Felix was startled awake by the sound of the cabin door creaking open, bolting upright on the bed he’d dragged down into the cellar. He’d fed well the night before from a moose he caught wandering the forest, so he’d slept deeper than he had in the days prior with prey becoming more scarce as winter approached. Now he was regretting gorging himself the night before as he heard the thud of heavy boots against the wood floor above the cellar. Were it a human he’d have been less concerned, but he could make out no discernable sound of a heartbeat as he slipped out of bed and crept toward the hatch to the cabin above.
He’d only seen one other vampire in the seventeen years he’d spent hiding out in the cabin and that one hadn’t been friendly at all, so Felix found himself on edge at the idea one had found their way into his home.
“Hello?” Felix heard the vampire above call out. Cautiously he unlatched the hatch and lifted it just enough to peek out. It wasn’t hard to spot his unexpected guest. The other vampire was a broad-chested mountain of a man, his head nearly grazing the ceiling of the cabin where he stood. Felix’s movement didn’t go unnoticed, the tall vampire tilting his head as he looked to the hatch. “Forgive me for barging in without warning, I needed somewhere to stop before I continue on tomorrow, I could smell recent and older blood and figured there was another vampire staying here.”
Felix stayed silent, violet eyes studying the other vampire as he peered from under the hatch cautiously.
“I’m not going to hurt you, I’ll leave as soon as sunset comes tomorrow if you want, but I’d rather not risk getting turned to ash trying to find somewhere else.” The male said gently, crouching down so he could try to get a better look at the face peering back at him.
Slowly Felix opened the hatch fully, never taking his eyes off the other vampire as he climbed out of the cellar and shut the hatch once more. He was still wary, but this was the first real chance he’d had to interact with another vampire that wasn’t hostile.
“You can stay the day,” Felix murmured, awkwardly smoothing his worn and stained clothes.
“Thanks, I genuinely appreciate it. I’m Otto. And you?” The bearded vampire asked, smiling as he continued to study Felix and his surroundings.
“My name is Felix. Um.. you can make yourself comfortable if you want. I’m afraid this place doesn’t have much to offer in the way of comfort.” Felix said, shuffling over to a small table and sitting down in one of the chairs.
“Thank you, Felix.” Otto smiled, moving over to sit down in the chair across from Felix, “I’ve slept in worse places so I’m certainly not complaining. Forgive me if this is too forward, but I couldn’t help but notice all the graves around the cabin, was this a cemetery?”
“N-no. I um… I feel bad just leaving the carcasses from the animals and occasional people I’ve fed from to rot… it doesn’t seem right to.” Felix admitted sheepishly, absently tracing the wood grain of the table with a fingertip.
“Animals?” Otto blinked, “You’re quite the gentle soul, aren’t you?”
“I suppose so…” Felix shrugged.
“So you live here then?” Otto asked, trying not to be rude, but he couldn’t imagine another vampire living this way out of anything other than necessity.
“Mhm… I um.. don’t really have anywhere else to go.” Felix nodded.
“Where is your sire?” Otto asked. He had a hunch that he knew the answer, but he didn’t want to jump to conclusions without asking.
“Sire?” Felix furrowed his brow.
“The one who made you a vampire, who gave you their blood.” Otto elaborated.
“Oh. I don’t know where he is now. He disappeared after he fed me his blood. When I awoke like this he was already gone.” Felix said quietly, averting his eyes for the first time. Otto frowned softly, giving a nod at the confirmation of his suspicions.
“So you’ve been here since you were turned? Feeding off animals and the occasional traveler? For how long?” Otto probed further.
“Yes… I think it’s been about seventeen years. I try to keep track of the days.” Felix murmured, eyes still downcast.
“I’m truly sorry, no fledgling should be abandoned like that, though it happens more often than it should,” Otto said, reaching slowly to lightly pat Felix’s hand, so the other vampire had plenty of time to retract his own hand if the touch was unwelcome. Felix tensed slightly at the contact but didn’t pull away, relaxing after a moment.
