Ennoui’s Hunger
Short Story
Ennoui had grown especially tired of the monotony of nighttime. She had been debating if this century would be the century she walked into the sun and finished it all. She looked down from the roof of the 7-story building at the couple kissing under the fire escape. She watched as he caressed her ass with a hunger that inflamed her own. She continued to watch as she shoved her hands down his pants and he moaned into her mouth. The act made her smirk although it also reminded her that it had been way too long since she had any action. She tried not to think too long about it or her former beloved.
She decided she wouldn’t eat them tonight. She was nosey though, so she’d find them at the end of the night or sometime later this week and see what those two horn dogs were up to. She decided tonight to head to San. The club had existed for many decades and had had many iterations. The Haitian vampires knew how to keep things fresh; tonight, more than ever, she needed something fresh. Maybe she’d end the night with someone moaning into her mouth too.
The music was absurdly loud she could hear it from 2 blocks away. It was full of drums and chanting that managed to be both sensual and terrifying much like herself. In the darkness of the club, she struts through the crowds.
She didn’t need to see to know that the blood flowed here. She could smell it. The 22-year-old to her right had blood that smelled of crème fraîche and berries with a hint of mint. The young man she strut past stank of nicotine and desperation. The blood scents swirled in the air thickening it like cornstarch. She imagined this must be what it was like for them to walk through a fragrance center at any of their dying malls or big chain stores. She could stop here swimming in the scent of life but chose to head to the third floor.
The stairs were littered with the hungry and horny. A vamp sucked and licked the neck of a 30-something who must’ve gotten really tired of the humdrum of mortal life. She took the vamp woman’s hand and dragged it up to the tender spot between her groin. Together they moaned even as Ennoui climbed over them.
Melvin and Mark stood before the steel door like they always did. The twins were a delicious pair. She appreciated their pronounced cheekbones, deep-set eyes, and angular jaws. She never failed to marvel at the perfect symmetry of their faces or the way their plump lips sat under their broad noses begging to be kissed or sucked. They nodded at her as she approached and opened the door letting her slip into Brooklyn’s most infamous vampire den.
Where humans stunk up a room vampires had no scent. It was one of their natural predator perks. The sudden scentlessness of the room was abrupt and made her miss the medley of scents that perfumed the air outside the room. Conversations continued around her as she made her way to the bar. She liked this bartender Liza. Liza had a knack for making blood cocktails that made the tongue sing. It was clear that she put excruciating thought and effort into feeding her humans, fucking her humans, and keeping them happy. Her expertise led to blood that tasted like oranges, like pears, like peaches, and that mostly lacked the sour tinge of fear. Most impressive of all was that all her humans volunteered for this. She must have been incredibly empathetic and charming … or perhaps promised them their own immortality. Whatever she did I hoped she kept doing it.
“Liza, surprise me tonight please.”
“I have just the thing for you Ennie.”
She disappeared into the back and returned with an orange drink.
“This is my latest masterpiece. It is a peach mango-infused blood whiskey blend finished off with a minty blood bomb. I think you’ll enjoy it.”
She knew her shit! I could tell after the first whiff that I would probably drink 6 more before the night ended. I let the flavors coat my tongue before swallowing. It was pure artisanal vampire bougie-ass bliss. I needed that shit and told her as much.
As I finished my glass the seat next to me became occupied by a vampire I had never met before. He was a little taller than me and still carried on him the faint scent of the last human who had the displeasure of meeting him.
“You stink of human despair,” I said.
“And you stink of loneliness,” he replied.
“Rude, but true. Ennoui,” I introduced myself.
“Leo,” he replied turning slightly to face me.
Fuck, he was gorgeous. In truth, he was more gorgeous than the twins outside. He was more slender with a narrow face that sang of the 1800s. His hair was cut short into a fade. His eyebrows were sharp and expressive. His eyes were a cold brown that I would’ve liked to see nestled between my thighs or looking up from knees begging for me.
