In a much better Place

In a much better Place 

By: Haripriya 

My hand was gripped tightly on the rails. I could hear a chorus of laughter on one side of this subway. I really wanted to tell them to stop, but I couldn’t. If I did, then everyone would know who I was. I had no interest in making anyone faint today by showing them my fangs. Especially in such a crowded subway. The good thing is that I am moving to a much quieter place. Living in the cities was a big risk for me. I had more chances of showing who I really was. Now there were only a few of us, but we must blend in with humankind. Many of us are extinct, and only 0.05% of vampires live today. I must admit, that too proudly, that I am one of those people.  

Back to the subway scenario. The laughter hadn’t stopped. I could hear many whispers, and every time I heard people murmur, I thought it was about me. It was my consciousness who should take the blame. I could hear babies crying and wailing. That sound was the worst. I got so irritated that I put big, bulky headphones to cover my ears. That ruckus was giving me a severe headache. I tried to brush away all those feelings because soon I was going to be free, I was going to live in a much better place. Finally, my dreams would all come true. 

Right when I thought that the babies had stopped crying, (which they did) a new noise erupted. Now was the perfect time for me to wish that vampires shouldn’t have such amazing hearing. Let me tell you that we have a better hearing than any werewolf or human could ever have. I turned to the right and saw a man leaning next to his bag and started snoring like it was his bed. He had no care about his surroundings whatsoever. Never thought about how others around him would feel. I tried to hold in all my madness and rage inside of me. Didn’t want everyone to notice that I was a vampire, would I? 

“This is our last stop, thank you for...” I heard the announcement from the subway.  

I was more than happy to have reached. Now all I must do is take the bus which takes me to that neighborhood, and I was going to live happily ever after!! My dreams were turning into reality. 

I took all my belongings and slowly stepped outside the subway. I glanced to look at the city map and spotted the bus station where I had to wait. It was about a 15-minute-walk to reach there. I sighed and started walking. After all, the sooner I reach that station, the sooner I get to my new home. 

Before, inside the subway station, I got a nice shade from the sun. Though all the noise was terrible. But now that I am standing outside in the scorching heat, I don’t hear that much chattering but am soaking from sweat. Usually, vampires don’t sweat, but there was that much heat outside that my body couldn’t regulate the temperature. I started walking quickly.  

✵✵✵ 

Finally, after 25 minutes, I reached that station. Luckily, that bus had air conditioning, so I was saved. Right now, I had just come down from the bus stop and just had to walk 5 minutes from here to reach my new neighborhood. I was flabbergasted. I would have my own space, there will be a reduced chance of anyone finding who I really am. Everything was going to be perfect.  

I looked around to spot people, and there were only a limited number of humans. There also weren’t too many automobiles... I mean cars in this area, so that was a positive sign. Plus, the weather here was pleasant. Back in that overpopulated city, everything was too extreme. Too many cars, too many people, too many factories, too hot, too cold, everything was terrible.  

You might be thinking that I could have just used my powers to control the weather, but if I did, these smart meteorologists would think something is wrong. Scientists would come, and then the police might get involved. I couldn’t take any chances to use my powers in the city. It was too dangerous for me, but I may be able to use some of my powers here, but only if I wish to.  

 Now that I had escaped here, I won’t have to face any of those problems ever again! 

✵✵✵ 

That 5-minute-walk felt like I was being blown away by the breeze, so calmly and gently. But I did reach my new community. Unlike the city, I couldn’t even hear a breath. Everything was in pin-drop silence. I even felt like I could hear my thoughts. That was how quiet this place was. I smiled brightly and walked until I reached my house address.  

I took the key and unlocked it into my new palace. Yes, from now onward, I will be calling my home a palace. I opened the door ajar and waited for the squealing noise to stop. The people did say that these homes were 2 centuries old, so this was something that I was expecting. 

Once that sound stopped, I fully opened the door and walked inside. It was like every normal house, a living room, a bathroom, and a bedroom. I wanted a small house and not those creepy big mansions that people always make poor vampires have. Why pay so much? There was only moving in.  

My overall thoughts about this suburban neighborhood were amazing. The best part was that there were no annoying neighbors to welcome you into the new place. Everything here was eerie and quiet. That was the best part of moving into this place. There was no need for me to fear anyone figuring out my secret identity. Every night I could peacefully sleep and be excited for the next morning to come. Back in the city, every day I was anxious about what was going to happen to me. The number of times I had a good night’s rest was only a handful of times. I could count those nights with my fingers. 

Now that today is my first day in paradise, I get to live the lifestyle I had always pictured in my mind. This quiet, suburban town was the perfect place for me. 

~The End~