Alfred hurried back to Rosa's, worried and paying little mind to the sounds of struggles behind him. A block away, he stopped close to cabins puzzled by something on the earth.
"What is that?" He walked forward slowly, keeping an eye on the boxes and bags on the ground, and knelt to the dark little drops he had found. He looked around but didn't see any animals. He knew it recently fell by the scent and continued walking towards Rosa's. More alert after his discovery he looked around cautiously. Stopping two houses down he checked between them again, attention caught by something shining on the ground.
Closer he noticed more, larger drops, glistening by light hitting their edges from the full moon. Alfred reached out a hand and touched the liquid surface. Bringing the hand up under his nose he sniffed lightly, conforming his thoughts. 'Blood. Not animal either. Another victim or...?' Quickly, Alfred walked to the house on his left, knowing the neighboring hut emptied since the violent assaults started, and pounded on the door.
"Mr. Zander? Are you ok?" Alfred hoped nothing was wrong, he liked old Mr. Zander, he made the best apple cider.
"Eh? Alfred, that you?" A balding man came to the door, cane in hand ready to hit anyone who choose to pounce him.
"There was another biting, just wanted to make sure you were ok, and ask if you heard anything."
"I'm fine lad, only thing I heard was some pesky animal running around my roof. Woke me up it did."
"Glad to hear that, hope those animals stop that racket then!" Alfred waved good bye then remembered. "Oh, and there's gonna be a town meeting tomorrow." He continued walking, more worried than before. 'While I'm glad it wasn't his blood, that leaves the question of whose...' Blue eyes narrowed as more dark spots appeared in the alley three houses down. 'It looks like whoever it is, is running on the roofs... and is heading to...'
"Rosa." Alfred whispered, dashing to the house of a woman he grown to love like a grandmother. 'Please, just be my imagination, don't let her be hurt!'
XXXX
No, please, no. He stumbled away from the woman, into a darken corner. Not footsteps drawing near right when the icy hand of death began to grip his neck. Anything but someone to invade the dying demon's place of sanctuary. The door broke open as the pounding feet crack the wooden flooring underneath. A moan of pain escaped his dry lips. A candle was lit and along came a voice.
"Rosa? Is everything ok?" Alfred called out worriedly, moving towards Rosa's bed, candle held at chest level. He stopped suddenly, seeing a dark shape hunched over in a corner near the bed. 'Rosa's still in the bed so...'
"Who are you? I must warn you, I'm stronger than I look." Alfred said threatening, ready to protect Rosa by any means if this was the being that had been attacking the village.
If that voice were caring instead of warning, the vampire would have enjoyed it on an amorous evening. Wincing, he knew these humans cared and protected the injured, which he was. "I... I..." Attempting to stand, the hellion whined slightly, groaning almost loud enough for the old woman to hear. He had to play the part of a human, the likeliness of being cared for if they knew his origins were too dangerously low. He whimpered from removing the pressure from the wound, to revile he could not jeopardize anyone's life. "For-forgive me. I needed sh-shelter... please..."
"I don't know your voice, you're not from the village, are you?" Blue eyes stared at the unsteady man. "What happened?" 'He sounds in such pain... I can't stand to hear that voice in pain...' He held out a hand towards the wounded man. "Come over here, I need tend to your wounds away from her, in case she gets sick."
Slowly, from the blade, the beast stepped into the candle light towards the voice, blood already collecting from which he crouched. "Yes, I..." He held onto the hand and almost fell back to his knees, crying softly. Teeth clenched, the vampire braced for the expected pain but instead that hand held a strong grip.
He grinned slightly, trying to reassure the man. "I got you, it's gonna be ok. I may not be a doctor, but I know how to treat most things." He slowly led the man to the table where more candles could light the dark room, moon light streaming in from a small window. "What happened? Were you attacked?"
