Chapter 2: Survival Schemes and Vampire Traps

If only they knew. I forced a laugh, trying to play it cool. Totally not traumatized.

“Savvy, why so quiet?” Zoe leaned over, worried. Please don’t.

Her concern was genuine, but I could barely meet her eyes. Guilt trip level 9000.

I shook my head and slumped onto the desk. “I’m fine.”

I buried my face in my arms, hoping they’d drop the subject. Please let this be over.

Zoe leaned closer, checked that no one was listening, and whispered, “By the way, Savvy, have you heard the rumor about Maple Heights Academy?”

She looked around, lowering her voice like she was about to spill a state secret. My curiosity piqued, despite myself.

I was still stressing about Ellie, so I answered absentmindedly, “What rumor?”

I barely registered her words, my mind still replaying the morning’s disaster. Ugh.

Zoe grinned. “They say if you sneak into the old science building at midnight, go to the fourth floor, and write your name and homeroom on the chalkboard in room 402, you’ll get the perfect boyfriend the next day.”

Her eyes sparkled with mischief, like she actually believed it. Seriously?

Sounded familiar.

A perfect boyfriend—wasn’t that how vampires hunted for food in the original?

A chill ran down my spine. In the book, this was the classic setup for a bloodsucker trap.

They lured girls desperate for love into the abandoned building, had them leave their names, and the next day a vampire would find the girl. Creepy.

Pretending to be her dream boyfriend, she’d become his blood bank until she died. Romantic, right? Not.

I was horrified and wanted to tell them not to go. Abort mission!

My mouth went dry. I wanted to scream, but I didn’t want to blow my cover. Don’t panic.

“Savvy, Mariah and I already have boyfriends, but last night we wrote your name and homeroom on the 402 chalkboard for you. You’re welcome~”

Zoe winked at me.

I nearly choked on my own spit. Did they have a death wish for me?

What do I do? I want to throttle her!

Help!

I wanted to shake her, but all I could do was clutch my desk and pray for a miracle. Please, universe.

As soon as the bell rang, I grabbed my bag and hurried home. No way was I sticking around for vampire matchmaking.

No way was I sticking around for vampire matchmaking. I practically sprinted out of school.

Those two dorks are gonna get me killed—what perfect boyfriend? Even a toddler wouldn’t buy it. Why me?

I muttered curses under my breath, dodging other students as I fled the building. Get me out of here.

They wrote my name yesterday, so the vampire will come for me today. Oh no.

I could already feel the doom creeping up on me. Why did I have to land in this story? Someone, hit rewind.

The original Savannah’s parents were abroad, and at home there were just two housekeepers who came by to cook and clean, plus a driver to take her to school. Not exactly a warm family vibe.

The place was nice, but empty. Too big for just one person, especially when you’re convinced something’s lurking in the shadows. Creepy much?

But today, because the universe hates me, the usually reliable driver called in sick. Figures.

Of course. Why wouldn’t the universe kick me when I’m down? Story of my life.

Those two troublemakers, not wanting to interrupt my “sweet romance,” ran off after school even faster than I did. Thanks, guys.

Mariah and Zoe waved goodbye, giggling as they disappeared down the street. I was left standing alone, anxiety gnawing at my insides. Perfect.

To make matters worse, I tried calling an Uber for ages, but every car seemed to vanish before reaching me. Technology hates me too, apparently.

I watched the little car icon on my phone circle the block, then disappear. This had to be some kind of curse. Seriously?

Watching the umpteenth empty car pass by, I was in despair. Universe, give me a break.

I groaned, kicking at the curb. If this was a horror movie, I was the idiot who went into the basement. Classic.

As night fell, I had no choice but to run home on foot. Just my luck.

The streetlights flickered on, casting long shadows across the sidewalk. My sneakers slapped the pavement as I hurried past empty yards. Creepy vibes intensify.

Just as the sun disappeared, I passed by a rosebush and heard some rustling. Not good.

My heart leapt into my throat. Every horror story I’d ever heard flashed through my mind. I slowed, squinting into the dark. Don’t be a vampire, don’t be a vampire...

Afraid it was a vampire, I didn’t dare get close—until I saw a fluffy, snow-white dog tail sticking out. What the...

A Samoyed? In the middle of nowhere? Its tail wagged like it was happy to see me. Adorable and suspicious.

The tail was wagging, like it was pulling something. Wait, what?

I parted the rosebushes and saw a blond boy lying on the ground. Uh-oh.

Blood stained his jacket, and for a second I thought the dog had mauled him. I dropped my bag and knelt beside him. Panic mode: activated.

He was covered in blood, and I thought the dog was biting him, so I bravely chased away the Samoyed-looking pup with a rock. Sorry, little guy.

The dog yelped and scampered off, looking back at me with big, sad eyes. Sorry, pup.

Once the coast was clear, I crouched to check on him. Please don’t be dead.

His breathing was shallow, and his skin was cold to the touch. I shook his shoulder, desperate for any sign of life. Stay alive, dude.

He wore a blue and white old-fashioned jacket, his face ghostly pale. Creepy and weirdly hot.

