(c) 2026 Ignored Yeti

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No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of the author, except for brief quotations used in reviews or scholarly works.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events, locations, or organizations is purely coincidental. The characters, names, incidents, and dialogue are products of the author’s imagination and are not intended to represent or depict real individuals.

The Needmore Festival

The Last Normal Friday

Have you ever had a dream so vivid you could not tell where sleep ended and life began? I have asked myself that question every day since my last sales call—the one that unraveled my ordinary life and replaced it with an unending search.

I work—or worked—for a New York advertising firm, the youngest, to become a sales representative.

My life was tidy, ambitious, and predictable. Fridays meant chatter about weekend plans, deadlines wrapped up by noon, and the illusion that we controlled our futures. That Friday promised perfect weather and a long-anticipated date with Karen: beach, dinner, maybe something more. It was the sort of normal happiness you don’t realize you’ll miss until it’s gone.

My boss’s voice cut through the bullpen like a judge’s gavel. "John. My office. Now.” His tone told me everything before he spoke another word. He stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back. "I need you in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas. Monday.” Arkansas. I laughed, certain it was a joke, until I saw his face. He explained: BeWell Pharmacy, a long-pursued client, is ready to close. They wanted someone on site. Me. If I succeeded, there would be a bonus—and two weeks in Hawaii.

Back Roads and Bad Choices

I agreed, though part of me wondered why he wasn’t going himself. Judith, our secretary had already made reservations to get me to Nashville on Saturday, then I would have to drive the rest of the way. I called Karen, explaining the Boss’s command and promising the possibility of two weeks in Hawaii. She was onboard.

That weekend unfolded smoothly at first. Nashville was vibrant and indulgent, the Gaylord Hotel a world unto itself. I stayed up too late, slept too little, and began Sunday with a long drive planned through back roads and forgotten towns. I liked back roads. They hid surprises.

Stopping at a diner for lunch, I had the best coconut pie. I could not resist two slices. By mid-afternoon, somewhere between Missouri and Arkansas, drowsiness overtook me. I pulled into a roadside park and slept longer than planned. When I woke, a handwritten notice in the restroom caught my eye.

NEEDMORE FESTIVAL

Food. Fun. Games. Mystery. One mile south, turn at the first right, follow the signs.

The Valley That Shouldn’t Exist

I should have ignored it. Instead, curiosity—my oldest weakness—steered me down a narrow one-way road flanked by towering pines and impossible boulders. The festival lay in a valley like a secret the world had forgotten. Small tents, trailers, a Big Top all lay before me.

Pulling up to a small parking area. A bearded man demanded my keys, mumbling something about parking my car. I was very hesitate in giving, them up, we stared at each other. The next thing I knew, I was giving him the keys, he gave me a ticket with some numbers on it. I then followed the sound of bluegrass music into a place that felt older than it should have been.

Ahead lay a dirt lane, on the left was a number of large trailers, to the right was various tents and a Big Top tent. One large trailer had a sign saying, “WEE WILLIES EMPORIUM”. I started toward the Emporium, when I notice a sign, ROOMS – Stay the night and enjoy the festivities. Why not, I had the time, and it might be fun.

Lavinia

The sign pointed toward a nearby trailer. Suddenly as if from out of nowhere, the bearded guy was at my side. "Thinking of getting a room”? startled I replied “yes”. Give me your parking ticket and I will get your bag. Not sure why I trusted him, it was also strange, how fast he got back with my bag. I offered him a 10, but he refused to take it.

I headed into the trailer. That was where I first saw Lavinia. She sat behind a registration counter in a faded trailer marked OFFICE, her name was on a pin, attached to her blouse, her presence arresting in a way I still struggle to describe. Her eyes were green shot with gold, her skin flawless, and the strangest thing was her head was shaved and covered in intricate tattoos that seemed to shift when I stared too long. When she spoke my name—though I hadn’t given it—I felt something inside me yield.

The next thing I know I was getting a room. I told myself it was practical. To say that I was enchanted with Lavinia, is an understatement, she was the most exquisite creature I have ever seen. Smiling she gave me a key to room number 7. “The bathrooms and showers are at the end of the hall, if you like I can show you around the festival”? My heart skipped several beats, “That would be great, how about 7:00pm”. Touching my hand, “it’s a date”.

I headed to my room, setting on the bed thinking, what is going on, I could not clear my mind of the thought of her. It was 5:30, I would take a shower and try and get a little rest before my time with Lavenia. What followed blurred the line between choice and enchantment.

