Tap, tap, tap, the light noise at the window slowly awakened me. For so many nights after Quincey left I lay awake in my room and listened for even the slightest noise. Every scratch, every bump caused my body to jump in fear of it being John's return, while still some small corner of my heart held onto the hope that any small noise in the night was Quincey returning to me. After awhile my body accustomed itself to ignore the noises, and join back into the mundane life at the hospital. No one ever spoke of the horror that surrounded myself and Becky Morrow. But the sisters now acted differently around me; courteous, but wary. As if there was some darker secret about me; if only they knew.
The fear of the dark; the night had not let up any. I ventured out only to the Edwards' and only or private suppers to dote on beautiful Grace, never again for social events.
Tap, tap, tap. Fully awake the noise was just as real as in my sleep filled head. I reached for my robe and pulled it tightly around my gown. One hand holding securely to the crucifix tucked under the collar at my neck. My feet moved towards the window, as my head screamed mercilessly for them to stop. But truly what monsters were left to see in wake, that I have not been haunted a million times over by in my nightmares? I held the candle up to the window, the light flickering violently in my trembling hand. Nothing. My eyes carefully skimmed the grounds and above in the moonlit sky, not so much as a shadow to attest to the tapping. As I turned to go back to my bed something brushed across my window, not a tap, but a rubbing; flesh dragging across the chilled glass. My breath stalled in my chest.
"Mary. Mary."
Certainly my ears were not failing me; I heard my name whispered from the bitter darkness.
"Mary."
"What?"
My voice squeaked out as a desperate plea. My heart was painfully caught between utter fear and hopeful reunion. I continued to stare intently at the window; waiting for more. My mind so focused that the noise of sudden knocking from the front door forced a startled scream from my throat. The knock came again, impatiently. My hand gripped firmly around the silver candlestick, as I scavenged through the small drawer in my bedside table for my small bottle of protection. Such a small token of reassurance considering the immense fear now pounding through me. But if it were truly my long lost fiancé; my tormentor, it was certainly better to at last face him than continue to live in the numbing fear of his return. Surely his causing my separation from Quincey Harker was the greatest pain he could ever force me to endure.
My feet moved startlingly swift down the stairs. Memories of standing with my love, fighting John and Rebecca, renewed a surge of determination and strength within me.
I called out to the door, "Who is there? What do you want?"
No answer. I called out again, this time slight annoyance tainted the words, "Who is there?"
"Mary."
The familiar voice was a quiet hush, but my heart fluttered to life in reaction to it.
"Quincey!"
I unbolted the locks and flung the door open.
There he was, standing in front of me; tall, handsome and glowing of vitality. I pushed back the thought of what gave him that brilliant vigor. For all that mattered at this moment was the relief; the love I saw flooding his deep brown eyes.
"I apologize for frightening you. I didn't want to alert anyone, I was almost seen." He paused and stared at me, burning my eyes with his intensity, "Oh my Mary!"
His words sent my heart soaring.
"Come in please."
I tried to keep my composure, but the elation in my voice easily gave me away.
He stepped over the threshold and wasted not a moment reaching his hand to my flushed face. I did not flinch at all at his strong, hurried touch; I fell into it, taking a step closer to his tall body. His hand dropped from my face as his arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me into him. His smell was more lovely and intoxicating than I remembered. Looking up at his face I saw him evaluating me in the same manner; burying his head into my hair and then letting his eyes close with a deep inhale.
"Oh how I've missed you dear Mary."
I was unable to speak equal confirmation, though it was the truth, I was too lost in the presence of him actually being here. Panic suddenly struck me, I stiffened in his arms.
"But why have you returned? Is it John?"
Even though Quincey Harker's presence enveloped me in undeniable security, despite what I'd seen of him; I knew he would never harm me, the thought of my evil, sadistic former love once again hunting us sent a shiver of fear down my spine.
"Yes. He is still here. He returns often to Purefleet; to watch you."
The knowledge sent my blood running ice cold.
"But I was always near; your vigilant guardian, I would never allow him to lay a finger on you."
I smiled up at my dark angel.
"However the last time that I came to guard you, I knew that I could no longer bear to watch from afar. I have missed you so very much; surely the greatest suffering I could ever endure."
He tucked a wild strand of yellow, sleep mussed hair behind my ear; letting his long, warm finger slowly linger on my cheek. My heart beat at a new furious pace. Certainly just our time apart has caused my desire to grow to such an alarming level. I allowed my eyes to wander to this strikingly handsome man standing in front of me. A look of pure love, tenderness emanated from his sharp face; no sign of the ravenous, inhuman monster I had once thought him.
"Oh I am so glad you have returned, but you do continue to feed?"
I braced myself for the answer.
"Yes my love. I must." His voice was hushed in honesty.
"But I am able to control it more and more each day. I have not taken an innocent since I left you a year ago."
"I do not understand."
His illuminating healthy glow and intimidating strength were most certainly attributes of recent indulgence on human blood.
"Animals?"
"Yes, some. I have, to some extent, cleared my conscience, by taking those who harms others; the murderers, rapists, kidnappers, the monsters of society, the ones that deserve such a fitting end.
I doubted my own humanity as this strangely made sense to me. The act of what he had to do to survive still repulsed me to the very core. However the unseen crimes that happened in the gutters, that were often turned a blind eye to by the police, finally being avenged didn't seem so terribly cruel and unjust. The truce he had finally seemed to make with his conscience shown on his face, he didn't look as internally tormented as he once had.
"Then you are here? To stay?"
"If you will have Miss Seward."
My mind considered the gossip; a handsome young officer keeping company alone with an unwed woman, in her own home. It was more than shameful, it was unheard of!
Quincey must have sensed my hesitance,
"I will stay in secret of course. Until the day we can live properly as man and wife."
My mind swam dizzily at his words. He laughed at my stupefied expression,
"Surely my sweet you didn't think me so improper as to come and stay in the home of a woman I do not intend to marry. My heart would never allow that."
The seriousness overtook his eyes; obviously his affection for me had grown just as mine had for him in our year apart.
"Nor would mine."
I looked into the face of a man whose face was once the source of all my nightmares. Now I felt nothing but love. He leaned his head down to me and let his lips brush against mine. I boldly pressed my lips against him in response. My body felt as if it was on fire as his mouth seared through me. Passion boiled inside. He pulled away; no longer the difficult restraint it was once for him with me or with his first love, Lily.
"First though, Mary we must prepare. John is coming."
