Vampire
The rolling sound of thunder could be heard for miles. It hadn't stopped raining for three days. The crops had doubled over in their overwatered state, candles flickered in the windows as a pitiful sort of light. The townsfolk stood indoors and only came out during the day hours to gather necessities before dark. The gray tone the day carried had lingered, and now as night approached, the rain came down just as hard.
It was superstitious to think that anyone who travelled at night was an evil spirit, destined to harm those innocent caught out after hours. At least that's what Catra has been told. Her mother wasn't the best, by far, but she was just as superstitious as the rest of the townspeople. So with night quickly approaching and no end to the rain in sight, Catra closed the door to their small house that lined the cobblestone pavement and lit a candle at the window.
She had watched every night to see if there was anyone actually out during the dark hours, but each night brought disappointment. She craved to know, curious as can be. What if they were just normal people? What if they were the stuff of legends to stay away from? Did they look hideous? All these superstitious people and yet no one could answer a single question. It was so dumb, so she was determined to find out.
"Catra!" A voice angrily yelled from in the house.
Jolting at the surprise call, Catra hit her head on the top of the window as she sat upright. "Ouch!" She yelled, rubbing her head. She had not seen the candle sliding off the windowsill and onto the cobblestone outside. She heard the small clank of the iron candle holder hit the floor and looked out. "Damn." She muttered, knowing she'd have to go outside to get it.
"Catra!" The angry voice called again.
"I'm coming! Give me a moment!" Catra called back, reaching out and pulling the shutters closed. She patted the water off her arm that had quickly attempted to soak her sleeves from just closing the window. Moving in the small area, she entered into the kitchen that seconded as their dining area. "Yes, mother?"
"Don't be flippant with me. Set the table, dinner is ready." Her mother ordered, stirring some contents in the pot before grabbing the handles with a towel and setting it on the table. She waited until the bowls had been set before scooping its contents in and placing the pot back on the iron stove. "Bread?" She asked, and when the other nodded, she cut a few slices and placed them on the table.
Catra sat down and waited for her mother to do the same. There were rules, many of them, and one was they always ate together once they were both seated and ready. She watched as the woman walked and grabbed the glass jar of milk from the ice box and poured them each a glass before putting it back. She let nothing stay out of place in a superstitious fear it would go bad instantly because apparently the rain changed the temperature.
Once seated, they both began eating. It wasn't the best food, but they were poor and Catra would not complain. Any food was better than nothing at all. She finished her bowl and bread, downed the cup of milk, and was still hungry. Which was always the case. But they needed to conserve what they had. Which means small meals to get you by. They ate in silence, so once Catra was done she stood up to clean the mess.
"I'm off to bed. This rain makes my head throb." Her mother said, standing from the table. "Don't stay up too late. And do not go outside, Catra. I mean it."
"Yes, mother." Catra deadpanned as she grabbed the woman's dishes and cleaned them for her.
As the older woman walked away and closed the bedroom door behind her, Catra dried off the wet dishes and placed them in their respective spots on the counter. She looked around the small area before leaving to head towards their sitting area. Looking at the window where the candle had been, Catra sighed. She had to get the iron candle holder or her mother would kill her. If she left it out there all night, either the rain would wash it away, or the first person awake in the morning to travel will take it.
It was just a quick walk to the side of the house to grab it and then reenter. She could do that. Despite not believing in any of the legends of nightwalkers, and having attempted to see someone in the act and failing, she was a bit scared. Probably due to the fact if her mother caught her, she'd be in for a real beating. Not at all because what if the superstitions are accurate.
Shaking her head, Catra sighed in frustration and opened the front door. She stepped outside into the rain and closed the door softly behind her. "Stupid fantasy load of crap. All of them are just scared." Catra muttered to herself as she walked around the house and picked up the iron candle holder. She smiled at the successful mission and turned back to head to the front door.
A person stood in the way between where she currently stood and the front door. Where had they come from? The road had no one around in the short time she had left the front door to the window. "Uh, hello?" Catra called out.
The person had a hood over their head, but just from their shoes, Catra could tell this person was loaded. Those must be the most expensive shoes she'd ever seen. The robe itself was laced with intricate patterns, gold lines weaving through the design. The person reached up and took off their hood, smiling at Catra despite the rain now getting in their hair. "Hello."
The first thing Catra realized was this was a woman. She had not been expecting that since all of the clothing Catra could see was of male attire. Pants, classy shoes, even the robe clipped at the top on the male dominated side. But the face, the voice, the stance, it was a woman. Catra then realized how bright the person's eyes were. A beautiful blue, brighter than her own one blue eye. "You're not from around here. I'd have noticed. Small town. Where do you come from?" Catra asked, well aware that they were both getting soaked from the rain but her curiosity peaked.
"Far off from here. But recently relocated to the mountains just over the bridge." The other answered, never taking her eyes off of Catra. She took a step closer and held out her hand. "I'm Adora."
Fumbling with the iron candle holder, Catra quickly extended her hand and accepted the greeting. "Catra. Welcome to our shitty area, I guess." Something about this woman, Catra couldn't take her eyes off of. She seemed to glow against the doom and gloom of the rain.
Adora took the offered hand and brought it to her lips, kissing the soft wet skin just above her knuckles. "A pleasure to meet you." She released the others hand, glad it brought a blush into her cheeks. "You do not like it here?"
Catra cleared her throat, the first bits of bone chill from the rain starting to set in and she shivered. "Not at all. A bunch of nosey old folks who dictate and accuse. Dirty rotten to the core." Catra explained.
"Do you live alone?" Adora asked, trying to sound concerned.
Shaking her head, Catra motioned to the house. "I live here with my mother. Also a complete agonizing part of my existence." Catra chuckled. "It'd be funny if she weren't such a terrible person."
"She is mean to you?" Adora asked, this time the concern was real. When Catra didn't answer, Adora stood straight and offered her hand once more. "I can help you."
"What do you mean?" Catra asked, her defenses kicking in and not reaching for the offered hand.
Hand still extended, Adora stood with her demeanor unphased at the others defensive state. "They won't be cruel to you anymore. I can give you riches and power."
Her eyes seemed to have that brightness to them again, as if a power were coming from them alone. Catra found she couldn't look away, but she was able to speak anyways. "I don't care about riches and power. I just don't want to be hurt anymore." She countered.
Adora's eyes seemed to hold a sadness at the words. This time, she dropped her hand for a moment and took the last few steps to the woman in front of her. She calmly reached up and placed a soft hand on Catra's cheek. For a moment, she looked into her heterochromia eyes and felt deep connection, holding onto the feeling as she spoke. "I can keep you safe." Her words were a whisper and carried on the rain.
Suddenly, nothing else seemed to matter to Catra. But she knew this Adora wasn't human. Usually moments like this, you'd expect your senses to be screaming danger at you. Not for her. Catra wanted to go. Anything was better than where she currently was, her current boring abused life. "What are you? At least tell me that."
Adora smiled warmly and showed her fangs with a trust. "Vampire. For a very long time." She answered.
"Superstitions. And yet, here you are." Catra replied, a small sigh escaping in a weird sense of relief. A moment's hesitation, but it passed quickly. Catra dropped the iron candle holder and placed her hand atop Adora's that was sti rested on her cheek. "Okay."
With a wide smile, Adora accepted the hand and led the. away from the town. "You won't regret it. This life, you're going to love it. I promise."