The Horrifying Tale of Mrs. Trollope -- The Prologue

PRE-PROLOGUE

    The little girl sat cowering in the corner; her baby sister clutched in her arms. The expression on her face told the tale just as clearly as if the story had been smeared across the front page of the Times.
    “The evil witch stole Mommy,” the child said, through wracking sobs and weeping floods of tears. “She said she’s keeping her—to teach you a lesson.”

PROLOGUE

     “I’m begging you, Jonathan. Let me do it.”
    “No,” the elder brother said. “The responsibility is mine. The subject is closed.”
    The younger man, steeped in sorrow, nodded in silent acquiescence.
    Jonathan faltered though he’d wielded this weapon of retribution countless times before. For the end of her existence meant the end of his as well. The stake, then, and with seemingly no mercy, plunged, pierced its mark dead center, and broke both their hearts in two. The blood, no longer foul but turned cleansed and pure, bubbled to the surface and pooled, peaceful as a meadow brook, around the stone-cold piece of wood. The momentary transformation was stunning; the blackened soul, dissolved. Felice was again as she had always been—a woman who’d known naught of fear or weakness. And yet was soft as stacks of autumn leaves.
    “I’m sorry, Jonathan,” she said, her cascading tears enabled one last time by this oh, so brief return of her soul. “Don’t avenge me, darling. I beg you—don’t even think of it.”
    With bitterness and despair, he choked on the words. “She will pay, though it costs me my life.”
    “No, you mustn’t. You know how that twisted mind of hers works and how she’ll interpret this. From this moment on she’ll be consumed with thoughts of vengeance, and she’ll not rest until the children have been brought into the fold. Oh Jonathan, take my little girls and fly from this place; never, ever to come back. Promise me this, my one sweet love—I shan’t rest until I have your word of honor.”
    Felice was right of course. Avenging her and all that it would entail while having two little girls to watch over would be impossible. Unable to utter the words aloud, he nodded his oath to her.
    Her eyes met his one last time, bringing to her lips a smile. For especially when good cheer was needed, her smiles had never been in short supply. But as that supply was about to meet its end, she placed into it all her heart, and all her soul, and every bit of love which she possessed; all in the hopes that it would help to carry her beloved husband through the darkened times which lay ahead.
    “Kiss me,” she said. And he obeyed.
    “Now finish it.”
    Whereupon he took the few garlic cloves from his brother’s hand and placed them in her mouth. And again he put his lips to hers until, and only but a moment later, an angel turned to dust.

Chapter One

Comments

[Love is my alter Ego]

Wow! I enjoy reading your work. I will have to force myself to break away from the computer. :)

[Sonata D.]

I enjoy your writing style, but not so much the genre. Well, horror, yes. Vampires, no. It seems that vampires nowadays have become a genre in themselves. Personally, I'm getting sick of the constant repetition. I'm also very surprised that you were able to get published. Congratulations! I have a friend that was trying to get her book published, which also fell under the vampire category, but the agents just kept rejecting her. I read her first few chapters and she's an amazing writer, much like yourself. I couldn't understand the reasoning behind the agent's responses, and I think I've come to one solution: TWILIGHT. It's like one of those famous book eras. Now that Twilight's popular everybody and their brother's trying to write the next best thing. Unfortunately, every book revolves around the undead kind.

You're a very great writer, and I'm excited to hear that you're challenging Bram Stoker's tale. But tell me: what agent was willing enough to represent yet another vampire story?

[avocado]

I'm voting for The Overnight Guests

[Fred Runk]

Martin,

Sorry about this, but I can't stand vampire stories. Stoker's _Dracula_ was sufficient.
The last vampire story I read was last month and it was under duress: it was for a face-to-face book discussion group. The less said about it, the better.

Lots of luck with your publisher. I hope your book does well.

[Maryann Miller]

Good stuff, Martin. On Twitter you asked about the title. I vote for Overnight Guests. Certainly made me wonder who the guests were. Not sure I would have had the same interest in Mrs. Trollope

[justglenn]

It's not so much that vampires are in style, but that the writing is so fresh about it.

