A Milkshake at Midnight

[[intro] I found her in a diner where the neon flickered red, Like a heartbeat someone unplugged but it kept pulsing in its stead. She was pale as empty moonlight, stirring nothing in her cup, Said, “I used to drink the night itself… now it barely fills me up.” She smiled like she’d forgotten how, A crack in marble, soft somehow. Said, “I won’t take what isn’t freely given — I’m hungry, sweety, but I’m not that driven.” [chorus] So I bought her a milkshake at midnight, Strawberry swirling like a sunrise in reverse. She said, “I won’t bite you, sweety, Not a drop, it’s not a curse. I could be a monster if I wanted — But I’m tired of the thirst.” So we shared a milkshake at midnight, And she swore it quenched her first. She told me she remembers when the world left doors unlocked, When a stranger on your doorstep wasn’t something that left you shocked “Now everyone’s afraid,” she said, “of shadows they don’t know. I can’t cross a threshold anymore — no one tells me ‘come in,’ so…” “I sit here with the sleepless crowd, Where the jukebox hums too soft, too loud. I won’t drink blood without consent — I’d rather fade than circumvent, sweety.” So I bought her a milkshake at midnight, Chocolate this time, thick as winter in a glass. She said, “I could live forever, But these lonely nights don’t pass. I could be a nightmare if I wanted — But I’m done with that old mask.” So we shared a milkshake at midnight, Watching headlights ghosting past. [interlude] [bridge] She said, “Immortality’s a burden When you’re starving for a friend. I’ve seen centuries of cruelty — I won’t add to it again.” And the moonlight hit her tired eyes, Reflecting something almost warm. A creature built for darkness Trying hard to transform. So I bought her a milkshake at midnight, Vanilla swirling like forgiveness in the foam. She said, “I won’t bite you, sweety — I just needed somewhere to roam. I could be a terror if I wanted, But I’m choosing to atone.” So we shared a milkshake at midnight, And I walked her safely home. [outro] Now sometimes when the streetlights buzz, I swear I hear her sigh — A gentle, ancient hunger Learning how to pass me by. And I leave two straws on my doorstep In case she wanders by again… Because even monsters need a moment To feel human now and then.