The Stepford Vampires

I dialed James’s number next. Despite the red flags, I guess I just wanted to make my own judgment. It felt like everyone was keeping me in the dark, and I just wanted someone to be honest with me.

I called James from the comfort of my bedroom. “Hey, we need to talk.”

“Yeah?”

“This situation with you and Troy, it just… It doesn’t sit right with me. Troy wasn’t being honest with me, so I’m hoping you will.”

“Hah, of course he wasn’t. Like I told you, it’s a dull tale.”

“Tell me anyway.”

“How about this—I swing by and take you out tonight, and I’ll spill the whole story.”

“You’re not big on planning ahead, are you?”

“That doesn’t sound like a no.”

“Only because I enjoyed our time the other night.”

“It’s a date. Be ready at six.”

“One of these days, I’m going to say no just to wipe that smug smile off your face.”

“You’re all talk, Liz. See you later.”

We ended the call, but I couldn’t deny the thrill. I was thrilled to see him again.

I was thrilled at the thought of laughing and cruising in his car, and maybe he’d tell me that it was all just a misunderstanding and the animosity could be resolved if they just had a conversation. I wanted that to be the truth.

James arrived at my house forty-five minutes late, and my mom was the one to answer the door. I gave her a moment to finish her lecture about punctuality and gentlemanly behavior, knowing he was probably squirming in embarrassment.

When I finally descended the stairs, he looked more thrilled to see me than anyone ever has, and my mom turned her attention to me next.

“Don’t stay out too late or get into any trouble, okay?”

“We won’t, Mom.”

“And you promise you’re not just saying that?”

“I promise. I’ll see you later. Love you.”

“Be safe, baby girl.” My mom hugged me and shot James a warning glance. I couldn’t help but giggle a little, watching him awkwardly shuffle out.

We climbed into his car and hit the road.

“So, did my mom give you a hard time?”

“I am never showing up late again.”

“Good, you shouldn’t keep a girl waiting.”

“Don’t want you to think I’m too eager. You might get a big head.”

“The poor girl who ends up with you…”

“You say that like I’m not taking you out tonight.”

“We’re keeping it casual, remember. No expectations.” I winked.

“Almost got my hopes up. You’ll love the place. It’s a charming little Italian restaurant.”

“You know, if you weren’t such a jerk, girls might be queuing up to be with you.”

“That sounds tiring.”

“You know what’s tiring? Troy. What is so terrible that neither of you want to tell me?”

“It’s mundane.”

“You keep saying that.”

“Well, it’s true. We were friends, he developed a crush on me, I didn’t let him down gently, and then it spiraled.”

“Oh. That’s really it?”

“Like I said, it’s mundane.”

“You’re not doing that thing where you oversimplify to make yourself look better, are you?”

“Not saying it didn’t get ugly, just that it’s uninteresting. Troy’s immature and not really my type.”

“Oh no, you’re into tall guys with dark eyes.”

“If he can’t reach my top shelves, he isn’t the one.”

It felt like a weight lifted. Maybe there was more to it, but I could handle a friendship that got ruined because someone had feelings and someone else was harsh. I had no right to judge that.

But it was more complex.

We arrived at the restaurant, and James flashed a smile. He took my hand and guided me toward the entrance. We were still in the parking lot when I heard a familiar voice.

“You have terrible taste, James,” Troy said.

“Troy, what are you doing here?” James asked.

“I guess I couldn’t just leave well enough alone.”

“This is starting to get creepy, Troy. I’m asking nicely. Please, go home, and don’t follow us again,” I said.

“Gladly. Just, I have something for you, Liz. You should come get it.”

James held my hand, but I gave it a squeeze and approached Troy. I didn’t really understand what this was about, but then headlights flared behind us, and a truck came barreling at James and hit him full force.

He flew over the roof and landed with a sickening thud.

I screamed, but then Troy grabbed me, and I wanted to fight. I wanted to call for help, but Troy’s grip was firm, and he didn’t let go, and I was terrified.

James didn’t move.

He had to be dead. There was blood smeared all over his face. His arm was twisted at an unnatural angle.

But then bones snapped back into place, and James rose, and his eyes were blood red, and he growled.

He shouldn’t have been able to stand. He should have been fighting for his life, but there he was, on his feet.

Troy released me, and his smile faded.

“That’s the real reason I couldn’t tell you. You wouldn’t have believed me. You’d think I was insane. What he is… What he turned me into… We’re monsters, Liz.”

“What the fuck?”

“I’ll fucking kill you!” James roared, and then he was on Troy.

Troy shoved him off and slammed James’s head into a window.

“How’s Mary-Anne? She’s quick, but I’ll tell you, those freak accidents are hard to dodge, even for people like us.”

“Troy, you spineless jerk! Always hiding behind others to do your dirty work!” James spat out.

“James, you’re not a man. You’re a beast,” Troy retorted.

Suddenly, James landed a punch, and the sickening sound of a rib cracking echoed in the night. Troy let out a curse, and then James was on top of him, gripping the back of his head and slamming his face into the cold pavement. Troy let out a cry, then went eerily still.

Suddenly, the truck was back, its headlights blinding us. James was momentarily distracted, and Troy used the opportunity to break free from his grip.

The truck door slammed shut, and then it was speeding away. I turned to look at James, his face twisted in rage.

“That coward! I’ll make him pay!” he growled.

“James, you’re scaring me…” I whispered.

“Damn it! Damn it all to hell!” he roared, his voice echoing in the empty street.

“James!” I yelled, trying to snap him out of his rage.

He seemed to come back to himself, his breathing slowing down. He wiped his face and tried to regain his composure.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered.

He looked like he was trying to calm himself down, his lips moving as if counting silently.

“James, what’s happening? How are you even standing right now? I don’t understand. Please, help me understand.”

“There are things I haven’t told you, Liz. Things that are hard for normal people to comprehend.”

“What are you?”

“I’m… I’m a vampire, Liz.”

“James…”

“I didn’t want you to find out like this…”

“Did you turn Troy into a vampire?”

“He wanted it. Or at least, he thought he did.”

“Oh my God.”

“Liz…”

“I need to leave.”

“Liz!”

“Just… don’t. If you care about me at all, James, please… I’m leaving. Don’t follow me.”

I ran off, my mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear. I didn’t know what would happen next, or what any of this meant. All I knew was that I had enough of my own demons to deal with, without having to worry about the ones that apparently lived in the people around me.