With a pair of scissors in my right hand, I hacked away at my long hair till it fell to the floor. Angrily, I cut off every strand, leaving behind a jagged, uneven mess.
When I was done, I checked myself out in the mirror. The rough edges stuck out of my new haircut, but I didn't mind.
As I turned to leave the bathroom, my attention landed on the transparent jar containing Cassius' head, preserved by an embalming fluid.
I had finally killed him. And before that, I had taken the lives of three people he cared for, right in front of him. I tortured them first.
I would have killed more, but there weren't many left in his world.
My family disapproved of my methods, but none of them could stop me. Who were they to stand in the way of a grieving, powerful vampire?
Silently, I stared at the head for a while before leaving the bathroom.
Then I went on a killing rampage.
My first victim was a thief.
A skilled pickpocket who easily stole from unaware victims.
The idiot, satisfied with his achievements and ignorant that he was being watched, retreated to a dark alley to count his blessings.
I followed him there.
The pickpocket was so engrossed in emptying the wallets he had collected that he failed to notice my presence until I let out a long whistle, catching his attention.
His head jerked up in shock.
I started to move towards him slowly.
Trembling, he stumbled backward.
I wasn't armed, but I knew I looked rather imposing due to my frame.
"Who are you?!" He snapped as he quickly pulled out a knife from his pocket.
"What do you want? Leave!" he ordered, extending the weapon towards me. "Leave, or I'll stab you."
I stared back at the thief quietly, then gradually my gaze dropped to the trembling knife in his hand.
"Stay back! I'm warning you!" the thief exclaimed, his voice now shaking with fear, as he noticed I wasn't intimidated.
When I eventually stood face-to-face with him, I bared my fangs, causing the man to pale and drop his knife, frozen in shock.
"You take what isn't yours from others. Now, I will take your life... the only possession you hold." I spat.
After compelling the thief to remain silent, I then sank my teeth into his carotid, relishing the warm rush of blood that spilled into my mouth.
I continued until the human was completely drained, and then tossed the body aside.
On my way out, I spotted Rafael entering through the alley entrance, heading my way with a displeased frown etched on his face.
"Dragos, are you out of your mind?!" He whispered harshly, glancing past me to look at the body. "It's broad daylight!"
I pulled out a handkerchief and wiped a smudge of blood from the corner of my lip.
"When has that ever been a problem for me?" I replied rudely, brushing past him.
Rafael reached out and grabbed my arm, preventing me from moving forward. "I understand your pain," he said, his expression softening, "But you can't just go around killing humans, especially in broad daylight."
I snatched my hand away, frowning deeply. "Yes," I snapped. "I can"
Rafael sighed deeply. "First it was Eric, then those others you killed. Please, Dragos. Dawn wouldn't want this. She wouldn't..."
I shoved him against the wall forcefully, my arm pressing hard against his neck.
"Don't you dare…" I growled through clenched teeth, "...talk to me about what she would or wouldn't have wanted."
After a moment, I released him and continued to make my way out of the alley.
"You've always valued human life, Dragos!" He yelled after me. "This isn't like you."
"You're right," I replied without turning back. "It isn't.
As I left the alley, I could still feel Rafael's gaze burning into my back, but I didn't turn around.
His words about Dawn not wanting this for me rang in my mind, taunting me, but I pushed them aside.
Where was Dawn now?
I was so angry and frustrated and sad, I didn't know how to channel my emotions to bring me some sort of relief.
I often wished I could kill and kill Cassius as many times as I wanted.
And I still couldn't believe it was over—everything, just like that.
The Divine Purge… gone from this world.
I'd been unable to bury her, too.
Her body had been in my room for days, and for some reason unknown to us all, it wasn't decaying, preserved by some energy that burned around her.
I wandered through the town. My feet, seeming to have developed a mind of their own, carried me forward and all around Blue Cove, aimlessly, till I stood in front of an old church.
A faded 'For Sale' sign and a notice on the door announced the upcoming auction of the property.
Despite how shabby the structure was, I felt drawn to it in a way, as if it were the only place I could find refuge from my thoughts.
I pushed the doors open and walked in.
The air was musty and thick with the scent of abandonment, but, at that moment, I felt a strange sense of connection with the forgotten place.
I, too, felt abandoned, and it seemed the church and I shared a mutual understanding.
This shared feeling of desertion—of being left behind, somehow made me feel more at ease... more welcome in this neglected sanctuary.
As I settled onto a dusty, wooden pew in the faint light provided by candles, I saw a figure start to approach me.
It was an old priest, his eyes filled with surprise.
"No one has been here in a long time," he said slowly. "Can I help you, my son?"
I shook my head, "No, Father, I've simply come to sit in silence."
The priest settled into the pew in front of me.
"People are usually troubled when they come to sit in the silence," he responded, a small smile on his face. "Tell me … what bothers you?"
I stared at the priest for a while before answering. "My girlfriend passed away recently."
"Oh," his face softened, and he nodded sympathetically. "I'm so sorry to hear about that. What happened?"
I took a deep breath, the pain still fresh in my mind. "She was murdered".
The priest's eyes grew more sad, and he shook his head. "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.'" He quoted. "The end times are near. May her soul rest in peace."
He made a sign of the cross and looked at me. "Has there been any progress on her case?"
"Progress?" I scoffed, "Justice has already been served, Father. I assure you of this," I replied, my voice cold.
When my eyes locked onto the priest's, I saw him squirm slightly in his seat, as if he sensed the evil behind my words.
His expression gradually shifted from sympathy to unease, his eyes shifting away from mine.
"I see. Well, I'm glad that justice has been served" he paused. "Knowing this should give you a sort of peace, right?"
I smiled. "It should, Father, but it doesn't."
Leaning closer, I continued. "If only I could bring back the murderer…"
"Oh, he's dead?" the priest interrupted.
I nodded slowly. "Yes, but I wish I could bring him back. He deserved to suffer more than I made him"
I leaned back in the chair, my gaze still fixed on the priest.
The Father swallowed hard, his face paling at my words. Subconsciously, he clutched his rosary tighter, and I could see the fear in his eyes. I knew any second, he was going to mutter an excuse and try to leave, but I compelled him.
"Stay calm, Father," I said, staring into his eyes. "I'm not going to hurt you."
He took a deep breath and composed himself.
"You shouldn't say such words or harbour such thoughts," He spoke, his tone slightly shaky. "They are dangerous… like a poison to your soul"
"My soul was poisoned the moment she was taken from me," I replied in a snap. "I had my revenge, but the void still remains. An emptiness I don't know how to fill. An emptiness I don't think can ever be filled"
The priest shook his head sadly. "Revenge can never truly satisfy the heart."
He sighed, glancing around the church. "I understand your anger and hatred, but holding onto them will only consume you."
A caustic smile stretched across my lips. "And what would you suggest I do, Father?"
I didn't give him a chance to reply before continuing. "Don't talk to me about something like forgiveness or 'letting go' because how am I supposed to do any of that?"
I laughed bitterly. "How can I let go when every breath I take reminds me of her absence? Every night, I lie awake, feeling the emptiness beside me, knowing that some monster took her away from me."
My anger piqued. "The memories of her laughter, her smile, her touch, Father… things I'd never get to see again because of… "
My voice cracked, the pain and anger boiling over. "You'll want me to 'forgive' because it is what your God tells you to do, but it's not that simple. The wound is still…raw" I looked away. "... still bleeding"