She vanished just as the year ended which was Thomas had hoped to remain like that. Biomeds Corp. had hosted an end-of-year party every December since its founding back in the 1920s. Every employee was invited to attend, and they could bring their families After all, Biomeds Corp. was a family-oriented company.


Thomas had been working for the company for two years. He was just another researcher among an army of scientists in the labs. He had always dreamed of making a name for himself in his field, but his ambition had cost him a painful divorce and left him drowning in debt. His luck changed, however, when an anonymous parcel arrived. Inside were blood samples affected by a strange condition. Thomas kept their existence a secret; this was the opportunity he had been waiting for. He devoted all his time and effort to studying them.


After ten months of intense, solitary work in the lab, he finally reached some unbelievable conclusions. The blood had lost its ability to generate red blood cells, yet somehow, it remained fresh, completely unaffected by decay. This discovery amazed him. Within the samples, he identified a new enzyme that seemed to prevent cellular and tissue decay. The potential pharmaceutical applications were astonishing: Alzheimer’s, cancer, genetic disorders, and more. Thomas was certain he had found something that could win him the Nobel Prize in Medicine.


– Mr. Miller’s office, how may I help you? – The assistant’s voice on the phone was as mechanical as an answering machine.


– Hello, this is Thomas Wilson from the research department. I’d like to schedule a meeting with Mr. Miller, – Thomas said, keeping his tone formal and professional.


– I’m terribly sorry, sir, but Mr. Miller’s schedule is fully booked until the second week of January, – the assistant gave a weary reply, with no effort to actually check.


– This is urgent... I’ve discovered something of immense importance. I know Mr. Miller’s time is valuable, but this could change how we make medicine,” Thomas insisted, he was playing nervously with the phone cord, which had tangled itself around his hand.


– Catherine, cancel all my appointments for next week, – came an authoritative voice in the background.


– Mr. Miller, I’ve discovered a new enzyme. You need to hear me out! – Thomas blurted, raising his voice in desperation.


– Who is that? – Mr. Miller asked his assistant.


– Thomas Wilson, from research. – Thomas was surprised she even remembered his name

.

– This is Mr. Miller, – the voice came directly into the receiver. – Good morning, Mr. Wilson. Can we meet first thing on January 1st? –


– Yes… of course, – Thomas stammered, his face turned pale. 'Am I about to get fired?'


– Lovely. Let’s meet at the hotel where the end–of–year party is being held. I look forward to hearing what you’ve discovered, Mr. Wilson, – Miller added, his tone softening, which made Thomas feel at ease.


– Yes, sir. I’ll be there, – Thomas replied, his heart pounding as the line started to beep. 'I can’t believe it Mr. Miller is actually going to listen to me.'


The big day arrived: December 31st. It was a night for people to celebrate and make resolutions, but for Thomas, it marked the eve of his potential triumph. He wore the least wrinkled suit he could find in his wardrobe; ironing and household chores weren’t a priority for a man obsessed with science. He didn’t worry much about appearances. To him, the party was just another obstacle on the path to greatness.


Arriving early, he greeted a few colleagues before sitting at the least crowded table. His hands were shaking, wet with nervous sweat.


– Good evening, – he muttered to the others at the table, who replied with small gestures before returning to their own conversations.


'It’s better this way. They’ll regret ignoring me when they realize they’ve been working alongside a future Nobel candidate,' he thought and poured himself a glass of champagne. 'Tonight calls for celebration. Champagne is perfect for the occasion.'


His gaze never left the folder he had brought, which contained all the details of his research. He kept one hand guarding it, as though guarding it from harm. After dinner, his coworkers walked away to socialize with others, leaving him alone at the table. Thomas watched them scatter, most of them going towards the female staff.


'It’s past midnight already. I should head back to my room. Tomorrow is the big day,' he thought, setting down his empty glass. But then he noticed her.

She stood across the table, watching him. She was tall, with long red hair that framed her face and fell just past her shoulders. Her tight crimson dress accentuated every curve. He didn’t recognize her, but there she was, beautiful goddess looking woman.


Thomas wasn’t the kind of man women noticed. He was in his mid–thirties, neither wealthy nor particularly accomplished, average in every sense of the word. Not short, not tall, just ordinary. Yet the way this woman looked at him made him feel like he was the only person in the room.


– Is this seat taken, Mr…? – she asked, her was soft as silk.


Thomas couldn’t form words. He gestured awkwardly for her to sit. – Wil… Wilson, – he finally said.


– Laura. Laura Redwine, – she said with a smile that revealed perfect snow–white teeth. – You can call me Laura. –

– Tho... Thomas – His tongue twisted impeding to pronounce correctly.


– Hehe... – Laura chuckled. – You look cute, Thomas. – She grabbed and empty glass and moved it toward Thomas.


Thomas poured some champaigne in the empty glass. – Do we know each other?... Human resources... maybe? – 'I am stupid... Human resources seriously?'


Laura nodded with a naughty smile. – Cold as ice. –


Thomas adjusted his tie, he was feeling hot and sweat shone on his forehead. – Accounting...? –


– Frozen. – She put her hand on Thomas' guarding hand over his folder. – Why don't we talk somewhere more quiet? I hate parties. – Laura winkled.


