A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

As Maria woke up in the late afternoon, memories of the previous day hit her hard. She couldn't escape the pain and heartbreak that consumed her. As she feared, there was nothing on her phone, no sudden twist in the form of Rachel's text, asking to meet her, nothing. She never felt lonelier before, her previous human life included.

But amidst the despair, she made a firm decision to put an end to this misery and try to embrace her vampiric existence once again. She hadn't fed in three days, and her hunger was starting to grow unbearable. It was time for a fresh start, a new town where she could reinvent herself.

I'm a vampire, dammit, I can't continue moping for all eternity. I'll go somewhere else, clear up my mind and start anew.

Driven by her hunger, she began packing her stuff, discovering she didn't really have much stuff after all. Most of her clothes were still in her old apartment. The thought of visiting that place again made her stomach turn, memories of her dead boyfriend resurfacing again. It felt like ages ago, in a different life - literally. But her determination to finally quit this chapter of her life was stronger than her harrowing memories. She got in her car and drove to the place.

But as she parked her car in front of the apartment building, she noticed lights illuminating her former home. Confusion washed over her. How could there be someone inside? Only she and Steve had original keys, and Rachel had a spare for emergency, but she couldn't see Rachel visiting her unannounced, especially after recent events. Curiosity mixed with anger, and Maria approached cautiously, her mind racing with possibilities.

Could it be Rachel after all? Maybe she changed her mind or something? Sure, that would be totally unlike her, but she wasn't herself these past few days anyway. Or perhaps just a burglar broke in? In that case, he'll make a nice meal in next few minutes...

But just as she was about to enter, all lights suddenly went out, signaling the departure of the mysterious visitor.

Maria's instincts kicked in. She knew there was only one way out of the building, and she decided to catch a glimpse of the person who had entered her former home. Hiding behind a corner, she anxiously awaited their emergence. Part of her hoped it would be Rachel, a spark of longing igniting her desires. Another, more rational and logical part of her brain, was expecting a burglar carrying her wide OLED TV in his arms. Even a tiny, irrational glimmer of hope joined in, envisioning that Steve had miraculously returned from the dead.

But as the figure finally stepped out into the open, Maria gasped in shock as she recognised the invader.

Ethan.