The Escape

The young vampire escorted me to an elegant manor, surprising me with his royal treatment, which was completely unforeseen. Sensing my exhaustion, he kindly advised me to take some much-needed rest. Furthermore, we mustn't disregard the delectable feast that was graciously served to me. A warm and inviting smile adorned his face, yet, due to the circumstances, I couldn't help but entertain thoughts of wiping it off. It was difficult to accept his kindness and hospitality when I was well aware that I was here against my will. How could he have the audacity to treat me with such pleasantries? My mind raced with doubts and suspicion, questioning whether I was simply being paranoid or if there was a valid reason for my unease.

I was awaiting an abrupt assault or something from him, but nothing really occurred. For nearly two hours, I stayed in a room that was the length of a corridor, pacing back and forth. It contained a four-banner bed and a love seat, but I didn't use both as adrenaline continued to pump into my body.

Their baffling decision to abduct me leaves me perplexed, as my humble background and lack of physical prowess hardly make me an enticing target. Why set their sights on a vulnerable teenage girl such as myself? Even if it were for the purpose of being a mere possession, this surely isn't the way one treats a fellow human destined to become their slave. My mind runs wild with conjectures and uncertainties, burdening me like an impossibly heavy harness weighing down upon my thoughts.

While the minutes anxiously passed by, my uneasiness reached a breaking point, pushing me to make an impulsive choice. I leaped through the window, surprisingly discovering it wide open, and my mind did a happy dance, thinking I would finally be free. Little did I know that my split-second plan would lead to an unimaginable encounter. Because the moment my feet touched the solid ground, I found myself face to face with not just one or two, but five large vampire guards, two of whom were my initial captors. However, what made it even more bewildering was their exceptional attractiveness, as if they had been plucked straight out of a mesmerizing fantasy.

With the fakest grin spreading across my face and a hint of nervous anticipation patting my senses, I couldn't help but pose a question that strayed far beyond the boundaries of intelligence—a question so outlandishly silly that it could be crowned the epitome of moronic.

"Good day, folks! I'm currently in search of the post office. Would anyone happen to know where it is?"

Seriously, post office? Out of everything! I might have even asked for a dumb park, but no, I went for a mail center. That's how brilliant I am. I knew that my communication skills were not the best, but in that moment, I couldn't help but feel that I had made it painfully obvious to everyone around me. I mentally facepalmed, fully aware of the awkwardness of the situation. As I glanced at the guards, their perplexed expressions made it seem as if I had suddenly sprouted two heads and eventually returned me to 'HIM.' Although I struggled fiercely to break free from their firm grasp, my feeble attempts were no match for the strength of the five sturdy men who had firmly immobilized each of my limbs.

In the end, my own stupidity has put me in a complicated situation, bound to a pole in an unfamiliar room. This room, unlike the other one, was painted in an intriguing shade of green, had a minimalistic décor consisting of only a central beam and an occupied armchair. The occupant of the chair was engrossed in skimming a thick book, which confounded me due to its non-English text, likely in Latin. Despite my curiosity, I realized that acquiring knowledge about its contents would be of little use or relevance to my predicament, and truth be told, why would I even want to know what he was reading? It's none of my freaking concern.

Out of the blue, he started rambling.

"Huh?" I was so engrossed in my own contemplations that his words went unnoticed by my brain.

"Didn't you hear what I said previously?" He began again, his voice tinged with a hint of exasperation. "I said you could wish for anything, and I shall grant you, but only three chances."

Intrigued, I leaned in closer, captivated by this enigmatic figure who currently seemed to possess the keys to my future. As I sat there, caught off guard by his unexpected offer and the peculiar choice of topic, a hint of excitement tingled through my veins. However, my intuition swiftly reminded me of the notorious reputation vampires have for their deceitful nature. I refused to be ensnared by his web of manipulation.

What does he expect me to answer, anyway? Make me the richest woman alive? Or, make me an immortal? Surely, nobody in their right mind would orchestrate a kidnapping only to play the role of a whimsical genie from Aladdin. With a tinge of smile, I resolved to feign ignorance, knowing that this charade wouldn't require much effort from my end because, as much as I hate to admit it, my recent behaviors have proved to me that I am not as intelligent as I thought I was.

"Would you be able to make Sean O Pry my boyfriend?"

I asked the question with complete absurdity and witnessed an instantaneous change in his expression. His facial features swiftly became rigid, and he responded by shaking his head while silently mouthing the word "no."

"Something that you believe is ordinary, and it doesn't include dating somebody."

I grew eager and decided not to wait any longer. It was evident to me that he was attempting to sway me by engaging in deceptive tactics, and I'm all game.

