Disclaimer: I did not, do not, nor never will own Vampire Hunter D or its
affiliates or anything of the kind. I repeat it is not mine. I am poor
and work at a grocery store so if some big company wants to sue me they
won't get much. So please do not sue me. I am just expressing how much I
like the character and the stories by writing my own little piece of
fanfiction.
Review response:
Kitala: I am glad you are still enjoying the story. I like to explore D's past so expect to see more trips down memory lane.
Lady Night Wind: Thanks for the review. Ha ha wash the symbiot's mouth out I like that.
The Color of Night
Chapter six: all around town
D headed down stairs still mentally grumbling about small towns and the symbiot. He spotted Clarra by the door and walked over. Clarra saw D emerge from the stairs and had to take a moment to take in his appearance. He may have seemed hansom in his normal attire but now with out the hat and cloak blocking the view one could really see how beautiful he was. D's long wavy hair flowed down his back and framed his face. The blue embroidery in the vest brought out his eyes. And the white shirt added a refreshing and less menacing appearance to the otherwise dark hunter. Even though the shirt was loose Clarra could still make out D's well muscled and lean figure. Clarra could tell that she was going to have her work cut out for her fending off the single females and some of the married ones from D.
"Ready to then. Yes I think those clothes will do much better." D only nodded.
"Ok then. Let's get going. Any idea of what you want to look at. Well I guess it doesn't really matter the towns not that big. It won't take long to show you where everything is." Clarra walked out the door with D following behind her. Milly ran up to the porch stopping in front of her mother.
"Where yall go' in?"
"For a walk around town."
"Can I come too?" Milly looked up at her mom pleadingly and then to D.
"I suppose so. Just remember D is our cousin." At that comment D squeezed his left hand just to be on the safe side, though he himself mentally grumbled. He wasn't used to all this undercover stuff. He would have preferred just to have everyone know he was a hunter but on the other hand in a small town like this it could cause a panic and he really wanted to get the drop on this vampire. But he supposed he could put up with it for a little while after all in a sense he has been undercover his whole life. He was in reality, though he didn't consider it that way anymore, living under an assumed name with a false identity. He hadn't thought of himself as anything other than a hunter in a long time. Though it may have started out as a way to mask himself from the world and to leave behind his old life, he was now truly just vampire hunter D and nothing more. He scowled mentally he was letting the symbiot's foolish rantings get to him. He had more important things to be thinking about. D turned his thoughts back to the present. Milly was again standing directly underneath him with her head craned back. The child was smiling up at him. There was something strange about the child D thought. Something he couldn't quite grasp but all too familiar. It was probably just that she was a damphire.
"All right let's get going." With that Clarra walked out and on to the street. D and Milly followed behind her. Clarra started walking up the street the way they had come the previous day. D looked carefully around. The area was not well protected a vampire could easily get to the house. He would have to keep a close eye on Clarra and Milly. As they walked up the street people stopped and waved or said hello to Clarra while staring at D. D really wished he had is hat and cloak. But Clarra seemed to be right everyone seemed to be expecting him. That Martha woman must have told the whole town of his presence. D was studying the buildings and the people when he felt something latch onto his right hand. He looked down to see Milly smiling up at him and holding his hand. D was puzzled by the child. But then again children often puzzled D. Unlike adults they were not scared off by what he was. Maybe because they didn't know any better. Some where frightened by his appearance after all the armor was intimidating, but never simply by the mention of what he was. That D supposed is why he liked children for in their naivety they looked past what someone was called to who they were. D continued to let Milly hold his hand as they walked.
Clarra who was walking on the other side of Milly noticed the actions of her daughter. Although D's facial expressions didn't change he didn't pull his hand away either. Clarra couldn't help but giggle at the oddity of the situation, Milly happily holding the hand of the fearsome hunter. Even though D seemed like a rigid warrior, underneath all that armor was a pretty decent guy. They continued to walk down the street until reaching the general store.
"D do you mind if we stop here. I need to pick up a few things." D shook his head and opened the door for Clarra.
"Thank you. It won't take long. I just need a few groceries." Clarra walked into the store with D and Milly behind her Milly still holding D's hand. "Hello James. Just here for a few things."
A middle age man stood up from behind the counter and tipped his worn blue hat to Clarra. His eyes automatically shifted to D. "He'o there Ms. Clarra and how are you and Milly do' in. And who be this with you." James' eyes were still on D as they moved through the store.
Milly spoke up before Clarra could answer, "This is cousin D Mr. James. He comes and visit us." Milly giggled as James handed her a sugar stick.
"Well ain't that nice. Glad to meet'cha there D was it." James extended his hand to D. D shook the man's hand and nodded his greeting.
Milly giggled again, "He's real quiet." James looked up as the door opened revealing Martha and several others. D inwardly groaned. He could swear he heard the symbiot say something about watch out for the daughter.
