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A Love Not Forgotten
Chapter Four: A Dangerous Encounter
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"Danger is everywhere,
whether it is right in your face
or lurking steadily behind in the shadows."
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I sit here now, reminiscing on memories now long forgotten. Left in my mind, so forcibly forgotten, so thickly covered in dust, so cold and empty. These were memories that were once warm, thickly coated in love not dust, these memories were once cherished not once did I think that I would have to sit here, and force each memory to be forgotten, and never did I think I would have to lay each to rest. But why now? The answer my friend, is that a hole in a man's heart can only grow so large before he closes off it's source. Though I do believe that this hole has fed far too long on forgotten yet deeply cherished memories and must be closed. No matter how much pain this brings, my heart must have it's peace. Never shall I be forced through this agony again.
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* ~ Flashback ~*
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Angela glanced up at me and smiled, hiding her previously saddened look. I returned her smile with a ghost of my own playing quietly upon my lips. As I turned to leave our very humble abode, I noticed her shrinking farther down into my shirt, stretching it farther than a shirt was supposed to be stretched. Her hips lay partially exposed to my eyes, causing me to make a mental note of bringing her back some other form of clothing. She huddled deeper into the corner as I made my way out into the painfully snow covered world of the Teregmont Forest.
"Just promise me you'll be careful." Her whisper barely made it up to my ears, yet I understood it well. I nodded in reply even though I knew I wasn't meant to hear her words. My mist form cloaked my body as I walked stealthily away from the cavern, tracks were left of course, no spell was ever perfect. I felt the chill even though it meant absolutely nothing to my undead body. I was still young in my unlife however, and still felt and experienced some of the mortal weaknesses. One of them I wouldn't quite call a weakness.....
I crept along the shadows in search of my prey. The forest was looking rather devoid of life as I walked among the swamp, it's putrid waters stinging my undead flesh. I was beginning to see that Teregmont was desolate of any "normal" living creature. Just look to the one that calls it home.... My search for nourishment in Teregmont was becoming nearly futile from the burns upon my flash and fruitless as my hunger continued to grow. It was then I came upon the realization that I would have to leave the forest in search of my meal.
My mind then drifted to the safety of Angela, who more than likely was still crouching in the corner of the cave. The cave itself was surrounded by a swamp which would keep most vampiric predators out, but what if......She does pack quite a hit. I quickly dismissed those mind plaguing thoughts as I reached the boundary of the Teregmont Forest.
As I ventured light heartedly away from the boundary I began to pick up the scents and sounds of my human prey. I heard their whispers, and I smelled their blood warm, fresh, and flowing through their veins. It was my only hope that they were travelers, for their sheer numbers were enough to bring me to my knees otherwise. Slowly and silently I took pursuit, avoiding twigs and branches that otherwise would've given me away to the supposed travelers. As I drew closer I could see the flames of their torches dancing in the night. If every person in that party were carrying a torch that would make twenty in all. Though I knew I wouldn't be that lucky.
As I looked closer I began to notice that the firelight was reflecting off of something. Stealthily I moved in a little closer so I could see what the light was flickering across and much to my dismay each one of the torch bearers were not only covered from head to toe in armor, but were Sarafan as well. I slowly drew back sinking deeply into the nearby shadows when suddenly a bloodlust like I've never known destroyed all hope of rational thought. All that I cared about now was that I got a good dose of the only liquid that could sate my thirst.
While still in my mist form and with the bloodlust ruling my thoughts I continued to track the Sarafan I followed the border of the forest for hours as they marched on. With the bloodlust getting stronger with every passing moment my impatience to strike grew but eventually I was rewarded when they stopped to make their camp. Now was my time to strike...
Forty were in the party, and that was far more than an evolved vampire could take on let alone a vampire that had only possessed his unlife for a few weeks. My mind even in it's bloodlust filled state fought my stomach in an inner conflict however, when my stomach let loose a low growl the conflict was solved. A meal is a meal after all.... I began to creep slowly from my position within in the darkness to the edge of their camp. With their numbers so large I would have to wait until one of them became isolated from the rest of the group.
As I waited silently I hear the rustling of leaves and the snapping of twigs behind me. I turned quickly catching my opponent's sword between my hands. Holding it firmly I kicked out and tripped him leaving me with both the advantage and the sword. It was quickly becoming apparent that one of the Sarafan had spotted me upon returning to camp. I was lucky that I was far enough away that the other Sarafan couldn't hear my current engagement...unless of course someone were to yell. Pathetically, he continued to attack me even though I was slowly slashing him to ribbons. Finally I landed him on his knees however as luck would have it, before I could sever his head from his body he uttered one long howl.
Within moments of the howl the entire camp was in a commotion and......at arms. I opted for retreat but my mind still clouded by the bloodlust opted that I stay and it won. Hurriedly I drained as much blood as I could from my victim but, before I could get my fill I was surrounded by the worthless pests. Still holding my ground even with my bloodlust slightly ebbed I raised the bloodied sword in preparation to fight.
The first attacked me from the front, slashing at my exposed chest. I hissed and swerved to the right, landing behind him and snapping his neck. He fell to the ground with a thud, his eyes staring at something unknown. The next two surrounded me both attacking at the same time as if I were merely fighting one opponent with a mirror behind me. I flipped from the center and watched as their next attack sliced both mirror and warrior in half. In the moment afterward I was rushed by the remaining Sarafan. As I tried to fight my way out I was sliced by blades of all kinds. My flesh tried to heal the wounds as quickly as they were dealt, sometimes healing with the blade partially inside only to be ripped out again. There was blood all around me though it was all my own. The blood loss was getting to me as I vainly tried to counter their attacks. My movements were getting slower and more sluggish as my body felt the need to fall to the ground and give up.
Inevitably I fell though I vainly tried to rise. I fell again and again to their numerous blows. As the blows continued to rain upon me I fell and did not rise. It was then I heard a scream and then mercifully, all went dark.
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* ~ End Flashback ~*
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I lay still as the blood leaked from my body. My eyes flickered open briefly only to see Angela's visage close to mine saying something. Even though I couldn't hear what she was saying her words were comforting and soothing and all I needed to close my eyes once again to rest. Her words though I can no longer hear them spoken are still my comfort though instead of bringing rest they usually end it abruptly.
Angela, my dearest I only wish that you can forgive me for forcing myself to forget. You are my heart and it is my only wish that you know. Do not forget love, that though undead you continue to hold my heart.
Chapter Notes:
To all of you that have been waiting for this chapter I apologize for the lateness. Life hasn't really allowed me to write but now I hope tohave at least one chapter per month written. I know it isn't much but it's far better than waiting over six months for a chapter. -_- And once again please forgive me and please R&R.