Ambrose

It's not like the story books. They've got it all wrong. The romance. The sexuality. In truth, immortality can be boring. Same with the Hunger, I've lived on the blood of men since the time of my birth. I haven't left a wake of undead and the one that I, although the term is inappropriate, sired, I killed. I always clean up after myself. I've never interfered with the affairs of state, though chances have been many. I have stolen fortunes and lived beyond my
means for generations. I've lived and died a hundred times in the world of light.

One thing is right - I live in the shadows. Back in the day, when the sun sank from the world it was a different place. All slept - the few that wandered the lonely world then were the ilk of thieves and whores. But now...it's a smorgasbord –the young, the hangers-on-of-youth and the ever present predators live with me in the darkness.

But, all is not just blood and fun.

Ambrose is dying.

Ambrose dear, love of this lifetime. Your youth and beauty have faded with the passing of time but the sweetness and bouquet of your blood has been unchanged since the day I first met you. The sickness sapping you now has given it a heady quality. It's not unlike getting drunk on sloe gin. All is well until suddenly your flat on your ass. I never claimed to be a lady.

The doctor thinks I'm your great granddaughter. He also thinks you're a pervert. Little does he know all the things I've done to you over your lifetime. The joy. The pain. The blood that we have shared over the decades. You only asked once to become like me. Maybe if I had given in at that request, we would not be in this room waiting for the inevitable. And out of all of this, your biggest fear is what will become of me.

You should have had children. You should have walked away from me back when you
were strong. Back when you were durable...sweet Ambrose. You were my light in this unending darkness. My candle, my pole star. And now you flicker as the last of your essence fades from view.

I met the man you chose as your replacement. Presumptuous of you-- as always. He
won't do. He's too eager, too willing - a believer. I need a challenge. You ran until you caught me. I will give you that. In our eighty years together, there wasn't a day I didn't have to keep you in check. You knew what you were doing...binding me to you for your forever. And now you have to leave me.

No, it's not like the story books, time is not the healer it just drags on and on...and on. Should I be merciful? Would you consider it mercy if I took your essence into my being now...before the lady in black came for you? Even through the drugs, I can still see the fiery desire that set my lust and fangs burning. Lady Death will have a fine time taking you, my dear, sweet....languishing Ambrose.

Your skin is like paper. It crinkles to the touch. I can see the life pumping in your blue veins without the concentration of my parasitic sight. It slows. A raging river that turned to a meandering stream...now drying up. That tiny little drip in that upturned bottle won't help you now – as if it ever could.

Ambrose.

Ambrose....

I will burn you as my people did when I was young. When I was.

So it is like the story books, eternal darkness, eternal emptiness, eternal sorrow. I gave my heart once and look what it's done to me. Eternal youth. I gave my heart again and now look at me. LOOK AT ME! Look at me. I will weep for you. I will weep for me...and just continue to be. A shade of a shadow hunting in the night, lost and souless for eternity. My life is a fairy tale. Good night Ambrose. Farewell, my love, fare thee well.