Enchantment

After my quick shower, I returned to my room. I pulled the blinds and lay down in bed, planning on get an hour's sleep. Some time passed, when I heard the door open, in the dim light I could see a figure in the doorway. It was a naked Lavinia.

I will not go into any details about happened over the next 30 minutes, but to say the tattoos on her head go all the way down her back. When she got up to leave, she kissed me and slipped out the door, “see you at seven”, I heard her say as the door closed.

At this point, I was in totally bewilderment! It was as if, I was enchanted, such a charming and tender girl just came into my room, without me even asking her. I was not yet aware of the spell she had over me, but I soon would. I took another quick shower and a few minutes before seven, I headed towards the lobby area not really expecting her to be there. When I walked into the lobby, I almost did not recognize her, she was wearing a coal-black wig, the hair flowed down to her waist. She was ravishing.

Wee Willie

When she saw me, she hurried to embrace me and give me a kiss, she clasp my hand and led me out the door. “Where are we going”. I ask. “Wee Willies, are you Hungary”? She replied. “I was starving”.

Strange, as we entered Wee Willies, it seemed larger on the inside than the outside. There were counters filled with desserts, candy, donuts, cookies, pie and other exotic looking treats. One corner of the building had a soda bar; guests were having ice cream and milkshakes. A long counter had hot food, hot dogs, hamburgers, and various other sandwiches. In the center of the room on an 8-foot-tall stool set a peculiar-looking man with a full beard and a bald head, covered in tattoos, much like Lavinia.

He looked to be only about four feet in stature. He sounded like a carnival barker, directing people to the various food stations. His high-pitched voice could be heard throughout the building. "So that is Wee Willie, I presume”, she replied, “He is also my father”.

A jolt of fear ran through my body, the last person I wanted to meet was her father, after what had just happened. Wee Willie presided like a king in miniature. I sensed danger in him, something hungry beneath the laughter, but Lavinia’s presence eclipsed everything else.

We grabbed Cherry Berry pie, burgers, and drinks and checked out. I tried to pay, but the cashier just waved us on. We ate our dinner on tables outside the Emporium. Lavinia guided me through the festival that evening: games, music, and a small circus in the big top.

Time moved differently there. We talked, we laughed, and somehow it felt as though we had always known each other. When she asked if I would stay with her, the question struck deeper than romance. It felt like destiny disguised as affection. I should have felt total shock, but somehow it seemed the natural thing to do.

It was only around midnight, when suddenly I felt extremely tired. Lavinia , guided me back to my room. I wondered if she would stay, but I instantly fell asleep that night, believing happiness had finally found me.

Confusion

I woke restrained and confused, surrounded by cots and tubes and the copper smell of blood. I could see that I was not the only one restrained, cots were everywhere, bags hung from hooks next to each bed, with tubes running into the arms of the guests. Wee Willie stood over me, no longer a performer but an executioner. In a deep baritone voice, totally unlike his barker voice, he calmly explained that the festival existed for a single purpose: survival.

Needmore was a way of getting blood from us but for what purpose. Dubiously I said, “What are you vampires”? “That is such a vulgar term, our ancestors, were often called that, but we have progressed beyond neck biting”. He replied.

"Where is Lavinia”? Wee Willie’s determiner changed instantly, hatred was clear in his bright green eyes. “The minds of your fellow guests will be erased, and they will be returned to various locations, they will remember nothing of this night”.

The Curse

But your curse will be, that you will forever remember your, desire for my daughter, but under no circumstances see her again. And if she is pregnant from this night, you will never see your child, every minute of the day, you will be tormented by her memory”.

"Why are you doing this”! “My daughter was to take one of our clan, as a husband and no one else. But for some reason, she chose you”. I will not punish her, but I will punish you with your memory, for taking her”.

Before I could reply, Lavinia was at my side, she kissed me and whispered in my ear, “Never give up, find me, I love you, I will help”. Willie grabbed her and jerked her away. I did everything to try and break free. I would remember Lavinia. I would remember love. Would I ever see her again?

When I woke, I was alone in my car at the rest stop. The festival was gone. The road empty. But the proof remained: a needle mark on my arm, a lipstick kiss on my cheek, and a longing that hollowed my chest.

The Search Begins

I closed the BeWell deal the next day on pure instinct. I resigned a week later.  I broke it off with Karen, which did not go well, until I gave her the two weeks in Hawaii. 

I then sold everything I owned and bought an RV. 

Now I travel. I search. Because, if Lavinia still lives, I will find her.

If you ever see a sign for a Needmore Festival, do not stop, but Run.

And please email me at findneedmore@gmail.com.

