I sat solemnly at the back of the cell, just looking at the opened corpse. Hours have passed since I came to my senses and now a shaft of morning light shone down into the cell. Prickling my skin. The shock had worn off, the intense grief, but I was still ashamed of myself- it wasn't me, I told myself. Seeing the ravaged body before me made me feel the opposite was true. It was the monster inside, it's like Chlorus said about the fungus. It was manipulating me... But I did like the taste, the feeling, it was the most frustrating thing. On one hand, the idea of biting bodies was the grossest thing I could imagine. On the other hand, it WOULD circumvent one very obvious problem... My brow was furled deep in contemplation. What should I do now? My plan before was survive until I got to the next town... Now... Would I be welcomed? Of course not, what I am now is obvious.

Then suddenly- it hit me. A realization. I WAS a vampire now. Honestly, I feel kind of stupid for not realizing it sooner. I was human for 23 years of life, old habits die hard. Not knowing my true strength, I rip the shackle off my ankle awkwardly. *Clink* "Gods, I'm such an idiot. Just how strong am I?" Then I walk up to the gate and give it a firm kick, surprisingly it flies off the hinges into the adjacent wall. I wondered what the limits were of my newfound strength, my new abilities. If I had to change my lifestyle so much maybe it'd be worth it if it came with some perks. Plenty of time to think about that after I regroup with the others... I start to run down the hall, but I stumble multiple times tripping over myself as I do. It was impossible to get a rhythm set in my stride, my legs just moved too fast. I forced myself to slow down until I find a manageable tempo.

The maze of halls seemed never ending. To think this labyrinth laid just beneath the cemetery. I came across the same location multiple times. "I swear I've seen that urn before..." Worst yet, I was getting thirsty. After an hour or two of running I started to feel that hollowed pit in my stomach grow, my throat drying. My mind, my attitude changed with it. I was hangry, cursing myself out loud. Running in circles did nothing to ease my frustration. At night fall I would start digging through the ceiling. I swear I will gods, I'll bring this entire tomb down on top of me if I don't get out of here soon. The exit better be on this next turn.

But alas, my angry prayers were unanswered. Another hour passed, no exit, no sight of my father and my new companions. Just the identical tunnels flashing through my memory, the mental map in my mind. Searching for the paths I haven't taken yet as I walked the halls. My throat ached, my eyes started to feel hot and puffy. I did hear something, finally. A scuffing of stone, the sounds of walking. Could it be? I walked towards it, clutching my stomach. A slight smell, just the whiff of blood was enough to get my mouth drooling. Gods, I'm an animal now. Was it because I healed from the sunburn? Would I get hungry this regularly? It would be annoying if I did, I'd have to be a soldier or something to have enough access to fresh bodies for that. Fresh bodies- ugh.

I followed the sound and smell, eventually I turned the corner already knowing who I would see. It was Ribs dragging a corpse, with Phil sitting on its stomach. " 'his is killer on meh back, why don' you grab the feet Phil? Make this a bit easier on me." Ribs would often struggled with the enunciation of the 'T' in words. I didn't know what to say as I starred at the body. Hand it over? My options were very clear. Either chew corpses, or hunt innocent people against my will. I cringe, but I step forward. Ribs hears me and sets the body down, turning towards me with a surprised look. "Oh, so you realized it then! I wagered you'd figure it out eventually." he said, rubbing the back of his skull. "Not the sharpest tool in the shed, are'ya? Your vampire strength makes you easily ten times stronger at least.", I look past him to the body.

I just lazily walk past him, scooping up Phil off the corpses belly- who doesn't protest. It was still cute, which was a comforting thought. I pet it's little head. "Traitor! Phil! You said you only like my head pats!" the skeleton mock shouted. I set Phil to the side. Okay- I tell myself. Better to nut up now and not be forced to do this later anyways. Since the heart wasn't beating anymore, would I have to hang it upside down or something? Fucking hell. The corpse was another man, but not bloated from drowning. He was dressed as one of the town peacekeepers, his chest seemed to be caved in like he was hit with a large hammer. As I kneel over the corpse in contemplation, I hear a voice from right next to my ear. "Do it. Bite it." Ribs says. I lift a hand up backhanding him in the face, causing him to jump back holding his face. "See if I give you anymore advise!" he says.

