Fireflies

The stars were exceptionally bright as I strolled along one of the many paths that led into the local park. The public gardens consisted of a small wooded area, lined with fragrant flowerbeds, dotted with the occasional willow tree. Here one would find an oasis within an urban sprawl. Trees bordered the natural area like a green palisade, keeping at bay the city's chaos and neon lights. One might forget the city even existed. Only the park lights and the blinking glow of fireflies cast any illumination at all.

To a mortal, all was quiet. A mortal could not see the night creatures making their nightly rounds. I, however, could. Being a night creature myself allowed me certain freedoms mortals could not begin to imagine.

My kind were called by many names; the soul-drinker, gaki, or most popular was the term of vampire. Many of the stories held some truth, while others were pure myth. My kind cared little for the beliefs of men, as long as they served the purpose of ensuring our own survival.

To anyone perceiving my presence, I would appear as a young man with hair pinned back in a long ponytail. Long hair isn't the current fashion. Most men prefer the shorter styles, but I am a bit old-fashioned. I'd lost so much from my own time. Technology moved quickly in this age, and to a creature having seen centuries, this was unsettling. I grasped what I could of my past without losing what I was in the process.

My skin tone is pale, though not overly so. A tanning bed added to this ruse of being human. Such practices were essential in getting close to our prey. My eyes are too bright, carrying an icy blue of the sky before a storm. One might say, the pale blue could peer into one's very soul, but contrary to the legends, I could not read minds. We simply had extraordinary perception of body language. We had to know our quarry, after all.

I walked casually, enjoying the night through heightened senses. Bats flew overhead, crickets scuttled beneath the grass, and the telltale sound of a couple believing themselves alone as they fulfilled basic needs. The fireflies blinked throughout the trees and bushes. Their signals created a lovely dance of alien starlight cast adrift in the inky night.

I could smell the summer flowers like a heady perfume, mixed with the scent of blood. I ignore the smell of animals. Their blood, though sweet and thick, simply couldn't slack my thirst as the blood of human could. There was also the thrill of the hunt, to stalk and subdue my victims.

Blood was my usual fare, but occasionally I feasted on flesh if my appetite called for it. Sometimes I would drain my victims dry, with others I took a drink and finished their life in some other way. I relished the skill of the hunter, practically gloried in my ability to kill.

As I headed to the more secluded end of the city park, I found her sitting on a blanket near a clearing. She was a young thing, with honey-blond hair, and pale skin that reflected the dimming sky. She sat on the outstretched blanket in a clearing watching the night. Knees drew up against her chest, her legs shrouded in a floral print dress. I caught the whiff of her scent like a bee to honey.

As I approached, I noticed she held a small penlight one might find on a keychain. Every minute or so, she flashed the light two times. This was curious behavior. I paused in my advancement to see the fireflies descend on her open hand. The insect explored her open palm until wing cases extended and flew away.

I had to get closer. We were still in a public place where others might come at any moment. I would be able to sense their approach, but the trick was to satisfy my appetite without alerting others. I was quick and experienced in acquiring my needs. And should I be successful in drawing close enough, a passerby might think we were merely lovers.

"What are you doing?" I asked her, genuinely curious. I admired the fine features of her face. She was perhaps sixteen; with deep blue eyes reflected a bountiful amount of innocence.

The girl smiled shyly, and showed me the insect in her hand. "I'm talking to the fireflies." She replied, her voice smooth and without fear. Perhaps she perceived me a person of her own age, despite my centuries. Immortality has its benefits.

My senses reeled at the blood-scent so near. I found controlling my urges difficult. I hadn't fed in almost a week. I reminded myself she needed to trust me to get closer, and calmed myself.

"Talking to bugs?" I asked with a friendly smile.

She motioned me to sit next to her, releasing the insect. The girl clearly sensed no danger. "Male fireflies are closer to the ground," she explained as I settled beside her. She motioned to the forested area around us. "Females are in the upper branches of the trees. The flashing light is a signal for mating." To this, she blushed, glancing at me before looking quickly away. "Two blinks indicate the male's invitation to the female. "

I genuinely smiled at the irony of our discussion. Luring victims by signals was something I excelled at. "Interesting," I murmured, "How do you know so much about them?" She was so close now. I could feel the heat of her body next to mine.

The girl shrugged. "I worked in a park for a few summers as a naturalist. Bug collecting is also a hobby of mine." Her shy smile broadened into a grin. "Did you know that in the tropics there is a species of firefly that signals for mating, yet when the male comes into range, the firefly eats him?"

I nearly laughed out loud. "Fascinating." I leaned closer. "Has anyone told you, that you are a very pretty girl?"

The young girl giggled at the flattery, batting eyelashes. I could practically feel the heat of her blushing cheeks. "Not unless they kissed me first." Her boldness took me by surprise, but soon transformed into satisfaction. Women of this age were by far more forward with their affections. Who am I to complain? The girl leaned towards me with lips puckered.

I smiled inwardly, leaning closer. This was too easy. I could hear her heart beat faster as her lips touched my own. I felt her hand caress my cheek, her fingers moving upwards to stroke my hair.

Our kiss was soft and tender at first, then deepening into something more passionate. Her brazen actions was surprising still when she pressed against me, encouraging me to lay back on her blanket. Her mouth grew hungry, almost demanding. I complied, grateful for the modern scruples that made hunting that much easier.

The girl straddled across my hips, while hands moved to pin wrists against the ground. Her dominant posture excited me, as her lithe body was surely light enough to throw off. But even more reason to let her take command as my hunger grew ravenous. I had to admit, I rather enjoyed the foreplay before the attack.

As her mouth shifted to nuzzle along my neck, I felt my fangs bare in response. Fortunately, she had become too enamored, her attention drawn elsewhere. I squirmed beneath her, playfully hoping to remove wrists from the tight grip, but found she was considerably stronger than she looked.

I gasped, as her tongue tasted skin, rousing ardor as well as hunger. Such an innocent young girl now turned into harlot. These modern women made one's senses reel.

"Wait..." I breathed, uncertain if I wanted her to continue or not. There seemed to be a slight struggle between us, and for first time in centuries, I realized that I was the one doing the struggling.

Then I felt something I hadn't felt in ages....I felt the stirrings of fear.

Instinct screamed into panic as I realized how trapped I had become. Though my senses fogged in sudden arousal, I discovered she had become more forceful. Despite her size and desire, I also realized she had become strong enough to keep me exactly where she wanted me.

Her head drew back, and I stared up in horror to the thing above me. The blue of her eyes had become fathomless black. Her mouth grew impossibly wide, was now full of sharp teeth. This creature hissed, attacking with impressive and final force as sinking razors into my throat. With one bite, my scream was stolen away, leaving me gurgling my own blood.

I stared at the night sky above me, lights fading. My last thought was of the flash of fireflies as they danced above in the dark night; dancing amid the stars.