ALTERNATE: The New World

[pinkroses]

“You… yes, I understood, but… how did you do that? You were in my head. You show the future? Or just… your own images?” he asked, still watching the vampire warily, bewildered by this new display of skill.

William had no idea what vampires could be capable of, but he didn’t like the list so far - great strength, pushing pictures into your mind, apparently being impervious to cold, not forgetting the fact that the dead were walking. This was all so unnatural, it wasn’t right. Too look so much like a youngster, but to be such a deadly monster.

“What else can you do?” William asked, the fear clear both in his face and the tremor in his voice.

[Existentially Odd]

"Just... things I make up, and show you," the vampire explained as he circled a hand around his head, his brain not helping him with words like \'images\'.  It was beginning to be very frustrating.  William spoke so fast, even his thoughts felt so much faster, how was a loner vampire who\'d had no decent human contact for decades to keep up?

The question about what else he could do he took to be about his mental powers specifically and so he answered accordingly.  "Can... make pictures and put them in your mind.  Can see in your mind, pictures and thoughts."  He couldn\'t read deep thoughts yet, only surface ones and he wasn\'t very adept at manipulating them at all but he thought he might practise on William, to get better.

[pinkroses]

William\'s jaw set as he was told his own thoughts weren\'t safe from his captor. Even if there was a way he could get around the strength, speed and knowledge which must come with two hundred years experience, he wouldn\'t be able to plan anything about an escape. The redhead would know, he couldn\'t hide anything.

"Have you been reading my thoughts? Would I know?" he asked in a cold voice, his back stiff and body tense. If the predator decided to attack the town he would know all their weaknesses, they would have no chance.

[Existentially Odd]

The vampire tilted his head, giving it some thought as well as being distracted by the bridled anger on display.  After so long staring at stone walls and having fleeting contact with humans, the blonde\'s every move was fascinating to the redhead, every nuance of his face enticing.  He loved that there were so many emotions on display, that he could analyse and categorise what each one might mean, it helped him feel he was getting to know William already.

"Uh... if I tried too much, yes," he admitted.  "But I have not tried too much.  I have seen... woman, Susanna?" he queried, figuring that this must be where the name came from, though no names had been strongly connected with the children the mortal had thought of, just yet.  "And... sons.  Looking after them," he explained, mimicking the action of feeding one of the boys, as William had considered it just before.  "You think of them often," the vampire ground out innocently, looking curiously at William to see what emotions his description would evoke this time.

[pinkroses]

William felt rage flare up inside as this monster dared to speak about his living wife and beautiful children. He had no right, And to talk about looking after them? William would never be able to do that again, not directly anyway. But he could do it from afar, by keeping the monsters away as best he could.

He dropped his head into one hand, rubbing the ball of his hand against his eye, trying to calm himself, but finding it difficult. But he had to find a positive, anything. Or he would go mad staying here. If the redhead hadn\'t mentioned her William might not have been able to focus, he might really have lost his temper, but he had her to cling to.

"You know what they look like then? Susanna and my boys? So you will know who not to hurt if you ever... If you have to go there, you won\'t go near them?" he asked, hating how defeated he sounded. But what choice did he have? If he argued or fought, Aden might kill him, then go back to the town. And now he knew Susanna, she might be the next one he took.

[Existentially Odd]

The mortal\'s emotions were so strong they were palpable and the vampire held a hand out towards the man without touching him, exploring the energy in the air and gathered around him, from the containment of his emotions.  He would make no promises about going back to see the woman and her children, for it might come about that he had to go there one day.  He didn\'t know.  William didn\'t yet mean so much to him that he would willingly deprive himself, so he chose to say nothing on the matter.

