A Rose by any other name

Nightshift. Graverobbers, stalkers and werewolves right? Not to this girl. She loved the night. While other people worked their 9-5 jobs, Rose preferred to be nocturnal. It wasn't a glamorous job, working in a factory. But she wasn't a glamorous gal either. Her house was her own personal pigsty - a den of old clothes, candles and second-hand books. She lived alone and wouldn't have it any other way.

Images of it played in her mind as she finished up. Rose loved to read. A closet romantic and introvert, her collection mainly consisted of gothic tales and vampire stories. They were always so exotic, so romantic. The big mansions, the dashing bachelors, the vulnerable leading females and a good helping of blood and sensuality. Novels were her guilty-pleasure.

Ten blocks. That was the distance home. She sometimes wished it was longer. What few friends she had insisted she was crazy to walk it at night, especially in her neighbourhood. But Rose never felt so alive as when the cool night air prickled her skin. There was rarely anyone around anyway and it was so much quiet. A different world, a better one.

The dull buzz of an engine approached. Tendrils of light from a cars headlights crept on her. "Just keep walking Rose" she whispered. The car slowed beside her, a window rolling down. "Hey darlin', you're out late aren't ya? How 'bout I give you a lift," the stranger drawled. "I'm fine, thanks..." she barely managed. The car stopped. "It wasn't a question, bitch!" he menaced, jumping out of the car.


A scream. Flowing blood. Then silence.


The distant wail of a siren cut the night. Rose looked up, the headlights of the car highlighting the contrast between her white skin and the red blood winding down her lips. Her fangs were just visible as she licked her mouth. And then she was gone.

All the old books she read, all the movies she watched, amused her. The fantasy of being a vampire came with so much class. With excitement. Her reality was far different though. She was both the hunted and the hunter. This wasn't about romance. This was about survival.