I give a exasperated sigh. "Just anywhere is fine?" I ask him. "No ya' idjit think for just a second! You bite the wrist to be a gentlemen, but the neck is fastest." Ribs puts his hands on his waist with his ribs puffed out proudly. "Look at me, teaching my first child how to eat." wiping a mock tear from his non-existent eye. So jarringly simple... It does sound simple, doesn't it? It really isn't. I ran my tongue over my teeth, I had fewer but larger sharp teeth lining my mouth now. With two accentuated canines. Better get it over with- I drag the corpse up to the wall and into a sitting position. "Sorry- I don't know if it helps, but it's for a good cause'." I say, before leaning biting his neck. Ribs was right, it was over rather quickly. Even as awkward as the process was, it didn't stretch on. The moment my saliva came into contact with the bite it hemorrhaged. A cold yet spicy fluid filled my mouth so fast it almost shocked me, I just let my newfound instincts take hold and tried not to think about it. It was like whatever that feral part of myself from last night woke up for a moment and I felt myself fighting for control. I let it win in this case.

I leaned back wiping my face with a sleeve. The hunger was abated, I felt more myself. "Not so bad, is it?" I give him a 'never' look. "You'll get used to it." Ribs says. As I looked over the skeleton, I thought for a moment. He was quicker and stronger than a normal human, though judging by how he drug corpses it wasn't by many multitudes like me. I would take this opportunity for revenge, but now it seemed pointless, what's done is done... If he has a knack for finding bodies like this, he could be useful to keep around. He probably noticed the way I was looking at him because he cocked his head to the side. "Interested? -I'm flattered but I'm already in a relationship... With God." he puts a hand on his chest like some noblewoman at a ball. His accent struggled pretty badly with the word 'relationship'.

"I need to get back to my group, I have to let them know to not go looking for me. To run as far as they can...", I said as I pilfered the corpses belongings. The peacekeeper just had a dagger and small coin purse, I swiped the coins. "Oh, don't worry. They gave up searching and left just awhile ago. Saw them on my way in." he said. Well, that simplified things, but could I trust him? Maybe he killed them for all I know... "I need to see them." I said. He shrugged and waved for me to follow. "I thought you might. You're a loyal little shit." he said scoffing after. "Let's get to it then.".

He picked up Phil so we could move a bit quicker. He agreed to lead me to the exit our campsite sat next to. Once we arrived at my original campsite, I could see that everything was picked up. "If they're outside, how can I see them?" I asked. Ribs just stood contemplating for a moment, bony finger on his chin. I'm not quite sure how he does it, maybe the way his purple orbs flair a certain way... But a feigned look of epiphany went over his skull-face and he said; "A coffin! Good way as any for a vampire to get some daylight travelin'.". I just look at him in disbelief. "A coffin will block the sunlight, won't the sun get through the wood?" I asked. "Not my coffin, my coffin is real fancy." I just nod cautiously and he quickly spins on his heel then said; "Then follow me!" pointing and setting off into a march.

I felt like he was doing everything he could to cajole me, but at this point what could I do? He seemed more knowledgeable about these things, and at any point I could probably just overpower him. If things didn't go my way. We weaved through the maze of tombs again, some halls opened up into rooms that were supported by various engraved pillars. This place was massive. After awhile, we finally entered a room that opened very wide, the chamber was easily building sized. With archways supporting the roof above. In the center of the room was a dias, with a shiny black coffin in the center. It had ornate gold handles with purple tassels that hung off the corners and painted swirls lined the edges. It did look fancy. "Home sweet home!" Ribs said. He jumped onto the platform and opened it. Inside it was even more luxurious. The leather interior was purple and knitted in a pattern like a fancy couch. There is a polished walnut trim in the corners. A semi-transparent fabric hang from the edges towards the interior. "This is your coffin?" I asked, his cockney accent had reminded me of the poor sailors you would find delivering bulk shipments to the traders from time to time. So it was a bit confusing to see a cockney speaking Skeleton come from wealth. "Yep, but I won't mind letting you borrow it- even though you smell like shit. I only need to sleep every now and then." Ribs waves a hand in front of his face beating away an imaginary smell. Or maybe I did smell but I didn't notice. I have been threw the ringer the past few days. But I haven't sweat or anything since I changed. I haven't so much as farted.

