Blood on Fire

The rain poured outside, tapping softly on the window like a quiet rhythm. Thunder growled in the distance, pulling the six-year-old little girl’s attention away from her toys scattered on the floor. Curious, she stood up, pushed a wooden box near the window, and climbed on top of it. Slowly, she opened the window just enough to slip her small hand through. Cold raindrops touched her fingers, making her smile. She closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the cool touch of the rain. But then, something caught her eye. Not far from their house, near a large, shadowy tree, someone was standing still. A man or something like a man. His figure was tall and slim, and his eyes… glowed red. They locked on hers with a cold, piercing stare. The little girl froze. Her small fingers tightened on the window ledge. Suddenly, loud gunshots came from downstairs, wood breaking, furniture falling. The little girl gasped and turned her head toward the door. When she looked back toward the tree, the figure was gone. Then a scream from her mother. The little girl’s heart pounded. She climbed down from the box, her hands shaking, and quietly made her way downstairs. She gripped the rail and slowly stepped down, her little feet making barely a sound. She heard her brother crying. "I’m sorry, Father! I didn’t know they were monsters. They told me it was an emergency… I let them in!" His voice was full of guilt and fear. A little girl peeked from behind the stairs. Her breath caught in her throat. Her mother was lying on the floor, her neck covered in blood. She was gasping for breath, her chest rising and falling weakly. Her eyes found a little girl hiding near the steps. Slowly, her mother lifted her trembling hand and signed in quiet motions: Don’t make a sound. Tears welled in the little girl’s eyes. She covered her mouth with both hands, biting back a sob. Her small shoulders shook as she cried silently. Her father was kneeling beside her mother, holding a shotgun. His eyes were red, not from blood, but from tears. “It’s okay, son,” he whispered to her brother. “It’s not your fault.” Then he looked at his son, his voice turning firm. “When I say run, you run. Take your sister and don’t look back. Do you understand?” Her brother nodded, tears still falling down his cheeks. “Don’t look back,” her father said again. Take her away from here. Keep her safe.” The little girl's eyes moved to the four strangers standing on the other side of the room. They looked human, but their bloodstained mouths and glowing eyes told another story. Their shirts were soaked in blood. Just like her mother. One of them stepped forward. He had bright red hair and a wicked smile. He licked a finger stained with her mother’s blood. “Oh, such a dramatic scene,” he said in a mocking tone. Tragic. Really.” Her father stood, his hands shaking with rage as he raised the shotgun. “I’ll kill you!” he roared. The red-haired vampire only smiled wider. “I’d like to see you try.” “Son! Run!” her father shouted, then charged at the vampire with everything he had. Her older brother ran toward her, but one of the vampires moved fast, trying to follow him. Before he could get close, their father raised his gun and fired. A loud gunshot echoed through the house. The little girl saw it all, everything seemed to move in slow motion. Her brother turned his head and met her eyes. Then he scooped her into his arms and ran toward the back of the house. Behind them, the sound of a terrible fight filled the air, furniture breaking, angry growls, heavy crashes, and sharp cries. It sounded like a nightmare tearing through their home. They ran barefoot through the muddy backyard. The rain poured down on them, soaking their clothes, chilling their skin. The little girl clung to her brother, shivering and silent. As they reached the edge of the forest, she glanced back over his shoulder. In the broken window of their house, a pair of glowing red eyes stared at her. Smiling. Then, a sudden blast of wind rushed past them, so strong it made her brother stop in his tracks. He gently set her down and stepped in front of her. Grabbing a thick branch from the ground, he raised it like a weapon. His hand reached back, holding hers tightly. “Stay away from us!” her brother shouted, his voice shaking with fear. Though his body trembled, he stood in front of her, holding a broken branch like a weapon. “Not until I drink your sweet blood,” said the one with long, dark hair, sniffing the air as his eyes turned a deeper red. Before the little girl could move, a blur shot out from the trees. He grabbed her brother and slammed him into a tree. The sound of the impact made the little girl flinch. Her eyes widened in horror. “No!” she cried, frozen in place. His hand wrapped around her brother’s throat, lifting him off the ground. Her brother struggled, kicking and clawing, but it was no use. The vampire barely moved. His glowing eyes stared straight at Selene as a cruel smile spread across his face. “You’re next,” he said coldly. Then, without warning, he sank his fangs deep into her brother’s neck. The sound of the bite, the sickening crunch, and her brother’s muffled cry cut through the storm. His eyes locked on hers as he struggled to speak. Tears fell like rain down her cheeks. A flash of lightning lit up the night, revealing the blood pouring from her brother’s neck. She screamed not just in fear, but in raw, unbearable pain. Her small hands curled into fists, her entire body trembling. His eyes met hers, wide with panic and sorrow. His brother's mouth opened, quivering, trying to speak through the agony. With the last of his strength, he whispered the only word that mattered. “Selene… run…”