The Vampire of Highland Hills

Random thoughts or a detailed description of my life so far? Let me begin more properly, I am Gerald Martin, and I am a murderer. The Vampire of Highland Hills they called me. I ripped the throats out of thirteen victims. A painful death they tell me, I would not know: I was, after all, the predator not the prey. My quarry? Young women between the ages of 18 and 25. They were about 5'6" with blond hair and deep blue eyes, all of them. Despite what I just told you I am not a monster, in fact, quite the opposite. With these women I got what I wanted, blood. They got what they wanted, escape. You see it was a fair exchange. 1

I pen this as I await my execution. I am only allowed to have paper and a felt tip pen. I hope this pen lasts until I have finished, I have a tendency to bear down on the pen when frustrated. I know I will be often during my tale. It is upsetting to know you are about to die and do not deserve it. I smile as I read over my last sentence. You are being too harsh. I know what you are thinking. I admitted I am a monster so of course I deserve to die, no?2

I will explain. Sit back and have a drink this may take a bit. Should I begin at the very beginning? I was born to average parents with average lives. A housewife for a mother, an executive for a father, and three siblings; My brother Nathaniel, my sisters JoAnne and Desiree. There were no warning signs I was dangerous. No anatomy lessons learned on my own, no violent history. In fact I was popular in school with both the ladies and gents. I made good grades and excelled in sports. I could ask for nothing more, right? Wrong.3

Her name you ask? Ah I see you are getting the picture now. Her name was Sherilynn Denmeyer, she was the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. Though now I have seen her thirteen times since high school. She was the elusive one. The one who would not give me the time of day no matter how hard I tried. Unfortunately, this made me all the more determined to have her.4

Why? I am not exactly certain. The fact is I was not fond of her. She was beautiful, of course, but not at all the kind of girl I normally dated. She was arrogant and snobbish. She thought her social status beyond me, and most others at school for that matter, despite the fact her father and mine worked the same jobs at the same company. I guess it all began when she started making it a point to snub me anytime she walked past me or I past her. She would always, without fail, turn her nose up and with a flip of her ever present ponytail turn her back to me, even if it meant turning in the opposite direction she'd been headed in.5

Pretty stupid, isn't it? More stupid for me to let it bother me. My friends used to laugh and point out she was not worth a second look with her attitude. It bothered me all the same. I could not figure out what I could have done to make her dislike me so. I had never ever spoken to her nor did I have any classes with her. Just the same my determination to conquer her grew like an infection.6

I never had the opportunity to avenge myself in high school. I knew some day my time would come. In the meantime I had to prepare. 7

I read many books on demonology and thought I could use some of my so-called skills to get her right where I wanted her then dump her. You know...give back a little of the humiliation she'd given me.8

When the time came, I followed the spell carefully, I used all the right candles and symbols. I practiced the incantation in my head so it would be perfect. I didn't dare speak it aloud until I was completely prepared. Did you know you are never completely prepared to meet a demon? I know...now.9

Before the incantation was completely out of my mouth the wind blew out the candles. Strange, since all the windows and doors were closed. The room became smoky and smelled horribly of sulfur. My senses were besieged by the horrid scent. I gagged and fought to keep from expelling the contents of my dinner all over the floor. Rotten eggs assaulted me until my stomach gave up, even though I told it not to. 10

When I was at last able to stand I was assaulted by a by a horrid sight. There he stood, all seven or eight feet of him, tall, massive, and stinking. His skin was a blue-grey and his eyes a muddied brown. His hair, if one could call it that, was past his waist and very dark black. I gasped as I saw it move, entwining itself around his waist.11

"You called upon me. What is your reason? Make it quick before I decide I am wasting my time." he ordered in a voice that raised the hairs on the back of my neck. 12

"I did, Martas." Daring address him by name was a bold move. He narrowed his eyes and watched me closely. I had his full attention. "I summoned you because I want to make you a deal. I want something and so do you."13

He began to laugh. "If I wanted your soul I could have it right now. No bargaining, no bickering, I would merely take it. I am not bound to withhold as your magic books say." With this, he pointed to the bookshelf with a flourish. "I could tear your soul from you painfully or quickly at my discretion and you could do nothing to prevent me."14

"True, true..." I proceeded. I was shocked by this revelation, but pretended this was something I was aware of. I wondered if he were lying, as demons have been occasionally known to do. I decided for my sake it was better to leave his integrity unquestioned. "There's this girl. Her name is Sherilynn Denmeyer, I have to have her. She scorns me for no reason and I have to have some kind of revenge."15

Martas laughed, "You have been out of high school at least seven years. Why now?" he queried. I held up a newspaper, afraid to hand it to him lest he grab me.16

"I see. She is now the CEO of the company you have been at since high school. Which is it jealousy because she just hired in and already outranks you, or is she shunning you again?"17

"Both and neither. She shunned me alright. All the way to the unemployment line. Her third day on the job she noticed my name in the company directory. She did some inquiries to make sure I was the same Gerald Martin from high school. She called me into her office and fired me claiming a massive downsizing within the company. It was so massive I was the only one let go."18