I noticed the purple swirls that lined the edges would often transition into runes at points. I'm no enchanter but I could tell it was magical. So this is how he gets energized? Makes sense I suppose, a bed of all things. "So I just sit in here, and you what? Carry me?" I ask. "Yep.", "Doesn't seem very easy to carry..." I said. "There's some straps on the bottom, it's like a BIG backpack, don't worry I can hack it. You're not a big guy after all." Ribs said as he slapped the side of the coffin. "Okay, so you carry me in this towards my group until night fall so I can make sure you didn't kill them and stuff their bodies into some of these tombs?", I ask for clarification. "Sounds like a plan." Ribs says. "We go find papa, then we can do my thing." honestly, Ribs' dead pan humor was a good coping mechanism for all the crazy things happening. Levity in spite of everything, it was infectious as it was annoying.

I crawled into it, and it was comfortable enough. Ribs tosses me a tiny book he apparated out of thin air. "What's this?" I ask. "Just some reading material- you'll be in there for a bit." he said. It was a little black hardcover book with no markings on it. He then lowered the lid, it almost felt like it suctioned to the coffin and I heard a few latches snap closed. I didn't notice it while it was open, but the violet painting similar to the exterior glowed ever so slightly. Together with my dark vision, it was easy to see. I did immediately feel a bit trapped, I turned left, coffin. Right? More coffin. whatever this feeling was- it wasn't good. But almost as if on cue I heard Ribs muffled voice through the coffin; "Now you might feel a bit cooped up, but just remember it's only temporary. Alright pookie? Let's go.". After awhile I felt the coffin be lifted to the standing position, then I was being jostled left and right ever so slightly as Ribs walked. I imagined how silly it looked, being carried in a fancy box by a shambling skeleton. Just a few days ago I was content -working at a forge, making good money. A boring, but contented life. Now I was a monster, being carried by another monster, to tell my father to not go looking for me. Fate is a cruel bitch.

Roughly an hour passed within the dark coffin, I did settle in a bit and get used to the cramped space eventually. Ribs would not shut up, he commented on everything he saw. "See that squirrel!? It was white! Ever see a white squirrel before- oh. That's right.". We made it far out into the forest. I decided to flip through the little black book, if for no other reason but to distract myself from Ribs' constant rambling. Immediately I realized what it was. It was a diary, or something like one. A person had written down various experiences in their life. Whoever they were, they likely were a vampire because the first entry was decades from the last. I decided to read the first entry.

"Amaraya gave me this silly journal, he said it would be helpful to write down my thoughts. So long as I don't write anything too incriminating and keep it hidden. Does that count as incriminating? I suppose it does. What's the point of having somewhere to write down your thoughts if you still have to keep your secrets guarded? My family have no interest in my thoughts, there's no need to worry. So how does it work? What do I write about? Do I tell you about how my brother found the cat that visits my balcony? Or of when I tried to run away... Only to be caught out during the day, hugging a tree close as I burned like a fool? Do I tell you how the people I relate most with fear me? Perhaps this is what Amaraya meant. I'll tell you about what happened recently. I was going to eat- a loathsome experience as usual- but some of my siblings were waiting for me in my foyer. A sort of living room that led to rooms like my bedroom, or personal library. It was my space. Besides the servants who frequented it. My siblings know how I am, that I collect blood from my staff in small amounts. They didn't want it to seem like we had a sympathizer in the family, as it wasn't typical of vampires. Treating humans kindly led to things they wanted to avoid. So they gathered my entire staff into my foyer. They laughed as I pleaded for them to stop, my brothers held my arms. Oh how they laughed. As it was little more than a childish prank to them. My parents did as they always did and turned a blind eye to it... They chose one of my closest maids and drained her right in front of me. In front of my servants, who cried and pleaded. I would not weep in front of them, I knew it would only embolden them. Did they think acts like this will make me cold towards humans? Quite the opposite, it made me realize I was on the wrong side of things. This unnatural life. Mariva, please, save her. She didn't deserve to die, she was kind, she was good... Her eyes, they were horrible. I will never forget the way she looked at me. As if she forgave me, and for what? I did nothing, I could only watch. Watch as they took their turns drinking her and commenting on the fragrance like a fine wine. I prey, Mariva burn them all forever. Let them want for nothing but that which harms them."

