Eva sighed, rubbing her temples. She was really doing this. Explaining the modern world to a 5,000-year-old vampire like he was a lost time traveler.
"Okay, listen carefully." She pointed at him. "There's no king ruling Euro anymore. Countries are run by presidents, and some places have prime ministers. States have governors"
Leonard tilted his head slightly, crimson eyes studying her. "A world without kings?"
"Yep," Eva nodded. "We have technology now—cars, airplanes, electricity, and TVs that play moving pictures. We don't ride horses to get places, we drive. We don't send messengers; we text. If you want food, you order it with an app. If you want to talk to someone across the world, you just call them."
Leonard looked unimpressed. "Your people have grown lazy."
Eva rolled her eyes. "We call it convenience."
Leonard scoffed. "Where is the glory in ruling if one does not lead with power? Where is the honor in battle?"
"Dude, war isn't fought with swords anymore," Eva said. "Now it's fought with guns, drones, and missiles. People don't need to be physically strong to win a war."
Leonard's expression darkened slightly. "What a dull age to live in."
Eva sighed. "Welcome to the future, buddy."
Leonard was silent for a moment before speaking. "Then this world… is no longer mine."
Eva blinked, realizing for the first time that he looked lost—completely out of place in a world that had moved on without him. She almost felt bad. Almost.
But that wasn't her problem.
She clapped her hands together. "Alright, cool history lesson. Now, I need to leave."
She hopped off the bed and stretched. "Nice meeting you and all, but I have a life to get back to."
Leonard immediately stood as well. "I will go with you."
Eva froze. "...Why?"
Leonard met her gaze, completely serious. "You woke me. You should take responsibility."
Eva burst out laughing. "What the f—? Responsibility?! You're a grown-ass vampire! What, do you need me to hold your hand and teach you how to live?"
Leonard simply shrugged. "You woke me up. You should guide me."
Eva sighed dramatically. "Oh my God. I will call the police on you for stalking."
Leonard raised an eyebrow. "The what?"
Eva groaned. "Never mind."
She grabbed her bag and made her way toward the castle entrance, determined to leave him behind. But as she stepped outside, her heart dropped.
Her car had been vandalized.
"What the hell?!" Eva screamed. "Who the fuck did this to my baby?!"
Her car—her precious car—was now covered in deep scratches, and two of its windows were shattered. It looked like someone had taken a baseball bat to it.
Leonard stepped up beside her, staring at the wreckage. "It seems someone did not want you to leave."
"No shit, Sherlock," Eva snapped.
Leonard glanced at her. "I can take you on foot."
Eva blinked. "What?"
"I can carry you," he said smoothly. "I will get you where you need to be."
Eva stared at him. Then let out a short laugh. "Oh, that's funny. Good joke."
Leonard didn't laugh.
"…Wait. You're serious?"
"I do not joke."
Eva took a step back. "Yeah, no. I'm getting a lift."
She stood by the roadside, waving down passing cars. It took a few minutes, but eventually, a van stopped. The driver, an older man, offered her a ride to the nearest town.
Eva sighed in relief. But when she turned, she saw Leonard following her.
"Nope," she said, shaking her head. "Not happening. You're staying here."
Leonard simply stared at her.
Eva got into the van and closed the door. The driver pulled onto the road. She leaned back in her seat, finally relaxing—
Until she glanced out the window and saw Leonard running after the van.
Eva's mouth fell open.
And then—he disappeared.
Her breath hitched. "...Maybe it's the stress making me see things."
What she didn't know was that Leonard wasn't gone.
He was running through the woods, easily keeping up with the van at an inhuman speed. Watching. Following.
By the time Eva reached the nearest town, night had fallen.
She quickly found a taxi, desperate to just get home, shower, and forget this whole damn day.
The drive felt longer than usual, and by the time she reached her apartment, she was exhausted. She kicked off her shoes, threw her bag on the couch, and made a beeline for the bathroom.
Just before stepping inside, she turned on the TV. She liked the background noise—it made the place feel less lonely.
The warm water felt like heaven as she showered, washing away the dirt, the stress, and the absolute insanity of the past twenty-four hours.
She sighed. Finally, some peace.
But that peace shattered the moment she stepped out of the bathroom.
Because Leonard was sitting in her living room.
Watching TV.
Eva screamed.
"HOW THE HELL DID YOU GET IN HERE?!"
Leonard, completely calm, didn't even look at her. "I followed you."
Eva's brain malfunctioned.
"HOW?!"
Leonard finally turned his head slightly, those crimson eyes locking onto her.
"I ran."
Eva stared at him, speechless. Then she pressed both hands against her forehead.
"…Is this man CRAZY?!"
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