Vacation

“What have you done?”

“Are you blind? I bit him!” the man snarled at the other.

“I am not blind, but you will be the second Solandra hears of this.” The man hissed. 

“Oh, do shut up, you fear that bitch far too much.” Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “ You sure you do not want a taste of him?”

“No.” 

“Pity, because he tastes phenomenal. It had been a while since we---”

There was a cracking twig, a sign of movement. Someone was approaching and the two of them cannot be seen in this situation. They fled like shadows in the night, swift and deadly . And they left a figure, a lump in the middle of the cobbled stone street of the town. It was well hidden and no one will see that the lump was in fact a human. He was behind a bush. The two men dragged him there for cover just in case someone would pass by that dark alley.

And then, the once peacefully, still figure jerked and gasped for breath and woke up.

Zachary’s POV

I tried to find my center and felt that my body was sore, my head felt heavy like lead and that the skin on my neck was raw. I looked around and realized that I was in a poorly lit part of the street, this must be an alley, or whatever they call it here in this wonderful city. I walked back to my Air BnB, it was not far, I am somehow certain of that. In truth, he was not sure if he had eaten or not, all he knew was that he craved for the warmth of his bed.

My name was Zachary Oliver, thirty seven, unmarried, not dating anyone and I came here, in the lovely town in the wonderful country of Bulgaria for a much needed vacation. the vacation was long overdue.

I work as a senior accountant in a firm that treated their employees like shit, working nine to five and often staying in the office to finish a job and not getting paid for the over time. It sucked, but living in Brooklyn all my life, I know how hard it is to get another job that will pay the rent. My family is originally from Texas but I did not want to be a cowboy just like my other two brothers who had to work on the family ranch. I love Texas and the farm life because it raised and fed us--but I did not want that life. I knew since then  that I was not cut to be in a ranch.

Physically, I am not looking bad or missing an eyeball. I am five foot eight, medium built and my greatest asset is my hazel green eyes. I once had a girlfriend but that was a long time ago. I caught her cheating and ever since, I just lost the trust in women. I am not a man hater--I have trust issues. For me, those two are two diferent things and not to be confused to be the one and the same.

Moving to Brooklyn right after my graduation was probably the best thing that I have done in my entire life. I love my family, but I wanted to be independent and be able to live by myself. I craved for adventure and freedom and where else was best to achieve it than the big city itself? I did not regret it, but the corporate life made me stiff and boring and that was why I have decided to take a break for my self after seeing a coworker return from his vacation in Cancun. He was basically glowing and he swears to God that he felt invigorated and recharged.

I went back to my desk and did a research. With one thing in mind. Vacation.

“Hmm, cyberslacking, huh?” George Smith, my best friend and probably the only coworker I trust in the office caught me opening a tab about highly recommended vacation spots. I instantly close the tab on reflex. A habit you get in working on an office with roaming supervisors.

“What? Huh, no.” 

“Listen, you deserve a vacation, Zac. You have been working here for three years now and you know that we have the right to use our vacation leave, right? That is a thing here, man.” 

“I am American and yes I am aware of the law.” I said, chuckling. 

“Go ahead and book that flight.” 

George left me by myself in deep thought. I heard a roar of laughter and saw the group circled over the coworker that just came in from a vacation. I could hear the rest of them loudly discussing where they plan to spend their leaves too. And then I ask myself the same question. ‘Where would I spend my vacation?’

Like an answer to the question that I had just thrown to myself, an advertisement pop-up came. The picture was of a heritage site, a UNESCO protected tomb--the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak. I was a sucker for history. Also, I wanted to go someplace that was lesser known to tourists and not very common. Some place that when my coworkers would ask me where I have been, they would have to g****e the place first and think of me as someone with taste for the unusual and the extinct. I click the ad.

I am going to Bulgaria.

That same day, I went to the Human Resources office and filed a vacation leave. Because I have never used mine in three years, I get four to five weeks in total. The news spread like wildfire and the following day, everyone was giving me tips on what to do and not to do while on vacation. But most of all, George was the happiest on the step I took. He found me in the pantry and was grinning the moment he saw me like a Cheshire cat.

“Here is the man of the hour! Ah, I am glad for you, Zac. You finally took one of my advises seriously.” He poured coffee for himself and clunked his mug to the half empty mug that I was holding.

“You have a great convincing power speech.” I shrugged.

“So, where are you going?” 

“Bulgaria.” I said.

George made me say that again. I am guessing that he thought I was not serious, that I was joking because it was him who was asking. But I was not. Last night. I researched about Bulgaria and fell in love with the place. Actually, I have another option, but I do not know why I said to George that I was going there. No going back now. I was a man of my words.

I left John Kennedy Airport the two days after. It took the Human Resources another day to finalize my vacation, it was good thing that I anticipated that they sucked with time management and booked an open flight reservation. I was not too tight on schedule so I let their laziness pass, besides, I wanted things to be relax as much as possible. That is the whole point of this vacation. I have no girlfriend to mind while I am way or a pet to be worried about. I do have a collection of succulents but they thrive on little to no water at all. I watered them generously before leaving and placed them near the window. No, they do not have names. I have them because they air natural air manufacturers.

Air travel from Brooklyn to Bulgaria will take almost ten hours. I slept most of the time and woke up to the occasional tap from the friendly flight crew to tell me that food was served. Ah, the good life. Apart from sleeping, I had the chance to watch at least three seasons of Friends on the plane. I do not have time for that back in Brooklyn. I was blissful. We landed in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria and I was impressed. 

I asked for directions to the nearest train station and traveled another eight hours, enjoying the scenery and the Bulgarian treats that were given to passengers of the first class. It took another seven hours until I reached the lovely Sozopol. Where my main interest, the tomb, was not too far. Back in Brooklyn, I have found an Air BnB offering here, a lovely couple who are going to London posted that their cottage was for rent. I fell in love with the photos posted and also because it was strategically located near a hospital and police station and some pubs. I paid them through wire transfer and informed me that the keys were to be acquired on the second pot on the left. I smile. In America, we spend so much for anti-burglar system--yet here we are. Keys concealed on plant pots.

The cottage was a whole lot different than it was in the photo.Those pictures did the place no justice. It was lovely! It was made of wood mostly but it was charming and it was perfect for me. It had a decent sized TV and even a strong wi-fi connection. The password was placed on the table, in a note hastily written. I smile again. I send the owners a quick thank you email on the gesture. 

I was tired, having not sleep on the train because I wanted to see everything. I glance at my watch.

“Zac, you lucky bastard. Look at this place. You made it and you are tired, food can wait, get some sleep.” 

I fell asleep on the sofa, when I woke up, it was almost nine. My stomach was grumbling. I decided to look for a restaurant. I saw some pubs while the cab was going here,if I am not mistaken, it is pretty much near and walkable. The next thing I know, I heard footsteps behind me. 

Am I getting mugged on my first night here in Bulgaria?

I felt a hand on my shoulder. As I turned, I felt a short stabbing pain as two fangs penetrate the soft skin of my neck. And it went dark.