But as soon as the first tears rolled from my eyes, I hurried to wipe them away and pull myself together, lest any of my brothers or Maria come running to comfort me.

That was the inconvenience of being a vampire: it was impossible to feel free among my siblings, because they could hear my every word, my every breath, even my whispers. And that was another reason I wanted to leave home: I longed to just sit in my room or close myself in the bathroom and cry quietly. I couldn't afford that luxury at home, because I was in the palm of my hand.

I dialled Mariszka's number again, praying that she would answer the phone.

– Yes, Misha? Is something wrong? – I heard her voice.

– Yes, something's wrong! I'm begging you, I'm begging you! Don't call your parents! – I pleaded desperately.

– Oh, that's what you mean… I'm glad you called again, because Markus heard our conversation and told me to stay out of your life, so it wouldn't be like…» She cleared her throat loudly, clearly not finishing something.

– Your habit of not finishing things is a little annoying» I said, intrigued by her words.

– It's nothing. I wanted to tell you this before you run off on your own. Just please be careful, and don't ever come into contact with people, ever, apart from your studies. Don't make any mortal friends, and in general, don't socialise with them, because mortals are the real evil.

«I wonder why Mariszka disliked people so much» – I wondered, because she used to say that people were food, but not evil.

– In that case, too, I can reassure you: I'm not going to do that! Not since-» I almost said: «Cedric advised me» but I corrected myself, «ever since Martin told me about the incident in Chicago, I haven't had the slightest desire to talk to them. And I'm prepared to be thought of as an arrogant fool or a bore.

Mariszka laughed.

– If you want that you definitely no one to communicate with you, be hysterical: to the nerds are attracted to the same kind, and hysterical ones hate their kind, – she said.

It was like a huge stone fell from my soul. And I was so moved that I put my right hand to my rib cage. Of course, it's a bad habit to express my emotions so directly, but I couldn't help it, so my hand went to my rib cage when I felt tenderness, or saw cute animals, or watched heart-wrenching films, or listened to the same music.

– Well, I've always been good at being hysterical» I grinned. – Don't worry about me, I know what I'm doing. Say hello to Cedric from me and tell him that I got into Oxford!

Mariszka didn't answer anything.

– Hey, are you still there? – I asked, not hearing her answer for a minute.

– Yeah, yeah. Just thinking. All right, go to your England, but watch me! And study hard!

– Well, I can't promise that, as this is the first university of my life,' I said. – But I'll do my best.

– And call me often! And now I'm sorry, but I have some urgent paperwork to do.

– Then I won't bother you. And thank you for understanding.

– But please, Misha, don't make us all regret it later.

– You won't regret it. And no one will regret it. And when I have free time, I'll fly to Prague to see you.

– Okay, we'll talk about it. Bye!

– Bye! Say hi to Cedric for me!

I switched off and quickly ran to Maria’s room to ask her to tell me about her life and her studies in Oxford.

The world was getting colourful again, and I was already dreaming of stopping by my university flat and meeting my roommates. Of course, I wasn't lying about not talking to people (well, trying to), but roommates are a different matter! You can't live in one flat and not talk to them or even say hello to them!