By NightElflady aka AJ Wright

In the 400 years I've walked this Earth, I've crossed continents while steeped in darkness. I went to extraordinary lengths to ensure my safe passage, using humans, whom I bend to my will, to keep my body and existence secret and secure. Encased in my coffin, which is nothing more than a sturdy crate of dirt, my body was shielded from the sun's rays, allowing me to cross land and sea incognito.

Creatures, such as myself, have only one weakness - our bodies cannot withstand daylight, however subtle. Our black domain matches our souls if, indeed, we still possess them. From the first pinch of sunlight oozing over the landscape to the last throes of a dying day, we are rendered powerless, defenceless. We need complete darkness to function - or so we've been led to believe.

I've often pondered why I can no longer bathe in the sun's golden glow. I remember when I worked the land, in summers so hot they would blister the ground. Even in winter, when the sun was low in the sky, I worked all the hours that daylight provided, and I'd only turn a delicious dark tan; no crumbling to ash or spontaneous combustion threatened me. Then, a stranger altered my life, and I was born into perpetual darkness. And there I've remained, alone mostly, with a despicable hunger that controls me and a deep-seated fear of the sun.

Rumour has it, however, that the Hunters of my kind had long since formulated the notion that we could only move around at night. Some say it was merely a way of controlling us, to make the hunt easier during daylight hours. I don't know if that's true, but darkness is all I've known for four centuries.

And now, in 2023, there is definite talk that we can survive daylight after all, and blend with the untainted masses as they go about their everyday lives. Such wonder. Such splendour. Such freedom!

But is it true? Or is it a fantasy wished by some vampires, yearning to move around by day? Or another lie from those who condemn us, hoping we will voluntarily walk into our annihilation? Either way, I am considering the possibility. I intend to find out in exactly three minutes and twenty-nine seconds.

I've catalogued my existence over the years, hiding segments of my story within the world's libraries. Why, you wonder? I consider myself a tutor of vampirism, having been subjected to the lifestyle for so long. Yet, I'm uncertain whether my words serve as a guide for 'newborn' vampires to survive this horrendous existence or as a warning to the human race that the monsters, now immortalised within film and literature, are, in fact, very, very real.

Funnily enough, though, I don't consider myself a monster. A predator, yes, but no more than the wolf that tears down the mighty caribou to eat and survive. Just because my appetite consists of human blood, it does not make me a monster, an aberration of God or Man. Precisely what it makes me, I can't define either. A survivor, perhaps? I'm merely following my nature. I don't kill for the sake of it; I do so only to sustain myself. And, maybe, in some cases, I may be doing the world a favour, ridding the alleged superior race of some of its 'undesirable' elements.

I should be preparing to bed down for the day, but I'm focusing on my wristwatch - a recently acquired trinket from my 'dinner' a few evenings ago - and counting down the seconds for the truth to be revealed.

One minute and 17 seconds to go.

Having planned on greeting the sunrise for some time now, I find it strange that my heart remains regular. I'm not even undergoing mild palpitations, a little flutter of anticipation, or fear. I guess my heart is not as it used to be. While it still provides a service for pumping fresh blood through my veins, it no longer appears to be affected by emotion. Emotion! Another mystery, it seems, for I don't know if my heart's just 'disconnected' from sentiment or whether I've forgotten how to feel. I'd thought the prospect of seeing the world in daylight again would exhilarate, excite me, if not at least cause me a degree of anxiety. But here I stand, ready to greet the unknown with absolutely no understanding if it will spell my doom or be the beginning of... What?

And here it is... Slicing across the horizon is a line of white gold. It is a sight from which my eyes have been robbed for 400 years. My body tenses and starts to react as it does to any threat. Fangs and nails begin to extend, accompanied by a deep growl rising from the pit of my stomach.

The light starts to turn yellow; it grows brighter and brighter until I can no longer make out where the land meets the sky. Brilliance, the likes of which my memory cannot even recall, grows before my eyes. I lift my hands in front of my face and scrutinise them thoroughly. I'm looking for signs of emaciation, decay and deterioration of my skin and bones. Yet, they remain whole, unblemished. I touch my face. Again, my skin is unchanged, complete. So, it has been a lie, after all!

