Cordelia, restless in her bed, whimpered softly as dreams began to invade her mind.

Gradually, she opened her eyes and found herself in a dark, blood-red void, her anxiety prickling along her skin.

Slowly pushing herself to her feet, she wrapped her arms around herself. "H-hello...?"

As she started walking, a chilling sensation enveloped her.

"Is anyone here?" she called out, her voice trembling. She froze when she stepped into something wet and looked down. Her eyes widened in horror at the sight of a puddle of blood, and she gasped as she stumbled back, nearly tripping over her feet.

A pair of hands landed on her shoulders, freezing her in place. She turned over her shoulder to see Harlan gazing at her with a cold, indifferent expression.

"H—...Harlan...?" Cordelia whispered, her voice barely audible.

His grip tightened on her shoulders, and he yanked her forward, causing her to yelp as her back collided with his chest. She tensed up, feeling his breath on her skin.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. Before Cordelia could respond, a searing pain shot through her neck. She froze, her eyes widening in pain, fear, and shock.

He... he was drinking her blood.

"S-stop..." she whimpered, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. Her legs grew weak beneath her.

"H-Harlan... please..." she murmured, tears silently falling down her face. Harlan released her, and she began to fall.

A blinding red light flashed in her eyes, and she jolted awake, quickly sitting up. She looked around, panting heavily, her forehead covered in sweat.

Rubbing her neck, she got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Turning on the light, she peered into the mirror.

She rubbed her neck, letting out a shaky sigh. Lifting her hand, she saw to her relief that there was no bite mark.

But that dream felt so real.

Wrapping her arms around herself, she stared at her reflection. Harlan couldn't be a vampire. It was impossible for them to be real.

She let out a shaky exhale and rubbed her face. "Vampires aren't real. They can't be," she thought to herself. "Get a hold of yourself, 'Lia."

She ran her hands through her hair, smoothing it back, and walked out of the bathroom. Downstairs, she saw her mom wiping the counter.

"Mom?" she said, furrowing her eyebrows.

Her mom looked at her. "Morning, love," she said with a soft smile.

"Are you okay?" Cordelia asked, frowning in worry.

"Yeah, I'm okay. Just didn't sleep well. That's all, baby," Abriana assured her, waving her hand dismissively. "I need to go to the store and your sister went out to make some deliveries. So one of us should be back soon."

"Guess that means I'm in charge of the bakery until then," Cordelia chuckled slightly, rubbing her arms.

Abriana kissed Cordelia's head. "You'll do great. You always do."

Cordelia nodded slightly.

Abriana smiled before she walked out of the baker. Cordelia wrapped her arms around herself and sighed deeply.

Alone again, she thought bitterly before she stretched her arms and decided to start cleaning up.

She walked into the break room and saw that it looked a little dusty.

She exhaled sharply before she started cleaning that too. She dusted off the shelves and sneezed.

Suddenly, there was a ringing sound, and she froze. That didn't sound like the doorbell.

Cordelia slowly looked over her shoulder, "Hello?"

Silence.

She swallowed the thick saliva that coated her throat. "Claudia? If this is a joke, it isn't funny."

There were footsteps, and Cordelia felt her heart leap into her throat. She grabbed the rolling pin and hid behind the counter.

"Come on out, Pretty Girl," a voice said teasingly. It wasn't a voice that Cordelia recognized, but it was definitely a voice belonging to a woman.

Cordelia didn't move, but she stayed quiet as she listened for the woman's footsteps.

"It would really be easier if you came out of hiding. Don't make this harder than it needs to be," the woman said.

Her footsteps were getting closer.

Cordelia's grip tightened on the rolling pin before she sprang to her feet, swinging the rolling pin.

CRACK!

"Gah!" The woman yelped and stumbled back, holding her head.

Cordelia ran past her, making a beeline straight for the door.

Suddenly, she yelped when the woman grabbed her by the back of her shirt, and she yanked her back and threw her across the room.

Cordelia cried out in pain as she hit a nearby chair and table, and she hit the floor hard.