The fiend felt secure from both the other man's arms around his body and voice so close to his ears. "A stabbing... ah..." A low groan escaped as he sat near the table. "I.. I just arrived... here." His breath wavered, blood flow and thirst never ceasing. "Ah, please..." Green eyes shut tightly and words he uttered out through gritting teeth. "Help me... friend..."
"I'm sorry your first impression of this village is such a violent one then. Someone has been assaulting villagers, many are frightened of anyone new." Alfred moved his head closer to the wound and hissed. "They got you good, didn't they?" He left to retrieve medical supplies to clean the wound. "It looks like a piece of the weapon is still inside, I'll need to remove it first." Worried eyes glanced up into the man's face. "I'll get something for you to bite on, some cloth to clean and bandage your wound. Don't worry, I'm not leaving you alone."
"Thank you." He needed it out now! "Hurry." He tried to retain his natural gentleman qualities, it could be the only way to convince this other man to treat his wound.
'Hopefully it hasn't been in him long, or infected the area...' Alfred hurriedly grabbed some old cloths, one of the wooden spoons, the bowl of fresh water he was going to use for breakfast the next morning, and the alcohol he had planned to give as a present to one of the older men in his hunting group. "I can't find anything to get it out with... I don't think you can wait much longer though." He placed the items near the wounded man and handed him the spoon. "Here you can bite on this, it's not much but it will help." Worried eyes looked over him.
He opened his mouth barely to not show his pearly pointed whites and bit into the spoon. This other man determined whether or not the vampire lived. So much trust he put into a stranger, but what other choice did he have? He looked into the blue eyes which were also looking at him and pleaded.
"I'll have to take it out with my fingers, I'm sorry. I'll be as gently and quick as I can, ok?" Fingers hovered over the wound. 'It's deep... So if I do this.' Fingers move quickly, digging inside for the metal inside the poor man's body. Concentrating, as if his fingers were a magnet, Alfred began to attract the blade.
His back arched from the pain, teeth biting marks into the wood, trying to not scream. He shut his eyes tighter as the blade thankfully but slowly began to leave his body.
The metal dropped to the ground as Alfred quickly poured the alcohol, and then the water over the wound. "T-there, it's out now. Fortunately, I only noticed the one piece. Now just bandage it and hope for the best." He shakily smiled at the man, placing one of the cloths against the wound, then bandaging it gently.
"I'm grateful, friend." Already he felt his tissue healing but he wasn't safe yet. There was still the matter of drinking. He hissed as his stomach rumbled and he tried to steady his breathing.
"Alfred." Blue eyes glanced up, grinning widely. "My name is Alfred, just give me a second and I'll get you something to eat. Try to eat as much as you can, you'll need your strength."
Odd, the vampire was just about to ask for the other man's name. "Alfred..." He repeated the name. "Thank you."
"No problem... May I ask your name, or should I just stick with calling you Green eyes?" Alfred smiled happily. 'Or pretty eyes, such a lovely green.' Alfred finish bandaging his stomach and looked for something for the stranger to eat.
The demon chuckled softly, careful to not uncover his identity but stopped as soon as he started. 'I haven't laughed... in so long...' Before Alfred rose a question, he answered. "Arthur." He didn't speak of his real name to his victims, and mentally scolded himself. 'I must be getting more careless.' You have no idea..." he brought out a nice smile of his own, "how happy I am to meet you."
Arthur? He liked the sound of it, it rolled off the tongue. "I'm sure you are, I'm not sure how much longer you would have lasted...It seems all I have is some steak, the rest of the soup must have been eaten. I don't think you should be having something so heavy though." Alfred frowned, worried. 'I can go into town, ask someone for some.
Bloody meat was exactly what he needed. "The steak will do, please, Alfred." It would be enough to help restore some strength.
"If you're sure... How do you like it?" Alfred took a pan to cook the steak in, throwing look over shoulder. "Why are you in such a small village, Arthur? Or is it too personal?"
"Rare done." Green eyes glanced at the delicious liquid soaking the meat. "Call me a man of..." What was the word? Not necessarily adventure or traveling. "Enjoying the taste of new things."