John

Its been Six months since the nightmare begin.

I read my emails daily; there is a lot of encouragement and a lot of unbelief. But my loyal followers have formed a group and are active in search for Needmore Festivals. 

Sometimes while traveling, I feel like a signal flaring briefly in my mind. I follow it when I can. I endure the nights when sleep refuses me and the curse presses hardest.

I can only hope these feelings are real and she is trying to help me find her. Maybe I won’t need to find a Needmore Festival after all.

Twenty four months have passed, since I lost my Lavinia.

Over the past two years, I have received numerous emails—quiet whispers scattered across the country—reporting that a Needmore Festival had taken place here, then there, in states too far away to reach in a single day’s drive.

Still, they encouraged me. The Clan still needed blood. That meant hope. One day, one of them would be close enough. Over a month passed, then within the span of a single week, two Needmore messages arrived from Florida.

I was driving south on I-95 through North Carolina heading to Florida, when the thought of Lavinia flooded my mind so suddenly, I nearly ran off the road. There was no doubt—she was near. Not long after, three large RVs passed me, heading north. As they went by, I felt it—no, heard it—like a whisper brushing the back of my thoughts.

"Follow me."

At the next crossover, illegal or not, I made a hard U-turn and followed them. I kept my distance, mile after mile, careful not to be seen. Somehow, deep in my soul, I knew she was in one of those RVs. Thirteen months of searching, and now I was so close my vision blurred with tears. After nearly an hour they slowed. A rest stop loomed ahead. They pulled into the truckers’ lot. I followed, parking where I could see the lead RV without being obvious.

I watched.

A sudden wave of nausea overtook me. The pressure in my skull returned, the same voice pushing forward again.

"I am here."

I hardly breathed, the though slipped through my mind like a breeze. Could she really be here? I wanted to jump out and rush the RV, throwing all caution to the wind, to get to her, but realizing the foolishness of this.

I waited.

The RV door opened. Three people I didn’t recognize stepped out and headed toward the restroom building. Then a girl with short red hair emerged, carrying a bundle. She walked around as, if stretching her legs, others left he RV and I could see her speaking to them.

She slowly headed my way. At first my eyes didn’t believe it. But my heart did. Although her hair was different, I knew even after thirteen months, it was, Lavinia.

I started the engine and rolled forward. She reached the RV just as I stopped, jumped inside, and shouted, “GO. NOW.”

I didn’t ask questions. I drove.

We merged onto I-95 heading north, then cut back south at the next crossover. Minutes later we passed the other RVs. They were coming after us. At the next exit I turned east. Only then did she reach over and place her hand on mine.

"You found me,” she said.

She lifted the bundle. “This is your son.” I couldn’t speak.

We stopped briefly at a Dollar Store for supplies. I held and hugged, the toddler for the first time in the parking lot. His green eyes shone brightly, he looked like his mother. "What’s his name?” I asked. “Johannes,” she said softly. “After you. John.” I replied. “God is gracious”

Wide-eyed, restless, already curious about the world. He wanted down immediately, eager to explore the RV that would now be his home.

When I finally kissed her again—after two years—it was so much sweeter than the memory.

On the Run

We are on the run now. We never stay more than three nights in one place. Lavinia isn’t sure how far her father’s power can reach. Somehow our closeness and love, increased each day, Lavinia turned out to be a great cook and often makes dishes from strange places, around the world. Finances are holding out for now, but someday, if we ever feel safe, I might have to get a job.

Lavinia still needs blood—about every four months. I give it freely. Joyfully.

Johannes is thriving. We have so much fun with him, he is quite a handful and is fascinated with dogs. Maybe someday, we could get him one. We hope he won’t need blood, she hasn’t said whether that hope is realistic.

Lavinia tells me stories about her Clan, her life, her past. I write them down in my journal. Maybe one day I’ll share them—if it’s safe.

We know that someday we will have to face Wee Willie. Maybe time, will heal his hate for me. Lavinia says he is over three hundred years old, the leader of the oldest vampire clan. I haven’t asked her age. I don’t need to. She will tell me when it’s time.

There was only one question I couldn’t silence.

Why me"?

One night, lying beside her, before I could speak, she answered. "My name is ancient,” she said. “From Roman times. All the first born girls, in my family are named Lavinia.

We have… certain abilities.” She smiled faintly.

With my heightened senses, "Before you ever came this way, I saw you clearly in my dreams, I knew your name and even then, felt the strong bond of love, between us. I knew we would have a child; I saw his name clearly in my mind, so I drew you to me. It was our destiny”.

