The Vampire

The Vampire

Motionless, he stood behind the tree, studying the house. The accentuated collar of the cape erect behind his head. This was his favorite territory, having scored successfully over the past few years - but now he knew it was to be his last foray. The feeble light from the windows could not illuminate him, but did offer sufficient contrast in the night to discern a pallid face with scarlet lips and feral fangs, as he sucked in a deep, nervous, breath.

Strange how excited he was this time. It had never been dangerous, and over the past few years it had become a routine excursion in this neighborhood. But this time was different; he would never return.

The darkness beyond the feeble perimeter of household lighting was typical in this affluent rural community, whose residents preferred, and were willing to pay handsomely for their one acre isolation from neighbors, and a view of a night sky unhampered by streetlights. While there was a lot of ground for him to cover it also offered perfect conditions for this expedition.

A predatory instinct cautioned him to wait a little longer. The timing was deliciously important if he expected to reap a full reward from the technique he had developed over the past several years. A bat whistled past, followed by several others as they headed out in search of sustenance. His vaporous breath appeared smoke like in the chill air as he waited patiently for the right moment. Saliva formed in his mouth just thinking of the spoils. His craving would be satisfied for days. It would not be long now.

There…a dog barking a few hundred yards down the canyon and soon joined by another - and faintly,  a shrill squealing sound drifting on the brittle night air and coming closer. A commotion had begun, and there was no escape for the beleaguered residents. They were at the mercy of the bizarre night creatures.

Another minute or two and he judged conditions to be just right. Clutching the cape across his chest, he left the protection of the tree and made his shuffling way across the empty road furtively glancing down canyon. Swiftly now along the path to the front door which he knew with certainty would be opened without hesitation. The chimes echoed throughout the house and then the sound of approaching steps mingled with muted merriment from within.

The opening door revealed a laughing lady whose expression immediately changed to horror at the sight before her. Her hands flew to her face and she shrieked…”Oh, you scared me, Mr. Vampire.”

“Trick or treat, Mrs. Seaton?” demanded the vampire, thrusting forward the bag he produced from under his cloak.

“Well, Tommy, your mother told me this will be your last Halloween now that you are off to High School - so it will be a generous treat, indeed. We are going to miss you.”