The Caretaker ~ a #ShortStory by Dan Klefstad #Vampire @danklefstad

A very intriguing short story which I believe the author has plans to develop into a novel. It was published in Crack The Spine Literary Magazine on February 1st 2017. I enjoyed reading The Caretaker very much, it’s a unique perspective on a vampire tale. To hear Dan read the quote below, check out the video clip.

“Dear Applicant, Congratulations. Out of hundreds of applications, yours stood out…..But, I must warn you: The more you read, the more my employer will consider you a threat if you decline our offer. If you have no intentions of taking the job, delete this message now before reading further.” 

Then…the final warning.  Do you want to devote your best years to an exacting employer who will pay more than handsomely for loyalty and secrecy, spending your retirement in wealth and luxury or settle for a mundane job, family and regular yearly holidays?

Daniel has been interviewing applicants for his job as he’s about to retire. The story is set out in the form of a letter to the successful applicant and it’s apparent from the start this is no ordinary job and certainly no ordinary employer. Daniel has been working for a vampire. He writes to the chosen applicant offering guidance and instruction on becoming a ‘Caretaker’, if the applicant passes the final hurdle of meeting his employer. If he doesn’t….well, it will probably all end there. Warnings are written about too, what to do, what not to do. Daniel goes on to give the applicant an idea of what to expect through his recollections and experiences, the sacrifices and price that has to be paid. 

I chose to read and review The Caretaker based on a manuscript supplied by the author/publisher.

About Dan Klefstad

Book Series editor at NPR station WNIJ. Author of Shepherd & the Professor, a book that’s part fictional memoir/part query letter: https://youtu.be/10cnd_tkZlI 

Dan lives and writes in DeKalb, Illinois, and Williams Bay, Wisconsin. 

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