Alex's PoV -

My job isn't necessarily pleasant or safe. Unfortunately, I'm a servant for a vampire. I clean and help host what few guests my master receives but mostly I'm dinner for the vampire. Scars and fang marks decorate my shoulders and neck. I hate my job, I'm a captive, I don't even get paid. I was taken from my village one night by this monster and I haven't seen my village or my family since.

     "Alex!" my master calls for me, I know it's "dinner" time.

     I don't reply, there is no need, my lord knows I have no choice but to follow his command.

I make my way to the study where the vampire spends most of the day. The castle is huge with many different rooms, halls, and secret doors. However, I know my way around since I've been trapped here for two years. "Yes, master?" I ask as I walk into the study.

The older man replies, "It's time for my supper."

I sigh and sit on the sofa in front of the vampire. My shirt is low cut, a job requirement, which allows the vampire easy access to my blood. I wince at the familiar pinch and wonder why I haven't gotten used to it yet. Then I feel the light-headed dizziness that consumes me every time. I pray that I won't pass out. The process takes a matter of minutes but it feels like forever. When the master finally lets me go I bolt to the other side of the room praying he won't attack me for more but I'm pleased to see he goes back to reading and I silently leave.

I lean on the walls and furniture for support. My head aches and I feel faint. I need to get to bed so I can sleep this off. I slowly make my way upstairs to my bed. I don't bother to change clothes or brush my hair. I crash on my bed and finally allow the lack of blood to consume me into a restful sleep.

I wake up early in the morning when the sun is many hours from rising. I stretch and I feel oddly refreshed. No longer tired I sit up and decide to get an early start on my day. I try to avoid the vampire and since the castle is large it's rather easy to do. I walk up another flight of velvety carpeted stairs and make my way to the highest balcony to get a breath of fresh air. This is my favorite place in the castle. Out here I feel almost free. Here I can watch the birds and the creatures below but it's dark now and the only thing flying is the occasional bat. I can't see any animals on the ground, it's too dark. I lean against the railing and enjoy the crisp, cool autumn air.

     Suddenly, a swish of a black cloak jolts me out of my peace. A figure stands beside me and I fear the worst, my master. However, he's much shorter than my master. I back against the railing trying to put as much distance between the newcomer and me as possible. He blocks my exit into the castle, the only place left to go is down eight stories. I contemplate if I should jump, the man slowly approaches me, arm outstretched like he's trying to calm a startled dog. I feel comfort in this gesture and decided I'll take my chances.

     Then the bar I'm leaning on breaks and I'm free-falling eight stories down. The man jumps after me and a pair of large bat wings spring out from under his cape. He dives and catches me before I hit the ground. We're both out of breath. I'm hyperventilating with fear as he gently places me on the ground.

     Everything feels weird. This is the first time I've been out of that castle in two years. "I'm Vlad," the black-cloaked man states.

     "I'm Alex, thanks for saving me... are you going to kill me now?" I'm afraid to hear his answer.

     "What, no, of course not," Vlad chuckles as he takes off his hood and I can see his face.

     He's pale and his red eyes practically glow while strong bat wings fold neatly behind him. His smile shows off large white fangs. I thought so, another vampire. Vlad must have noticed my fear, "You know there are a few nice vampires, right? We're not all as mean as that guy," he points to the castle.

     "You're not going to make me go back there are you?" I ask.

     I'm free now. I don't want to go back.

     "Nope, not unless you want to."

     "I'm good," I smirk, I really am free.

     I didn't even notice but we're both walking away from the castle and down a small trail. By now the fear has melted away and I'm suddenly cold. I shiver in the cold night air. "You're shivering, do you want my cloak?" Vlad asks, he already took his long black cloak off. His cool hands brush my exposed shoulders as he gently drapes the warm cloak over me.

     "Thank you," I feel oddly safe with Vlad. I decide to open up to him. "I've been trapped in that castle for two years now," I continue, "Ever since the master stole me from my family and village."

     "I'm sorry to hear that, I can take you back home if you would like," Vlad offers.

     "Do you know where Sofia is from here?" I ask I don't remember how to get home.

     "Yes, but you're a long way from home, that's at least a days trip by train," Vlad explains.

     "Oh, you probably don't want to take me anymore do you?" I ask.

     "Nah, I wouldn't mind seeing Sofia again, quaint town, besides I like you and I want to help," Vlad's smile seems so caring and I can't help but to smile back, "If we hurry we can make it to the train depot by sunrise."

     "Really! Thanks," I feel energized again like I have something worth living for.

     Vlad leads the way and we travel fast down the small forested path that windes down uninhabited mountains and hills. True to his word an orange-ish horizon outlines a distant mountain as we arrive at a small town. It is early and no one is up yet but we still wait in front of the train station. "Do you mind if I hide in your hood?" Vlad asks, he seems embarrassed, "You know, before the sun comes up..."

     I smile, "Of course."

     With that Vlad transforms into a small black bat and glides onto my left shoulder and quickly crawls into the hood of the cloak. Oddly enough I don't feel scared with Vlad so close to my neck, he's almost comforting.

