The first warning was when I opened my apartment door and saw my deck of cards all neatly stacked. Normally I play half a game of fifty-two pickup when I leave. I checked the top two cards: ace and two of hearts. Factory order. Second warning: I heard the shower running. Pulling my gun, I slipped off my shoes and crept to the bathroom, socks silent on the hardwood floor. That's where I saw her.

She had the sort of curves that you need to hold onto. I wondered how the water cascading down her full breasts and the curve of her hips could bear to let go at the bottom. She beckoned, and I stepped into the shower with her.

Frigid water hit me like a slap in the face. I leave it that way, like the cards. Keeping my face blank, I looked at her. She couldn't feel the cold that had broken the spell, so I had a moment to see her leering smile, too-thin frame, and stringy hair. She embraced me, and I killed her with the wooden stake I keep behind the towel.

Vampires. They always think they're the first to try the shower trick.