The silent approach of dusk transported fog which clung to the forest, blanketing the area like a mother’s warm embrace. The receding daylight crept away as if eager to give life to the night’s creatures.

I awoke to the damp chill of the evening air, only to be enveloped by dark confusion. The mist covering the land had seeped into my mind, clouding my past, and leaving doubts of my present existence. Lying on the cold earth coated with dampened autumn leaves, I struggled to clear my thoughts and retrieve some hint of identity.

A fleeting memory of birth came into my consciousness as I lay upon my bed of orange and brown. I was like an infant again, with only momentary sensations as my awareness. Now I was forced to ponder the possibility of death. Was this Heaven, or somewhere between life and the beyond? Do the dead remember their past lives, or are they met with this blank page, upon which to write a different level of life?

As the darkness overcame the remnants of the day’s light, I finally realized movement in my body, as well as the many thoughts and questions in my head. I opened my eyes and peered through the haze at my surroundings. Ancient oaks towered above me in all directions as I saw I was very near the entrance of a cemetery. Black wrought iron met weather-beaten stone to form a barrier between myself and the home of the deceased. I clung to the fence and chased my random thoughts in an attempt to grasp my whereabouts.

I looked at the small delicate hands encircling the black iron, and glimpsed my beautifully painted nails. I strained to recall how they became, and where I had obtained my flowing black gown of chiffon and silk. As I shifted my weight, a twig poked the bottom of my foot, and I laughed aloud.

My strange circumstances seemed uncontrollably funny, and for a few moments, I was overcome with mirth. Why would I venture into the woods, shoeless, and nap near an abandoned graveyard?

My humor gave way to curiosity, and I began to walk along the fence toward a shred of dim yellow light. I was vaguely aware of many peculiar sounds emanating from the forest, but I felt no fear.

My body moved as if in slow motion and, certainly, my mind traveled no faster. Crickets sang their melodies of the dark in the distance, providing an almost tranquil setting. I continued toward the illumination.

Time crept past; possibly hours; maybe only minutes. I had no way of knowing, nor did I care at the time. Now, as I think of that moment in the woods, I find myself in awe at my nonchalance. My timeless journey brought me to an archway. It had no gate, only stone pillars flanking the black arch, indicating the boundary between the living and the dead.

A cool breeze lifted my skirts and the material caressed my skin causing my nipples to harden and goosebumps to tingle my scalp. An uneasiness came over me and I swiftly turned, expecting to see Death waiting to escort me inside. My breath caught in my throat, and my pulse quickened, until I knew I was still alone ..... I thought.

In the distance, I began to hear sobs coming from within the boundaries of the cemetery. My bare feet carried me past the pillars with no other apparent feasible options in sight. As I walked among the tombstones, I felt a peculiar sense of peace. My earlier feelings of doom had faded away and I felt a purpose to my being, although its exactness still eluded me.

The crying grew louder and I soon saw a young boy perched upon a rather large grave marker. Strangely, he was dressed in a clean, miniature tuxedo, hair neatly combed. His pale skin glistened with his salty tears and he seemed completely unaware of my presence, although I made no attempt at discretion. A chill ran down my spine, rendering me motionless, as I heard the soft rustling of footsteps on the leaves behind me.

I found myself too terrified to turn, certain I would immediately be greeted into Hell by the Reaper. Warm breath upon my slender neck assured me of the validity of my fears. My heart pounded painfully in my chest and I felt cold sweat running between my breasts causing the soft fabric to cling on every curve.

"He cannot see or hear you," the phantom whispered. Surprisingly, the voice wasn’t the cryptic, harsh tones of the dead as I had expected.

The warmth of the body now pressing close to mine, combined with the gentleness in which he had spoken, caused my terror to melt away like the first delicate snow of winter. Only the gentle chill of the night air remained, leaving my perspiration to gradually fade.

Ever so slowly, I turned. An eternity seemed to pass before I fully faced my companion. My blue eyes widened as they met the broad, muscular chest draped in black silk.

