Page 9 of Dear Mr. Vampire

“Right, she did look like Charlize with long hair.”

“This music is different. But I like it. It’s all Coachella slash Lollapalooza.”

“It is.” I agreed.

We stood at the bar for only a few minutes before our drinks were handed over. Morgan was ready with a tip, but the bartender picked up the money and handed back to her. That’s never happened before, but it was a cool thing. I took a sip, and the tequila was strong.

We took our drinks and walked across the crowded room. The club was rustic on the inside. The décor was stone, like real stone, I think. There was an actual castle inside The Castle. At the top of the tower housed the deejay booth, only accessible by a bridge. Whoever designed this place had a really vivid imagination. I could see why there was a line outside. The hospitality was stellar, and the crowd was a good mix of all ethnicities despite the medieval times style.

I glanced up at the top of the tower and there he was, my mysterious neighbor. He was standing there next to the deejay and a woman. He was talking to the lady as the deejay bobbed his head to the music. I couldn’t believe he was here. He didn’t seem like the type that would be in a nightclub. I didn’t know what type he was, but I just didn’t imagine loud music and crowds were something he was into.

“Hey.” I leaned into Morgan’s ear. “That guy up there.”

“Where?”

I inconspicuously pointed my drink in his direction. “At the top of the tower.”

“Where?”

I raised my voice an octave. “At the top of the tower.”

Morgan’s body and face moved in the right direction. “Which one?”

“The guy in all black.”

“He’s fine.”

“That’s my neighbor.”

“What neighbor?”

“Mr. Vampire.”

“Oh shit, he don’t look weird at all.”

Well, he wasn’t weird in this environment. He was dressed hip and cool. His hair was even combed. Nothing like I’d seen him when I got a rare glance at him. He was usually dressed like a homeless serial killer.

It didn’t matter. I was determined to have a good time. I was also keen on staying out of his line of sight. I doubted he wouldrecognize me as his neighbor. He never looked my way. As far as I could tell, I was a ghost to him, even though my melanin was popping.

I was here to drink, dance with strangers, and have a good time. I was going to do just that. I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about the note he taped to his door. He intrigued me, and I wasn’t going to act like he didn’t.

We only had a little over two hours in the club before we had to call it a night. Hurting feet, aching legs and a few drinks too many meant time to head out. The ride home was quiet. We didn’t bother to turn the radio on. We still had the music from the club banging in our ears. I drank more than I should. I wanted to let my hair down in this new town where no one knew my past or me.

I should’ve been fast asleep as soon as I got inside my apartment. But the note was in my head and in my drunken heart. Morgan didn’t even remove her dress when she climbed under the duvet.

Seeing my neighbor at The Castle lit a fire under me. I had to respond to his note. Writing it sober would’ve probably been the best option, but I wasn’t sober, so hopefully the words I put down would make some sense.

I found a pen in my top drawer and I went into my printer to grab a fresh piece of white copy paper. After rewriting the letter three times, I settled with this Shakespearean masterpiece.

Dear Mr. Vampire,

I’m not sure why you need to talk to me. I thought I made myself perfectly clear. I’m human and you’re not, so please state your grievances and place them under the big brown flowerpot near the bushes at the rear of the building whereyou live. I’m only going to collect your note during the sunny light of day. So don’t even think about trying to figure out my identity. I have the light of the sun on my side and I bought some crucifixes too.

Signed, a Bossy Daywalker

It was liquid courage that compelled me. I took the stairs down to the basement. I kept with tradition and was going to slide my note under the door. Instead of moving slowly, I wanted to hurry and get this part over with. I knew my nocturnal neighbor was still at the club, and that gave me more comfort and bravery.

CHAPTER FOUR

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