Vampire Theatre by Chad S Sides
Shadows
creep ahead
Empty air thick with darkness
The limits of sight slow movement
Becoming a solid barrier in the distance
Doors can open for those that push
Opening to the sight of more awaiting blackness
Dirty floors protected by a plastic tarp
So we will not soil the mud
Surrounded by unfinished renovations
Housing dead vampires with broken fangs
His power is sapped yet he remains
Refusing to decay even in the embrace of final death
Tiny smears of blood remain
The rest is drained away
Stolen by the takers of life
Leaving behind only traces as warning
For those who would enter
A hollow passage leads away
To an empty theatre with vacant seats
Even ghosts do not remain on this blank stage
Yet feral silhouettes move along the walls
Darker still than the void of light
Collect what you need and leave
For vampiric demons advance on leathery wings
Run below the earth to the surface again
The rustle of movement always close behind
To drop your burden is to risk being overtaken
For the bats of darkness travel beyond the restraints of gravity
A door may give them pause
But escape from this tomb is the only safety
If only escape were so easy
Barriers built of lattice block the path
Guiding frightened travelers along the twisted length
Allowing a view of the end but not passage
Until traversal is complete the end remains elusive
Now blocking what lies behind
And what is chasing
No beating of wings means nothing
Safety or ambush both likely at every step
But when the prize is secure
And safety assured
All that remains is loose paper
Sandpaper glued to the surface
Popping loose with only a touch
Revealing hidden markings for puzzling
Only for those who dare to know
When arranged they reveal the terrible truth
A killer has walked upon that which you desired