"Ah there you are Clarra. Been wondering when you would be out and about today. Everyone's been waiting to meet your cousin. Hello again D my don't you look handsome today. A lot better than those travel cloths. Bet you are glad to get out of those heavy things and to into something more comfortable. You should have seen what he was wearing when he got here yesterday girls. My goodness the roads really must be dangerous to require all that armor. Looked like a soldier or something." D groaned and damned small towns for the hundredth time while Clarra laughed a bit uneasy. Martha was a good friend but she did have a way of blabbing too much.
"Yes the roads are not good for traveling alone. D was telling me earlier about someone he knew who got robbed. He wanted to take extra precaution right D." D nodded to Clarra's statement.
"Oh my goodness yes precaution is a good thing," said one of the ladies behind Martha. The others nodded their agreement.
"Oh my stars here I am babbling again and not mak'in proper introductions. Forgive me there D. This is Linda Heyborn who lives across the street from Clarra and of course I live next to her and this is Gena Brown who lives next to me. This," said Martha while pushing a young lady forward, "is my daughter Linda." Linda looked shyly to the floor raising her eyes to look at D.
"Nice to meet you D. Momma tells me your Clarra's cousin." Outwardly D nodded both in greeting and to her statement but on the inside he was damning small towns to an eternity in a flaming pit of hell. The woman was trying to set him up. Him the vampire hunter. Oh why did the vampire have to go into hiding? Why couldn't he stay somewhere where D could just go and kill him?
"Sorry to say hello and go but I need to finish showing D around Martha."
"Oh yes of course how silly of me for keeping you behind. I know why don't you; Milly and D come over for dinner tonight." Clarra started to say no when Martha interrupted her, "now I won't take no for an answer Clarra. It's been far too long since you were over for dinner. I will see you at five this evening." With that Martha and her followers left Linda taking another shy glance at D. Clarra smiled and shrugged.
"I guess we will be eating dinner with Martha and her daughter." D was ready to send the damn small town to hell himself. Milly squeezed D's hand and looked up at him smiling.
"Martha makes good pie." Clarra laughed as they walked out of the store. Even though D didn't show it he had to be annoyed at the idea of being set up. Clarra looked behind her to see Milly almost pulling D along, who carried two shopping bags, over too the toy store window. Milly gawked at a doll in the window that had dark hair and green eyes.
"Look Mr. D that's what mommy says she will get me for Christmas. I think it looks kinda like me." D didn't respond but Milly didn't seem to care she just kept smiling. Clarra couldn't believe how well Milly had taken to D. She also couldn't believe that the guy who, yesterday looked like he came out of a horror novel, was being lead around by her seven year old daughter. She couldn't tell how D felt about the situation but she found it quite humorous.
D was quite perplexed by the whole situation. He was defiantly going to be hearing all sorts of nagging comments from the symbiot when he was alone. The whole thing with Martha and her daughter was annoying and the symbiot would make it even more so. Milly was a puzzle to D. He wasn't sure why she didn't annoy him. He supposed he did like children well at least more than adults waving stakes at him. But for some reason he well sorta, for lack of a better word, liked Milly. He didn't mind being around her. It had to be something to do with her being a damphire. He had never been around many damphire children for very long. It was probably some protective instinct owing to the fact that she was a young damphire. Vampire children are usual fiercely protected by their relatives. What ever the case he didn't feel like dwelling on the subject now he was supposed to be surveying this damn town.
That's when he saw them. Ten men on horseback were riding through the town. Five of them went down the main road and the others turned off on a side road that ran parallel to the main. They could just be a group of travelers passing through but something told him to keep an eye on them. They seemed vaguely familiar, but D couldn't place the faces. They were headed in the same direction that D and the others were walking. Milly was still clutching D's hand as she looked into shop windows. Clarra was pointing out buildings and saying what their names were oblivious to D's lack of attention. The ten men kept on riding. D caught glimpses of the five on the side street between the buildings. All of them wore long dusty brown trench coats and cowboy hats. They looked to have been traveling for quite some time. Most were unshaven or fully bearded. Each carried at least two holstered guns. Most likely they had others under their coats. The men had started to slow down. They were riding right across from D now. D could not see the other five as they were behind a building. The five he could see stopped and two dismounted going to lean against a post. None of them tied their horses. The other five had not continued out from behind the building. D looked up to see what building they were in front of. Town Bank. Just as the words registered in his mind a loud explosion ripped through the streets. D grabbed Milly and Clarra throwing them down underneath him. The windows of the bank shattered into a rain of glittering shards followed by a cloud of dust and wood. The sounds of gunfire cut through the clouds of dibre. The dust settled and D helped Clarra and Milly up. D's back was brown with dirt and bits of glass were tangled in his hair. D hurried Clarra and Milly into a near by store out of the street. Tears were streaming down the child's face and Clarra was white with surprise and fear. D looked back across the street to see the five men in front holding pistols and riffles. The other five men were now carrying money out of the crumbling bank. "Now don't anybody do anything stupid. This here is a robbery by the Donavon gang. Yall all corporate and this pretty little lady won't get hurt," the bandit paused as one of his counterparts brought out Linda. A gun was put to her head and an arm around her neck. D could here Martha from inside the bank pleading with the robbers to let her go. Now D remembered where he had seen these men before. Their faces were on wanted posters in towns all over the territory. D moved to walk out onto the street.
