CHAPTER 8: Reality

**ALICIA**

The cold edge of the dagger is still in my neck as he pinned me to the wall.

"Aki..." I muttered. My lips were shaking. My whole body was tense and I couldn't even move a finger even though I wanted to push him right now.

Sweat was dripping in my face and if it weren't for his hands on my body, I would have fallen on my knees.

"Yes, love?" He grinned.

I had mixed emotions when I heard him say those words. I wasn't sure if my heart was beating because of nervousness or something I am not aware of.

I closed my eyes when his face lowered, leveling my lips. Any moment, my heart will surely explode.

"Vampire..." I whispered.

"Indeed, love." He slowly removed the dagger on my neck.

I bent down on my knees, but he caught me, whispering, "Did I scare you?"

"Let me go." I said, still weak. "You are a...monster..." I said, remembering the scene in the woods.

"I am afraid I cannot let you go now, love, considering you knew of my existence."

"Don't touch me!" I pulled away from his touch and walked backwards. "I am going to scream if you touch me again!"

"And, who would hear you?" He chuckled a bit. "My vampire friends? Oh, right. You should probably know that the night class...they are all vampires. If you do—"

"Are you threatening me now?" I creased my brow. I am still processing everything even though I already thought of the possibilities.

However, it's just something I didn't expect. I have known Akihiro for years and how shame on us humans that we weren't aware of the existence of these monsters pretending to be humans just to prey on us.

"Are you the reason for those attacks in the woods?" I directly asked myself. "Why are you doing this to innocent people? Why are you here in this town!?"

"I have to clarify that, Alicia." He seriously looked at me. He's always been serious but this is way different, like I don't know this Akihiro in front of me.

"We are here alongside humans." He said. "As far as we know, humans are the ones who ruin the peace."

"Don't lecture me on the past, Akihiro. I don't care about it. What I care about now is about the present and how you people shouldn't hurt innocent people just to satisfy your hunger!"

I picked up the script I had made for our film. "Here is the script. I am done with this. If you have something you add, add it. After all, you are a vampire!" I threw it and it landed on his chest.

I was about to leave the room when he pulled me again. I bit my lower lip. I should watch my mouth or else he will definitely kill me.

"Then, what are you, Alicia?" He seriously looked at me.

I creased my brow. "What are you talking about? Can you see clearly that I am a human?"

"I am not sure." He tightened his grip on my hand, not letting me go as he closely stared at my brown eyes.

In an instant, his ocean blue eyes turned into crimson red...and it's drowning me to death.

"What...are...you doing?" I tried to fight but he's stronger than a normal human.

"I want you to forget about vampires." The pupil of his crimson eyes dilated when he stared at me. "Vampires aren't real, Alicia."

For a second, I felt like I was being sucked by whatever power it is until I woke up and pushed him.

He was taken aback and I saw how his eyes widened like he didn't expect my reaction.

"How?" He blinked.

"What do you mean by that? Are you being serious now? Do you really think I can forget everything, Akihiro?" I scoffed, yelling at him. "Are you not aware that for days I tried to be normal in front of you and everyone until I was able to gather data to prove your existence?"

I was panting, gasping for air as I let my anger and fear be known by him or it would probably be my end. I had

"It was suffocating me!" I shouted at him while he looked at me. "I have to thank my acting talent or else you'd see my corpse lying somewhere! I had sleepless nights because I am scared that when I sleep, vampires will bite me or you'll appear in my dream again!" My tears started to fall. It's now making it sense...everything is real now and there is no way I can deny it.

" Now, you are asking me to forget everything! How can I forget it? I saw you with my own eyes...how you bit that innocent girl...and who knows what other things you have done? You are a fucking monster!" I kicked the chair towards him before I walked out of the room.

I held onto my chest as soon as I was outside. I vomited and was coughing. My whole body is still shaking and I can't move. I wanted to run before he came to me again, yet I was paralyzed.

It was too late now.

"Alicia!" He called.

I closed my eyes and prayed that after I told him everything, he would spare my life.

"Alicia! Are you okay?" He held my shoulder.

I felt goosebumps. What if he bit my neck...and what? Am I going to become a vampire?

"Alicia. Calm down..." He massaged my back as I vomited again. "You need to calm down."

"I can't!" I yelled at him. "I cannot calm down when you are fucking touching me!" I stammered as my whole stomach was turning upside down.

"I'm sorry." He whispered. I didn't expect it.

Why...why would he be sorry?

No, Alicia! It's a trick. I shouldn't fall for his tricks.

"I didn't mean to scare you, Alicia. Believe me...I mean no harm—"

I cut him off, pushing him, gathering all my strength to run away from him. He started calling my name and I ran faster...even though I am sure he can catch on to me.

There was no moon nor stars in the sky. The lamp posts in the streets weren't working. There was no one around to call for help. If this is, how would I know if there are vampires or not?

Danger seems to be awaiting me as I continue running. My fear enveloped me. As I ran further, my knees grew weaker...until I fell on the ground...and someone jumped on top of me.