The face at the window

As I pulled away from Harry momentarily to catch a breath, I opened my eyes. And almost jumped out of my skin. There was a face at the window. Pressed up to the glass clearly observing our nocturnal activities, was a man. Tall and graceful looking, with a shock of curly brown hair and pale skin. As my adrenalin rush kicked in, I clambered over Harry and flung open the car door, knocking the man backwards out into the road. Harry quickly followed after turning round and seeing the guy himself once he clocked my facial expression. He hurried to my side and stood in front of me, as if to protect me. I was momentarily touched by this move, but realised it could cost him his life, so I said,

"No, Harry. I've got this one, get back in the car."

"Do you know him?" Harry said, surprised. "Who is this?"

"Just get back in the car, it's fine." He made to protest, but I muttered, "Just go."

And he did. He got back in the car, but sat there watching us, no doubt with his hand poised ready to open the door to come to my aid if I should need it. Bless him. As if he could do anything.

"So who the fuck are you?" I asked the graceful stranger, "And why the hell are you watching me make out with my boyfriend? What are you some kind of pervert?"

"Thea," he said, smirking as he registered my shock that he knew my name, "there's no need to be like that now, is there? I was merely observing your activities. Interesting."

"Who are you and why are you watching me? How long have you been watching me, and what do you want?"

"Calm down, Thea. It will not do to be so flustered. You are beginning to sound like a human."

Oh bollocks.

"Excuse me?" I said, brazening it out. "And what exactly do you mean by that?"

"Come, Thea. Don't patronise me. We both know who you are, and what you're up to. Don't give me all these silly excuses. Let's just get down to business."

"And what is your business, Mr…"

"My name is of no consequence. My business? Why, my dear, my business is you. I have been sent to watch over you. I am what some may call your guardian angel."

I snorted. "Guardian angels are meant to be ethereal creatures that arrive when you need their help. Not skinny weirdos that watch you making out with your boyfriend. You sound more like a private detective than anything. What do you want?"

"Nothing. I just want to look after you."

I sighed. I was already getting bored of this pretence. I began to walk away from my "Guardian Angel" and back to Harry's car, wondering how I was going to explain this guy to Harry, when he was in front of me, blocking my path to the car. I tried to walk around him, but he simply sidestepped so he was once more in my way. Never the most placid personality, I started to get rather irritated by this guy. After all, he'd interrupted a rather heated session between Harry and myself which could have led to more. Never mind, there would be other times with Harry. Right now I had to sort out this joker.

"Come on now, you've already ruined my evening. Cinderella's fairy godmother didn't do things like this. Let me get back to my boyfriend."

"I am afraid I can not let you do that."

"Why?"

"Because Harry isn't right for you."

"What? Who are you!?"

"I have already told you. You must heed my warning, Harry is not right for you. He will be your undoing."

"Don't be ridiculous. We love each other."

At that moment something changed in my "Guardian Angel." His face displayed a fleeting mask of fury, then returned to its normal state. I began to feel a little afraid. Who was this guy? And why on earth is he bothering with me? I'm nobody special. Well, yes, I'm a vampire, but in the vampire world I don't mean anything to anyone, except my family and friends.

I made to run for the car, but the mystery guy was too fast. He grabbed my arm in an iron grip, and yanked me towards him. I looked toward Harry, who was jumping out of the car to come to my aid.

"No!" I shouted, struggling to get free of the man's hold on me. But it was too late. He grabbed Harry with his free hand, and with extraordinary strength and speed, spun him round so he was facing us both, then sunk his elongated teeth into Harry's neck.

I'm not sure who it was, but screams filled the air. I was convinced that at any minute, people would come rushing and we'd be discovered; one man with superhuman strength attacking two other people. People wouldn't believe their eyes. I couldn't believe mine. I was forced to stand there and watch as the man drained the life out of Harry. I struggled, screamed at him, spat, swore; and when I realised that wasn't working, implored him to stop. To spare Harry's life. He was innocent. He was human and knew nothing of our world, and he wasn't hurting anyone.

Soon though, he discarded Harry like an empty carton of juice, and let him drop to the floor with a sickening crunch. By now he'd released me too, and he turned to me with cold eyes, and said,

"Now that is where you are wrong, Thea. Not hurting anyone indeed. Of course he was. And now he has paid. He will not hurt anybody again."

Then he turned and walked away. I made to call out, but no sound came out of my mouth, and I stood open-mouthed as his figure became smaller, then suddenly disappeared.

I dropped to my knees beside Harry's body and wept.