An Inevitable Moment

A moment Allen never expected

On a cold October night with a stiff wind blowing, Gabriel Cross stood under the moonlight holding on to the letter that Genevieve had given him, intended for her fiancé. He had not been able to bring himself to send it off to him. He had at once wished for her to be his own bride, but even after then he only wanted her happiness and delivering the letter would take away this one opportunity for her to experience it. He prayed to himself that one day she would experience just that. Out of the shadows, his servant Paul approached and attempted to warm himself. 

“Reluctantly I give this task to you Paul. Your loyalty is always appreciated.”

“Of Course your Grace. Where must it be delivered?”

“Goldenmire Township. A man named Allen Slade. Travels have been arranged and you are not to open it under any circumstance.”

“Yes, your grace.”

He took the letter and set off. Gabriel watched as the carriage disappeared from view and felt in his heart that it may not be a happy ending but for her sake and his, it was the best decision. Paul made it to the port and then found passage across the sea. He made it out of the woods and found himself on the outskirts of Goldenmire on October the 20th in the morning. He spent some time asking where he could find Allen until finally the Priest mentioned he was staying in a room on the side of the church. Paul knocked on the door and a voice told him to come in.

The sun had set and the woods were dark. It was October the 19th and Allen had been hunting through the woods for weeks and it had been a truly fruitful experience. On this night Allen sat alone on the limb of a tall tree. His eyes and ears were aware of every sight and sound that came from the land below. Suddenly deep into the night Allen spotted a fire spring up not far from where he was. He climbed down as quietly as he could and pulled his bow. He followed the light carefully and came across three men sitting around a small campfire, holding conversation. Allen crouched behind a bush with his bow in hand with an arrow prepared to shoot. He figured these were creatures though he listened out for them to give themselves away. They spoke for some time and Allen was getting restless. An idea crossed his mind and he decided to put his arrow back in the quiver and lowered his bow. He slowly approached until one noticed him.

“Who goes there?”

“Just a traveler. May I join you?”

He heard them whisper amongst themselves for a brief moment. 

“Of course sir.”

He walked over and sat with them among their campfire. They looked at him suspiciously and glared at his weapons.

“Very well armed for a simple traveler.”

“Can never be too careful.”

“That’s not a lie, yet that is heavy artillery.”

“Indeed, some would say you’re some sort of hunter.”

“I’m a fur trader. Nothing more.”

“What exactly is your game Mr…?

Allen saw their eyes each turn bloodshot and heard the sudden growls all too familiar for the dirty-bloods when they’re ready to attack. 

“Slade. Allen Thomas Slade. My game… is you.”

Allen stood to his feet and quickly pulled an arrow and shot one into the head of one of them. The other two pounced both with fangs glistening. Allen used his hands and held them back as they went for his neck. Surely they had heard of him by now and were aiming for the kill rather than just to feed. He pushed one back and was able to kick one in the gut causing it to pull back for a moment. He then pulled a wooden stake and stabbed him in the back as he was down. The other ripped off his quiver, jumped on his back and managed to put his fangs to Allen’s neck. Before he could bite Allen put his finger in his eye and pulled it out. He hissed and Allen jumped up and quickly stabbed him with the stake as well.  He looked at the one with the arrow in his head, who was still gurgling and retching in pain. Again he pulled the stake and drove it through his heart. Blood spattered on his face that smirked with pride. He pulled a handkerchief from his coat and wiped it away. He placed on his head his top hat and dragged the bodies to the carriage where he placed them and rode back to Goldenmire.

“It was certainly close tonight Rutherford but I assure you, your master shall never be undead.”

Rutherford snorted which made Allen smile. The carriage rocked as they made their way through the rough terrain. It was around three in the morning when he made it to the streets of Goldenmire and the roads were empty and dark with only a lantern from his cart illuminating the small path ahead. He made it to Gwen’s house and knocked heavily on the door. After a few moments she opened the door and greeted him.

“Good evening Allen! Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“As always it’s no worries Gwendolyn.”

“How many times have I told you not to call me that?”

“Always once more.”

They walked over to his cart and Gwen examined the bodies that were covered in with a tarp. She opened each one's mouth and made sure the fangs were authentic. Of course the biggest indicator was them turning to dust at dawn. It being still too early, Allen would have to wait to earn his wage. 

“You’re free to come in as always.”

