Anagha Baheti

A stabbing pain shot up from my neck. I tried to jump to my feet, but my body had been pinned to the floor. I howled as loudly as I could and thrashed the air with my legs.

“Hush now, Alexander. This will all be over soon.”

Even though I was scared and almost blind with age, I trusted Marie. I stopped moving. Whatever had been stabbed in my neck was pulled out. My blood gushed out of the wound. I heard a dagger slice against flesh, and warm blood – not mine – poured over my wound. It entered my body and began to burn through me. I was very aware of the pain, as I was of my surroundings.

“Is it done, then? Will he live?”

“Yes, although I would advise leaving him out every night to hunt. New vampires have difficulty controlling their thirst. Humans have some capability for thought after being converted, but a canine vampire… that’s a first for me. Nobody knows how he would react.”

The excruciating pain ebbed as quickly as it rose, and my vision slowly cleared up. Marie smiled at me through tear-filled eyes.

“Alexander!”

I ran to her side.

For the first time in a long time, I could stand without pain. I could move without my bones screaming for rest.

“You taught him well.”

The stranger, a tall but thin man, looked at me with curious eyes. His clothes were hidden behind his cloak. I couldn’t hear his heartbeat or smell him, but I believed my eyes. I had felt his hand on me a few minutes ago. I could see on his hand the blood that had burnt through me.

I jumped between the two, keeping Marie behind me.

“I must ask for your leave, fair lady. Tonight, I shan’t feast on you so you can cherish my companionship gift. Pray I never cross this village, for the next time, I might not find mercy in my heart.”

He disappeared without another word.

Marie wrapped her hands around me and burst into tears. I tried to calm her down by licking her face, but that only made her cry harder.

“Oh, Alexander! Thank the heavens you are still with me.” She held my snout and lifted my head. “Now I never have to worry about losing you. We will live a very long and happy life.”

I blinked, and I was by her bedside. Henry held Marie’s old, wrinkled hand as she breathed her last. He had grown up to be a strong man.

“Henry, take Alexander with you. Make sure you take good care of him. And at the end of your life, make sure you bring him to the other side. Remember, Henry, I trust no one as I trust you.” She sighed deeply and looked at me. “I should take you to the other side, but I am a coward. I hope Henry is stronger. Take care of him as you took care of me.”

At the end of his life, Henry didn’t dare to end my life either. So, I outlived him… and his children.

“Are you hungry, sweet boy?” The skinny kid asked me. In his extended hand, there was half of a strip of bacon he had stolen from the meat shop down the road. The smell might have enticed me in my younger days, but vampirism had taken from me everything I had once enjoyed. I wasn’t after the meat. I was looking for company.

The boy slowly came closer, taking small, unsure steps until he reached close enough to put his hands on my head. I let him. He scratched the corner behind my ear. After thirty years of lonely life on the streets, that tiny gesture made me purr.

“You are alone, aren’t you? I am alone, too. My name is Edward. And you will be Charlie from now on.”

The small bell over the door chimed as Jenny pushed open the door. She jumped around the place, excited to take home her new best friend. I glanced at her from the corner of my eye but stayed lying down. I had seen it too many times in the last three years. They would pick one of the younger puppies. Nobody wanted old dogs.

I followed her with my eyes as she walked around with her father. Something about her face made it impossible to look away. She occasionally stopped and played with a dog before moving on to the next one. Then, she came to me, knelt, and smiled.

Something snapped in place between us. I stepped closer to her and she reached out and scratched behind my ear. My tail began to wag without me realising.

“Do you like him?”

She nodded.

“Miss, we would like to take this one home. Can we get started on the paperwork?”

“Excellent choice, sir. Maxwell is very patient and well-behaved. He is a bit on the older side, but he is wonderful with children. I am sure your family will love him.”

He turned to Jenny.

“What do you think of his name? Do you like Maxwell?”

“No.” She puffed.

“What should we call him then?”

“Bruno!” The excitement in her voice got my tail wagging once more. Master laughed.

“Very well! Let’s take Bruno home.”

Bruno… I like that name.

“Bruno! Don’t leave me, please.”

When I opened my eyes, I found myself surrounded by my family. Master had my head in his lap, and Jenny had her head on my chest like she always did.

As I breathed my last breath, my eyes locked on Jenny. She was facing the other way, so I could only see the back of her head, but I could feel her pain. Her body shivered slightly as she tried to stay strong for me.

After Marie’s passing, I hadn’t expected to find the kind of bond we shared. In my last days, Jenny reminded me of what that felt like.

Now that I stood at death’s door, my heart was filled not with fear but with love. I wish Jenny knew.