(This story has no title. It is just a little Halloween story I made up.)


“Now remember class,” began Mrs. Jacobs, “tomorrow is our class Halloween party, so you may dress up if you like.” She finished speaking just as the bell rang to dismiss school for the day. The children cheered as they got up from their desks and ran through the door.

“Yo! Ryan!” called Jim as he ran up to his friend.

“What’s up?” asked Ryan.

“I was wondering what you were planning to dress up as tomorrow.”

“I am going to be a vampire. Vampires are the most awesome creatures ever!” exclaimed Ryan.

“Really? A vampire? Aren’t they… Well, not to be mean or anything, but aren’t they rather overrated?”

“No!” cried Ryan. “Sure they are popular, but they are so deserving of that popularity! I mean, really! Superhuman strength, immortality… Plus they are just so awesome!”

“Hmm… That’s true, I guess. Maybe you can help me come up with a costume, too,” said Jim.

“Sure. You’re coming over to my house to study anyway, aren’t you?”

“That’s the plan. I don’t have to be home until after dark, since your mom is going to give me a ride.”

“Awesome! We can work on our costumes. And who knows? We might even find some time to study!” Both boys laughed as they started walking toward Ryan’s house. Since his house was closest to the school, they always chose to study there instead of at Jim’s place.

“Change in plans, boys,” said Ryan’s mother as she swept into his bedroom. She looked directly at the boy and continued: “Your Aunt Valerie called. She is in labor and has no one else to drive her to the hospital and help her through the delivery. I have already called and spoken to Jim’s mother. You will be staying there tonight and go back there after school tomorrow.”

“What? Really? A sleepover on a school night? Awesome!” cried Ryan. A look form his mother sobered him. “I mean, I hope that Aunt Valerie will be okay. Make sure you take care of her and yourself, Mother.”

“I have to leave right away, so you two will need to walk to Jim’s house when you are all packed up, Ryan. Please don’t dawdle or get yourselves into any trouble. I have enough to worry about as it is. I don’t need to wonder what mischief the two of you have found. Please go straight to Jim’s house as soon as you can. I am trusting you. I love you, Ryan. Take care.” And then she was gone.

Ryan stared after her for a minute before he looked at Jim. Jim was still staring at the empty doorway, his mouth an O. Ryan smiled broadly and ran to the closet. He pulled out an overnight bag and started stuffing clothes into it. Jim finally regained control of his senses and turned to face his friend.

“Do you have the things you will need for your costume?” he asked. Ryan stopped and thought about it for a moment. He snapped his fingers and went out to the hall. Jim got up and followed him. Ryan pulled open a door and went up a set of creaky stairs. He came down smiling, carrying a box.

“This was my grandfather’s,” Ryan explained as he set the box on a table and opened the flaps. “He was a magician. There will be some great things for me to use for my vampire costume in here. A little makeup to make myself pale and a set of vampire teeth… I will be all set.” He grabbed the box and dumped the contents onto the table. He started sorting through them, picking up various items and contemplating whether or not they would work for his purposes. Jim looked at some of the items, but wasn’t as interested as Ryan was. Finally, Ryan had chosen a few items, including a cape and top hat. He put the rest of the item back in the box and went back to his room. He grabbed his overnight bag and his backpack.

“Okay. I am ready now,” he announced. Jim grabbed his books and shoved them back into his backpack and slung it over his shoulder.

“Let’s go, then,” Jim said. He led the way down the stairs. He opened the front door and stopped. “Wow. I didn’t realize it was so late. Look how dark it is! I rarely get to be out walking in the dark!”

“Oh!” said Ryan as he pushed his friend out the door, checked the lock, and pulled the door closed. “We have to go through the graveyard!” They both smiled broadly as they ran down the steps and headed for the graveyard.

“Hmm… This is disappointing,” said Ryan as he and his friend entered the cemetery.

“What?” asked Jim.

“Well, we just entered the graveyard. Isn’t the moon supposed to go behind the clouds? Where’s the fog? This is not a very scary adventure at all! Can we even encounter anything scary in conditions like this?” complained Ryan. Jim shrugged and started making his way through the graves, being careful not to step on any of them. The boys were disappointed that their one trip into the cemetery at night had been so normal. As they approached a mausoleum, they noticed that the door was open. Instead of being scared, the boys grew more and more excited as they approached.

“Woe is me,” came a voice from within the tomb. “Oh, woe is me! What a tragic figure I have become.” The boys looked at each other. They turned around to leave when they heard it again: “Woe is me. Oh, woe is me! What a tragic figure I have become!” The boys rolled their eyes and pushed the door open even farther.

“Hello?” they called simultaneously. A figure cloaked in black sat on a sarcophagus in the center of the small room.

“What?” cried the figure. “Oh… I didn’t realize anyone was around. What… what brings you here?”

“We were walking by,” said Ryan, gesturing to the path behind him.

“And we heard you,” added Jim.

“Oh,” replied the figure. A deep sigh issued from the man and he threw his hood back to reveal his face. It looked more like skin pulled loosely over a skull. He was extremely thin. His eyes were a shade of blue that was so pale it was almost white. His face was smooth and pale. His sad smile kept his teeth hidden, but both boys had the suspicion that they were in the presence of a real vampire. A thrill of excitement ran through them. “What is it that you want?” the vampire asked.

“We would like to hear your story,” said Ryan. Jim just nodded his agreement.

“Ah. Yes. I should have guessed,” said the vampire. “It isn’t a very long story, I am afraid to tell you. Not glamorous or exciting like you might think.”

“We’d still like to hear it,” said Ryan.

“Very well. Do make yourselves comfortable, then.” The vampire waited until the boys had found seats and then cleared his throat. Finally, he began.

“I was a very awkward boy all throughout high school. When I went off to college, I was certain I would finally get to make a name for myself. Instead, I was bitten by a vampire and turned into her slave. The worst part was… I didn’t really mind it. At first. At least my life had a sense of meaning. A sick, twisted meaning that meant nothing but murder and cruelty, but meaning all the same.

“Then, as most things tend to, it got complicated. I grew bored with being a vampire. I wanted more from my life. Or is it unlife? Is that even a word? Whatever. I began to desire more than a mere existence filled with blood.

“I fell in love. Or, the closest thing that a vampire can have resembling love. She was beautiful. Everything I could ever have wanted in a mate. I tried to make her love me. When that didn’t work, I made her a vampire like me. When that didn’t work… I led her into a trap and had her killed. Now I know I am destined to be alone forever. Do you know what it is like for a vampire to get no joy from slaughtering prey? Not to care about the taste of blood? It is a truly tragic existence. If it was possible, I would end my existence, but for some reason, it is impossible for a vampire to willing commit suicide. Something about the evil forces inside us. Seems the evil has a strong sense of self preservation.

“So here I am. Alone. Depressed. Taking the time to talk to a couple of young kids. You know, a century ago, I would have killed you both so fast it would have been a memory before it even fully registered in my brain. Oh! How I miss the good old days. But alas, they can never be. I am destined to be a tragic reflection of my former glory. Please, leave me. But be sure to tell people I am here. Surely one will come here and put a stake through my heart.”

Ryan and Jim stared at each other. This was definitely not the way they thought a visit to a cemetery should go. They stood up, dusted themselves off, gathered their belongings and went on their way. As they stepped through the door into Jim’s house, they turned to each other and said: “Perhaps I will go as a werewolf, instead.”