It's funny how everything in a person's life can be ripped away in a moment. One stupid mistake, created by stubbornness, could change the course of someone's life forever.

***

"Hey Charlie, you sure you don't want a ride home?" Travis asks, wiping down the marble countertops, "those freaky disappearances have been happening more frequently."

"It's okay, Travis, really," I reply with a smile, "my house isn't that far, walking would be faster for the both of us," I reason, untying my apron and hanging it up in the kitchen.

"I can't force you into my car but, you should let me drive you," he said, glancing around the empty diner, "it's a ghost town in here anyways, I can close up a little early. I'm sure Jerry would understand."

"I really don't want you getting in trouble," I reply, turning off the jukebox.

Sneakers squeak on the black and white tile floors as Travis walks around the front counter, "just be careful, okay?" he sighs, untying his apron and tossing it on the counter.

There were crumbs scattered on the bright leather booths, and the fluorescent lights illuminated the coffee stains in front of the red stools lining the counter.

"I'll be fine, worry about closing up," I replied, the small bell ringing, as I open the door and walk into the night.

***

"Wait, wait, wait," the cloaked boy sitting in front of me interrupts, "you're telling me that your story is actually based on a stereotypical horror game plot!"

"In my defence, horror videogames didn't exist back then," I counter, "I mean, where do you think those plot ideas came from?"

"Touché," he remarks, leaning back in the plush chair across from me.

"Can I continue my story now?" I ask impatiently.

He sweeps an arm through the air and rests an ankle on his knee, gesturing for me to continue.

***

The cold evening breeze snaked over my bones as I hugged my arms around my chest and made my way through the empty streets of New York. I had two choices that night, either cut through the alleyways or stick to the dimly lit streets. The alleyways would be quicker but, due to the recent disappearances, I decided the streets would be safer.

The longer I continued on my trek, the more I realized that the usually bustling streets of the city were as menacing and empty as the alleyways. The sounds of my steps on the sidewalk bounced off the buildings and storefronts. Dim street lights reflected off windows, casting my silhouette into darkness as if it were an omen for future events to come.

***

"An omen for future events?" the pale boy raises an eyebrow, "Okay, Drama Queen, you definitely didn't think that! I'm calling you out on your BS!"

"I'm sorry you're stuck in that pubescent body, Drac," I pause, gesturing to the eternal teenager, "but can you please stop being an angsty, hormonal teen for two minutes so I can tell my story?"

Dracula scoffs and crosses his arms, sinking lower into his chair. He pulls up the collar of his cape to try and hide his pout, "whatever, just continue."

I let out a soft chuckle and continue my story.

***

As I continued my walk home, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched, a molten gaze watching my every step. The faint sound of laughter echoed through the night, engulfing the entire street. It didn't bounce off buildings or the parked cars lining the curb. As if carried on a phantom wind, it surrounded the air around me.

The moment I stopped in my tracks, as quick as the laughter started is disappeared. A cold wind nipped at my exposed legs and blew my unruly dark curls into my eyes as if urging me forward. I should have continued but, against my better judgement, I turned to look behind me. Before me stood a young girl, no older than nine, underneath the dim glow of a street light.

Two long ponytails cascaded in black waves from the side of her head down to her shoulders. Her dark bangs covered her eyes as she stood unmoving, the light reflecting off her paper-white skin. The frayed edges of her pale pink nightgown shifted in the cool summer breeze.

My heartbeat began to slow as I realized it was just a young girl.

"What are you doing out here?" I ask softly as not to scare her off.

"You're pretty," the girl's high-pitched voice cuts through the silent street.

"Awe, thank you," I smile, stepping closer to her, "where are your parents?"

"Your skin is like chocolate," she states, "I like chocolate."

I chuckle softly, "yours is like a dove's feathers," I say, earning a giggle from the girl.

"I don't want to be alone anymore," she says, her smile fading into a frown.

I kneel in front of the girl, "you're not alone anymore, don't worry."

A vicious grin suddenly breaks across her face, "I hope you taste as sweet as you are."

Before her words could sink in, her teeth did. I felt a burst of pain as she dug her teeth into my neck.

"Now you can be with me forever," was the last thing I heard before the world turned dark.

The world has been dark for me ever since.

***

The room fell into silence once I finished my story.

"I'm so sorry, Mickie," Dracula says, sitting up in his chair, raking a hand through his black curls.

"You have nothing to apologize for," I state with a dismissive wave of my hand, "why did you ask for my story anyway? You've never shown interest before."

He releases a long sigh, "that little girl is my older sister," my mouth falls as his ruby eyes meet my own, "I am trying to correct her wrongdoings."

"Your older sister?" I ask, trying to comprehend the logistics.

"It is an extremely long and complicated story," he states, expressing his unwillingness to explain further, "to make it up to you, I would like to offer you a second chance at life."

I stay silent for a moment, comprehending his offer, "Drac, it's been 80 years, there is nothing out there for me, everyone I loved is gone," I pause for a moment, "I have adapted to and welcomed the eternal darkness. If you truly want to make it up to me, take this second chance, and give it to someone who has everything to lose. I have already lost everything."

Slowly the teen stood from his chair, "you are a good person Mickie, I hope you are met with good fortune."

"Visit again soon, Drac."

With a nod, he vanished in a flurry of fabric.