by Kurup, P. L.
“It’s not my job to protect you from the world,” Samuel countered. “If you have a problem with the farmers, you must go elsewhere.”
Father Manuel lowered his gaze.
“Perhaps I can stay a few more days,” Samuel garbled.
Father Manuel looked up and replied, “A few days may be all we need. Thank you, sir.”
The pastor retreated to his cabin and Samuel folded his arms across his chest and raised a frustrated brow.
xxx
Samuel picked off a couple of creatures on the edge of the orphanage to drown whatever feelings of hunger he had, then wandered back to his cabin. He sat on the bed and cringed at what Clara would’ve made of his antics. Thinking of her, he concluded that her character lay somewhere between Alexandra, who adored him, Isabella, who was intrigued by him, and Daniella, who despised him. Clara was a mysterious woman who possessed a quiet intelligence and he found himself wanting to know more.
He searched for the mirror, despite not using it, and saw it wasn’t on the table. He thought nothing of its absence and lay diagonally on the bed. Just before he dozed off, he recalled what the good Father had said. You staying here makes us feel safe or words to that effect. It was a strange comment to make. Soon, even that was chased from his mind, and he fell into the kind of bottomless sleep only vampires seemed to know.
Chapter 16
A squeal from inside the cabin woke him up. The room was dark since dawn was an hour away, and Clara left no lamps to light. However, his sight was acute enough for him to see the whole room. His attention veered to a rummaging in the corner, where he saw a wild boar mulling about. He didn’t understand how it got in because the door was bolted. As he’d fed well the night before, there was no need to kill the creature, so he opened the cabin door and herded the swine outside.
The temperature settled on a sizzling thirty-three degrees Celsius, and a warm breeze caressed his skin. The weather didn’t affect immortals. Besides, the only thing on his mind was how a wild animal ended up inside his cabin. He assumed it was put there on purpose and, struggling to understand why, he closed the door. He got into bed, pulled the covers over himself, and fell asleep with a little more comfort than he was used to.
xxx
The next time his eyes opened, he heard children laughing in the courtyard. He rose from bed and looked to the corner where the pig had been the night before. All that remained were a few muddy hoof prints and some dry leaves. He opened the cabin door and saw four children under ten playing together. The two boys and two girls laughed as they engaged in a rudimentary version of cricket. One boy hit the ball with the bat. It flew towards Samuel, who snatched it midair.
“Good morning, children,” he said.
The older boy and girl just stared at him while the younger ones gave him shy smiles. He threw back the ball, and the older girl caught it.
“Thank you,” she said.
“You’re very welcome,” Samuel answered. “Don’t go wandering into the forest if the ball goes astray. It can be dangerous there.”
They didn’t reply and watched him as if they didn’t like what he said. A barrage of thoughts from all over the place revealed that Father Manuel waited for him in the dining hall. So Samuel walked off to join him. He hadn’t gone far when Esther ran up and walked beside him. As usual, a shiny red ribbon decorated her silken, black hair.
“Hello, Samuel, do you remember me?” she asked him.
“Of course, I remember you, little one. How have you been?”
“Very well, thank you… I don’t blame you for not eating the food yesterday. It tasted awful,” she said bluntly.
“I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought so.”
Samuel felt content as it was the first time anyone other than the Father had shown him any respect. He didn’t need to feed for hours so he walked to the dining hall with Esther, hoping that Clara wouldn’t interrupt them with one of her fretful moods.
On the way there, he saw several more kids playing together and five waved to him. He returned the gesture and suddenly the day wasn’t as bad as he first feared. Father Manuel came out of the large cabin and greeted him. The priest looked subdued, and Samuel knew he was worried about the children.
“Esther, go and play with your friends,” Father Manuel dictated. “Whatever you do, don’t go into the forest.” Esther did as she was asked and the priest said to Samuel. “Come in for a moment.”
The wooden cross around the priest’s neck made Samuel ill again, and it took everything Samuel had to trail Manuel into the building.
“I am concerned about the children,” Father Manuel confided.
“I’m sure nothing will happen to them so long as you and Clara are here to protect them. Father, you didn’t place a pig inside my cabin last night by any chance?”
Father Manuel burst into laughter and replied, “Why would I do that? It probably got in through a loose board at the back.”
“Tell me how I can I help?” Samuel enquired.
“We need to take the children away from here. There are too many dangers in the forest. It was a silly idea starting an orphanage so far from the city. If anything happens to them, I don’t know what I will do,” he mumbled.
“I’ll assist you as much as I can,” Samuel vowed.
The Father muttered something when the door flew open, and Clara came in, clutching a plate of food.
“I will see you later,” Father Manuel said, scurrying out of the place.
“There you are. I was looking for you everywhere,” Clara said, walking up to Samuel.
She looked radiant in a dark blue gown and with her hair tied in her customary bun hairstyle.
“You must be famished seeing as you didn’t eat anything yesterday. So I thought I’d tempt you with a treat.”
Placing the plate on a table, she looked proudly at what she’d accomplished: a feast of cheese and bread.