I could easily spend time wallowing in anger, allowing my bitterness to engulf my very being, but what will I gain? Nothing! Nothing at all. So many aeons have already been wasted, repudiated, lost.

The sweetest melody to ever reach my ears interrupts my reverie. I hear birdsong. Strangely, I can understand their chattering, their greetings, cautions and joy as they wake to another day. They are filled with enthusiasm, vitality and are notably embracing the dawn.

Finally, I feel my heart pounding. As its rhythmic thrum reaches my ears, mingling with the birds' morning calls, more 'music' starts, and soon a full orchestra builds as all manner of nature awakens.

I'm acutely aware that my vampiric traits have receded of their own accord; the initial 'hazard' is unfounded. With gusto, I inhale deeply, drawing the crisp, clean air into my lungs. It's a new ambrosia to my senses.

Daylight stretches across the land, steadily heading in my direction. My eyes widen as I watch the light creep up my legs, hug my body and flush my face. It is exhilarating indeed!

Tears trace down my cheeks. I've not felt this euphoric in umpteen dark lifetimes, and I realise I could've done nothing to prepare me for this moment. It is wonderful, beyond divine.

The world is gradually wakening up, yet I assume it will be a few hours before humanity's flow is in full bloom.

I start to explore, weaving my way through streets and avenues, observing the buildings and thinking of the lives which believe they're safe behind closed doors. I'm no threat to their world, at least not for now. This moment, and the many to follow, will be spent in quiet wonder, absorbing all around me.

Everything looks oddly different in daylight, which is strange for a vampire, as a night-feeder's sight is perfected through the curse that created the beast. I thought everything would look the same, with slightly different hues and shading. But it is not like that at all. Everything is essentially new, chaste, and original.

I take the pleasure of sitting on a park bench and quietly observing everything around me. Removing a pad and pen from my jacket pocket, I start to sketch some of the daylight wonders instead of simply recording them through words. Before me, there is a pond with a sculpted fountain at its centre. The giant stone carps spout water into the pond, from which the splashes and ripples glisten in the sun. I see a multi-coloured arc gradually form over the sculpture - the phenomenon I've only heard about but never bore witness to, even during the days of my human life. I gaze down at the paper in my hand. My sketching cannot do justice to the rainbow's magnificence or the serenity of the moment.

In that instant, my ineffable existence, with its insensate form, spent in colourless, endless night, strikes me with its brutal reality. A maelstrom of unbidden emotion swamps me; anger, sadness, remorse, bitterness. I'm at the mercy of this putrid lifestyle and all these dizzying feelings, most of which had been severely dampened, if not wholly revoked, over the ages.

And at the centre of all this chaos is the dawning of a new day with its superabundance of colourful wonders and unique innovations. I've been held captive by night - be it a vampire's reality or the lies of Hunters - and denied the beauty of the world in even its simplest form.

Suddenly, the concept that the Hunters were responsible for restraining us to a nocturnal existence seems entirely credible. A plain and simple solution to ridding the world of vampires was required. Exactly how they convinced us that we were 'allergic' to the sun still baffles me, but convince us they did. By limiting our movements to night hours, Hunters could find us during the day, when we were, allegedly, at our weakest, with minimal threat to themselves. It's entirely logical that the Hunters would seek such an advantage.

I now realise exactly how vulnerable I was for 400 years. I reckon their tactics were designed as a psychological handicap in that I never really donated time to advancing my knowledge of the world around me; there was no need. All I focused on was the hunger, the drive to feed, confined to the boundaries of night. To get from A to B, I used familiars. Otherwise, with my reality being time-limited, I concealed myself in the shadows to search for prey.

However, with more significant numbers of people moving about during the day, it will not be so easy to remain hidden. I'll be noticed, even if only at a glance. With the sun no longer presenting a threat, I need to blend in; to divert suspicion and create the illusion of normality.

I secure the pen and paper in my pocket and stand up. Filled with a newfound resolve, I will no longer be denied all that life can offer. I realise I can now travel whenever I choose; there's no more need to hide in filthy boxes of dirt or be the dark Cinderella who must return home by a particular hour.

