The Escapades of 1903

Sit back and relax while I tell you my tale
of how I became so soulless and pale
I sailed on ships and crossed the wide sea
encountered the worst, my family and me

But a plague struck aboard in 1903
stealing my consort and children of three
and with them I watched the crew fall, too
spreading the sickness on through and through

The stench of disease polluted the air
and yet, I lived on through this time of despair
but the downfall was quick, and in less than a day;
I saw each of my shipmates all fade away

Their bodies fell hallow and limp to the floor
and I wept for the loss of my life long before
but a man soon emerged from the bottommost deck
he studied me closely and gazed at my neck

"Of all that have fallen, you're here and alive!
healthy and strong, you were made to survive..."
he approached me with an unusual tread
and instinctual warnings swarmed in my head

Something was off, was it the eyes?
those bottomless pits held secrets and lies
his smile was feral, hungry and cold
but I glimpsed at his teeth and the truth was unrolled

"Survive here with me!" he insanely exclaimed,
"You're whom I've been searching," he spoke unashamed
he grabbed on my shoulders and I held his gaze
but cringed from his touch with his eyes so ablaze

"Never!" I cried when his touch became pain
he lifted my wrist and traced down my vein
"Really?" he chuckled, dropping his eyes
his nails grew sharper to my own surprise

Rivulets of red then flowed down my arm
I yanked myself free, stumbled back in alarm
"You're a monster" I breathed, "The devil!" I cried
"A vampire" he snarled and spoke with great pride

That wretched day was when I came to be
the one he so desperately wanted to see
he took me with force, so that we'd never part
but when I awoke, I staked his heart.

© Jessica Lonczak