"In a low voice he begged me" "But what was he saying?" "I could only make out pieces of his story." "He claimed he heard a frightening scream... that shattered the silence of the night." "He told of a family reunion... and of how he went searching in the direction of the scream." "Then the tone of his voice... grew almost inaudible... as he told the tale of a desecrated tomb... and a shroud-wrapped corpse, bearing the head of death itself." "Yet it was still breathing... as if quickened by the heartbeat of a living being." "Its garments were in shreds... and I observed that the body was smeared with blood." "Have you never written stories based on reality?" "Reality?" "I've observed that in every sphere of existence... reality is always just beyond one's reach... be it in society life or in the life of the mind... in the very depths of the ocean... or at the South Pole." "Of all the melancholy themes... the one universally recognized by mankind... as the saddest of all... is the most obvious one: death." "And that most melancholy theme... becomes the most poetic as well... when coupled with the theme of beauty." "Thus, the death of a beautiful young woman... is undoubtedly and unavoidably... the most poetic theme in the world." "Alan, come sit by me." ""I'll wait for you at midnight under the tall oak."" ""Introduction to Metaphysical Medicine"" "Let me feel your warmth." "My love, help me to fight." "You're my only hope." "My love, help me live again... to live again with you." "I love you." "I'd kill you if you went back to him." "Let me go!" "Go away!" "I don't want you, you hear?" "I despise you!" "You understand?" "You want to make me your prisoner." "You want to kill me!" "I don't want you anymore." "I want to live." "I did it all for you." "Listen to me, Elisabeth." "I'd rather die." "You disgust me!" "Don't say that." "I can't bear to see another at your side." "You understand?" "Stop!" ""Blood is the source of life." "Only blood can resurrect the dead... and we shall drink at your fountain!""