~Alfred~

"Alfred! Take this chair to Mr. and Mrs. Berksworth. It's late already because Tommy got sick." Burt's loud voice was louder than the saw Alfred was working with.

"Right away, Sir!" Turning off the saw, Alfred ran to hitch Bess and Beauty to the wagon.

Then he drove the wagon to the back of the small shop with ease. Tommy's older brother Luke helped Alfred to load the chair and strap it down.

Both Luke and Tommy worked for their father, Burt, in the carpenter shop. Alfred was younger then both the other boys, but as tall, if not taller, than them.

Climbing up into the wagon's seat, Alfred jerks the reigns and Bess and Beauty take off. Following the cobble road, the wood and stone houses look small compared to the brick Inns.

Carriages and wagons roam up and down the street, people stepping into, out of, or around them. At the city limit, there is less people and fewer carriages.

The cobbled street that had made Alfred's seat rattle slightly was abandoned for a bumpy dirt trail. Alfred whips the horses to a fast canter, breathing in deeply to catch a whiff of the forest around him.

All too soon a path appears beside the road, and Alfred leads Bess and Beauty to it.

A cute house sits at the end, hugged by forest on all sides but the front. Alfred stops and hops out.

Knocking on the door, Mrs. Berksworth opens it to beam at Alfred. "Come in dear! Have some tea, or maybe a bit of coffee?"

Alfred smiles lightly at the thought of a warm cup of coffee but he must get back to the shop. "Sorry Miss, I have to leave before dark. I don't fancy the idea of the forest at night."

Mrs. Berkworth titters, blushing at Alfred's use of miss instead of madam. "We have a spare bed, and it would be great for you to talk to Suzanna."

Alfred shakes his head "I have to be home. Where would you like your rocking chair?" Mrs. Berkworth sighs but ushers Alfred in the house.

~Alex~

The blond boy's figure disappears in the house as Alex watches. He had heard the conversation, and knew of Alfred's plans.

He will get Alfred tonight, but he will not have to finish the job.

Mathew would help; Mathew always helps the newly turned.

He had time, but detested the town so that he planned to leave tonight. He liked the wilderness much more. Careful not to make much sound he walks down to the road, waiting.