"Next night," he began, lowering his hand once he\'d got his fill of emotions, "you said... we should move.  Away.  In case your people come for you.  Do you wish to say farewell to your... um, woman and boys?" he asked, pulling a face as the words for \'tomorrow\' and \'wife\' eluded him.  He thought he was doing exceptionally well for someone who hadn\'t spoken in so long and his voice was much smoother now, the timbre deep and rich.  He couldn\'t promise that he would never visit the village, including William\'s family, but he thought it was kind of him to offer a goodbye.

[pinkroses]

William watched his captor\'s hand stretch out to him, but he didn\'t seem to need a physical response so William made no effort to mirror the movement. It felt like nothing he did would really matter, but he knew that wasn\'t the case. It mattered and he had to remember that.

At Aden\'s question William stayed silent for a few seconds, his eyes dropping to watch the fire. He shouldn\'t, he should stay away from them, let Susanna think he was dead. But the more selfish part of him was winning hands down.

"Yes, I would like to see them before we go. If you would let me?" he said softly, confused about why the redhead would let him but not wanting to ask further about why just in case.

[Existentially Odd]

The answer to his question - one the vampire considered fairly redundant, for why would he have offered if William would not be allowed? - was a shrug.  The redhead then stood with fluid grace and unnatural speed.

"We will go now.  Get more fire wood on the way back," he announced and headed into the narrow entranceway (somewhat nervously stepping around the fire he\'d built so close to it).  As he moved through the more constrictive tunnel - sometimes able to walk normally but often having to turn sideways - he wondered if he was doing the right thing in letting William say goodbye to his family.  The mortal\'s emotions, however, were wild and vivid when he thought of them and the vampire could only think of losing his sire.  He hadn\'t got a chance to say goodbye to her and he still wished for it, more than anything.

When he got to the path the led up to the cave, he waited around the false lip for William to join him, unperturbed by the ten metre (at this, the highest point) drop but thinking his mortal companion would need some guidance.  The path was wide by his standards - he could walk normally up it and his shoulders were broad, though he did have to lean slightly sideways over the blackness of space in some places.  He\'d had to carry William on the outside shoulder, dangling into space, so he could walk up on the way, but he believed now that the mortal would be able to do it on his own, as long as they kept close together beneath the meagre moon.  He would guide him and he was waiting there, high above the dark forest that stretched towards his village, with a closed-mouth smile.

[pinkroses]

William couldn’t help but flinch backwards as the vampire moved so quickly, but then he followed suit, standing up properly, if not with quite as much grace. He hadn’t been sure if his captor had meant now or tomorrow, but tonight would probably be more sensible. He could make sure no hunt came after them, for as much as he didn’t want to have to go with the newly named Aden, he had even less desire to see his family and friends slaughtered.

The blonde didn’t think to take a torch from the fire, he simply followed obediently after the redhead, stopping dead suddenly as he reached the edge of the path which he almost hadn’t spotted. He took in their surroundings in the dim light, taking a few moments to let his eyes adjust a little before glancing up at the giant. He didn’t return the smile, but there was a determined look on his face instead, although the vampire would no doubt be able to feel the jumble of emotions hiding just underneath. He knew what he had to do to keep them safe and he would do it as best he could. William gave a firm nod before placing a hand against the cold stone wall to help guide himself down the path, trying to need the supernatural’s help as little as possible.

As they moved swiftly William tried to focus on more useful points than wallowing in his own self pity. He had the chance to get a few more things he would need, blankets, more warn clothes, his other boots. By the looks of it there had been a good amount of supplies in the cave, but William hadn’t check the quality, or what vital bits might be missing.

[Existentially Odd]

Once they\'d descended the treacherous sloping path, the vampire set a cracking pace back towards the village, leading William directly there because they were supposed to be leaving the area the next night, so what point was there in hiding that a mile lay between their homes?  He had to slow several times because the mortal couldn\'t see the path as well - though he made sure to point out pitfalls such as holes, extruding roots or fallen logs that might trip him up - and also for William to catch his breath.  The air was thin in the cold but he had no concept of that, given his unused lungs.
 
