"So, you've finally figured it out," the vampire sneered.

	Bu-ya'Ka faced his worst fear:  a vampire in the flesh...and in
his room.  His safeguards had all failed him.  Hadn't the garlic and holy
water been strong enough to ward off this foul monster?

	"Hardly," the vampire interrupted his train of thought.  Now the
beast was reading his mind!  "You see, I have been closer to you than you
think."

	"Obviously.  But I've got you right where I want you now!"  Bu
pulled a sharpened stake out of his backpack.  The vampire just laughed.

	"You don't really expect me to believe you're going to use that,
do you?  You wouldn't dare try!  And do you know why?  Because you would
perish in ther process, and you value your pitiful life too much for
that."

	Bu sank into a chair beside the table; the vampire copied his
movements exacly, mocking him.  The sneer returned to the vampire's face.
 "You know, I'm surprised you figured it out so quickly -- I give you
credit for that...but that is all I'll give you.  I'm sure you realize
that fighting me is useless...I'll always win.  Why not just give in to
me.  I promise to be a benevolent master."  The evill creature's laughter
filled the room once again.

	"I'll never give in to you...never!  I'd gladly kill myself if it
would mean your destruction."  Bu felt the rough wood of the stake still
grasped in his hand.  He drew strength from it.  "You know I'll destroy
you.  You're actually scared of me, but you won't let it show.  You know
I can kill you and you can't stop me.  I'm still my own master, demon!"

	"You can't and you won't!" roared the vampire.  "I will not let
you!  My will is far stronger than yours!"  Bu felt his arm going numb. 
He realized that the monsters power was far greater than he'd first
thought.  There was only one option left to him.  With his last ounce of
willpower, the strength draining from his limbs, Bu plunged the stake
directly at the heart of the monster.  The sharpened wood drove straight
and true through the vampire's undead heart, plunging it into oblivion.  

	Bu-ya'Ka, elf mage extraordinare and vampire hunter, died as the
stake, guided by his own hand, speared his heart.
	
	And the bedroom mirror cracked.


^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
As one mirror is mended, so must another shatter.

Craig A Baenziger
<jtalbain@juno.com>