My gaze traveled upward to his, half expecting to see a grotesque freak of nature. His warm, brown eyes seemed perfectly mortal as they bore into mine, an automatic understanding of my every wish reflected. He then answered my question before I could give it voice.

"Andrew is just another of us who are cursed. Only his Hell is far worse than most."

My gaze roamed his handsome face, seeing every detail as if magnified. I couldn’t control the desire which welled up inside of me, and moistened my thighs, causing an ache in my belly. I had already forgotten the boy behind me, but the stranger continued his tale.

It seemed the little boy had been the cause of his mother’s torturous death by fire, and as a consequence, he would remain at her gravesite, weeping unheard tears ..... forever.

I wasn’t, and still am not, sure of the relevance this child’s presence held, except he had caused me to enter the grounds upon which I stood. I closed my eyes in sadness for the tragedy of one so young, when I felt a warm, moist tongue press against my lips. The heat of his mouth on mine seared my soul, and I soon lost all sense of orientation.

Just as quickly as it had begun, the sensation was gone, and so was the unknown man. Whirling in circles, I frantically searched for any signs of his presence, but my antics were in vain. I saw only the boy child and heard only his sobbing and the pounding of my own heart.

I wandered aimlessly in the cemetery and the surrounding forest, wondering if I would ever encounter that kiss again. All questions of who I was or where I had come from, fled from my mind as my search continued.

Just as exhaustion took a firm hold of me and I was ready to sleep again, I encountered a castle mounted on a ragged hill in the middle of those woods. It perched there remarkably out of place, yet fitting its surroundings perfectly. Every window of the immense mansion was brightly lit and sounds of laughter and the frolicking of many rode the wind to my ears.

As I drew nearer, I noticed no signs of vegetation existing close to the dark exterior; all of its doors and window had black shutters as if to ward away any shred of daylight.

I was greeted on the wide steps by a sensual, raven haired woman attired only in transparent material. Neither of us spoke as she took my hand and hosted a silent tour. As we went from room to room, I realized I was looking at people like myself who were being shown another existence.

I saw many partake of the sweet nectar of everlasting life. Those pitiful few who refused the gift were sacrificed and became new blood for those in the transition. My guide showed me their way of life; their night existence. She enticed me with no words, only visions of what could be.

Throughout this, I continued to look for the one from the cemetery. Was that him bent over the woman on the sofa, stroking her as I wanted him to caress me? Or maybe he was part of the mass of naked bodies in that parlor down the corridor? I couldn’t be sure.

My mind raced with the understanding of these bizarre happenings. I had to be dreaming! How else could I be surrounded by the undead, and their summons for me to join them? Despite myself, the smell of their intertwining bodies and the moans of pleasure invaded my senses. I soon found myself losing the battle to remain mortal.

The girl beside me began to whisper forbidden messages as she caressed my face and neck. Her deathly skin appeared translucent; her eyes bottomless pools of blue. She smiled erotically, and I struggled violently when she bent toward me. Screeching, I twisted from her grasp and fled as if Satan was on my heels. I guess he was in a way.

I continued to run into the forest, losing any sense of direction. I found myself near the graveyard again. My chest was heaving with the exertion and the air burned my lungs. Stupidly, I wondered if I could just fall asleep and awaken to reality.

I closed my eyes despite my terror, and soon felt his warm presence against my body. His gentle brown look reassured me as his lips and hands brought me to ecstasy. When his throbbing erection penetrated me, I peered at his beautiful mouth and knew I could never resist him.

Everything I’m writing seems like another lifetime altogether. I almost feel as if it happened to someone else.

Every word is as it occurred in my dream and now, as I am ready to slumber again, I ignore the punctures in my throat and the slight ache between my thighs.


©1996 Sandra Fritz Sandra Fritz is an emergency nurse from Texas and a member of the HWA. She spends her days with the man of her dreams and her four beautiful daughters.

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