A new, more intoxicating appetite has also arisen; that of a need to see the world in colour, visit well-known tourist sites and enjoy Man's many inventions and creations. I'll no longer be subjected to a life steeped in inky blackness. I'll enjoy learning Earth's history and discovering all her evolutions. Finally, life has meaning for me. I'm no longer just an alpha predator; I'll be a participant in life. A journey of discovery awaits me.

A stray dog approaches, its coat dull and matted in areas. It no doubt is in search of scraps and possibly someone to take pity on its predicament. Without thinking, I reach out to pat its head. Mistake number one. These beasts and their counterpart felines do not warm to my kind; they can practically 'see' my gruesome identity, its past, present and future. Daylight does not modify their senses. The dog's hackles rise as it lowers to its haunches, preparing to pounce. Its yellowed fangs are revealed beneath curling, hateful lips. I react by mirroring its defences tenfold. My threat is enough to have the dog scurrying away, its tail tucked firmly between its legs, and a nervous whimper trailing on the morning breeze.

My fangs and nails retract as I revert to a more human countenance. Stupidly, my current euphoria had rendered me reckless for a few moments. I must not forget what I am because my daylight persona does not deceive animals and Hunters. Wonder must not negate caution.

Nevertheless, with that fleeting menace now dispersed, I once more consider where my journey will take me. Strolling around the pond, I find a street off to the right, filled with shops, cafes and other types of businesses. My curiosity leads me along the pavement, and occasionally I pause to view what lies behind the windows.

Then I come across a display of photographs showing different locations worldwide. I see beaches, exotic resorts, mountainous vistas, hotel foyers, rooms and tourist sites to visit. Looking up at the signage, I see it's a travel agent. Its doors are still locked, with no presence inside. I smile. But, of course, it is still early, and many people will not yet be at their places of work. It doesn't matter; it's not as if I'm in a hurry. I have eternity. Once the shop opens, I'll make enquiries about a few destinations.

Hmm... but I have no money, means, or knowledge of engaging with modern comforts and transport. At least my clothes are relatively clean and modern, thanks to my last companion, who insisted on my raiment being less conspicuous and more in keeping with the times. So, it seems some things remain the same; I will always need a familiar to help me in more ways than simply arranging transportation. I will need someone fairly prosaic yet affable and, above all, discreet to help me integrate with the humans. I am now a Daywalker. A chuckle pours from my lips as I proudly accept my new status.

Smiling, I resume wandering the streets as the sun continues its ascent. I now feel its heat on my pale skin. It's not uncomfortable, but it's strange, alien to me. I dare to push up my jacket sleeves. I'm a peculiar colour, and I can see my veins quite clearly. They look like blue tendrils weaving umpteen pathways under my skin. I am not pleasing to the mortal eye, that's for sure. "I seriously need some Vitamin D," I mutter. Such a thought may still be unthinkable for a being like me, one whose skin becomes almost waxen, translucent, and unearthly due to the lack of sunlight and a grisly diet. Granted, my appetite will not alter, although I'm sure I can bolster the illusion of being 'normal' by pretending to enjoy human food.

As if by some jocular coincidence, the next doorway I pass advertises sunbeds and sun showers. I study the images in the window, my interest now piqued. With a companion's assistance, perhaps, in time, my ghastly facade may become more acceptable to humans after all.

I hear an engine growling not far away. As I keep staring at my reflection in the window of the sunbed premises, I see a lorry driving past. It seems the world is starting to stir, although the streets are still relatively quiet, but for a few vehicles and a stray pedestrian or two.

A large clock in the shop window tells me it is now 6.15. The streets will soon be a flurry of activity, and I realise my priority is to invest in a new companion so I can start to partake in the charms of daylight pursuits.

Again, I inhale the morning air and almost feel reborn, or perhaps reinvented would be more accurate. This is my first day, of which only a couple of hours have passed. Yet, I'm invigorated in a way I did not think was remotely possible. There is so much to see and enjoy in this world of light. But I can take my time now. No longer am I restricted by the boundaries of night.

I am free, and I shall embrace every adventure with newfound vigour.