"D what are you doing?" called Clarra.
D just kept on walking.
"D their armed with guns and you don't even have a weapon on you."
"Mr. D don't get hurt," came Milly's shaky voice. D turned his head to look at the two. He wasn't sure why they were so worried. After all he was a vampire hunter and why did they care so much anyway. Clarra looked panic stricken. Her hair had fallen out of its bun and now was scattered across her dirt smudged face. Her arms were rapped unconsciously around Milly. Milly was still crying and looked utterly frightened. Her bright green eyes wide and shimmering with tears. Both were crouched down on the floor.
"I won't." D continued walking till he was in plain sight of the bandits. He realized this would be more difficult without his sword but they were still only human. He wouldn't kill them or hurt them if he could help it. He hunted vampires these humans were just a nuisance.
"What have we got here some pretty boy playing hero," laughed the one holding Linda.
"Let the girl go." If the situation hadn't been serious, D might have laughed at himself for using the statement he'd used on so many vampires on a human. The bandits let out a great roar of laughter. Linda was looking wide eyed and confused. Martha could be seen looking out from the bank with an incredulous, yet hopeful, expression on her face. D realized that the whole town was watching the events probably thinking he was insane. When the outlaws managed to control their hysterics they turned their attention back to D.
"Hey Danny show this pretty boy what he's dealing with."
"With pleasure boss." The one called Danny pulled out two six shooters, their metal casing glinting in the afternoon sun. "Your gonna dance now pretty boy." D stood unmoving and silent as Danny cocked the guns. Danny aimed at D and pulled the trigger on both guns. The shots rang out and the whiz of the bullets sliced through the air. Screams from the onlookers drowned out the laughing bandits. The sharp clang of metal on metal ripped through the town. All fell silent at the sight before them. Dark silken locks of hair floated back down to their resting place on D's shoulders. The wind rippled the sleeves on his outstretched arms. The sun glinted off two beautifully crafted daggers held crossed in front of him. Two bullets lay at his feet. Danny and the rest stood stunned as it registered what had happened. D stood before them arms crossed at the wrists, two daggers in front of him. They never saw him move.
"What the hell," cried Danny as he fired off the remaining rounds. The others joined in creating a curtain of metal. The bullets hit the dirt casting up a thick cloud of dust. The fire stopped and the wind gentlely tugged at the veil of dust. The onlookers held their breath. Milly and Clarra stared wide eyed at the cloud. Milly struggled to break free and run out to the street. Clarra held her tight as the dust settled to reveal absolutely nothing.
"What" screamed the leader of the gang. "Where the hell did he go."
"Boss how'd he dodge that."
"The hell if I know. He."
"BOOOOSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!"
The bandits whipped around to see their comrade, who had previously been holding the frightened Linda, held captive by D. One of D's daggers was placed at the man's throat.
D's emotionless monotone voice drifted like feathers on the wind. "If I remember the Donovan gang correctly you are all from the same family and very loyal to one another. And this is Jeremy the youngest of the group and also the youngest brother of the one you call boss. David I believe is the name."
David swallowed hard as he looked at the man holding his brother. His pale eyes seemed to stare right into his soul. He could tell from this distance that who ever this guy was he was not just some pretty boy. Well defined muscles stated his strength and power. His handling of the daggers spoke for his skill. And his eyes. Those damn eyes seemed to speak fathoms. They were the same eyes David hoped to never find in the mirror. This man was not some country bumpkin. He was a predator. He knew how to fight and kill, and he could do it without a second thought. If David guessed right they were lucky that all this guy did was hold his brother at the end of a blade. He could have killed them. If he had been able to dodge all those bullets without being seen he certainly could have taken them out. But why hadn't he? David addressed the pale stranger cautiously.
"What you say is true that is my brother and we are quite loyal to one another. It seems we under estimated you sir. Forgive our rash assumptions of you. Now what can we do to settle this matter."
"Leave and do not threaten this town again."
David was beginning to like this adversary. He was always one for an interesting opponent. He was still creped out by the man's eyes but he got the feeling that this stranger was not going to hurt them if he could help it, although he probably could. This David admired a sense of honor. He didn't have it himself really but he did admire it. David smiled as he returned to being his outlandish self.
"Mister I think I like you. You've managed to beat us at our own game without doing harm to any of us. As you have said we Donovans are very loyal so I respect other such noble qualities like honor. Though I can't say I have them myself. Isn't much use for honor in my line of work. But it seems I owe you for not killing any of my rabble here so we will leave and I swear on the life of my brother that we will not return in hostility. After all if you could do all that on the spur of the moment with just two daggers, I'd hate to see what you are like fully loaded." David laughed and mounted his horse. He may have seemed confident on the outside but he was still unnerved on the inside. The guy before him showed no change in facial expression and his eyes still seemed so cold. David hoped he was right that this guy, although, an experienced fighter was also honorable.
