The day is sunny, bright, with its beams and humidity beating down on the somewhat busy suburban landscape. In the middle of it all, on top a tall, pale stone bricked, multi domed roof, with each one crowned with a cross. Sat a young man with eerie pale skin, long rough hair that ran down his back. He wears with him a full-length black trench coat, black-tinted shades, and a large silver cross. His piece finished with a black wide-brimmed fedora, tilting it forward to block out the sun, while he listens in on the liturgy being faintly hymned. In his solemnness, his lap crossed hands slid forward from out his shade, and the sun hit them, immediately they combusted into flames. Small amount of sun, small amount of fire. Nevertheless, it was painful as he quickly patted them down, smoke rising from the burned flesh... “It will heal..” The man thinks to himself. He continues as he draws his seared hand back, “Although slower since I'm at the Church.. I'd say 18 minutes. Regardless, I’ll need to get gloves..”

  He looks up at his brim, as if to look at the sun. Revealing his bright red eyes. “It's been 2 weeks now. That..” Flashes of a nightclub, drinking, and a promiscuous girl with similar red eyes. Himself on the floor with a bite mark in his neck, gasping for air, shirtless. The woman looking down at him from an open window, his blood dripping from her grinning mouth. Speaking to him in a chippy tone, “Just FYI, you're going to need to sleep in a coffin now!” Then, thereafter jumps out and transforms into a bat flying into the night as he writhes on the ground. We then see him grunting in pain as his body is transfigured into a Vampire. Bones fracture, split, and reform in seconds. His canines snap out bloody from their roots as fangs grow in. He squints his eyes out of agony and opens them widely, gasping for air as they have turned a gore red. And the cross around his neck searing his flesh, “Funny I tried to go to sleep after that...”

  He thinks back to when he found himself in his bed looking up at the ceiling, his neck wound now healed, as the thoughts following are illustrated. “Everything changed. I couldn't sleep. Regular food started to become harder and harder to eat, until my body was flat out rejecting it. Dark rooms were suddenly way easier to see in. I can smell certain things from up to 2 miles away. I could hear all of my townhouse neighbors as if they were in the room right next to me, and clearly at that. Messed up what people talk about behind closed doors if I'm being honest..” He rises from bed and continues, “But the sleep. Holy- the sleep was just about the worst part! I tried everything for 3 days, and I still had to go to work!”

  We go back to him, still atop the church, hand smoking. He continues to monologue, “And thank goodness I work a night shift. The sun is just about the scariest thing ever. I almost died opening the currents.. Hrgh. Never again.” A look of disdain and anger comes to his eyes, “And this feeling, this insatiable hunger… every time I'm around people I get it.” His expression loosens, and a lust comes over him, “This. intoxicating fragrance of zinc and iron.. Man, does it drive me up the wall! In circles over and over again-just thinking about it! If I could just get a taste of it-” He wipes drool from his mouth and puts away his wide grin, sobering himself back to his senses. “But I can't.. And I won't… lest I offend you.” A great sorrow comes over his soul as he looks down and lowers his eyes from heaven.

  Amen is faintly heard from within the church, followed shortly after by chatter and rustling. “Ah, service is over. I should get going before people come and see me.” He looks down to see his hand half healed. “Or. I could stay here, in greater peace. In greater danger..” He takes off his glasses briefly to rub his large purple and black eye bags. “Ah man, ever since I got a coffin, things have gotten so much better.” His mind drifted to when he went to a casket shop to buy a coffin. He talks a bit to a consultant and has a tour of the showroom before he climbs into one of the higher quality display pieces. “Sir! You're not allowed in there!” He adjusts his position, “Aahhh, this feels great! How much?” Before abruptly passing out after hearing the price point of 3,922.03 USD. “That price was wack, but man, when I tell you that was the best sleep I've ever had. The silk sheets of the casket were like the most perfect- I can't even put it into words.” We return to the church, “Anyways, I couldn't afford it and they promptly kicked me out after that, so I just got Luke to build me one.” He closes his eyes, “And Jezz, was that awkward.”

