I leap from rooftop to rooftop, following the screams that interrupted my slumber. Sachiko follows me, ready for my commands.

“What is the time, Sachiko?” I bark.

“It’s nearly midnight, sir.” she replies.

“Damnit! The victim could be dead by now! We need to move faster!” I say, speeding up.

“Yes, sir.” She replies, matching my speed.

“Sachiko, go on ahead and help the victim. Repair any collateral damage and locate the target. Contact me with its location, and background info you can find out.”

She nods her head and disappears. After about a minute, I am bombarded with information.

Our target is male, roughly 32 years old. No spouse or children. He’s had 42 victims in the past month and seems to be mentally stable, given the circumstances.

I purse my lips, thinking.

We don’t know his name?

No, sir, I couldn’t find that out before he ran off.

Ok, good work. Help the wounded and I’ll track the target.

Yes, sir.

I follow the coordinates given to me by my familiar. I finally get him in my sights. Anger washes over me like a red curtain of blood as I screech, “Vampire!” and cut him off. I pull my six-shot revolver out of its holster and aim at him. I cock the gun and fire twice. Both bullets hit him and he falls to the ground. Blood pools around him like a lake as Sachiko lands behind me and kneels. I put the revolver in its holster and turn to Sachiko. “Lets go home. I’m tired and filthy.” I run past her and jump onto the nearest building and she follows me.

I take a bath as soon as Sachiko prepares it when we get home. She comes in with a towel and lays it near the bath.

“Hey.” I call. She turns towards me.

“Yes sir?”

“Isn’t today your birthday?” I ask.

Sachiko blushes. “You remembered.”

“Of course! Sachiko, we’ve known each other for years, I’ll never forget your birthday. Let’s celebrate tonight.” I say stepping out of the bath and wrapping the towel around myself.

“Oh, no, sir, you don’t have to do that.” she says, looking away.

“I know, but I want to.” I step over to her and put my hand on her shoulder. “Happy birthday, Sachiko-chan.” I say, kissing the top of her head. I laugh. “You know you’re blushing, right?”

Sachiko covers her face and runs out, leaving me doubled over in laughter. I walk over to the mirror after I compose myself and dry my hair. I walk into the master bedroom and put on some jeans and an old wife-beater. I wander into the kitchen and jump up on the island. “So, where do you wanna go for dinner?”

Sachiko looks up from the table, where she’s reading. “I said you don’t have to do that, sir.”

“And I said I want to.” I say, jumping down and walking to the cupboard. Taking out a bag of potato chips, I ask again, “Where do want to go? Seriously, my treat.” I smile.

Sachiko smiles back. “Well, I wanted to go to that new sushi bar, downtown. Is that ok?”

“Yeah, I wanted to go there as well. Let’s go at six then.”

Sachiko nods and I go upstairs, eating the chips. “See you later then. I’m gonna watch T.V.”