4: We Met Again

“How were you certain that reincarnation is real?”

“I've seen a few familiar people, I'm almost confident that they were the same soul I've met before. I even recognized my parents, just once… and they don't have a kid, ever. Maybe because… my soul is still here, stuck, unable to move into the afterlife, and go through the process of incarnation.”

Jarvy blew the air he has refrained to let out in thirty seconds. “I wish you find her sooner or later, then.”

“Hopefully,” Calderon beamed a smile. “Anyway, I might want to leave now. I should walk around, and the possibility to see her in the streets during broad daylight is high.”

“Take care, Sir.”

“Jarvy, I told you already that Calderon is fine. Call me just Cal,” Calderon mumbled like a whine before he has vanished from Jarvy's front.

With his two hands inside the worn blazer's pocket, his feet stepping slowly and interchangeably, with a smile in his red lips, and pale cheeks puffing in joy, he enjoyed the feeling of warm sun rays in his skin. For the first time in a while, he is feeling it against his, without burning and turning to ash.

The much better Ultraviolet Protection formula he has drunk just got developed, thanks to the great group of scientists that works for him.

They were tasked to make an experiment for humanity to be totally free from sunburn and direct skin damages. The team received the instruction, to make researches and experiments for the future generation because the ozone had been constantly depleting, and the amount of UV to enter the atmosphere might soon cause deadly skin diseases. 

The tests for it were continuous and blatant. When one researcher dies, he'll find an exchange. It has almost been a hundred years now, and he was glad that the hard work was all paying off beautifully.

It's slowly getting there, and soon, he will live more freely like a normal human being.

Not just that, but it would also benefit the future of humanity, the kind he has once belonged to.

He walked pass through the alley he remembers he came from last night.

There wasn't anything suspicious.

The girl he attacked wasn't there anymore, and he was sure that his poor victim has already forgotten about it, thinking she simply fainted and bumped her head on cement.

Calderon smiled to himself. One bitter, guilty, and sad curve.

He hasn't killed much for hundreds of years now, except on necessary situations when he undergoes trouble.

He remembers the last time he has lost control; it happened during the second world war, and it was to defend himself from vampire hunters who works for the government.

Calderon knew that only a few people in high positions were able to learn the truth about the existence of vampires, aside from them, everyone weren't allowed to know. They have hidden the truth until today, and they were great at that.

Subsequently, when Calderon's pursuers have vanished in sight and have lost lives because of age, no one was there to replace them because nobody ever believed the legends and myths again.

With that, Calderon has vowed to live in peace, in secret, and in silence. Only with freelance businesses every night to keep his sanity.

He looked down to the ground in shame.

If his parents learn that he has become a monster, will they still be proud to say that he was the kid they raised to be a fine man?

If Macey learns that he has killed more than a thousand after the girl died, will Macey ever regret loving him once in her life?

He was pretty sure that they will resent him, despise him even.

He stepped forward, and it is when he bumped into a smaller body frame. With a quick reflex, he has grabbed the figure's waist with one strong arm, turning them over for balance.

In one sniff, he felt the monster in him being awakened by the inviting scent, the rush of human blood inches away from his nose, and the loud sound of a ragged heartbeat. He hasn't stopped inhaling, and now, he couldn't.

He closed his eyes tightly. He fought the urge the best possible, refraining herself from latching down, stopping his teeth from burying in the waiting flesh.

“I'm sorry…” he has heard someone breathe out. Even if he doesn't look up to see, he already learned by the voice that it was a woman.

“So… sorry,” Calderon mumbled, stepping out and grabbing his aching head, letting go of his firm hold on the thin waist.

The body fell on the ground with a loud thud, and the voice winced in pain, groaning in annoyance, almost yelling because of the sudden fall.

He backed away a few more steps, trying to even his breathing before he keeps it off again. He kept his eyes tightly shut, not to let his crimson and hungry glare in the girl's sight.

Too bad. He still couldn't take such near proximity. His bloodlust is still taking over. And he couldn't stop inhaling and blowing it out with satisfaction. For random reasons, the girl he bumped with smells so good, sweet, the best ever

He told herself that he should master his control much more, maybe soon.

“Mister, are you fine?” The voice asked once more.

“I… am. Please don't mind me, don't go near—”

“Hey? Should I bring you to the hospital?”

A warm hand has moved forward, it descended above his left shoulder, and he shuddered at the touch.

“Don't—” he slapped the hand away, lightly pushing the body away.

When he opened his eyes upon making sure that it won't be blazing red, it immediately widened in surprise. His gaze softened, his hunger died down, and his walls broke so suddenly.

Just like the first-ever latch of Macey's eyes on his, while she devours the fifth human he had killed the first time he experienced this same killing thirst one thousand one hundred eleven years ago, the girl's presence has made him calm down.

A tear has escaped his eyes, unusual, and the first time since Macey died one thousand forty-seven years ago. But it did when the familiar name slipped off his tongue again, “Macey…”