13th Street

003

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I didn't know what happened nor where I was. I don't know how I ended up here or am I even here. I don't know the time, the place or anything all I know is I'm outside.

I'm outside...

Wow

Outside really exist.

I can't believe it. My feet can't seem to process the thought of the roughness of the plain ground and my senses going high wire from all of the new things I'm currently experiencing. Is this reality?

The last thing I remember is lashing out on William and even before the medicines side effect take it's toll on me I remember him smiling. Or is it a dream? But where am I exactly? This is not the outside in my imagination looks like. It's so dark and cold to the point of freezing. It reminds me of the food storage I once hide from. Where am I? I don't know what to do and I'm starting to freak out. I know it's been days since that encounter since I can now walk and move my limbs. The medicine subsided already so I'm positive that I must be so far away from home simply because my father is no where to be found. If I'm near then my father would have found me already. I broke the most important rule. The thought of what might happen gives me the chills. He might kill me this time.

It still does not sink in properly that I'm really, really outside right now. Oh my God!! What if father sees me? I'm not supposed to go anywhere! I'm violating the rules! What if I... Okay I'm starting my panic attack. What should I do?

"William?"

What should I do? I don't even know where I am. I looked around the street where I found myself since I woke up. I didn't even move an inch from where I was ever since. It's so dark that all I can see is the only lamp post lit up. It's kinda far away from where I'm standing beside this big oak tree. Should I go there? What if someone see me if I stand in the light? Oh my God I wish I'm just dreaming.

Without any choice, after a few hours of contemplating on what to do, I just then decided to walk towards the post. Since I'm not comfortable in the dark specially now that I don't know where I was. Slowly I reach the lamp post, I looked up to it as it was my first time seeing one. I felt kinda stupid for standing too long but as I stepped back a few inch and what I saw made me wanted to burst out crying. I'm now certain I'm still alive, breathing, and now... free. As I looked up at the billions of star twinkling above me. I used to looks up to it all this time, it just felt kind of weird as it felt much more farther now that I'm not that high. But knowing that there's something at the bottom of that tower made me cry more.

"Why are you crying?" I suddenly wanted to run. An unknown voice in an unknown place. What if something bad happened? Where is he anyway? I looked around me trying to make out any shadow figure in the dark but I saw none.

"Is there something upsetting about the lamp post?" Once again he asked. I looked at the street where that voice came from as a shadowy figure moves. Okay? I can see some light maybe from his cigar but I can't really see him.

"Heehh... How did you find this place anyway?" He asked once again and I panicked as I, myself don't know how I got here.

"I... I d-dont know." I meekly said trying to make out my voice as proper as possible. It's hard though since I'm starting to tremble in fear.  It's my first time talking to someone I don't know and completely unknown to my father, Gosh I'm breaking a rule again. Am I even allowed to talk?

The shadow slowly walk towards me as I started shaking trying to calm my nerves. Maybe he saw it somehow as he stopped right in front of me smiling loop sidedly as he reach out a hand towards me.

"Qen."

He said then waited for my reaction. I looked up at him then to his hands then right back at his face. I can hardly see since it's dark and the lamp post is no help at all. I crook my head to the side since I really don't know what to do or what his doing in the first place. He laughed after a minute of silence. Okay? I don't get it. Why's he laughing?

"My name's Qen short for Enrique, Enrique y' 5th, what's yours?"

He said gently after a fit of laughter. Now I get it. What his trying to do is introduce himself. I remember Nana doing the same thing. Am I supposed to shake his hands? Or is it tap his hands? I don't remember. I looked up at him again. oh! I forgot his asking my name.

"Uhm I-I'm A-Azure." I stuttered, gosh I'm so nervous. It's my first time meeting someone from outside and first time introducing myself to the people outside! I wonder if father will get mad at me? Maybe his already mad since the very fact that I'm outside is already an offense.

"Nice name, where did you came from? How did you get here?"

"I-I don't k-know." I said as I looked down. I don't really know where I came from as I don't even know where my room is located and as of how did I got here? I don't really know as well. I can't possibly say that I live in the highest room where all you can see is the sky, he wouldn't know about it.

"Okay, how about going inside for the time being? It's cold out here yah know?" He laughed again and started walking towards the direction where he came from before. I don't know what to do, should I go with him? What if he's a bad person? Where's he taking me anyway?

"Don't worry I won't hurt you" he jokingly said with a hint of amusement. "But I can't promise you I won't bite."

I almost tripped out of shock of what he said but he helped me on time before I lose my balance. His laughing again while I sweat from the sudden joke he said. Or is it a joke?

"Are... Are y-you a v-vampire?"

