Vampires. Undead creatures of the night that have, according to folklore, have been around as long as written history of humanity. Along with zombies, succubi, incubi and ghosts in general, our fanged friends take up the majority of the ancient tales. More books and stories have been written about the vampire than any other supernatural creature. I once read where Dracula has appeared in over 200 movies now (the character I mean, not the real Drac!) and, of course, there are the Dracula like vampires. Nosferatu, Count Yorga, Viktor, Mumawalde  (Blacula), Lestat and Louis, Kurt Barlow, and of the female Vampires; Carmilla, Selene,  Marishka, Eli… we could go on, but you get the point. Not all vampire movies are solely about Count Dracula.

Some historians argue that vampirism  or the belief in vampires stems from the practice in the Catholic church, where the priest offers “the blood of Christ” for the parishioners to drink. it is red wine and symbolic but the inference is there.

He that drinketh my blood and eateth (did they really talk like this back in the Bible days?) my flesh shall receive eternally.

Which is what the vampire has, eternal life or is it undeath? Is the vampire really dead or has the “turned” one, merely traveled to another level of existence, one that surpasses all our desires for the material things, the possessions, the wealth and the cruelty displayed by humanity on humanity to achieve these things and (particularly so in the Western world) monopolise it all. The Vampire rises beyond that, (pardon the pun) see’s the true potential of what humanity can achieve and can assist others in achieving it. The ultimate priest, not just giving lip service about eternity, but actually providing it.

Does the Vampire offer the ultimate Nirvana?

When you look at it this way, apart from the differences used in achieving it, then yes, it does appear as if the Vampire is really a confused priest. Confused by those around him or her. Longevity, life ever after, eternity all of that and which much is made of in the many religions around the world, but none can give it to their followers. Not like the Vampire can give and its pretty darn immediate too.

Could the Vampire have been hunted down to extinguish the flame of true immortality so the religions of the world can lock in their followers with the false promise of life ever after but so long as you only follow this religion (and pump a lot of money into it as they pass the plate around) Don’t ever forget the money when it comes to organised religion. Regardless of anything said here, religion has and always will be a business. You’ll do well to remember that.

So, why am I talking about Vampires? Years ago, I had an idea for a Vampire story, and a good story idea too. This was long before I wrote “Toward the Brink” the Roswell stories or any of my “Streets of Abilene” westerns. But I could not get the idea to gel. It was like I was trying to bake some bread but the dough just would not rise. Well, thats is no longer the case. The cat is out of the bag, or in this case the Vampire is out of his coffin! More details to come on what should be an exciting story line (definitely no sparklies!) and it will be mostly from the Vampires point of view as he (yes it will be a he) faces a new existence in the modern world and a strange country! (more about that later.) So, if you have not joined my newsletter do so and you won’t miss out on the exciting news regarding my vampire saga. Yes, I believe it will be every bit of one.

Something to sink your teeth into, for sure.