Vampire Of The New World

She has changed since the last time I saw her. The natural wavy curls of her hair were gone and the straight shiny strands that replaced them reached past her shoulders, framing a thinner face that has become paler. There were thin lines around her eyes, especially when she smiled, but her eyes remained bright though not as vivacious as before.

"How are you?" she said as she forced a smile.

After my initial surprise, I was able to regain my composure and smiled back. "Fine," I said flatly. "I didn't know you're back in Cardena."

"Just got back from Malen this morning," she replied, looking away and tucking her hair behind her left ear.

There was an awkward silence between us and then came Mr. Lazaro's voice, "I see you're talking already. That's my dear Clara you're talking to, Toto." Then, he motioned to the couple in front of him. "And this is my daughter Sofia and her fiancé Alex."

I rose from my chair and nodded to the couple. They smiled widely and reached out to shake my hand. Sofia looked at Clara. "Do you know each other? You did say you were from around here, didn't you?"

"No." Clara shook her head and made a soft laugh. "My parents were from Cardena, but I grew up in Malen," she added. She then moved away and sat beside Mr. Lazaro. She avoided my gaze as Mr. Lazaro placed an arm around her shoulders.

Sofia looked at me and then at Clara, but was distracted when she felt her fiancé's arms grabbing her waist from behind. The two laughed and kissed again before Mr. Lazaro spoke.

"Have you all had lunch already? Take a seat, all of you, and I'll ask Nora to bring in more plates." Mr. Lazaro then picked up a tiny bell from the table and rang it. After a moment, Nora peeked from the galley.

"Nora, kindly bring in some more plates and food for the newcomers," said Mr. Lazaro in a loud voice.

"Yes, Sir," said Nora politely. She then made a quick count on the number of newcomers before withdrawing to the galley.

The talk during lunch was about the newcomers' ordeal in travelling to the port. The plane ride went smoothly and they arrived on time, but getting to the port became a problem when the car they were riding had some engine trouble. They had to ask some of the locals for help. In the end, the locals found a mechanic in the next town who came to their rescue.

I was quiet all through lunch. I concentrated on eating my food and exchanged a few words with the captain. Even Clara was silent most of the time, only replying when talked to and laughing at some of Alex's jokes. We were just about done eating when Lito appeared from the c.o.c.kpit.

"Captain, Bert asked me to inform you that we're done with the preparations and we are ready to depart."

The captain raised his head and said to Lito, "Very well. Go downstairs and assist Engineer Ben." Then, he turned to the rest of the passengers. "Please excuse me, everyone, I have a boat to command." Finally, he looked at me directly and said, "Toto, you come with me. You will be assisting me and Bert."

I followed the captain to the c.o.c.kpit as the rest of the passengers went on their own way. I was given instructions by both Captain Javier and Bert on what to do. Occasionally, they would have me run to other parts of the yacht. Lito was also busy with his own chores, but having more experience in the yacht, only needed a few instructions.

The yacht soon pulled out of the port and I felt a sense of sadness getting farther from the mainland where my wife and daughter were. I realized that this would be the longest time that I would be away from them. I said a silent prayer for my family and for a safe journey as the yacht turned to face the wide ocean.

The sea was calm as predicted by Captain Javier and the mist grew thinner the farther we were from the port. Soon, we were looking at sea gulls gliding overhead against the blue sky. After some time, Cardena disappeared behind us and we were looking at a clear horizon.

"Clear weather as predicted," said the captain more to himself than to us. "Bert, why don't you and Toto go to your quarters and get some rest. Lito will be joining me shortly after Engineer Ben releases him from the dungeons." He chuckled to himself as he looked at the horizon.

Bert and I obeyed and I went directly to my sleeping quarters to catch some sleep. I opened the door and was surprised to find Clara inside waiting for me.

"Clara…" I said as I entered.

"Hi, Toto," she replied. She was sitting at the chair at the far end of the room. I left the door open and sat on my bed.

"I've been waiting for you," she said softly as I jerked off my shoes.

"Really?" I said with sarcasm and looked at her. "So have I. At least for five years." I proceeded removing my socks, pulling them off my feet.

"You have a reason to be angry with me, Toto. I know what I did was wrong – "

"The understatement of the year." I said, cutting her off. "I was angry. Now, I don't really care." I took off my shirt and lay on the bed, not looking at her. I placed both hands under my head and stared at the bed above me without saying anything else.

"I get it. I shouldn't have come here," she said. Then, she left the room without looking at me.

The door closed gently as she went out. I lay back in bed. Physically, I felt dead tired, but my mind prevented me from falling asleep. I tried to think ahead and what the next seven days would entail. It was a small boat and it would be impossible to avoid Clara or any of the passengers. Perhaps, I could try to be civil, forget everything that had transpired between me and Clara. Or perhaps, I was just kidding myself.

"My dear Clara." That was how Mr. Lazaro referred to her. As she sat beside Mr. Lazaro during lunch, I knew that their relationship was more than friendship. I didn't know what I was feeling. Clearly, I had moved on and it was not jealousy that I felt. It was anger at what she had let herself become. What for? Money? Prestige? Clearly, it wasn't love.

I turned and faced the wall. I concentrated on the hum of the engine and let it drown my thoughts.