the living vampire

“Halloween was a couple weeks ago, so you’ve either just left your shift at Hot Topic or you’re really a vampire like I’ve heard. I’m gonna go with the latter here, Michael. Can I call you Michael?”

“Can I do anything to help?” Sympathy painted her features. It couldn’t be easy, living as he did. “I’m not sure there’s much I can do, but I can always confer with my spell books.” 

“A living vampire?” Wanda hadn’t actually met any throughout her days of travel and dream walking. “What an affliction to suffer.”

“You know, it’s not too late to buy yourself a yellow coat or something. Maybe your life isn’t what you would have picked, but your wardrobe can be.”

“I’m sorry,” Jen paused. “Do we know each other?” She was fine with her transformations and pretty much had been since the beginning.

Elsa tapped the red stone twice where it hung on her neck, suspended by the choker. It’s glow never flickered or changed. She shook her head at Michael’s words, a droll smile overtaking her face and matching her tone. “I’d hope you wouldn’t try that nonsense. I don’t want to stake you, mate. It’s a nice evening out.”

Gabby’s bone claws were extended as she glared at the man, turning up her nose at his scent. “You smell like where they keep dead people in a hospital. Also I will tear your shit up if you come any closer.”

When the man stepped forward, Steven noticed the red eyes and immediately took a step back, the entire thing reminiscent of his encounter with Harrow’s jackal. He’d had enough experience with monsters for a lifetime. “What?” He asked, not entirely meaning to do so out loud, but he couldn’t help it. The man was literally sniffing him and Steven should have been running but he mostly wanted to know what the guy smelled that was so puzzling. “Funny story, I don’t really know. I sort of… woke up here. Standing in the street.”

“Sorry, but you look like a straight up ghoul. Literally the definition of spooky. No offense.”

“Daimon Hellstrom, Son of Satan, Lord of Hell. I should really make business cards, don’t you think?” He said his eyes dripping flame for just a moment, purely for dramatics. “So what brings you here? Looking to drain the blood from my supple neck? Or perhaps here to make a deal with the devil?”

“Michael Morbius.” The monster hunter knew the living vampire quite well. She readjusted her grip on her crossbow but didn’t raise it. “Still being a creep, I see.”

“Not much surprises me, unfortunately.” When S.H.I.E.L.D. had stolen her child in order to weaponize her they had conditioned Ava’s mind to become steel. It hadn’t necessarily worked, and low socialization had taken its toll on her psyche. “No, you see, I don’t really have anything to fear. I’m only partially here.” Her form flickered in and out of view.

Steven’s field of view shifted from black to suddenly standing on the sidewalk in the middle of the night. As he tried to process where the hell he was and why he wasn’t wearing a bloody jacket at this time of night, he noticed the man standing nearby and shook his head. Bloody hell, it was like a jumpscare straight out a horror movie. “No, no, no nope. I’m good, sir. I’ll just be getting on my way.” He could have sworn he’d just fallen asleep in his bed, and the reality that he’d lost more time was starting to set in. Marc? He called out in his head, but no luck there. He was alone, and standing near a scary pale man asking him questions at that.

The night was young. Though truthfully, Michael did not need to be roaming around. The bloodlust was largely satisfied for the time being, but hey— the night air was nice sometimes. Much nicer than the bright sun, even though the air was beginning to chill during the day.

“I’m the true and only Mistress of Limbo. I have an army of demons at my disposal. Please, try again.”

“I’m 6′7″ and green. You’re a Hot Topic goth. I think I’m okay here, buddy.”