Humans are a fascinating species to study.

Critics say humans are selfish and cruel, but when you look at the evidence, those are the exceptions, not the rule. Take, for example, the countless charity organizations around the world. They exist only by the selfless donations of millions of people, offering their hard-earned money to help someone they will never know. These are not the actions of the selfish.

People argue about many things like politics, religion, and social issues, but when a disaster strikes, watch how they leap into action, reaching out with assistance to total strangers. They never ask a person's political party, religion, or sexual orientation before offering help; they simply help. That is the truest example of humanity, seeing someone in need and doing something about it because they can.

Have you ever watched firemen responding to a burning building? While civilians run for their lives, firemen rush into the flames, risking life and limb for the chance to save someone they do not know.

Countless militaries around the world have their ranks filled with volunteers who are willing to put their own wishes, lives, and ambitions aside to fight and possibly even die so someone else won't have to.

These are not the actions of the selfish and cruel. They are the actions of the selfless and noble. The very fact we have laws, and the police and courts to enforce those laws, is proof humans want to better and drive back the darkness. Even in war, when destruction and death would seem to reign supreme, there are rules regarding war crimes. These laws are designed to keep the worst of war at bay. Although not always successful, the attempt itself is significant. Humans are still trying to restrain their own darkness, to be better than their base instinct.

To say all humans are bad is to ignore the mountains of evidence to the contrary.

Some have compared humans to animals, saying we're on the same level with the beasts and are no better than them. This too is flawed for I have never seen an animal start a conservation program to preserve a species from becoming extinct. I have never seen an animal set aside territory for endangered creatures. To animals, other animals are food, but to humans, they're an important part of the world and worth preserving.

Only human beings contemplate their place in the universe and whether they have a purpose in the grand scheme of things. Animals don't care about such concepts, and even the very idea is beyond them. Humans try to preserve the world and make it better than when they found it. Their improvements aren't solely for themselves but also for those who come after them.

The rain has stopped. It rained almost all of last week. While watching the clouds pass away on a steady wind, I thought of something. Even when everything was so dark because of the clouds, the sun itself was untouched by them. The sun wasn't less bright, less warm, or absent. It was simply obscured by the clouds in the way. I realized humanity is the same way. When people turn on their televisions or read their newspapers about all the horrible things going on in the world and how some are doing terrible things, it would be easy to think humanity is a horrible race inhabiting this planet, but those stories are the clouds getting in the way. The goodness of humanity is still there, still as bright as ever. Just because we can't see it all the time, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. We simply need to push the clouds away and let the true humanity shine forth.

I enjoy watching the sunrise. It's symbolic. No matter how dark the world becomes, the dawn always follows. People are like this in a way. There are tragedies and hardships, tyrants rise to power, and criminals escape justice, the dark times. But like the sunrise, the dawn comes and drives the darkness back. Humans endure strife and struggle, overcoming great obstacles and becoming stronger because of it. It's impressive the number of times people stumble and fall, and yet, they still get back up to try again and again. The human will is truly remarkable.

Then, there are the monsters. I'm not talking about people who've gone astray and made mistakes; we've all goofed at one time or another. I'm speaking about those who know what's right and have willingly turned from it, inflicting harm and not caring for the damage they do.

But, even the presence of monsters shows the character of mankind because do you know what the monsters bring forth in humans? Monster hunters. When people are victimized, some fight back and train others to do so as well. Sooner or later, there will be more hunters like me than there are monsters, and we'll have an extinction level event. The monsters will be driven from existence, and the innocent and defenseless can breathe freely without fear. That will be a good day, a bright and magnificent dawn.

I suppose after you bled that man dry, you never expected to be back in this room, let alone be strapped into the very same chair where he died. But, here we are.

You've preyed on the innocent for years, not caring for either the lives you've taken or the pain you laid upon the families of the people you kill. To protect the lives of those you will surely murder if allowed to continue, I am forced to end this. I wish there was another way, but I must protect the innocent from those who would do them harm; it is my mission as a hunter.

The hunter pulled aside the heavy drapes and let the morning sunlight into the room. The vampire instantly turned to smoldering ash, collapsing into a heap of embers. Kneeling before the smoking chair, the hunter offered a final word.

"Be at peace, my brother."