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Well, that's definitely not some light reading. It stretched on for while longer, so I skimmed. She went on to talk about some man named 'Amaraya' who made it all much more tolerable. Which is a relief, I empathized with her and I was glad she had some kind of role model, I don't very much like the condition I find myself either. It's good to know there are vampires that look out for humans. The coffin suddenly jerks to the side and my elbows hit the walls for support. "Hey be careful!" I shout, I didn't know how easy it would be to put a hand through this, as well made as it was. "Sorry! Big rock!" Ribs said. Some of her entries stretch on much longer too. What kind of madwoman would have over 5,000 words per entry? Not that I counted them... But I shuddered at the thought, she clearly had some demons to contend with.

I flipped through the book until I saw a few words I resonated with- I landed somewhere in the middle of the journal:

"Vendrick failed me again this morning. He moved too slowly in the daylight hours so we missed our mark. Even though he was wearing day-armor he constantly took shade-breaks. Says it was painful, of course it's painful -the dullard. Day-armor makes you survive sunlight, not thrive in it. We'd get no where sneaking around at night, it's so much easier to get things done during the day. It's one of our few advantages, that other vampires hardly bother with it outside of extreme necessity. For us, it meant fewer witnesses- fewer possibilities for something to go wrong. It's hard to find good help, I suppose. And he means well, he has very little reason to brave the sun and yet he did. For them. For the cause. I just wish he'd toughen up sometimes, I've burned up in the sun before and you don't see me hiding from it. We'll just have to wait until tomorrow, then we'll meet with the proletariat agent. Confer and deliberate the next plan. Amaraya also contacted me today, said he had a new summoning technique to show me. Claimed that I could imbue my familiars with my vampiric essence, granting them power beyond their means. At first Armaraya seemed like a friend I made at random, but each day it seems increasingly forced. Our relationship. He knows so much, knows what I'm going to propose before I propose it. I never stated my goals explicitly and yet every piece of knowledge he brings to my attention furthers my cause. I can't help but feel that I'm just one small piece in his plots. Note- apologize to Vendrick tomorrow."

Sun armor? So that's how vampires can get around the daylight as an obstacle. Chlorus did say that they had their ways. "So what did you do for a living before vampirism?" I heard Ribs say, one of the many questions he poised but I chose to answer this one. Setting the booklet into a pocket of my baggy pants. "Blacksmith." I said. He just laughed, "Looks like I chose poorly! I had hoped to nab a warrior! That look in your eye fooled me, that's for sure." he should've turned Chlorus then. I shuddered at the thought, a man with his skills and the superhuman strength of a vampire. He'd probably retake the city single-handedly. "You did. I'd rather be back in my shop, honing my sword." I said, reminiscing on the blade. I was still proud of it, which was a good sign. It was a frustrating thing often times, I'd spend all this time in the forge creating all sorts of things. Only for them to seem... Not good enough. Sure, they served their function. But my focus inevitably narrowed on the flaws no matter how slight they were as time went on. After a day or two, anything I felt pride over, the emotion would quickly sour into rigid cynicism. But my sword, it was good. It would be hard to do better if I started the entire process over again, so it was a sort of exception to that rule. Not that it was really due to my skill, it was mostly luck. Lots of 'happy' accidents occurred during the making. Accidents I learned from. Accidents that made the sword better unintentionally as in. One of our neighbors, the fletcher, says it's only natural for craftsmen to feel inadequate. To make one product, feel proud about it, then have that feeling invert into something negative that eats at you until you do it all over again. Just an endless cycle of self improvement. So long as you stuck through it, you realize that it's just a necessary part of the process.

