Back to Middlesburg

Melinda stepped off the train and onto the familiar platform of Middlesburg's station, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous spark. Caroline followed closely behind, her expression a mixture of curiosity and caution.

The town was alive with the soft hum of vampire activity. Melinda could sense the presence of her own kind, their supernatural energy pulsing through the air like a living thing. But no single soul was to be found. The place was dry and barren like it was abandoned. 

As they made their way through the quiet streets, Melinda's thoughts turned to the ring's mysterious signal. What awaited her in this town she once called home? The ring's disappearance had left her with more questions than answers.

"Caroline, darling," Melinda said, her voice laced with snark, "do you feel that? The town is practically buzzing with vampire energy."

Caroline raised an eyebrow. "You mean, aside from the whole 'creepy abandoned town' vibe?"

Melinda's grin was wicked. "Oh, no, darling. This town is far from abandoned. It's just...selectively inhabited."

The town's charming architecture seemed unchanged, the old buildings standing like sentinels against the passage of time. Melinda's heart swelled with nostalgia as she recognized familiar landmarks.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the streets, Melinda and Caroline arrived at the outskirts of town. The houses grew farther apart, replaced by rolling hills and dense forests.

Melinda's eyes gleamed with excitement. "We're almost there, Caroline. My childhood home, where the magic happens...or not."

The old mansion loomed before them, its turrets and spires reaching toward the sky like skeletal fingers. Melinda felt a shiver run down her spine as she approached the entrance.

But as they stepped inside, Melinda was struck by the eerie silence. Her home, once filled with the vibrant energy of her family, was empty.

"Welcome to my humble abode," Melinda said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Where the walls run red with secrets and the floors creak with lies."

Caroline's expression turned skeptical. "You're being dramatic again."

Melinda's grin was sassy. "Someone has to bring some excitement to this dull town."

As they explored the dusty halls, their footsteps echoed off the walls. Melinda's memories came flooding back: childhood laughter, whispered secrets, and midnight escapades.

But the silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the creaking of old wooden floorboards beneath their feet. Melinda's heart pounded in her chest, a sense of foreboding building with every step.

"What's waiting for us in here?" Caroline asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Melinda's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, darling...only the darkness knows."

As they delved deeper into the mansion, the shadows seemed to grow longer, the air thickening with an eerie presence. Melinda's instincts screamed at her to be cautious, but her curiosity kept her moving forward.

They explored room after room, each one filled with the remnants of a long-forgotten past. Melinda's heart ached with nostalgia as she recognized familiar objects: a child's doll, a music box, a faded portrait.

But amidst the memories, Melinda sensed a presence watching her. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but the feeling grew stronger with every step.

"Caroline, do you feel that?" Melinda whispered, her eyes scanning the shadows.

Caroline's expression turned serious. "Feel what?"

Melinda's grin was wicked. "The eyes upon us, darling. We're not alone in this house."

And with that, they vanished into the darkness, the secrets of Melinda's past waiting for them like an open mouth, ready to devour them whole.

As they walked through the mansion, Melinda's thoughts turned to her childhood. She remembered the laughter, the tears, and the countless memories she had made within these walls.

But as they approached the grand ballroom, Melinda's heart skipped a beat. The room was exactly as they had left it, the chandelier still shattered, the walls still bearing the scars of her family last wild ball.

"Looks like some things never change," Melinda said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Caroline raised an eyebrow. "You lot threw one hell of a party, didn't you?"

Melinda's grin was wicked. "You have no idea."

As they explored the ballroom, Melinda's memories came flooding back. She remembered the music, the laughter, and the countless nights she had spent dancing beneath the stars.

But as they turned to leave, Melinda's eyes landed on a familiar portrait. It was a painting of her family, taken on a summer's day many years ago.

Melinda's heart ached with nostalgia as she gazed upon the familiar faces. 

Her family!

Caroline looked at her in pity and Melinda noticing it, said; "Ugh, Caroline seriously don't tell me you are feeling any bit of sympathy." Mel rolled her eyes sarcastically. "I honestly don't care about them anymore and I don't blame the vampires either. I mean... I've done worse."

That was a lie. Melinda was never ever gonna forgive the vampires who killed her family right in front of her. Good thing their horrible faces never left her brain. She never even got to see their bodies and give them a proper funeral.

"Mel. I know you. I've known you since 1830. Your family was everything you had and the vampires took them away from you and turned you into one of them. It's okay to miss them. Even if it is a little." Caroline assured her but Mel was not interested. 

"Spare me your little advice, Caroline. I'm not really interested." Melinda flashed a quick, fake grin. "Now let's get the hell outta here. We have a mystery to slove remember?" And they left the mansion back to the streets.

As they walked through the deserted streets, Melinda's eyes scanned the empty buildings, her expression twisted in a scowl.

"Seriously, where is everyone?" Melinda muttered, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Did they all decide to take a collective vacation or something?"

Caroline shrugged, her eyes scanning the horizon. "Maybe they're just hiding from you."

Melinda flashed a wicked grin. "Oh, please. I'm not that scary."

Caroline raised an eyebrow. "Really? Then why are we walking through a ghost town?"

Melinda chuckled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Maybe they're just intimidated by my impeccable fashion sense."

As they turned a corner, Melinda spotted a figure standing in the distance. Her eyes narrowed, her fangs bared in a snarl.

"Ah, finally," Melinda said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Someone brave enough to show their face."

Caroline followed her gaze, her expression wary. "Mel, be careful."

Melinda rolled her eyes. "Please. I can handle one little human."

As they approached the figure, Melinda's grin grew wider. But to her surprise, the figure didn't flinch or run away.

Instead, it simply stood there, its eyes fixed on Melinda with an unnerving intensity.

Melinda's grin faltered, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Who are you?" she demanded.

The figure didn't respond. It just kept staring at Melinda, its eyes burning with an unspoken message.

Melinda's patience snapped. "Answer me, or I'll rip your throat out."

The figure still didn't respond. But Melinda could sense something emanating from it, something that made her skin crawl.

Suddenly, Caroline grabbed Melinda's arm, her voice low and urgent. "Mel, I think we should get out of here."

Melinda's eyes flashed with annoyance, but she nodded curtly. "Fine. Let's go."

As they turned to leave, Melinda caught a glimpse of the figure's face. And what she saw made her blood run cold.