3. Move to Cityside

"Where am I?" I was confused because I was standing in the crowd among the humans–who were dancing.

Young and old, they laugh between the sparkling lights that illuminate–the darkness. The red, yellow, and green lights are like a rainbow at night. The smell of humans and alcohol mixed into one.

The smell of sweet and sour humankind makes me hungry. I stood up with lust and swallowed my saliva while looking at them. If only I could just bite them without risk. But I can't go around biting people on the neck because I promised–I will on the brightside.

"Oi! Step aside, don't stand like a statue because you are blocking the way," said the woman who was about to pass by to get a glass of alcohol.

"Sorry, Ma'am, I want to ask, where is this?" I asked the beautiful lady who passed earlier.

"Ha ha ha," she laughed sarcastically, then said, "Do you not know, or are you pretending not to know where this is? What planet are you from? Look! She points to the blackboard, and I see 'Club Euphoria' written on it.

"Oh! Club Euphoria, now I know. Thank you, Ma'am." I thanked her, but she did not care about me.

"Hell! What's wrong with that woman? Watch out–I will bite you in the full moon," this is what was on my mind, and then I laughed–to myself.

Because it was very noisy in the club, I went outside. Besides, the longer I was in the club, the hungrier I got. Moreover, imagining the test of their blood is so sweet makes me thirsty.

"Hello! Beautiful, where are you going? It's beautiful here–so you can accompany us," said the man, sitting in a car park with his two friends.

He teased me, but I ignored it and continued on my way. Then he stood up, walked after me, and said, "Uh uh, beautiful, wait a minute, don't rush," he said while grabbing my hand.

In my mind, I said, "These kinds of people just watch out for me. Later I will finish them off."

"Don't mess around with me, Bro, and just so you know, I am good at karate. I am a black belt holder. Once I kicked you, you bounced," I threatened him.

It is too bad that he was not afraid of my threats. He became even more annoying. He started dabbing, and I was ready to punch him. My face looks like a bull about to hit a human, my hands clenched in front of my chest, my legs are in a stance, and I'm ready to kick him.

But before I punched him, suddenly, a Mutant Ninja kicked him in the ass, then he fell into the parking lot.

His two friends did not accept that he was kicked– by Mutant Ninja. So, the two of them immediately attacked Mutant Ninja and tried to beat him. Not only that–the man who fell also woke up and attacked–him. In the end, Mutant Ninja had to fight the three of them.

I want to help the Mutant Ninja to fight the three of them. But he can do it on his own. He parried– the blow with various kicks and punches from his opponent. So, I waited for him until later he needed help.

I waited, didn't take too long for him to defeat the three of them. Finally, they were lost and lying in the parking lot.

"Forgive, forgive, forgive," the three of them sprawled, moaning in pain, and begged for our forgiveness, and then we forgave them and let it go.

After they left, Mutant Ninja stared at me because I was curious, so I looked at him too.

"What's on his mind?" I want to know.

"Why is a girl as pretty as her alone at night like this?" This is what the Mutant Ninja had in his mind.

"Hooray! Finally, I can read human minds. But is it possible that because I have been drinking human blood, that's why my knowledge has increased? Ah, let it be–the most important thing is that I can read human minds." I feel happy and smile to myself.

"Are you okay?" Mutant Ninja asked me.

"I'm fine, thanks for helping me," I replied.

We were still standing in the car park, and the Mutant Ninja took off his veil. He smiled at me. I am not saying he is handsome–but he had a decent look.

"Oh, we haven't introduced ourselves to each other. Now let me introduce my name is Layzal. What's your name?" asked Layzal while holding out his hand.

"My name is Sel...Sela… I don't mean that. My name is Elaine. Please, just call me Ella." I have to find a new name.

"Ela, it's getting late. Let me drive you home."

"Hmmm, home?" I was thinking about where to go home. Besides, there's no way I could ask him to take me back to the forest.

"I also do not know where to go. I mean, I am a newcomer to this city. I don't even know the name of this town," I said, looking down.

"Ha! How come?" he was curious.

"Yes, it is because earlier, I fell asleep on the bus, then the bus conductor woke me up and dropped me here. I was still sleepy when I got off the bus. Once my sleepiness disappeared, I realized I had left my bag on the bus. So, this is how I end up with nothing."

