Locals terrified by midnight stains that look suspiciously like blood.
BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT – A shocking discovery has rocked this quiet New England town after residents reported mysterious crimson stains appearing on doorsteps, park benches, and sidewalks throughout the historic downtown district. What authorities initially feared was evidence of a violent predator stalking the streets has taken an even more disturbing turn – the perpetrator appears to be the world’s first documented vegan vampire, subsisting entirely on organic beet juice.
The bizarre case came to light three weeks ago when local resident Martha Higginbotham discovered what she believed to be pools of fresh blood outside her Victorian home on Elm Street. “I nearly fainted when I saw it,” Higginbotham told reporters. “There were these dark red droplets leading from my garden all the way to the old cemetery. I was convinced we had a serial killer on the loose.”
Similar reports flooded the Brattleboro Police Department throughout September, with over forty residents calling in sightings of the mysterious crimson substance. The stains appeared exclusively during overnight hours, often accompanied by reports of a pale, gaunt figure seen lurking near organic grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
The truth emerged when local paranormal investigator Dr. Cornelius Blackthorne was called in to examine the evidence. Using advanced spectral analysis equipment, Blackthorne made the startling discovery that would change everything. “The substance isn’t blood at all,” revealed Dr. Blackthorne, whose credentials include a doctorate in Supernatural Studies from the Transylvania Institute. “It’s concentrated beetroot juice – specifically, the expensive organic variety sold at health food stores. We’re dealing with something unprecedented in vampire lore.”
Security footage from Moonrise Natural Foods captured the creature in action last Tuesday night. The grainy black-and-white video shows a tall, impossibly thin figure dressed in a flowing black cape, methodically selecting the darkest, most nutrient-rich beets from the produce section. Store manager Kevin Walsh reported that exactly $47.83 worth of organic beets disappeared that night, along with a high-end juicing machine from the kitchen appliance aisle.
“This entity represents a complete evolution in vampire behavior,” Dr. Blackthorne explained. “Traditional vampires require human blood for survival, but this specimen has apparently adapted to modern dietary trends. The iron content in beet juice may provide similar benefits to hemoglobin, while the natural sugars could substitute for the life force typically gained from human victims.”
Local authorities remain baffled by the creature’s origins. Town historian Eleanor Pembridge discovered records dating back to 1847 referencing a “peculiar gentleman with dietary restrictions” who once resided in the same area. The mysterious figure allegedly vanished during the Irish Potato Famine, leading some to speculate that food scarcity may have forced this vampire to adapt its feeding habits centuries ago.
The health food industry is taking notice. Organic beet juice sales in Vermont have inexplicably surged 340% in recent weeks, prompting several major distributors to launch investigations into potential market manipulation by supernatural forces.
Residents remain on edge as the creature continues its nightly foraging expeditions. Local parent Jamie Morrison has organized neighborhood watch groups after her children discovered beet pulp scattered across their backyard swing set. “It’s terrifying knowing there’s some kind of health-conscious monster roaming our streets,” Morrison stated. “At least with regular vampires, you know what you’re dealing with.”
The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued an official statement classifying the entity as an “unknown cryptid species” and advising residents to secure all root vegetables during nighttime hours. Meanwhile, the creature remains at large, leaving its telltale crimson trail throughout Brattleboro’s increasingly nervous community.
The characters and events depicted in this story are entirely fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, or to actual events is unintentional and purely coincidental.
