Endless Night Tampa Vampire Ball 2024 "A Night in the Midnight Garden" Story
, by Fred Samedi, 3 min reading time
TICKETS & INFO: https://tampavampireball2024.eventbrite.com with at 10% discount with code Beltane24
"All roads lead to High Halloween in New Orleans…” But this road seems to stretch endlessly…
The story by Ivana
Under the glow of a full moon, the call of the city of the dead is undeniable. But first, you must discover other secrets hidden within this strange, winding path. In time, you stumble upon a footpath obscured by thick vines and thorny, dense bushes. You pass through it, mysteriously unscathed, and are greeted by two tall, ornate iron gates. To the left of the gates is a plaque, covered in layers of dust and grime. You brush off just enough to decipher the words: “The Midnight Garden.” Beyond the gate, you get a glimpse of an otherworldly scene.
This ancient cemetery is like no other resting place. Tombstones stand like silent sentinels, bearing the weight of centuries. Amidst this eerie serenity, a riot of gothic flowers bursts forth, their bruised colors intertwining with the ancient stones. Blood-red roses cling to the walls of mausoleums, while midnight-blue irises adorn monuments to the unknown dead. Off-white lilies stand tall, their delicate petals glowing ethereally in the fading light. Dark purple lilacs weave through the tangled undergrowth, their haunting fragrance mingling with the scent of moss and decay.
As you emerge beyond the sea of graves, you enter a strange clearing free of tangled vines and thorns. An enormous, timeworn clock sits in the center, ticking mysteriously from an unknown power. The clock strikes midnight, shocking you from your reverie. At every turn, exquisite figures seem to float into the clearing, their movements fluid and graceful. Adorned with flowers and wreaths, they move with an otherworldly elegance that no mortal could match. As they come closer, you gasp in awe as you note a pair of gleaming, sharp fangs in each of their mouths, their eyes filled with an insatiable hunger.
Some wear the opulent attire of Victorian nobility, while others don ancient robes, their faces obscured by the passage of time. Each carries a bouquet of vibrant flowers, their petals shimmering like jewels in the moonlight. The dance begins—a mesmerizing blend of elegance and savagery that transcends mortal comprehension. With each step, the vampires blur the boundaries between life and death, their existence a testament to the eternal dance of darkness and light.
As the melody reaches its climax, petals fly in a whirlwind of passion, and the gray-blue colors of dawn begin to emerge. With a final embrace, the vampires vanish into the night, leaving behind a haunting silence. A sense of melancholy lingers as the lush beauty of the Midnight Garden fades in the harsh light of day.
With the gates closed behind, you emerge on the road once again, invigorated by all that you have witnessed. You linger for a moment, and that familiar whisper returns, pushing you onward: "All roads lead to High Halloween in New Orleans..."
TICKETS & INFO: https://tampavampireball2024.eventbrite.com with at 10% discount with code Beltane24