Light In Darkness

Behind the Mask (Halloween Vault)

Dedicated to WattVampires

The moon had a strange orange tint that Halloween night almost as if the natural satellite had dressed for the occasion. Brenda laughed and continued down the lonely street to the town's cemetery at the end.

Every one of the four houses that were in that creepy area had their lights turn off; meaning their owners were celebrating somewhere else or they had gone to sleep early. She sighed in frustration when she saw the darkened large colonial house that belonged to her boyfriend. Couldn't he have waited for her in his home like any normal man? No, he had to ask her to meet in the freaking cemetery during freaking Halloween! It wasn't as if she was afraid of the dead but the place still creep her out a little.

Finding the graveyard's gates open sent a shiver down her spine that screamed at her to run the other way but she shook her head and crossed into the so-called holy ground. Counting the tombstones, she stepped out of the cobblestone path at the fifth one and continued over the grass until the tomb with a crying angel came into view. The problem was there was no one around except the big cedar overshadowing the grave that James had mentioned.

Grunting, she casually passed her cellphone's flashlight over the inscribed name in the tombstone and the machine almost slipped between her fingers. The inscription read: James Aloysius Hathaway, 1884-1904.

"Don't scream," a voice eerily similar to her boyfriend's pleaded behind her.

"Please, tell me you're named after your great-great-grandfather," she stammered, pointing to the tomb in front of her; refusing to look back.

"No. That's my grave."

Her eyes widened and unconsciously she took some steps back, bumping into him. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw long, gray fingers with black claws grab her arms.

"Turn around and look at me, Brenda," he whispered in her ear giving her goosebumps.

Biting her lips she obeyed him, fearing the worst if she didn't. Once she gazed at what claimed to be James her entire body froze, denying her the ability to scream. For lack of a better description, the thing before her was a giant bat-man.

"Don't kill me," she murmured between sobs, falling to her knees.

"No harm will come to you, Brenda. I only wanted you to see what I truly am because I love you. There's nothing I would like better than for you to become my eternal bride."

Brenda lifted her gaze to him and fright filled her heart. No, it couldn't be! She stood, shaking her head in denial. "No! You're not my James but a monster! I don't want anything to do with you!"

For a brief moment hurt flashed across the creature's face but then his blue eyes began glowing and he hissed at her, showing long threatening fangs. "Then you leave me no choice but to force my gift upon you. Welcome to the Nosferatu, my love."

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A/N: This little short story was created for the Halloween Vault event, especially for the WattVampires activity in day six. I chose the prompt "Behind the Mask" in which a vampire had to reveal his true self to a person. I hope you enjoy my little creepy tale 😋😈🦇🦇. May vampires be loved forever.

My Behind the Mask was chosen as one of finalists 😍🤩.

Microsoft word count: 500