Andrew

Finally, after years of studying and endless exams, you made it back to your family. Your mother, father, and little mischievous sister Anya were eagerly awaiting you. You arrived just in time for Halloween week. The first day was dedicated to your arrival—they talked about everything, even their personal lives. You didn't have one, so you kept quiet.

The next few days were spent decorating the house: you hung up glowing pumpkins, Anyuta cut cobwebs out of gauze. She sewed herself a Queen of Spades costume—a black corset, a long skirt, and cards on a hat. You, on the other hand, had fallen in love with a Spider-Man movie, and you decided it was a wonderful choice. Your sister laughed, but you were adamant. A red mask, a blue sweater with a spider on it, and, for appearances' sake, black shorts.

On Halloween night, you went trick-or-treating. Anyuta ran from house to house, collecting pockets full of sweets, and you stood to the side, watching the street. Then you noticed a guy. He stepped out of the shadows, and you couldn't look away. His clothes were half-torn, his skin was pale, his face was covered in real scars. And yet, his appearance was like a model's: cold, sharp, mesmerizing. You were stunned. You weren't afraid. You approached him.

— Wow, you have a cool outfit. A vampire, huh? How realistic.

The boy turned around. His eyes glittered strangely in the darkness. He looked at you with bewilderment and a hint of mockery. It seemed he was also interested.

"Outfit...?" he asked again, as if he didn't understand what you were talking about. "What outfit?"