The Night Before Christmas

He was hungry, so hungry. He had not fed for days, weeks, months. He had been hiding, avoiding the hunters, the slayers, the stakes. He had been alone, lonely, miserable.

He had once been human, a long time ago. He had once celebrated Christmas, a long time ago. He had once had a family, a long time ago. He had lost it all, when he was turned, when he became a monster, when he became a vampire.

He hated himself, hated what he had become, hated what he had done. He had killed, so many times, so many people. He had drunk their blood, their life, their soul. He had felt their pain, their fear, their despair.

He had tried to stop, to resist, to repent. He had tried to find a cure, a salvation, a redemption. He had failed, every time, every way, every hope.

He had given up, on himself, on humanity, on God.

He wandered the streets, looking for a prey, a victim, a meal. He saw the lights, the decorations, the presents. He heard the songs, the laughter, the wishes. He smelled the food, the wine, the blood.

He felt nothing, no joy, no sorrow, no anger.

He was numb, dead, empty.

He saw her, a woman, a mother, a human. She was walking home, carrying a bag, a gift, a surprise. She was smiling, humming, happy.

He followed her, silently, swiftly, stealthily. He reached her, grabbed her, bit her. He drank her, deeply, greedily, desperately.

He tasted her, her sweetness, her warmth, her love.

He felt something, a spark, a shock, a change.

He stopped, suddenly, abruptly, painfully. He let her go, gently, carefully, regretfully. He looked at her, her face, her eyes, her wound.

He saw her, her fear, her pain, her confusion.

He felt something, a pang, a guilt, a remorse.

He spoke to her, softly, quietly, sincerely.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, please forgive me.”

He ran away, quickly, cowardly, shamefully.

He left her, alone, bleeding, dying.

He hid, in an alley, in a dumpster, in the dark.

He cried, bitterly, loudly, endlessly.

He prayed, for her, for himself, for God.

He hoped, for a miracle, for a forgiveness, for a peace.

He waited, for the dawn, for the sun, for the end.

He died, on Christmas day, on Christmas morning, on Christmas night.