Sealed with kisses

In this city, where humans once reigned supreme, the dominance has been shaken by the invasion of vampires. In every corner of the city, struggles persist – between humans, between humans and vampires, and even among vampires themselves. I relish the arrival of night, filled with its b****y and thrilling essence. Perhaps, after the decadent, vibrant night, everything will vanish with the rise of the sun. Now, I sit at a bar counter less than three meters away from me. A somewhat alluring woman is lightly swaying a highball glass in her hand, her sharp gaze fixed on me. We've been sitting in a stalemate for over an hour, no words, no expressions, just silently consuming what's in our hands, occasionally locking eyes. Suddenly, she rises and heads toward the bar's entrance. I set down my red wine and followed her. In the alley behind the bar, she embraces me and begins a frenzied kiss; I willingly indulge in this pseudo-passion. Then, after a gunshot, the alley regains its tranquility, not a hint of a breeze, only the sound of heartbeats. Her startled eyes, along with the fangs ready to feed, vanish into thin air. I am a vampire hunter, wandering the city's corners at night, hunting vampires. Much like most people, they revel in the pleasures of indulgence, just never in the daylight. So, like them, I hide during the day, sleep at home, and hunt at night. The difference is, that their prey is humans, while mine is vampires. I fancy black and enjoy red wine. It's a liquid akin to blood, emitting a scent that stimulates me. Sometimes, I wonder if I, too, am a vampire, despite not fearing sunlight. Because I am human, I must defend my species. But I often ask myself, how much more terrifying are vampires compared to humans? Vampires drink blood for survival, while humans use ugly means for money and power. What truly sets them apart? When I woke up, it was already midnight. I washed my face, had a casual bite to eat, and then headed out. Tonight was Christmas Eve, snowflakes drifting in the sky, and faint sounds of a distant church bell could be heard. There wasn't a soul on the streets; people were probably in the church, as tradition holds that on Christmas Eve, Jesus comes to banish all demons and bring peace to people. The wind had a biting chill; I adjusted my collar and continued walking. Not far away was a small bar, sporadic neon lights flickered, its cozy appearance giving an eerie feeling. Intuition told me that I'd find what I was looking for there. I pushed open the door, and the once bustling bar fell silent instantly. Everyone directed curious gazes at me. I could easily discern between humans and vampires because vampires lack body warmth. Scanning the room, there were about a dozen or so, no, it should be said, a dozen or so creatures. I lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. Tonight would be a feast. I locked the door from inside and extinguished my cigarette. Subsequently, the consecutive sounds of gunfire shattered the peaceful night of the small town. They screamed in hysteria, trying to escape. Glasses and tables were overturned, one after another shot by bullets loaded with silver nitrate, turning into ashes. The final shell casing fell in the empty bar. Was it upholding justice or a m******e? I didn't know. From the start, I never pondered this question. I only knew what I should do and what I shouldn't. As I prepared to leave, I heard the faint crying of a woman. I saw a young woman cowering beneath a table in the corner – no, it was a young female vampire. I approached her, raising the g*n in my hand. "Please... don't..." Her tear-streaked face choked with sobs, she pleaded softly. I saw fear in her eyes. Until then, I never knew vampires shed tears, felt emotions, or experienced fear. Yet, the small fangs at her mouth clearly indicated she was a vampire. Her foot was injured, and bleeding. I couldn't understand; vampires hit by my bullets always immediately incinerate, vanishing into thin air. So how was she bleeding? Was she human or a vampire? My index finger rested on the trigger, hesitating. I had never hesitated like this before. She had a delicate face, fair skin, and a dark mane tinged with a hint of red. Her captivating blue eyes glistened with tears, streaming into the shallow dimples, a sight so compelling it made one forget thirst and stir hunger. She was the most beautiful vampire I had ever seen.