Mr. Vampire Who Lives in My Neighbourhood

3

David insists Florence should actively seek a partner, an open-minded perspective that a single woman should have a suitable romantic partner to be deemed 'normal.'

"I am on a date," Florence retorts with a charming smile, causing David to blush awkwardly. "Not with you, you're married. I mean him," she gestures with her chin towards the lifeless body on the autopsy table. "Look, his stomach is speaking. The area above the larynx is necrotic black, but not the stomach. This tells me he was poisoned post-mortem."

After replacing the stomach, she casually peels back the scalp. "See this crack in the skull? It suggests a heavy blow, probably by a blunt object, maybe a stone. This tells me he was knocked unconscious."

David glances at the corpse, visibly disturbed. "Don't you find him... terrifying?" Despite his experience, David tries to avoid looking at the deceased's face, especially in gruesome cases, as it still unnerves him.

"Not at all," Florence responds.

"Why?" David asks, a question he's repeated countless times.

"Because he's dead," Florence replies, as if it's the most natural answer.

David realizes it's futile to explain further; Florence's fearlessness is what makes her an exceptional forensic pathologist.

At the office, she maintains a serious persona expected of a professional in her field.

Privately however, Florence harbors an obsession with anime and manga, collecting rare figurines and comics she keeps hidden from colleagues. After work most nights, she hunts for the latest releases and fan merchandise.

One evening, she wins a coveted limited edition statue—a collaboration between cult favorite brands My Hero and Fun Productions—in a local comic shop lottery. Only a few copies of the expensive statuette exist and Florence instantly becomes bombarded with purchase offers from envious collectors. But she refuses to relinquish her prize.

Walking home in a daze of delight from her unbelievable luck, Florence loses herself admiring the luminous full moon and fails to notice three shadowy figures stalking up behind her. At the sound of approaching footsteps, she spins around to find herself surrounded by menacing men intent on stealing her rare figurine.

Unfazed, Florence discreetly signals for police assistance, hoping to stall with her stun gun until they arrive.

Confronted by the leader, the men advance, but Florence's quick use of the stun gun reveals her preparedness.

As the thugs close in, an eerie chill permeates the night air—the wind gathering speed, debris swirling violently. Though no visible threat manifests, an unspoken horror blankets the scene. A pair of burning crimson eyes abruptly splits the darkness. The men freeze, gripped by an inexplicable terror.

"What in damnation is that?" one croaks in frightened awe...