SO, HERE I AM, SPRAWLED OUT on this cold, damp cave floor, naked and vulnerable. My small hands are cuffed with massive chains, and as I try to move, I let out a groan that bounces off the cave walls like a wounded animal’s cry. My flesh and bones scream in unison, each one throbbing in agony.
The keys to my freedom lay temptingly close on the gritty cave floor, but my hands are shaking, weighed down by the heavy chains and pulsating pain. I have to tough it out, waiting for my secret superpowers to kick in and patch me up. They’ll knit my broken bones, stitch my torn flesh, and ease that relentless, shrieking pain. The cave walls are splattered with dried blood, like some twisted abstract art gone haywire. Deep claw marks scar the stone surface, evidence of my, "Wolf" abilities. Finally, sweet relief washes over me! The pain ebbs away as my body miraculously knits itself back together. With a triumphant grunt, I grab the keys, fumble with the locks of the chains until they fall off, and push open the metal doors guarding the cave. As I step out of the cave, a cool breeze slaps me in the face, carrying the refreshing scent of pine and earth from the sea of green trees stretching in every direction. The sun slowly dips below the horizon, painting the sky with dazzling streaks of pink and orange. A cool breeze playfully rustles the trees, making them sway and dance as everything in the distance fades into shades of grey with the arrival of twilight. In a corner, a tidy pile of clothes awaits my grand re-entrance into the world of the clothed. I slip them on, relishing the comforting feel of fabric against my skin. To test out my newly repaired body, I flex my muscles, anticipating a twinge of pain to rear its ugly head. But nope! Not even a hint of discomfort—I'm good as new, baby! Just then, my stomach lets out a growl—a not-so-gentle reminder that I haven't eaten in, roughly a month. Time to vamoose and hunt down some mouthwatering eats to tame the inner beast. With a speed that could rival a red-caped superhero, I dart through the trees, leaving nothing but a trail of blurred colors in my wake. The world around me transforms into one of those abstract paintings where everything just smears together in a dizzying vortex of hues. In no time, I burst out from the leafy grip of the forest and onto a quiet, deserted road. Cars are scarce, as rare as a snowstorm in the Sahara, but hey, it's my stomach calling the shots now, and it's screaming for food! Lady Luck smiles down on me as I spot a beacon of hope across the road—a neon sign flashing the words "COCO'S BAR." A lopsided grin spreads across my face, and I skip across the street like a sugar-hyped kid. I give a quick nod of approval to the bar's glitzy, colorful lights and the warm glow of the streetlights around the doorway. I mean, a swig of Jack Daniel's before a real meal never hurt anyone, right? Not that I really give a hoot either way. Shrugging it off, I grab the door handle, prepping for my grand entrance. But hold up—what's this? My eyes land on a note taped to the weathered door: "We are closed. Come back tomorrow for more booze. Thank you, and God bless you." God bless me? Yeah, right. A sarcastic laugh escapes me. As if some silly human sign could stand between me and my thirst for a drink! Ignoring the warning, I shove the door open with a dramatic flair, an unrestrained cackle bursting from my lips. Take that, puny humans! I step inside, basking in the cozy warmth and leaving the frigid, judgmental world behind. The bar may be closed, but there's no way it's stopping me from getting what I want. No sir, not today! I can't help but let out a satisfied "hmph." The entire place is a veritable shrine to wood—gleaming, brown wood. It's practically everywhere! The building, the tables, chairs, counter, even the mugs—all made of wood. I mean, seriously, who even makes wooden mugs? I wouldn't be shocked if the bar owner was secretly married to a wooden mannequin. My eyes widen as I lay eyes on the motherlode—glass bottles of booze, all neatly lined up on wooden shelves behind the counter. "Ooo," I murmur, a hint of admiration in my voice. Well, at least they had the sense not to make wooden bottles. A chuckle escapes me, my mischief meter spiking into the red zone. I saunter over to the counter where a line of stools stand at attention. Hopping onto the one in the center, I plop my elbows on the smooth wooden surface and rest my chin on my hands. Sure, I had my heart set on Jack Daniel's when I came in, but now, faced with this dazzling array of bottles—all different shapes and sizes, filled with vibrant liquids, and sporting fancy names—I feel like a kid in a candy store. So many options, so little time! Just as I'm settling in, something catches my eye—a gleaming, bald head poking out from behind the counter. This thing shines brighter than a polished mirror! I clear my throat and drop my voice a few octaves. "Hello there, my good man," I call out, trying to get the owner of this peculiar noggin to notice me. "Mind fetching me the strongest brew you've got hidden back there?" But, alas, my words fall on deaf ears. The enigmatic head continues to bob around behind the counter, completely ignoring my existence. My eyes roll so hard I nearly glimpse my own brain. Time to crank it up a notch. "Hello, are you deaf?" I