The Night Owl

The moon hung high in the sky, full and beaming. I couldn’t help but admire her confidence. I shoved my hands deep in my pockets and folded in on myself. I couldn’t feel the chill in the air, but it was always important to keep up pretenses.

Across the way, a couple was walking, linking their arms and leaning in close to one another. I couldn’t tell if they were laughing or crying together. I hoped for the first. Their connection made me long for my own. I imagined him sleeping at home, resting in the quiet and preparing for the day. I sighed, feeling my heart sink just a little.

I moved away from the couple and back towards Central Park. I never had any trouble finding what I was looking for out here. I moved quicker and kept my head on a swivel as I looked around for someone worthy. The park was surprisingly empty; winter was always more challenging. Human bodies were much more fragile and sensitive to the weather.

The moon was starting its slow descent in the sky, and I knew dusk would come soon. I needed to find someone soon. I walked quickly into the thicker wooded parts of the park, hoping to find anything shady going down.

“What’s a fine young lad like you doing out there on your own so late at night? You know the park isn’t always safe. Lucky for you, you ran into me,” came a slick, nauseating voice from behind me. I smiled widely, and I was certain that my teeth were glittering in the moonlight. I closed my mouth before I turned around.

“Are you going to protect me?” I asked dramatically with a tone of innocence. He smiled at me with his drug addict teeth and pulled out a small knife.

“Oh, I’m going to do something, that’s for sure. Don’t make this more difficult than it has to be, and you won’t get hurt.” He reached down and started to unbutton his pants, making his intentions clear. I flickered my stare from his hands to his face. His unfocused eyes were narrowing hard on me.

“I wish I could make you the same promise, but you see, I was waiting for you, and you are going to get hurt.” I opened my mouth again and felt my fangs pierce out. The man's eyes widened with fear. I was on him before he could react. I pierced his neck, snapping his collar bone. The hot red liquid poured into my mouth, sweet and delicious. I drank him dry before ripping his neck apart to disguise the bite marks. I let his body drop to the floor just in time to see the slight lightning in the sky.

I wiped my mouth and quickly ran the short few blocks home. I walked into the closed-up house just in time to hear the alarm going off in the bedroom. I smiled widely and quietly strode into the room. I sat down on the bed and leaned over, brushing his hair from his face and kissing his forehead.

“Good morning,” I said, turning off the alarm. He looked up at me and smiled.

“Good morning, how was your night?” he asked. I shrugged, amused.

“It was fine. I found a few undesirables to rid the city of.” He sat up and stuck his hand through my button shirt, running his warm hands against my chest. I knew he was burning; he always was, but I could barely feel it. But I loved his touch and the feeling of his skin against mine.

“My hero,” he muttered, keeping his lips on mine. He reached his other hand down and into my pants. I grew in his hands. “Please,” he mumbled. I lowered myself on top of him and made love to him in the dark.