"I see, so you don't know where it is and what this town is? You also have nothing and don't know where to go?"

"Yeah, I do not know where to go," I shook my head.

"By the way, the name of this city is Archipelago. Since you do not have a place to stay, how about you come to my house first? Tomorrow morning I can help you look for boarding houses. You do not have to worry because I'm not a bad man."

"Okay, if it doesn't bother you, thank you again," I agreed, and then we went to his house.

***

"Come on in," said Layzal.

"Wow! Your house is neat."

"Do not overdo. It is normal."

"You sleep here in the guest room. Wait a minute–I want to get some clothes first," said Layzal, then he went to his room while I sat on the chair in the bedroom.

A few moments later, Layzal returned with a pair of clothes and a towel.

"Ela here's a towel if you want to shower later, and you can just wear my clothes first."

"Huh? Wear your clothes?"

"Yeah, you do not have any clothes other than the clothe you were wearing, right?"

I was quiet for a moment and thought.

"I do not need the towels, just the clothes. I'm wearing seven pairs of clothes right now, so it should last a week." I lied because I was afraid that later if I put his clothes on, he would make me hungry, and I would bite him. Sucks!

"You wear seven pairs of clothes?"

"Yes. Because previously, I already had a hunch that I would have trouble. All my possessions are gone, and at least–I still have seven pairs of clothes."

"This girl is so weird," these words were in Layzal's mind. I laughed at the expression on his face.

"Well, you take a rest first, and good night. See you tomorrow morning."

"Good night, thanks for everything."

Now I'm alone in the room and contemplating.

"I'm already in town. What next? Should I ask Layzal tomorrow? Who knows, he can help me to find a job? I know– I know– I know vampires don't need money. But this is how a vampire acts like a normal human, working and making friends with fellow humans. But what kind of jobs are suitable for vampires? Hmmm, is there a Vampire Academy in this city or not? If there was, I could go to school and learn more about being a vampire. Besides–if I go to school, I will have a vampire book. Certainly, in the vampire book, there are many spells that I can learn and increase my knowledge."

Then I remembered that I lied wearing seven pairs of clothes. Therefore, I quickly disappeared back home to put on seven pair of clothes. After that, I immediately returned to Layzal's house.

***

"It's morning? Why does time fly so fast? What does this smell like?" Early in the morning, I was snorting in the room.

I came out–of my room and saw Layzal putting two cups of Bulnak instant noodles on the dining table.

"Good morning, Ela–come to have breakfast first," said Layzal with a cheerful face.

"Good morning, Zal."

"Oh no, my breakfast is Instant noodles? Do you know everything has changed, but never mind, I just sit down," This is what it is in my mind, and I sit at the same table with him.

I saw him blowing on hot instant noodles and slowly eating them.

"Ela, eat the noodles while still hot. Later when it's cold, it won't be good."

"I will eat later when it's cold. So I can finish it quickly."

"Kring kring kring," the voice of the phone rang.

"Just a moment. I will pick up the phone first."

"Sure, go ahead."

And as soon as he walked away and picked up the phone, I immediately ran to the bathroom and threw away my instant noodles. I have no choice but to flash the noodles into the toilet.

"Wow! You eat so fast, Ela."

"Yes. Because I put the fan on and the noodles get cold quickly. After that, I ate quickly too." I smiled.

"Ooh."

"Zal, you know I don't have anyone here. Do you think you can help me to find a job or not? But if you ask for document requirements or something else–I do not have. My luggage was left–on the bus, and everything was gone. If you can't help me, that's okay. You have helped me a lot. How about I work for you? I could be your assistant, Zal?"

"What, like a personal assistant? It's not that easy if you want to be my assistant."

"Why? What do you do?"

"I am a detective."

I panicked, and my mind said, "What! He is–a detective? It's an emergency if he is a detective."

"If you want, on Monday you come with me. Ela, for a while, you stay at my house first. Once you've got a job and already have money, then you move.

"As long as I don't trouble you, I agree."

We were still sitting at the dining table and chatting. I don't know whether my decision to stay with him–was the right decision or not. But at least by living with him for a while, I had the opportunity to know more about the city of Archipelago.