– Because you don't belong in the circle of mortals. Especially among girls. Living in a sorority is horrible. It's not what you see in the films, believe me. I lived in a university flat for a year and then I moved into a private flat. I couldn't get along there, and you certainly can't.

– Thank you for your support! – I exclaimed wryly.

Maria smiled sweetly and continued packing her clothes into her suitcase.

– I don't mean that you are weak. I'm saying that living in a university flat, you won't be able to eat properly» she explained.

Eat? I'd forgotten about that… No, I hadn't thought about it, because I'd always eaten at home, not caring how the blood got on our table or in our glasses. Well, my table, because my parents only ate on the hunt.

– No one is going to serve you fresh blood in a nice bottle» Maria added, probably noticing my confusion.

– But… How am I supposed to eat? – I frowned.

– If you rent a flat, you'll find a way. In fact, I think it's time for you to get your own blood.

– You mean killing people? – I clarified.

– Yes, killing. But I'm worried about how you'll do it: no one taught you how to hunt. That's a parental failure!

– I don't think killing is that hard» I replied calmly. – Martin has told me a thousand times about killing. Especially the case of the German postman: I've heard about it dozens of times and in the most vivid colours.

– Listening to Martin is one thing, but killing is quite another. Killing is hard both mentally and physically. Especially at your age

– But you learnt how to do it somehow» I argued.

– I did. I mean, my parents taught me.

– And I'll learn, eventually. I'm a vampire, and it's my destiny, and I'm as strong and agile as you are, aren't I?

– Pretty much. It takes a lot of training to control your abilities. You can't learn it all at once. – Maria looked at me seriously. – So, think about it, Misha, think about it.

I looked at my sister and thought that I would be perfectly able to cope with all this. After all, I am Misha Mroczek. A vampire. I'm no worse than my sisters.

But I didn't say anything.

– I'll get you a flat in East Oxford, on Cowley Road, where I used to live. Don't worry about a thing, I'll sort it out» Maria said suddenly.

I nodded absently: it still hadn't dawned on me that I'd have to feed myself. I would have to hunt people and kill them.

«It'll be okay, because this is just another step in my development. I need to grow up and become a real vampire» I reassured myself, but I felt vaguely afraid of the uncertainty ahead.

But Maria began to tell me about her studies at Oxford, and that fear vanished. As I listened to her, my heart burned with a desire to go there as soon as possible. I imagined how I would wear a strict black and white uniform, ride to college on a bicycle, sit in lectures… And about the food… No one will never know why I don't eat in the college canteen, because in my head I had a wonderful story that would be my most natural excuse.

– What are you smiling at? – Maria asked in surprise.

I woke up from my thoughts.

– I'm just glad that I'm finally going to be free. I guess your parents didn't treat you the way they treat me. You know, you tell me about your life there, and I see it all before my eyes» I explained. – But I need you to tell me how, where, and when to kill.

– Oh, that goes without saying. So just sit there and memorise. It's better to mark everything on the map, though.

I ran to my room and came back to my sister with a map of Oxford.

– Well, let's get started! Give me a pencil» Maria said.

We sat down on the bed and my sister began her instruction, which I didn't understand or even remember at all.

The next day Maria flew away, leaving me a list of advice handwritten in her beautiful calligraphic handwriting. Rereading it, I involuntarily laughed at the stupidest and banal, but so ridiculous situations described. For example: «If a pigeon shits on you, don't get angry and don't show your displeasure with words, gestures or facial expressions, otherwise everyone will think that you hate pigeons and birds in general. To avoid such a fate, always carry a spare robe with you.» Or: «If you get hit by a cyclist, don't get up from the pavement at once, but pretend to hit something (preferably your hand), then scold him a little, but don't overdo it, get up and with a disgruntled face leave, accepting his sincere (and not so sincere) apologies». But that was just the flowers untill I got to the point of how to behave in the ladies' toilet, I just couldn't stop laughing: «Never, under any circumstances, slam the doors, otherwise, the cleaning lady Mrs. Rees will have a heart attack. Always close doors gently, calmly, like a lady, even if you're being chased by a maniac with a huge knife.»