“In the Vault” by H.P. Lovecraft, written in 1925, is a tale of horror that delves into the macabre consequences of disrespecting the dead. The story centers on George Birch, a negligent and callous undertaker in a small town. One day, Birch finds himself trapped in a burial vault with several recently interred coffins. In his desperate attempt to escape, he carelessly climbs over the coffins, disturbing the corpses within. As he finally breaks free, Birch realizes too late the ghastly retribution he has invoked—his leg bears the unmistakable marks of a vampire.