Alfred laughed as the steak starting cooking. "Sounds similar to me, I came here about six years ago looking for something new." Smiled and looked over to were Rosa's bed was in the next room. 'She's been so hard to wake up lately, I'm glad she's getting her rest though.'
The scent of a home cooked meal almost brought about tears. Arthur remembered a terrible night, a night where he nearly lost his life. A deja vu feeling overwhelmed him. After eating a family dinner and read to sleep, the night wasn't favoring him as something from hell punished him. No matter what messages his skin screamed at Arthur, that night was a sin. The guest blinked out of thought, feeling his wound sealed half way, just a few more hours he could leave. "So, you've been here rather a long time?"
"Sure have! Stopped here while traveling through the woods, met the people and decided it was time to make a home somewhere, for a while at least." Grinning, the blue eyed man served the steak on a plate with a fork and knife to the other man. "Since I figured you probably don't have anywhere to stay right now, and everyone else is on high alert, why don't you stay here for the next few days? Get your strength back, make sure that wound is nice and healed?"
Arthur stared in awe for a few moments. This Alfred treated him so benevolently, he almost felt guilty to drink from Alfred once he had the opportunity. "I honestly don't know what to say. That's so generous of you, Alfred." For nearly twenty years, Arthur hadn't had a true kind gesture towards him nor allowed his guard down since he started his feast on blood. Remembering to act like a human, he asked. "I'll be safe, right?"
He nodded firmly. "Whatever is been attacking the villagers stays more towards the center of town, either for more food chances or so we won't know where it's hiding. We're on the edge of town here, so we're safe." Alfred flashed a cheeky grin and flexed his muscles. "Sides, whatever it is will have to go through me first to get to you!"
Arthur ingested the bloody delight hungrily but also slowly to not raise suspicion or any rudeness. "There's something out there? It wasn't just a person after me?"
Alfred sighed and ran a hand through his hair, leaning against the wall near the green eyed man, facing him. "I think it was one of the villagers, probably one of the more paranoid ones... or one of the ones whose lost a loved one. None of the other villagers know what's happening, everyone is scared. But several people have been assaulted and bitten by a humanoid figure, and afterwards attack others, craving blood." He closed his eyes, tilting his head back.
"Does anyone know what it looks like?" He asked, adding in false concern since he always bit someone in the dark when they were alone. His ego was just getting a boost from Alfred's description.
"None. I do have to say, it's smart... Maybe human intelligence." He shook his head and moved over towards Arthur. "You can sleep in my bed, it's not much but it's better for you then this cold floor. If Rosa, the wonderful old woman sleeping in the other room wakes up and tries to hit you with a wooden spoon or something for being in the house, just tell her that I let you sleep here, she'll calm right down."
"So it is an animal?" Near finished with his meal, Arthur tried to implant an image nothing like himself. 'Hopefully, I could stay and feed longer if the humans were looking for some wild creature.' "I have heard of rumors of small canines who feed on the blood of livestock before."
Alfred shook and lowered his scarf, showing one side of his neck and pointed to an area. "The bite marks are usually right here, near the vain. But the bite itself looks human, besides a few small differences. Some are saying it's a human who has turned rabid."
"I guess the creature doesn't care for looks, you obviously haven't been bitten." Working a little of his charm was a specialty. His heart never attached to anyone, therefore, saying sweet words and compliments were easy to bend into the truth.
Startled Alfred blushed, unused to such words. "I-I...thank you. If it really did go for looks, I'd have to protect you all the time!"
Arthur nearly choked on his last slice but swallowed immediately. "All the time?"
Alfred nodded sure of himself while he collected the plate and sliver wear. "Well, at first they would just go after you cause of your eyes, but if you smiled like you did earlier, I would totally have to protect you day and night!" He turned around and set them aside to wash later when he had clean water.