    Minutes pass but a train finally arrives at the station. I quickly purchase a ticket and take my seat on the train. There are only a few other passengers all of whom are sleeping. I sit in an empty row and careful not to disturb Vlad, rest my head on the window and look out the old frosted glass. The train is warm and I fall into a restful sleep.

    It's noon by the time I wake. Sun streams in through the old windows and the train bustles with activity. Nearly every seat if filled by passengers. An elderly lady sits beside me and a young boy next to her. I can still feel Vlad nuzzled against my neck. Hours tick by and by nightfall the train makes its stop in Sofia. I quickly exit the train happy to finally be back in my home town.

     My memories of this place are blurry. So much has changed since I was taken from this place. I walk the streets looking for a sign of my past life, something to lead me home. Finally, I see it. My old street's name: Vitosha. I turn down the street and illuminated by candlelight stands my old house. I hurridly jog down the street. Finally.

     I turn the doorknob to enter but Vlad, whom I had forgotten about in all this excitement, flys out from the cloak's hood. No one's around and Vlad transforms back into his human-ish form. "Well, I guess this is goodbye. I'm glad you made it back home," Vlad seems distraught.

     I find that I don't want him to leave. I like his company and he did rescue me, "No, you don't have to leave if you don't want to... I'm sure my family wouldn't mind if you stay here with us."

"Really!?"

"But they can't know you're a vampire," I state.

"Deal," Vlad grins happily, his fangs gleaming in the moonlight.

I knock. Moments later my younger brother opens the door, he's grown. "Alex!" the boy exclaims and hugs me, "I thought you were dead."

I hug back. The rest of my family hurries to the doorway. "Alex!" They're happy to see me.

We exchange hugs and I glance over to see Vlad standing awkwardly. I forgot to introduce him, "Oh, this is Vlad, he helped me find my way home."

Soon my family is hugging him and thanking him for saving me. Vlad seems nervous but accepts my family's praise. I speak up, "I was hoping that Vlad could stay here with us for a few days, we had a very long trip."

"Of course, we never have guests," mother seems excited to host company.

With that my family leads Vlad and I inside. So much has changed since I was taken from my home two years ago. The furniture has moved and some is new. The walls have a new coat of paint. It's strange.

It's late and my family heads off to bed. Vlad is staying in the guest bedroom and I sneak out of my room to see him. I lightly knock before letting myself in. "Hey, how are you doing?"

Vlad sits on the side of the bed. He seems fully awake, not used to sleeping at night. "I'm fine, just worried about your family finding out about me," Vlad states nervously. "What am I going to do tomorrow, even if I don't go outside light will still shine through the windows."

I sit next to him. "We can tell them that you're allergic to the sun."

"Won't that be suspicious, I have fangs, pale skin, and red eyes," I look like a vampire.

"Hmmm, maybe we should just tell them," I suggest.

"What?!" Vlad seems scared.

"The whole story, where you saved me and helped me find my way home," I continue, "they'll be thankful that you saved me and then they won't care that you're a vampire."

"Do you really think that they'll be okay with it?" Vlad questions.

"Maybe," I'm not so sure but we don't have any other options.

"That's comforting," Vlad laughs nervously.

Though I'm tired I spend the rest of the night talking with Vlad, keeping him company and keeping his nerves at bay.

     Morning comes and we're both up before the rest of my family.

     Vlad and I are sitting at the kitchen table when my family finally wakes up. With coffee in hand, my mother and father sit with us. My younger brother is probably off playing somewhere. "Alex, what happened to you for these two years?" Father asks.

     "Well, I was taken by an evil vampire over two years ago and kept in a castle to be his servant and his prey," I tell my story.

     Mother has tears in her eyes, "I'm so sorry, Alex."

    I continue, "I wasn't allowed to leave my master's castle so I was trapped there for two years but one morning at night I went out on the balcony. That's when Vlad found me, the railing broke and I fell eight stories down. You see Vlad's also a vampire but he's a good vampire and he caught me before I hit the ground."

     I'm about the continue with my story when my father interrupts. "Get out, no vampire is allowed in my house!"

     I look over at Vlad, he seems terrified. He stands and slowly backs away as father looms over him. "Father, you can't just throw him out, the sun is out!" I speak in Vlad's defense.

     "If you're so worried about him, then you should leave too," Father growls.

     Mother silently sits at the table with tears in her eyes, not knowing what to do. My little brother run into the room and hugs my waist, "Alex, can't leave again, he just got home!"

     I'm standing next to Vlad doing my best to protect him from my father if it should come to that.

     "It's okay, little brother, everything will be okay, now run off and stay safe," I speak softly to my little brother.

     He lets go of my waist and slowly nods with tears in his eyes before running into the living room.

     I lead Vlad to the door. Luckily he's wearing a cloak to offer some protection from the sun. "You don't have to leave with me, Alex, I understand," Vlad speaks sadly.

     "No, I'm leaving with you, besides my family will never look at me the same way again if I stay," I smile at Vlad.

     With that we leave my house, never to return. I'm homeless once again but at least I have someone I care for by my side. We'll take care of each other and somehow find a way to survive.