Terrant remained stiff, waiting for the guard sniffing him to finish. Previously, he’d managed to slip by unnoticed with the help of humans, but this time he was alone. He was ready for the vampire guard to give him up. Yet, the guard only glanced at him then ushered him along. He nodded at the guard as a thank you before walking away. His thirst for blood was at an all-time high. It only made matters worse that he still had a few streets to go until he’d find what he needed. He squinted his eyes as he veered away from the bright lights of the strip. Terrant surveyed the humans cheering and drinking, wondering what brought them to this part of the city. There were well-lit pubs and inns aplenty on the other side, as opposed to the darker ones in the Vampire district. He could only surmise that the chance of drinking amongst vampires enticed them.

He didn’t stop until he reached the first establishment he knew that sold what he needed. Terrant stared at the small alcove cut into the wall above the sign for the building. A torch was hidden within the alcove, invisible to the human eye but visible to him. He knew it was the universal sign to let vampires know they were welcome. Still, he knew what humans were like all too well, and as he proceeded inside, he did so with caution. He kept his head down and made sure he wasn’t drawing attention.

When he reached the bar, Terrant pointed to what he wanted. In his mind, he shouldn’t need to watch what he was doing. This was their part of the city, and yet he knew humans were around, and at any time they could create a disturbance. With his thirst for blood, he was weak, and if anyone tried to fight him, he wasn’t sure who would come out the victor. Terrant took the bottle and a glass from the bartender and then paid him. He shuffled to a table away from the crowd and finally rested.

He poured the blood into the glass, hoping anyone who saw it would think it was wine. His glugs of the drink were slow. When the first few drops of blood touched his lips, a powerful feeling of ecstasy shot through his body. He felt the warm liquid snake down his throat and thought he was a new man. All it took were a few drops of blood to ease the addiction he wished would go away. As he continued to drink the blood, he realised he didn’t need the rest but decided it might seem suspicious if he didn’t finish it.

Unfortunately, as much as it satisfied him for now, there was no way it would free him from his cravings. That was the problem with cat’s blood. It was better than rat, but it still left a lot to be desired. The ecstasy he’d originally felt disappeared as quickly as it came. Terrant looked around at the others in the pub. He focused on two human men holding hands. Hiding here in the Vampire district. Finding solace amongst the chastised.

Deep down, there was an emotion he couldn’t make out. It was something he might have felt while he was human, but as a vampire, the connection they shared was a curious thing. It was a higher emotion he, and the rest of his kind, repelled.

And yet, Terrant couldn’t stop himself summoning confused memories about the wife he’d left behind on the day he died and turned into a vampire.

***

Their first port of call was to a larger establishment. As soon as Matthew walked inside, he was hit by the stench of alcohol, and his ears were attacked by men singing. Although, from what he could see, it was a welcoming atmosphere.

"We should get some drinks first," Tom said as he led Matthew to the bar and ordered two beers. "You’re gonna need some liquid encouragement."

"Remember what my mum said?" Matthew asked, sitting next to Tom.

"She told you no women, not me. Besides, what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her, right? "

"I—"

"If you don’t want to do it, I’ll go myself. You can stay here or go to the inn or something. "

The beers were put in front of them. Matthew took a sip of it, stopping himself from screwing up his face. When he looked at Tom, he was surprised that half of the tankard was already gone.

"That is the best I’ve had," Tom proclaimed.

"Have you had much before now?"

Tom’s loud proclamation caught the attention of other patrons who swarmed them. Matthew’s hands were shaking. He didn’t know how to fight, at least not properly, and here he was in a large pub where men were coming for him. He supposed it was only a matter of time before Tom attracted trouble.

"Where you boys from then?" a man with a great big bushy beard asked.

"We’re only from the next town," Tom said.

"Really? That’s a bit from here. Any news from beyond the walls, son? "

"Nothing of note. I’m Tom, by the way, and this is Matthew. It’s his first time in the city."

"Your first time, eh? Well, we have a tradition here for first-timers. "

Matthew gripped the tankard. He could probably use it as a weapon, but from the looks of the men, it wouldn’t hurt them much. Still, he’d need to do something if they were going to put him through a tradition.

"Barkeep, a pint of beer for the lads," the bushy-bearded man announced.

Matthew released his grip on his tankard, feeling stupid. He couldn’t believe he’d nearly started a fight-a fight he knew he wouldn’t have won because he prejudged these men. They didn’t seem to be evil at all. In the next few minutes, most of the men dispersed, going back to their tables. However, the man with the beard stayed behind, sitting next to Matthew and Tom.

"What’s the vampire situation like out there?" the man asked.

"We never really see any," Tom said. "Except for when they travel through on the caravans."

The man spat on the ground. "Guarding makes them look as though they have a purpose. I wouldn’t pay one to-"

"Settle down, old man," a voice called.

Matthew turned to face a group of men in their early twenties watching them and enjoying dismissing the old man’s grumbles.

"Lads, when you get through those gates and see the entertainment they provide, and for cheap, you’ll forgive them," one of the young guys said, as if speaking from experience.

