Chapter 23: This is Me

He was sure of it. He captured every moment perfectly. Even if it's just an accident, he knew the angle was right and he didn't even move a muscle. It was not even blurry, the lighting was right. He managed to save his camera when he fell, so he knew there are no problems with it. That's why it would be impossible for the picture to turn out like this. How did it end up like this?

"You've gotta be kidding me!" Trevor mumbled as he heaved a sigh of frustration while looking at a particular photo.

Sure, he was terrified. Who wouldn't be? He recalled every single thing happened on that day. Nothing strange ever happened except for this photo.

The more he thinks of it, chills come running inside him. Could it be that the goddess he met was actually a ghost?

'N-no, that's impossible! The saleslady saw her. Everyone saw us together. So how come?' The gentleman once again glanced at the photo.

'I was given three days before the interview. I can't actually show this to them. It would appear that I edited this or something.' He thought and decided to search about it.

He turned on his computer and searched about creatures that don't appear in cameras.

"Vampires?" He blinked fast when the result came.

'Do they even exist in this period of time?' He thought and recalled the photo. If something like that happens, what more for other creatures like vampires.

Trevor frowned, "Don't tell me, Miss Ran is..."

It was supposed to be like any other mornings if last night's surprise didn't happen. Calcifer still can't believe a day would come that Rae himself would ask for blood. The drink he used to hate.

Truth be told, he was happy. He has been waiting for that day to come. But it was so sudden that he can't help but feel nervous and suspicious. Is he the only one feeling it?

He glanced at Primo who seems to be enjoying his human form, as he happily eats his pancakes. Then, he glanced at Ren, who's cleaning the bathroom. Next, his gaze landed on Rin who's in the garden together with Damien who's helping her in watering the plants.

He still doesn't trust him. After all, he hated the guts of every member from the Tepes family. But that's another story. That's something he doesn't want to remember.

He was disturbed with his thoughts when he heard the news on the radio.

"Once again, a photographer spotted another strange being lurking around our city. According to the photo, it has huge wings which look like bat wings, sharp fangs, and glowing red eyes. Could these creatures be the ones we call vampires? Whatever that is, we advise everyone not to stay late outside. Keep safe!"

"That's strange..." Primo said who heard the news as well, "Level E and D vampires don't like much attention. How come they're on the news now?"

"This isn't one of King Alucard's tactics either. He's too coward to do this." Calcifer said as he prepared the coffee.

"Anyway, we should remind everyone to be careful." He added and noticed Rae went down the stairs.

"I'll be going, Cal. I'll be back in a while." He said and left before he could stop the lad.

That's when he gave Primo that meaningful look.

'We don't want anyone to expose young master's secret to these humans.' He said telepathically.

"Fine, I know, I know." The boy sighed in defeat and turned into a small bat before he left.

Just then, he noticed Ran who came out of the kitchen, carrying a big basket. *

"Ah Ran, don't forget the animal blood." He reminded.

Now that the young master is drinking blood, they'll be needing some extra supply.

The maiden just nodded before she left. She's wearing the choker Damien made to protect herself from the sun's rays.

Soon as she closed the gate, Ran saw Yana who's about to go out as well.

"Oh, miss Ran! Are you going to shop in the grocery as well?" She asked with a bright smile.

The maiden nodded. She was really planning to buy goods in the grocery store for a better quality.

"Then, let's go together." The lass said and walked with her.

"Wow! Mr. Damien is sure a genius! His inventions are very handy. Too bad I've lost the ring he gave me." Yana sighed when she noticed the choker that Ran is wearing.

"Don't worry, I'm sure he didn't even mind." Ran said.

When they're almost near the store, Ran suddenly remembered something.

She was supposed to buy blood for the young master. It's easier to negotiate in the market. But if she brings Yana along, she might make her feel uncomfortable.

When the lass noticed that she paused from walking, she stopped as well.

"What's wrong, miss Ran?"

"Uhm, miss Yana... You go ahead. I just remembered, Sir Cal wanted me to buy in the market."