D let go of Jeremy. Jeremy stumbled away clutching at his throat where the dagger had been. D still held the dagger firmly in his hand. Linda was behind him along with Martha who was holding her daughter for dear life. Jeremy mounted his horse. The boy looked still looked terrified. David motioned for the gang to move out. He lagged behind and turned back to D. He wasn't smiling now. "Thank you. Many lesser men with your obvious talents would have taken down as many of us as possible instead of just letting us leave."
"You're wrong you know. You're not completely with out honor," said D calmly.
"Haha don't tell anyone. I have a reputation to keep up." David laughed and spurred his horse. The Donovan gang rode swiftly away and on to new "job openings".
D had forgotten that an entire town was watching, but was rather joltingly reminded when someone latched on to him. Two arms wrapped swiftly around his neck pulling him down and backwards. D's eyes went wide as he was pulled against a sobbing Martha.
"Oh.you saved us. You saved us. You saved my precious Linda. How can I ever thank you. You brave, brave man." Martha by now had her arms tight around D and was holding his head to her chest sobbing uncontrollably. D was struggling to get free from the undignified and uncomfortable position. After all D was several feet taller than Martha. Linda was trying to calm her mother down while D continued to try and free himself with the occasional verbal assistance like "Madame please," "It was nothing," and "If you could just release me". Martha continued to rabble on in her sobbing praising D for his courage and offering Linda's hand in marriage. Milly had managed to wiggle free of Clarra's grip and ran across the street and rapped herself around D's right leg.
"Mr. D is alright." Milly yelled out as she hugged D's leg. D was ready to shout that he wasn't a teddy bear, but thankfully Clarra managed to pry him loose from Martha. D shot back up to his normal height and massaged his neck. Martha was now clinging to her daughter asking if she was ok. The rest of the town had gathered round all of them congratulating D. D was surrounded by the inhabitants of the town. He would have preferred them all to be mutants trying to kill him.
"Settle down everyone. Settle down," shouted a rather plump and balding man who was dressed in a red leather coat. "I gather you are Clarra's cousin D that Martha was telling everyone about. I am Walter Borgish the mayor of Citil (name of town). I and I am sure everyone else wish to thank you for you valiant efforts in saving not only young Linda there but also our assets. Where on earth did you learn such moves?"
"It was nothing." D was ready to leave and get out of this madness. He didn't like getting all this attention.
"Nothing! You're being too modest man. We must thank you in some way. I know we shall have a town banquet in your honor on tomorrow. You wouldn't want to pass that up the ladies of this town are quite the cooks. That's it. It's settled. Everyone hear that we will have a banquet in the town hall tomorrow." Everyone cheered at the announcement.
"It really isn't necessary." D tried in vain to get out of this predicament.
"Of course it's necessary. Clarra you make sure he doesn't run off somewhere."
"Err yes sir he he." Clarra was seemed just as uneasy about this as D.
"Ok everyone lets get back to work we will all have time to talk about this tomorrow evening." As the rest of the town went back to their homes and businesses gossiping about the happenings of the afternoon the mayor pulled D aside. "I really do appreciate what you did here today Mr. D. You're a good person just like your cousin there. Now I don't mean to pressure you but when you come to the banquet I would like to introduce you to my daughter Abigail. I think you and her would get along just fine. Until tomorrow then." With that Mayor Borgish left pausing to ask Linda if she was alright.
D was ready to burry himself in the ground and just wait for the vampire there. His dislike of small towns was grown to all new heights. He was going to have an entire town asking too many questions not to mention he now had two people trying to set him up with their daughters. D sighed he might as well cut off his left hand now and save himself the trouble latter. D felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around.
"It seems I've gotten you into quite a spot. I am sorry about that D. Maybe it would have been better to tell everyone what was going on." Clarra was standing in front of him with Milly at her side.
D sighed again. "No it's ok. This is my doing for interfering with the thieves. You are right for wanting to keep it a secret. These people may not understand and that could put you and Milly in more danger."
"Are you sure D. I mean ."
"Don't worry about it. I can handle being social for a few days." At least D hoped he could. He hadn't done anything like this in at least 7,000 years. D mentally groaned he was feeling old again. He was not looking forward to this in the least. D groaned again they were still supposed to have dinner with that annoying Martha woman tonight. D could hear the symbiot snickering. For the first time D actually wished the vampire would come.
End Chapter six
And there you have it. I don't know how I feel about this chapter. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do the whole gang thing. I wanted a way to get more of the town involved. Tell me what you all think. Next chapter the dinner with Martha. Poor D am I torturing him to much hehe. If you haven't noticed by now I love D. I think he is good looking so if I see an opportunity to add a nice corny description of him I take it. I particularly like his hair and eyes if you haven't guessed. Consider yourself warned : P.