"I want an iPhone 15 Pro. It's not launched yet, but I want it before others."

I couldn't help but have a visible grin on my face, completely unaffected by the situation at hand. While these individuals may possess some vampire qualities, linking them with Apple seemed highly unbelievable. I suspected whether they were even aware of the existence of this well-known technology brand. As if recognizing my skepticism, he flashed a smile, not overtly wide but enough for me to notice, and proceeded to retrieve his cell phone from his pocket, obviously to make a call.

"Hello, electronics department? ..... Keith, right? ..... Yeah, I am Adrian... I just want to put in a request for 15 Pro... No, not 18... Ensure it gets delivered to me before you launch them into the other dimension. Thank you."

With ease, he simply concealed the phone back into the snug confines of his jeans pocket, emanating an air of nonchalance that contradicted his actions. The piercing forest green gaze met mine with a pretense of innocence, hiding the restrained amusement in them. He didn't just do that! And what in the world is 18? Did they already have an iPhone 18 here?

"That will be done. Next?"

I stared at him like he was an alien.

"Are you messing with me?"

I asked once I regained my senses. He is trying to play all cool with me. Well, Apple isn't just any privately owned company where you can simply get your hands on an unreleased phone, or is it?

His laughter filled the room, accompanied by a twinkle in his eyes that was utterly captivating. It was as if his laughter had the power to whisk my worries away, leaving me grappling to stay grounded. Uff Atty... Focus....

"You know, being a vampire has its own advantages."

Drinking blood and engaging in kidnapping may not exactly be traits one would consider advantageous. It's definitely wiser to keep my thoughts to myself, as I certainly don't want him to catch even a glimpse of what's going on in my mind. Unless, of course, he didn't have similar thoughts in the first place. Then, it might be a different scenario altogether. However, it's safe to say that embracing the act of a fool is the smarter route to take in this situation.

"So, will I get the phone before others?"

With a casual wave of his hand, as if to say "no problem," he effortlessly brushed off my inquiring look. In response, I let out an exuberant mix of a shriek and a grin, resembling a person completely baffled by the unexpected turn of events. It was as if my emotions were swirling through me like a tornado, leaving me both exhilarated and slightly frightened. For one, I am certain I am going to get a new iPhone, and second, in case I really get one, then it means these vampires have more influence on the human world than I could imagine. I pushed the information to the back of my mind for later use.

"If you are fooling me, then please book your pre-funeral services."

He smirked at the sentence and shrugged his shoulders. If he's saying the truth, then that just filled my heart with joy. 'iPhone' before others could make me a star among my colleagues, if at all I am going back to the human dimension, that is. Thoughts of home flooded my mind, awakening painful memories of my beloved ice cream, cruelly discarded on the pavement, its sweet contents spilled and wasted, and the sight made me extremely upset. I quickly decided what my second wish would be.

"Should I ask for my next wish now or tomorrow?"

"Your offer is only valid until the end of the day."

My eyes turned wide, and I asked in a flash. "I need Nutella and Oreo-seasoned family pack ice cream with three chocolate flutes on top of it."

I said all this in a single breath, and he watched me with amusement. I ought to have requested that he make me rich by now, but that would be pointless if I am never leaving this place or if they are going to kill me.

He made another call and murmured something. It only took a while, but the wait felt interminable. Then, like a delightful surprise, a large man emerged clutching a tray adorned with three heavenly family packs of ice cream. The mere sight of it, exactly as I had requested, caused my eyes to well up with pure and unadulterated joy. Unable to contain myself any longer, I eagerly plunged into the treasure trove resting on my lap, momentarily oblivious to the chuckles emanating from those around me. He loosened the chain a little, and I reveled in the newfound freedom to move my hands comfortably. Thirty minutes later, every last bit of the scrumptious treat had vanished, leaving in its wake an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.

"Dude, I should be in the Guinness Book of Records." I exclaimed, burping.

He laughed once more, and his eyes gleamed. He truly is gorgeous. Atty...

In that glorious moment, a flicker of realization sparked within my mind, like a dormant light bulb suddenly brightening the dim room of my consciousness. I had already tested him, not once but twice, and the authenticity in his eyes was undeniable. So, fuelled by newfound certainty and impatient anticipation, I gathered my courage and asked him what I really wanted.

"Hey Genie, can I ask you for my next wish?"

He was confused a bit.

"Genie? Really?"

"Yeah, why not? You grant my wishes just like the Genie from Aladdin."

He mumbled a, 'Whatever'. Obviously, he was not a fan of fairy tales.

"My next wish is to be freed from this." I said, lifting my tied hands.

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