“You?” I questioned. “I don’t suppose vampires jog to keep fit?”
He chuckled. “No, I was heading into town and decided to take a path through the forest. It would only take a few minutes to run back and forth instead of driving."
“You know, I’ve always wondered about that,” I told him. “I know it’s to blend in with humans, but I can’t imagine it's fun to drive for even an hour when you can run and get to your destination in minutes."
"You get used to it," he replied, and I realized we were walking together.
“I didn’t properly introduce myself before," he said holding his hand out. "I'm Isaac."
I shook his hand and was stunned by how cold it was. I tried not to react, but he must have noticed because he stared at my hand and then pulled away.
“Sorry, you’ve never felt how cold vampires are, have you?”
I shook my head. "I haven't, and no need to be sorry. Vampires run cold, wolves are hot, and some faes have an earthy sweet smell. Everyone has their thing, and my name is Marian.”
“Indeed. Lovely to meet you, Marian,” he smiled. “I’m actually glad I ran into you. I got what I needed in the neighboring town, Nor Valley, so thanks.” He then leaned over. “No one was left kicking and screaming in the process.”
I pulled a face, recalling our previous meeting with embarrassment. “Funny,” I laughed awkwardly. “Very funny.”
He shrugged while laughing softly. “I think so.”
I looked up at him, and he peeked at me from the corner of his eyes. How crazy was this, I asked myself. I was casually walking through the forest with a vampire. We continued walking together, and I learned that he was originally from a small town in Bath, England, and he moved to America some time ago. He only replied with a ‘far too long’ when I asked how long ago. Werewolves aged slowly, but vampires didn't age at all.
I was probably walking with a man that was centuries old.
Eventually, we stopped and sat down where a small hill led off the trail and into the forest. It was strange how you'd meet someone at times, and it would feel as if you'd known them for longer.
Vampire or not, Isaac was a nice guy from what I knew so far. I wasn't attracted to him romantically, for his energy and likeness were brotherly.
“So you’re not just passing through Wolfcreek then?" I probed, and he shook his head.
“No, I’ll be here for a while if the town is accommodating enough. But it has been so far thanks to you,” he bumped my arm with his elbow, and I waved my hand dismissively.
“Oh stop, it was nothing.”
He nodded. "I've only been here a few days, and there have been the expected stares, but I like it here,” he leaned forward slightly. “It’s quiet.”
“That’s Wolfcreek," I replied. "Quiet and close-knitted. People here are earnest about the peace, so don't take it personally that they've been hesitant to welcome you. Everyone is probably trying to figure out who you are and if you’re staying.”
"They would know if they spoke to me," he added with a laugh, and I nodded.
"Exactly, but this town isn’t a cult community that doesn’t welcome outsiders. We’re just cautious because we’ve been able to keep this town a little gem for years.” I leaned forward and crossed my arms on my knees. “We want to keep it that way.’
"No, I get it," he said. “I lived in a town like this when I was a child.”
I turned my head to look at him, my cheek resting on my arm. "This might sound strange, but I can't picture you as a child. I just can't."
He started laughing. “I’ve actually heard that before. I think all vampires might have at least once. Many even completely forget their childhood.” His eyes narrowed. "Vampires remain the same physically, and eventually, it's all we know. It's all we've ever been."
I frowned. “That sounds terribly sad.”
He looked at me. “It is, Marian. It is.”
We sat in silence then, and although it was a comfortable silence with the waking forest around us, I could sense the sadness in Isaac. What was it like to live for hundreds of years without aging, fighting to stay in control to not be a ravenous beast?
That sounded like eternal torture to me.
“Marian,” Isaac said after some time. “Would you like to have dinner with me?”