Review response:
Kitala: I am glad you are still enjoying the story. I like to explore D's past so expect to see more trips down memory lane.
Lady Night Wind: Thanks for the review. Ha ha wash the symbiot's mouth out I like that.
The Color of Night
Chapter six: all around town
D headed down stairs still mentally grumbling about small towns and the symbiot. He spotted Clarra by the door and walked over. Clarra saw D emerge from the stairs and had to take a moment to take in his appearance. He may have seemed hansom in his normal attire but now with out the hat and cloak blocking the view one could really see how beautiful he was. D's long wavy hair flowed down his back and framed his face. The blue embroidery in the vest brought out his eyes. And the white shirt added a refreshing and less menacing appearance to the otherwise dark hunter. Even though the shirt was loose Clarra could still make out D's well muscled and lean figure. Clarra could tell that she was going to have her work cut out for her fending off the single females and some of the married ones from D.
"Ready to then. Yes I think those clothes will do much better." D only nodded.
"Ok then. Let's get going. Any idea of what you want to look at. Well I guess it doesn't really matter the towns not that big. It won't take long to show you where everything is." Clarra walked out the door with D following behind her. Milly ran up to the porch stopping in front of her mother.
"Where yall go' in?"
"For a walk around town."
"Can I come too?" Milly looked up at her mom pleadingly and then to D.
"I suppose so. Just remember D is our cousin." At that comment D squeezed his left hand just to be on the safe side, though he himself mentally grumbled. He wasn't used to all this undercover stuff. He would have preferred just to have everyone know he was a hunter but on the other hand in a small town like this it could cause a panic and he really wanted to get the drop on this vampire. But he supposed he could put up with it for a little while after all in a sense he has been undercover his whole life. He was in reality, though he didn't consider it that way anymore, living under an assumed name with a false identity. He hadn't thought of himself as anything other than a hunter in a long time. Though it may have started out as a way to mask himself from the world and to leave behind his old life, he was now truly just vampire hunter D and nothing more. He scowled mentally he was letting the symbiot's foolish rantings get to him. He had more important things to be thinking about. D turned his thoughts back to the present. Milly was again standing directly underneath him with her head craned back. The child was smiling up at him. There was something strange about the child D thought. Something he couldn't quite grasp but all too familiar. It was probably just that she was a damphire.
"All right let's get going." With that Clarra walked out and on to the street. D and Milly followed behind her. Clarra started walking up the street the way they had come the previous day. D looked carefully around. The area was not well protected a vampire could easily get to the house. He would have to keep a close eye on Clarra and Milly. As they walked up the street people stopped and waved or said hello to Clarra while staring at D. D really wished he had is hat and cloak. But Clarra seemed to be right everyone seemed to be expecting him. That Martha woman must have told the whole town of his presence. D was studying the buildings and the people when he felt something latch onto his right hand. He looked down to see Milly smiling up at him and holding his hand. D was puzzled by the child. But then again children often puzzled D. Unlike adults they were not scared off by what he was. Maybe because they didn't know any better. Some where frightened by his appearance after all the armor was intimidating, but never simply by the mention of what he was. That D supposed is why he liked children for in their naivety they looked past what someone was called to who they were. D continued to let Milly hold his hand as they walked.
Clarra who was walking on the other side of Milly noticed the actions of her daughter. Although D's facial expressions didn't change he didn't pull his hand away either. Clarra couldn't help but giggle at the oddity of the situation, Milly happily holding the hand of the fearsome hunter. Even though D seemed like a rigid warrior, underneath all that armor was a pretty decent guy. They continued to walk down the street until reaching the general store.
"D do you mind if we stop here. I need to pick up a few things." D shook his head and opened the door for Clarra.
"Thank you. It won't take long. I just need a few groceries." Clarra walked into the store with D and Milly behind her Milly still holding D's hand. "Hello James. Just here for a few things."
A middle age man stood up from behind the counter and tipped his worn blue hat to Clarra. His eyes automatically shifted to D. "He'o there Ms. Clarra and how are you and Milly do' in. And who be this with you." James' eyes were still on D as they moved through the store.
Milly spoke up before Clarra could answer, "This is cousin D Mr. James. He comes and visit us." Milly giggled as James handed her a sugar stick.
"Well ain't that nice. Glad to meet'cha there D was it." James extended his hand to D. D shook the man's hand and nodded his greeting.
Milly giggled again, "He's real quiet." James looked up as the door opened revealing Martha and several others. D inwardly groaned. He could swear he heard the symbiot say something about watch out for the daughter.
