• The sky was a sickening black, almost tangible, and painted with stars. The moon was full, and blanketed everything in sight, making the dark world shine. It was disgusting. Ryder scowled at the whole scene as she sat atop the Blackthorne Plaza, the wind blowing her white and purple hair.
    She hated nights like these. Although they were beautiful, they signified only one thing: another vampire was being born. In her eyes, they were hideous creatures, but to everyone else they had the faces and bodies of gods. True, their exterior was pleasing to look at, but if their natures were shown everything would be different. Vampires were basically walking tombstones, killed by the most simplest of things: the sun (with the exception of some immune vamps), and themselves. Trivial issues in Ryder's eyes.
    Anytime, the rare moments, when one died, she did not pity them or even sympathized with their families. They got what they deserved, and only had themselves to blame for getting killed.

    Ryder smiled at the thought of all vampires being destroyed. How life would be much easier if they were all gone. There would be less trouble for her since she was always getting arrested by the Court for "unmerciful dispatchment" of her own kind. Vampires were not her race, and it was definitely not her fault that they constantly came out of nowhere and scared her to death. Thrusting her hand through their chest and ripping out their hearts was only an accident, brought on by fear and surprise. Those bloodsuckers could have given her a warning before they suddenly showed themselves.
    Ryder had even told the Court her reasons for their deaths, explaining how they had startled her and that her actions were purely self defense. Unsurprisingly, the Court had been unconvinced. Whatever, they just sided with the vampires because that was their race and family.

    She stood up and walked to the door that led to the stairs. She could've jumped off of the twenty story building, since the fall wouldn't do any damage, but Ryder enjoyed walking instead. Using the long way, and her legs, gave her time to stall going home. She could be there right now if she wanted to be, except there was something that kept her from doing that. Someone was waiting for her at her house. She didn't even need to look at her small two-way mirror to know this. The feeling was strong. Ryder frowned. They had found her again.

    Moving from place to place was a yearly ritual for Ryder. Every time she had accidentally killed a vampire, she had to move so that the Court wouldn't find her. The only times that they had found her was her first killings. Back then, she had been careless and thought nothing of it. Demons were meant to cause chaos. Except to the oh-so-sacred vampires. The ones that were responsible for all demonic existence. Milleniums have past since the beginning,so vampireblood has vanished in many demon bloodlines, like the werewolves. And Ryder's family, thank God.

    Why was the Court looking for her now? She had been a good girl and hadn't killed any vamps for three years. How did they find me, she thought. I had specifically seen to it myself that all traces of my existence were gone. Apparently, she hadn't been careful enough. Or someone had given them a tip. Ryder groaned. She realized just who had ratted her out. Her own flesh and blood. Her grandmother. That ungrateful hag always despised her, and Ryder had made the mistake three years ago of telling the woman where she was going. Never again will she trust the old crone.

    Slowly, Ryder made her way down the, what felt like, 2,000 step stairway. The steps just kept on coming and coming. It hadn't felt this long when she had first climbed them up. Screw the peacefulness, she was jumping down. She grabbed the railing and heaved herself over the side. The air pushed her hair up, and she felt like she was flying. The sensation was the best kind of high. It lasted only a minute as her feet met hard tile. The tile cracked a little bit when she fully landed. Oh well, noone would notice.

    Ryder walked to the EXIT door and stepped inside the hotel lobby. A few people were staring in her direction. They were probably curious about the loud noise that she had made when she landed. She smiled serenely at the confused faces as she headed to the entrance doors. They slid open at her approach and she slipped out into the cool night.

    So far, so good. There wasn't anyone in sight who looked like they were waiting for her. Maybe she would be able to escape this time. The chances were slim to none, since the Court always found who they were looking for.
    The streets were empty as everyone was at home, relaxing from a long day at work. Too bad for Ryder, her work was just about to begin. It wouldn't have to if she wasn't caught. As she walked, a cold breeze blew. It was freezing, meaning that the enemy was getting closer. Ryder looked up at the stars one last time, and stopped dead in her tracks. Something white was falling up above her. As it fell closer, she noticed that it was a piece of paper. She grabbed it when it was right above her head. It was a letter. With her name on it. She ripped it open.

    Maybe it was from someone she knew, telling her how to get out of her predicament. Maybe it she would make it before it was too late. She read the first line, and dropped the letter. There was a noise behind her and she turned around. Two figures were walking towards her. It was too late. All she could do was stare at her doom in defeat, while the words from the letter flashed through her mind. It's time.