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In 2045, after a nuclear war between nations, the planet had gone through a drastic climate change, which became known as "The Great Event". Because of this, all the potable water that existed until then was altered at the molecular level and people who drank it before this fact was known, developed "Vampirism" a mutation capable of making the vampires – as the infected patients were called – be affected by unreasonable thoughts, becoming paranoid, which led them to burst with violence and attack their families, friends or partners as if they were mere strangers to them. Without being able to drink normal water, vampires became eternally thirsty… for blood.
Therefore, governments across the globe have enacted measures to prevent uncontrolled vampires from having access to cities and prohibit the consumption of piped water or water coming directly from nature. The liquid essential for survival had now to be especially treated and started to be sold at high prices by Last.R, the company that monopolized the process after beating the competition in almost every country in the world. There was a rumor about the corrupt politicians being behind some sort of agreement with that company, but the powerless citizens couldn't do much about it, since their only choices were: living inside the cities or risking their lives with the beasts outside the protective walls.
Even though, things went relatively well until the water supply stopped coming. The trucks coming from Last.R hadn't shown up for several days to deliver the orders and the communication with the labs had been cut off. Or, at least, it was impossible to make connections with them whenever they tried. With the water storage tanks drying up before the arrival of the trucks with water proper for consumption, the government decided to create its own way to fix their problem.
In the case of Bangkok, Thailand, the Colonel in charge of the Colony of Survivors MB26-01 was Korn Ariyasakul.
"Major Dean Rattanon Chatpokin!", he greeted the man who had just entered his office.
"At your command, sir!", the major replied with a curtsy.
"Rest, Major! You've been here in this Colony too long to still act like this!", Korn said, making small wrinkles appear beside the eyes well centered in his perfect face. For a man in his late 50s, he didn't look more than 40, and his light smile made him look even more youthful, yet wise.
"Yes, sir!", the man replied formally once again, causing Korn to sigh in exasperation. He gave the young man a look and could easily put up the Major's profile: neat clothes, perfectly styled hair, nails short and clean and his boots shined so bright it was possible to see his own reflection on them. Not a single wrinkle at sight – even his sleeves ended perfectly matching his wrists. It was kinda amazing to see someone so perfectly aligned like this even after all the madness they had been through in the last 2 and a half years.
The Major's reputation in service was as clear as his looks: dedicated and honored. It was almost a pity to send such a great man to risk his life out there, but it was also one of the few capable of achieving success on the mission. Korn sighed again after two seconds, then remembered the reason that had gathered them there and he resumed his focus.
"I assume you have been informed of the purpose of this mission!"
Dean nodded and his wise superior decided to test the man to see how much he knew of what they were about to do. Most of the military members were brave and fearless as long as the mission was to be accomplished within the safe walls of the Colony. Going out into the inhospitable world was putting one's survival at risk because of the absence of clean water and the vampires running free out there.
There were some that didn't represent a real threat, but for the vast majority of them, humans were merely their prey. Definitely not the kind of company anyone would like to have. But to Korn's surprise, Dean decided to accept a mission and even though he had personal reasons for the Major not to go, his sense of duty was stronger than his selfish romantic feelings. So he decided to use a trump card that could make things safer for the man.
"I believe you were also informed that you're gonna have a partner!", Korn asked, raising a questioning eyebrow.
"Wait, what? A partner?", Dean blinked too fast, not understanding the situation and momentarily forgetting the formality. It was weird to know that someone else besides him was up to fight the vampires and this made his curiosity grow in anticipation.
"Yeah, he should be…", he already started to explain, but it was interrupted when a little hurricane invaded his room.
The hurricane was, actually, a 1.70m tall man wearing a lab uniform and a black face mask covering about 75% of his face, but letting his pretty doe eyes free to stare directly at the Major when he entered the room. The exchange of gazes between them was so intense that it made the boy fumble with his own feet and he ended up tripping and falling.
Dean quickly kneeled close to the visitor and helped him to get back on his own feet. The quick touch between their hands made the Major realize two things about the boy: his slender fingers probably fit perfectly the space between his own and his skin was way too cold. Deadly cold, if you asked him.
