Jasper POV :

Rain.

I feel the water but not the wetness. Never cold, never hot…

That's the existence of a vampire.

People around me are running to the safety of their home, their family.

Eagerness, exhaustion, worry, joy… I can tell every one of them without wanting it.

Next city is Philadelphia now. Quite apart from the last city I was with Pete and Charlotte.

I probably should leave this village soon. The thirst is stronger now. A week and a half without feeding... I'm not sure how long I can go. I can try longer but there's no need to tempt fate.

I start running in the shadows, seeking shelter in the near forest.

There, no crime committed tonight. At least, with my own hands. My bitter laugh resonates under the thick trees. When did I become so sour?

Alone…

Not even a stray animal ventures to come near me.

I have reached an abandoned wooden shed. That should do the trick for tonight. I push the door, crinkling under my palm. It reeks of dust, dampness and mould.

Another sleepless night to spend.

I sit, my back against the wall, my head resting against the wood.

Sighting, I search my bag for my old battered bible. That's how I like my books. Battered, withered, just like me… The smell still assaults my nose. Maybe I should have stay under the thunderstorm.

I wonder what Pete and Charlotte are doing. Well, they must be enjoying the night with one another. I'm not sure I'll ever have a mate. I mean, I could always make a female attached to me, with my power and all, but what's the point… Sometimes, I miss Maria. At least, she gave me something to live for, albeit something destructive. Is it possible to live without meaning? Still not sure… I remember Pete telling me about this French philosopher, Camus I think.

"We humans are creatures who spend our lives trying to convince ourselves that our existence is not absurd."

When you know how fragile their lives are, how easily they can be wiped off by one of my kind, sometimes, just for the fun of it, you can just agree that their lives are absurd. I mean, a simple change of my mind and that previous village could have been salvaged in a matter of minutes. And they still believe they matter.

Does it apply to their predators? Are we living a life as absurd as their?

It's near midnight. I close my eyes, and pray. It may sound stupid for a damned soulless creature like me, but I always pray on Christmas Eve.