Pain burst through her lower back, and she groaned in pain as she tried to get up.

She gasped when the woman grabbed her in a vice-grip, and she got a good look at her attacker.
The woman had blonde hair and emerald-green eyes. She was wearing a gray waistcoat and black gloves.

"Who-who are you!?" Cordelia gasped, kicking at the woman, but her kicks didn't do anything. The woman didn't even flinch.

"Well, you've seen that murder the other night, so you can probably guess," the woman chuckled.

Cordelia's eyes widened in horror. "Y-you killed that man...?" She murmured.

The woman's pupils glowed red, and the front of her teeth elongated into fangs.

"Bingo," she rasped.

"Cordelia?" Claudia called out, stepping inside.

Cordelia snapped her gaze toward her sister. "Claudia, run! Get help!"

The woman sneered before she suddenly shoved Cordelia into the floor. She took off her gloves, and she charged at Claudia.

"Claudia!" Cordelia yelled fearfully.

Before Claudia could do anything to fight, the woman swiped her claws across her throat.

Cordelia widened her eyes and her breath hitched. She couldn't scream. She watched as Claudia clutched at her throat, gasping.

She slowly fell to her knees, trembling, blood dripping down her chest and staining her clothes.

"D-Dia..." Cordelia whimpered, tears forming in her eyes. She slowly crawled over to her sister.

"No... no, no..." she murmured, "y-you're gonna be okay. I-I can fix this... I can fix this."

"Oh, Pretty Girl," the woman cooed mockingly, placing a bloodied hand on Cordelia's shoulder. She leaned forward, her breath warm against the twenty-five-year-old's ear. "Death is nothing that you can fix."

Harlan walked down the sidewalk. He sighed deeply, holding a small box. He knew what he was doing was risky, but he still wanted to check on Cordelia.

He continued walking before he slowed down to a stop. He felt his heart pounding against his chest as his eyes narrowed, growing wide and alert.

He smelled blood.

Spilled blood.

The air felt cold and he took a step forward before he started running down the street, toward the bakery.

Harlan's feet pounded against the ground as he sped up his gait. He ran to the door then froze, his eyes widening.

The woman looked at him and smiled a fanged smile. "Well, well, well," she chuckled, "if it isn't Harlan."

Harlan didn't say anything. He kept staring at Claudia's body. He slowly looked at the woman who was holding Cordelia in her arms.

"She's still breathing, if that's what worries you," the woman chuckled.

"You... you bit her," Harlan growled, his hands curling into fists at his sides.

"I did," the woman affirmed with a nod.

"What the fuck, Callidora," Harlan hissed, his pupils glowing silver. "Why?!"

"Oh, come now," Callidora huffed, her eyes narrowing. "Many vampires have done this many years ago."

Harlan gritted his teeth, snarling. His nails elongated into claws as his pupils glowed silver.

"Ah-ah," Callidora chided, "let's not be reckless now, young man. After all... I did you a favor."

Cordelia whimpered weakly, blood running down her neck and shoulder, staining her clothes.

"Put. Her. Down," Harlan growled.

Callidora stared at him for a moment before she chuckled. "Never thought you would have a sentimentality for these mortals. Especially this one... but I don't think I can blame you."

She gently lowered Cordelia and stood up. "Turn her... or don't. It doesn't matter to me. Now if you'll excuse me... I have things to do."

She walked past Harlan, and out of the bakery.
Harlan shut his eyes tightly before he ran over to Cordelia and he knelt down. He carefully scooped her up and held her close.

"Damn it... god damn it," he muttered.

He looked at Cordelia, tears beginning to form in his eyes, but he couldn't let them fall.

"It's your fault. What right do you have to cry? Her sister is dead, her mother will be heartbroken. Why couldn't you have just stayed away?"

"Was it because of the way she looked at you?"

"Did she remind you of her?"

Harlan gritted his teeth and he let out a hiss of disdain. He looked at Cordelia sadly and he exhaled sharply.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, his two front teeth elongating into fangs. "I'm truly sorry."