“You’re very handsome Leo,” I say because it is a fact and I know that he knows it too.
“You have your charms Ennoui. Mostly I can tell what you’re thinking right now. I think I’d look good there too.”
“Oh,” I let the silence caress our sexual tension. “We can find out you know.”
“We should,” he says taking a sip of his drink.
The statement was a yes if I ever heard one.
“Liz two more for the road!”
I hand him a glass and we finish it and take to the city's roofs. He follows me until we reach the balcony of my condo.
“Impressive,” he says. “These are some large windows for a vampire.”
“They are but I like to feel like I’m sitting atop the city. The floor-to-ceiling windows make that possible.”
“Do you also like to feel like you’re being fucked on top of the city too?”
“You could find out.”
He closes the distance between us with a speed that almost matches mine. He cradles the back of my head and stares at me with such feral hunger. I close the rest of the gap between our faces and lick his top lip. There are no lights on here. The moonlight is enough.
He nips at my tongue drawing a little blood. I thrust him to the floor and he does not protest. Together we move like liquid lust. Tongues drag across brown skin under moonlight we are wrapped in ferocious need. I did not know I was starving but this feast before me forces me to acknowledge the truth, two decades was too long. I try not to think of my former lover now with my back on the soft carpet and Leo licking his way across my chest.
I grab his head and bring it to mine. Stick my tongue into his mouth. Drag my tongue against his left fang while I grip his throat. He moans into my mouth. I moan back. We finish stripping and I climb him. Then we switch. I am beneath him and he moves me from room to room. I am looking out over the city head hanging over the balcony. I am full of bliss. I’m glad to be expanding and to be receiving and think after our fourth or sixth or eighth round that the sun is starting to rise and I should shutter the windows. Today will not be the day I end it all. I think I could spend a few decades more of nights like this. I think how could I ever grow tired of moonlight if I get to enjoy it with Leo beneath me? A thought I had about my former lover too.
“Another round?”
His chuckle is a sound wave of arousal echoing off the walls of my condo. We become a ball of dark arousal before the last of the darkness fades away.
HELL YEAH! I must admit I really enjoyed writing this and can’t believe this is my first vampire story ever!!! I’ve been obsessed with vampires probably since middle school. Can’t believe it took me this long to write a vampire story. I love Ennoui’s character. Did you guys make the connection to the word ennui (bahaha)? Anyway I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. I imagine a world where this is a serial work that explores Ennoui’s vampire shenanigans. Her (former) lovers, her beefs, her origin story… aren’t you dying to hear more about her?
* If you’re not quite ready to become a paid subscriber but want to spare a little coin you can “buy me a coffee” here!*
TELL ME:
What was your favorite line or turn of phrase? Do you think Ennoui and Leo moved too fast? Would you go to Sans? What bit of vampire lore is your favorite? Least favorite? What’s your favorite vampire story of all time?
Read some of my other pieces here:
1. How To Pray With Your Lover's Body
2. Loved By Death
3. Smiling With No Teeth
4. Humbleness Is A Luxury I Can't Afford
5. Cooking with Seawater
For all of you who have already subscribed thanks so much!! For those of you who haven’t subscribed yet, it’s never too late to join my smart and funny subscribers (nickname sadly still pending)!
As usual tune in next Tuesday for my next newsletter.
YESSSSS I'm so glad you decided to write a story about vampires! More, please. :)
" His eyes were a cold brown that I would’ve liked to see nestled between my thighs or looking up from knees begging for me."
WHEWWWWW. So many spicy lines that I loved but that one...yes.
I'm always so impressed by your world building! Getting so much detail into a short story is incredible.
Anyway, again, more vampire content please mèsi <3
You stink of human despair,” I said.
“And you stink of loneliness,” he replied.
I loved this little exchange. And I too can’t believe this is your first time writing about vampires. This felt so fresh but familiar. I kept imagining that Ennoui is who sis from the zombie story might have become in better circumstances. Also, I love how your post are sexy, and talk about sex, but always feel like a fun tease.