I'm one of those scientific types who don't believe in the supernatural so my first reaction was skepticism. However, because of my romantic streak, I really wanted to believe in the existence of vampires in all their supernatural glory. So I discussed this with a friend who has a degree in psychology. The question was: is it possible that there can be real, supernatural, blood drinking, classical vampires?

Thus three weeks passed without apparent change in their relations. Ernest possessed a personal magnetism that, always emanating from him, was felt most deeply when withdrawn. He was at all times involuntarily exerting his power, which she ever resisted, always on the alert, always warding off.

"The Vampyre" is a short story written by John William Polidori and is a progenitor of the romantic vampire genre of fantasy fiction.  It was first published on April 1, 1819, by Colburn in the New Monthly Magazine with the false attribution "A Tale by Lord Byron." The name of the work's protagonist, "Lord Ruthven," added to this assumption, for that name was originally used in Lady Caroline Lamb's novel Glenarvon, in which a thinly-disguised Byron figure was also named Lord Ruthven. Despite repeated denials by Byron and Polidori, the authorship often went unclarified.

One of the worst cases of clinical vampirism is that of Fritz Haarmann, also known as Germany's "Hanover Vampire." Haarmann was actually institutionalized at one point during the late 1800s, but he managed to escape. Eventually he became a homeless vagrant. Then he learned to butcher meat, which allowed him to have a home and start a business. Having his own place protected his attack on boys.

*hearing the exclamation about the bartender, or lack thereof, Deadend swings the door open wide*

Lousy?? I didn't think I was THAT bad. *L* You never complained before, LB.

*Deadend enters the Black Raven Inn dressed as he always had in his saner moments...tightly creased black dress pants, nearly reflective black shoes, a white silk shirt and blood red smoking jacket...his dark brown hair combed neatly atop his head*

Deadend
8 May 2001