The Vampire's Harvest

106

Blood, you think. The greatest gift to a vampire is blood.

Feeling confident in your decision, you remove the pin from your clothes and stab the point deep into your fingertip. You hiss at the sting, but the pain soon subsides as blood beads on top of your skin.

"Here," you say, presenting your finger before Ell. "I offer you my blood as a promise of myself to you."

For a moment, Ell doesn't move. Instead, she watches you with half-lidded eyes and a flat line of her lips. After a moment, though, she raises her hand up to massage her brow.

"Well," she says with a sigh, "you are, at least, amusing and I do admire your efforts." She turns from you and looks back out at the woods. "I will not kill your friends, but they did what they did and there are consequences for that."

"I know," you say, though your heart breaks as you say it.

"They will be made part of the herd, it's not a terrible result considering. Many will be granted life eternal as a drone, that's quite an admirable existence."

"I know." For you perhaps, to become a drone is a worthy way to end a long career serving the town, but you know in your heart that to Ferris it will be a nightmare that never ends.

"Some, however, will probably not be granted that luxury. I imagine the ringleader will be killed before the night is over."

"I see." At this you do feel your heart lighten slightly. Ferris will proudly stand up for his coven and he will be granted death. The vamps may not realize it, but this will be a great mercy to him.

"As for you," now she turns and your heart tightens as if Ell had reached out and clenched it in her fist, "I hope you'll still consider accompanying me from the ball. I find that I've had enough for one night and I think a brisk ride through the country would be a welcome end to all this."

You look at her face and you see pain there. Perhaps sympathy for what your own heart is going through. Ferris didn't understand that the vamps aren't monsters. They had been just like you and Ferris at some point too.

"Yes, I would like that." With your words, Ell presents you with a genuine smile before reaching out for your hand. You take hers and then descend the steps towards her awaiting coach. You know the next morning will only bring word of Ferris and the others' fate, but for now you will enjoy the night and say goodbye to your childhood. Ferris chose how to end his life and you've chosen yours. His will be sleep eternal, while yours will be everlasting darkness.

***

You've found one of the unsuccessful endings for this branch of the story... Why not go back and find a better way to convince Ell?