LAMPIRE - TIMELINE #29110482

(Timeline Tuesday #24)

Lampires are a breed of land-dwelling crustacean that use deception and patience to feed upon their unsuspecting prey. These creatures range widely in size and basic shape, although the general features of their body, such as tail, mouth and abdomen, remain static. Lampires resemble a standard lamp that one might find in homes or offices across this timeline.

It is difficult to notice a hidden lampire, even upon close inspection, but there are two distinct giveaways for those who know what to look for. First, the neck of a lampire features nine eyes that circle the creature completely. These eyes remain closed when a presence is detected near the creature, appearing to be some kind of ornate construction pattern. Next giveaway are the teeth of the lampire, which encircle the rim of their thin-skinned “shade”. Although these incisors can retract at will, they are never fully hidden. Ironically, the lampire does not use these teeth to feed, only for self-defense.

Lampires creep into large houses, preferably a place with ample square footage and lots of furniture for the creatures to blend in. In smaller homes, a new lamp will quickly be noticed, but in larger habitats lampires have a better chance of blending in with their scenery.

Once inside, lampires will wait for their victims to fall asleep. At this point, the creature will shuffle to the bedside of their prey and use an appendage at their base to suck the blood of their target. This appendage appears to be an electrical cord at first glance, but in actuality the double prongs serve as sharped fangs. Lampires secrete a numbing agent, which keeps their victims from awakening during the feeding process. Typically, these creatures will only feed once a week.

Because lampires live on warm blood, it is never their intention to kill a target. They will only feed on creatures large enough to sustain the blood loss.

This species can remain unnoticed in a household for years. Often, they are only discovered with the crustacean is knocked over and their carapace shatters to reveal crimson liquid inside.