"Ah there you are Clarra. Been wondering when you would be out and about today. Everyone's been waiting to meet your cousin. Hello again D my don't you look handsome today. A lot better than those travel cloths. Bet you are glad to get out of those heavy things and to into something more comfortable. You should have seen what he was wearing when he got here yesterday girls. My goodness the roads really must be dangerous to require all that armor. Looked like a soldier or something." D groaned and damned small towns for the hundredth time while Clarra laughed a bit uneasy. Martha was a good friend but she did have a way of blabbing too much.
"Yes the roads are not good for traveling alone. D was telling me earlier about someone he knew who got robbed. He wanted to take extra precaution right D." D nodded to Clarra's statement.
"Oh my goodness yes precaution is a good thing," said one of the ladies behind Martha. The others nodded their agreement.
"Oh my stars here I am babbling again and not mak'in proper introductions. Forgive me there D. This is Linda Heyborn who lives across the street from Clarra and of course I live next to her and this is Gena Brown who lives next to me. This," said Martha while pushing a young lady forward, "is my daughter Linda." Linda looked shyly to the floor raising her eyes to look at D.
"Nice to meet you D. Momma tells me your Clarra's cousin." Outwardly D nodded both in greeting and to her statement but on the inside he was damning small towns to an eternity in a flaming pit of hell. The woman was trying to set him up. Him the vampire hunter. Oh why did the vampire have to go into hiding? Why couldn't he stay somewhere where D could just go and kill him?
"Sorry to say hello and go but I need to finish showing D around Martha."
"Oh yes of course how silly of me for keeping you behind. I know why don't you; Milly and D come over for dinner tonight." Clarra started to say no when Martha interrupted her, "now I won't take no for an answer Clarra. It's been far too long since you were over for dinner. I will see you at five this evening." With that Martha and her followers left Linda taking another shy glance at D. Clarra smiled and shrugged.
"I guess we will be eating dinner with Martha and her daughter." D was ready to send the damn small town to hell himself. Milly squeezed D's hand and looked up at him smiling.
"Martha makes good pie." Clarra laughed as they walked out of the store. Even though D didn't show it he had to be annoyed at the idea of being set up. Clarra looked behind her to see Milly almost pulling D along, who carried two shopping bags, over too the toy store window. Milly gawked at a doll in the window that had dark hair and green eyes.
"Look Mr. D that's what mommy says she will get me for Christmas. I think it looks kinda like me." D didn't respond but Milly didn't seem to care she just kept smiling. Clarra couldn't believe how well Milly had taken to D. She also couldn't believe that the guy who, yesterday looked like he came out of a horror novel, was being lead around by her seven year old daughter. She couldn't tell how D felt about the situation but she found it quite humorous.
D was quite perplexed by the whole situation. He was defiantly going to be hearing all sorts of nagging comments from the symbiot when he was alone. The whole thing with Martha and her daughter was annoying and the symbiot would make it even more so. Milly was a puzzle to D. He wasn't sure why she didn't annoy him. He supposed he did like children well at least more than adults waving stakes at him. But for some reason he well sorta, for lack of a better word, liked Milly. He didn't mind being around her. It had to be something to do with her being a damphire. He had never been around many damphire children for very long. It was probably some protective instinct owing to the fact that she was a young damphire. Vampire children are usual fiercely protected by their relatives. What ever the case he didn't feel like dwelling on the subject now he was supposed to be surveying this damn town.
That's when he saw them. Ten men on horseback were riding through the town. Five of them went down the main road and the others turned off on a side road that ran parallel to the main. They could just be a group of travelers passing through but something told him to keep an eye on them. They seemed vaguely familiar, but D couldn't place the faces. They were headed in the same direction that D and the others were walking. Milly was still clutching D's hand as she looked into shop windows. Clarra was pointing out buildings and saying what their names were oblivious to D's lack of attention. The ten men kept on riding. D caught glimpses of the five on the side street between the buildings. All of them wore long dusty brown trench coats and cowboy hats. They looked to have been traveling for quite some time. Most were unshaven or fully bearded. Each carried at least two holstered guns. Most likely they had others under their coats. The men had started to slow down. They were riding right across from D now. D could not see the other five as they were behind a building. The five he could see stopped and two dismounted going to lean against a post. None of them tied their horses. The other five had not continued out from behind the building. D looked up to see what building they were in front of. Town Bank. Just as the words registered in his mind a loud explosion ripped through the streets. D grabbed Milly and Clarra throwing them down underneath him. The windows of the bank shattered into a rain of glittering shards followed by a cloud of dust and wood. The sounds of gunfire cut through the clouds of dibre. The dust settled and D helped Clarra and Milly up. D's back was brown with dirt and bits of glass were tangled in his hair. D hurried Clarra and Milly into a near by store out of the street. Tears were streaming down the child's face and Clarra was white with surprise and fear. D looked back across the street to see the five men in front holding pistols and riffles. The other five men were now carrying money out of the crumbling bank. "Now don't anybody do anything stupid. This here is a robbery by the Donavon gang. Yall all corporate and this pretty little lady won't get hurt," the bandit paused as one of his counterparts brought out Linda. A gun was put to her head and an arm around her neck. D could here Martha from inside the bank pleading with the robbers to let her go. Now D remembered where he had seen these men before. Their faces were on wanted posters in towns all over the territory. D moved to walk out onto the street.