bellow, my voice reverberating off the wooden walls. The bar falls silent, save for the sound of my heavy breathing. At last, the bobbing bean head comes to a halt and ever so slowly turns in my direction. In a voice as deep as the Mariana Trench, the mysterious barkeep intones, "We are closed. Come back tomorrow for more booze. Thank you, and God bless you." I mean, seriously? That's the exact same spiel as the note on the door! This guy is really starting to tick me off. God bless me, my foot! "Listen, man," I plead, attempting to be the voice of reason. "I get it; you're probably beat after a long day, but how about just one wooden mug of your strongest brew? I mean, you're still here, and I'm in desperate need of some liquid courage." But this guy is a real stickler for the rules. "No," he grunts, all business. "Rules are rules, and we're closed." "Please," I beg, my voice quivering like a hesitant schoolkid. "Just one tiny drop of liquor?" I hold up a single, trembling finger, hoping to sway his resolve. "Still no," he growls, shutting me down with the force of a wrecking ball. "Okay, okay," I scramble for a compromise. "What if I just sniff it?" "No." His answer hits me like a sledgehammer to the face. Defeated, I groan and grit my teeth. Anger churns inside me like a raging storm. What the heck is this guy's deal? I lean forward, attempting to get a better view of what he's doing behind the counter. Maybe if I can just figure out what's so darn important... And that's when I spot it. This dude is hunched over the sink, furiously scrubbing wooden mugs like they hold the secret to eternal life. I mean, seriously? Is he really choosing dirty dishes over a paying customer? "Hey, Mr. Bean Head!" I bellow, my voice cutting through the air like a lightning strike. The guy jolts like he's been electrocuted, his head jerking up in surprise. "Get that shiny dome of yours over here and serve me some beer!" I punctuate each word with a jab of my finger on the counter, leaving no room for doubt about my irritation. His head stops bobbing, and he slowly turns to face me, his glare as frigid as the Arctic tundra. I watch, wide-eyed, as he begins to rise, unfolding like a Transformer in slow-motion. And let me tell you, this guy is a towering mountain of a man! If Bruce Banner morphed into the Hulk right then and there, I wouldn't be half as stunned. His arms are mountains of muscle, and his chest bulges so much that I fear it might burst open any second. The guy is a living, breathing Greek myth, a hulking giant that would make even the Incredible Hulk and Mr. Olympia tremble in awe. But as I sit there, spellbound by this marvel of a man, he leans in, his words slicing through me like a hot knife through butter: "What did you just call me?"SO, THERE I AM, BLOOD RUNNING cold as ice, 'cause I know things are about to get as messy as a food fight in a cafeteria. I do that thing where I tilt my head, lips scrunching into a perfect 'O', trying to remember what I'd said about this guy. Oh, right—Mr. Bean Head and his shiny baldness. Yup, I'd stepped in it now, like a fresh pile of dog poo on a brand-new pair of sneakers. I let out a fake laugh, "I say, I want a mug of beer!" But he's not buying my little song and dance. Nope, not even for a hot second. His chest puffs up like a rooster about to crow as he growls, "No, no. What did you call me?" I cough, brain scrambling for an escape hatch. "Uh, I said, Mr. Blonde Head!" I lie through my teeth, praying he'll swallow it like a greedy bass at a fishing derby. This guy, bless his heart, looks utterly baffled as he stares at his reflection in a shiny bottle behind the bar, running a hand over his smooth scalp. "But… I'm not a blonde," he points out, his brow scrunched u
SO HERE I AM, FEELING like the cat that got the cream as I lap up the rich, honey-like blood. My serpentine tongue savors every sweet drop, like it's the nectar of the gods. I can't get enough, but eventually, the poor guy's body goes limp in my grasp, so I let him drop. His glassy eyes stare up at me, so I gently close them. I'm not a complete monster, you know? I let out a long, satisfied breath, then hop up onto the bar counter, my gaze sweeping over the rows of glittering bottles. So many choices! I can't decide which one to go for, so I do a little “eeny meeny miny moe” until my fingers land on a fancy-looking bottle of Johnnie Walker. “Aha!” I exclaim. The thick, curvaceous glass and the swirly pattern on the label catch my eye, so I figure, Why the heck not? I grab the bottle, jump back down to the ground, and crack it open. As I take a long, deep swig, the sweet, bubbly liquid dances on my tongue. I can't help but let out a contented sigh. “Next time, you won't argue with m
THERE THEY ARE—THE GIRLS, standing still as statues with their jaws practically hitting the floor. Their eyes bug out like they've just walked into a palace straight out of some fairy tale. I come barreling down the stairs, like a whole stampede. The girls snap out of their daze, and their eyes dart to me, wide and unblinking like a pair of owls. I'm a hot mess—my heart's pounding, sweat's pouring down my face, and I'm pretty sure my hair's doing its best impression of a bird's nest. "I thank thee," I croak out, trying not to sound like a total weirdo. My heart swelled with appreciation, but I restrained myself from jumping up and down or hugging the daylights out of them. Still, I threw my arms around their shoulders, drawing them into a warm, friendly embrace. The girls tentatively pat my sweat-soaked back, their eyes darting between each other with raised eyebrows—it's pretty clear they're not used to random bear hugs from total strangers. I step back, flashing them a sheepish