When they were less than halfway there, voices began to carry to the vampire and he stopped, looking at his companion in consternation.  When he received a questioning look, he explained.  "They\'re calling for you.  Calling your name.  I hear it.  Like you have walked off.  They are searching for you," he mumbled, uncertain about how to proceed.  He really did wish to give his captive the farewell he deserved, but he wasn\'t going to risk losing him, not this early on.  Already, his humanity was returning and he was feeling less like an animal, just from the short time he\'d spent in William\'s presence.  He wanted to know more; he wanted to feel again.
 
"We must go... quiet.  Careful," he warned, deciding that he would proceed, for William\'s sake.  "I can walk you around them but if they hear, I will have to kill them.  I don\'t want them to take you," he asserted, gripping William\'s upper arm in a vice-like hold that matched the earnest expression on his moon-shadowed face.  In all honesty, he looked half-crazed, but he was merely being sincere.  "I will get us to the back of the houses.  Can you be quiet?" he asked, not understanding the threat implied in his words.  Truly, he hadn\'t said that he\'d kill anyone that discovered them with any maliciousness, it was just a fact; he liked William and he wanted to keep him.  Anyone that posed a threat to that would die for the sake of it.

[pinkroses]

William was grateful for the chance to pause and he leant against a tree, breathing heavily. He was by no means unhealthy, but the vampire was fast and every step was a struggle to William in the darkness. He’d almost tripped over roots and rocks countless times on the trip, and he was so focused on not injuring himself William had no idea how long they’d been walking for or how far they’d gone. Travelling at night in terrain like this was stupid, so William had rarely done it in the past.

This pause was different though, and the vampire quickly explained why. His grey eyes turned to the dark trees, his ears straining but William couldn’t hear anything yet. He wanted to call out, to tell them not to worry, he was here, they’d found him, But that would do no one any good. His attention turned back to the redhead as his arm was gripped so tightly and he moved his own to grasp the squeezing fingers, making a vain attempt to remove them and doing nothing of the sort.

His hand dropped at the threat and William stared up at Aden. Would he really just kill them? It wasn’t that hard to believe when he had that look in his eyes. They should go back, forget this and leave them safe. But they were so close now, he could imagine the feel of Susanna’s arms around him, her soft hair tickling his cheek, the smell of the soap she’s made herself and scented with flowers as best she could. His heart ached to to tell her just one more time that he loved her and to hear her say those words back to him.

He opened his mouth, but then shut it again abruptly, nodding instead. Yes, he could be quiet for her.

[Existentially Odd]

From that point on their progress was much slower and far more cautious.  The vampire remained close to his mortal companion, releasing his hold but often pressing their shoulders together for attention when he had to point out some form of danger on the ground or around them that might cause William to fall.  At one point, they passed within about three metres of a man hollering William\'s name sporadically into the night.  When his voice thundered around them just as they drew even with him, the vampire looked to his companion to judge his reaction.

The electric moment passed as the man moved on, swishing through the forest with so much noise that he would disturb a slumbering bear before he heard any response from a hurt or lost William.  The vampire led them both onwards when he read the defeat in his companion\'s eyes; he had accepted his fate and they were moving towards it with every one of his breaths.

With some silent questions asked via gestures, the redhead figured out which makeshift home was William and Susanna\'s and he got them, undetected, to the rear of it.  Once they stood against the back wall, he leaned in and pressed his lips to William\'s hot ear, to speak with him so that no-one else would hear (there were people moving frequently around this home, obviously checking on Susanna and to see if William had returned).

"Go.  I will be here.  Come back when you are ready," he hissed, not feeling he had to verbalise the threat that if William didn\'t return, he would be punished in ways he wouldn\'t like.  He much preferred his quarry in a fit mental state, but if he was forced to avenge himself, he doubted that would remain the case.  He\'d start his little experiement over if that happened, with someone new, knowing to skip this part where he brought them home to say goodbye.