The lass blinked, "Is that so?"

"I'm sorry to disappoint you." Ran bowed apologetically.

"N-no, it's alright." Yana shook her head.

"Thank you for understanding. I'll be going now." Ran said and bid her goodbye.

When she reached the marketplace, she immediately went to ask for chicken blood to the butchers as she bought some meat.

"I'm just curious miss, you've been my customer in a while. I wanted to ask what are you going to use that for?" The old butcher asked referring to the blood she usually buys.

Ran blinked, "It's for my special recipe." She said with her usual stoic face.

Then, she left without waiting for them to speak.

"Do you think she's one of those vampires in the news?" Asked one of the neighboring butcher.

"Nah, that's impossible! Miss Ran is alright under the sun. She can't be one of those hideous monsters!"

Even she's a bit far from them, she can hear what they said loud and clear. She can't blame them for it.

Humans fear something they see as out of ordinary. And she's one of those extraordinary beings they fear so much. But little did they know, humans are also scary. Way scarier than the "likes" of them. Trust her, she knows better than that.

When she walked a bit farther, a huge crowd suddenly came after seeing the 'SUPER SALE' sign from the nearby store. As much as she wanted to go to the other side, she was pushed by these humans who doesn't seem to care whether they have stomped into someone else's foot. This is one of the things that makes them scarier.

She tried to walk forward despite the wild crowd. And she was careful enough not to use her strength to hurt them. But someone stomped her foot and she went out of balance.

Just as when she thought she'll fall, someone held her back, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her out of the crowd.

When she looked at her savior, she saw a familiar face.

"Are you alright, Miss Ran?" Trevor smiled.

She said it was indeed alright. But how she really wished Ran was here with her. She wanted to talk to someone right now, or even just to accompany her.

'It's been almost two days since Rae didn't show up. I wonder if he's okay.' Yana thought and was about to get one milk when someone happened to grab the one she's aiming for.

"Oh, I'm sorry--!" She glanced to her right side and met the familiar amber golden eyes.

"A-Alucard?" The lass blinked fast.

Orpheus' eye brow twitched, "Miss Suicidal..."

"Can you please stop calling me that?"

"Should I give you a new name, then?"

"No--ugh!" The lass sighed, "What are you even doing here?"

"Shopping, obviously." He said, making it sound like she's stupid enough to ask that silly question.

"Right, I can see that..." She held her temper and glanced at his cart.

She sees nothing but canned goods, instant noodles, and bottled water.

"You call this shopping? How can you survive just by eating these?" She pointed at the instant noodles and the others.

"I'm a vampire, I can live longer than you humans."

'Right, how can I forget about that?' She thought.

"Besides... I don't know how to cook. So I guess this will be fine."

Hearing him say that makes her think he must be alone right now. Just like her. Remembering that fact and the feeling of loneliness made her blood boil.

"No!" She suddenly exclaimed, "This won't do!" She grabbed his hand in impulse and bought their goods before they went out.

"Where are you taking me?" Orpheus asked who seems perplexed at the lass' sudden reaction.

"You need to get a life! I'll take you somewhere not far from here." She seriously said like she won't be accepting 'No' as an answer.

'What a pain.' He thought, 'Do human girls usually this aggressive?'

Yana pulled him to the nearest eatery she can find.

"We're going to eat here." She said and ordered some food.

"I didn't even agree to this." He coldly said.

"This is just a food. Don't tell me you can't handle it, Alucard?" She said with a teasing grin.

His eye brow twitched again, "Fine. I accept your challenge." His sharp gaze landed at her.

But that didn't even scare Yana, "Good. That's better." She said as they sat on the chair.

Not for long, the food came. Yana gave one bowl to him. It has a very pleasant smell. Pleasant enough to make anyone hungry by smelling it.

It has a light colored soup, some beef shanks and bone marrow. There's also corn and cabbages and onion leeks.

'It doesn't seem like it's poisonous.' He blinked and started drinking the soup.