Scarlett, Winter, and I exchange stories as if we are old friends catching up over beers at a pub. Their voices are lively, mixing amazement with confusion. Winter leans towards Scarlett, conspiratorially, as if sharing a secret. “Listen, Casper,” she whispers, “Scarlett couldn’t see this house from the outside. It was like the damn place was playing a game of hide-and-seek. But once she was inside, there it was—as grand and clear as day, like some sort of magic act.” “I know, right?” Scarlett chimes in, her confusion evident. “It’s really bizarre. I just can’t make sense of it.” “Maybe the house was always there, right in front of us,” Scarlett speculates. “Sometimes we get so caught up in our thoughts that we miss what’s right under our noses.” Scarlett’s eyes light up like a bonfire as she exclaims, “It was like something out of a movie, Casper!” She points at her sleek, glimmering phone, “My phone, it wouldn’t take a picture of the house at first! Can you believe it?” Sca
THERE I WAS, SPRAWLED OUT ON THE FLOOR like a forgotten toy. My body felt heavy and worn-out. It suddenly dawned on me: even vampires can't stay young forever without a good sip of blood. I mean, here I was, an ancient vampire, and my usually dependable powers had given up on me. My arms and legs were no longer the strong, flawless limbs they used to be. Instead, they hung lifelessly at my sides, making me feel like an old puppet whose strings had been cut. My energy seemed to be draining away, leaving me in a bit of a pickle. A nice, juicy neck to sink my fangs into would have been a real treat right about now. As I lay there, contemplating my dilemma, the sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over my skin. It felt almost like an ex-lover trying to coax me back into their fiery embrace. As the day progressed, the sun leisurely traversed the sky, time moving slowly as though the day was in no hurry at all. A whirlwind of panicked thoughts stormed through my head,
The dude raised his eyebrows, staring straight at me. “Pray tell, young one, what dost thou do here, and by what means hast thou gained entry to mine own dwelling?” I couldn’t hold back a laugh. “You’re kidding, right? You think I’m just gonna spill the beans like that? Give me some credit!” He glared, his face scrunching up like a discarded candy wrapper, which only made me laugh harder. Scanning the room, I nodded in appreciation. “Hey, I’m Vivaldi Monteverdi, by the way. Not too shabby of a place you’ve got here. It’s cosy and chic – perfect for some serious I*******m envy!” I grinned, then added, “Looks like you’ve got some spare space here. What do you say we room together?” His face tightened like he’d chomped down on a lemon. “Pray, reveal unto me the nature of thine intentions.” he demanded, “What bringeths thee to mine abode?” I echoed his words with a sassy twist, “You mean, what brings your fabulous self to my snazzy new pad?” His glare intensified, eyes narrowing as he
TENSION CRACKLES IN THE AIR AS THE DUDE growls. He shoves the girl back, yelling, “Enough!” His voice echoes through the room like a dramatic actor’s. “I have no inclination towards the consumption of human blood any longer, do you comprehend my sentiment?” He squares up to the girl, all puffed-up and bossy-like. “Hearken, young lady. Flee, and cease not your flight until a great distance separates you from this place.” The girl’s eyes dart between us, fear wafting off her in waves. For a second, she’s frozen in place, but then she nods and makes a run for it. Before you can say 'vampire speed,' I zip over to her and grab her arm. “Not so fast, darlin',” I tease, grinning slyly. “You're my brother's snack, and you ain’t leaving until he takes a bite.” The girl glances between us, her forehead creased with confusion. For a second, her eyes soften as she looks at my Shakespeare-wannabe brother, like she’s relieved or something. But then, quick as a flash, she slips out of my grasp an
THE CLASSROOM BUZZES WITH EXCITEMENT, and I can feel everyone’s eyes glued to me—the star of the show. Sarah, our class president, kicks things off. “Guys, this is Casper, aka Snow White, our new kid on the block. Let's give him a warm welcome!” I give the class a smirk and nod, acknowledging my adoring classmates. Suddenly, whispers start flying like a game of telephone, a whirlwind of rumours and speculations taking over the room. A girl up front leans in close to her friend. “Damn, he's a total hottie. Wonder where he's from.” Her buddy is all ears. “I heard he's from some obscure town up north.” Honestly, I hate doing the whole “Hi, I'm Casper” song and dance, so I came up with a plan to skip the small talk. I hand-picked a few students and used my mind-control mojo to plant fake details about my life. Before you know it, the gossip mill was churning, and those juicy tidbits were all over the school. Just like that, I became the talk of the town, without having to go throug