He gave William a shove when he was done speaking, pushing him towards the place where he could access his home and his wife.  He then hunkered down in some nearby shadows to wait, focussing on the thoughts of his new pet as best he could, in amongst looking about for trouble.  He thought, if this went well, that perhaps they wouldn\'t have to move too far away from here after all.  William might even be able to come back and visit every now and then, to see his children grow and keep in contact with his people.  The vampire had no idea how long it would be until he grew bored of his game, but he arrogantly envisioned years of fun ahead of them (when he knew his own impatient nature and realised it would be more like months... at most).  It might be nice to eventually include the rest of the family.

[pinkroses]

Chilton, the idiot had never been a good hunter, which William supposed was a good thing as the man was suddenly so close to them. He was sure anyone else would have been able to hear his heart pounding like a bass drum as he held his breath, knowing that his silence was the only thing keeping the man before him alive. He knew he couldn’t step out into the torchlight like he wanted to, he was trapped, unless he stopped caring about all those people and just let them die. For him. No, he couldn’t.

Once they had reached his home William stiffened up at the feel of the vampire’s lips pressed so close to his ear, to his throat, but managed to give a small nod to show he understood. The creature could hear so well, he wouldn’t probably know everything that went on inside. He didn’t give a time frame, but as William waited for one of his friends to leave he knew he had to be quick or they would be back.

As he waited a few seconds longer, he heard Peregrine’s piercing cry ring out and the blonde took his chance, moving swiftly through the shadows to the door which was now unlocked so he could slip silently inside, shutting it and bolting it behind him. Despite the baby’s cry Susanna must have heard the door, because she was instantly visable in the doorway, her bright eyes shining in the firelight, the boy cradled in his arms.

“William, where have you been,” she gasped, rushing forwards and wrapping an arm around his shoulders, clutching Peregrine tightly between them. William hugged her back, a little more mindful of the child, but still holding her as though he never wanted to let go.

“You must be quiet, no one can hear us, no one can know I’m here,” he breathed, earning himself a questioning look from his wife as she drew back, but she knew to trust him, especially when he had that look in his eyes.

“There is something out there, something dangerous, and I know it sounds stupid, and ridiculous, but I have to go with it to keep you safe,” he said in a rush, lightly touching his son’s head as the child settled, relaxed by being in his mother’s arms. “You must call off the search. Tell them… tell them I left, that I’m a coward and I didn’t think we could do this here. I’m going to Jamestown, or back to England. Anything, just don’t follow, don’t look for me,” William said, his voice breaking as his own eyes filled with tears, seeing how confused she looked.

Susanna took a step back, then turned to head into the bedroom, looking for all the world like she was putting Peregrine to bed any other night or the year but William followed her and he could see her hands shaking as he lifted them from the cradle, now empty.

“You’re leaving me. Us,” she said softly, shaking her head slightly, her hair moving a little as she did so. William approached her, wrapping his arms around her and pressing a kiss to her lips which she reciprocated for a few seconds before hitting his shoulder with enough force to make him step backwards with surprise.

“William White, you can not do this,” she said with a fierce voice, but keeping it quiet as he’d requested. “You can not just go missing, then turn up again saying that there is… something. Some reason why you have to go. There is no reason good enough for you to leave your sons. To leave me.”

The vampire’s new pet took in a slow breath, wishing that was true. If he could stay forever with them and know they would be safe, of course he wouldn’t go. When he had said his vows to her William had truly believed they would be together forever, growing old and grey and dying together in the same bed, but all that had changed.

“You should find them a new father.”

“They have a father.”

“Someone who can look after them…”

“You look after them, it’s your duty. Stand and fight”

“…And someone who will be here.”

“You stay.”

“I can not. I can not stay and have you safe.” He closed the distance between them again, cupping her hot cheek, now damp with tears. “But know that I am doing this because I love you and them and that is the only reason why. He will kill you if I don’t go, whether you believe it or not.”