"D what are you doing?" called Clarra.
D just kept on walking.
"D their armed with guns and you don't even have a weapon on you."
"Mr. D don't get hurt," came Milly's shaky voice. D turned his head to look at the two. He wasn't sure why they were so worried. After all he was a vampire hunter and why did they care so much anyway. Clarra looked panic stricken. Her hair had fallen out of its bun and now was scattered across her dirt smudged face. Her arms were rapped unconsciously around Milly. Milly was still crying and looked utterly frightened. Her bright green eyes wide and shimmering with tears. Both were crouched down on the floor.
"I won't." D continued walking till he was in plain sight of the bandits. He realized this would be more difficult without his sword but they were still only human. He wouldn't kill them or hurt them if he could help it. He hunted vampires these humans were just a nuisance.
"What have we got here some pretty boy playing hero," laughed the one holding Linda.
"Let the girl go." If the situation hadn't been serious, D might have laughed at himself for using the statement he'd used on so many vampires on a human. The bandits let out a great roar of laughter. Linda was looking wide eyed and confused. Martha could be seen looking out from the bank with an incredulous, yet hopeful, expression on her face. D realized that the whole town was watching the events probably thinking he was insane. When the outlaws managed to control their hysterics they turned their attention back to D.
"Hey Danny show this pretty boy what he's dealing with."
"With pleasure boss." The one called Danny pulled out two six shooters, their metal casing glinting in the afternoon sun. "Your gonna dance now pretty boy." D stood unmoving and silent as Danny cocked the guns. Danny aimed at D and pulled the trigger on both guns. The shots rang out and the whiz of the bullets sliced through the air. Screams from the onlookers drowned out the laughing bandits. The sharp clang of metal on metal ripped through the town. All fell silent at the sight before them. Dark silken locks of hair floated back down to their resting place on D's shoulders. The wind rippled the sleeves on his outstretched arms. The sun glinted off two beautifully crafted daggers held crossed in front of him. Two bullets lay at his feet. Danny and the rest stood stunned as it registered what had happened. D stood before them arms crossed at the wrists, two daggers in front of him. They never saw him move.
"What the hell," cried Danny as he fired off the remaining rounds. The others joined in creating a curtain of metal. The bullets hit the dirt casting up a thick cloud of dust. The fire stopped and the wind gentlely tugged at the veil of dust. The onlookers held their breath. Milly and Clarra stared wide eyed at the cloud. Milly struggled to break free and run out to the street. Clarra held her tight as the dust settled to reveal absolutely nothing.
"What" screamed the leader of the gang. "Where the hell did he go."
"Boss how'd he dodge that."
"The hell if I know. He."
"BOOOOSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!"
The bandits whipped around to see their comrade, who had previously been holding the frightened Linda, held captive by D. One of D's daggers was placed at the man's throat.
D's emotionless monotone voice drifted like feathers on the wind. "If I remember the Donovan gang correctly you are all from the same family and very loyal to one another. And this is Jeremy the youngest of the group and also the youngest brother of the one you call boss. David I believe is the name."
David swallowed hard as he looked at the man holding his brother. His pale eyes seemed to stare right into his soul. He could tell from this distance that who ever this guy was he was not just some pretty boy. Well defined muscles stated his strength and power. His handling of the daggers spoke for his skill. And his eyes. Those damn eyes seemed to speak fathoms. They were the same eyes David hoped to never find in the mirror. This man was not some country bumpkin. He was a predator. He knew how to fight and kill, and he could do it without a second thought. If David guessed right they were lucky that all this guy did was hold his brother at the end of a blade. He could have killed them. If he had been able to dodge all those bullets without being seen he certainly could have taken them out. But why hadn't he? David addressed the pale stranger cautiously.
"What you say is true that is my brother and we are quite loyal to one another. It seems we under estimated you sir. Forgive our rash assumptions of you. Now what can we do to settle this matter."
"Leave and do not threaten this town again."
David was beginning to like this adversary. He was always one for an interesting opponent. He was still creped out by the man's eyes but he got the feeling that this stranger was not going to hurt them if he could help it, although he probably could. This David admired a sense of honor. He didn't have it himself really but he did admire it. David smiled as he returned to being his outlandish self.
"Mister I think I like you. You've managed to beat us at our own game without doing harm to any of us. As you have said we Donovans are very loyal so I respect other such noble qualities like honor. Though I can't say I have them myself. Isn't much use for honor in my line of work. But it seems I owe you for not killing any of my rabble here so we will leave and I swear on the life of my brother that we will not return in hostility. After all if you could do all that on the spur of the moment with just two daggers, I'd hate to see what you are like fully loaded." David laughed and mounted his horse. He may have seemed confident on the outside but he was still unnerved on the inside. The guy before him showed no change in facial expression and his eyes still seemed so cold. David hoped he was right that this guy, although, an experienced fighter was also honorable.