His features were sharp, almost too perfect. He looked like he belonged on a magazine cover, not bleeding out in someone’s yard. Model material, honestly.

Ridiculously handsome, with sharp features—like some kind of model. Is this a requirement here?

If I hadn’t been so scared, I might’ve blushed. Instead, I swallowed hard, trying not to panic. Don’t faint, Savannah.

Most striking of all, his eyes were blood-red. Not good.

A vampire!

My brain went blank.

I froze, unable to move. Was he going to wake up and bite me? Please no.

And by the looks of it, he was the male lead, Adrian Cross. Fantastic.

I’d read about him—dangerous, charming, and not the type you wanted to cross. Great.

In the original, the heroine Ellie found the wounded Adrian in a rosebush and took him home after he was attacked by vampire hunters. Romantic, right?

That was the start of their epic love story. But here I was, about to rewrite fate by accident. Oops.

Adrian fell for Ellie at first sight, transferred to Maple Heights as an exchange student, and started his pursuit. Not my circus, not my monkeys.

He was supposed to be Ellie’s knight in shining armor, not mine. Why me?

Now, the plot that should’ve started with the heroine had started with me. What do I do?

I wanted to run, but my legs wouldn’t cooperate. I stared at Adrian, heart racing. Move, legs!

Run—he’s looking at me.

As I hesitated, Adrian’s red eyes suddenly locked on mine. Oh no.

His gaze was intense, almost hypnotic. I felt like a deer caught in headlights. Move, Savannah!

I thought he was going to bite me. Panicking, I yanked off my little flat and stuffed it in his mouth. Desperate times, desperate measures.

Desperate times, desperate measures. He looked so shocked, I almost laughed. Sorry, dude.

Then I scrambled to my feet and sprinted home. Survival first.

I didn’t stop running until my lungs burned and my feet ached. I’d never moved so fast in my life. Olympics, here I come.

Today really feels like I’ve poked a vampire nest.

Was this what survival mode felt like? I was running on pure adrenaline. Who needs coffee?

Savannah’s house was a two-story home on the edge of town. Not huge, but the only house for blocks—you’d have to jog half a mile to see another neighbor. Isolation: 10/10.

It was the kind of place that felt cozy in the daytime but turned creepy as soon as the sun set. Every creak sounded like footsteps. Horror movie energy.

I ran inside, locked every door and window, and checked upstairs and down. Paranoia is my new best friend.

I double-checked the locks, even jammed a chair under my bedroom door. No way was I letting a vampire waltz in tonight. Not happening.

After confirming not even a fly could get in, I wiped my sweat and dragged my tired body back to my bedroom. Safe zone, please?

My muscles ached, but I felt a little safer. I let out a shaky breath and flipped on the light. Please let it be empty.

Turning on the light, I saw someone standing by the window. Not empty. Not safe.

I froze. There, in the soft glow of my desk lamp, stood Julian Blackwood. My heart dropped into my stomach. Oh no.

That familiar silver hair, gentle but a little sad. Too perfect for this world.

He looked like he’d stepped out of a dream—if dreams were nightmares in disguise. No thanks.

His features were perfect, the white lamp light making his pale face even paler. Almost inhuman.

He looked almost angelic, except for the sharp glint in his eyes. My breath caught in my throat. Run?

When he saw me, he grinned, his voice soft and a little eerie.

His smile sent chills down my spine. “Hey there, my dear... girlfriend.”

I was about to cry at my own stupidity.

How could I forget to check my own bedroom? Rookie mistake. Ugh.

My heart, just calmed, shot back into my throat.

I could hear the blood rushing in my ears. I needed an escape plan—fast. Think, Savannah, think.

“Julian, wow, what a coincidence, you’re here for a sleepover too?”

I almost bit my tongue off. Did I really just say that?

My mouth was running on autopilot. What kind of excuse was that?

What the hell am I saying?

I wanted to facepalm, but I was too busy trying not to faint. Stay upright.

“Hm?”

Julian raised his eyebrows, silver hair and gray eyes looking extra gentle, white shirt glowing in the moonlight. Too calm for comfort.

He looked so calm, like he owned the place. I felt like a bug under a microscope. Not a fan.

He didn’t bother hiding it and licked his sharp fangs right in front of me. Subtle, dude.

My eyes widened. He was showing off, letting me know exactly what he was. Message received.

Suddenly, he took a step toward me.

I backed up, heart hammering in my chest. I could barely breathe. Help!

My hands moved faster than my brain, and I slammed the door shut with a bang and ran for the stairs. Run, Savannah!

I didn’t look back. I just ran, feet pounding the hardwood, praying he wouldn’t catch me. Please, please, please.

After running all day, I was wiped out, moving way slower now. Great timing.

My legs felt like lead, but fear kept me moving. I could hear his footsteps behind me, slow and steady. Nightmare fuel.

For someone who never passed the mile run, lasting this long was pure panic. Gym teachers everywhere would be proud.

Adrenaline was the only thing keeping me upright. I’d never been so motivated to exercise in my life. Who needs PE?

I’d planned to run outside for help, but I made it only as far as my mom’s walk-in closet, where I dove inside. Hiding spot: unlocked.