1

The neighborhood was unusually quiet that morning, she thought, as she scrubbed clothes at the basin.

It was a good kind of quiet, though she knew better—it followed another vampire attack.

"Where's that priest of yours, kid?"

"I know you're gangsters. Go away!" she heard little Henry scream.

"Look at this rude runt."

She sighed.

Couldn’t there be a single day without noise on this street? she thought as she lifted the basin of soapy water.

Today, she was going to teach them a lesson.

By the time she arrived, the man who seemed to be their leader was tapping Henry’s head.

"That rude mouth of yours."

"Don't touch me!" Henry protested.

"We need him to sign this. Our construction work is getting held up because of all of you. Don’t think we’ll go easy on you just because you’re orphans. Hurry up and get him, will you?"

She’d had enough.

Anger flared through her chest as she bit her lower lip, then stomped toward them, basin in hand.

"Hey, assholes! Who the hell do you think you are? Shut your faces and scram before I tear you a new one!" she yelled, raising the basin to pour water over the leader.

He dodged swiftly and grabbed her by the back of the neck.

"Ouch!" she yelped.

"You again? Can’t we have a single day without you playing hero?"

Her siblings rushed toward him but were stopped by his bodyguards.

"And where are we supposed to go if you get rid of our house?" she demanded, struggling against his grip.

"Do you think I care, feisty little bitch?" he snarled.

Then, a voice cut through the tension: "Excuse me… can someone give me some directions?"

They all turned.

A man, casually flipping a cigarette between his fingers, scanned the street like he was lost.

 "What the hell…" the leader muttered.

 "Can you tell me how to get to the nearest police station?" the stranger asked.

"Can’t you see we’re busy? Find it yourself," the leader snapped.

The man shrugged as if nothing mattered and started to leave.

The gangster leader turned to his men, nodding. They shoved the kids aside.

"You little rats should tell the priest to come out now, or my fists will do the talking on your sister’s face," he threatened, tightening his grip on her neck.

Riña froze—then her expression shifted when she saw the man with the cigarette return.

"You know," he said casually, "you should really watch your mouth… or do you want to spend the night in a slammer?"

The leader froze, taken aback by his calm courage.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" one bodyguard demanded.

"Alright, you asked for it," the stranger replied with a cold smile.

The second bodyguard lunged, but then his expression changed to panic. He whispered to his boss, who frowned deeply.

"Fuck this. We’ll be back next week. The priest better be around," he muttered.

They fled, throwing angry glances over their shoulders.

Riña’s siblings rushed to her, wrapping her in their arms. "Sorry, was I too late?" she asked.

"No, you came at the perfect time," Henry replied.

"I was just about to give them a beat down," Henrietta boasted.

 "Liar," Henry scoffed. "You were too quiet."

"By the way," Riña said quickly, "don’t tell Father Michael that I swore."

He’d yell if he knew.

"If you do the laundry for a week," Henry bargained with a wicked smile.

 "Okay, deal!" she agreed.

"Yes!" he cheered.

"It’s better to avoid scum like that next time," the man with the cigarette added as he turned to leave.

"Wait!" Riña called.

He glanced back.

"Thanks so much for today," she said. "No need," he replied, eyes hard. "I just hate seeing lowlifes make money off others."

She smiled faintly.

"I can tell you how to get to the police station," she added.

He raised a hand slightly but didn’t look at her.

"I already know," he said.

A sigh escaped her lips as she turned back toward the orphanage.

She had lived there for ten years, in the church-run home, and this neighborhood was infamous for bullying and gang attacks.

She was used to it, except for one thing: herself.

"Riña, go out for once! Don’t you have friends?"

"As a college student, try joining a club or attending events!" her siblings nagged.

Most college students had friends; she had none. Lunch was always alone, her life a silent echo.

Would anyone ever like her, knowing who she truly was?

Her thoughts drifted back to the incident two days ago: a body, neck pierced by fangs, lying in a pool of blood just two streets away.

Passengers on her bus whispered as they drove past. Riña had glanced at the wailing mother.

"I told you there’s no noodles!" Henry snapped, jerking her out of her thoughts.

"But that’s what I want."

Sighing, she headed to the kitchen.

"Riña, Henrietta is craving noodles after dinner, and we’re out."

"Really? Don’t worry, I’ll get some at the store."

"Can I come with you?" Henrietta asked, beaming.

"It’s late. Stay with Henry. I’ll be back before you know it," Riña replied.

At the convenience store, almost closing, she asked Mr. Thomas, "Can I have some noodles, please?"

He hurried to fetch them.

"Thanks, Mr. Thomas," she said, offering payment.

"You can keep it, dear," he replied.

"Thanks and goodnight," she bowed.

Two blocks from home, the streetlights flickered. A frown creased her brow. Something felt off.

"So this is where you’ve been hiding…" a voice snarled.

Her head whipped toward the sound. The gangster leader appeared, bullying another man.

She hid behind a shop, peeking cautiously.

"Please, have a little patience… I’ll pay you," the man pleaded. "A little patience? That’s what you say… then I see you coming out of a bar with girls around you. Life must be so good, right?" the leader spat, teeth gritted.

Riña’s hands raked through her hair.

Should she intervene? She froze as the man groaned.

Then… horror.

The man being beaten transformed into a vampire, thrusting a hand through the leader’s chest.

"I told you to have patience, didn’t I?"

Riña gasped, pressing her hand over her mouth to stifle her fear.

She tried to run but bumped into a trashcan, the noise echoing through the silent street.

Her heart pounded as she froze, terrified the vampire might notice her.

A dark shadow fell over her.

Slowly, she turned.

"Please… please…" she whispered, trembling.

"Why am I getting excited all of a sudden?" he chuckled as he approached.

"Don’t come near me… don’t… someone help… please," she stuttered, crawling backward.

"There’s no one here, darling. Afraid? Don’t be. After all, vampires were once humans… like you," he said, fangs glinting in the streetlight.

He lurched forward; she kicked, trying to escape, but he grabbed her ankle.

"Please, don’t do this…" she cried as he forced her to the ground.

"Look into my eyes… this power is a gift. It makes the weak superior over others," he whispered, tightening his grip. A wicked smile curved his lips.

"Guess what?"

"What?" she whimpered.

"I won’t kill you…" His lips traced her ear, tongue brushing down slowly. "…I’ll bestow this gift upon you… I’ll make you a vampire."

"NO!"