The Pact: Bruno and the Crimson Veil

Lost in my thoughts, I asked myself: what did I do?

She trusted me… and I crossed every line.

What was that? Why did I do it?

Confused and desperate, I found myself spiraling into madness — a break between my ideals and my principles.

Sadness. Regret. Guilt. Satisfaction.

So many conflicting emotions surged through me, pulling me in every direction, tearing me apart.

On my lap, Flávia watched my emotional collapse.

Her eyes were full of concern — the kind of look you give when something terrible happens to someone you love.

There was a hint of guilt in her gaze too.

Was she wondering if she should've done something differently?

Without saying a word, she hugged me tighter.

After a few seconds, her voice came soft and calm, like a breeze brushing against my soul:

— Bruno… don't blame yourself. Your thirst and desires were at their limit. Besides… I chose you.

It's normal for newborn vampires to lose control. None of them can resist.

A faint relief washed over me… but it was quickly drowned by a bitter feeling.

So this is it?

Is everything I once knew as a human gone? Not even my ideals or beliefs remain?

What's left of me?

My voice came out in broken fragments:

— I… didn't want to…

Flávia didn't answer. She just stayed there, comforting me in silence.

And for a while, my mind wandered.

Lost. Confused.

In that void, memories surfaced — echoes of a life that felt farther and farther away.

Three memories. Three feelings.

The first was my grandmother's birthday.

The whole family was there, laughing and hugging.

A perfect day.

The second was a night out with my friends.

We were talking about the future.

One of them said:

"I don't know what I want… I just want to be with you guys."

The third… was heartbreak.

I thought she was the one.

But in the end, she walked away.

Without even looking back.

Those three moments defined three things about me:

Happiness. Friendship. Frustration.

Deeply human emotions.

They hadn't disappeared.

They were still inside me — buried, but present.

All that remained now were the memories.

But they were mine.

And now… here I was.

In a castle.

In the arms of a vampire.

Who am I? Am I still Bruno?

But then her voice pulled me back:

— Bruno… you haven't changed. — she said gently, placing her hand on my cheek.

— How could I not? Everything I believed in is gone…

She spoke calmly:

— The transformation doesn't change your mind. It only amplifies your emotions.

Almost crying, I said:

— But what if… what if a bad thought takes over? What if, in a moment of intensified emotion, I hurt someone?

I touched you without permission… I'd never do that…

She leaned her forehead against mine.

— How can you say that? You'd never hurt anyone. Because real feelings come from here — she said, placing her hand over my heart.

— You "touched" me? Bruno, I'm far stronger than you.

If I'm here, it's because I want to be. Nothing more.

And besides… I love you.

She smiled through watery eyes and added:

— And if you ever accept me… maybe…

She didn't finish.

But it was enough.

— Your heart is still the same — she continued. — Kind. Gentle. Even if you get easily irritated, you've never been cruel.

That's what makes you so incredible.

Then she sealed her words with a soft kiss.

And inside me, something shifted.

A silent force… dissolving the darkness.

Something invisible to the weak.

Trembling, lost and emotional, I asked:

— Is it… possible to keep my humanity?

She nodded softly and tightened her embrace.

And there — right there — I felt it.

A spark.

A flicker of hope in my chest.

I straightened on the couch.

My arms, once limp, slowly wrapped around her.

I looked into her eyes… and saw only tenderness.

What a wonderful woman.

I thought.

Maybe this world… isn't so bad after all.

Not if she's in it.

I lifted a hand to her face, and the words flowed naturally:

— How lucky I am… that the woman who fell for me has such a huge heart.