Just like that, everyone's fear of vampires began to fade. Most of the cannibals were either dead or taken to research centers, so I too forgot about them as the years passed and I became an adult. I've always been a cowardly and cautious person, so the existence of vampires still scares me a little, but it's okay. Now that I'm an adult, I'm going to change.

It's the long-awaited school retreat. The retreat everyone says you have to experience once you're an adult—playing games until late, drinking until dawn... that day was just pure happiness.

If only that situation hadn't occurred, it would have been perfect.

While we were drinking and playing games late into the night, one of the seniors, who was quite drunk, spoke up.

Senior: Hey! I heard there's an abandoned motel near here... Let's go do a test of courage to sober up! In pairs!! You in??

I'd heard he was fearless, but I didn't think he was this crazy... But since everyone else agreed, it was awkward for me to refuse. I eventually gave in on the condition that I'd be paired with Hikari, a same-aged friend who isn't afraid of anything. Everyone finished getting ready and headed toward the abandoned motel. To make matters worse, I lost at rock-paper-scissors, so we were the first ones up. Not knowing what might be inside and having to take pictures on top of that, my knees were shaking, but I endured it and started the game.

Entering the Abandoned Motel

It was exactly what you'd expect from a motel. Beds, room numbers, room keys—it was creepy as could be. Just then, a loud thud came from somewhere, maybe the second floor. Hikari, being fearless, begged to go check it out, and I had no choice but to follow. As soon as we reached the second floor, a pungent stench and a bloody smell hit my nose. Strangely, I felt like someone was watching us... I just had a bad feeling. When we finally reached the source of the sound, I saw a person. No, to be precise, a vampire sucking a human's blood.