As the vampire walked on the wet sidewalk illuminated by the bright moon over the city, the young boy on his shoulders finally mustered the courage to speak.

"You're quite scary," he said.

"I look just like anyone here- even with my high fashion," the vampire replied.

"It's not that... it's what you did to those three back there. And your look; those eyes," the kid continued. "They're cold, like there is no life in you. And you're really, really, tall!"

"Correct on that, young man," the vampire retorted with a smirk, raising his eyebrows upward to the boy. "But- tell me... why do they believe I am an enforcer of their laws? I do not care for any of them."

The boy gulped nervously. "Because... you're killing bad people, making good people safer," he replied.

"Incidental," the vampire stated firmly. "Simply put, I presumed it would be easier; not much of an affair if I consumed the dregs of this place. No?" the vampire inquired as he looked up to the boy.

"I guess," replied the kid who was having fun being so high up. "My parents said the police are looking for you."

"Here we are," the vampire said. "251 East 17th Street. A nice building, indeed." He lifted the boy off his shoulders with one hand and set him down as if he was the most delicate porcelain ever created.

"How about I leave it up to you..." the vampire said, bending down to reach the boy's height.

"Leave what?" the boy asked.

"If I should continue eating those kind of people or go back to the blood bank," the vampire replied.

The boy took a moment. Then, he looked up at the vampire that just minutes ago saved him from being abducted.

"Just those people, ok?" the boy innocently asked.

"Then it's settled!" the vampire exclaimed in satisfaction. "Next time, no wandering off alone," the vampire continued, petting the boy's hair.

As the boy walked toward the building entrance, he turned to the vampire.

"What's your name, mister?" the young kid asked.

"I don't remember," he whispered to himself as he slowly walked back into the night.