It's warm, it's not so bland. A bit sweet but oily. But the oily flavor wraps around his tongue that makes him want to taste it more.

"What's... this?" He mumbled and drank another spoonful of soup.

"We call that Beef Marrow Stew*. Pretty tasty, isn't it?" She giggled and started eating as well.

"Ah! It would be tastier if you add some fish sauce." Yana said and put some to their soups.

"Why... are you doing this?" Orpheus suddenly asked.

"Is this a new way of asking me to spare your vampire friend?" He was referring to Rae.

Yana became silent for a moment. She put down her utensils and looked at him.

"Would you believe me if I say no?" Orpheus looked into her eyes as well. It doesn't seem like she's lying.

"Not because someone has done something for you, they're waiting for something in return. Not everyone is like that. What I'm saying is..." She took a deep breath.

"Even you're a vampire, you should taste other food! It's such a waste if you missed a chance to eat these kinds of food!" She said in all seriousness and determination.

Perplexed about the lass' passion, all he can do is to blink and wonder what to say.

With that, he sighed in defeat, "Alright. I'll keep that in mind." He said and finished his food.

After the meal, they stood up and took their paper bags.

"That was satisfying! You should try other dish from here." She beamed.

"I'll be going now." Orpheus turned his back and started walking.

"Wait! Tsk! That jerk totally ignored me!" Yana grumbled but noticed a small journal on his seat.

"This must be his." She picked it up and decided to return it but he's no longer around.

"Maybe I'll return this if I get to see him again." She sighed.

As much as she dislikes to see him again, she doesn't want to keep things that doesn't belong to her.

He kept searching for answers ever since he found the possibility of that terrifying truth. According to his research, vampires like to hang out in dark and secluded places. And so he went from there, following the most suspicious man in the club as they went from the other exit with a girl he just met.

'I'll leave immediately once I've proven my hunches wrong.' Trevor thought and hid as he followed them.

He was terrified at what he witnessed. The man's biting the woman as she was soaked in blood. He can't be mistaken. The awful smell of blood lingers around. He was about to escape when he suddenly slipped his foot on the ground.

The man turned around. He has this horrifying glowing red eyes glaring at him. But the more terrifying thing is, the man's appearance went completely changed! He now has big pointed ears, big flat nose, and fury face--like from a bat. It feels like he has a head of a bat but a body of a man!

The man screeched. Seems like he made him mad for disturbing his meal.

'I have to get out of here!' Trevor gasped as he was thinking of a way to escape. Then, he glanced at his camera with it's sling around his neck.

The monster showed his long fangs and rushed towards him. When he felt like he has no other choice, he grabbed his camera and clicked it. The flash of his camera blinded the monster temporarily. He used this opportunity to run as fast as he could. The monster tried to chase after him using its sense of smell. But Trevor ran faster and went into the crowded area. That's when he realized that the monster finally stopped chasing him.

He was terrified. His shaking knees don't lie. But despite his fear, he went home and printed the picture he took. The monster bat's face was evident, unlike the one he has captured at first.

And without realizing it, he took that strange picture to his interview.

"Mr. Meyer, this looks too detailed to be edited. Is this for real?" The editor-in-chief asked while looking at his photo intently.

The gentleman nodded, "Yes, it's real. I've seen it with my two eyes." He seriously said.

"Well then, prove it to me." The editor said and leaned forward.

"I want more pictures of these creatures. And once you've managed to accomplish that, I'll give you a double pay in your first year of working here."

Upon hearing that, Trevor became nervous. The offer was indeed tempting. The pay would be more than enough to sustain his every day needs. But on the other hand, he'll be risking his life just to capture pictures of those horrifying monsters.

The man gulped, "I... accept..." He mumbled.

And here he was, after everything he have been through, risking his one life to chase those monsters, he managed to sustain his living. And while he's on break, he didn't expect to see her once again, the Eastern goddess he met.

He wasn't really planning on going to the market. But since he has nothing else to do on his free day, his feet brought him to that place. And suddenly, he was carried away by a huge crowd.

