupcake," she replied before the line went dead.​I laughed to myself and placed my phone on the small bedside table. I finished the last of my coffee and ate my noodles, savoring the simple comfort of the meal. Once I was done, I went to the kitchen to wash the few dishes I had used. After a few quiet minutes of cleaning, I returned to my room, climbed back into bed, and finally let myself relax. The silence of the apartment was a soothing blanket, and it wasn't long before I drifted off to sleep. The next morning, I woke up to the jarring sound of my alarm clock. I dragged myself out.i had a quick shower, just as I was about, cleaning my room my door bell rang.i open the door, only to be greeted my the delivery guy. Good morning, ma'am," the delivery guy said as I opened the door. "Morning," I replied, my voice a little hesitant. "Ms. Blackwood?" he asked, his eyes lingering on me for a moment too long. "Yes," I said, a little more firmly. "I have a package from Miss Eddie Carolina. Just sign here and here to receive your package." I quickly signed the forms, my skin crawling slightly under his gaze. "Oh, thanks," I said, taking the box from him and shutting the door a little more quickly than was polite. I always hated the way that delivery guy stared at me. Once the door was shut, I let out a breath and looked at the box, a wide smile spreading across my face. Awww. Just as promised, Caro had gotten me a tub of my favorite ice cream and a box of warm brownies. And to top it all off, a bag of my favorite coffee beans. I giggled to myself. Caro definitely knew how to bribe me. I took out my phone to text her a thank you, knowing I wasn't supposed to eat junk food in the morning, but who was I to say no to this? I quickly pulled up Caro's chat and started typing. Lisa: You are the absolute best! You know just how to get me. Caro: LOL, I know. Did you get the coffee too? I saw they had your favorite. Lisa: Yes! And I already ate one of the brownies. Thank you so much, Cupcake. You totally made my day. Caro: Anything for you, girl. Now get off your phone and enjoy your breakfast! And don't forget we're shopping on Friday. I'm counting on you. Lisa: I wouldn't miss it. After eating, I went to my room to get ready for work. I pulled on my favorite baggy black jeans and a form-fitting black crop top. A quick look in the mirror confirmed the outfit looked good. I was blessed with a killer hourglass figure, a cute face, and a pair of sky-blue eyes that always got compliments. I pulled my dark hair into a high ponytail, slipped on my black canvas shoes, and grabbed my matching black bag. ​With barely enough cash for a taxi, I knew I'd be walking the whole way to the cafe. As I made my way down the street, I felt a familiar sensation—the feeling of being watched. I was used to it; my body and looks seemed to draw a lot of unwanted attention, but I didn't let it bother me. It wasn't a reason to feel sorry for myself. I might have the perfect figure and a pretty face, but I still didn't have a boyfriend, and honestly, that was the least of my worries. ​As soon as I got to work, I threw myself into my routine. By the end of the day, I was exhausted. We had to close late because it was so busy, but the extra tips meant I had enough to get a cab home. As soon as my boss locked up, I headed out into the night, but it was way past midnight. I tried to find a cab, but the streets were empty. With a growing sense of dread, I decided to walk home. I walked as fast as I could, my heart pounding in my chest. The rumors of vampires and werewolves in this part of the city always made me nervous, and tonight they felt very real. ​As I hurried down the deserted sidewalk, I wasn't looking where I was going and bumped directly into someone. I gasped and looked up to apologize, and the breath left my lungs. ​Standing before me was a man I could only describe as an otherworldly god. He was impossibly tall, maybe six-foot-eight, with jet-black hair and full, dark lips. But it was his eyes that truly stunned me—they were the color of fresh blood, a mesmerizing, terrifying red. I was so shocked that I just stood there, staring. He was so handsome it was almost a physical blow. After what felt like an eternity, I finally averted my gaze, realizing how rude I was being. My eyes fell to his hand, which was wrapped firmly around my arm, stopping me from stumbling to the hard ground. ​He cleared his throat, a deep, resonant sound that broke the silence. "Hmm." ​"Oh... I-I'm so sorry," I stammered, my heart thudding in my chest as he slowly, almost deliberately, helped me regain my balance. He didn't let go of my arm immediately, and his grip felt strangely warm against my skin. ​"It's alright," he said, his voice a low rumble. He didn't look away. His blood-red eyes seemed to see straight through me, and a shiver ran down my spine. The uneasy feeling grew, making me want to snatch my arm back. "What is a beautiful girl like you doing out all alone at this time of night?" ​I finally pulled my arm from his grasp. "Thanks again, but I'd prefer you mind your own damn business." The words came out sharper than I intended, fueled by a mixture of fear and irritation. I didn't wait for a response. I turned and walked away, my pace quickening with every step. I could feel his gaze on my back, a burning weight that urged me to run, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of looking back. Darius's P.O.V. ​That was... an unsettling encounter. I couldn't get her out of my head. The way her sky-blue eyes had widened in shock, then narrowed in defiance. And the feel of my hand on her waist, which felt perfectly natural, as if it was meant to be there. I've never felt anything like it. ​I tried to read her thoughts, a simple reflex I’ve used on humans for centuries. But there was nothing. A blank, silent void where her mind should have been. It's baffling. Even my own parents, the most powerful of our kind, can't completely shield their thoughts from me. ​And her scent... it was heavenly. Not like the sweet, mundane smell of ordinary humans. She smelled different, something I couldn’t quite place, but still distinctly human. Something is definitely up with her. I've never met anyone like her before.