In the Shadows by Rebecca A. Rogers

Author:Rebecca A. Rogers [Rogers, Rebecca A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: short fiction poetry anthology horror paranormal supernatural ghosts vampires werewolves zombies
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Your Days Are Numbered

Count them once again,

my friend,

because one day soon,

your days will end.

Imperishable Soul

If only I could remember what it was like to be human—being able to have desires of the flesh that did not result in bloodshed, knowing I had family, not just a coven, and a life. None of that existed for me anymore. I was plagued and had grown weary of everything.

Many years ago, I walked out of the home I shared with my fellow kind. They never looked for me afterward, as far as I knew; I would have smelled them. If there was one thing we were keen on, it was our senses. The entire world was heightened and ready for the taking. So there was no question about my travels, about roaming freely.

I covered vast ground before I fell in love with Brighton. Small town, but the people were friendly and interesting to watch, especially two sisters, Abigail and Cassandra. Perched on a tree branch about two hundred yards away, I would watch them every night. They had the same routine—dress into their nightgowns, brush their hair, converse before blowing out the candles. As curious as I was of these humans, I had yet to know them.

Humans were such a routine species, following the same patterns every day. Though they did not have long to live—compared to my immortality—they often worked tirelessly and got by with what little was in their possession. What impressed me the most, however, was their capacity for love. They placed love and affection on a pedestal above all other emotions. People fought for love, some learned what heartbreak meant, and some even died for this unusual adoration of another human. Yet the boundaries of this emotion were never fully intact; it was limitless. Although I had never felt any sensation as strong as love, I wished for it.

Several days later, I crossed the barrier. I should not have, but I did. I was not supposed to come in contact with humans; it was an unspoken rule. I met the sisters during one of their trips to the market. At first, I only observed, then one of them—Abigail—noticed me. She lightly grabbed her sister’s arm and whispered in her ear. Both turned around. I could not hide, so there was no other alternative than to speak.

“Hello,” I said.

They giggled. Silly humans.

“What are your names?” I asked. Though I already knew the answer to this question, it was polite, common, and unsuspicious.

“I am Abigail, and this is Cassandra,” she said, motioning towards her sister. Both had hair golden like the sun, with tight ringlets that bounced when they moved.

Cassandra smiled, but never spoke.

“And what is your name, sir?” Abigail asked. This caught me by surprise.

“My name is Valiant,” I replied.

We tarried around the market for most of the day. Clouds rolled in to cool the air from the blistering sun, making everything more tolerable. I was immune to the sun. Old stories told of vampires burned alive under its rays were of fables.

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