'What a bad timing!' He thought and was about to get away when he noticed that familiar long black hair.

Seeing her struggling to get away from the crowd, he suddenly caught her, grabbed her by the hand and took her away.

"Are you alright, Miss Ran?"

She blinked and looked at him. Then, she bowed, being grateful at what he did.

'As expected, she doesn't talk much.' He said to himself.

Then, he noticed the basket she's carrying.

"Out for a shopping, eh? Let me help you." He smiled.

The maiden furrowed her eye brows, "I don't want to trouble you."

Trevor shook his head, "No, that's not true. I don't have much to do today so... I want to accompany you at least."

"Are you sure?"

He nodded, "Yep, 100% sure!"

And that's how he managed to spend two hours of the day with the girl he fell in love with. Just by seeing her coincidently, he totally forgot about the photo he took on her.

And unknown to him, someone has been tailing him since he came to the marketplace. But of course, Ran knows about it. She chose to stay to make sure that this human beside her is safe.

When she ensures that no one's following him anymore, she sighed in relief.

"Do you need anything else?" He asked.

"I've got everything I need. Thank you." She softly said.

"That's great."

The maiden was about to turn her back when he suddenly grabbed her arm.

"Uhm, miss Ran! I just wanted to ask... When can I see you again?" He gathered all his courage to ask this to her.

She stared at him for a moment, "Mr. Trevor, I appreciate your kindness to me. But I must ask, what's your intention on this?"

The gentleman's face turned red as he looked away.

'Should I tell her? What would she say in return?' He nervously thought. But he knew, deep inside, if he didn't tell his feelings today, when would it be?

He might not be able to see her again.

So he took a deep breath as he mustered his courage once again.

"I like you, Miss Ran!" He exclaimed, "I fell in love with you in first sight! So please... consider my feelings for you..."

His face was hot and as red as a tomato. Truth be told, he confessed countless times on different girls during his teenage years. But he always gets rejected. Would it be the same this time?

Slowly, he turned to look at the maiden's reaction. It was still expressionless. But her eyes tell him that she's indeed surprised at his confession.

She blinked few times. She doesn't know how to respond. This is the first time someone told her he loved her. It was so sudden. But it makes her happy.

But then again, she doesn't know how to respond to him. After all, humans and vampires aren't meant for each other. If he eventually finds out her true form, for sure, he'll be terrified. He'll hate her, that's for certain. So she has to. She has to break it while it's still early.

Ran bowed apologetically, "I-I... I'm sorry!" She stammered and suddenly ran away.

"Miss Ran, wait!" Trevor tried to chase her but she was incredibly too fast.

Ran panted as she reached the Van Helsing residence. Why didn't she give him a proper answer? Why did she run away?

'No, now's not the time to think about it.' She brushed the thought off her head and went inside the mansion.

She prepared their meal and started working. For the meantime, she forgot about what happened in the market.

Soon that afternoon, Rae finally returned from his so-called training. He looks tired but satisfied. Something good must've happened.

"You must be hungry, young master." Calcifer welcomed him.

"You bet. I wanted to eat Ran's cooking so bad." He chuckled.

It was nostalgic to see how the young master eats her cooking so cheerfully. Back then, she used to commit a lot of mistakes. Vampires dislike garlic after all. But it's a main ingredient in every human food. So she has no choice but to study and do everything she can to improve her skills. After all, it's all for the young master's sake. The sole reason of their existence.

When they're done eating and it's already nighttime, Rin came knocking at her door.

"Big sister, can you help me?"

"What is it?" She asked.

"You see, it's my very first day-off tomorrow. And I can't choose what to wear." Rin placed some clothes on her bed.

"I can't decide which one should I wear. Oh! How about this?" She picked an off-shoulder top and a denim shorts.

"Too revealing." She briefly said with her stoic expression.

"You're right." Rin blinked and took another one, "How about this?" It was a pink sweater and a ripped jeans.

"Too hot."

"Oh... right."

"How about this..." Ran took a checkered skirt and a plain shirt.

