A Lengthy Slumber

As I cast open the lid of my coffin, I awoke to a room bustling with servants. Each warm body was actively dusting or sweeping, lighting freshly trimmed candles or weaving about the dark slate floors like rats caught in sight. My hunger was insatiable and I quickly snatched one of the fastidious bodies by the throat with mechanical precision. Quickly I was met by a smaller maiden with tray in hand, waivering and trembling as a new born foal. Upon the gilted tray were an assortment of drinking glasses, some frost bitten roses, and a large crystal caraf which bathed itself within a golden bucket of warm water; it's steam curling and rising into the dry cellar air. I dropped the panicked servant from my frigid hand and watched them scamper away to a group forming in a secure huddle near the rear of the room. The maiden before me still shook with fear as she attempted to speak. "My Lady what you seek is within this crystal vessel, you need not feed upon us we are here to serve and have most graciously donated to fill your need..." I snatched the crystal caraf from the tray, its warmth radiating into the cold room as it was evicted from its bath. She was right. I sniffed the contents and they were human, fresh, and un altered. Forgetting all courtly manners I lifted the caraf to my lips and swallowed the contents like the monster the whispers recounted. My ivory dressing gown was stained crimson by the ordeal, a fitting contrast to my pale dead flesh. "What day is it..." My voice croaked from dusty cords. "All Hallows my Lady... 2019..." I dropped the empty caraf back into the now cooled water bath, splashing the poor foal as I drew my sleeve across my bloodied chin to speak. "Well... let's not keep the world waiting any longer shall we..."