The vampire

It is a Friday evening. As usual the girl had been at the hospital. In the past eighteen months every part of her had been scrutinised and found wanting. She was too clumsy. She did not speak properly. She was not outgoing enough. She was not clever enough. And of course there was something broken inside her.

She is twelve years old in her school uniform. Even by the standards of her age and time she is not very worldly. And of course even for her age she does not take up much space in the world.

She recalled a butterfly had landed on her arm one afternoon. It found out her secret and whispered its revelations in others ears. But she had not been trusted with these secrets. She had to figure it out. Soon a whole rabble of butterflies would be descending to study her and deconstruct her.

She will be put under their microscopes. They will tell her how they will improve her. She will sit in many different rooms while they talk at her.

There was a flutter in the air. She looked behind. There was the boy. He showed his sharp teeth. Discoloured fangs. His face contorted with malice. It was almost as if he

She knows immediately what type of a creature he is. Knows she must watch her step. She knows that much. That knowledge she was born with, like all girls

He follows her, tries to make some excuse to talk to her. She

She tries to walk faster. Holds her bag knowing she may need to use it as a weapon.She sees the cruelly with which he looks at her.

' You know I am a vampire right'almost like a boast or a demand for attention.

He tries to grab her. Tries to pull her toward those fangs. Seems to think she should bend herself to him and be grateful That somehow he is showing her the way things are.

She will not be his victim. She has had enough taken from her the last few months. He will not take more.

She yells and struggles and runs. She will not tell of this for years. Like all girls she has been taught not to speak of such things- who wants to believe they happen?

She could have told him older and more skilled vampires than him have their claim on her. Ones who she cannot run away from.