Many a time he heard his meals talk about his features but they never made his cheek turn a tinge of pink. "I can say the same for you, thank you." He looked over to his slumbering arrangement. "Alfred, where are you sleeping?" His blush vanished.
"Oh, I'll be using one of the spare blankets we have for winter and find a soft place on the floor to sleep." Alfred wondered over to a chest in the corner, opened it and started looking for a good blanket.
He attempt to stand and without any pain, his gash completely gone and his meal returned his strength. "Ah..." He sat down, faking pain in his abdomen. "Sorry, I hurt."
Worried he walked over, kneeling before him and inspecting the bandages. "That's to be expected sadly, but has it at least lessen from before?"
"It's really fresh, but all I need is a few days of rest." Arthur gave a small smile, bringing himself to his feet.
He hovered near him, still worried. "Are you sure Arthur? I can try to find the village doctor, have him make sure I didn't hurt you in some way."
"I am." No, no doctor at all. Positively, the doctor would check the bandage, finding the wound completely healed and his teeth, seeing sharp fangs and expose Arthur for his true being. "Please, I don't want to see a doctor, thank you for your concern." He stepped towards the bedroom, deciding to not fake a limp or whine.
He stayed near and sighed. "Fine, but if I think it's getting worse I'm having him come instantly, no complaints, ok?" Alfred folded his arms and stared him down, only then realizing he was taller.
"Please," Arthur held both of Alfred's hands, squeezing them slightly, "please, don't call for a doctor." Normally he would leave as soon he was out of the other man's sight, but the demon knew those watchful blue eyes wouldn't desert his side.
He stared into his eyes for a moment, slightly confused. 'He really doesn't want to see a doctor... Is he scared of them?' "Fine, I won't... Now come on, let's get you to bed, I'll sleep on the floor near you, in case anything happens, ok?"
"Thank you." Arthur bowed and loosen his hands around Alfred's.
"It's no problem Arthur, just focus on getting better, please." Blue eyes pleaded sadly, knowing he couldn't do anything else but let nature run its course.
"Indeed." Arthur entered the bed room and began to undress. "Would it be a bugger if I asked to borrow your clothing?"
Alfred hurried over to where he kept his clean cloths, trying to hide his pink face. "I-it's no problem at all, maybe a bit big on you though." He grabbed one of his smaller pants and shirt, turned slightly toward the man and held them out, eyes averted so he wouldn't see anything. "Here you go."
"Aren't you going to sleep here too?" He slipped on the shirt which hung to his shoulders, showing much skin, and passed his hips, covering a mark.
Alfred nodded slowly. 'Is it natural to change in front of people where he's from?' "I will, but I'll change in the other room."
He was sure making Alfred uncomfortable would let him sleep alone. Stepping into the pants, they seemed to fall right down. "This is inconvenient."
He looked over, hearing what seemed like a curse from the seemingly gentleman-like man and saw the problem. "Ah um... I'll try to look for some tighter ones, can you place your old clothes in a corner? I'll wash them tomorrow."
After folding and placing his blue garments on the floor, Arthur laid upon the cool bed. "I would like to rest now, no need to give me another pair."
Hesitating for a moment he finally gave in, walking over to the bed he pulled the covers up, making sure his new guest wouldn't get cold. Alfred felt how cold the other man was from the night and losing blood didn't help. "I'll be right here if you need me, just call out for me Arthur." He grabbed his changing clothes and headed for the door.
A nice warm bed, many years flew by, he forgot he longed for a cushioning cloud with a soft pillow. No matter how expensive the coffins were, they never could compare with a bed. Before he realized it, the demon fell into a peaceful sleep.
Alfred slowly walked back into the room, trying to make tight shirt stretch some. 'Left it in the water too long... Good thing he's asleep, he looks like he needed it, the poor man.' He knelt on the ground and laid out the blanket, knowing he was going to be sore in the morning. 'Hope he gets better though.' He slowly drifted to sleep, his last thoughts of beautiful green eyes.