I stared in silence as my mind groped the captivating gold italic letters. I had heard of such creatures but never known them to be real. The idea made me shudder as I sat, observing the yellowed pages of the past, the discovery that later drove me mad.

No creatures of that like the vampires have existed

through elements such as mortal fear. They have

been spotted by numerous people around the world,

but no real evidence is present that may be able to

verify the true existence of these monsters or

others like them. Though they are often described

as bloodthirsty, fang bearing, creatures of the night,

others have different ideas as to whether the vampires'

presence is peaceful or hostile..

My hunt and thirst to uncover the mysteries hidden beneath the surface of the legends were unquenchable. Jocelyn had now become more concerned than ever. I was only interested in finding out what I could about these "creatures of the night". Then I started asking myself questions, such as, "How did Leo become one of these things?"

An uneventful dinner was disrupted by the ruptured screams of Jocelyn. She had become ultimately, and utterly, disturbed by the mass hysteria I was causing and my changed attitude. She, too, had begun to have seconds thoughts about my sanity. But she loved me, all the same. After she had pounded her fists upon the mahogany table, and declared her bitterness towards me, she retired to the boudoir, as we so often called it. The maids insisted that I must aid her in such a time since, naturally, I had never seen her in this state.

There seemed nearly millions of years between my ascent upon those stairs to the moment when I found my lover, distressed, poised in our bed. She was sitting quite stiffly, in a beautiful nightgown of white silk, waiting for me.

"What has so changed you?" she inquired, lovingly with an added harshness in her otherwise soft voice.

I was hesitant to tell her about Leo and Nicolas and what had become of them because my rational mind was already undergoing extreme interrogation. My mind waged against my decisions as she awaited an answer. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. It would prove my fall through sanity," I replied, that classic line slipping off my tongue with uncertainty.

"Try me," she said, sweetly. She didn't understand.

The story of Leo continued for a short while into the night. Her ears were eager to listen as I explained my search for answers about his "kind" and when I spoke of my encounter with him on that late night.

"So, you've begun to tell me that Leo has turned into this…" she was at a loss for words.

"…Creature? Yes, or so it would appear. I'm not quite sure what to make of him, though. How could this have happened to him? And besides that point, I thought they didn't exist."

"Ask him how it happened. Set up a midnight meeting with him and find out what you want to know," Jocelyn suggested with a slight shrug of her shoulders and a nod of approval to her words.

"How do I reach him though? How can I ask him to meet with me if he only comes at night? I can't exactly write to him."

"I assume you could. Maybe he'll return to his home before he heads out to do whatever he does during the evenings."

So, I set about my business, writing a letter, insisting him to meet me in the study he so loved at the witching hour, midnight.

Leo,

I'm quite anxious to meet with you again due to the extraordinary

State you are in. I have many things to discuss with you and I hope

You will not find me too curious. It was my plans to see you near the

Hour of twelve, if you should so permit, in my study. I'll wait up

And if you cannot arrive, do not worry. I shall wait until two in the

Morning if you discover yourself late.

As always,

Tristan

I sealed the parchment with my green wax and signature stamp and slowly made my way to his house.

It was dark, close to ten o' clock, when I set out on foot, and I felt a sense of growing danger as I passed the desolate residences of the French Quarter, They were all so beautiful and unique that you could never mistake one house from another. The iron was different, the colours were extraordinary, and the lush plants that made up the peaceful landscape were spellbinding. I found myself mystified as I neared Leo's home. To my surprise the candles were casting an eerie glow through the windows as I approached the front door.

I stepped forward to put the letter in his door. As I place it carefully at the foot of the door, it gradually opened. I stood up to find Leo's gaunt, handsome face looking at me.