She turned toward me. “One day my father will have to accept this.”

Then, sensing my next thought, she added quietly, “My mother died 25 years ago in France. I miss her every day.” "I’m so sorry,” I said.

She rested her hand over my heart, as she snuggled close. I fell asleep that night with love in my chest, my son breathing softly nearby, and a rare peace in my mind. Still, sometimes—just before dawn—I wake with the strangest feeling. As if someone, somewhere, already knows exactly where we are.

John, Lavinia and Johannes

Note: For my friends on my email, I will answer questions when I can, of course our location at all times must be guarded.

Birthday Time

Over time, the feeling someone knows, always where are, has faded. But we are always vigilant. The thought of Wee Willie finding us is haunting.

Johannes’s birthday was this week he is now two years old. We had a splendid party, with cake and ice cream, we invited some of the fellow campers' children, he had a great time. You should have seen face when he opened a big box, with an 11-week-old Coton de Tulear inside. They are inseparable. Much like Lavenia and I, and for whatever reason for our bonding, I feel there is a motive, we have not yet discovered. Maybe one day it will become clear.

Traveling with the family has been very exhilarating. Lavinia still answers questions, before I can ask them, which is unnerving. I have to closely watch Johannes; he is very intelligent and has an endless stream of questions. 

He scares me sometimes. I almost fainted, when I caught, him reading a book. 

Lavinia dreams of having another baby, she is fertile, for one week ever year. We are working hard to fulfill her dream, I hope for her, it will be a girl.

My worry about money, ended up being totally unfounded. Lavinia, as a member of the royal family, has more money than we would ever need, in her account. We will not access it, unless absolutely necessary. We are afraid it might, somehow reveal our general location. I am thankful, when I started my search, that I took my investments in cash.

From my Journal section 1:

“Lavinia told me many things about her Clan of Vampires. At one time they totaled over fifteen thousand, worldwide. But their numbers have dwindled over the years. Do to being hunted and killed, or refusing to drink the blood. The oldest is over 1523 years old and lives in Lithuania. Centuries ago, in the country of San Marino, a nomad stumbled onto a cave. There he found a gold and silver chest. After much effort he was able to break the chest open. A vile inside broke, the chamber was filled with a blue gas. He did not know how long he lay, but when he came to, he took the broken chest and the remaining contents with him.

He traveled back to his people, but became very sick, his sickness affected his entire Clan. Months later, many of them started to die, they could find no relief. Too sick to even cook, they started to eat raw meat, they were surprised to find it seemed to ease their illness. As it turned out, it was not the meat but the blood that substantiated them. Also in the chest was a scroll, with strange markings. The markings are displayed in our tattoos and brings us power. But we are forever cursed, by the vile, into having blood to sustain us. They discovered, human blood worked the best to suppress the sickness. For centuries, we have tried to learn who left the chest and the meaning of the Symbols and a way to be healed from the curse.”

                                                        <<<<>>>>

A few months later while reading my email account, a Needmore Festival notice was found, it was only fifteen miles away. Panic overcome me. I rushed out the RV door, “I shouted Lavenia! Lavenia!”

I am right here; you don’t have to shout.

"A festival sign was spotted only 15 miles away." Although she remained calm, I could sense the panic in her. She could not discern him being close. This scared her even more. "Maybe, your father was not with the festival!" I replied. Lavinia said, “I have never known him not to be there.”

We grabbed the baby and Barefote the dog. (that’s what Johannes calls her, because she has no shoes. We are not sure we will keep that name.)

We all got into the RV, trying not to scare Johannes. He seemed to know something was up, “Daddy, why are we leaving so fast?” I left it up to Lavenia to explain. We were at the Walnut Creek campground near Omaha Nebraska. We headed west to I80, we passed several RVs, but she did not recognize any of them. She still had no perception, of her father. We then headed southwest, keeping a consent watch for anyone following us.

Was she losing her ability to detect him? Maybe he could not detect her either. But, after we calmed down, we determined it was more likely, he just was not there.

Just to make sure we drove, over various roads for the next ten hours. Stopping a few times, for a break, once to get Johannes some ice cream. And each time, walk Barefote.

The next month we went fast, one day I reluctantly left the campground for a 10-minute walk to a store for some supplies. When I returned, Lavinia was acting so strange, I could not figure out what she was up to. When I stepped into the RV there was a larger banner. It read; I am pregnant.

We hugged and kissed for what seem like an hour. She was so happy.

We had our second child, and it was indeed a girl. Lavinia never had doubt that it would be, I guess it was just one of those things her abilities reveled. Of course, being the first girl, her name was Lavinia, this was going to make, for a confusing home.