"We aren’t actually going through," Matthew said, but stopped himself from finishing. He didn’t want anyone to know he wasn’t going through because of a promise to his mother.

"You came to the city and you’re not visiting the vampire district? Your loss. "

A new song started up and was enough to tear the group away. However, the old man wasn’t as easily distracted.

"A spider welcomes a fly into its web, and when it gets it there, it isn’t to show it a good time. You’ll be doing right to stay on this side of the gates, make no mistake. "

Matthew was nudged by Tom, who gestured him toward the exit.

“Too many people going missing. Phillip… he was a bit of a wrong ‘un but didn’t deserve whatever fate befell him.”

Tom rolled his eyes and got up from his chair. Matthew gave a faint, polite wave goodbye to the old man as he joined Tom.

“...And the children!”

Tom had now introduced energetic head shaking to his eye roll. Even Matthew didn’t care about being courteous anymore, he just wanted to escape whatever nonsense was about to follow.

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"There’s always one crazy," Tom said as they left the establishment. "Okay, we’ll try one more, then introduce ourselves to the ladies."

Matthew was led around by Tom as they looked for another pub. They finally rested on one that was next door to a brothel, and Matthew was sure Tom chose it so it would be easier for them to find. Matthew looked down at the ground as he passed a woman wearing very little outside the brothel.

"Coming in?" the woman asked.

"Shortly," Tom said.

Matthew glanced at Tom as he winked at the woman. He quickly looked at her and she blew them a kiss. Matthew blushed. He hurried into the next pub and noted it was similar to the last one. It was busy and people were singing along to the music... but they weren’t the same as at the last pub. At a certain point in the chorus, Matthew recognised the lyrics as slurs. He felt a strong urge to get out of the pub as the patrons were singing anti-vampire songs.

Unfortunately, he’d be staying there as Tom headed to the bar, trying to mumble his way through the song and guessing what came next.

"What can I get ya?" the proprietor of the pub asked.

"I’ll have a beer," Tom said. "And he’ll have something girly."

Matthew stared at Tom. Before they set off on their adventure to the city, he’d seen his friend one way, but the past day was different. This was a different Tom. One who was trying too hard to fit in. Matthew didn’t care what drink he got, just as long as it wasn’t beer.

As Matthew listened to the songs, he wondered why the man with the bushy beard didn’t drink here. It seemed like a place that would resonate more with his hateful rhetoric. He noticed men were milling in and out continuously. He guessed they were visiting the brothel next door given that the men coming in were happier than the men going out.

One man was pushed back in.

Matthew stared at the door with confusion and fear.

Four guardsmen entered the pub and the singing stopped as if it had never happened.

"I thought I recognised that last one," the guard said. "I must have been mistaken though. We’d have to shut the place down. "

"It has such a catchy tune," the proprietor said. "We changed the words so we could still enjoy it."

"That better be the case, plenty of space in the jails for everyone in here." He paused for a moment. "And anyone committing a hate crime is to be locked in the unsegregated cells. A real treat for some of you here that are better known amongst the vampire community. "

A brief silence filled the pub before someone started singing an old folk song about a famous battle.

Matthew watched the guards nod at the proprietor as they left.

"I’ll be back in a minute," Matthew said.

"Where’re you going?" Tom asked.

"I need air."

"I don't blame you. It's warm enough to burst a vampire's nut-sack in here."

Matthew hurried out of the pub and leaned against one of the walls. He heard the previous anti-vampire song start up again and thought the guards were going to go back in. But, Matthew realised that these men weren’t vampires. They were only human guards who’d said their piece, so there was evidence of them doing so. The guards laughed at the music, and he swore even one of them whistled along with it.

"Guess it's as good a time as any to go," Tom said as he left the pub. "Can’t leave the good lady waiting."

"Good luck with that," Matthew said, pointing to the brothel. "She’s gone." Matthew surveyed the building, having seen the guardsmen, the woman had decided to make herself scarce. Even he had to admit it looked better with the woman outside of it earlier. Now, it was just like any old building with cracks and an unappealing exterior. He had committed to not going inside, and he was sticking to it. He turned to Tom, sensing he was feeling the same. "What are you waiting for?"

"I’m thinking," Tom replied. "I need to know what I’m going to get."

Matthew didn’t think Tom would do it. He sensed the overconfidence disappearing to reveal the truth below. Much like Matthew, Tom was only a boy who lacked experience in such things. Matthew noticed Tom gave him a nod, almost as if he was going to fight some far off battle and wouldn't be returning. He watched his friend knock on the brothel’s door and disappear inside as the Madame let him in.

Matthew strolled around the area to take in the sights. He stopped near a group of men outside of the pub. Listening in, he picked out certain words they were uttering to one another. He knew by their tone that their conversation was an angry one. Picking out words such as parasites, corpses, and leeches, he knew who they were talking about. It made him sick to his stomach to hear people talk like that. Who were they to judge those who were different from them?

He kept walking and nearly bumped into several men. He watched them funnel through the night gates and couldn’t help worrying about what they were going to do. He knew alcohol, male bravado, and blind hatred were a dangerous combination and didn’t want to be around when it erupted.