  We then hear a voice from the church doors, “Hey Daniel!” and looking down, we see Father Sergei, the parish priest. He was about fifty years old, having a long pale face that was tight upon the cheek and narrow jaw. His hair is dark, neatly set back, but he had a soft smile, and warm compassion in his eyes. Although at the moment he was rightfully concerned, “Um, What are you doing up there?!” He shouts, as Daniel thinks to himself, “Damn! I lost track of time! And just my luck, it's Father who sees me.” Daniel mutters to himself, and the presbyter shouts again. “I think, You gotta come down! It isn't safe!” Seeing that he has no other options, puts his hands in his pockets before jumping off the roof of the building, landing the 10-meter drop. “Oh my- Are you ok?” Father Sergei asks. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” Daniel replies as he moves into the shaded area where Father is standing. “What has it been? Two weeks since I've seen you? You look different.” Removing his hat and shaking his long, messy hair, chuckling slightly, being careful as not to show his fangs, “Ah, well, new fashion choice I guess, probably going to catch on soon or something.” Father replies, “Not your clothes. Well, that too, but you look terrible. Have you been playing hide and seek with the sun? You’ve lost almost all your color! And I'm worried..” Daniel thinks, “You have no idea…” answering, “Well, I've been working longer hours at the restaurant so, guess I've gotten a little nocturnal.” A smile comes to Father Sergei’s face, “Ahhh, you’ve been working hard, yes? Perfect! I thought you were out late at those clubs every night!" He says, laughing. Daniel responds, also giving a chuckle. “Pfft, don't worry Father. I haven't been going to any parties recently..”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Father stops for a moment and looks at Daniel in his shaded glasses. “You’ve really changed. Your clothes, your body, your work habits. You're not laughing as hard as you used to, nor making as many jokes. The craziest part to me is you're not clubbing anymore! And- and your hair! Since when did your hair get that long?!” A brief pause as they look at each other, the last few petitioners leaving. “Has everything been ok?...” Daniel scolds in thought, “Damn! Now that I think about it, since when did my hair get this long!?” Then speaking, “Come on Father you're not listening, I said not to worry. I've been ok, just going through a bit of a rough patch. That's all.” Father answered, “Well, two weeks is enough; it's time to get back on track. And you can start with a haircut.” He continues, “There's a place a couple of streets down, go there, I’m good friends with the owner and he’ll give you a discount. Are you working tomorrow?” “No.” Daniel scoffed. “Great, go tomorrow then, he'll be awaiting you.” Daniel inquires quickly, “Just one request, Father, could it be later in the evening? Or at sundown? I don't think I'll be able to wake up in the morning.” He gave a small, awkward smile while scratching the back of his head. Father responds. “Right, you're also going to have to fix your sleep schedule too. Oh my! Daniel, I can see the bags under your eyes!- Okay, go now. Or if you want, there's coffee in the back-” “think I'm good, father, I've got things to do. I'll see you later though!” Then quickly putting his hat back on and darting off as Father Sergei goes to lock the doors, a tad startled and confused, “Okay... get home safe then, God bless!” Daniel looks back at the sun and ponders to himself, putting his hands in his pockets, “Yeah, I hope so.”

  The following morning arrives, entering the previously mentioned barber shop, as an old, lean, black man with short white colly hair and a gold cross tends to a man's cut. Blues is playing lightly in the background as he hums along to the rhythm, sun beaming in, while birds chirp outside. He then speaks to the kid next to him, who's also tending to a man's cut, a younger black kid with a comb in his hair. “Boy, I told you to do the side burns before the back, didn't I?" The boy looks for a second and then signs, “Agh, sorry Mister Marquis. I dozed off for a second.” Marquis continues, "Don't think just cuz you’re my Grandson’s friend I’m going to go easy on you. Here you do the job right, no questions, or you can promptly get yo ass out of my shop.” Kevin, rolling his eyes, “Sorry mister, it won't happen again.” Marquis, “Mhm..” The phone starts ringing, Marquis shouts across the shop, “AYO! Dayshwan! Quit sitting on yea ass smoking or playing with yo self and come out here and pick up the damn phone!” Another young black high schooler comes out from the back hall of the shop and runs to the phone, “Sorry pops! I'm coming! I'm coming!” Marquis goes back to cutting hair, muttering to himself, “You better be before I whoop yo whole ass!” Dayshawne picks up the phone and speaks to the person on the other side. Marquis talks to his customer about “Kids these days” and all before he’s interrupted by his grandson. “Pops, it's for you!” The old man looks over, “For me?” “It's the priest!” Marquis says with a smile, “Ahhh yes.. Just one moment!”

  He mouths “I'll be right back” to his customer as he puts down his scissors and comb walking over to the phone. Picking up, “Hello Father. Hmp. Yeah yeah. Nah, we all good-we all good. Yourself? Blessed be the Lawd, Amen-Amen. Hmp? What?! You want to book something at 8? Boy- Sergei, you know I close at 3!- The games tonight, family's coming over, then I got to read scripture before bed! Hmp? Hmp. Oh.. oh I see… Okay father, but so help me if this boy is late!!.. Okay, I'll see you soon. God Bless.” Marquis hangs up the phone and looks over to the two kids, with Kevin looking worried. Marquis sighed and kissed his teeth, “... Ok, both of you come in at 6, we’ll watch the game here and prep shop.” Kevin lets out a groan and also kissing his teeth, “Aghhh, Stupid bullshit fuck ass job! I planned to go out tonight!-” Marquis yells, scaring him, “EY! No cussing in my shop!!. You both will be paid a holiday rate and in cash by the end of it.” Kevin straightens up, “Say less.”