18. Vameer
Vameer
When I feel my gravito release my friends, I slide my hand into my pocket and pull out five more gold coins and leave them next to the empty apple whiskey bottle.
With everyone asleep, the gravito around my wrist also shifts back to its normal invisible state. But it doesn’t unwrap. It stays in place as a protective layer over my bracelet. Then I pick up the gym shorts and head toward the back hallway.
I passed two doors on the way in. One said Solo Empleados, but the other said Bano.
I’ve seen plumbing before. But never in a building like this. And not from this century.
So even though I could pull the shorts on in the bar without anyone seeing, I still make my way to the bathroom.
I duck down the short hall. Then I duck even more as I open the bathroom door and step into the small, windowless room.
The ceiling in here is just as low as the hall, so I have to squat to keep my head upright.
I don’t need the light on to see, but I am curious to examine the electric fixtures in here.
I read through a quick lesson on residential and commercial wiring for electricians, so I know where to look for the switch. And as I flip it, I visualize the current running through the necessary wires.
The lamps are mounted to the wall on either side of the mirror and fill the room with a dim yellow glow.
Below the mirror is a white ceramic sink with bronze fixtures.
I take it all in while I lift one foot and then the other, pulling the shorts on, careful to stay in a low squat.
They’re a tight fit. Something tears as I pull them up my legs. And I struggle for a moment as I shove my dick down along my inner thigh, trying not to tear the seam even more.
Shorts in place, I turn and look at the toilet.
Wanting to try its function, I reach out and press the lever to flush it.
I’ve heard of toilets before but never had a reason to use one. Vampires rarely need to relieve themselves, and anytime I have, it’s been outdoors.
Turning back around, keeping my knees bent, I turn on the faucet and wash my hands.
The water starts to heat, and I let it run over and through my fingers.
I have fought alongside humans before. Camped with them. Watched them haul water from streams and heat it over a fire before use… This is a luxury. Not one I personally need. But one I can appreciate.
After another moment, I turn the faucet off.
Water drips off my fingertips into the sink in a steady rhythm as I stare at my bracelet.
The pull in my chest tells me that I need to go north. So that’s what I’ll do.
I’ll keep going north until I catch her scent.
Until I find her.
I inhale. And apples burst across my senses.
My head snaps up.
And when I look into the mirror, it’s not my reflection I see.