"Did I forget to lock the door? Why is it open?" Drake said, confused. "Maybe I just forgot… It's fine."
When he got to his apartment, the door was already open. He stepped inside—and stopped.
Someone was sitting on the sofa, reading a magazine. It was a familiar face.
"Selena," he said.
Drake couldn't hide the happiness on his face. Selena looked up and saw him smiling.
"You're back!" he said.
"Yeah. Sorry I left like that," she said. "I really wanted to see my family. They were so worried, and I didn't want to be a burden to you either."
"I'm just glad you're here," he said, and hugged her.
Drake realized he was holding her a bit too tightly, so he let go and straightened up, trying to act more composed. He sat down next to her on the couch.
"How are you? I was really worried… I kept thinking those bad guys might have caught you again."
"No," Selena said with a small smile. "I got home safely."
"Are you hungry? Let me make you something to eat. Just relax."
He quickly changed clothes, then rushed to the kitchen to cook. A little while later, he called out:
"Food's ready!"
Selena joined him at the dining table. They ate quietly, but the silence felt heavy. Drake couldn't take it anymore.
"Why did you suddenly come back?" he asked.
"I just came to say thank you," she replied. "I'll head home in a little while."
"I can drop you home if you like?" Drake offered.
"No, thank you," Selena replied gently.
"Why? Where do you live?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
"You don't have to know," she said softly. "It's for your own safety."
"Why?" Drake pressed, a hint of concern in his voice.
"Please don't ask any further," she requested, her tone firm but kind.
"Will you visit me again?" he asked, a hopeful note in his voice.
"Sure, I will," she promised with a warm smile.
A few minutes after they finished eating, Selena stood up and grabbed her bag.
"I should go now. I told my family I'd be back early," she said gently.
Drake didn't want her to leave. He wanted to say something—maybe ask to walk her home—but she stopped him with a look.
"It's okay. I'll be fine," she said firmly.
He nodded, even though he didn't want to. "Alright… take care."
After she left, the apartment felt quiet and empty. Drake sat for a moment, then stood up with a sigh.
"I need to clear my head," he muttered.
He changed into his training clothes and left for the forest—somewhere deep enough that no one would see him. There, surrounded by trees and silence, he began to train alone, pouring his thoughts and feelings into every move.
In the forest, Drake began his training.
He practiced martial arts with sharp, focused movements. He threw knives at tree trunks with perfect accuracy. He set up targets and fired his gun—each shot landing exactly where he aimed.
Something was different.
He moved faster than ever before. His eyes could pick up tiny details in the distance, his hearing caught even the faint rustle of leaves, and his strength had increased. He lifted a heavy log with ease—something he knew he couldn't have done before.
When he ran, he moved like the wind, faster than he thought possible. His body felt lighter, almost like it wasn't bound by the same limits anymore.
"What… is happening to me?" he whispered, catching his breath. He looked at his hands, confused but amazed.
Drake didn't know how or why this change had happened—but one thing was clear: he was no longer ordinary.
As it started to get dark, Drake decided to head home.
But just before he left, he noticed someone walking through the forest. He watched closely and realized—it was a vampire.
Drake followed quietly, staying hidden. He knew how sharp a vampire's senses were and didn't want to be seen.
About a hundred meters ahead, a deer appeared. The vampire moved toward it, then suddenly grabbed it and sank its fangs into the deer's neck, drinking its blood.
Drake stayed still, watching from behind a tree.
"I've never seen a vampire drink animal blood before," he thought to himself, eyes fixed on the scene.
It was strange. Vampires usually went after humans—but this one chose a deer.
After the vampire finished feeding on the deer, he wiped his mouth and continued walking.
Drake followed from a distance, careful not to make a sound. He moved quickly but stayed hidden in the shadows.
The vampire walked deeper into the forest until he finally reached a hidden place—an old, worn-down building, half-covered in vines and surrounded by trees.
"So this is their hideout," Drake thought, staying low behind a bush.
He watched closely, trying to see if anyone else was inside.