Chapter Text
PROLOGUE
August 14, 16XX
Perhaps moving out of my parent’s home in Germany was a mistake.
I was on my way to Romania when I got attacked by an odd looking man. I couldn’t tell what he looked like because the forest I was walking in was dark and the only thing I remember was feeling a sharp pang of pain in my neck and all my blood getting drained.
Not a thrilling experience, would not recommend. Mostly because when I woke up, all that was left was my worn out bag, me, and this aching pain.
Now I’m here in a barely functional inn, with little food left and even lesser money. I might as well perish in this horrid weather, honestly.
Additionally, Father always told me to trust my gut and mine told me to begin documenting my experiences since the incident in the woods. I sometimes chastise myself for being so paranoid but I will admit, my paranoia has saved my life a few times.
I’m sure this is nothing. Maybe in a few days I’ll be back on my feet making my merry way to Romania.
Also, my eyes are bleeding and I’m crying blood. Strange. Hopefully the innkeeper doesn’t find out and kick me out for being a “bad omen.” That would be terrible.
Anywho, will continue my journey once I recover.
- End Entry -
August 19, 16XX
It has been 5 days since the incident and I, with full honesty, feel like shit.
The inn I’m staying at has a mirror in the hallway and I’ve noticed that my reflection is…off. It’s slow and it doesn’t match with my movements. I’m getting rather anxious. I’m starting to believe that it’s either I or the mirror that’s broken.
Anywho, the innkeeper is very kind to me. She’s an elderly woman by the name of Anna, a lovely person. She let me stay until I recover from my ailment provided that I help around the inn.
I agreed of course for I still have the strength to walk around and do some housework. I also told her about my strange sickness and she assured me saying that she has seen worse. I didn’t question it, didn’t dare to.
Ah, also, she has a son around my age, perhaps a bit older. His name is Arthur; a dashing young fellow, though he doesn’t seem to like me. I’ve tried to strike a conversation with him while he was tending to the garden as I was sweeping some grass off the pavement. As usual, my attempts were only met with hostile remarks and cold responses.
I’ve given up; he’s too hard to talk to. Mustn’t waste all my energy on him.
About my condition, I have a feeling my illness will persist a little while longer. That is all.
- End Entry -
August 31, 16XX
………
My, well, my reflection is gone.
I swear, I am not kidding. It is actually gone.
When I passed by the hallway mirror, I couldn’t see…anything except for the furniture, obviously. Currently, I’m in my room, hiding from Ms. Anna, Arthur, and the other visitors of the inn. I briefly told Ms. Anna about my worsening state and she sent me off with a glass of water and some bread.
She’s the best, really. A true gift from the heave—
Oh dearest me! My fingers…lit up on fire when I wrote that. It distinguished instantly actually so I wasn’t extremely concerned. I’ll try to avoid any religious expressions while writing. Just to be safe.
I’m also looking rather pale. I think I need to rest for a while.
- End Entry -
September 4, 16XX
A small ray of sunlight shined on me today. Usually, this would wake me and I’d stretch and yawn and not start smoking like I was on fire. I immediately jumper out of bed and shrieked like an impaled horse. I screamed out a curse word, actually and later got an earful, not from Miss Anna, but from Arthur.
I wish I was kidding. The man looks like he’d swear left and right but to my great surprise, he doesn’t. He scolded me for not thinking about the children and how I should be more considerate to everyone.
Now, I’ve been raised to be kind and courteous to everyone so I didn’t retort. Instead, I simply nodded, apologised, and promised to watch my language. This satisfied Arthur and he left me alone for the rest of the day.
Also, I shut the curtains tight after I burnt my hand a few hours ago. I’m feeling much better now and not like a rotting corpse on the side of a street but these odd side effects have been persistent more than anything.
But enough about that, the inn I’m staying at is actually located in a small town. I heard the local library is open until midnight. I’ll visit it tomorrow.
(Also, I updated Miss Anna about my ailment and informed her about my symptoms that occur, strangely enough, at daytime. She kindly let me work at 6 in the afternoon. Bless her soul.)
- End Entry -
September 5, 16XX
I stayed up far too late last night for I lost track of the time while I was at the library. It’s now 6pm and I had just woken up. Normally, father would berate me for sleeping this long but alas, I am not with them. I quite miss my family back at home and all the horses in the area, and people that’d visit mother. Oh, but I did promise them that I’d go home with plenty of money once I strike it big in Romania.
And I will hit it big. And I will see them soon. Believe me, I’d rather die than come home empty handed. Thankfully for me, I’m not dead nor will I be in the future. That is unless if I contract a disease in which case I’d be goner.
