The Patient Gardener
Vladimir walked out into his outdoor garden, nestled deep in the heart of his vast estate. The sun had already sunk into the horizon but its light still painted the sky in a beautiful mosaic of colors. A smudge of gold here, a hint of purple there and a carpet of orange covering it all.
The moon was already hiding in the sky like the patient dog, waiting for the fattest bone to arrive. It stared down as Vladimir stared at the meticulously kept hedges and flowers that he had personally cultivated over the years. He took a moment to appreciate the serenity of it all before slipping on his sturdy apron and gloves, both worn from frequent use but reliable nonetheless.
This was his sanctuary, the one place where the noise of the city and the chaos of the vampire world seemed to fade into the background.