Another Vampire
A vampire is on the loose in the small town of Merced. The residents stopped going out that much, especially at night. According to the myth, the vampire strikes the moment the sky turns dark. Ralph can't understand what's the fuss all about since he's only consuming animal blood. He realized that there was another vampire aside from him. When the right time comes, he will meet that vampire from the past. Maybe all of his questions will be finally answered.
As much as he wanted to come face to face with that vampire, he needed to lay low. What if instead of being a friend, that creature is an enemy? Even if they are both vampires, the other one might be territorial. He can't take a risk of not being able to go back. Arabelle must be waiting for him to return by now. Although he needs to feed his curiosity about this town. Merced is a small town but this was his home and he might see Sofia there.
“That's a lot for cooking blood stew!” the butcher from the market commented while he was buying his supply.
“I'm expecting a lot of guests who are dying to taste my blood stew.” Ralph lied and smiled at the butcher.
He needs to secure his food supply since he's back in the past. At least during that time, blood stew was a popular dish. It all changed when modern times arrived since more people are going vegan. They are claiming that it will be healthier if they will only eat a plant based diet. Even if he didn't become a vampire, he doesn't think he can live without eating meat. At least now, all he needs is animal blood to survive. He will not hunt humans for their blood.
Ralph took the huge plastic bag full of pork blood which he will be consuming for a few days. He will try to store it and make them last longer. When he said he will make a blood stew, he wasn't lying. He needs to cook the blood so that he will have food around there. Refrigerator is not a thing yet during these times. Storing food is not that easy around that time. He plans to make them look like jellies so he can consume the blood in its solid form.
“Desperate times need desperate measures.” he told himself when he's finally back to his apartment.
He was able to find a place he can rent and stay temporarily. Even if he's not sure until when he can stick around, he needs privacy. Good thing he was able to get used to animal blood. He can just buy them from the market in the morning. That's when animals will be butchered for their meat. He buys the blood from the butcher before they discard them. It was his system for such a long time now. He doesn't want to be a monster.
Now he wonders if the vampire who lurks around there is the same one who bitten him. This trip might answer all his questions and fill up his curiosity. He wants to see Sofia around there. If possible, meet the vampire who turned him into that. It's confusing to think that he's currently in the past but still lives as if it's the present. This is what he always wished to happen to him for a long time. Now that he's there, he will make the most out of it.
~~
“Excuse me, is this the last bus stop?” Arabelle asked the conductor since all the passengers were getting off.
“Yes, miss. This is the last stop.” the conductor confirmed it and smiled sweetly at her.
She thanked the conductor again before getting off the bus herself. The town of Merced welcomes her with an arc and a street full of people. It seems to be a tourist destination she doesn't know about. She's not the only one who looks like someone from another place. There are a lot of souvenirs for sale in the middle of the street. The crowd made her worried since they are all over the plaza. How can she find Ralph from all those people?
Arabelle decided to walk passed through the crowd. If she is going to find Ralph, it will be in a much quieter place. He will avoid mingling with all those people for sure. Not just because he's a vampire. It's because that's how he deals with a lot of people. She can't believe that she was able to get to know Ralph that deep already. Although she's not yet sure if he really went there. Justin told her that Ralph decided to look for Armand out of the blue.
“Arabelle is that you?” Armand suddenly called her.
“Armand, you're here!” She exclaimed and hugged him.
“What are you doing here?” Armand asks but feels surprised to see her there.
“I'm looking for Ralph since he hasn't returned home. He's looking for you.” she informed him.
Armand got confused by her response since he thought she's looking for him. Turns out Ralph is the one looking for him and Arabelle just followed. It means that they just found each other by chance. He's on his way home after selling his potions from the market. As usual, his potions were sold out. He sensed that something good will happen today. Now that he saw Arabelle, it means that seeing her is the good thing that will happen to him.
He invited Arabelle to his home so that they could talk. This place is eight hours away from where she came from. She must be tired and hungry so Armand decided to buy food for them first. He's living alone so he doesn't cook at home anymore. When he gets hungry, he just eats out most of the time. He never expected his sister to come and visit him there. Arabelle didn't know about his real identity yet so it's unexpected to find her near the market.
“I did the locator spell and this is where it leads me. Where do you think Ralph ended up?” Arabelle asked once they were walking their way to his house.
“That spell is never wrong. Maybe he's still here. Don't worry, let's look for him later after we eat.” Armand suggested making sure they have the energy to look.