"Thanks for the help", the guy said with a smile that spreaded all over his face and made Dean feel something tingling inside him. He quickly retrieved his hand, but not without noticing why he was now capable of seeing the boy's smile: the mask had slipped when he tripped. And amongst the pretty pearly teeth making that smile shine bright it was possible to see two fangs slightly more pointed than an ordinary human would have. The boy with the petite body, angelic face, cold skin and adorable fangs was, in fact, a vampire.
A shiver ran down Dean's spine and he felt an electric current coursing through his veins where there should have been blood and survival instincts before. After all, seeing a vampire up close, should have made him grab his gun and shoot the monster in the head or at the very least use his handcuffs to restrain the beast. But looking at the boy standing in front of him, Dean didn't feel any urge to follow protocol and if he was about to be honest, his use for the handcuffs would be a lot more entertaining than just holding back the handsome smiling boy – with his consent, of course. But snapping out of his own mind and fantasies, he could notice the boy was now starting to stare at him with concern and a crease forming between his big brown eyes.
But before the boy could ask Dean what had happened, Korn finally managed to react. To Dean and the boy it felt like that moment lasted a few hours, but Korn had seen it all flash before his eyes in about 5 seconds.
"Oh, Dean, this is Dr. Pharm! He's my nephew and as you may have noticed, he's a vampire.", Korn made the introductions in the most natural way and Dean wondered if what made him feel that relaxed was the infamous hormone that vampires released into the air to seduce their prey. It was unusual to see someone talking so casually about vampires.
Noticing the level of tension building up between them, Korn continued, "I think Pharm being a vampire will be of great help to you out there as a partner, but please take care of him, Dean. He's my only family – I've raised him since he was only 10 years old and his parents died in a car accident before the "The Great Event" – and despite being a vampire, he is not immortal."
"Uncle!", Pharm tried to look menacing as he chided his uncle, but he looked as intimidating as a kitten. Dean had to muster all of his self control to not give in to the temptation of laughing and reaching out a hand to stroke Pharm's chin, which definitely proved there was something very wrong with his survival instinct.
Realizing that Dean still looked too stunned, Korn decided to give them some air to breathe. They would have to start the mission as soon as possible and they could sort it all out along the way. "Well, you're free to go now, guys! I wish you success, after all, everyone's lives depend on you!"
Dean still looked distant, but managed to mumble some affirmative reply as he tried to move, but stopped when he saw that Pharm was still standing in front of him, blocking the way out of the Colonel's office and looking steadily into his eyes.
"What's up, Major Dean? Is there a problem?", Pharm asked with fake innocence written all over his face. Definitely a predator about to elude its prey.
"I… I mean, it's not that… I mean…", Dean stuttered, not sure if or what he should say in that situation. He was about to go out there in the wild world where vampires ran free having another vampire as a partner. Anyone in his situation would be surprised to say the least.
Pharm then started to adjust the mask once again on his face and before heading out the door, he turned to Dean and said slowly while facing him: "Come on, Major! We have a job to do!". Dean couldn't confirm because the mask was in the way, but he was willing to bet there was a smile under the fabric because it for sure reached the boy's eyes shaping them like 2 crescent moons. That definitely looked like a challenge, so of course Dean accepted and followed the vampire's lead along the hallway.
After walking a few feet, Pharm felt the phone vibrating in his pocket and took it out to check the text message his Uncle Korn had sent.
"Please take care of him! Dean is Intouch Chaptokin's grandnephew! 😉"
"Oooi~, Uncle! Is this your plan to make me your cupid?", the boy whispered under his breath, which caught Dean's attention who quickened his pace and stopped beside him.
"Is there something wrong, Dr. Pharm?"
Pharm studied the anxious face of the man before him and misinterpreted it.
"Don't worry, Major! There are all sorts of vampires out there and I'm definitely not the most lethal among them.", Pharm said with seriousness written all over his face, but then his eyes suddenly widened as if a new thought had crossed his mind and he decided to add a line after giving Dean a look from head to toes. "However, I can bite you… if you ask nicely!". And then he winked and laughed while walking down the hall leaving the Major behind.
Dean felt like his cheeks could burst into flames at any second, but he just cleared his throat, fixed his uniform – cuffs and belt – and followed the exquisite doctor, but no longer because he knew they had a vital mission, but because he knew that from that moment on, his fate was inextricably intertwined with Pharm's. For that smile he could do anything.