Horror logo

The Vampire in the Window

Part 1

By Laura LannPublished about a year ago 3 min read
3
The Vampire in the Window
Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash

A peculiar man crosses the street in the dark. This far out in the country there are no lamp posts for comfort or guidance. No cars cut through the ink with their headlights far this part of the world is quiet sleepers who turn to their pillows early in the afternoon. So, he moves as a shadow under the moonlight, caught only by the distant porch lights of other houses.

On red brick porch steps a small girl sits and watches. Her nostrils flare in fright but silence chains her voice. There is something off about the man; she knows it. His arms hang down too long by his sides and the black coat he wears seems to be to hide what is underneath rather than for warmth. After all, the summer heat is thick and heavy. His look is finished off with a top hat that red eyes gleam from under the brim of.

She is petrified but knows no one else will notice the man should she shriek for help. Many times, she has watched the man cross the street to peer their windows with a twisted grin of razor sharp teeth. Her parents are always deaf to her cries of alarm. Always insistent there is nothing there.

The man has reached the foot of their driveway, if it could be called that. The driveway is nothing more than a long dirt patch with scattered gravel and pebbles sprinkled in. His feet drag slowly across the dirt, kicking it up in a small cloud. His tracks linger there now, but in the morning, they will be gone. She cannot hear it, but she can see his frame shaking with laughter.

The girl rises and pats the dust from her skirt. She has lingered to watch for longer than she would usually dare. If he were to break into a sprint now, she is not sure she could get inside before he reached her. But his movements are always slow and deliberate, as if it is a rule he must obey. Light from the kitchen window illuminates him more. She can see his long bony fingers and blue hued flesh.

She has watched him night after night through the long summer. Stared at his trek in fear and enchantment. He always emerges from the woods across the street to take the same path to their home. Usually she leaves when he steps onto the highway. It has been foolish to linger, but she had thought to challenge her fears.

She shudders and marches up the steps. The knob to the door creaks under her hand, light floods the gloom of the porch, and then she is inside pushing the door shut. She stretches on her toes and clicks the deadbolt into place. When she glances up, she gasps and stumbles back. He is there, in the window, grinning.

His face is sickly white with blue tints under his eyes and gaunt cheeks. Purple stains his thin cracked lips, and curly black hair peaks from under his hat. His red eyes snap down. Slowly, the doorknob turns. The corners of his smile tug downward and his brows furrow. The glass fogs with his heavy sigh.

Mother is just behind the girl, at the kitchen sink washing dishes. With a warm smile, she notices the girl and remarks about bedtime. The man moves away, toward the window at the sink. It is his favorite place to lurk and watch. Riddled with goosebumps, the girl retreats from the door to go the bathroom to do as mother says. She will brush her teeth and be tucked into bed. The man will not find her there in her fort of stuffed animals. But, he is there tonight, at her window. He taps on the glass and beckons coldly.

fictionmonstersupernatural
3

About the Creator

Laura Lann

I am an author from deep East Texas with a passion for horror and fantasy, often heavily mixed together. In my spare time, when I am not writing, I draw and paint landscape and fantasy pieces. I now reside in Alaska where adventures await.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments (1)

Sign in to comment
  • Rick Pensionabout a year ago

    Creepy. I like the fact that the little girl seems to be more observant than active, as I would think a real child might act toward something they wouldn't understand. I'm interested to see what happens in part 2

Find us on social media

Miscellaneous links

  • Explore
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Support

© 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.