Perhaps this mortal has had some experience with Who Walks in Shadows, and will tell the truth about the Darkness.

It may be some time yet before you are decanted.

Ah, well, I tried to make the comment as creepy as the sample. I would read this book. Probably gulp it down like cold lemonade.

[Tabitha "Tabz" Smith]

OOOoh vampires! Very, very creepy from the getgo. Nicely done.

[Crystal]

I'm intrigued. It sounds like an interesting story-I want to read more!

[Arwen]

Definitely hooks. Great ending on the prologue too because you just have to turn the page. Well done! Came here from Twitter.

[Lee Ann]

Nice! I think I'd like to read the rest of this story! I want to know how it all unfolds and puts together!

[carmen]

Ask, and ye shall receive. Good morning and here's a comment. :) Sounds like an intriguing story! Thanks for following me on Twitter.

[Zack Daggy]

Vampires. Poetic descriptions. Starting right in the action. Ok, I'm hooked!

[Elizabeth]

Brilliant, eerie, gripping. I am intrigued and want to read this story very much!

[Miladysa]

And?!!! :D

[Catherine]

Good stuff! I love the gothic/creepy voice. On Twitter you double-dog-dared followers to leave a comment, so here you go. Now you know that at least one person obeyed. Today just one (or two, or ten), tomorrow the world!

[Efren]

Astounding, I will read more when I have more time. It's great.

[Vicki]

I'll admit: I read it and did not comment. I was one of the 999 (ref tweet). I loved the pre-prologue, both the concept and the content. Although the genre's not my typical choice, I would definitely read the rest, just because the writing is compelling. It's elegant, flows well, and draws in the reader.

[Norma Vasquez]

I LOVE things that give me goosebumps.

And this a definite goosebump-worthy tale.

Thank you!

[Kate McLaughlin]

You dared me on Twitter.
And I'm certainly exceptional, so had to comment.
And then your well-chosen words compelled me to read...and click...and read some more.
It worked!

[Selma]

The moment of transformation is what I like best. The power of redemption shines, even for such a creature of darkness. There is sorrow here too, perhaps the slightest twinge of regret. I wouldn't mind reading some more at all.

[Charlene Engeron]

Nice imagery. Palpable. Tangible.

Pre-prologue? Hadn't seen that before.

[John Daly]

You should have no need for a morale boost. ;) Nicely done.

[violetteb]

Wow, I can smell and taste the garlic. Hope I'm asleep before sunrise.

Very nice writing.

[Ruthanne Reid]

VERY interesting! Doubly interesting in that (a) it's a female enemy, and (b) somehow Felice was able to speak even though she had wood sticking through her chest. Goes to show the kind of changes her body's gone through. I'm really curious to see where this goes!

[AZ Mom of Many Hats]

Wow! Definitely not the reading I want to do before I go to sleep at night! But, looks very intriguing! Best of luck from a fellow Los Angelino living in AZ.

[Mary McManus]

Wonderful imagery. Very gripping. I'm usually not a fan of vampire stories but your writing is unique. Good luck with the book sales. You definitely have a bestseller.

[Valorie]

That was absolutely beautiful, especially the end. I want more!

[Imran Anwar]

I must say that is an example of excellent writing.

Imran
"Live, Forever" - http://neternity.org

[gina]

oh, that IS creepy...but fascinating nonetheless. Sounds like a good read.

[April]

Ohhh, my curiousity has been piqued! Great descriptions and interesting story.

[Bookfool, aka Nancy]

Very, very creepy.

[waheda]

I love books that make me feel as though I'm actually in the story and this one certainly makes me feel like I'm part of it. Fantastic job.

[Amber]

Lovely! This is a book that will be hard to put down. Can't wait for more!

[Bob'sMyth]

Ooh, we're tiptoeing along the EDGE!

[Betsy]

What a great beginning! I almost didn't want to take the time to comment because I can't wait to move on to Chapter 1!!

[Lauren]

Definitely makes you want to read more. I love the last line. So great.
-Lauren

[Martin Dubow]

Thanks, Tirzah. That's exactly what I was hoping for.

[The Compulsive Reader]

Oooh, nicely creepy. I am intrigued.