Immortals

Fourth Bite

The only proof I have that I once was human is when I ask myself why.

Why this happened to me? Why didn't I die together with my family? Why did I have to become a monster? Why do I have to spend eternity alone? 700 years ago, I turned into this, a light-hater, bloodsucker monster and while it happened, I was unwilling. I didn't want to live forever when my family was wiped out by the same creature that turned me into a vampire.

After that, I began to isolate myself from others because I didn't want to hurt anybody. I thought that if I didn't get involved with anyone, then they would be safe. Thing is, humans, mortals, are more daring than I thought. My manager, Ned, had begged me to turn him into a vampire in his deathbed. I couldn’t do it. I was not allowed to. So, I had to see him part. Ned was the only manager I got close to, the next two, I kept them at arms length.

One thing Ned also had pestered me with was with my failure to keep Harry. He used to complain that Harry was a good guy, and that I should have befriended him.

Why did I make Harry go?

That is another question that roamed my mind. He was the same as me, he was unwilling to accept his fate. I realized that after years of his departure. Immortals lead a lonely life; specially him who didn’t seem to accept himself. I did over the decades. Him, with his lifestyle... I don’t think he’ll find the answer he needs. He will only seek death. Strangely, it seemed I was the only one who could provide him his quick respite and still respect his decision.

Some times I wondered what was of Harry.

And other times, I think Fate does a very shitty job.

“Hey...” The man feebly greeted as that tantalizing blood I had not tasted for decades freely flowed below him.

There is a knife covered in that same appetizing blood by the side. Taking into account our fateful encounter—unplanned reunion—was in a very shady alley, then I don’t have to be a detective to know what happened. The world has sadly not changed in years of technological development. The rich are still rich and the poor still have to fight tooth and nail—and knife—to survive.

“Mind helping… a poor soul…?” He coughs, blood spraying all over him. It triggers my thirst, so I slowly get close to him. His emerald and powerful eyes, that are starting to dim, do their best to focus on me.

"There was something I didn’t dare to ask back then." I say, he slowly blinks. His breathing rattles, making an effort to talk, but he fails. “Do you want to enter a contract with me?” Blood for death. Sustenance for respite. It was a good bargain.

He laboriously nods; his strength leaving him.

His eyes start to close, and his heart beats even slower.

So this is it. No more breaking the rules.

I lean over his body and feast on his blood.

I have to admit I missed the taste.

The clock marks 4am in my living room. I sit on my couch watching the bamboo sway. The house is not so ‘modern’ anymore, but I am still the only one around the area. Mega cities were few in between and everybody did everything to run to them. Very few still dared to remain outside where animals got more ferocious and the land was not as fertile.

With the will to survive a priority to many, entertainment became a bit obsolete. Once my composer career ended, I had no will to work. So, I lived off from the money I had been collecting over the years. And truthfully, there was nothing out there that was worth spending it with.

But maybe, I now have a reason to spend it.

"You're finally awake." I say, sensing his presence standing by the threshold of the corridor that leads to the room he had used many years ago.

"..."

"Let's do this the proper way." I start, turning to him. There was no need to do this before as we were just acquaintances, but now we have a contract. "My name is Ibrahim Leander von Treyden. I am unemployed right now, sitting on a fortune... and I'm a 771-years-old vampire." We have to know each other as it seems we will have a very long contract; what with both being immortals. He remains silent for a few seconds before sighing.

"I'm Harry James Potter. I lost count on my age, but I am sure I was born on 1980. I am an unemployed wizard who’s also sitting on a fortune.” Potter, huh. It’s been a while since that name was famous around the world. “Let me tell you,” he says, standing before me. His hair is longer and as dark as the night. His loose clothes hide a very thin body. All in all, he looks fragile, yet his Magic and those eyes speak of immeasurable power. “I'm not interested in men that are more than ten years older than me." he jokes to which I just laugh.

Right. Normally, contractors are akin to lovers. After all, it is a very intimate relationship.

If he-Harry was interested, then I wouldn’t oppose.

“Do you think you can handle this ‘old’ man, Harry?” I smirk and get even more comfortable on my couch. I may have not used it before, but I knew what to do to show some appeal. His roving eyes means I haven’t lost it.

"Bring it on, Leander." Harry smirks back, as if taking the challenge.

…

I will forever be this monster.

…

I will forever seek eternal respite.

…

But we don’t have to be alone.