The Pact: Bruno and the Crimson Veil

I was walking alone down the street, crossing the pedestrian lane on my way to the gym — a place about twenty minutes from home.

I wore a black T-shirt with a skull in the center, two thin silver chains, casual black shorts, and sports sneakers.

In my ears, headphones played "Pride," one of my favorite tracks.

> "Things aren't that complicated.

Lions don't mingle with rats — and that's a fact."

From the crosswalk, I spotted my friend already inside the gym, flipping me off playfully. I returned the gesture with a smirk.

But then... it happened.

A speeding car came out of nowhere. There was no time to react.

It hit me with brutal force, hurling my body into the air.

Time slowed — no pain, just flashes.

Everything blurred. My vision faded.

Is this death? I wondered as my eyelids closed for what I thought was the last time.

But it wasn't the end.

---

Somewhere between life and oblivion, I dreamed.

The images were broken, distorted — but real.

In them, a woman spoke to me with concern in her voice. I didn't know her. At least, I don't think I did.

The room was large. In the corner, I noticed a small shelf. In front of me stood a door — always open, revealing a darkness so deep it looked alive.

In those dream fragments, I felt fear. I heard someone calling to me.

But I couldn't respond. Everything passed too quickly.

---

I wanted to reply. I tried — but my voice wouldn't come.

Am I in a vegetative state?

Panic surged through my veins. Terror cornered me like a wild animal.

I'd rather die than live like this.

"Lord… Father…" I begged in silence, "take me to You. But don't leave me like this."

My faith, once buried, poured out of me like a river.

Then — pain.

A searing pain struck my chest. It lasted only about three seconds… but it was enough to make me scream.

And then… my eyes opened.

---

I gasped, disoriented.

The room around me was the same one from my dreams.

Where… am I?

I looked down at my body. There was no pain, but my skin — pale, almost ghostly — startled me.

No signs of anemia. No wounds.

Just... strangeness.

My body had changed.

I was stronger. My frame, more defined. My abs now had visible lines, and my legs looked longer, leaner, firmer.

But how? I was hit by a car.

Could this be a government experiment? A secret lab?

How long was I asleep?

I tested my movement. Everything was intact.

But I still felt off. Like something was missing — from my body… and my mind.

A terrifying thought surfaced:

Did I lose my humanity?

The question chilled me to the bone.

So simple. So vile.

Yet powerful enough to shake me.

A flood of emotions rose from the depths of my being.

Fear. Confusion. Despair. Curiosity.

And then — rage.

Rage that devours everything in its path to build walls against the world.

That's when I heard it.

---

A voice. Familiar, gentle.

"Vampire…"

It echoed softly.

It felt far away… yet warm. Confusing. Beautiful.

And I knew, without knowing why, that it came from beyond the dark door.

"Who's there?" I shouted, half in fear, half in fury.

"Are you talking to me?!"

"Of course, silly," she replied — sweet, almost amused.

Before I could say another word, her voice continued:

> "Don't think too hard, Bruno.

After you become a vampire, your emotions become... intense."

Vampire?

Emotions?

Bruno…?

Questions and instincts clashed in my mind.

"How do you know my name?!" I shouted, panicked.

"Who's the vampire?!"

She giggled, playfully surprised.

"One question at a time," she teased, her voice growing closer.

"Vampire?" she repeated casually.

"Well… me. You. Selena. Pretty much everyone in this castle."

"And your name?" I demanded.

"Oh, I know everything about you," she replied — almost shyly.

Her answer didn't ease my fear.

Still trembling, I turned my gaze to the dark door.

The same door from my dreams.

It began to open.

Creak. Creak. Creak.

"Who am I?" I whispered.

She laughed lightly on the other side of the growing void.

> "Why don't you find out for yourself?"