“Try the cheese or the bread, whichever you prefer.”
“Clara, you’re very kind, but I’m unable to eat in front of anyone.”
“That’s the most ridiculous excuse I have ever heard!” she exclaimed “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to lose my temper. It’s just that I wanted to make you feel welcome, and nothing I do seems to work. Why do you hate me so much?”
“I don’t hate you,” he insisted. “I’m a stranger you met hours ago. You don’t owe me anything.”
“Stay a few days more. We need you here,” she said, echoing what the priest said.
Before he could answer, the door creaked open, and Esther ran in and sat on Samuel’s lap.
“Have you finished playing with your friends?” he asked her.
“Yes and I beat them all,” Esther declared.
The girl picked a slice of bread from the plate and nibbled on it.
“Esther, that’s bad manners. You shouldn’t take things from someone else’s plate,” Clara reproached.
“I don’t mind,” Samuel intervened. “I have no intention of eating it anyway.”
Following an awkward pause, Clara snapped, “Get ready for school, Esther. We can’t have you being late again.”
Samuel lifted the child off his lap and placed her on the ground. Then Father Manuel barged in, his face full of worry. Samuel pried into his thoughts and drew back on learning what’d happened.
“Father, what on earth’s the matter?” enquired Clara.
“Angela and Philip are missing,” Father Manuel said. “I looked for them everywhere, and I can’t find them.”
“Maybe they’re hiding somewhere,” Clara reasoned.
“I checked all over, and there’s no sign of them,” the Father said again.
“Samuel and I will search the forest, and you will stay here and guard the children. Esther, go with the Father,” Clara instructed.
Esther gave Samuel a brief glance and followed Father Manuel outside.
“So many children have gone missing in the last three years. The Father and I do e
verything we can to ensure their safety, yet they still disappear,” Clara said.
“Who the hell is taking them?” Samuel asked urgently.
“Slave traders. They’re merciless. Manuel and I dread to think what those poor children have endured.”
Clara burst into tears, and Samuel wrapped his arm around her and held her close. He felt her reel in misery, but was powerless to help her.
“We should get going,” she said, wiping her nose and face. “I’ll meet you on the edge of the forest in five minutes.”
Clara marched out of the premises, and he puffed at the strange sequence of events that had befallen the orphanage.
xxx
He left the building and stepped into the forest, where he feasted on a variety of animals. After which, he returned to the orphanage eager to help.
“What have you been doing?” Clara asked, glaring at him.
Samuel looked at his shirt and hands and saw that they were drenched in blood.
“Clara, let me explain,” he said, striding forward.
“Stay where you are!” she ordered. Samuel halted. “Did you have anything to do with their disappearance? Or the disappearance of the others?”
“How could I?” he said. “I only came here two days ago, and I would never hurt the children or you.”
“How do I know that? How do I know you’re not lying? That could be Philip’s and Angela’s blood on your clothes.”
“I am a monster. But I will never think of hurting a child. You have to trust me.”
“I want you to leave the orphanage this minute,” Clara shouted.
“I can’t let you go into the forest by yourself. You must let me come with you.”
“This minute,” she screeched.
“I’m not leaving until I’ve gotten those children back, and nothing you say can change my mind.”
Giving him a profound stare, she halfheartedly offered him a sack containing food and water, and strode into the forest. Samuel followed her in.
The pair waded through thick undergrowth, getting their shoes caked in mud and tearing up their pristine clothes. Clara called out the children’s names every few seconds and stood on her toes to get the best view. The land was arduous for anyone to cross, let alone a woman in a long dress, and she tripped more than once. It wasn’t just the searing heat that was uncomfortable for her as a barrage of mosquitos buzzed near her at any given time. She walked ahead of him, and he watched her wipe her face and neck with a handkerchief, heard her gasp while navigating a sharp incline. She slid on the mud and went on all fours to retain her balance. Samuel pulled her up by her arm and held onto her.
“We should rest,” he said.
“I don’t need rest,” she rebuked, tossing his hand away and surging forward.
Though he admired her determination, he doubted the children would ever be found alive.
xxx
That evening, Clara swayed with exhaustion and fell into his arms.
“We should definitely rest,” he said.
So they camped in a clearing, and he made a fire out of twigs and leaves. She ate the bread she’d packed and drank water from a canteen, but she didn’t bother offering any to Samuel.
“Is it an affliction of some kind?” she asked. “Not eating normal food?”
“A sort of affliction. I have to drink blood every few hours. Otherwise, I die.”
“Do you feed on humans as well as animals?” she asked, cagily.
“I only feed on animals. You can sleep well, I won’t harm you.”
“…I don’t think we’re going to find them,” she admitted in tears. “Tomorrow we’ll make our way back to the orphanage.”
“Don’t think about anything now. Get some sleep.”
Clara laid her head on the ground and closed her eyes. He watched over her until the fire died out.
xxx
As soon as it was light, Clara and Samuel clambered to their feet and looked down an endless forest path.
