The king's Mark

vampires

Emily sat in front of the television, her gaze locked on the screen. Her fingers moved quickly over the gaming pad as she desperately tried to keep up with Sienna, who was playing just as intensely beside her.

Sienna jumped up and started dancing in a funny way.

“Yes!”

“Loser!" She screamed, sticking out her tongue as she danced.

Emily sighed, stood up, and suddenly chased Sienna round the room, but couldn't catch her. Eventually, she sat down, defeated.

"How come you’re always winning?" she whined, rubbing her hands together.

They had been playing the game for almost an hour, and Sienna always managed to beat her.

Emily was terrible at video games, but she was playing to pass time and because Sienna loved them.

“Quit sulking. You can never beat me. never!” Sienna said proudly.

Emily crossed her arms

“You know I only agree to this because you like it, right?”.

“Loser” Sienna whispered, looking away, smiling.

“What did you say to me?”

“Nothing.”

“What do you think your parents are doing right now?” Sienna asked, gulping down a glass of water.Emily sat next to her.

“I don't know.It’s their private moment.”

Today was Emily's parents’ wedding anniversary, and she decided to give them some space to enjoy their dinner.

Sienna broke the silence.

“I’ve been meaning to show you my latest research. You won't believe what I found,”Sienna said, digging through her bag.

“Don't tell me you're still researching your crazy theory.” Emily rolled her eyes

“It's not a theory, Emily.It’s real. They’re real.”She brought out a red crystal with a big D carved into it.

“A symbol?” Emily muttered, staring at the crystal.

”Not just a symbol.I think it connects to the vampires I’ve been investigating for the past two years, the one I have been telling you about.” Sienna leaned closer and lowered her voice, as if she was afraid of being heard.

“Whoa, don't bring up your nonexisting fairytale of yours again.” Emily stepped backward, creating some distance between them.

“You have to believe me, Emily.” Sienna’s eyes showed how serious she was.she wasn't lying, but Emily found it hard to believe that vampire actually existed.

“Look, Sienna, I know you're a reporter and have to look for stories to write to boost your career, but bringing your imagination into it sounds unprofessional.” Emily snapped at Sienna, looking at her as if she had gone crazy.

“Listen to me, Emily.They really exist, I’ve interviewed some one who has seen them once. Believe me.” She rubbed her forehead in frustration.

“Okay, Okay. Stay calm.You can tell me all about your imaginary vampires next time, okay?” Emily stood, walked to the bar took some drinks, and returned to her seat beside Sienna.

“Let’s get drunk and have fun, You know we don't get to see each other often because of work.” She opened a bottle and poured some wine into a glass for herself and Sienna.

“ But-”

“No buts.” Emily cut her off before she could say anything.

“Today is my parent's wedding anniversary. Let's celebrate with them, shall we?”

Sienna looked defeated and decided to let it go for now.

Just then,Emily got a call from her secretary. She looked at her phone, then switched it off.

“Can't I enjoy my night without being disturbed by someone from Wilson Holdings? They will really be the death of me.”Emily threw her phone on the couch beside her.

“Don't act like you don't like being the boss and bossing people around.” Sienna rolled her eyes.

”I do like it, but it prevents me from seeing you. You know I want us together all the time, like old times.”

“I know”

She and Sienna were practically sisters.Their parents called them” The troublesome twins” because they always got into trouble when they were younger.

Lately, Sienna had been on and on about vampires and trying to uncover the truth about their existence, but Emily still belived they were nothing more than myths and fairytales.

“Emily.” Sienna’s voice snapped Emily back to reality.

Sienna adjusted her self on the couch and held Emily's hand. Emily was becoming concerned because her usually unserious friend was suddenly being serious.

“What is it?”

“Don't tell me you're pregnant?”Emily asked

“What?No! what do you take me for?I just wanted you to know how serious I'm about this.Vampires exist.”

“I thought we had passed that stage”

“Well,we haven't.Emily, you’re my only friend.The only person I can talk to.But you are not helping matters at all.”Sienna said

“All right, you can tell me. Continue.” Sienna's face brightened as she pulled out all her research books and some jotters.

“I happened to see a man after finding the crystal and I think he's a vampire, then I followed him–” Emily quickly cut her off.

“You follow a total stranger, alone because of some stupid story, Sienna?”

“Let me finish Emily, it was for a good cause, and I also found something interesting” Sienna’s face lit up with a smiles.

Emily signaled for her to continue.

“I found a secret passage. And I think it's their kingdom” Sienna said happily

Emily stared at her for a while before finally speaking.

“Who are you, and what have you done to my friend? Wake up, Sienna.“

“It’s no longer a ‘Vampire’.Now they have a kingdom.”

Sienna dropped the book she was holding and sat down.

“It's true, Emily, I saw him walk into what seemed like a portal after pulling out a crystal exactly like this one.” She held it up.

Then she continued

“The man I interviewed told me that the crystal was used by their king whenever he wins a battle or kills someone,”

“It's called the King's Mark,”

“ And the only people who have it are their king and people who are important to the kingdom, I followed the man because he was acting suspicious.”

Emily stared at her, dumbfounded.She reached out to touch Sienna's face, then checked her eyes and temperature. Finally, She grabbed her phone and started dialing.

“Emily,what are you doing?” Sienna asked

“I’m calling a doctor.I don't think you're okay.” Sienna quickly snatched the phone from her grip and ended the call.

“I’m fine, Emily. Do you seriously think I’m crazy.”Sienna crossed her arms staring straight into Emily's eyes.

Emily sat down, wondering if she should really believe her.But of all things… why vampires? If they truly existed, she would know.Everybody would know.

She took her drink and gulped it down in one go.

Then She asked herself the big question:

“Do vampires really exist?”