I stared into the moonlight, soaking it in as I pondered to myself, high in my favourite oak tree. I often did this as it was calm, and the only disturbance was the occasional rustle of a squirrel in the branches.

I was hungry… or a ‘correct’ term I suppose would be thirsty… and for this reason our kind was never accepted.

Ever since our existence has come into the light of the humans, they have been taking extra precautions at workplaces, neighbourhoods, the military… they’ve even moved them into schools.

When I say “precautions”, I really mean the extermination of our kind. We’re being hunted down like savage dogs.

They show no mercy. If we were found out, they would either capture us, or kill us on sight if they have to… even in front of public eyes. They even have putting up bounties on our heads and competitions for to see who can ‘catch’ the most vampires.

These “precautions” are as they have said, for “the safety of our well-being”… whatever the hell that means.

I mean, from the outside, we blend in with society pretty well. Feature-wise, we have no difference. We can walk in daylight, we can eat food, and aren’t allergic to garlic… although my uncle was… but that was just in his genes.

The only time you CAN tell is our eyes. Our eye colour often consists mainly of red or a dusky gold color, but mine have always been a deep violet with the slightest a tint of blue.

I can admit that there are a few bad apples in the bunch… but humans aren’t exactly all saints either.

They way I see it is that they just don’t like the fact that they aren’t the superior race, the idea that THEY are the prey. For the most part, we don’t even cause any harm when we feed. It’s completely harmless, not much different from a blood donation. However, it can be deadly as there are those who drain their prey completely… like I used to.

“SOOYOUNG!” I heard a faint voice call in the distance. You can never underestimate our acute sense of hearing.

I hopped off the thick tree branch, and headed back to my home.

----------------

“Where’d you go?” the one who called me asked.

“Nowhere important, what’s wrong?” I responded rather blatantly.

“Nothing really… you just worried me is all.” The shorter girl replied.

I smiled at her. “You don’t have to worry about me Tae, I’m fine.”

I lived with a family of humans. It’s a little ironic considering all the bashing I was doing earlier, but they actually saved me. Since then, we made a little agreement.

I don’t harm humans, and they let me stay with them. For that, I was grateful. However the fear of going back to my old ways frightened me.

“Yay! Sooyoungie’s back!” A small girl hopped on my back, nearly suffocating me with her intense back hug.

“Hey Yoona! Where’s your sister?” I asked curiously.

“Unnie, you should get off Sooyoung-unnie before you suffocate her.” A soft, but stern voice instructed.

Yoona pouted while hopping off of my back. I let out a sigh of relief as air could circulate through my lungs properly.

“Thanks little Seo~” I patted her head, and she only fixed her bangs and adjusted her glasses.

Out of the two kids, Yoona was the more adventurous one, while Seohyun was often composed. Although Sunny was older (11), Seohyun was far more mature (9). I loved them both the same though.

“Alright, you kids must be hungry! Fany-umma made you all something special!” Taeyeon announced.

Our mouths watered and we sprinted to the kitchen. Although I didn’t need it, I’ve grown quite accustomed to human food.

--0o0o0—     

“THANK-YOU!” We all said in unison, patting our bellies.

Tiffany giggled. “Actually, Tae and I have prepared a little something for you Sooyoung.” I looked at them curiously and they nodded at each other, pulling out a small box, wrapped with a pink bow. ‘Tiffany’s idea’ I thought, smirking.

“This is for you. It’s not much, but it’s for the 3-year anniversary that you have joined our crazy, little family.” She continued.

I stared at the box for a few seconds, before tearing off the wrapping. Much to my surprise, it was a pair of sunglasses. The shades were dark, with a bluish tint. The temples had a cluster of star/moon designs embedded in the side frames.

“We noticed that you liked to go out and stare at the moon and stars… plus summer is just around the corner, and your going to need them.” Taeyeon explained, with her arm around Tiffany.

“I don’t know what to say… thank-you.” I felt a slight tug on my heart. I bit my lip, holding back the tears that I knew were coming.

“It was my idea!” Yoona blurted out and I let out a soft giggle.

Seohyun shook her head. “Our idea.” she corrected.

“Well whoever’s idea it is… thanks. I can’t accept this though.” I set down the glasses. They all looked at me with strange looks. I suppose I owed them some explanation.

“My times with you all… don’t get me wrong, it’s really wonderful. More than I could ever ask for… but I’ve only put you in more danger. Not just from the authorities, but myself. Everyday I fear that I’ll go back to my old ways.” The tears wanted to come back. I pushed them back hard, continuing. “You all mean a lot to me, and I wouldn’t want to put any of you in danger. I couldn’t live with myself it was my fault for one of you getting hurt.”

I was staring at my lap, my hands in fists on my knees.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. I look up and it was Taeyeon.

“Do you really think that we are worried about that? We wouldn’t have accepted you if we did. You are probably one of the best things that happened to this family. ” She grabs the glasses from the table and slips them over my eyes. “See? They look great… don’t you think?”

