SECOND PLACE
WEREWOLF MAGNET

{SCENE — the Mountain Summit, overlooking the Forest in every direction—
Time, Morning Tea—
ELODIE alone upon the cliff.}

ELODIE: [i]The friends that I have made have all abandoned me;
the fault, my own, despite the vampire’s spell.
Now soon I shall be dragged back to Sleepshy;
already I hear the toll of its monstrous bell.

Timothy! I love you—
no, you saw the truth, I may not lie.
I love that which you are symbol of:
a mortal life for you and I,
the smell of pastries in the oven,
the flowers growing strong on the sill,
the silly human sport of watching football,
making the cashier wait for change at the till.
A life with permanence and stillness,
one house, one town, one lover true,
instead of a life spent ever traveling,
draped in death’s sepulchral hue.

Shall I then abandon my mad quest?
The ground yawns warmly far below.
One step, and I shall be in my father’s arms,
to drown in his profession’s undertow.
I could, with a step, abandon my mad dreams:
my pastels, my garden, my human boy.
I could return, disgraced, and resign myself
to life as that athlete’s cute chew toy.

It is but a step—
Little more—

But then what shall all of my dreaming have been for?

My dreams... they are of sunlight,
and flowers that do not wither at my touch,
and being held by the one that I love,
and keeping rabbits in a tiny hutch.
I again deny my father and his name!
I again refute the underworld’s call!
Although I do not know the way,
I abjure the Furies one and all!
I will live—
I will live!
Do you hear me, Father?
I will live!

Then by the power of my heart,
the monstrous power held within my bones,
I speak a word to command her to appear,
spoken in dominating tones.
Gaia! Mother Earth! Rise from your stony bed,
shake off the slumber of the season hence!
By she who bears the blood of Death,
appear before me, heed my request!

Show me what dread power I may call
to unshackle my blood’s destiny
from the paths that lead to underworlds
and doom me to their misery!

I care not for the price!
I care not for the pain!
I care only that I,
I’ll see sunlight again!

Come forth now, come forth!
I will not be denied!
I bring the winter,
and winter shall die!

I shall be the spring!
I shall be its airs,
I shall be your maiden,
I shall take up your cares!

Come forth! In your aspect,
of maiden or wolf,
come forth by my word
and show me my truth![/i]

{ELODIE falls senseless. A voice can be heard in the Incantation which follows.}

[[b]12[/b] on Gazing into Abysses.]