“Why do some abandon their fledglings?” Felix asked, looking back up at Otto once more.
“I wish I could say. I’m afraid there’s not a singular answer to that. It varies from sire to sire I suppose. I can’t say I understand or agree with any reasoning, it seems irresponsible to me.” Otto shrugged, shaking his head.
“Do some stay with their fledglings?” Felix asked, feeling more at ease as he spoke with the older vampire.
“Yes, some do, my sire did. He stayed with me through the change, and taught me all I needed to know.” Otto nodded. “I’m sorry you did not receive the same. You deserved better than that, though you’ve done admirably to stay alive this long without guidance.”
“It was all kind of a fog for a while. I still barely feel like I know what I’m doing. You’re the second vampire I’ve seen other than my sire. The first I met attacked me on sight and I barely survived the encounter. That’s why I was so on edge when you first showed up.” Felix said.
“Quite understandable after all you’ve been through.” Otto smiled softly.
“What happened to your sire?” Felix asked.
“Oh, he’s still kicking around, just not big on the whole traveling deal. I visit him every now and again.” Otto said.
“So you travel?” Felix asked another question, recalling Otto’s earlier remark.
“Oh yes, all over. What’s immortality for if not to see and do all the things you wished you could experience after all.” Otto said cheerfully.
“I suppose so. I mean it’s not like I’m locked into helping with my family’s shop anymore so you’ve got a point.” Felix nodded thoughtfully, glancing toward one of the windows. “The sky is starting to lighten. We should move downstairs before dawn.” He said, moving to get up and gesturing for Otto to follow. The large vampire got up to his feet, following Felix to the hatch and climbing down into the cellar, having to duck his head to avoid bumping it against the floorboards. “I know there isn’t a whole lot of room but I can sleep on the floor if you’d like to use the bed.” Felix offered.
“Are you certain? I think we might both fit unless you prefer not to share?” Otto suggested.
“No no, I don’t mind. I just wasn’t sure if you’re comfortable sharing.” Felix nodded, moving over to the bed and stretching out on his side, trying to leave ample room for the taller male.
“Alright, long as you’re certain.” Otto yawned and kicked off his boots, making himself comfortable as he stretched out next to Felix. “Thanks again for allowing me to stay here.”
“Glad I could help.” Felix gave a small smile. It didn’t take long for Otto to fall asleep, though Felix lay awake in thought, gazing at the other male, his mind racing with thoughts. Felix had made up his mind and drifted off for a few hours of sleep before waking once more, waiting for the taller male to wake up as well. Otto eventually stirred, blinking a few times slowly before a smile lit his face.
“Good evening.” Otto murmured, “I hope you were able to sleep alright with me taking up so much of the bed.”
“I was, thank you.” Felix nodded before amending his statement, “I was up thinking for a bit but that was for other reasons. Um… I wanted to ask. Would you take me with you? Let me travel alongside you and teach me the things my sire never taught me?” Felix asked in a rush before he could lose the nerve he built up. Otto blinked owlishly for a moment before breaking into a wide grin.
“Why not? Traveling alone gets boring, and I can definitely show you the ropes.” Otto said as he sat up.
“Really?” Felix’s eyes brightened as he pushed himself upward, having prepared himself for the other vampire to deny his request.
“Sure, why not.” Otto nodded, “The more the merrier. Besides, I don’t think I could forgive myself if I just left and something happened that I could’ve prevented by taking you under my wing. Anything you need before we leave?”
“Not really, I don’t have anything of sentimental value and there’s not a whole lot here to take anyway.” Felix shook his head.
“Alright then, shall we?” Otto asked, crouching as he got to his feet and extending his hand to Felix. Felix glanced around briefly, taking one final look, before accepting the offered hand and leaving the cellar for the last time.