"-So a sword? You're the kind of guy who uses a sword? Rather boring style if you ask me." Ribs said, he had talked a bit before but I was too lost in thought to hear it. "Seem more like the 'run and hide' type to me.", probably arrived at that conclusion due to our first meeting, but anyone with a brain would've reacted as I did... "Not yet, I was going to train with it. I never had the time or money until recently.". Our forge was doing better. Along with my ability to make mundane items quickly, I was starting to have just enough free time to slot in some training. "You should make Phil a helmet, he's an annoying lil' cunt and bound to get himself into trouble.", I actually laugh at that. Imagining the little furball in a helmet. "Maybe." I said. "Shit." Ribs says suddenly. "What?", I begin to ask but the coffin is launched to the side. I bounced inside as the coffin tumbles. "The fu-" the casket is launched again, this time I feel weightless in the air for a few seconds before crashing down. This coffin must've been sturdy, because my vampire strength didn't make a dent in it- come to think of it, that meant I was really trapped. Ribs would have to let me out.

"Ay fuck' off, that's mine ya bastard!", I hear Ribs shouting in the distance from where I was thrown. "Hehe, little boneman, leave Gendo or Gendo chew bones." I hear a deep voice say. The little map inside my head told me they were tall like a tree. As the sound came from far above me. A forest troll, most likely. The stories of their cruelty was often a bedtime story to keep kids from wandering too far from the city. Massive, dumb creatures that were very successful hunters but preferred to attack humans because they liked our trinkets and often wore them as jewelry. They'd wear a coffee cup on their neck if it was shiny enough. "Run Ribs! I'll handle this!" I shout out. "Hmm? Box talk? Magic box?" I feel a couple rhythmic thuds on the coffin. "Magic box has prize!" I shouted. The troll gasp with excitement. "Prize? Box is shiny and prize too!?" the coffin lifts, probably carried at his side like a club by the way my head was sliding towards the end. Ribs' voice echoes in the distance; "Tell him how to open it!" But that was the plan. Though, I would likely wait until dark. I was thankful that the troll had no interest in Ribs, as I believed his eyes could be considered shiny. It was a common tactic in the stories for survivors to talk their way out of their demise concerning trolls.

He started walking off with me. "What prize?" the troll says giddily. "Box is magic! Open Box at dark! Get shiny!" I say loudly and clearly as I could. "Hrmm, night? Open?" I may of made the plan too complicated for the troll to follow. The troll went into quiet contemplation as he carried me for awhile, he mumbled occasionally about the shiny bits on the coffin. But after a hour or so I was set down. "Welcome home boxxy, with all of Gendo's shiny little things!" he proclaimed proudly. "Home is nice! Box is happy!" I say in a similar manor as before. I just hear contented chuckles. I didn't know where we were, likely a cave but I didn't want to chance it. I'll just wait until night as is the plan. Gendo left after awhile, another hour or two passes. That trapped feeling was starting to return with a vengeance. But then I heard screams, and shouts. "Please! Gods, help me! Let me go!" I heard slaps and grunts. Gendo seemed to be whistling, whatever butchered version of whistling it was. *Thud* "Ugh." a women's voice said. "Time for dinner boxxy!" then I hear a bone snap and the women cry out in pain. "No! Don't hurt human!" I shout. "But Gendo hungry?" he says in a disappointed voice. "Lady! Is Gendo inside?" I hear pained groans but no answer. Fuck it, maybe the shade of the trees will keep me from burning long enough.

"Gendo! Open boxxy! Prize!" I shout. Gendo lets out an excited gasp but stops himself- "But is light?" he said. "Boxxy happy! Open early! See shiny things here?" I ask as I tap the inside of the box where the latches would be located. "Pull here!" I shout. I feel his bulky thumbs on the latches, he pushed them in all the wrong directions until I heard a *click*. "Gendo so smart! Now Gendo open here!" I shout tapping the next latch. "What the hell..?" I hear a pained voice say. Gendo had the latches figured out it seemed as each one was quicker than the last. I prepared myself, I knew trolls were huge with massive muscles, but they were soft and unarmored creatures. I could just stab him with my hand I guess. I pull my fingers together in a spear, the black nails culminating into a fine point. "Time for prize!" I shout, the final latch clicks and immediately push the lid open. I see the towering troll about three feet wide, various patches of animal hides wrapped its' body as clothing. He was on his knees leaning over the coffin. Without thinking I shove my speared hand forward towards his chest, as a shocked look flashes over the trolls green face.