Allen would normally refuse and return to the church grounds as he felt that she was interested in a romantic way. Of course he had made her aware of his engagement whenever she would get too close. She was a good woman and would make a good wife to someone and Allen thought if he had met her first then there might be a chance though that was not the case. This night was particularly cold and there was no fireplace at the church grounds where he was staying and Gwen had a fire already kindled. 

“I think tonight, I shall take that offer Gwendolyn.”

He followed her in and they went into the living room where he sat on a chair close to the fire and she sat on a couch across from him. 

“Will your horse be ok?”

“Rutherford is resilient and I get the idea that he enjoys the cold.”

“If you say so. If it were me I would love to have someone near me to keep me warm.”

“Gwen…”

“I know, I know I’m kidding! You have Gennie! She’s a lucky woman.”

“Thank you.”

It did feel good to have a woman like her admire him in such a way. Until Genevieve, he had always felt kind of awkward around women. 

“Do you mind if I ask you something, Allen?”

“By all means.”

“What is it about her that makes you love her so?”

“... There’s just… something about her. She’s not like anyone I’ve ever met. She’s elegant yet has a charisma that I can’t explain.  Of course she’s beautiful with silver hair and eyes like none ever seen. When she dances… it’s like poetry in motion. She makes me want to be a good and honest man. I trust her.”

“She sounds too good to be true. What if she never comes back? What would you do?”

“I would like to not think of such things.”

“I understand. It’s like a taboo thought. I hope to be in love like that one day. I bet she feels the same about you. I know… I would feel that way about you.”

“That’s bold Gwen. Very bold.”

“Love is bold. Allow me to get you a blanket.”

She stepped away looking a bit disappointed. She brought him a blanket and smiled at him tenderly. 

“My door is always open.”

After a moment of eye contact she went into her room and closed the door. He put a few logs into the fire and lied down on the couch and stared at the ceiling. He was intrigued by Gwen as she was a very sweet and giving woman, who obviously liked him. He knew he could not betray Genevieve in that way. He hoped wherever she was that she was thinking of him and that her love for him was still the same. Gwen stayed awake in her room and thought of Allen. She thought about his words of Genevieve and imagined it was her he was referring to. She hoped that someday, someone would love her in that way, deep down she wanted Allen to love her that way and she was jealous but more in a way that made her feel sadness rather than contempt. She drifted asleep after trying her best to push away those thoughts. Morning came and the two were awakened by the church bells.  Allen folded his blanket and placed it on the arm of the couch and sat for a moment waiting for Gwen to come out. She readied herself in all that was necessary and stepped out. She looked at him again with admiration, thinking to herself how handsome he was. Out of habit she touched his arm and ran her finger tenderly up his arm, which made him blush. 

“Good morning, Allen. Sleep well.”

“I was warm, thank you.”

She laughed and filled a kettle with water and placed it on the stove to warm. After a moment the kettle whistled and she poured him a cup and made tea. Allen drank it and again thanked her. 

“Well let’s see if the b******s are dust, shall we?”

“If God is willing.”

She laughed harder than what was necessary. Allen took notice and felt a bit strange about it. Gwen of course wanted him to notice so she didn’t mind at all. When they looked at the cart it appeared to be empty and under the tarp was ash from the departed. 

“That’s 1500 and twenty percent to my Brother. Here you go.”

She handed it to him and fought the urge to not hold his hand too long. 

“You’re a good man, Allen. She’s a lucky woman.”

“I suppose I’ll see you again sometime this week, Gwendolyn.”

“Looking forward to it.”

He tipped his hat and returned to the cart and rode back to the church grounds where he placed Rutherford in the stable and returned to his room and sat on the uncomfortable bed. He opened the case where his violin was resting and began to play. Some time passed as he continued and a knock came at his door. 

“Come in.”

A man he had never seen before entered the room with his hands behind his back.

“Am I in the presence of Allen Slade.”

“That… depends on who is asking.”

“Haha, yes understood. My name is Paul and I am delivering a message on behalf of my master.”

“Are you a slave?”

“Oh heavens no. I am a willing servant to Elder Gabriel Cross. Does that sound familiar?”

“No. An Elder you say? Are you here to kill me Paul? That won’t work in your favor.”

“Well I think perhaps you should read the message before any ill assumptions are made.”

Paul handed the envelope to Allen. He noticed the name was written with Genevieve’s handwriting, which made him feel nervous. He opened it and inside was a letter and the ring he had given to her. His eyes widened and he frantically opened the letter.