“Yep yep!” Yoona agrees cutely, giving me thumbs up.

Seohyun nodded as well. “My presumptions are never wrong.”

“A perfect match… although I think we should have gotten pink ones…” Tiffany rubbed her chin.

“We really need to see someone about your obsession with pink honey.” Taeyeon commented, turning her attention back to her wife.

Tiffany pouted.

“Awh, I’m sorry… I was just kidding sweetie. I love you~” Taeyeon cooed, and Tiffany just stuck her tongue out.

Taeyeon ran over to her wife, begging for forgiveness while Tiffany secretly giggled behind her turned back.

Yoona laughed loudly while Seohyun just shook her head at their “immaturity”.

I could only observe them. How I envied them… I wish I could find someone that I could show affection towards, but let’s face it. Vampires don’t have a chance at that kind happiness.

_____

[Jessica’s POV]

“Yah! Get up you lazy !”

I groaned, flipping myself over, ignoring that annoying nagging.

“If you don’t get up, I’m going to leave without you!”

I reluctantly got up, but my eyes remained closed.

“Come on Unnie! I don’t want to keep Amber waiting…”

Oh yeah, Amber… my sister’s girlfriend. Her vampire girlfriend might I add. I didn’t really bother with it, I mean, it’s my sister’s life and she can do what she wants… but the idea still irks me.

“Ugh fine! Just shut-up! Your whining is giving me a migraine!” I yell back at her.

She just smiles triumphantly and trots off.

I slug off into the bathroom where I brush my hair. My eyelids threatened to fall.

“UNNIE! WE’RE GOING IN 5 MINUTES!” I heard my arrogant little brat of a sister called from downstairs.

“You gotta be kidding me…” I mumbled, quickening my pace.

--0o0o0o--

“Thanks for the ride Unnie!” Krystal smiled at me from outside the car.

I only gave her a cold stare. “I’ll get you one day…”

She was about to retort, but we saw a figure with short, spiked blonde hair waving in the distance.

“Amber!” Krystal practically squealed.

I cover my ears as I felt another migraine coming on.

Amber ran over to the car and they kissed right in front of me! I felt like I wanted to barf.

“Okay, call when time you’re coming home. You know what happened last time...” I warned. That was something that I definitely didn’t want to deal with.

“Yeah yeah, thanks again Unnie!” she wrapped her arm around Amber’s.

Without another word, I sped off. I couldn’t help but glance at them in the rear-view mirror. I had to admit that they looked pretty cute together… even if Amber was a vampire and all.

I wasn’t paying attention, and all I could hear was yelling. I looked back at the road. Not far from me was a pedestrian. I slammed the breaks as hard as I could, but not soon enough, as we collided. The person rolled off the hood of my car.

Panicked, I ran out of the car to see if the person was okay. I bent down over the figure.

“Oh God! I’m so sorry! I wasn’t paying attention… I’m really such a—“ I felt a hand over my mouth.

The person was in extremely close proximity to me. They had long, dark brown, wavy hair and her body was slim and toned. She wore a dark pair of sunglasses.

“You’re drawing too much attention,” she whispered into my ear. Her breath tickled my neck. “Listen. You’re going to do as I say.” I nodded, unable to break from the trance. “Offer to take me to the hospital, then drive to the Red Sunrise Inn, on the outskirts of town. Nod if you understand.” I nodded dumbly. “Good.” She removed her hand from my mouth.

“D-do you need a ride to the h-hospital?” I stuttered.

She nodded. Before I knew it, we were in my car, driving to this ‘Red Sunrise Inn’. It was near the outskirts of the city. I had no idea why I was going along so willingly. It wasn’t like me.

We arrived and I pulled into a vacant parking spot.

“Come with me.” She ordered. Again, I obeyed, following her like a young child with their mother.

She walked over to the counter and whispered something to the attendant. He nodded and handed her a silver key.

I couldn’t help but notice her slightly limping on the way to wherever we were going. Wait, where WERE we going?

“W-where are we g-going?” I summed up the courage to ask.

“You’ll see…” she smirked. Her sunglasses were still on, as we entered a room with a broken name plate that read: ‘3_05’

Upon entering, the room was actually well kept for the most part despite the Inn’s grunginess.

“Okay… s-so what do you w-want?” Damn it. Why can’t I stop stuttering?!

She turned to me. She had a smirk on her face. “I don’t know why… but you give off such an appetizing smell…”

She took off her sunglasses to reveal glowing red eyes. Vampire.

I wanted to scream and run, but my body wasn’t letting me. I felt so helpless.

“I’m so glad you hit me when you did… I was so thirsty.” she proceeded towards me.

There was a lump in my throat and my body shook fearfully.

She giggled, cupping my face with one hand. “Awh… don’t be scared. I’ll make sure it doesn’t hurt… too much.”

I saw her fangs nearing my neck.