The Vampire Ball

Chapter One- Innocence

        Welcome reader, this is the story about how one winter night in Chicago forever changed my life. You see, ever since I was seventeen years old, I felt drawn to Chicago and wanted to visit badly. Why Chicago? I didn't really know other than the fact that I believed it was spiritually "calling" to me. That I was just meant to go. This story starts on one late Saturday afternoon, eight- fifteen on July eighth, twenty twenty four to be exact.

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I walked out of the shadows of the entrance doorway and into the dimly lit, smokey ballroom. It was extremely spacious and filled with many people, mostly young adults, who were wearing vampiric styled outfits. Rock music played loudly over the ceiling speakers. The floors were made of what appeared to be polished black marble and the walls were a ghostly white. On the front wall, there was a huge mosaic of bright red and crimson stained glass. Hanging above everything was a large black chandelier. Along the walls sat entrances to various places such as an arcade, a bowling alley, and even an ice arena. There was so much to explore, but wanted to try and make some friends to adventure along with. So I looked over to the bar. There was one empty seat at the end next to a man with short curly brown hair, a leather jacket, and black jeans. I stood in place, hesitating whether I wanted to sit next to him or not. It's not that he gave me bad vibes, actually, it was the opposite. It's almost as if a golden aura enshrouded his body. I built up the courage and started walking towards the man. Once I made it over to the bar, I took a seat on one of the red stools. I turned my head to look at the man beside me. He instantly did the same. The man was wearing bright red contacts and looked to be in his mid 20s. He was a goregous guy with black stud earrings, long eyelashes, and thick black eyebrows. His demeanor was intimidating, I won't lie, but also so charming. I opened my mouth to say hello but before I could speak, the bartender approached me.

" What can I get for ya?" questioned the woman wearing black dress pants and a dark red blouse. She had a blonde ponytail, amber eyes, and heavy blush covering her cheeks and the tip of her nose.

" Do you have any Twisted Tea, just the original kind?" I asked, putting my elbows on the table and putting my hands together.

" Yep, how many do ya want?" The bartender questioned.

" Just one," I responded.

" Alright," the woman reached into the large black refrigerator and pulled out a can of Twisted Teas. She set it down on the counter in front of me.

" Thanks," I gave the bartender a small smile.

" Of course hun," the blonde woman smiled back. Once the woman walked away I looked to the man once again.

" Hey," I greeted, taking a gulp of my Twisted Tea.

" Hello, how are you doing tonight?" the man asked, a bright and curious look on his face.

" Its going good. How about you?"

" Now that I'm talking to be beautiful woman such as yourself, its going great!" the man smiled. He had pearly white teeth, glue on fangs, and dimples. I felt a warm blush creep onto my cheeks.

" Thanks, you're pretty good looking yourself," I complimeted him. Once the words came out of my mouth I wished to take them back. I sounded so stupid.

" So, whats your name?" the man asked.

" It's Stormie, you?"

" My names Kai, and your name is awesome by the way,"

I grinned and took another sip of my drink. " Thank you,"

" Why would you come to an event like this alone?" Kai lit up a cigarette and placed it in between his lips.