Do Vampires Day Dream - Rewrite Prologue, Chapter One & Chapter Two

PROLOGUE

 

“Why’s he so pale?” the unseen voice erupted from somewhere inside the group of pyjama clad children. Now Vlad, the target of this hostile outcry was indeed particularly pale, however, unlike the other children in the room had a very good reason for his complexion; Vlad was a vampire.

 

The class parted, revealing a tall chubby boy, who was left to take ownership of the words. The boy was tall and chubby (as I just said) and generally big, the biggest in the room, behind Mr. Thompson of course. But Mr. Thompson was not a boy, but a man, well a teacher, but then again, this child, was less boy and more, well man-boy. The point is, the boy was big.

 

Vlad was frozen to the spot. This was the first time he had been confronted by someone who did not show fear.  The man-boy’s face hardened as he walked toward the young vampire. Vlad found himself with no words; ever since he had entered the large entry hall of the museum, he had felt as though the bats from his batman onesie had escaped their cotton prison, and had taken to fluttering around his stomach. Well now the bats had stopped just fluttering and had began eating any attempt of communication. The man-child was now mere feet away. 

 

Perhaps at this point I should explain how our little Vlad happened to find himself in the middle of the history museum, surrounded by these strange human children. For this I need to start at the beginning. 

 

Flash back

Insert an enchanting melody here (you will have to add this yourself,  this isn’t an audio book, my suggested instrument would be a harp).

Tringa Linga Linga Ling…

 

****

 

You may be surprised to learn that vampires can come to be, in the same way that humans come to be. That’s right. When a man loves a woman, very very very much, the two decide to make a baby. Now of course reader I will not go into detail as to how this occurs, but needless to say it involves a trip to Ikea, and the hidden department with in. After some personalisation and a little self assembly, the baby then begins its life.  (Now remember this the next time your parents suggest a trip to Ikea, you may come away with a little brother or sister).

 

As a toddler, Vlad had a life like most other children, scurrying around the corridors of his penthouse apartment, as he chased the agile rats that had been released by the loyal servants, before catching the slowest, often the fattest and burying his sharp fangs into the furry flesh... 

 

On second thoughts, maybe the beginning is not the right place to start. At this rate this book will be a trilogy before I even get to the werewolves breaking into the museum. (Oops, forget I said that, or at least act surprised later). So lets just begin, say... yesterday.

 

****

 

One - Yesterday

 

Vladimir Jones is a pale little vampire, with dark purple rings around his eyes. I know what you’re thinking, all vampires are pale and have purple circles around their eyes. Well this is correct, Vlad, however, is paler than most and his purple circles are the purpliest they could possibly be. The reason for these rings and his overly pale complexion is simple, Vlad, is an insomniac.

 

So, what does a vampire like Vlad, unable to sleep, do in the light of day? Well nothing, for vampires do not allow any day light into their homes, that would be foolish and result in either very severe sunburn; think of the photos of your aunt on holiday, not your real aunt, but the one who’s just good friends with your mum; or… 

 

DUN DUN DURRNN! 

 

… DEATH.

 

Vlad lay flat on his bed, struggling to focus after yet another sleepless day. His eyes were tired, heavy with thought but no rest had come. Only the consistent questions and what ifs, that now had become his way of life. The electronic buzz of the humungous blackout curtains that hung over the floor to ceiling windows of his room, startled him from his thoughts, as the mechanics automatically opened them now the sun had set. 

 

He sat up, looking out at the uninterrupted view of the night sky from the tallest building in town. I say tallest building in town but this does little justice to the true size of the building. Beetham Tower was huge, or at least appeared so as it loomed over the much smaller buildings in the surrounding area of Deansgate.  

 

Vlad lived in the top 2 floors of the tower. There was nothing old, ancient about the apartment. The entire flat was filled with modern features, huge glass windows that stretched from floor to ceiling and looked out at the city and the people who scurried like insects far below. Of course, the same heavy black curtains hung on all the windows, ready to block any possible daylight that dared to try and enter the rooms.

 

Vlad’s own room was spread across two floors. The play room on the lower level had a large painting of a beach on one wall, the blue water glistened, reflecting the sunlight, or in this case, glitter reflecting the yellow ceiling light. In the vast room, there was all the toys a child could ever want to play with. 

