One Last Hope

Chapter 23

⭐"Hot take: if you’re resting but you’re guilting or shaming yourself for not being productive the whole time, that’s not actually rest. If you find that you’re chronically tired, this could be why."⭐
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The first book that I open is an old book devoted to ancient legends...

I just can't believe it. These bindings are so beautiful! I bring the book closer to the small desk lamp to get a better look at the illustrations.

The engravings reproduced here are superb, but there's a certain darkness emanating from them. They're stunning, but frightening!

As I flip through the contents page, I see that much of Dr. Jones' planned program is included.

I turn the pages until I get stuck on one chapter in particular. It's full of pictures and descriptions of fantastical beasts. A horror writer's dream!

Several points jump at me from the page: "They don't eat, but feed solely on blood... Their skin is icy to the touch... They have prodigious strength."

The pieces of the puzzle are fitting together in my head. The Bartholy brothers possess all the characteristics mentioned here.

My finger follows the lines of description and I feel my face distorted.

I continue my reading, my heart thudding: "This is a malevolent and lonely creature by nature, whose desire is to absorb the life force of a living organism in order to satisfy its appetite or further perpetuate its supernatural existence."

Or in simpler terms: vampires.

Nora: "Vampires?"

I realize I just said that out loud! I turn around nervously to look around. But there's nobody around.

Lorie threw me to the ground and she's only six years old!

And that icy skin! And that whiter than white skin!

There's more: "They must be invited in before entering a room."

Huh? How did Drogo and Peter get into the campus buildings? Who invited them?

Damn it! I can't believe I'm falling for this crap!

The next page makes me feel panicky!  It's about mirrors... It's said that vampires tend to avoid them as much as possible, so as not to see their true reflection: a gaunt, mummified body.

I remember Lorie trying to jump down quickly from her chair.

I thought she was just showing off. But did she panic? I try to remember what happened more accurately. I can't recall the details.

I'm sure I don't remember seeing a mummy, but who knows what she saw?

If these horrors described here are true, no wonder she ran away in such a hurry.  What an awful sight, even for a vampire kid!

I'm turning the pages at a hellish pace, totally caught up in what I'm discovering.

Here, it says that you can spot vampires through their eyes which can betray their mood.

The color can change when they are stimulated by blood or on the hunt.

Their pupils are slightly oval and look more like those of cats' eyes. I feel a flash of sudden understanding alongside a strong feeling of despair.