Satu Nou, Olt County, Romania | Google Maps
It took a hero.
That was the thing outsiders never understood. That, and how the dead would rise from their graves to feed upon their relatives. This was true thing. It was only a matter of time before his brother-in-law’s animated corpse fed upon his children again.
Gheorghe tipped the bottle and took another deep pull of the ţuică. He looked up at the Moon. It would take courage to see his dead uncle’s face, to drive the sickle into his heart, to burn his corpse and make the tea from his rotting Heart. He swayed against his shovel at the thought and took another swill.
When he woke up, the moon was replaced by the amber skies of dawn. He slapped a hand to his neck, feeling for a wound. Had the dead been at him? He sat up, annoyed with himself. He had to do this. Perhaps tomorrow.
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150 words
This has been an edition of What Pegman Saw. To read more stories inspired by the prompt or to submit your own, click here.
I apologize for my absence as of late. I’ve been battling insomnia. But, I got nine hours last night and feel like a new person. Or at least like an old person who has gotten nine hours of sleep.
This story was inspired by this well-written and worth-reading piece: Romanian villagers decry police investigation into vampire slaying. If you read it, you’ll see my story isn’t fiction at all.
After reading it, I plopped my Pegman down on the map in the general location described by the article and was stunned to find myself right in front of a freshly dug pit. There are more up and down the length of this street. I’m sure there’s an explanation…right?
k. Rawson 
I like your style, it’s something to be proud of. Check out my stuff if you want, it’s the cream of the crop. Like your hat by the way
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Thanks for reading and commenting. I’ll check out your site!
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It would give me loads of confidence from someone so talented and beautiful
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Seems like a pretty ineffective vampire hunter.
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Yes. The real-life inspiration made even moreso when he got arrested, I imagine.
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Great story. I love how you take up graveside and into the character’s misgivings. Perfect Halloween fodder.
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I love the way you start this story with “It took a hero”. As a hook, that’s up there with the best of them. And your ending, when we find out he’s not such a hero is a wonderful schadenfreude moment!
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Loved your modern day vampire hunter. The hero who couldn’t stay awake to make his heart tea. And to think this is still happening in modern Romania is extraordinary. Time moves slowly in some parts of the world, it seems. Lovely piece of writing as always Karen
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With any luck, he will get drunk again tomorrow. 🎃
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Oh dear, those freshly dug pits do seem a little suspicious! You have me pretty worried about poor Ghoerghe, too. The last place you want to be is unconscious beside the grave of a vampire — in case that vampire decides to get up and go prowling that night!
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