"AAGHh!" Gendo cries out, clasping my hand as it enters his chest. I tried to push further but his monstrous strength slowed me down. I still inched forward slowly over seconds, but his surprise wore off. Suddenly his eyes pop open and he grasps my arm more firmly and lifted me from the coffin. It seems we were inside a shallow but wide cave luckily. I could see the sunlight just feet away. "Boxxy lie! There is human in Boxxy!" I am thrown into the cave wall -my hand ripping from his chest. Thick purplish blood spilled on the ground. I crashed into the wall of the cave a few feet behind the coffin, clambering to my feet. The impact didn't hurt at all, even though the interior of the cave was jagged. With a few fingers he drug the coffin towards him, before picking it up. "Boxxy is bad!" he threw the coffin at me, it flew so fast it blurred- slamming into my arm and shoulder area, the unforgiving hardness of the coffin mushed my flesh and nearly broke my bones. I cry out in pain; "Fuck! Stupid fucking troll!" I stumbled around the coffin. I was backed into a corner and now wounded. Everything always happened so fast, and with everything that's happened- I learned to improvise quickly. "I'm sorry! Here have shiny!" I said, reaching into my pocket flicking him one of the coins I pilfered from the peacekeepers corpse. The coin glinted in the firelight as Gendo fumbled it into his chest, he looked down at it. His long nose and deep brows furled in confusion.

I leaped- as fast as I possibly could. It didn't matter if I stumbled or not, I just needed speed. I felt myself launch from the wall, my arm speared again aiming for the center of his chest. Gendo likely never encountered a vampire before, gods I hope he isn't as strong as he looks- I prayed. He reaches out in the last second grabbing my shoulders but it was too late. His strength wasn't enough to hold me back as my arm sunk into him to the shoulder. His insides pulsating around my arm. Gross. I feel blood pour over my head from his mouth. *Bleh* "Gendo... Only want.. Prize..." he said as his massive form slumped over me, still on his knees. His eyes glaze over with death and I feel his heart gradually slow to a stop. I pull my arm out and allow him to fall to the ground next to me with a heavy *thud*. Even though he was several times my size, it felt like fighting someone on even terms of strength with me. My other arm was already nearly healed. I hear the crackling of a fire, and I turn towards where I heard the womens voice from earlier. She was cowering in the corner of the cave on the otherside of a crudely made fire, holding her leg. A bone protruded from it and was bleeding rapidly. Her eyes were still wide with fear as she looked at me. "Wha- what are you?" she asked.

"I'm a friend." I said as I walked up, she flinched but I ignored it as I advanced. I just grabbed her leg and forced it into place. The bone sinking back into her leg. "Looks about right... Sorry." I said. She shouted bloody murder and slapped my shoulders and face as I did so. Then she passed out. The blood was intoxicating, I could feel my lips pulling back on my teeth. They seemed to rise from my gums. I worked to wrap her wound as fast as I could, trying to focus on my work and not the smell. The women laid there, blood beginning to stain the wraps. She had black hair, dark skin and green eyes. Her face was angular and pointed, similar to Selendris. She was pretty, to say the least. Likely one of the survivors, as her clothing suggested she was wealthy and had very little reason to be in the forest alone. She wore a red gown, with gold colored embroidery. I take a few deep breaths as I wrap her leg with the fabrics until they didn't stain with blood. I found all kinds of fabrics lying about the cave. The clothes of his previous victims. I even found a replacement shirt for me. As mine was essentially tattered to nothing at this point. I looked out towards the daylight, it seems I'll have to wait a few hours before finding Ribs again. Or should I? I could just keep going. Head to the next town and wait for them there. If I found some tinted glasses and gloves I could pass for human... Probably. In any case, I'll have to wait until sundown. Just then, I hear a squelching sound as the smell of shit fills the cave. Damn it, Gendo.