Vampire of Black Hollow
The village of Black Hollow was quiet after sunset. Too quiet.
People closed their windows early, lit candles instead of lamps, and whispered warnings to their children.
"Never walk alone at night," they said.
"Because the vampire is watching."
But no one had actually seen the vampire in many years.
Except Elias.
Elias was a young woodcutter who lived at the edge of the forest. He didn't believe the stories. To him, the vampire was just something old villagers talked about to scare children.
One cold autumn night, Elias stayed late in the forest collecting firewood. The moon hung low in the sky, bright and pale.
When he finally started walking home, the wind suddenly stopped.
The forest became silent.
Too silent.
Then he heard it.
Footsteps.
Slow.
Soft.
Behind him.
Elias turned quickly, but no one was there.
He laughed nervously. "Just the wind," he muttered.
But when he turned back toward the path, someone was standing there.
A tall figure dressed in black.
Pale skin.
Dark eyes.
And a faint smile that showed two sharp fangs.
Elias froze.
"You shouldn't be in this forest so late," the stranger said calmly.
His voice was smooth, almost gentle.
"Who… who are you?" Elias asked.
The man tilted his head slightly.
"Some people call me a monster," he replied. "Others call me a legend."
Elias felt the cold realization creep into his chest.
"You're… the vampire."
The stranger didn't deny it.
Instead, he slowly stepped closer.
Moonlight revealed his face more clearly. It was pale, yes—but strangely sad.
"Do you know why humans fear vampires?" he asked.
"Because you drink blood," Elias answered, his voice shaking.
The vampire chuckled softly.
"Yes. That is true."
Elias prepared himself to run.
But the vampire didn't attack.
Instead, he sat on a fallen tree beside the path.
"You are different," the vampire said. "Most people scream when they see me."
Elias swallowed. "Maybe I'm too scared to scream."
For a moment, the two sat in silence.
The wind returned, rustling the leaves.
"Tell me something, human," the vampire said quietly. "Do you think monsters are born… or made?"
Elias frowned.
"I don't know."
The vampire looked toward the