A Vampire by dictionary definition is a corpse that rises from its grave each night to extricate the blood of the living. The first recorded European report was that of English kings and knights from the early 12th century, who used to hunt creatures, believed to drink the blood of cattle and humans alike. Arnold Paole and Peter Plogojowitz were reportedly vampires during the 18th century, causing much pain, panic and strife to small villages in Serbia. Paole was known as a hajduk (Serbian soldier). He died as the direct result of a broken neck on his family’s farm. From that point onwards the inhabitants began to experience illness and death whilst complaining that the deceased Paole had visited them in the night. Paole was believed to have killed more than sixteen people. His corpse was described as ‘red, with vivid flesh and fresh nails, hair and flesh’. His organs were ‘filled with fresh rather than coagulated blood’ his viscera were ‘in good condition with an overall plump appearance’. As a result it was staked and in reaction, was said to moan and bleed, just like his victims.

Plogojowitz was an inhabitant of the village of Kilsilova who died and supposedly returned as a vampire to kill nine of his fellow villagers. He strangled them and proceeded to feed off their blood. Plogojowitz was believed to have been destroyed when his corpse was exhumed, but to the shock of Serbian officials called to investigate, they saw him alive with a freshly grown beard and nails. These incidents have been explained as disease and decomposition and I agree they sound unbelievable. However, I still believe it is feasible that these events may have occurred.

A missing person is usually seen as abduction, murder or runaway. But who’s to say it’s not the result of the supernatural? What better way to disguise vampiric activity than to encourage people to believe that a kidnapper or murder has taken place? Amelia Earhart, one of the first female pilots and athlete Steve Fosset, both disappeared from their friends and families without a trace. I find it impossible they could have been living for extended periods of time and not be either noticed or recognised in the company of others. And when missing people are found dead, is it not possible vampires can cover their work up by slit throats and bullet holes?

These days there is a belief that vampires create other vampires. They do not procreate in a human sense, they drain human live and replace it with their own thirst. The Bermuda triangle has been surrounded by mystery for years. A total of 12 ships along with their crews have disappeared in the area surrounding it. Now my theory regarding the vanishing vessels and carted away crew, is that vampires are feeding from them and are using the remnants of the ships for the production of coffins and defence mechanisms against large invading forces. The triangle is, after all, one of the least explored regions on the planet.

One of the most recent known incidents, which may have involved vampires, occurred in the 70s, in the Highgate Hill cemetery in London. Leaders of a religious cult apparently claimed that the Victorian cemetery was being haunted by a vampire who had already attacked a young London couple. A series of ‘exorcisms’ were performed constantly around the cemetery. Hysteria soon set in, which developed into a mass vampire hunt. The bishop who performed the exorcisms, claimed to have destroyed the vampire well after the London police had sealed off the cemetery off prevent riots. To this day the bishop states that he still believes in the existence of vampires and even maintains a vampire hunting kit.

So perhaps you don’t believe that Buffy kicks bloodsucker butt. And there’s no words in any vampire novel to convince you. But what about the stories I’ve told? All of them coincidence? Please take a good look at the people around you. At your teachers, your work colleagues or even your parents. Do you sometimes feel that they suck everything out of you and drain all your energy, without giving back? And even the earth tells a familiar story. The leeches, bedbugs and mosquitoes. Are they not natural vampires? We as humans will see the obvious because we dare not imagine the impossible. If you still think its fun to have a rave in the graveyard, be sure to look over your shoulder. Because they WILL be hungry. Goodnight out there, WHATEVER you are.

By Ben Wylde