THE MOMENT
Ark opened the door as quietly as he could, and padded into the dark room. It was well past midnight and everyone who was still awake was on the other side of the hotel. He glanced out the window and took in the sight for a moment. Dozens, maybe hundreds of guests were chatting by moonlight in the garden three stories down, and several hundred yards away. 'The Void Observatory' catered almost exclusively to monsters of all types, and most of them socialized throughout the night, only retreating to their rooms at dawn.
Ark wasn't sure which outcome he hoped to find more; but, he wasn't sure of a lot of things lately. The only words he could put to it were that he'd felt strange since the New Year arrived. There was a vague absence in the back of his mind as if he knew he'd forgotten something and couldn't remember what. It carried over into his dreams and he had a nightmare that magnified all his fears once he was awake. That was the driving force that led him to the room. Whenever he was unsure about anything, there was one reliable way to feel better. Still, he didn't know if he'd find it there that night.
He'd lived at the hotel for the 18 years of his life so far, and the guests knew he was untouchable. Regulars greeted him with a kindly paw or claw and newcomers were quickly informed about his status. He never had fear walking through the hotel alone, nor walking into any room he pleased. It wasn't something he did often; but, this room in particular was almost a safe haven for him. Sometimes for the view alone; it had the best, most strategic view of the rest of the hotel. But, he wasn't there for the view this time.
It was impossible to keep his guard up once he was fully in the room. The scent of lilac and honey in the air did wonders to alleviate his unknown stresses. He'd had the displeasure of being in the company of possibly thousands of vampires over the years, and not one smelled like this one. An elaborate golden casket sat in the middle of the room surrounded by extinguished candles and several lilac arrangements. And, on the casketside table, next to one vase, sat a crystal jar half-full of blood-red honey. The casket was open, but the jar was closed, and Ark decided to approach even closer.
He took several steps over dozens of seconds to avoid making a sound as much as possible. If the vampire was in there, and asleep, he didn't want to wake her. He knew the chances were high that she wasn't there, given how busy the night was. But, he felt the need to check regardless. He moved closer and closer, finally near enough to get a good look down into the coffin. The moment he registered it was empty, an unexpected voice startled him.
"Need something human?" she asked.
Ark jumped and spun around in place to see the vampire woman standing in the doorway. Alicia was pale with long dark hair and burning red eyes that could see through any of his lies.
"N..no!" Ark shook his head and looked down at the velvet carpet. "Sorry, I was just-," he began to explain his presence, but Alicia smiled and glided into the room with her arms stretched out toward him.
"Alexander Royce Kingston, tell me why you're here right now," she chided him as she crossed the room before he could start to lie. "If you're not here to ask me for a midnight snack, then why?" She was close enough to wrap her arms around him.
"I don't know, I had a horrible nightmare...," He relaxed fully into her arms. "...I.. I just wanted a hug...," he added.
"Oohhh my baby boy had a bad dream??" Alicia patted her son's head and held him tight. "Are you sure you don't want something human? I can have one here in minutes," she said.
"Well...," hugging his mother always made Ark feel better, and feeling better always came with an appetite. "... I mean, if it's no trouble... I can eat."