Jennifer's Choice

Jennifer Haley, a young and ambitious reporter, had always been driven to uncover the truth. She had always been fascinated by the supernatural and the unexplained. Of all the reporters in the business, Jen had a nose for a good story. No matter the story, nor how dangerous, the petite blonde was never afraid to ask tough questions. So when she stumbled upon a whispered rumor about vampires living in the city, she couldn't resist investigating. The source had been credible and one Jen had used in the past to dig up some crazy stories over her career. 

At first, she thought it was a wild goose chase. Vampires? Really? But as she dug deeper, she began to find eerie consistencies in the accounts of witnesses. They spoke of pale skin, sharp fangs, and an otherworldly allure. Jen's curiosity was piqued.

She scoured the internet and local libraries for any information she could find on vampire folklore and history. She spoke to experts in the field, from anthropologists to paranormal investigators, trying to separate fact from fiction. She even attended underground goth clubs and vampire-themed events, hoping to meet people who might know more about the elusive creatures.

As she delved deeper into her research, Jennifer began to notice strange occurrences around her. She would catch glimpses of pale figures darting around corners, and her neck would prickle with an otherworldly presence. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched, that unseen eyes were following her every move.

One night while exploring an abandoned alleyway, Jennifer stumbled upon a strange symbol etched into the brick wall. It looked like a cross with two curved horns on either side, and it seemed to pulse with a faint, eerie glow. She snapped a photo and sent it to her expert contacts, hoping they might be able to identify it.

The response she received was both thrilling and terrifying. The symbol was known as the "Vampire's Mark," a sign that a vampire had claimed territory in the area. Jennifer knew she was getting close, and her heart raced with excitement and fear. She had no idea what she might be up against, but she was determined to uncover the truth. 

Weeks of searching led her to a dimly lit alley near where she had first seen the vampiric symbol. She needed answers, and her main lead was these connecting alleyways near the mark. Jen was determined to follow through on this clue. 

Jen's heart raced as she walked down the dark alleyway, her eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. She had been searching for weeks, and finally, she had received a tip that a strange figure had been seen in this very alley. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers. The man was incredibly handsome to Jen. His skin was pale, contrasting his eyes, but his hair black as night. He was tall yet stocky in build, and moved with a sense of fluid grace as he emerged from the shadows of the alley. 

"Hello, Jen," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I've been expecting you."

Jen's instincts told her to run, but something about the man’s calm demeanor put her at ease. She stood her ground, her reporter's curiosity taking over.

"How do you know my name?" she asked, trying to sound confident.

"I've been following your work," he replied, a small smile playing on his lips. "You're quite talented for a human."

Jen's mind raced as she processed his words. If he was a vampire, why wasn't he trying to harm her? She took a deep breath and decided to take a chance.

"I'm here to interview one of your kind," she said, her voice steady. "Will you talk to me?"

The vampire chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I'd be happy to, Jen. But not here. Come with me to my penthouse, and I'll give you the interview of a lifetime."

Jen hesitated for a moment, weighing her options. But something about the vampire's words resonated with her. She sensed that he was telling the truth, that he wasn't a monster out to harm her.

"Okay," she said finally, making a decision. "I'll go with you."

"Excellent choice, Jen," the vampire said, his smile growing wider showing a hint of fangs. "My name is Creedence, by the way. And I promise you, this will be a night to remember."

Creedence took her hand and led her out of the alleyway, into a world that Jen never knew existed. As they walked, Jen couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and wonder. She had always been drawn to the unknown, and now, she was about to get a firsthand look at the life of a vampire. Creedence led her to a sleek black car parked on the street, and they slipped inside. The engine purred to life, and they sped off into the night, the city lights blurring together as they went. They arrived at a luxurious high-rise building, and Creedence ushered her into a private elevator that took them to the penthouse suite. The doors opened into a stunning apartment, filled with elegant furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered breathtaking views of the city. Creedence gestured for her to take a seat on the couch, and he poured her a glass of red wine from a crystal decanter. 

"So, Jen, what do you want to know?" he asked, settling in beside her. Jen took a sip of the wine, feeling a little more at ease. "Everything," she said, pulling out her notebook and pen. "What's it like to be a vampire? How do you live? What do you want from humans?" 

Creedence chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ah, where to begin," he said. "Being a vampire is...different. It's a life of contrasts - light and dark, life and death, warmth and cold. We walk in both worlds but belong to neither. As for how I live," he shrugged, "I have my ways. And as for what I want from humans...well, that's complicated." 

He leaned in closer, his voice taking on a seductive tone. "I want their trust, their loyalty, their hearts." 

Jen felt a shiver run down her spine as he gazed into her eyes. She knew she should be scared, but instead she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. She knew she was playing with fire but she couldn't help herself. "And what do you offer in return?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. 

Creedence's smile grew wider, his fangs glinting in the light. "Oh, Jen," he whispered back. "I offer them eternity."

As Creedence spoke, his eyes seemed to hypnotize Jen, and she felt herself getting lost in their depths. She felt a strange sense of calm, as if she had known him all her life.

"Eternity," she repeated, her voice uncertain.

Creedence nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Yes, eternity. A life without end, without the fear of death or disease. A life where you can live forever, and experience everything the world has to offer."

Jen felt her heart racing as she listened to his words. It sounded too good to be true, but a part of her wanted to believe it, wanted to believe that such a life was possible.

"And what do you want from me?" she asked softly. 

Creedence leaned in closer, his lips almost touching her ear. "I want you, Jen," he whispered. "I want your heart, your soul, your everything. I want to make you one of us, so you can live forever with me."

Jen felt a shiver run down her spine as his warm breath tickled her ear. She felt a strange sense of excitement, as if she was standing on the edge of a cliff, ready to take the leap of faith.

"And what if I say no?" she asked, her voice still barely above a whisper.

Creedence pulled back, his eyes never leaving hers. "Then I'll have to persuade you," he said, his voice low and husky. "I'll show you the world, Jen, in a way you've never seen before. I'll show you the beauty of eternity and the freedom that comes with it."

Jen felt her heart racing as she looked into his eyes. She knew she was standing at a crossroads, and the decision she made now would change her life forever. She took a deep breath, and then nodded her head.

"Okay," she said hoarsely, "Show me." Eternity or certain death, her lifespan was about to extend indefinitely, or end in the next few seconds. 

Creedence smiled and grasped a hold of her tightly.