He watched me stoically, nothing in his expression gave away even the smallest bit of what he was thinking. "That's it? She is childish and fired you? You have absolutely nothing else to go on?"19

"I am going to lose everything. That isn't reason enough?" I asked exasperated by his taunting.20

"It does not matter whether I think it reason enough, now does it? It only matters that you think it worth the price I will ask in return. My price...' he paused, considering his price. I waited my blood becoming chilled in my veins with fear."...is thirteen souls. Either you repay me with thirteen souls or I shall rip yours from the flesh in the most painful ways."21

"First of all," I said, being rather cocky, as I believed the circle would protect me. "You can't harm me as long as I stay in the circle. You can't enter." The demon regarded me silently, then in one terribly swift motion he held me within an inch of him, my face lingering dangerously close to his. The rancid smell of his breath assaulting me. I held my breath to keep from gagging. 22

"I told you...your books have no binding power over me. They are written to sell to the gullible and weak minded." He sneered before dropping me. I fell to the floor, landing hard upon my ass. "Do you agree to our bargain?" he asked casually.23

I nodded then stood up, my ego suffering a huge bruise at his hands. "Anyone in particular?" I asked. He shook his head.24

"That, I will leave to your discretion. I do not care anything for them except ownership of their souls."25

"All right and for my part...what is it you will do for me?" I dared. He did not answer but I heard the words as they formed in my mind. "You will have your revenge. She will know great pain before she dies."26

I was elated, I assumed he meant I would be allowed to torture and kill her. And I had wanted just to break her heart! I hastily dismissed him, before he vanished completely he made one last demand. 27

"You must partake of the blood of the thirteen. No other method of death will be acceptable." I opened my mouth to ask what exactly he meant. He vanished in a sulfur smelling cloud of vapor.28

I put away the instruments I had used to summon him and went to bed knowing I would be allow my revenge the next day. When I awoke the sun was not up yet. It was still very dark. I grumbled to myself before getting up. I had only slept a few hours but felt extremely refreshed and hungry, starved in fact. The kind of hunger you get when you have had nothing in a very long time.29

I showered and dressed intending to go to a local all night fast food joint for something to eat. I had been so obsessed as of late with Sherilynn I had not bought groceries. I now know this would have been a waste of resources. As I ran a comb through my hair I noticed the time. The clock read 8:35. I could not imagine it being so dark at this time of the morning. All sorts of wild thoughts loosened themselves in my mind. Then I noticed it...a detail so small it almost escaped me. The alarm clock has a indicator for am or pm. The light was on, indicating it was now 8:40 pm.30

At this point I should have realized something was wrong. Never had I slept an entire day through. Never. Not even during my meth days of so long ago. Instead I honestly believed I had just been that exhausted from my meeting with Martas. I had read summoning such a creature could drain you of energy for hours. It seemed like they were some sort of psychic vampire almost, leeching off your energy to keep themselves in this realm.31

I headed out planning on a large meal then awaiting my opportunity to exact my revenge on Sherilyn. I found myself in a local burger chain. I was starving, yet upon entering the scent of of the food brought rippling waves of nausea tearing through my body. I hurried back outside and drew in deep droughts of the chilled night air. Slowly regaining my composure I stood leaning on the building for support. The nausea passed and was quickly replaced by a deep weakness. I felt I could barely stand. 32

I forced myself away from the building and more or less shuffled down the street. I was barely able to lift my legs and the sound of the soles of my shoes on the concrete was deafeningly loud. "Are you alright?" someone asked. Someone who was in place very far from me, or so it seemed. A warm hand grabbed my arm firmly above the elbow. "There is a bus stop a block from here. Let's get you there so you may sit before you fall. Are you ill?" 33

I shook my head. I had no idea what was wrong with me. The bus stop bench was visible before I turned toward my angel, the only one kind enough to stop and help a stranger in distress. I suppose there is a reason most do not stop and help. I know that reason very well...now. I thanked her profusely as I fell upon the bench. I had used up the last of my strength walking that last block. 34

The young woman sat next to me and smiled. It was a smile of pure innocence. I could not believe such innocence could survive in the harsh modern world. Only children have such innocence, yet she was not a child. "I'm Sarah, would you like me to call someone? Is there someone that can pick you up? Would you rather I call an ambulance?"35

My friend, here I tell you an amazing thing. Though my head was spinning from the weakness and numerous questions with which she bombarded me, my hunger returned stronger than before. I would have laughed if anyone had told me it was possible to feel so empty. I inhaled deeply, trying desperately to recover myself before she called someone and ruined my chance at Sherilynn. That was when it hit me, full on and with deadly force. The scent, a scent so filled with fragrance that it seemed bursting. I could not imagine what it might be. I looked dumbly about and saw nothing unusual. I closed my eyes attempting focus. Vaguely I could hear my heart beating and with it...hers. Almost perfectly in sync with my own. 36

I kept very still as sanguine images of her blood flowing through blue veins consumed me. I was lulled into a wondrous sense of euphoria. I do not remember opening my eyes. I do not remember anything from that moment to the moment her crimson life flowed into my anxious mouth. I was immediately restored. Vitality and renewed strength coursed through every fiber of my being. I looked at my skin as though expecting her blood to seep through and reveal my murderous act.37