- End Entry -
September 7, 16XX
I’m not a vampire, am I?
I must be insane to even think about the possibility, after all, it is just a myth. See, I did some research at the local library about my stubborn symptoms and all I saw was all this vampire bullshit.
And for that matter, I don’t believe it. Not one bit.
- End Entry -
September 9, 16XX
Last night, Miss Anna walked into my room and told me I had a guest. I was furious but not at Miss Anna, I could never be. But rather, at this unexpected guest who decided to wake the sweet lady from her slumber.
I stood up immediately and walked Miss Anna back to her room before storming downstairs to confront the bastard. I was ready to pound them with all the strength I had but all that metaphorical strength weakened when I saw my guest.
They were, erm, tall, dark, and deathly pale. They didn’t say anything upon first glance, but this person, who told me their name was Varkl, gave me 2 dead doves with their insides out and demanded me to eat them.
(Oh why of course my good Sir, allow me to accept your thoughtful gift and gladly devour these dead animals with their intestines out. My sincerest gratitude to you, Sir Varkl; I was famished.)
Funnily enough, I was actually very hungry. I vomited out the bread and water I was given and I hadn’t eaten anything in the past days. I didn’t eat the dead doves though, well, not instantly. But by the stars were they delicious. I feel terrible about it now but with an intimidating man standing right in front of me, I didn’t dream of disobeying.
After I awkwardly ate the doves or their blood rather, Varkl promptly informed me that I am a vampire and he was the one who turned me.
I, Viago Von Dorna Schmarten Scheden Heimburg, am a vampire.
I still don’t buy it though.
Anywho, Varkl strictly ordered me to meet him at the town’s square tomorrow at midnight.
Mustn’t be late, I suppose.
- End Entry -
September 15, 16XX
Well, there’s no denying it anymore. I truly am a vampire.
A few nights ago, Varkl explained to me about my newfound vampirism and the inns and outs of it except there are no outs. This is permanent and I can’t un-vampire myself.
It took me days to process it and if I’m being honest, it will take me more that a decade to do so. If ever do process it, that is.
Varkl also invited me to stay at his castle. Actually no, he strongly suggested that I do. He claims that it’s safe there and that I’d be with another vampire. There I could learn more about my vampirism.
My vampirism.
The word still stings in my mouth even until now. Anywho, Varkl gave me until the 17th to think about it. I didn’t want to leave and I wasn’t going to let my entire life’s dream get thrown away by some cranky old man. But after everything I’ve seen and been through, there’s really no use anymore.
No use to travelling to Romania. No use of becoming successful there. And there’s no use of going back home.
And as much as it pains me to do so, I have to leave Miss Anna, and well, I suppose Arthur as well. If it’s to keep them safe then so be it.
Moving on, tomorrow I will pack my things and bid a heartfelt farewell to them both.
May the stars bless them for their future endeavours.
(And may the stars bless mine, if I ever get to see them again.)
- End Entry -
Audio Log #1 - May 3rd, 1999
“Uh, audio log recording by Anton Bennett, May 3rd, 1999.
I am 23 years old, I live in Wellington, New Zealand, and…I got attacked. Listen just—this whole audio log stuff was just some weird thing to help me deal with whatever the hell happened two nights ago. I probably should’ve hired a therapist or something but I don’t think I have the money or money to do all that stuff so yeah.
Anyways, this is, uhm, I don’t, god, yeah I am not having a nice time.
But just to clear the fog or whatever, last night, on my way home, I decided to pass by the park, sit for a while, and just…take in the view, I guess.
Well, that was a terrible decision because some druggie fucking bit me. I—yeah, I shouldn’t have swore and all that, but she just bit me. Badly. Plus, she was a total weirdo too. She looked like she just got stampeded at furry convention with all her hair, snout, and sharp teeth. Probably just a cosplayer or something.
I’m also sick, as in very very sick. I keep on barfing and my body temperature is rising. I saw a doctor yesterday and he told me that there wasn’t anything wrong with me. I should’ve showed him the bite, then maybe there would be a proper diagnosis. He offered to do a drug test but I didn’t take it. It’s probably just some stomach bug.
I mean, I guess it could be one if my bite mark didn’t bulge out every once in a while. Yeah, it’s pretty nasty.
Anyways, I have to work tomorrow and I can just deal with this later.
Audio log ends.”
Audio Log #2 - May 5th, 1999
“My sickness has gotten worse, like so much worse than it was two days ago. I don’t if I hit puberty again but I’m just getting really hairy now and yeah, that sounds so fuckin’ weird to say that out loud.
