Epilogue: The Poem

Troy’s parents had not come home yet. They’d probably be coming in later than usual, figuring Troy would take care of Alex’s dinner while they were gone.

But Alex didn’t want to eat. She didn’t know what else to do but sit on the front porch late at night, waiting for her brother to get back.

So the house stood silent. The poem that Hailey had read only hours before lay on the table.

Over the years
as the wind grows old,
Forgotten are fears,
Longings controlled.

They smell so sweet,
so innocent and young.
But we can’t accept defeat,
No flavor on tongue.

But muscles get strained,
and the mind is too keen
to have you fully drained
of blood unforeseen.

The last two stanzas of the poem had been separated from the beginning. It lay by itself under the table, having been unread by Hailey.

As my enemy howls
In the distance
And endlessly growls
To prove its existence

So repeats the same,
And still I can’t cry.
Isn’t it a shame
Vampires can’t die?