It was never before the twilight hours when Xanifer ventured beyond the darkened halls of his home and he always retreated back before the dawn. Years ago, when he had still been young, the darkness hadn't been something he sought out, but these days it was the only way he could move in safety and comfort. The night was his sanctuary, the air was chilly, but he did not feel the cold any longer. Some days he wasn't sure he felt anything at all anymore.
His cane clicked against the stone streets in a steady rhythm. There was no hurry, the evening was young yet. Long, stiff ears twitched lightly as the sound of running footsteps approached from behind him, as well as the voices of young boys. It was an unusual disturbance to his peaceful night stroll.
By the time the noises drew close enough that Xanifer thought to turn and see what was going on, it was too late to avoid a collision. Some small, thin, wretched thing barreled into him before bouncing off and down an alley.
His bad leg nearly gave out on him, and if he had not had a firm grip upon his cane the vampire surely would have been cast clean to the cobblestones. How uncouth and rude! The boys chasing the scraggly creature were no more attentive to the well-dressed and limping walker, nearly running him over. Luckily Xanifer was quite swift for someone using a cane and side-stepped the mob of young men.
Once they had passed he followed them. Clearly there was great mischief afoot. The fleeing creature had nearly knocked him over, but under the circumstances that was quite excusable. It was the behavior of the others that was simply unacceptable. What did they think they were doing?
Even as the boys thought they had cornered their quarry, they were cornered themselves. Xanifer stood at the entrance to the alley, watching the young men close in on the poor thing against the far wall.
"Excuse me, but I think it is time for you children to be running home. Don't you know monsters lurk around in the dark?" Monsters like him.
