My name is Brian Finn.
A ... less than accomplished film director.
With the meager talents given to me by God, I've made films that defy classification as either good or bad.
Yet, I've never managed to create a film I can truly call my own.
Now, even the generosity of the divine has reached its end.
Brian: cough
His rough hand trembles as it gropes around.
It runs over the table's edge, brushes past a half-open medicine box, knocks over an uncapped pen, but never reaches its intended destination.
Illia: Dad, stop looking through those old film reels. Dr. David said you should be resting in bed!
Illia: Besides, your work's already won over all those investors, and they're sharper than Wall Street's finest.
Illia: What regrets could you possibly have left?
Her brother speaks up, his pride in his father's achievements ringing in his voice.
Robin: Yeah, Dad, the critics have nothing but praise for your movies, especially New England Dream!
The old man's hand lingers in the air.
Brian: No, my dear boy. New England Dream is the biggest regret of my life.
Brian: Forty years squandered on that thing, and I still never truly completed it.
Brian: The editing alone took up years of my life.
Brian: But no matter how many changes I made, I couldn't fill that emptiness. That failure has haunted me for decades. To this very day, in fact.
Illia: ...
Brian: At this point, I have no choice but to confess that I failed to capture the essence of a true vampire.
Brian: Not even ... Not even a sliver of that elusive inspiration.
The old man becomes agitated, sparking a coughing fit.
Brian: Compared to the vampire I saw, it lacks something vital, some essential element.
Robin: But what could that be, Dad?
Brian: cough I ... I don't know.
A hushed silence falls in the bedroom. Even the sound of Brian's hurried breaths is fading.
They are becoming slow and intermittent, as if they might cease at any moment.
A profound regret weighs heavily upon each breath.
Brian: ...
Brian: Son, would you get me my notebook from the desk?
Brian: Yes, and turn it to the latest page.
Robin: Yes, Dad. I'll get it right away.
The boy hastens out the door, while the girl looks at her father with a melancholy gaze, her face etched with concern.
Illia: But your eyes ...
Brian: Heh. Don't worry about me, Illia.
His eyes have long lost their vitality. They are embedded in deep, wrinkled sockets.
Brian: It's been my faithful companion for many years. Even with these failing eyes of mine, I can still read the thing through touch alone.
Robin: Dad, here. Here it is.
Robin carefully places the notebook in his father's hand.
Brian: Ah, yes, this is far more useful than any concoction of pills. Don't you agree, old friend?
With some effort, he steadies his frail frame.
Brian: I still need you to document everything faithfully. At least for now, anyway.
Brian: We have one last journey to make—the final stretch.
Brian: *cough" Now, where should I begin?
Brian: This tale begins in New England, I believe.
Brian: Back then, I was young, timid, and filled with fear of the unknown.
Brian: Until ...
A cabin, nestled between dense woods and a lake. A common sight in any horror film.
Moss climbs the windowsills and eaves of the cabin's exterior, as if silently repelling any visitors.
Sadly, it does nothing to repel young, reckless children.
Tom: D**n! You reckon there's really a witch here brewing potions from baby hair?
Jared: Haha! What kind of baloney are you talking about now?
Jared: I heard there's a vampire hanging around in these woods. You know, the kind that has fangs with hollow tips so it can pierce the skin on your neck and suck your blood.
He places his hand on the quivering shoulder beside him.
Jared: Good grief! Would you look at our Little Brian? If he shivered any faster, he could be a hand-crank operator at my uncle's generator factory!
Tom: I bet he's already got a fresh diaper at the ready!
Brian: C-Cut it out, guys.
Brian: We should head back. I really don't want to fall behind on Mrs. Madison's homework.
Jared pats him on the shoulder and pushes him forward.
Jared: Don't worry, Little Brian. Legend has it that the vampire's keen on blood from strapping young men, not scrawny little monkeys!
Tom: Hah. Then Brian will be the safest one among us!
The pressure on Brian's shoulder intensifies.
Brian: That l-legend's probably a bunch of hooey, right?
Tom: Hahaha! Of course it is!
Jared: Yeah, so what are you so afraid of, Little Brian?
A breeze blows past the door, causing it to creak creepily.
Tom: Off you go, good sir! Take a gander deeper inside for us and say, "How do you do?" to Mr. Vampire!
The shove from behind sends Brian staggering forward.
He falls into an even more sinister-looking room, hitting his head on the corner of a table.
Brian: Ahh!
Tom: Oh, look what you've done now, you klutz! You've scared off all the critters!
Brian: Ouch ... My head ...
Jared: Bye-bye, Little Brian. We'll be waiting for your triumphant return to town.
The door slams shut.
Brian: Don't leave me here! You can't do this to me. I don't want to be eaten by a vampire!
His head spins as his consciousness slips away into darkness.
Brian: Ugh ...
A loud, rumbling sound approaches from afar.
Brian: That noise ... It feels like my head's about to explode. Good lord, is that an earthquake?!
Blue.
A subtle blue seeps into the room.
From under the bed. Through the cracks in the wooden floor.
Brian: You are ...?
Brian: Am I hallucinating? Or is this ...
Brian: Is there really a vampire living here?!
Blue ripples wash over the walls. The desk, the lamp, and the wooden chair are all tinged with its cool hue.
They pick themselves up and start moving. They dance in the endless blue, eventually surrounding the young boy.
It is as if they have been brought to life.
???: Hm?
???: You don't look too well, my uninvited friend.
???: Need a hand?
Brian: I-I ... um ... y-you ...
Brian: Are you a vampire?
The angel-faced woman seems uninclined to answer.
???: Hah! Clearly, you're in desperate need of a good rest.
The blue has reached his temples, blanketing everything in sight.
He gives in, sinking into slumber and returning to tranquility.
Brian: I've never forgotten what I saw that day.
Brian: I firmly believe that in that cramped little cabin, I saw a true vampire.
Brian: She was so beautiful, so captivating, and brimming with a passion for life.
Brian: That was our first encounter.
Brian: After that, I fantasized countless times about meeting her again.
Brian: Until ...
Brian: Back then, I was young, timid, and filled with fear of the unknown.