That day, I chatted with Martin under the moonlight.
"Do you believe in zombies and vampires?" I asked while sitting beside him.
"Others might not believe it," Martin paused for two seconds before chuckling lightly.
"Oh?" My interest piqued. Did that mean he believed?
"I've done some research," Martin replied, gazing ahead with a slight smile on his lips as if it were a casual remark.
Yet his nonchalant statement sent chills down my spine.
I had seen how biological research institutes captured vampires and zombies for study—how they dissected us, observing our bodies regenerate organs time after time... They even tried extracting immortality genes from us.
Staring blankly at Martin, I thought he was just a scientist focused on research.
I never imagined he worked at a city research institute studying vampires and zombies!
A wave of doubt washed over me. Panic set in as suspicion arose—was he approaching me for ulterior motives?
If it wasn't for some hidden agenda, then having researched these creatures meant he likely knew about our habits and he could easily discover who I really was!
I couldn't help but feel anxious and asked him what exactly he studied.
"It's not what you think," Martin said, his gaze fixed on me with a hint of mockery—as if sensing that my thoughts were filled with terrifying notions.
He explained that he wasn't professionally involved in this field. It was merely a personal interest of his because he found such creatures fascinating—especially vampires. He had heard they were beautiful and wished to meet one in real life someday.
As he spoke those words filled with yearning and curiosity about new things, I gradually relaxed.
What would Martin think if he knew the very kind of creature he longed to see was right beside him?
However, I didn't dare tell him directly.
"What if I'm a vampire? What would you do?" I leaned closer to him and tentatively asked by his ear.
"Then turn me into one," Martin suddenly turned to look at me with an intense gaze that sent shivers down my spine.
"I don't have that ability," I chuckled lightly to brush it off.
"Just kidding," Martin held my hand and pulled me into his embrace.
Smiling faintly, a shadow of doubt settled in my heart—did Martin want to become a vampire?
But since he said it was just a joke and didn't press further on the topic, it faded away quietly between us.