I nervously asked as I remember what I read before about a legend of a blood sucking monsters who looks and act like a human but is really after your blood. I remember reading that they can be attracting to the eyes too. What if Qen is one? Will he kill me? As I looked up I saw him looking at me seriously... He stopped laughing and now all so emotionlessly looking at me. Oh my God

"I'msorrypleasedon'thurtmeI'mjustlostand--" I stop talking as he started to laugh again. I'm starting to feel irritated. I don't know why but I felt like his making fun of me.

"I won't bite you yet so don't worry, for now let's just head inside."

He whispered in my ears as he gets dangerously near. My face heats up as he smiled and take my hands dragging me towards a door, 13th Street  was curved into a fancy calligraphy at the very front table post. It has a black and white disfigured cats attached to the number and a beautiful thorny rose stem all around. I looked at it for a moment until Qen called me as he open up the front door. I expected a few things but what greeted me are butlers with funny looking uniforms serving people with colorful drinks. The room has a lively and homey atmosphere with a hint of strong but alluring smell circulating through the air. I looked around the place as Qen dragged me inside, I looked around the left corner where they have many tables where a lot of nosy people sits in group and a few butler like men serving them, beside it a stage where a few instruments are laid. Maybe they were on break since I'm sure the instruments are plugged in, while at the right side is a counter with a few hundred of branded wines are stored. It's fascinating to look at since my father have a stand in collection of wines too. Maybe this is what a bar looks like? I can clearly differentiate between this place and my home.  We sat after the stool in front of the counter where a white haired guy stands doing some flipping and throwing of bottles and cups, fire and smokes everywhere. It was so amazing that I can't take my eyes of him. What is he doing?

"Elijah! Give me a hot coffee!" Qen said to the white haired guy who abruptly stopped his tricks to glare at Qen.

"Please?" Qen looked at him with a puppy eyes that looks so cute. Now that it's not dark anymore I can clearly see his ocean blue eyes that sparkle whenever he flashes a cheshire smile. His blonde hair complemented his perfectly angled jaw that makes him looked like a prince than a viscous vampire.

"Who's he?" Elijah asked eying me with that sharp delicate eyes of him. It's quite dark in his part that I couldn't make out his face but I can totally say that his handsome too.

"Azure, I saw him standing looking at the lamp post." He said meaningfully at Elijah as the latter looked at me with a curious gaze that lasted a few minutes. Okay? What's his problem?

"Hmm... Nice to meet you Azure, I'm Elijah. Elijah y' 7th." He said giving me the coffee I look up at him, crooking my head at the coffee

"I'm... n-not the o-one who w-want t-this." I nervously looked at Qen asking for some help as I can't really stand Elijah's intense stares.

"It's for you." Qen then smiled brightly again.

I look at them again before bravely taking my first sip of coffee outside. Oh my God it's soooo good. I never tasted something this sweet. How can a coffee be so sweet? I never had coffee that is sweet.

I must've looked like a fool in front of them since they started laughing after I hummed. I stared at Elijah for quite some time or maybe a lot since he stopped laughing and raised his brows towards me as if asking what am I looking at?

"Uhm... Y-you're more handsome when you laugh." I hurriedly say as to not be misunderstood by him but he raised his eyebrows higher, this time it made me panic.

"Ah... It's... It's j-just so s-sexy!" I blurted embarrassingly as I looked away from him. Oh my God what am I saying? How could I say that?

"How about me, Azure? Am I not sexy when I laugh?" Qen asked looking into my eyes with that cheshire cat like smile again. How can I say no?

"Y-you look s-sexy too."

"Hmm... Then who's more sexy?" He asked once more without blinking, I kinda feel like his just teasing me again but I don't really know once he stopped smiling I don't really know how to differentiate expressions. "N-no o-one."

"Hmm... Does Elijah looked more sexy to you? I felt betrayed, Azure." His tone changed dangerously low to the point that I got the familiar chill. "Hmm, this is quite disappointing."

Qen looked so much like the people I'm used to, It's emotionless that it tugs my heart painfully. I don't know what to do. Qen helps me out of the cold of the night and graciously let me have his coffee. He's the first person to smile and laugh with me like that but then this is what I did to him. I hurt him. I once again became a bother to someone. I don't know how to react. That gaze seems so familiar. I wanted to say how sorry I am but he looks irritated by me. I know how irritating I am and I really wanted to hurt myself right now.

"I-I'm so... s-sorry, Q-Qen! I'm so s-sorry... I-I d-dont... I..." I didn't even realize I'm having a panic attack and it seems like I bothered some people in the process too. I just want to get out of here. Then maybe if I'm gone, they will not be bothered anymore.

I felt someone holding me close. He felt so familiar that all my fatigue gave up on me and my limbs go numb in his touch. I feel like I can submit to darkness with this by my side. I really want to be with this person...

"William..."

😊