D let go of Jeremy. Jeremy stumbled away clutching at his throat where the dagger had been. D still held the dagger firmly in his hand. Linda was behind him along with Martha who was holding her daughter for dear life. Jeremy mounted his horse. The boy looked still looked terrified. David motioned for the gang to move out. He lagged behind and turned back to D. He wasn't smiling now. "Thank you. Many lesser men with your obvious talents would have taken down as many of us as possible instead of just letting us leave."
"You're wrong you know. You're not completely with out honor," said D calmly.
"Haha don't tell anyone. I have a reputation to keep up." David laughed and spurred his horse. The Donovan gang rode swiftly away and on to new "job openings".
D had forgotten that an entire town was watching, but was rather joltingly reminded when someone latched on to him. Two arms wrapped swiftly around his neck pulling him down and backwards. D's eyes went wide as he was pulled against a sobbing Martha.
"Oh.you saved us. You saved us. You saved my precious Linda. How can I ever thank you. You brave, brave man." Martha by now had her arms tight around D and was holding his head to her chest sobbing uncontrollably. D was struggling to get free from the undignified and uncomfortable position. After all D was several feet taller than Martha. Linda was trying to calm her mother down while D continued to try and free himself with the occasional verbal assistance like "Madame please," "It was nothing," and "If you could just release me". Martha continued to rabble on in her sobbing praising D for his courage and offering Linda's hand in marriage. Milly had managed to wiggle free of Clarra's grip and ran across the street and rapped herself around D's right leg.
"Mr. D is alright." Milly yelled out as she hugged D's leg. D was ready to shout that he wasn't a teddy bear, but thankfully Clarra managed to pry him loose from Martha. D shot back up to his normal height and massaged his neck. Martha was now clinging to her daughter asking if she was ok. The rest of the town had gathered round all of them congratulating D. D was surrounded by the inhabitants of the town. He would have preferred them all to be mutants trying to kill him.
"Settle down everyone. Settle down," shouted a rather plump and balding man who was dressed in a red leather coat. "I gather you are Clarra's cousin D that Martha was telling everyone about. I am Walter Borgish the mayor of Citil (name of town). I and I am sure everyone else wish to thank you for you valiant efforts in saving not only young Linda there but also our assets. Where on earth did you learn such moves?"
"It was nothing." D was ready to leave and get out of this madness. He didn't like getting all this attention.
"Nothing! You're being too modest man. We must thank you in some way. I know we shall have a town banquet in your honor on tomorrow. You wouldn't want to pass that up the ladies of this town are quite the cooks. That's it. It's settled. Everyone hear that we will have a banquet in the town hall tomorrow." Everyone cheered at the announcement.
"It really isn't necessary." D tried in vain to get out of this predicament.
"Of course it's necessary. Clarra you make sure he doesn't run off somewhere."
"Err yes sir he he." Clarra was seemed just as uneasy about this as D.
"Ok everyone lets get back to work we will all have time to talk about this tomorrow evening." As the rest of the town went back to their homes and businesses gossiping about the happenings of the afternoon the mayor pulled D aside. "I really do appreciate what you did here today Mr. D. You're a good person just like your cousin there. Now I don't mean to pressure you but when you come to the banquet I would like to introduce you to my daughter Abigail. I think you and her would get along just fine. Until tomorrow then." With that Mayor Borgish left pausing to ask Linda if she was alright.
D was ready to burry himself in the ground and just wait for the vampire there. His dislike of small towns was grown to all new heights. He was going to have an entire town asking too many questions not to mention he now had two people trying to set him up with their daughters. D sighed he might as well cut off his left hand now and save himself the trouble latter. D felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around.
"It seems I've gotten you into quite a spot. I am sorry about that D. Maybe it would have been better to tell everyone what was going on." Clarra was standing in front of him with Milly at her side.
D sighed again. "No it's ok. This is my doing for interfering with the thieves. You are right for wanting to keep it a secret. These people may not understand and that could put you and Milly in more danger."
"Are you sure D. I mean ."
"Don't worry about it. I can handle being social for a few days." At least D hoped he could. He hadn't done anything like this in at least 7,000 years. D mentally groaned he was feeling old again. He was not looking forward to this in the least. D groaned again they were still supposed to have dinner with that annoying Martha woman tonight. D could hear the symbiot snickering. For the first time D actually wished the vampire would come.
End Chapter six
And there you have it. I don't know how I feel about this chapter. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do the whole gang thing. I wanted a way to get more of the town involved. Tell me what you all think. Next chapter the dinner with Martha. Poor D am I torturing him to much hehe. If you haven't noticed by now I love D. I think he is good looking so if I see an opportunity to add a nice corny description of him I take it. I particularly like his hair and eyes if you haven't guessed. Consider yourself warned : P.