He wasn't supposed to see her.

He knew that as he followed her down the road, an old tattered green robe helping him blend in with the trees as he clung to the forest's shadows, careful not to disturb the foliage as the beautiful raven haired woman made her way home from a visit to town. Her eyes held a deep sadness buried under her own determination to appear strong, but he could see that she was keeping herself together. Just barely.

He found himself smiling.

He wasn't supposed to be here.

Many have told him since they knew of his intentions, but he didn't care. He just wanted to see her one last time. Damned be the rules! Tightly clutching a golden locket, he held it close to his chest an let out a soft breath that his body no longer needed. He let her go on ahead before slowly catching up to her, he made sure to keep his distance, the last thing he wanted was for her to notice he was here.

They would rekill him, if he was discovered. Was that the proper word in his case? Rekill?

The sun was setting by the time she had arrived home to her little cottage by the river, a small garden growing with a modest amount of appetizing vegetables. He could not help but smile. She always did love her garden. He thought to himself, fondly remembering her pumpkin pies.

"Algie…?"

No... This wasn't supposed to happen.

Algerd, at least that was he called himself now, could only stare in growing and mute horror at her, her eyes wide, a dagger in hand.

"By the light, Algernon…" Shock was not the proper word to describe her tone as she took one step towards the undead man, recognition slowly dawning in her eyes. "Is that you?"

"You came back..." Relief colored her tone and she dropped her weapon and ran towards him. "Algie, you're back!" She cried elatedly, but before she could even reach him, he took a step back.

"Away from me!" He barked, a sneer briefly flashing across his features before morphing into an expression of pure sorrow and regret. "Away from me, Janice…" He said in a softer tone, his hands, clad in old and torn gloves tugged at his ragged robes and held them tighter to his emaciated form.

"How could I?" Janice's lower lip trembled, eyes watering in confusion. Her lover, her husband to be, had returned! They could finally marry, have a family! "Algernon, we all thought you were dead!"

Algerd went still, What are you doing you fool? Run! His mind screamed at him, but his body refused to listen. "You're not wrong..." He found himself saying, unable to bear to look at her.

"What do you-" She froze, the raven haired woman's eyes slowly widening as realization slowly settled in, quickly followed by mounting horror. "No..."

She mustn't know! She mustn't know! Standing straight as much as his ruined back would allow, Algerd pulled back his hood and revealed his pale, marred face. Algerd, you idiot! Turn back now! The flesh bloodless as his eyes glowed with an unnatural light, a hint of a cheek bone poking through the dead flesh.

"No!" She let out a strangled wail, a hand covering her mouth as horror fully bloomed across her features, stumbling back as she gazed upon the undead.

"Yes." Was all he could say, mustering up the courage to look straight into her eyes but quickly found his bravado failing and soon looked away in shame.

It started to rain

How fitting… Algerd grimly thought as first it came as a trickle and slowly but gradually began to pour in buckets.

He wasn't sure how long he stood there, unable to look at her in the eye, shame and humiliation filling his utter being and continued to build until, "This was a mistake, you'll never see me again." He quickly muttered, turning to leave.

"Wait!" She called out, too quick, too desperate.

The undead stopped. Algerd you fool… He shut his eyes, mentally berating himself for his foolishness but still looked away with a downcast expression. "What is it?"

Janice didn't say anything for a long time. Then she took in a deep breath and stepped aside, opening her door a little wider, she gave him a small, tearful smile. "I'm making pumpkin pie..." She said, her voice cracking with emotion. "If you're willing to wait, light knows you were never patient."

If the undead could cry tears, Algerd's eyes would've been full of them. Slowly, he turned around and a smile graced his scarred face, looking almost like the man who loved her and he loved her still.