Considering how much of it exists in the world, it’s surprising (or maybe not) that blood banks are perpetually short of their key product. Blood and blood components are needed to help people with various medical conditions (including those with blood cancers), for surgery, and for emergency situations, like during childbirth or after a car accident. When there isn’t enough blood to go around, the consequences are devastating. So today’s post is to ask you to please consider donating blood, if you can. You’ll be rewarded with the warm sense of having done some good in the world (and a cookie).
By the way, Giving Tuesday is coming up– donating blood is a great way to do good. Your local vampires would approve 🧛
Considering how much of it exists in the world, it’s surprising (or maybe not) that blood banks are perpetually short of their key product. Blood and blood components are needed to help people with various medical conditions (including those with blood cancers), for surgery, and for emergency situations, like during childbirth or after a car accident. When there isn’t enough blood to go around, the consequences are devastating. So today’s post is to ask you to please consider donating blood, if you can. You’ll be rewarded with the warm sense of having done some good in the world (and a cookie). Your local vampires would approve 🧛
Considering how much of it exists in the world, it’s surprising (or maybe not) that blood banks are perpetually short of their key product. Blood and blood components are needed to help people with various medical conditions (including those with blood cancers), for surgery, and for emergency situations, like during childbirth or after a car accident. When there isn’t enough blood to go around, the consequences are devastating. So today’s post is to ask you to please consider donating blood, if you can. You’ll be rewarded with the warm sense of having done some good in the world (and a cookie). Your local vampires would approve 🧛
One of the many repercussions of the pandemic here in Canada (and most likely everywhere else too) is a shortage in our blood supply. Blood and blood components are needed to help people with various medical conditions (including those with blood cancers), for surgery, and for emergency situations, like during childbirth or after a car accident. When there isn’t enough blood to go around, the consequences are devastating. So today’s post is to ask you to please consider donating blood, if you can. You’ll be rewarded with the warm sense of having done some good in the world (and a cookie). Your local vampires would approve 🧛♂️
‘Tis the time of year for ghouls and monsters and vampires, so I thought I’d share this short piece again, for those of you who haven’t read it (or who feel like re-reading it). Enjoy!
Note to the reader: the following text is transcribed from a document found in the crawlspace of an old row house in Montreal, Quebec. The owner of the building sent it to a local historical association, who are now sharing it in hopes that someone might have more information.
Interview with "Mara," a young woman who claims to be
a vampire
By J.S., editor at large
April 5, 1918.
J.S.: Could you please state your name for the record?
M: You can call me Mara.
J.S.: Is that your real name?
M: Real enough. It's the only one I have left.
J.S.: Could you tell me what you said when we met
earlier tonight?
M (does not reply)
J.S.: When we met, I asked what a young lady was doing
out alone in the middle of the night. How did you
respond?
M (smiles): I told you that I am a vampire.
J.S.: A vampire--like Mr. Stoker's Count Dracula?
M: As far as I know, he is fictional. I am not.
J.S.: What would you say to those who don't believe in
such creatures as vampires?
M: Your lack of belief doesn't make me any less real.
J.S.: How long do you claim to have been a vampire?
M: Most of my life.
J.S.: How long is that?
M: Isn't it impolite to ask a lady her age?
J.S.: Do you drink blood?
M: Of course.
J.S.: Where do you get it?
M: Wherever I can find it.
J.S.: From animals?
M: No.
J.S.: Do you have a reflection?
M (gets up and walks to the lavatory. She stares into
the mirror over the sink): It would seem so.
J.S.: Can you turn into a bat?
M (does not reply)
J.S.: How many other vampires are there?
M: More than your kind would care to consider.
J.S.: My kind? You mean mankind? Human beings?
M: Yes.
J.S.: Do you pay attention to human events? What do you
think of the Great War?
M: I wish I could be there, in the thick of it.
J.S.: Do you mean as a nurse?
M (laughs)
J.S.: Why do you want to be at the front? Isn't it
dangerous?
M: The danger is why. It's all death and chaos.
People die, people go missing--no one gives it
a second thought. Vampires do well in times of war.
J.S.: If that is the case, why aren't you there?
M: Someone else is there. He's looking for me. I do
not wish to be found.
J.S.: Who is there?
M: You should worry about the illness instead of
my acquaintances.
J.S.: The illness? Are you referring to the
Spanish Flu? There are rumours of epidemic.
M: The rumours are correct--the influenza is
spreading rapidly. I can smell it in the air.
J.S.: You can smell it? That must be handy.
M: It helps us to choose.
J.S.: What do you mean by 'choose'?
M: Most of us prefer blood from healthy specimens.
J.S.: And the rest?
M: We find those who don't have long. Some consider it
a kindness.
J.S.: Why are you telling me this?
M (does not reply)
J.S.: I don't have the Flu.
M: No, you have something deeper. In your bones.
J.S.: Oh, really? What does that smell like?
M: Like sour chalk and dry rot.
J.S.: Rot is right. You expect me to believe such
nonsense?
M: What about that ache that never seems to go away?
It's been getting worse, hasn't it?
J.S. (reluctant to respond)
J.S.: I have an appointment to see a doctor.
M: He won't be able to help you.
J.S.: How do you know?
M: They rarely can.
J.S.: Then what can anyone do for me?
M: I could prescribe you herbs, but they won't help,
either.
J.S.: A vampire and an apothecary? That is quite the
combination.
M: I learned my trade young and found that it
pays to keep humans healthy.
J.S.: Is that it, then? All you can offer are
ineffectual balms?
M: I can also offer you a kindness.
J.S.: You mean death.
M: Some prefer it to suffering.
J.S.: What if I refuse?
M: It's your choice. You have time to decide,
but not much.
J.S.: Where are you going?
M: I have other business to attend to. I'll return
in a fortnight. Tell me then what you've decided.
J.S.: Will it hurt?
M: I can make it so it doesn't.
M leaves and I finish recording our exchange.
I don't know why, perhaps for posterity.
I am unsure how to proceed.
Want to read more about Mara? Download my books now….
If you prefer paperback, use this link to order Love Lies Bleeding from Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥
Aspasía S. Bissas 