Also, since this is supposed to be a anger management thing for me, I’ll just swear. I heard it’s healthy so why not?
Anyways, I, honest to god, would really just prefer to not go too deep into my sickness so I’ll let you know when I stop feeling like shit.
Audio log ends.”
Audio Log #3 - May 10th, 1999
“You know that druggie from the park? Yeah, I ran into her while I was on my to the pharmacy or actually, it was more of she ran into me. Point is, I’m a werewolf now.
Yay.
Is she still high? Hell, am I high??? This is just, absolute goddamn bullshit. I’m probably stuck in a dream I’m never gonna wake up from.
Eh, at least cocaine cunt is actually a decent guy when sober. I…I actually kinda feel bad for insulting her. She said her name was Roana and invited me to her pack.
And I was like “fuck no dude, I mean, you’re nice and all but I just met you and you fucking bit me not too long ago.” She understood, thankfully and told me that she and her pack would stick around at Wellington for a whole before migrating up north, hopefully somewhere with less humans.
Listen, I’ve seen a some weird shit before and I really couldn’t give a damn. But hey, the woman was really nice.
I’m still not joining their pack, if one actually exists and if they are the werewolves they call themselves. I don’t plan on migrating anywhere anytime.
Still don’t believe I’m a werewolf though.
Audio log ends.”
Audio Log #4 - May 14th, 1999
“It’s been 2 weeks since I got bitten and I feel good, surprisingly. Kinda expected to die, heh. Roana and I actually met up after I got off work and told me that the full moon would be at the 30th and that I should watch out for it cause y’know, transformation and stuff.
She also gave me a self-made brochure about lycanthropy, the dos and don’ts, and stuff. I’m invited to join her and her pack for drinks at a local bar tomorrow night which I actually plan to join.
Maybe they can tell me about the whole werewolf thing there.
If I am one.
Audio log ends.”
Audio Log #5 - May 15th, 1999
“Hooolyyy fuuck, I’m a fuckin’ werewolf now maan. That is sooo cool. Haha, woooow. I can, like, be hairy and shit *hic*
Can’t wait to see what’s in store of lycandrobby, hah. Man, past me had a severe case of Scully syndrome.
Log end audio.”
Audio Log #6 - May 16th, 1999
“Oh god, I was drunk last night, wasn’t I? Past me is such an idiot *sigh* and the worst part is that I don’t have any recollection on what the hell happened.
Oh. Oh fuck, what did happen? Jesus Christ, I’m have to go now.
Audio log ends.”
Audio Log #7 - May 17th, 1999
“I…uh…I bit someone.
And I mean, I just bit their arm off.
Roana told me. Apparently I got so wasted that while the pack was walking me home, I just ran and bit the arm off of the nearest person I saw. It was ugly, a whole gore-y bloodbath. I was stopped before I could do any further damage and thank god Roana and her friends were there.
One the pack’s members, Quinta, even showed me a video of it in her Nokia.
I think I’m starting to believe that I’m a lycanthrope.
Anyways, she encouraged me to visit the guy at the hospital tomorrow and apologise. I will, and trust me I feel very bad about it.
It’s just—I’m a murderer now! I can’t take this in or whatever, I nearly killed someone for fuck’s sake. That man has a family, friends, a life! And I nearly took that away from him. Hell, he’s probably dead now.
But I’m working on flickering hope here. Maybe he’s alive or at least comatose.
Point is, he needs to know the truth. All of it. Like how Roana told it to me.
I just hope he doesn’t freak out.
……
He probably will though.
Audio log ends.”
Audio Log #8 - May 18th, 1999
“The doctors were astonished. Apparently the guy recovered almost overnight, it’s almost supernatural.
Supernatural, hah.
So anyways, I visited the guy. Got him a small bouquet of hyacinths and some fried chicken in a styrofoam container which seemed to warm him up a bit.
I also told him the truth. As in, everything. From my invite to my drunken state and to his eventual dismemberment.
I also told him about his lycanthropy and he, unsurprisingly, didn’t believe me. I get it, I’ve been there. Still he thanked me for the gifts and even forgave me.
He’s a nice guy. I hope he’s open to becoming friends especially since full moon is in less than 2 weeks. I don’t know why but I’m feeling kinda protective of the man. I don’t know if it’s paternal instinct or the werewolf one but whatever it is, he’s gonna need some guidance.
I’m sure Roana is open to another pack member but…I mean, I wouldn’t mind watching over him.
His name is Matthews by the way. Nathan Matthews.
Nice name, has a cool ring to it.
Audio log ends.”