The castle sits in the woods.
Memories fill its walls.
Echoes of laughter
vibrate the still air.
Whisps of smoke float
between the trees.
A transparent shadow
settles beside me,
with a tap on my shoulder,
a sigh in my ear.
With a wistful smile, I say,
“Goodbye, my love.
We’ll be together again soon.“
Take me from a world without color,
where life can be dull and grey.
I want to swim through the ocean’s waves,
where rainbows frolic and play.
The sun’s rays shimmer on the water,
leaving trails of gold, yellow, and red.
Beacons of light for me to follow,
to a new land where to lay my head.
Who lives on this small island?
It’s time for me to explore.
I see a hut of branches.
I must see if there is more.
I walk across the pale pink sand
to the small hut and step inside.
The room is dark, without windows.
I check to see what it may hide.
A man saunters into the room.
At the table, places are set.
He turns to me with a huge grin,
as if I am his new prized pet.
He makes an abrupt movement
and strides across the dark room.
He kisses me with cold passion
under the blood-red moon.
I swam across the ocean
to find a new shore.
But here I am again
in his arms once more.
Take me away from a world without color,
A world where life is dull and grey.
I want to swim through the ocean’s waves,
Where rainbows can frolic and play.
The sun’s rays shimmer off the water,
Leaving trails of gold, yellow, and red.
Beacons of light for me to follow
To a new land where to lay my head.
I fly through the rolling waves,
Touching down on a spot of land.
I am lifted by arms of fountains
And laid to rest on the pink sand.
Turtles scurry away from my hand.
Birds fly around as they have fun.
The waves recede in their farewell dance,
Leaving me alone in the sun.
Who lives on this small island?
It’s time for me to explore
The hut of branches in the tree.
I must see if there is more.
The steps are pretty steep.
I climb and step inside.
The room is small and dark.
Who knows what it may hide?
I hear footsteps from the room beyond.
They’re coming closer to where I hide.
It’s too late to run for the door.
I must face whoever is inside.
A man saunters into the room,
Candles and two places set.
He throws me a big grin
As if I am his prized pet.
We both wait in silence.
He slowly moves toward me.
“I hope you like my surprise.”
I feel as cold as can be.
I don’t like surprises.
Especially from him.
He keeps me at arms-length,
Not letting me in.
I lower my eyes
From the fire in his eyes.
They’re consuming me alive.
I am burning from his lies.
He makes an abrupt movement
And strides across the room.
He kisses me with great passion
Under the blood red moon.
I’m over here.
I can smell your fear.
You won’t be alone.
I can hear your moan.
I’ll be rising soon.
On the next full moon.
We’ll rise from down under.
On lightning and thunder.
You will not recognize me.
I’ll be different you see.
My new body is strong.
Now, do not get me wrong.
I still love you, my dear.
Of that please have no fear.
THE DEAD GAME
We turned the corner, but Bella was nowhere in sight. Quaint stores lined the busy sidewalk beneath the red glow of the setting sun. The boats docked at the pier swayed in place above the choppy waves. A salty breeze brushed through my hair. The mellow sounds of early evening lulled my senses until a high-pitched shriek broke the spell. “Why didn’t you follow me?” Bella marched toward us.
“We lost you.” Scarlett spun to her.
“How could you lose me? I didn’t even cross the street.” Bella’s face reddened. “Unless you were trying to lose me.”
“We reached—” Scarlett glanced at the street sign. “Harbor Drive, and we didn’t see you.”
“Fine.” Bella pointed to the pink sign, Le Ice Cream Parlor, hanging between two 3D hot-pink ice cream cones, on a pink-and-white shingled building. “We’re here.”
We stepped into the pink. A long counter spanned the left wall, fronted with hot-pink stools. Light-pink booths lined the right and back walls. White wrought-iron tables and chairs filled the space in the middle. “Cute,” I said. The sweet aroma of ice cream, chocolate fudge, and cotton candy wafted to my nose. My mouth watered. I smelled peanut butter, strawberries, and I don’t know what else. “An ice cream heaven.”
Bella took a seat at the counter. “Hi, Eric. Can I have a banana split?”
“Sure thing, Bella,” a gangly teenager replied, scooping ice cream into a banana-shaped glass dish, a toothy grin on his pimpled face.
“What can I get the young ladies?” I turned, expecting an older man. Instead, a man in his early thirties flashed his pearly whites at us. “Hi. I’m Jonathan Hale, the owner of this ice cream heaven.”
“You heard me.” My face heated as I faced the shaggy blonde, blue-eyed, surfer-looking guy.
“Yes, I did. And thank you for the compliment.” His gaze landed on Scarlett and stayed there. I felt relief; he fit Scarlett’s unique taste.
“What do you recommend?” Scarlett asked, her voice sounding breathy.
“I suggest the tornado.” Jonathan winked. “It has my best flavors topped with chocolate fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry.”
“We’ll share one.” Scarlett glanced at me, and I nodded.
As Jonathan retrieved a tall dish from behind the counter and began layering the decadent ice cream flavors, he asked, “Are you new to Blue Harbor?” His intense gaze met Scarlett’s through the glass dome above the ice cream.
“We arrived today.” Scarlett’s voice drifted as she glanced away.
He chuckled. “Then I’m happy to welcome you to Blue Harbor.”
Scarlett gave him a tremulous smile. “Thank you.”
“Take a seat at a booth, and I’ll bring my special concoction to you.”
Scarlett took my hand and dragged me across the room to a booth.
“Wow,” I whispered. “You must be in love. I’ve never seen you act timid.”
She turned to me with a scowl, her mouth wide open, ready to defend herself, before her attention shifted to the front door.
The door flung open, hitting the wall beside it with a loud bang. A hush fell across the room.
Startled faces turned to the doorway.
A tall, thin man in his early thirties hurried inside, clutching his throat, his gaze darting around the room. “They’re back,” he whispered before collapsing to the floor, blood spurting from his neck and pooling around his body.
MEET ME IN MAINE by Susanne Leist
You belong to us now,
I say this with a bow.
You will follow us to hell
As we ring the nightly bell.
Our servant you will be.
You’ll never be set free.
THE DEAD GAME
Who can swim like a fish and fly like a bird?
Who makes my heart thump in my chest?
He is walking toward me,
His body as beautiful as can be.
Do I want him for me?
How can I let this be?
THE DEAD AT HEART
http://amzn.to/32DSGQX
We may fall,
but we will rise
from the dust.
Follow the light,
we’ll make it right.
THE DEAD GAME SERIES
Vampires know how to party
until the wee morning hours.
Once the bright light of day appears,
it’s time to listen to your fears.
THE DEAD AT HEART
We have come together as one,
Humans, vampires, & human vampires.
The last battle on this earthly planet
That will determine our combined fate.
Linda clings to her friends.
Will she choose wisely and correctly?
Will she choose me over The Dead?
PREY FOR THE DEAD
SUSANNE LEIST 