So far, it had gone like any other O’Byrne family gathering. His older brother, happily married, had asked, as his brother always did, if he had met the one yet. His sister managed to spend nearly the entire time on the couch necking with the guy she had brought. His mother simply pretended everything was perfect and pleasant. Ignore the family problems, and they go away.

Joshy was born when Boo was 18 months old. From the beginning, you could see the difference between them.

I feel my flesh as it burns and disintegrates! I feel the change within my soul, as I wander from the fields of Hell and Undead, into the arms of Christ. It is over, for I go now.

The craving for blood is a strange thing – I’ve often wondered if it’s similar to learning to eat solid food as a toddler. You realize you’re hungry for something new, and what you used to consume no longer satisfies you.

Addison took his sip, closing his eyes as if he were engaged in the most solemn and pious prayer. Rob imagined he was so enveloped by the voluptuous sweetness of the flavor that the world was drowned out. But before Rob could taste, Addison opened his eyes and spoke…

The sun was beating down on me, and the wind was strong but warm. The beauty and goodness of the Lord was all around me. I could not escape it, nor did I wish to.

I dared not utter a word. Not a sound would I mutter from the lips turned white with the sheer terror of the sight of the Living God.

I met her at a stoplight. She wasn’t bad looking at all, and when she turned my way, I flashed a smile. Then the light was green and she left me in her dust.

The sky darkened further, but he did not look up. He heard rustling noises around him, but he did not look up. A moment later, the cows were upon him.

Then one of the other cons yells out: ‘Ain’t you Saul? What, they finally charge you with murder?’ That was when I remembered him. He was a bad dude, man. The kind of guy you just didn’t cross.