[ WP ] You 've been unknowingly bitten by a vampire . You spend the next few weeks misidentifying the symptoms .

**Day 1 - North America's Patient Zero** 
 
 I woke up with an extremely painful, throbbing sensation in my neck. Initially, I thought it might have been delayed onset muscle soreness from my workout yesterday, but I had never experienced anything to that magnitude before. 
 
 I examined the area in my mirror and noticed two tiny bite marks - my skin did not look swollen, bruised, or blemished otherwise. 
 
 Since it is the summer, I usually leave my window wide open. Perhaps an insect - a mosquito or spider - got through the screen. 
 
 **Day 3** 
 
 The pain has n't subsided, so I went to my family doctor and had some blood samples taken. 
 
 She was surprised to see me - I was known to have a superior immune system and ultra-rapid metabolism. I rarely got sick, and on the chance moments when I did, I was usually better before the day finished. Even my recovery from exercising was astounding. 
 
 **Day 5** 
 
 I'm starting to think it was some kind of spider bite. 
 
 I've started to lose my appetite. I can still eat, but I just do n't feel an urge to anymore. My exercises and workouts do n't seem to be affected; in fact, I feel stronger. 
 
 The pain in my neck has decreased substantially. 
 
 **Day 6** 
 
 I think I'm having an allergic reaction. 
 
 I woke up super itchy for some reason. Throughout the day, my entire body would not stop itching. Nothing I tried seemed to work. 
 
 **Day 8** 
 
 My skin is on fire. 
 
 I woke up and leaped off of my bed. My roommate ran into my room because I had screamed like someone out of a horror movie - Cassandra thought someone had broken into my room. 
 
 I spent the day sitting on our couch watching Netflix. Fortunately, my skin stopped being irritated once I left my room. 
 
 **Day 9** 
 
 I do n't know what's happening. 
 
 I can...smell things. I can smell what Cass had for breakfast. I can smell the flowers hanging from Samantha's window. 
 
 Samantha is one of our apartment neighbors, we all live on the fifth floor. 
 
 Her room is on the opposite end of the building. 
 
 I can smell every ingredient every tenant on our floor is using to cook. 
 
 I can smell Cassandra. She's...intoxicating. It's not perfume, or lotion, or any cosmetic. It's her actual scent. Her raw, sensual aroma. 
 
 I know she got her period early. We are usually synchronized, but she got hers a day early. 
 
 I could smell it. 
 
 **Day 10** 
 
 I have n't eaten all day. My stomach has n't rumbled either. 
 
 The smells of the world can be overwhelming. I learned quickly that if I clear my mind and focus on myself, I can block out the scents. I can also hone in on things - I've been practicing all day. 
 
 I tried to walk to the gym, but it felt like I was thrown in a vat of acid the moment I stepped outside. I tried again at night, and that worked out perfectly. I think I have a skin condition - perhaps some kind of allergic reaction from whatever bit me? 
 
 My strength has improved. 
 
 Immensely. 
 
 The weights I used to warm up with used to be my one-rep max. I stayed at the gym for nearly three hours and did n't even break a sweat. 
 
 **Day 11** 
 
 Something has happened to my vision. 
 
 I can see better in the dark. 
 
 Better. 
 
 I can see farther and pick up more detail the darker the conditions. I even tried a pitch black setting - I turned off all the lights in the apartment after Cass fell asleep - and was able to navigate through the flat even more efficiently than during the day. 
 
 I have n't had anything to eat or drink yet. 
 
 **Day 12** 
 
 It's the sunlight. 
 
 I'm fairly certain I've developed an allergy to sunlight. I looked for a thin stretch of light in my room and passed my finger through it. 
 
 The pain was even more excruciating than the one I experienced in my neck nearly two weeks ago. I nearly screamed when I saw my skin sizzling. 
 
 **Day 13** 
 
 My doctor called. 
 
 She said the results of my blood work revealed no abnormalities. Since the pain in my neck was gone, we both agreed that there would be no need for further testing. 
 
 I did n't mention my allergy. I do n't know why. 
 
 **Day 14** 
 
 I ca n't stop thinking about Cass. 
 
 I ca n't stop thinking about how good she smells. Her scent. Her hair. Her lips. I can smell every and any part of her. 
 
 I do n't feel hungry or thirsty...but... 
 
...I feel something else. 
 
 **Day 15** 
 
 With all the weird changes happening to my body I just realized something critical. 
 
 I have n't gotten my period yet. 
 
 **Day 17** 
 
 I ca n't be pregnant - I have n't had sex in a long time. Maybe the stress of everything happening to me has shifted my period over by a few days. 
 
 Maybe. 
 
 **Day 18** 
 
 There is something very wrong with me. 
 
 I do n't know what came over me. 
 
 When Cass left for work, I tore open one of our gourmet steak packages. 
 
 I threw the absorbent pad into my mouth and sucked all of the juices out. 
 
 I've never tasted anything so amazing, so perfect. 
 
 I think I need help. 
 
 **Day 19** 
 
 I got a new contract today. Fortunately, my job as a programmer - usually website design - allows me to work from home. 
 
 Cass left to go visit her parents for the weekend. 
 
 I think my circadian rhythms have finally shifted to match my new sleeping pattern - I sleep through most of the day and stay up all night. 
 
 **Day 21 - The Hunger** 
 
 I need to get out of here. 
 
 I thought the feeling would go away in a few days, but it has n't. 
 
 I ca n't stop thinking about it. 
 
 Every fibre of my being is urging me into one direction. 
 
 *I need to taste Cassandra. *
