Chapter Four | Alexander

I’m greeted at the door by Rover, my one-year-old German Shepherd. After years of outliving friends and staying inside most of the time, you start to crave any form of companionship. Also, he was wandering the streets at the same time as me six months ago and I couldn’t resist.

I offer a few standard pets before setting my coat on the hanger. The clock on the wall reads 4:38, about the same time I get in every morning - just before the sun comes up. I make sure all of the blinds are sealed shut and make my way to the usual hallway closet, reaching back until I feel the bag. I grab it out, eyeing the content hungrily. I haven’t feasted since yesterday morning and the cravings have almost become too much, though I am getting better at waiting between meals.

I assume my position on the sofa and screw off the tube cap, unable to stop myself any longer. The blood coats my throat sweetly, my entire body tingling from the sensation. Before you accuse me of being a monster, let me ease your mind - I don’t feast on human blood. I used to, but it always left me feeling immoral and wrong.

Actually, it was Nina who came up with the idea to make synthetic blood. She researched the ingredients and created the perfect recipe, all while I watched and admired. My heart aches at the thought, the image of Nina flashing across my mind briefly.

Rover growls from beside his empty bowl and I offer a small chuckle.

“Alright alright, it looks like I’m not the only one who’s hungry,” I say. I get up, recycling the blood bag under the sink before grabbing Rover’s kibble. I mix the dry food with some chicken and peas - It’s his favorite.

I set the bowl down and pat Rover on the head, smiling at the sweet boy. Then, I check the clock on the wall. The sun will rise in about twenty minutes. I make my way to the back room and close the door behind me.

Here, I find my coffin right where I left it. I usually sleep until noon, waking up for only a few hours to write my book. Then, I return to my coffin and don’t come out until the sun is down. I have shades that mask 100% of sunlight from the living quarters, but I usually get bored if I’m awake any longer during the day.

I step inside the coffin and close it behind me, laying in my usual position and drifting quickly into a deep slumber.

***

I wasn’t always like this. Eighty years ago, I was an English soldier fighting in the second world war. It wasn’t until I got wounded that I was turned. I was storming the enemy troops when a bullet blazed straight through my chest, just inches from my heart. I was rushed to the medic station, where a nurse with short brown hair and piercing hazel eyes took care of me. She told me stories to ease my mind, although we were both certain I wouldn’t last till morning.

When I was asleep, I began having terrible nightmares accompanied by a sharp pain in my neck. When I awoke, Nina had taken me to a dark room where I could change form peacefully, and away from any potential sunlight. She later explained her undying need to save my life, and after that, we were both immortal. We went on to become lovers and exist together nocturnally. Nina and I were soul bonded, and nothing could tear us apart.

Nothing except an angry vampire hunter with the need to kill. We knew somebody was stalking us, but our strength left us feeling confident. It wasn’t until the man snuck up on Nina and stabbed her in the heart with a stake that we realized the danger was true. By then, it was too late. Nina died in my arms, and after the tragedy, I fled the UK to escape the vampire hunter.

I’ve lived in various states since then but just recently moved to San Francisco. Something about the atmosphere here comforts me. I was roaming the streets two weeks ago when I came across the Bourbon and Branch Bar, an exciting place with the potential to make me feel alive again.

I stepped in to examine the place. Loud music, a big crowd, rustic interior - everything I was searching for. I sat at the bar and ordered their best beer. While I was drinking, a fight broke out and glass cascaded the floor from beer bottles. The bartender was an older man and outnumbered 1 to 3, so I decided to step in.

“If you’re gonna fight, go outside. This isn’t your property to damage,” I commanded sternly. The three men stopped arguing and turned to look at me, clearly sizing me up. One moved forward to intimidate me, and that was it.

I grabbed the closest guy and headed for the door. The two men followed, trying to throw punches at me. If there’s one advantage to being a vampire, it has to be unmatched strength. After I threw the first guy out, I turned to face the other two.

“Don’t make this hard. Follow your friend out,” I warned. When they didn’t listen, I did what I had to do. The fight didn’t last long, and both men stumbled out to their friend eventually. Soon enough, the bar was back to normal and everybody was conversing again as if nothing had happened.

I assumed my spot at the bar and continued to finish my drink.

“I’m Sam Mcgee, owner of The Bourbon and Branch for twenty-two years,” the bartender said suddenly, reaching out his hand. I eyed the gesture for a moment before accepting the offer.

“Alexander Woods,” I introduced myself.

“What you just did was incredible. I’ve never seen somebody resolve conflict so well,” he mused. I chuckled and took another sip of my IPA.

“It was nothing. They were interrupting my drink.”

This earned a hearty laugh from Sam, who reached behind the bar and grabbed another beer. He popped off the cap and slid it across to me.

“This one is on the house. Come work for me, I could use somebody like you behind the bar,” Sam suggested suddenly, capturing my full attention. The offer was tempting, especially since I spent most nights wandering aimlessly around the city. I cocked an eyebrow and thought it over.

“I could only work nights,” I clarified. Sam waved off the comment easily.

“We don’t open until 7:30 anyway,” he reassured.

I took the last two sips of my beer and slid it away from me, grabbing the new one right after.

“When can I start?”

***

In honor of routine, I awake from a merciless nightmare at approximately 6:30. This gives me an hour and a half to get ready for work. I exit my coffin and grab a bag of blood to drink while I pick out an outfit. Then, I feed Rover his usual dinner, accompanied by a kiss on the head. If my father knew that I had a soft side, he would roll over in his grave.

In our house, men never showed emotion. We were raised to be strong and forceful. It was only when my mother and I were alone that she would praise me for being sweet. To her, it was a gift. I smile at the memory and spit out the remainder of toothpaste in my mouth.

Believe it or not, synthetic blood stains your teeth worse than tea.

I watch one episode of I Love Lucy and head for the bar around 8 o’clock. You may think I get bored of living forever, and sometimes you’re right, but there are still the small things that send adrenaline through my veins.

Right on cue, I picture the girl I met only a few nights before. Avalon Stone: the emerald-eyed beauty. I can’t help the cheesy smile that lines my lips as I imagine seeing her again. Before I can think too far into it, I approach the Bourbon and Branch, starting my shift with little to no more distractions.