CHAPTER 18
AVA CLARKE
This morning, I decided to follow Lucius's advice and tell the authorities what happened the previous night. I still feel very tired because I couldn't sleep, always replaying what I saw in the dark forest, and now I'm here. Lucius brought me here and is waiting for me outside the police station, and I thank him for it. I really don't want this kind of situation to happen to anyone else, and I hope my statement helps the police in their investigation.
Lucius told me it could be someone trying to scare me in the forest, but I was alone, and I know what happened to me. I know what I saw, and there's nothing that can make me forget those terrifying red eyes. This is a small town, and I still have many unanswered questions in my mind, but I'm confident that the police can find the person who did this to me.
The atmosphere in the police station is suffocating, marked by tension and the curious glances of the officers roaming around. I'm here, with a nervous expression and tired eyes, sitting in front of the detective, ready to recount the disturbing events of the previous night. Silence hangs in the air as I prepare to share my supernatural experience.
The detective, a middle-aged man with a skeptical expression, watches me ironically as I begin to tell my story. I take a deep breath and start describing the events that brought me to the station this morning.
"I was walking through the forest at night when it all happened. I saw someone standing on the street, and then I started running into the forest.", I begin, my words laden with tension.
"I was very scared and alone in the dark forest, trying to call my boss for help. I looked back several times and saw a tall man dressed in black with red eyes. He looked like a human, but I'm sure there was something different about him."
The detective interrupts me with a disbelieving look.
"A tall man dressed in black with red eyes? That sounds like something out of a horror movie, don't you think?"
I sigh, frustrated by the detective's reaction.
"I know it may sound absurd, but I swear it's the truth. He approached me in a scary way, as if he were... supernatural."
The detective maintains his skeptical expression, crossing his arms.
"Supernatural? Are you saying that this man was a vampire or something? Have you had alcohol before, Miss Clarke?", he asks, and I furrow my brow, shaking my head.
"I wasn't drunk; I was aware of everything that happened."
"He had all the signs. The height, the way he moved, the dark clothes, and the red eyes... it's like in vampire movies.", I say, recalling the man's eyes who were chasing me.
I am telling everything with a serious expression, but I feel irritation growing inside me when the detective lets out an incredulous laugh.
"Vampires? Seriously? You expect me to believe that? Vampires don't exist, Miss Clarke. You were probably very scared, and it was dark, so I think you might have mistakenly seen something that doesn't exist."
I feel a mix of frustration and despair.
"I know what I saw! I'm not making this up. He wasn't an ordinary person. He was dangerous, and I felt that my life was in danger."
The detective shakes his head, still smiling ironically.
"Believe me, this kind of thing doesn't happen in real life. You might have had a scary encounter, but it wasn't with a vampire. Maybe a criminal at most."
I clench my fists, fighting against the growing irritation.
"I understand it may be hard to believe, but I'm not making this up. I just want the police to do something before more people are in danger."
The detective sighs and stands up, indicating the end of the conversation.
"Look, I understand you're scared, but we can't go hunting for vampires. This is the real world. If you encounter a criminal, we can investigate, but supernatural fantasies are not within our jurisdiction."
"You don't believe me? I was almost killed in the forest yesterday, and you don't believe me?", I say it in surprise, and he shakes his head.
"Miss Clarke, I can see that something really happened while you were alone. To help, we can ask the officers to talk to the town residents to see if anyone saw a man like that. That's all we can do for you now, Miss Clarke."
I don't respond; I just get up from the chair, walking as fast as I can to the exit of this place. I see that coming here was a terrible idea because no one believes me.
Vampire. That word continues to dominate my mind, and I blink rapidly when I remember the man's red eyes and his sharp teeth. Vampires don't exist in this world, and maybe it was really a person using a very realistic mask, but I know what I saw, and everything seems confusing in my head now.
The incomprehension and disbelief of others have made me even more uncertain about what really happened that night. Even if the detective doesn't believe me, I know that something supernatural crossed my path last night, and the fear persists, even if no one else understands.
The word "vampire" echoes in my mind, despite the detective's disbelief and the feeling that no one understands the real danger I faced.
Walking through the parking lot, I try to dispel the shadows forming in my mind, but the feeling persists. When I feel a light touch on my shoulder, my body stiffens instantly, and I turn quickly with my eyes filled with terror.
Before me is Lucius. He notices my reaction and immediately raises his hands in a gesture of peace.
"Sorry if I scared you, Ava. It wasn't my intention."
I realize that after what happened yesterday, I feel more alert than ever because I don't want to experience that kind of fear and despair again. I sigh when I see Lucius in front of me because he makes me feel calmer at this moment. Furthermore, I take a deep breath, trying to regain composure.
'I'm glad to see you now.", I say sincerely, feeling better because he is here with me now.