"Not so gaudy and will look good on you." She added.

"You're right, big sis! I knew I should come to you." Rin giggled.

"Me? But I just picked what I think will best suit you."

"That's the point! You're honest with your feelings and that's what I like about you, big sis." Rin chuckled and dismissed herself.

"I'm... honest?" Ran blinked as she recalled what her sister told her.

Then, she remembered what happened earlier. How she ran away from Trevor and didn't even look back.

"I... should give him a proper response." She mumbled and decided to go out.

She changed her clothes and quietly left the mansion. But Rin happened to see her and quickly went to her sister's room.

"Ren!"

She flinched, "What the heck?! Don't you know how to knock?!"

"I saw big sister left."

"Yeah, and so?"

"At this time of the night?"

"Maybe she forgot to buy something."

"Reeeeen!"

"Alright, fine, fine! We'll follow her. Geez!" Ren sighed in defeat and quietly left the mansion with Rin.

After his nth time of rejection, Trevor has never felt this hopeless before. Well, she didn't clearly rejected him but the fact that she ran away probably means she doesn't want to be with him. And that makes him feel so downcast.

As they say, during these hard times, a glass of beer would be your suitable buddy. And here he was, mending his broken heart at the lonely spot of this bar.

"One more glass, pleash.." He said when he noticed that his glass is empty.

"Y'know man, you should go home. You're all red and drunk." Said the bartender who knows better if he can still last or not.

As much as he thinks he can still manage to drink, he was already driven away from that place. Well, they were nice enough to let him go home and not spend the night in somewhere else.

Trevor walked away even he's so tipsy that his legs were wobbling.

"I can still--!" Suddenly, he vomited on the nearby post. He drank too much that his stomach can't contain the alcohol inside. After all, he's not much of a drinker.

"We... found... you..." He heard a voice.

Slowly, he looked up and saw five men with glowing red eyes.

"You... pay..."

"For those... pictures..."

Their fangs grew longer as their forms changed into monster bats.

He tried to run away. But he was so dizzy that he ended up tripping.

One of them was about to attack him when Ran came and grabbed its claws. She broke it and threw the monster bat at the others.

"Miss... Ran?" Trevor stood with all his might and tried to reach his hand on her.

"Mr. Trevor..." She called and glanced at him. Her eyes are glowing in bright red, like the ones with those vampires.

But why is it, he doesn't seem so surprise? Is it because he anticipated this? Is it because he knew all along that the girl he fell in love with is not ordinary?

"I'll show you, who I really am." She said and in such speed, she took those monster bats down.

Using her bare hands with sharp nails, she gauged their hearts one by one and crushed them with a cold expression. Something he has never seen before. It feels like the Ran in front of him is someone he didn't know.

'No, I'm wrong...' He thought as he realized something, 'This is the real her all along.'

With bloody hands, Ran slowly walked towards him.

"Do you understand now? This is me, the real me. I'm a vampire, a monster. I can't be with you. We're not meant for each other." She paused, as if hesitating, "That's why... You should forget about me. That's all, please stop drinking alcohol and take care of yourself..." She turned her back.

"Goodbye, Mr. Trevor..." She mumbled and jumped from roof to roof.

Staring blankly, tears started to fall from his eyes.

"You're so cruel, Ms. Ran... How can you wish me to forget you, when you wished me good health? You're so cruel!" He cried.

Ran stopped from her tracks when she noticed she was being followed by her sisters.

"You can come out now..." She mumbled, knowing they can hear her.

"Big sister..." Rin softly called.

They were surprised to see their sister's watery eyes. It's the first time they've seen her cry.

"Sister..." They pulled her for a hug. An embrace telling their sister that they'll be always there for her.

And Ran was so lucky to have siblings like them. Even her heart feels broken right now.

***

Author's Note:

*In the Philippines, people often use 'bayong' when they go to the marketplace. It's a woven big basket used to carry the things you're going to buy in the market.

*In the Philippines, Beef Marrow Stew is also known as "Bulalo". One of the famous Filipino food as described in the story.