CHAPTER 13: Method

ALICIA

The stars are already up in the sky. The moon is hiding from above while the trees are still as there’s no wind to be felt. It’s a usual scenario every night after my club meeting in the university yet it all changed when I learned of their existence.

I can never look at the night class the same way again. All I can see are blood, fangs, and red eyes, and perhap evil soul that’s preying on humans. This reason also made me realize why the day class students cannot cross the Woods of Dracula.

If only I could turn back the time, then I won’t be crossing that woods again.

“Are you going to follow me in our house?” I turned to Akihiro. “Or are you finding a perfect time to kill me?”

“I can never kill you, Alicia.” He finally walked beside me. Somehow, it ease my feelings knowing he’s there…instead of him being against me. “Please remember that…”

“How am I supposed to believe you?” I said, choosing to be calm as I remembered how he saved my life multiple times.

“Just believe me, Alicia.” He smiled a little…and those smiles glowed under the sky. It’s weird how my body reacted to him. “If I want to kill you, I should have done it a long time ago.”

“Fair enough.” I nodded a bit. “Still, you are a vampire. And, I am not sure how to handle that.”

“Are you afraid of me?” He asked. “Did I scare you?”

“Maybe…” I shrugged. “I am not sure…but I know that I am afraid of the things you might do to me and my loved ones…so please, Akihiro…don’t do anything to my family or I will forever hate you.”

“I am here to protect you, Alicia. I am not asking you to believe me now. But, I hope you will find it in yourself to trust me.” He said, and we finally stopped in front of our house.

I was surprised to see that my parents were inside this early. I felt relieved because staying outside may put their lives in danger.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Alicia.” Akihiro said.

I smiled a bit. I guess he isn’t bad.

“Akihiro, I want to know more about vampires.” I told him, making him a bit shocked. “Well, I can use it for our script to make it realistics…perhaps use it to kill you.”

He chuckled a bit. “Alicia, I’d die for you. You don’t have to kill me.”

What…the hell…? Does he mean something else? Why is my heart beating so fast?

“Go home.” I coldly said.

Just when he was about to go, my brother opened the door. Why is he early, too? Did something happen?

“Alicia, who’s with you?” He raised his voice looking at us. He walked to meet us but I told Akihiro to go home in an instant. “Is he your boyfriend?”

“No!” I immediately ran towards him. “He’s the president of the club. He’s just there to walk me…don’t mind him.” I said, pulling my brother inside and locking the door in case Akihiro might try to come in.

“Hey, why are you being rude? I am talking to him!” My brother opened the door and we are both shocked to see Akihiro standing in front.

“Who’s that sweetie?” Dad said going towards us, followed by Mom. “Are we expecting some visitors?”

“Hi. I am sorry to bother you. But, I am Akihiro Kuran.” Akihiro bowed to my family. “I just walked Alicia in your house because it’s getting late. I am very sorry because we did something for our film.” He explained.

“I see. Thank you for that,” Dad nodded. “You should go back. Mr. Kuran might be looking at you during this hour and it’s dangerous to be alone at night.”

He nodded. “I’ll visit again next time.”

“For what?” My brother raised his brow. “I mean, since when did the Kuran pay attention to us Reed?”

I stared at my brother and felt like there’s more to what he just said. “I appreciate your care for my sister. But, I will also appreciate it if you will not go to our house again.”

Akihiro smiled a little. He tried to step inside, but he decided to walk backward as he bowed his head. That’s when I realized that vampires need to be invited before they can get inside the house.

For the next few days, I tried to avoid Akhiro and his group as I researched about the origins of vampires. It’s keeping me insane as I don’t know what to believe in. There are a lot of theories and stories that don't make sense. If I am going to try it all on Akihiro, my life would be easy.

“Are you still searching about vampires?” It was too late to hide it when my brother entered my room and he saw the scattered papers.

“Yes, I need to finish this by today because we will be starting our film.” I said, although half of it was true as we need to present it next month for the festival.

“Do you want me to help you?” He asked, sorting the papers that I printed from the internet.

“Oh, how?” I raised my brow. Then, I remembered he used to be fascinated by vampires when we were kids. “You only know fantasy vampires. How sure are you that it would help against—” I paused. “I mean, I want to make our film real…so I am trying to sort the ideas that may seem like vampires are real.”

"There are many facts about vampires, Alicia. Perhaps, all of them are true about them. But, there aren't any concrete facts as to how to kill them." Alexus told me. "Ever wondered why?"

"Because they cannot be killed?" I responded. "Wait, how did you know about this? Don't tell me vampires are real?" I joked.

My brother laughed a little. "Don't be silly. I've learned this in history. Have you forgotten that I studied ancient literature and the theory came from my professor."

"What did he say about vampires? Is it true that they are immortal?" I asked, curious, and hoping I might find something to fight against them in case the worst thing happens.

"The reason why there's no details on how to kill them is that the method on how they died with those people who killed the pureblood vampires." My brother told me. "All vampires, except pureblood vampires, can be killed."

"Eeh, you are being useless brother? I cannot even use your information in the film I am writing! I am supposed to kill a vampire in this film!" I pouted.

"There's a secret that should be hidden, Alicia. I am telling you this because it might come in handy, but don't ever tell anyone about it."

I felt nervous when my brother seriously looked at me. "There's a way to kill vampires."

"How…" I slowly said.

My brother was about to say it when we heard loud shots fired outside our house.