The Countess (fiction)

The Countess

I had travelled far and finally reached her estate in the late evening. The Countess lived in an old mansion. I noticed on my arrival that the grounds were unkempt. In the darkness I could see shadows of bushes and trees that were long in need for some pruning. Probably once elaborate gardens that had since fallen into disarray. Once the carriage had delivered me to the doorstep. I knocked on the large front door made of oak. A woman I took to be the maid opened the door. She was dressed on a long black gown and had blonde hair that fell beyond her shoulders. She carried a lantern in her left hand. She looked very pale.

“At last you’ve arrived!” She exclaimed.

“I’m here to see the Countess.” I told her.

“Yes I know. The servants are asleep. I am the Countess.” She replied.  I was taken aback. I had been led to believe she was an old woman now, but she looked younger than I was.

“Oh.” I replied, somewhat dumbfounded.

“Come in.” She requested. I walked in with a couple of my bags and she closed the door behind me. “This way.” I followed her in the darkness with the lantern leading the way. We came to a door, and beyond it was a lit dining room. The table was mahogany and was huge, almost from one side of the wall to the other. At one end was a plate with cutlery, surrounded by some silver serving dishes.

“This is a wonderfully long table. You must hold exquisite dinner parties here.” I stated.

“I used to. It’s been a long time since I’ve had guests here, but please, you must be hungry. Help yourself to the fare.” She requested. I then noticed I was ravenous, and realised I hadn’t eaten anything since the morning, since I had spent most of the day traveling. I sat down and served myself some of the food out of the serving dishes. I also helped myself to the red wine in the carafe. The Countess sat down beside me and watched while I ate. She never ate or drank anything, telling me that she had already fed.

After I had eaten, we went to a spacious drawing room and both sat down on comfortable chairs that faced each other across the room. She asked me about where I came from, and wanted to know all sorts of details about where I lived, my family, my life growing up, and my relations with others. After so much talking I began to feel tired, and noticed the sky outside was beginning to lighten, we had talked all night.

“This has been fascinating.” The Countess remarked. “We’ll continue our talk this evening. Sorry, I seem to have kept you awake all night and you must be tired. I too need to rest now.” She stated.

When I went to my bedchambers, I found all my bags had been placed in the room, though I had neither seen nor heard any servants. I went to bed and fell into a dreamless sleep. I awoke late the next day. That night I was again in the drawing room talking to the Countess about events in the world outside. I had come here to attend to her library, as I had been told the Countess’s collections of books were in disarray, and she needed someone to sort them out and properly order them, which was my speciality, but the Countess didn’t seem too concerned about it. Maybe she just desired to have another learned woman here.

Every night was the same. After I had dined, I would talk with her until the dawn (and every time she would apologise for keeping me up so late), and then we would both go off to sleep. I began to sense that all she wanted was a companion to talk to, or play cards with (as we did some nights), rather than what I had been employed for. There were also supposed to be servants here, but I never saw them. Yet every day there were cooked meals for me and someone made my bed and changed the sheets when needed. I looked out for them and listened intently at times, but I never had proof that there was any life in this mansion, other than myself.

I was no fool, however. I was well-read and knew many things that other people had no idea of, much of it obscure and arcane lore. The Countess never ate or drank anything in my presence, nor did I ever see her in the daylight. She would always end our conversations precisely at dawn. She had lived for many years, but looked to be in her twenties. I guessed what she was, yet no harm had come to me during my stay here. Nor did I ever feel that I was in danger. She just seemed to want someone to talk with, so I decided to take no action. Besides, I too was alone the world now, and often craved company myself…

Joanne Fisher

I was recently watching the 1977 BBC version of Dracula (one of my favourites) and was struck with the thought what if Dracula and Jonathan Harker characters were instead both women and the vampire just wanted a friend, rather than have someone to help them move to London? As a side note, the organise the library idea I got from the Hammer version of Dracula (1958)…

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©️2023 Joanne Fisher

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Decisions Decisions (micro fiction)

Decisions Decisions…

I was sitting at the bar when a man approached me, looking pale and frightened.

“I’ve just found out vampires really exist.” He revealed.

“Vampires?”

“They’re evil.” He whispered. “We need to eradicate them.”

“Eradicate?” I regarded him while considering whether I should simply rip his throat out, or maybe even turn him, which would be amusing.

Joanne Fisher

Word count: 58

This was written with the prompt eradicate provided by Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt #310.

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©️2023 Joanne Fisher

The Ideal Applicant? (flash fiction)

The Ideal Applicant?

“So, have you worked in a lighthouse before?”

“No, but I do believe I will be quite suitable for this position.”

“Okay. You’ll have to be up awake during the night and sleep when it’s day. Will that be a problem?”

“Not at all. I’ve been doing that for years.”

