Mortal's Turn
an excerpt

Do I wear sunglasses when the sun is up? Yes, I have them specially made so I can see. Can I sense a human heartbeat? Yes, but I can also sense animals as well. I know that sounds silly but I do not think it is. I sense all forms of life. I can smell them. Humans have different scents to me, depending on what they eat. Jillian eats many organic foods and rice dishes. She does not reek of red meat like so many others do. She does not eat too much meat, so she does not stink of it. Can I be killed by a stake through the heart? Not really. My body heals itself very easily. I just pull the stake out – all it really does to me is to make me angry.
Silver bullets? Not me. That is a werewolf and I have never met one of those. I am not even sure that I can die anymore. Once, I was lit on fire and I survived. I do not even bear the scars of that occasion. Do I sleep in a coffin in a dungeon somewhere or a castle? No. I have my own house and I sleep in a bed, just like most people I know do. Am I the only immortal in this area? No, but the ones that are here are neophytes at best. They are young. Many are less than 60 years old. They were made when they were overseas in WWII.
Me? I served in the Civil War on the side of the Union, I served in WWII in the Army as an Optician. I was at Panama and in Viet Nam for the Tet Offensive. I have served many other countries in different wars and for different reasons. I have never been one to turn away from duty. What have I found the hardest? Watching this mortal woman from afar has been the hardest thing. Having to see her go through hell in the hospital has been bad.