“Perhaps we can search for one more hour,” she proposed.
“I don’t think we’re going to find them, Clara. The best thing we can do is ask the villagers to join the search.”
“If you say so.”
He coaxed her in the opposite direction and her shoes dragged as she turned. They made the difficult journey back home and he kept a protective eye on her.
xxx
As night descended, they broke through the final shroud of trees and walked into the pitch-dark arena of the orphanage. The sound of rustling leaves and creaking branches serenaded them as they trekked to her cabin. The children were safe in their beds, and he was relieved there were no more disappearances. Clara stayed close to him, at one point, tripping him up with her feet. He allowed her to do so, knowing how distraught she was. When they reached her door she said, “Please don’t go. I don’t want to be alone.”
“I’ll stay as long as you want me to,” he replied.
She opened the door, and as they entered, she lit a lamp, giving the place some much-needed brightness. He kissed her on the lips, but she didn’t shudder the way Isabella had done. She took off his bloodstained shirt and tossed it on the floor, then removed her gown and the cross around her neck. They moved to the bed, and as they made love, he realised that he was falling for her. Something he vowed never to do after Alexandra.
Chapter 17
Clara’s cabin was turning light, and the silence was pierced by birdsong. It was too soothing to wake him, and Samuel rolled on his side, still asleep.
An atrocious, howling wind shook the building, and Samuel opened his eyes. Lying on Clara’s pillow was a note which read, “‘Gone to buy produce from the village. I will be back by noon.’” He knew that he was alone long before he glanced to Clara’s side of the bed. Standing up, he inspected the spotless cabin and saw a heap of dresses stacked in the corner, a shelf full of literary classics edged under the window frame, and sketches of London stuck to the wall with rudimentary wooden pins. Being an artist himself, he was happy to see that Clara shared a talent for drawing. He put on his breeches, shoes, and his old, worn shirt, which he plucked from under the pile of dresses.
He opened the door to be confronted by a courtyard blanketed in a ghostly mist. One of the cabin doors knocked back and forth in the breeze. It concerned him because that was where the children were, and therefore, should’ve been locked. He dashed to the building and looked in to find the children asleep as if nothing happened. Samuel took in every facet of the room from the dusty floor to the towering rafters. Everything was mundanely ordinary. Regardless of the normality, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right, and he refused to abandon the room.
A gust of wind poured inside, throwing back the blankets on the corner bed, and a slender red ribbon drifted from the cot, and landed at his feet. Picking up the delicate strip of fabric, he muttered, “Esther.”
“She said that if we told Father Manuel, she would kill us,” said Rose, a slight girl of six.
“Her eyes turn black whenever she takes one of us,” added ten-year-old Charles.
“Sometimes she chooses one of us to feed on whenever she wants. That’s what happened to poor Benjamin,” added eight-year-old Sarah.
Samuel looked paler than usual. There was no way he could ignore that Esther had been abducted by a vampire.
“I won’t let her hurt you again,” he reassured them.
He tore out of the cabin and ploughed through the foggy atmosphere to arrive at Father Manuel’s door just as he opened it. The Father jumped at the sight him and babbled, “Can I help you?”
“She has taken Esther. You have to watch over the children while I go and look for her.”
“I suspected Clara may be responsible for the abductions. I should’ve taken the children away long ago,” Father Manuel said.
“Yes, you should have. There’s no point arguing about it now. We must concentrate on finding Esther.”
“Do whatever you can
to bring her back.”
“I will,” Samuel said, handing him Esther’s red ribbon.
Samuel heard a child’s cry deep inside the forest. It was too soft for humans to notice, and he stared at the undergrowth with growing concern. The priest mumbled something to him, but Samuel ignored him and darted into the forest, travelling in the opposite direction from yesterday.
xxx
He sped through the woods so quickly that, as before, his form blurred against the background. The trail he covered had never been trodden on by people. He passed exotic plants and creatures that would astonish the hardiest of folk, leapt over fallen tree stumps, forced away tree branches with dizzying speed, as nothing could get in his way. Unaffected by heat or hunger, he concentrated on finding Clara and nothing else. I’m so stupid, he thought as he remembered being taken in by her kindness and her talkative nature. The fearful stares the children displayed whenever she was with him were meant for Clara, not him. The cabin mirror was no doubt removed by her also. He now knew nothing about her was genuine and that she was as evil as Lucas.
A pungent, nauseating stench brought him to a halt. His stomach churned as it was ominously similar to the kind he encountered in the streets of Paris after a day’s killing. Samuel ran to the odour and arrived at the edge of a great precipice where Clara’s presence was unmistakable.
Gaping over the cliff face, he saw a pretty lagoon filled with green-tinted water and carpeted with lotus flowers. The birds that lived there sang the sweetest song and the plants were blessed with an envious palate of reds, greens, blues, oranges and purples. Everything around him seemed idyllic and wonderful, yet Samuel was aware of an underlying terror that lingered over the place. An unassuming solitary cave caught his eye. He took off his shoes and thought, I must become submerged in the water, not hover above it.