“Really?”

“Er, yes. I’m a night owl.”

“I see. How good are you at seeing in the dark? Sometimes you may have to look out across the sea.”

“I can see in the dark as though it was daylight.”

“Wow! Can you handle isolation?”

“Oh yes!”

“Do you think you could do this job for long?”

“I’m certain I could do this job for many years. Many years.”

“Will getting the right foods be a problem?”

“Is there a township nearby?”

“Yes there’s one only a few miles away.”

“Excellent!”

“Well it sounds like you’re our best candidate.”

Joanne Fisher

Word count: 148

This was written with the photo prompt provided by Crimson’s Creative Challenge #234.

I often find when I’m trying to be a bit more subtle, some people usually don’t get it. Try reading between the lines people.

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©️2023 Joanne Fisher

Dark Eyes (flash fiction)

Dark Eyes

All I remember is dark eyes. There was a knock at my door. The next day I awoke on the lounge floor, weak and sensitive to the light. I crawled to my bed and collapsed, falling into a black dream. When I awoke again, it was dark outside. I sat up slowly. My neck hurt on my right side. Standing up, the room spun around, but I managed to get to the kitchen where I gulped down water. Then there was another knock at my door and I couldn’t stop myself from opening it. Again, there were dark eyes.

Joanne Fisher

Word count: 99

This was written with the prompt someone dark eyed provided by the Carrot Ranch April 17 Story Challenge.

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©️2023 Joanne Fisher

After Midnight (flash fiction)

Gothic Vampire Girl by LinkHerodarklink

After Midnight

“I’ve got to go!” She urgently cried. The bells were tolling. She ran off leaving one of her glass slippers behind. The Prince picked it up and ran after her.

“Wait!” He called out. Unexpectedly, he caught up with her. She stopped and turned around, regarding him with her dark eyes. “You’re the most beautiful young woman I’ve ever seen, why do you run?”

“My stepmother doesn’t let me go to dances, because after midnight is when I feed.” She answered. She suddenly lunged at the Prince and bit his neck. She was so hungry…

“Well Cinders, you’ve really outdone yourself this time. You’ve drained the Prince!” One of her sisters stated once they found her kneeling over the body of the Prince with his blood all down her dress.

“If only you could control yourself.” The other said. She sighed. “We’re going to have to move again.”

Joanne Fisher

This was originally a prompt response, but the story grew too long. I already have another response to the same prompt, which should appear shortly.

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©️2023 Joanne Fisher

Do Vampires Really Need Dishes?

Do Vampires Really Need Dishes?

“Why do we have so many dishes? We’re vampires. It’s not like we cook meals or throw dinner parties.” Katherine asked as she looked around their kitchen where there were cupboards full of cups, bowls, and plates.

“We could eat food if we wanted to.” Sylvia replied.

“Sure, but we would receive no nourishment from it.” Katherine argued. Sylvia picked up a plate with swirling patterns on it.

“Anyway, I think they’re pretty.”

“Sure, but they serve no functional use here.” Katherine stated. Sylvia pouted and put the plate back in the cupboard.

“Do they have to?” She asked.

Joanne Fisher

Word count: 99

This was written with the prompt dishes provided by the Carrot Ranch January 30 Story Challenge.

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©️2023 Joanne Fisher

Exhuming Amy (flash fiction)

Exhuming Amy

I found her grave and started digging. Tonight I had decided to exhume the body of my dead girlfriend Amy. I had to know if her body was still in that wooden casket. I had serious doubts that she was…

Last night I had awoken in the middle of the night, and there she was staring at me through my bedroom window. She looked pale, but was smiling. I jumped out of my bed and ran outside, but there was no sign of her. I thought I could have been seeing things, having just come out of a dream, but a part of me was sure that she had been there, it wasn’t just wishful thinking from grief. The next morning I resolved to go to the cemetery and dig up her body. When the evening came I loaded the car up, drove to the cemetery, and waited until it was dark enough.

After what seemed an age of digging, I finally struck the lid of the coffin. I cleared away the dirt and slowly opened it, and found it was empty. I couldn’t believe it. If she wasn’t here, then where was she? I climbed back up to the ground and sat on the edge of the hole I had just dug. I was breathing heavily and felt more tired than I had ever been before.

“Hello my love.” Said a familiar voice behind me. I turned around and there she was looking exactly how I saw her the night before. I felt lost in both bewilderment and wonder.

“Amy.” I eventually said.

“Katie.” She replied, smiling again.

“How did you survive? I thought you were dead.” I asked her.

“I didn’t survive, my love. I am dead.” She told me.

“I can’t live without you.” Once I said that she smiled again and started advancing on me.

“Then join me in death, and we’ll be together forever.” She sat down beside me.