So, we nicked named her Lavender, it fit her disposition. She so much like her mother, a beautiful and kind child. It was apparent from a baby she too, was very intelligent, we could see it in her green eyes, and her inquisitive mind. The children played so well together, they both had so much fun with Barefote. Who was always into everything.

Caught

For six months we lived, in apprehension, moving from campground to campground, trying to find as remote locations as possible. Then one day, out of the blue, Lavinia got the sensation that Willie was probing for her. She tried to dismiss this feeling, but it persisted, getting stronger by the minute.

John, “I think we need to go.” As a precaution, we got everyone into the RV, the kids and the dog. I had just left the campground, turning onto the highway, when a large RV approached.

“It’s Him”

I drove as fast as I could, throwing caution to the wind, I knew they still had to turn around, but it was at least eight miles to the nearest turnoff.

After a chase of nearly five miles, driving way to recklessly. I finally decided this was crazy, my beloved family was way too important.

I slowed down, and signaled I was going to stop, there was empty field ahead, I slowed down and pulled in.

Lavinia said, “Please No, John”, I replied, “I can’t have anything happen to you or the children”, I will have to face your father.

We left the RV, and turned to face Wee Willie, I don’t believe I have ever seen so much hatred on someone's face, as I did on Willie. He was almost foaming at the mouth.

He approached, with three others to within 10 feet. I can tell you at his point, I was scarred. I was not exactly sure how much power a Vampire had.

Lavinia said “Father, your grandchildren are present”, hoping to disarm him. I thought I saw his face slacken slightly. “I warned you, about seeing my daughter”, you will pay for this.

Lavinia said, “Father the children don’t need blood”. I could see a change in him, as he processed this fact. “You, are sure”, “Yes, we are sure, no blood, no sickness." I replied,

“Father, they are very healthy”.

He stood perfectly still; we held our breath. When it became apparent to him, that this might be a way after centuries to break the curse, his whole appearance, changed, a calmness came over him. He even smiled at his grandchildren.

Willie had the clan doctors, yes, they had doctors, examine the children, they could find no virus from the vile, in their bodies. Everyone felt relief, but time will tell, if this continues to hold true.

We sold the RV, and moved into a house, with lots of rooms. Willie often stops by to bring the children gifts. 

 The love is mutual between them. He brought Barefote, a friend as well, the kids named him Willie.  Grandfather thought this was amusing.

 We now have eight dogs, Barefote had puppies, they are so cute, we don’t even mind when they mess on the floor. 

 Our home will never be the same, but is blessed with contentment.

It has been 22 years, since our first meeting, I can hardly believe it.

A lot, has happened in 22 years. We are happier than ever, we now have ten children, we moved to a  home on a private estate.

We allowed, Johannes to married a lovely, charming girl, at first, I was not happy she was a clan member, but I quickly got over it. They are very happy and have one child. I am pleased, that he is currently a brilliant med student. Lavender is as beautiful as her mother and is attending college in France. She constantly asks about getting the tattoos, I am against it, but Lavinia remains silent on the matter.

The other children, Auleria, Eliana, Ariana and Camilla are the girls. The boys are Gavin, Marcus, Kyle and Colton. Live at home and keep us extremely busy. Every day is a new adventure.

As a clan tradition, the children are home schooled, this makes for a hectic household, fortunately we have a live in teacher. All the children are smart and are forever giving the staff and their teacher a hard time. Like other children they love all kinds of outdoor activities, and they are always reading everything they can get their hands on. The girls are learning to cook from their mother, they are doing quite well. So far, I can still beat them all in Pickleball, but it's getting close.

Our prayers have been answered, after all these years, none of our children or Johannes's child need blood. It is very likely that these children will be the end of the curse. They will all be watched and the hope is, they will marry clan members and have many children.

I didn’t think Wee Willie could ever accept me, but he has come around. He adores the family. We have trouble getting rid of him at times.

Once I said, “If you see a Needmore Festival to run.” I have since changed my mind, they are not evil, but just like us, they are trying to survive.

Over the years, I have aged, but Lavinia is still the same ravishing beauty I first met, I love her so much.

Clan doctors, say, they can extend my life by giving me their blood.

Lavinia wants me to do this. I would in affect become a Vampire!

I have not yet decided. But if you go to a Needmore Festival and I hope you will. 

Ask for John, if you find me there.

You will know my decision.

The Family

Note: I will now end my correspondence on email to my dear friends.

Have many happy days ahead.

Thank you for your kindness and help over the years.