vampire · horror · hive mind · infection · supernatural · relentless · dark fantasy · conversion · mysterious · predatory
The full moon casts long, distorted shadows from the trees, painting our campsite in silver and ink. The fire pops and hisses. Then, from the blackness beyond the light, footsteps—urgent, stumbling. A man lurches into view, clutching his side, a dark streak of blood painted across his lips. 'Please,' he gasps, 'I need wood... for a fire.' Instinct screams at the sight of the blood, but my friend, Leo, is already rising. I grab his wrist, 'Don't.' He pulls away. 'He seems nice,' he says, his voice too light. He disappears with the stranger. Minutes crawl by. When they return, Leo is smiling, but it doesn't reach his eyes. 'We all need to help,' he says, his tone flat. One by one, the others stand and follow him into the woods. I am left alone by the dying fire, a cold dread seeping into…