“Okay.” I consented. She put her arms around me and bit my neck. It hurt more than I thought it would. She sat there drinking my blood and I felt my life ebbing away until everything went black.

*

“What do you make of it?” One investigator asked.

“It seems as though last night she dug up the body of her dead partner and then killed herself with a self-inflicted neck wound.” Said the other.

“That must have been a horrible way to go.”

“That’s grief for you.” The other investigator nodded in agreement as they both watched the woman’s body being wheeled away in a body bag.

Joanne Fisher

This was written with the prompt exhume provided by Greg’s Five Word Weekly Challenge (2302).

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©️2023 Joanne Fisher

Happy Solstice! (flash fiction)

Happy Solstice!

Katherine arrived home to find the living room was covered in decorations. There was a tree covered in lights and baubles with a stack of gift wrapped presents under it in the corner, as well as sparkly decorations on the mantelpiece and the walls. She briefly wondered if she was in the right house.

“Happy Solstice!” said a voice behind her. She turned around to see Sylvia in a Santa hat smiling.

“Happy Solstice? It looks like you’re celebrating Christmas. I was only away a couple of hours. It looks like you’ve been busy.” Katherine replied.

“Don’t be silly! It would be weird if vampires celebrated Christmas. Anyway, Christmas is celebrated at this time of year because it was when the pagans celebrated the Solstice. Even the Christmas tree was originally a pagan tradition.” Sylvia informed her.

“Yes I know this, though it was originally the Roman celebration of Saturnalia, but to me it looks you’re really wanting to celebrate Christmas. Look it’s okay if you want to celebrate it. Many people of different faiths celebrate Christmas because they like it, even those without any beliefs.” Katherine answered.

“Look where you’re standing!” Sylvia pointed out excitedly. Katherine looked around confused.

“What do you mean?” She asked. Sylvia walked right up to her and kissed her on the lips.

“You’re right under the mistletoe.” Sylvia told her. They wrapped their arms around each other and kissed.

“Happy holidays!” Katherine said before they kissed again.

Joanne Fisher

I’m not sure I’ll be doing another post before Christmas. In case I don’t, I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays (if you’re celebrating). 🥳

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©️2022 Joanne Fisher

The Visitor (flash fiction)

Artwork by Anna-Marine

The Visitor

Katherine and Sylvia clung onto each other in fear as the door slowly creaked open. There in the doorway stood a figure who regarded them, and then burst out laughing.

“The look on your faces! It’s so priceless!”

“Elizabeth? What are you doing here?” Katherine asked surprised.

“How come you can walk in the sunlight now? Have you become a daywalker?” Sylvia asked while feeling relieved. Elizabeth walked towards them.

“Let’s just say a witch owed me a favour. It’s not permanent mind you, but it is fun to be able to walk in the sunlight again. I can walk amongst crowds of mortals, during the day, who have no idea I’m not one of them. It almost reminds me of the time before I was turned.” Elizabeth told them.

“Nice.” Katherine replied. “So what are you doing here?”

“Ooh, someone’s not pleased to see me! I just thought it be nice to see how my two faves are doing.” Elizabeth replied sitting on the end of their bed.

“It’s good to see you again, sweetie.” Sylvia told her. Elizabeth returned her smile.

“So what are you two girls doing tonight?” Elizabeth asked.

“It’s Saturday, so we are planning to go to the opera.” Katherine told her. Elizabeth rolled her eyes and started making faces. Sylvia laughed at Elizabeth’s reaction.

“Oh how… boring! Why don’t we go on a hunt instead?” Elizabeth suggested. Sylvia sat up in the bed excitedly.

“Yes! That’s a great idea!” Sylvia agreed.

“What about you Katherine? Want to join us on the hunt?” Elizabeth asked her looking at her expectantly.

“Sure.” Katherine answered while looking straight at Elizabeth.

“Yes!” Sylvia screamed out as she bounced excitedly on the bed. Katherine looked at Sylvia. She knew Elizabeth was a bad influence on her. She had to join them, as left unchecked they might both end up slaughtering half the town, and the people here needed to be protected from that, even if it meant sacrificing a few of them tonight. Katherine sighed and wondered how long Elizabeth was going to stay this time…

Joanne Fisher

This story follows directly on from Collywobbles.

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©️2022 Joanne Fisher

Watching Television (micro fiction)

Watching Television

“Who is this man talking about vampires and werewolves?”

“Apparently he’s a candidate.”

“For political office?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t they have any pressing political issues then?”

“Obviously not.”

“He thinks werewolves are better than vampires.”

“Really?”

“He also says werewolves kill vampires.”

“More blood?”

“Yes thanks.”

“By the way, we’ve found a buyer for all our werewolf pelts.”

“Excellent!”

Joanne Fisher

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©️2022 Joanne Fisher