In the fifth story in Mimi Mondal’s fictional “Blood Ties” short stories series, created for the Interdependence issue of our #SpiralMagazine, we look back at the history of Briarwood with “Vanessa.” In Vanessa’s story, memory, loss, and justice echo through generations, reminding us that the past never disappears—it just weaves itself into the present. But Vanessa knows better. Why are these "vampires" back? Read “Vanessa” on our website in #Spiral: therubin.org/creativewriting “Blood Ties” was created for our 2025 #SpiralMagazine issue, which is centered on the Buddhist concept of Interdependence. 📚 🎨 Artwork by Sargam Gupta stopthisgupta