 

A swing set

A climbing frame with 2 slides

A vintage video arcade

All the new consoles, X-box, Switch 

Every Playstation ever, even those not yet released

 

In the middle of the floor, a metal staircase, painted in blue spiralled up into the floor above, and was surrounded by a third slide that wound its way around the steps. This staircase lead up to the bedroom. When I say bedroom, that is literally what it was, an entire room made up of one ginormous bed, with a one hundred and thirty-two inch television filling one wall.  But this incredible room and all the toys in the world could not bring Vlad happiness and the underrated pleasure of sleep.

 

He lay awake all day, dreaming, daydreaming if you will, about all the things in life that he longed to do, and felt he was missing out on.

 

Vlad’s Daydreams

Visiting galleries and museums

Not ruining a toothbrush on the first use

Play hide and seek with other children

Play football with other children

Just see other children

Become Human

Go to school

Have a Pizza Hut Buffet

Watch a sunrise

Watch a sunset

Go to Primark (managed to go last December during late night opening)

Sunbathe

Visit the beach

Eat fish and chips on a Pier

Go to Lego Land

Go to Disneyland

 

One of the biggest things Vlad day dreamed about, as you can see by the large text, was having a Pizza Hut buffet. No reader, I have not gone crazy, I know vampires feed on blood, however vampires can also eat regular food. Not for any nutritious value of course, just for the enjoyment, hence the Pizza.

 

A pizza hut buffet allows you to eat as much as you like, of any of the pizzas they bring out, at the same time! Meat Meltdown, Epic Veggie, Hot N’ Spicy Chicken, (am I making you want a pizza yet?), a simple Pepperoni, and of course BBQ Americano, just to name a few.  A dream in anyone’s eyes for sure . However, it is only available up until 3pm. Even in the winter, even in Manchester, this is not good for a vampire with a craving. 

 

“Guess what kid.” His father’s shout leaked through the open window. (Of course his room was so astounding that it had windows on the second floor that looked down on the hallway below). Vlad poked his head out of the window that over looked the unusually tall corridor outside his room. 

 

“What?” he said, trying his best to sound upbeat.

 

“How would you like to go to the History museum tomorrow night?” his father’s voice was jolly, clearly proud of the offer, “I sorted it so you can spend the whole night there.”

 

“For real?” Vlad’s smile stretched so wide across his cheeks, they actually hurt, it seemed they had forgotten the sensation of a smile.

 

“Yes, for real.” responded his father, as his son jumped from the high window, landing silently on his feet and ran down the corridor, crashing into his father’s chest, hugging him tight. “Now, there is a catch.”

 

Vlad loosened his grip and looked up to his father.

 

“You will be going with a school trip,” he continued, “and I know this may sound obvious, but you will have to control yourself. You can’t go biting the other kids, no matter the temptation.”

 

Vlad once more gripped his father tight, burying his face into his chest.

 

“No problem, thank you, thank you, thank you.” Vlad’s shouts were muffled by his father’s blazer.

 

****

 

Back in his room, he jumped backwards into the ball pit in one corner of the room. For a moment he felt weightless, as his body flew upwards, before crashing down and getting lost in the hundreds of multicoloured balls.  He was ecstatic, he had never felt so happy, for the last few years he had forgotten what happy felt like. Now he had such an opportunity to not just cross one thing of his list, but two. One of which being the thing he had wanted more than anything. (No, not a Pizza Hut Buffet, you’re obsessed). 

 

A chance to Become Human.

 

You don’t think I missed that one on his list do you reader? No, of course not, I just wanted to leave it hanging for a while, (a while equaling 517 words to be exact). 

 

Vlad knew that if he could only get a human to bite him , then he could go out in the day, go to Primark (not just at Christmas), he could go to the beach and not die. He could tick off everything on his list, and then start a whole new list. He could, ‘DUN DUN DURRNN’, eat a Pizza Hut buffet (you knew it was coming). All he had to do was find someone willing to bite him.

 

****

 

Two - Remember No Biting

 

 

The whole of the next day, Vlad was unable to sleep, he was far too excited. Not that he would have slept anyway, but this time he had an excuse for his insomnia. That night, he was going to become human.

 

During the many hours, lying awake, he had logged onto the History Museum’s website and was looking through the different exhibits and sections. He had found the ideal spot for the bite to take place; the animal exhibit. An exhibit filled with a huge variety of preserved wild life, the zoology collection was ideal. Although what Vlad had wanted for a long time, being bitten was still a huge thing, and the thought of it happening amongst the preserved animals allowed him peace, knowing that his former self may also be in some way preserved (just not too closely accessible).

