Irrevocably Lost In The Twilight

Only vampires feed on human blood

I stood speechless for half a second, and then I pulled myself together. Why had she left her friends that evening? Why did she come over and walk with me instead of running away? Her reactions were always the most dangerous for her. It seemed like she deliberately went to meet danger.

"Pardon?" I said through clenched teeth. How could I find myself getting so close to someone so… so careless?

"No," she said in a voice so low that it automatically became tender. "All this does not matter."

It was impossible. I felt the truth burn my lips, and the desire to share it with her was strong. "If I'm someone not quite human, you wouldn't mind?"

"Not at all," she answered tit for tat.

My fear lasted only one second, then it crashed at her feet. I watched her to make sure that she had all her senses. I did not want to cling to hope. I did not want her to believe that I was human, when in fact I drank blood to keep my strength and my abilities intact. Admittedly, I no longer hunted since the Gulf War and I even stopped drinking the blood of donors. But I would remain what I have always been, until the end of my life.

"You are angry. I would have done better to keep quiet."

As if to hide this kind of thing could help us.

"No! I prefer to know your opinion, even it makes me angry."

"I'm wrong then?" she asked, slightly aggressive now.

"It's not that!" My teeth clashed together and made an odd noise. "It's your attitude! It's too casual."

She gasped. "So, am I right?"

"It's important, huh?" I said.

She took a deep breath. I was waiting for her answer, as if I was standing on hot coals. "Not really," she said, calm again. "But I'm curious."

Not really!

It did not matter. She did not care, seriously. She did not know that I really was a monster. What if I told her the truth? And what if it didn't bother her? Except for the fact that I wondered about her mental health, I began to feel hopeful. I tried not to think about it.

"Curious about what?" I asked. There were a few more details not yet disclosed. Unconsciously, I took her hand, and I placed it on my leg to better feel it. Her palm relaxed and melted into my thigh by closing on it gently. I waited.

"How, really, have you been cured?"

"I am carrying a genetically transmitted virus, although, sometimes the gene transmission may exceed one hundred years. But only the combination of two regressive genes of the same type of retrovirus can create a new gene and spread. This virus is responsible for my healing. Any body part can be reconstructed in its original state. Under these conditions, I can never get sick."

"Without any treatment or medication? How is this possible?"

"Mutations are the genetic causes of diseases and they are rare and varied accidents. The genes may contain errors that cause many genetic disorders. The virus, to reproduce itself, diverts the activity of the cell in which it is lodged in its favor. They do this by reprogramming their host by gene transfer. This viral particle is composed of a shell called a capsid, which contains RNA nucleic acids in the compacted state. The virus enters into the target cell nucleus to release its genetic material. The HERV-K establishes a latent infection during which its genome is stabilized. The genome vehicle enters the cell nucleus, with a retro-enzyme that transcribes its RNA genome into DNA and catalyzes the insertion in the host genome and ensures its continuity. A viral vector is a Trojan horse, with the same capsid as the starting virus, but which contains a modified viral genome - a recombinant - gene carrier. Its entry into the cell does not lead to the production of new particles, but allows the transfer of the modified gene. The coding sequences for the viral proteins are separated from those, which serve as regulatory elements for the replication and the gene expression. The first sequence is introduced into cells which then produce empty capsids, devoid of genome, these cells are called packaging cells. The other sequences are used to construct a recombinant genome in which the new gene is grafted. The recombinant genomes, when introduced into the packaging cells are incorporated into the capsids, giving rise to the vector. Each type of viral vector may ensure the targeting of particles to specific receptors or to include systems of expression of multiple genes, regulated or special**."

"Since the 1950s, I learned a lot!" I said, sighing. "I have access to research results and ongoing projects – because of who I am. They have been able to scientifically explain my nature, which inspired me to study genetics. And of course, I have had plenty of time since 1970! At that time the first tools of Genetic engineering appeared, also known as Recombinant DNA technology: restriction enzymes, sensors and molecular cloning, by which the genome of higher organisms (eukaryotes), including humans, finally became accessible to detailed analysis."

"That was very scientific, your explanation!" she said in a low voice. "But your body— it needs something to heal, right?"

I turned my head. "Human blood."

Her fingers twitched. I took my palm off hers. There was nothing stopping her from getting up and running away if she wished. "Human blood— Hmm. So that means— How old are you?" she asked.

I tried not to laugh at her serious tone. "I'm 87 years old. I know I don't seem more than 27." I sighed. Would she turn her back on me? Her hand fell against my cheek and gently pulled my head towards her.

"Okay," she said enthusiastically. She smiled at me. When I looked again, anxious, she smiled even more. I grimaced and looked away. "Don't laugh, but how is it that you go out in daylight?"

I laughed despite her request. There was nothing unusual about her question. "What?"

"Only vampires feed on human blood," she pondered aloud, a faraway look in her eyes.