I leapt from the bench and looked over my surroundings. Not a soul was about, the streets seem deserted and for this I was grateful. I hurried from my victim and back to my home. Ecstasy from the kill was tinged with a distinct sadness, I had been cursed by summoning Martas. I was paying dearly for revenge on Sherilynn. She would have certainly laughed at the irony had she been able.38

I spent the rest of the night watching old movies and wondering when I would get my time with Sherilynn. I had been cursed, dammit, this was unfair. I had expected satisfaction concerning her by now.39

Just before dawn the early news came on. The lead stories caught my attention. The first was my victim, which was certainly no surprise or shock to me. The second was a woman, who had been tortured in very brutal ways, left hanging from a streetlamp only a few block from her apartment.40

My heart pounded furiously. How dare Martas cheat me in such a way! "Martas!" I seethed. "You cheated me! You..." before I could finish my sentence and in some small way quell my anger my skin began to burn. Not the type of burning as from a fire but a stinging sensation. I feared I would burst into flames at any moment. I began to apologize profusely, hoping Martas would not destroy me where I stood. I had been too bold. My skin still stung, more fiercely than before. I looked about for any trace of the vile demon and noticed only the dawn.41

So that was it, I marveled. The sun would incinerate me if I stood exposed too long. After the brief shock wore off I regained my senses and moved away from the window. I drew the blinds and prepared to sleep throughout the day. I could not help but wonder why Martas had chosen to curse me with vampirism.42

That night I woke again to a darkened room. A glance at the clock assured me it was almost again nine pm. I dressed quickly and went out to really explore my new abilities. It is almost midnight now. Soon my time will be up. I killed twelve other women exactly the same as the first. All good women, all trying to assist me. All very young and pretty, all resembling Sherilynn. I was relatively easy to capture after that, the police matched my dental records with the bite marks on the victims. Unlike vampire lore I never had fangs, I ripped the flesh with my normal teeth. I imagine the pain was excrutiating.43

I will be executed tonight for the deaths of those women but not for the death of Sherilynn Denmeyer, which is really the only death I am responsible for. 44

But I get ahead of myself. The second victim was a bit harder than the first. I think this might have been my fault. Since I was now aware of my vampirism I allowed it to...45

******46

Amy Defey stood near the door waiting for the guard to open it. She had been a psychologist for almost a quarter century but had never heard such a delusional tale. She looked at Gerald Martin wondering how such a gentle looking man could become so innately evil. The guards had confiscated his journal that morning and she had read his confession thoroughly. He believed he was a vampire. She was convinced he had written the journal intending for it to be seen only after his death. Sadly it was also incomplete.47

She sat next to him and held the journal toward him. He studied it precariously but did not offer to take it. "If you have read it you know the truth. I don't need to say more."48

"Gerald, I think there is alot more to be said. Obviously you were going to."49

"I was passing the time. Nothing more."50

"If you were a vampire, Gerald, you would not be sitting here now waiting for your execution, would you? If those women were good samaritans a demon couldn't get their souls, right?"51

"You would think not, wouldn't you?" Gerald asked, his eyes trained upon the journal as he spoke. "After I killed the thirteenth victim I became Gerald Martin again, nothing else. Martas giveth and Martas taketh away." he said, his voice dripping with bitter sarcasm.52

Amy sighed and stood to leave. There was no use trying to talk to him further. His delusion was all too real. "God bless you, Gerald. I hope you find some peace tonight."53

Gerald nodded and turned his gaze to the wall before him. Amy waited until the guard locked the cell behind her. "It's too bad really." she said as they began their long trek down the corridor. "I had hoped he would realize his delusions and seek redemption."54

"Not everyone is Heaven bound." the guard observed. Amy found herself stepping away from him as far as the confines of the corridor would allow. Not only was he rude and insensitive but he smelled horrible. He smiled at her as they neared the end of the corridor. She waited as he unlocked the final gate. "Oh Ms. Defey..." he began as he closed the gate behind her. She turned and was met with the most vile image. 55

The thing stood leaning closed to the gate. Its hideous face pressed close to the bars. "Vampires consume the lifeforce. They can consume the souls through the blood. Now I will claim what is mine." The thing turned quickly and began the trek back to Gerald Martin's cell. 56

Amy swallowed a scream of repulsion and horror as the creature dragged Martin from his cell. Martin offered resistance but not nearly as she would have expected. He looked at her, his eyes glazed with horror, but not a sound escaped his throat.57

This creature wanted her to see what it did next. Why, she did not know. Despite the horror reverberating throughout her body; she watched as it ripped Martin open and removed his heart. It held it out so she may observe the swirling tendrils surrounding it. The trapped souls longing for escape, bound to the heart of their killer through their blood. With a wicked smirk he consumed it. "Thirteen souls." it observed and disappeared from her view.58

Amy screamed as creature consumed the heart. Gerald Martin's last words rang in her ears. Martas giveth and Martas taketh away.