Vampire Taxonomy by Meredith Woerner

forget the strange race of half-breed vampires who were born into this world (not created): the Dhampirs. Born from one human parent and one vampire, this group has been used to hunt vampires dating all the way back to original vampire folklore in Eastern Europe. 67
    The character Blade, who was turned into a Dhampir by Hollywood, 68 is one of the more famous half-breed vampires. He retains the powers of the vampire community but has not turned into a full-fledged bloodsucker. Many Dhampirs use their vampire side-given talents to fight injustice, evil, demons, or other vampires.
    The Dhampir possesses a lot of the same abilities and talents as a full vampire, such as super strength, speed, and long life (though often not immortal, most Dhampirs age extremely slowly). Most types also manage to avoid the more unpleasant aspects of the vampiric life and are able to go out into the sun and eat human food. Most important, some Dhampirs do not feel the urge to drink human blood, though this does not hold true for all types. These advantages, combined with their vigilante tendencies against their own kind, lead most full vampires to revile the Dhampir species.
Vampire or Psychotic?
    If you’re going to truly understand the twitchy world of Halfies, you must be aware of signs of mental imbalance as well. Not every seemingly unbalanced person is midtransformation. Like all things popular, there will always be those faking the fang, that is, pretending to be a vampire. But it’s important to be able to distinguish between a faker and someone who is truly bitten, as it could mean the difference between life and death for you and them.
    There are two classic and highly debated media examples of psychosis after vampire bite. The tragic story of Peter Loew in Vampire’s Kiss demonstrates the dilemma of determining whether someone is truly turning into a vampire or faking it. Testing for light sensitivity, fang buds, and eye flashes all help, but sometimes you have to factor in mental instability or you could end up accidentally staking a nonvampiric, deranged literary agent on the floor of his New York apartment.
    Another notable and highly debated case of vampire versus nut job is George Romero’s Martin . The fangless young boy (who claims to be over eighty years old) seems completely normal, until he sedates his victims and drinks their blood with the help of a razor blade. Romero leaves the question wide open as to whether Martin is a member of the undead or just a murderer.
    If there is doubt, stay away and call the authorities. Don’t be fooled into driving a wooden spike through the heart of some poor, deranged, un-undead soul, or you’re probably in for a murder charge.

WHAT TO DO IF APPROACHED
    Dealing with Halfies is difficult. They can easily play upon your sympathy with their tragic plight. But remember that they’re still dealing with an addiction, just as a full-fledged vampire is, so treat them with the same amount of care and caution as you would any other immortal. Chances are if approached by a Halfie you’re being sought after for either blood or help. However, don’t be lured into a hug or close contact; your warm skin could be too big a temptation to a struggling half-vamp. Do, however, volunteer to help them check out twenty-four-hour butcher shops, darker sunglasses, and a job or school that better suits their new nocturnal schedule. Helping a Halfie find peace with his new life reduces the possibilities for a hunger-spurred attack.
    HALFIE WARNING SIGNS
    • Lying: If you catch a Halfie in a lie, leave, immediately. You don’t know what else he is lying about.
    • New and obsessive interest in your loved ones: Look for constant pawing or cuddling around the neck of family members or friends. Leave, and take your family and friends with you.
    • Change in diet: Watch out if they’ve stopped eating their raw meat and pig blood.
    • Missing pets: Theirs, yours, or the neighbors’.
    • Discontinuing