The Apprentice

Gather ‘round dark souls and let me tell the tale ne’er told before,
Of death, destruction, tormented souls and forgotten vampire lore.

The story begins one frightful night when I stumbled ‘cross a path,
Whoever knew a simple walk would render me such wrath!

With little trepidation I climbed o’er stones and fallen trees,
‘Twas when I crossed a bubbling brook that I smelled it on the breeze.

Rotting flesh and human blood and the scent of decaying death,
And a stench so vile I knew it was the Devil’s musty breath!

I saw the bloody bodies of old maidens oh so gracile,
Impaled and suffering on wooden stakes at the entrance of the castle!

"Bring me fresh blood!" I heard Him yell from inside the castle wall,
A voice so loud, so bold, so deep - it made me feel so small.

I crouched and crept through the open gate and gazed into the palace,
And what I saw was destruction wrought with an evil sadistic malice!

Across the cold stone floor I saw a trail of death and meat,
Half-eaten organs, entrails and the smell of blood so sweet!

And sitting in the shadow was such a handsome devilish beast,
Who took the bloody fetus and upon it He did feast!

The maiden that had brought Him brunch, so beautifully she swooned,
And when He caught her in His arms I saw her puncture wounds!

Two perfect round and bloody marks so stark on skin so white!
It wasn’t until my voice did moan did I notice my utter fright!

“You dare to enter my castle walls!” - He spoke with a nasty sneer,
“Do you not know the devil lives with His undead maidens here?”

I opened my mouth, but no sound came as I shook and trembled and such,
To be face to face with a vampire god was simply just too much!

“Gabriella!” He called and she appeared so beautiful and pure
“Take our guest to the dungeon now to begin his gruesome tour!”

I did not move, I did not budge from the spot on which I stood,
I did not speak I did not try - there was simply no way I could!

Gabriella in her grace did take my hand and lead me to the stairs,
Bowing my head and closing my eyes I mumbled a few short prayers.

Oh the horrors! The unspeakable sights I did see in the rooms below!
Hundreds of maidens heavy with child in cages all in a row!

One by one as maidens gave birth their babies were taken away,
And fed quite fast to the vampire god to keep his thirst at bay!

“These lovely maidens serve a great purpose as I am sure you can see.
Not only do they fulfill desires, but they also provide food to me.”

This cannot be real - it must be a dream I screamed with all my might!
It was then that I first knew the truth and the experienced the ultimate fright!

He simply laughed a devilish laugh and flashed his blood soaked fangs,
With a quick pop he punctured my throat - and I felt his hunger pangs!

I closed my eyes and let him feed while he fed me in return,
And I knew it was but the beginning of a lot I had to learn.

I began by dining on animals first - both creatures big and small,
Until the day I was presented with the best feast of them all!

A baby born to my young maiden was brought to quench my thirst,
I must admit that a little shy and nervous I was, at first.

With the tip of my fang I broke the skin and from her neck did drink,
The blood drained from her body - now pale what was once so pink

While feasting on my bloody child, I saw the vampire god,
And without a word he acknowledge my work with but an assuring nod.

The taste of blood so thick and sweet I needed to taste even more,
So with a quick jerk of my head -  her arm from her body I tore!

The soft bones of my child did crunch although a little chewy there were,
And limb from limb and skin from bone I ravishly devoured her.

I looked up from my barren carcass and knew that I’d passed the test,
“Come my son!” - let’s retire to the graveyard for some rest.

With a belly full of blood and flesh in my coffin I did lie,
And closed my eyes and stopped my heart - daylight was nigh!

So where is the vamp and his apprentice now? - I see your questioning eyes,
Remember my friend - the true terror is the vampire never dies!

They now sit upon their ancient throne and their bloodstained teeth do glisten,
As they opens their mouth to tell this tale to whomever just might listen:

So gather ‘round mere minions and I’ll tell the tale ‘twas told before,
Of death, destruction, tormented souls and forgotten vampire lore!