Twilight

He is the man of your dreams. Towering at six feet, high society confidence exuding from every tiniest pore in his porcelain skin, the crowd could not help stealing numerous glances as he strides. He permeates a sweet smelling scent, covering the blood sucking putrid that percolates through his very existence. But do not attempt to fall for him if you do not want to be the next budget meal. He does get tired from fast-food chains from time to time. Vampires have a delicate taste.

Edward Cullen has transformed into a household name after the release of the book, Twilight. The novel has later met its cinematic counterpart. The popular book by Stephenie Meyer reintroduced and resuscitated the vampires as they live in the modern days. They are still the blood sucking family of leeches that we know; this truth will linger on. But the author has added a little flavor, a once in a lifetime, rare phenomenon: Edward fell in love with a human being.

Countless stories have been inspired by these creatures based on European folklores, among which is a novel written by Anne Rice, The Vampire Chronicles. Lestat de Lioncourt is the main character, the metro sexual type in the dark world. Edward’s passion is to win Bella, Lestat’s is the human race. His mortality is lived morally, as least he tries to be. He loves mankind. He cares for his father despite the friction between them. He is depicted as a hero, feeding on crooks and the evils of society. It may have been translated differently, but Edward and Lestat have one commonality: love. And the color of love is red. It is the very thing that keeps them alive.

Despite their softer side, however, vampires are considered taboo. Edward is a lover, the only identity known by public. Despite his charm and personality, if he dropped the bomb, everyone he knows within a six-mile radius will disappear out of fear. So he conceals the truth. He walks and lives like a normal teenager, without them realizing he is actually 110 years old, glitters under the sun, and bites. Literally.

The movie is still an unfinished business though the book is. In spite of the dragging acting by Kristen Stewart (Bella), Twilight remains in the top ten for top-grossing films of 2010. The movie Eclipse raked more than USD600M worldwide according to Wikipedia, exalting Edward as the most sought after vampire of our time.  The final installment, Breaking Dawn (Part 1), will be in cinemas this year, expecting to gather millions of dollars on its first day. This vampire business is a filthy one. A filthy rich business. Like the vampires themselves are.

Vampires are normally stationed in high-ranking positions, rubbing elbows with the elite and the royalties. Dracula was a count. They infiltrate human societies where they are safest. It is a common conception that villains lurk within us where they are most unnoticeable. The same tactic is applied by the wittiest of creatures. The mystery of vampires will remain as such, while authors with vivid imagination will continue to thrive on everyone’s curiosity. The films will roll, the novels will be published, Edward will love, and his clan will remain. Whilst the blood runs in our veins.