To Allen,

My love: I have read and responded to each of your letters. You have been my light in this dark world of mine. I would love more than anything to be your wife and to spend the rest of my days with you. Though I have refused to say until now because I have not found the strength to confess. I must now speak the truth. My knowledge that I have passed to you and the blade given was because I myself am one of them. My brother is not ill but has called me home to the underground. He is Demetri, the head of my bloodline. My life is cursed to feast upon the mortal beings of this world. I will outlive you by many years and wish to not see you die without me but that is how it must be. I hate this life and those whom I serve even more now than I did because you have been my light and I must extinguish it. I have helped you because someday I wish to see the cursed creatures die only, not Demetri. One day I feel he will die before you but promise me in your heart that you will take my life before his. If someone shall take it from me, then let it be you. My feelings will pass and so will yours until then I love you. Adieu.

Genevieve

He could not believe what he had just read. His hands shook with anger and sorrow. His eyes began to swell with tears as he fell to his knees. He read the letter again but could still not believe what was written. His whole world seemed to be crashing and there was nothing he could do to stop it. The love of his life had just ended the engagement and confessed to being an undead creature. He could not help but feel betrayed and at that moment, something in him changed. He stood to his feet and walked over to where he had the Homicida and unsheathed it. 

“A servant you say? No… you are a slave… a slave to the putrid creatures of the night. You are less than human Paul and have no place in this world. You deserve this.” 

He turned to Paul and stabbed him in the stomach. Paul spit out blood and fell to his knees. Allen Twisted the blade and looked into his eyes.

“Know this, before you die. I will slaughter them, ALL of them! Pig after pig and cow after cow. They will know my name and they will curse it as they die! You will go to the afterlife knowing the name Allen Thomas Slade.”

He pulled the blade and used his coat to wipe the blood. He realized that Paul was not himself an undead. Still he felt no sympathy for him nor did he feel guilt. It was then he sat back on the bed and placed his face into his hands.  All this time Genevieve… you lied to me! I loved you… I still love you. Abel… I am truly sorry Brother. I should have been avenging you and instead I was doing all this for her. I have forgotten you but not anymore. If I see our undead parents… I will kill them. If I see Genevieve… then I’ll… then I’ll kill her. I do this for you Abel. When night came Allen dragged the body and placed it upon the cart and covered it with the tarp. He found a shovel and another kerosene lamp on the church grounds and rode deep into the woods. He found a small clearing where he dug a shallow pit. He dragged Paul’s body into the pit and found some dry pieces of wood around and placed them upon him. He opened a box where he had kept all the letters from Genevieve and crumbled them up and tossed them about the pit. He read the letter of Genevieve’s acceptance of his proposal and smiled briefly before crumbling that one as well with the ring placed within. He grabbed the kerosene lamp and smashed it within the pit. He took a match, lit it and threw it which ignited the gas. Soon all he had of Genevieve began to burn away. He pulled out the last letter and as he was about to toss it, he decided to keep it as a way to remind him of her betrayal and as a way of keeping his mission alive. It took some time but the fire ceased. Allen buried the remains away and left back for town. He sat as the cart rattled from the terrain thinking fondly of her yet he was still angry. Back in Goldenmire, he passed each house and eventually made it back to the church where he put Rutherford within the stable and took a walk. Only the moonlight and some dim lamps lit the way. He was about to pass Gwen’s house when he stopped and looked at the front door. The chimney billowed smoke. There was fire still going in her living room so she was likely awake. He stepped up to the door and knocked. It took a few moments but he heard the door unlock which sounded louder than it should have. His heart raced as she opened the door.

“Allen? Is everything alright?”

He said nothing but stepped into her home. Gwen closed the door and locked it behind him, wondering if he was ok. He took off his coat and hat and placed it on the coat rack. He approached her and glared into her eyes, she glared as well, not blinking feeling confused. He then leaned in and began to kiss her. She closed her eyes and pulled him in close. After a moment she broke the kiss and took his hand and pulled him into her room and closed the door.  For a short amount of time he had tried to forget about Genevieve, though time passed and each night he spent with Gwen seemed to make him long for her again. He hoped she would come by and tell him she was lying or perhaps just feel guilty and take him back, but that moment never came. Gwen herself had fallen for Allen and treasured each day they spent together but no matter what she did, Allen loved Genevieve and not her.