A Vampire’s Diary Tomasina
A Vampire’s Diary
Tomasina
Mount Pleasant is ripe with possibility. The chivalry have ferreted many of their daughters away here, while others have abandoned the city altogether, fleeing to their plantations, despite the dangers summer will bring. Yellow fever. Cholera and dysentery. All less of a risk than I, apparently.
From my boardinghouse quarters, which I reserved under the name Eugene Crabtree, I have an unimpeded view of the young women as they parade together in the evening. That’s where I glimpsed sweet Tomasina, her parasol tilted on her shoulder, the bright flame of her hair gathered atop her head.
After a few days of observing her habits—always the evening constitutional, at six, escorted by her middle-aged companion—I approached her.
While her dour-faced companion was less than gracious, Tomasina smiled at me, offered her hand, pleased to make my reacquaintance.
She said she remembered my visits to her with fondness and thought of me often.
She was now married, with a husband away.
A railroad man—an investor. Her loneliness was manifest, the hunger in her smile unmistakable.
Before we parted, I whispered an invitation to dine with me the following evening at the boardinghouse. Alone.
She came to me, dutiful, lonesome creature, and met my ardor with fervor, falling apart in my arms. After we spent ourselves in passion, I plied her with wine and drew her a bath.
While she was thus distracted, I invited the monster in.
It was over with quickly, cleanly, and silently.
In the hours before dawn, I carried her body to the marshland ringing the edges of town and left her there, then returned to the boardinghouse and enjoyed the most refreshing sleep I’ve experienced in months.
Tomasina’s contributions have allayed my despair over Arabella.
My work can continue unimpeded here in the hinterlands, especially given the news Tomasina shared with me before she met her fate.
In a fortnight, there will be a ball upriver, at a plantation on Daniel Island—one with invitations to debutantes and fine matrons from far and wide. My anticipation is boundless.