***

It couldn’t have been ten minutes since Tom went into the brothel, yet as Matthew looked over at the building, he spotted his friend swaggering out of it.

"Enjoy yourself?" Matthew asked, making his way to Tom.

"Obviously," Tom said. "I had five of them."

"That would have been one thrust each then?" Matthew sniggered as Tom refused to answer. "What’d we do now?"

"I think you know."

A chill snaked up Matthew’s back and forced the hair on his neck to stand up. "No! We promised we wouldn’t. Besides, it looks like a fight’s going to break out. "

"One drink, Matt. Just one drink. All the pubs closest to the gates are mainly human anyway. I thought you wanted to see the other side. "

Matthew knew Tom was right. He was dying to see the vampire side of the city. It might have been a once in a lifetime opportunity. He'd already made the fateful mistake of giving Tom a taste of what he wanted.

"We can’t come all this way and not go in," Tom said. "This might be your only chance."

"Fine," Matthew said. "Just the one, then we leave."

Matthew was led to the back of the crowd filtering through the nearest entrance. A great unease rushed over Matthew. Everything he’d seen in the last bar hinted that trouble was more than just a risk but a real possibility.

He took solace in the fact that he could see other boys, some younger than he was, being escorted through the gates with what he thought must have been their fathers. They too had the same look of unease that Matthew felt. The adults however, were cold and indifferent, visibly annoyed at the massive queues that had formed.

A thousand thoughts and worries swirled in his mind, but something broke his line of thought.

"Why are you humming that tune?" Matthew asked, noticing Tom was humming the song from before.

"It was catchier than the first one."

"It’s also meant to antagonise vampires."

"Good point. Good thing you’re here. "

It was at that moment that Matthew realised being friends with Tom was going to get him injured... or worse.

***

As he approached the other side of the Night Gates, Matthew was astounded by the abundance of security. Two guards were on each side observing the crowd, while another five were spread across the gateway to create three lanes. On the other side, two more guards were patting down every single person venturing through. Matthew wasn’t sure if his eyes were deceiving him, but it seemed like the guards were also sniffing each person too. His attention was broken again as Tom’s head began moving to a familiar beat.

"Don’t even think it," Matthew warned.

"I can’t help it," Tom said. "It’s catchy. Once we’re done here, we need to go back so I can learn the proper words. "

Matthew may have hated the reason, but he was glad to know he had a way to get Tom back through the gates after their one drink. It was his turn to be searched, and Matthew tried to be on his best behaviour. He raised his arms in a T-pose as the guard carefully checked from his ankles up to his neck-line. His earlier suspicions were confirmed as the guard sniffed him.

"On your way," the guard said.

Matthew guessed he passed whatever test the guard was performing. He realised Tom wasn’t through yet and saw him getting his test.

"Sex, stale blood," the other guard said.

"That’ll be from this morning when my nose was bleeding," Tom said.

"And a little bit of pee," the other guard continued, ignoring Tom.

Matthew stifled a laugh as Tom’s face ran through a gambit of emotions, finishing in embarrassment.

"No, it’s not what you think," Tom tried to say, but the guard pushed him away. "Well, that was rude."

"Vampire guards?" Matthew asked.

"Makes sense. After all, this is the Vampire District! " Tom dramatically threw his arms out as he raised his voice.

Matthew scoured the vampire district. It was everything he imagined and more. He noticed a brothel not too far away and thought it looked nicer than the other one. Even the Madam who was standing outside was dressed better. He wondered to himself if she was a vampire. It hadn’t ever occurred to him that there could be female vampires. On the other hand it made no sense that there wouldn’t be. As he stood staring at the woman keeping herself in the shadows he saw two guards approach. Expecting the woman to disappear behind the entrance of her establishment, he was instead surprised that the guards changed their trajectory and gave them woman a wide berth. If she wasn’t a vampire, it was clear she was someone not to be messed with.

"Come on," Tom said. "We’ll go there."

Matthew let Tom lead him to an outside pub, which, too Matthew’s relief, was in the opposite direction of the madam in the shadows.. He tried to figure out who was a vampire and who was human, but he couldn’t tell them apart. That was true until two vampires were verbally attacked over and over again and had to leave the area.

"That’s a shame," Matthew said.

"What is?" Tom asked.

"This is the vampire district, and they’re being run out of their own pubs."

"The population is still more human than vampire."

"I want to go someplace else."

Matthew was the one leading this time as he searched for a pub he’d feel safer in. On his way to the next pub, Matthew passed several tattoo parlours. He had to stop Tom from going into them. For every tattoo parlour he wouldn’t let Tom into, Tom upped the number of drinks they needed to have in the vampire district. Matthew finally settled on a pub after Tom asked where the best pub for both vampires and humans was.

As they entered the pub, Matthew noticed several vampires itching their shoulders, or at least that was what he thought they were doing. From the word go he noticed the atmosphere was tense. Vampires and humans were constantly drawing daggers at one another, and Matthew immediately wanted to go. However, Tom wanted to cash in on the drinks Matthew now owed him.