 

The day had felt long, and for the last hour he had been going through his wardrobe, looking for the perfect outfit for the occasion. Even just the idea of seeing other children was a big thing, he was home schooled and so never got the chance to mingle. The only people he normally saw were the people in his father’s the bar in the middle of the tower, when he would sneak in and hang out at night. Usually hiding in the ceiling. 

 

After choosing five different outfits, then taking the top from the first and the trousers from the third, he realised, it was a sleep over, they were to be camping out in the museum, and if Vlad were to have a chance at fitting in he would have to wear his pyjamas. The choice was now more limited, since he only owned two pairs, and one was in the wash, he had no choice but to wear his batman ones.  

 

Looking at the small yellow bats on the Blue background, he felt fluttering in his stomach, like the bats had escaped the pyjama’s cotton fabric and were now flying in a frenzy around his belly. He was not used to feeling nervous, he had never really had any occasion to be. 

 

“VLAADD!” his father shouted up the stairs. “You ready?” 

 

Vlad took one more glance into the mirror, breathing out a heavy breath, like he was trying to starve any oxygen from the bats inside, suffocate them. He picked up his bag and left the room.

 

****

 

It was only a short walk down Deansgate from his flat to the history museum, or ‘Manchester Museum’ as it was actually called. Waiting outside the front gates was a strange looking figure, with a tweed blazer and a balding head, the street light danced off his hairless scalp. 

 

“Vlad, this is Howard.” Vlad’s father crouched down as he spoke directly to his son. “He´s the history teacher at the local prep and will be looking after you and the other kids tonight.” 

 

“Mr. Thompson…” A broken voice erupted nervously from Howard’s mouth. Weakening further as both Vlad and his father looked to him. “I mean, my name… p… p… p… probably best you call me Mr. Thompson, you know for the s…s…sake of the other children.” He tried to laugh but the sound actually sounded more like a pained whimpering.  

 

Vlad had noticed most people often spoke this way around his father, of course no one knew he was a vampire, but most had a feeling that something was not quite right, a survival instinct. 

 

“Good to know.” Vlad’s father smiled looking back to his son. “I’ll leave you with Howard for tonight.” He stressed the name, glancing once again to the teacher.

 

“REMEMBER… No biting!” his father shouted after them, as Mr. Thompson and Vlad walked through the gates. Mr. Thompson turned looking to Vlad, another whimpering laugh getting stuck in his throat. 

 

Inside the museum was hot, not just warm but really hot as soon as Vlad stepped through the doorway. And there was a smell, not just the smell of old things.  This smell was blood, blood that was pumping fast around small bodies, as they hurtled between the exhibits in the main hall. This smell was human children. Vlad had been used to smelling blood, the bar was filled with humans but this was far stronger. As the children’s hearts beat fast, their bodies full of energy and life. Vlad inhaled, getting a good whiff.

 

“Children…” Mr. Thompson’s voice was soft, despite him trying to shout, although, to be fair to him, amongst the chaos and screams coming from the children, even the loudest of shouts would have sounded like a whisper. “Come on now children… settle down… I have someone I would like to introduce.” he continued. 

 

The chaos suddenly stopped. The screams silenced. The entire class turned and faced Vlad. If a vampire could blush, he most certainly would have.  (Vampires cannot blush). For a moment there was a silence, a silence that Vlad could hear being filled by the tiny beating of wings. The bats had returned to his stomach.

 

“This is Vlad and he will be joining us tonight.” Mr. Thompson’s words did nothing to still the wings. “I want you to all be super nice to him, ok, treat him as one of the class.”

 

“Why’s he so pale?” 

 

(Welcome back, we are now exactly where we were 2,602 words ago).

 

“That’s enough Tomothy. ” Mr. Thompson’s voice was surprisingly firm for a man wearing tweed.

 

Tomothy (no not a typo) said nothing, just stared at little Vlad before returning to a small group of boys, who had split from the larger class. His attention was now occupied by the skull of a large dinosaur, and he had already taken to poking the fossilised bone, despite a sign saying do not touch. Between each poke, he glanced back to Vlad, giving him the stink eye.

 

I am sure, reader, that you already have established that this man-boy was a bully, and the worst kind of bully, a stupid one. But please, although through out this story it may be hard to have any pity for this oversized boy, remember, his parents had chosen to name him, Tomothy.