The hotel room was modest; a bed, a bathroom with hot water, and an old TV set casting faint light in the dim room. Its screen blinked with black–and–white static, the signal long gone.


Thomas woke up, he could smell the scent of her perfume on the bed. He turned over, expecting to see her, but he only found an empty spot. Rubbing his eyes, he sat up and looked around the room.


– Where is she? – he muttered.


He got up and knocked on the bathroom door. – Laura? Are you in there? – His voice trembled, showing his growing worry. There was no response.

Looking around, he noticed her belongings were gone. – Oh... I see... she left, – he muttered to himself. But then, he realized.


– Where... where is my folder? –


He panicked. He looked for his glasses on the nightstand, nearly making them fall into the floor in his hurry. As he put them on, his eyes looked around the room.


– The folder... my work, – he whispered, his voice sounded with desperation. He checked the room, checking the nightstand, the chair, under the bed; every possible hiding spot.


It wasn’t there.


– How could you lose it! – he scolded himself, falling onto the bed. His hands went to his hair as he tried to recall the last time he had seen it.

He opened his eyes wide open, he tried to remember. – She... she put it away while she was untying my pants. – He rubbed his eyes. – She took it! –

Grabbing his jacket, he went out through the door. The hallway was quiet, except for the muffled sounds of late–night personal parties behind the closed doors. The thick carpet muffled his footsteps, but his heartbeat echoed in his ears.


Reaching the stairs, he nearly tripped over his untied shoelaces but managed to catch himself. By the time he reached the lobby, he was out of breath, his shirt wet with sweat.


The receptionist, a young man was no more than twenty, he had half closed eyes behind the reception desk.


– Hey! – Thomas snapped his fingers in front of the boy’s face.


The receptionist startled, blinking in confusion. – Uh... yes, sir? How can I help you? –


– Have you seen a woman with red hair leave the building? She would’ve left recently, – Thomas demanded, his voice hurried..


The boy furrowed his brow. – Uh... yeah, actually. A lady like that left about five minutes ago. She turned left when she came out. She didn’t call for a cab. –


– Left. I Got it, – Thomas muttered, already heading for the door.


–Would you like me to call you a cab, sir? – the boy suggeted politely, but Thomas was already outside.


The cold hit him like a slap. The icy air burned inside his lungs, his breath made clouds of mist. Snow covered the streets, piled high against the rows of parked cars.


There... just down the block. A glimpse of red hair under the light of a streetlamp.


–Laura! – he shouted, his voice cracking. – Laura, stop! –


She didn’t turn.


Thomas broke into a sprint, sliding on the icy pavement. His breath bursted as he called her again, but she didn’t even looked back.


By the time he reached the corner where she had turned, he lost his balance, his legs flew out under him. He hit the ground hard, his palms facing down against the frozen pavement. Groaning, he lifted his head and stared at her frozen.


There she was, standing just a few meters away, looking down at him with a smile that froze him more than the night air. It wasn’t the warm, pleasant smile she had earlier. This was something else entirely, predatory and cruel.


–Welcome, Thomas, – she said, her voice was full of mockery.


Thomas shook with panick. He pointed a trembling hand at the folder she was holding.


– Please... give it back. It’s... it’s vital to me, – He begged and tears drop down his cheeks.


She nodded, his desperation was delicious. – Oh, I know it’s important, darling. But that’s precisely why I can’t give it back. –


She opened the folder and began reading with false interest. – I must admit, your research is impressive. However, you’ve gone too far. –

Thomas gathered all his courage to step forward her. – If it’s money you want, I can... –


– Money? – She laughed. – Oh, Thomas, this isn’t about money. This research... – she held up the folder, her expression full of malice, – threatens my kind. And that’s something we cannot allow. –


Her eyes gleamed an unnatural red, and when she smiled, her teeth shone in the pale light, two sharp fangs grew where her canines should have been.

Thomas froze, his body paralyzed with fear. He tried to move, but it was as if some unnatural force was holding him in the spot.


– It’s a shame, really, – Laura said, stepping closer. – I had such a lovely time tonight. But now... – She softly touched his cheek, her touch was cold as ice. – It’s dinner time. –


Before Thomas could scream, she thrusted her fangs into his neck. His body convulsed as she drained the blood from him, the world around him faded into darkness.


And then, just as the year ended, Thomas vanished.


Clap, clap, clap.


– Well done, Laura. Aren’t you just a wonderful child? – A man stepped out of the shadows, dressed in an expensive tailored suit. His eyes glowed with the same unnatural red light as Laura’s. His short blonde hair was perfectly fixed, and his sharp, unnaturally handsome face gave him an uncanning feral looking.


– Yes, Master. I am. – Laura’s tone softened, a considerable difference from the confidence she had shown earlier. She avoided meeting his eyes, her posture was submissive. – I did as you told… but now I have questions. –


The man gave a small nod, gesturing for her to continue.


– Are we the only ones of our kind? – Her voice carried melancholy, almost as if she already knew the answer.


– We are not,– he replied softly. – There was my master before me, and then my children… and maybe hers as well. – He moved his hand along her back as they walked past Thomas’ body.


– Where are the others? – she asked, her curiosity carried sadness.


He chuckled. – So many questions, my child. But only one matters to us: Who betrayed us? –


Their footsteps faded into the night, their forms melted into the darkness, they left behind only silence and Thomas’ corpse.