For weeks I'd been trying to get some form of acknowledgment from my neighbors, but all my attempts had proved fruitless until Halloween when I'd been invited to the neighborhood celebration at the end of the block. Everyone was there, but upon my arrival, things changed.
Masks were discarded and conversations ceased. Everyone except me was dressed as a vampire of one form or another, and all eyes were focused on me. Two of my neighbors licked their sharply pointed teeth while looking hungrily in my direction.
The door locks click into place, and the curtains were drawn closed over the shuttered windows. Completely sealed, there was no way out of the house. I didn't need one. My family line dated back to ancient times in Europe, and I knew my rare blood would eventually make them come after me. You can't have a trap without the right kind of bait.
As the vampires drew close, I flipped back the edges of my long cloak. Throwing knives of gleaming silver strapped to my arms, legs, and chest made the undead fiends draw back in terror. A few spherical bottles of holy water hung from my belt, and I took one in hand while drawing out the first throwing knife.
"Greetings neighbors," I told them with a smile. "I thought my blood would interest you. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Roland Van Helsing, and I'm here to send you bloodsuckers back to the grave."
My attack was swift and merciless. The vampires who attempted to fight were my first targets, and my silver and holy water made short work of them. A few tried to flee, but since they'd sealed the house so well to trap me inside, they had difficulty getting out themselves. I had more than enough time to dispatch them all.
Retrieving my knives from the smoldering ash left on the floor, I searched the house carefully to be sure all the vampires were dead. Disabling the lock on the front door, I exited the house and headed for my car. My job in this town was finished, so it was time to move on and find another vampire nest to eradicate. It was, after all, the family business.
Author's Note: Winner of the Halloween Vault Day 6 - The Main Course challenge.
YOU ARE READING
Book of the Undead
Short StoryThis is a book containing contest entries and short stories relating to things that are only mostly dead.