Susanna brushed a hand across her eyes, dashing away the tears and taking in a shuddering breath.

“I love you and I trust you, I always have. And I know you’ll try to come back to me. So… go. If that‘s what you need to do.” She pushed gently at his chest, but William couldn’t bring himself to step away. Maybe he could fight Aden. Maybe he could grab the other gun that was in the main room, sneak up on him. Or wait until someone came back to check on Susanna and get them to gether the other men.

And then watch them all be slaughtered.

“I wish I could explain better but I barely understand it myself,” he said softly. “He let me come back to say goodbye, to you and, to the boys,” he said, moving past Susanna to lean over the cradle. He leant down to kiss Peregrine’s forehead, then moved to the small bed in the corner of the room where the two year old had managed to sleep through the baby’s cries and was lying spread eagle across the bed. William pulled the blanket straight across Resolved’s body and kissed his pudgy cheek softly before straightening up and turning back to Susanna.

“You are the best thing that ever happened to me,” he whispered, kissing her one last time and this time Susanna didn’t pull away. He didn’t know how longer he held her for, wishing that moment could never end, but eventually he had to step back, leaving her looking dazed and lost, until there was a knock on the door and she blinked as though coming back from sleep.

William stiffened up for a moment, then moved to pick up the leg of a stool he had been putting together. No one could know he was here. If anyone other than Susanna knew they would all be killed and there was no other way out of the house.

“Susanna, open the door,” he said quietly, moving to stand beside it. She stared blankly at him for a moment and then nodded, straightening her skirts as she moved to unbolt the door.

“Samuel,” she greeted the man in a hushed voice, but he had no chance to respond as he stepped forwards and William brought the leg down on the back of his neck, making the man crumple before them. William quickly pulled Samuel inside, then gave Susanna a nod.

“No one will follow,” she said softly, as he gave her a final, loving look, and then disappeared into the darkness.

William moved quickly to the back of the house, to where he had left Aden, looking about frantically for the vampire and not seeing him in the shadows, the leg of the stool still clutched in his hand. Samuel wasn’t dead, just knocked out for a little while, hopefully. Susanna could come up with something, some reason. Maybe she would claim she’d been scared, or blame it on William and say he fled. If Samuel was alright they may listen to her request that they were not to follow. He knew he couldn’t linger here long though, if Samuel didn’t return to the hunt soon others would go looking for him too and there would soon be a lot more people in the house.

He’d not picked up any of the things he knew he should have done and Susanna may never completely understand. But he’d managed to say goodbye. And she knew he loved her.

[Existentially Odd]

Like a ghost, the vampire materialised beside the frantic-looking mortal, eyeing off the stool leg curiously.  He\'d heard all that had gone on in the house and was delighted that William had hit a friend, in order to protect him.  It sealed his loyalty in a manner that the creature could never have expected.

Of course, he might also want to try hitting him with the makeshift club, too, so he waited a moment to be sure that wasn\'t going to happen before he led him off into the darkness once more.  It was wood; when they got back to the cave, they could burn it, so the vampire didn\'t insist it get dropped.  They snuck cautiously away from the buildings and took a different route out into the woods, to skirt returning searchers, not speaking until they were in the clear.

When he was certain they were far enough away to not be heard by anyone, the creature looked his companion over appreciatively, impressed that he still hadn\'t given them away.  "Do you need to eat now?" he asked, numerous other questions boiling away on his tongue but this one the first to fall out.  The sound of small heartbeats had registered not too far off, convincing him there was a warren of rabbits nearby that would feed them both.  He wasn\'t desperate yet, and was happy to rely on William\'s decision as to whether he caught some of them now or not, though.

[pinkroses]

William followed close behind the vampire, feeling none of the peace he\'d hoped he would after speaking to Susanna. She knew he was alive and loved him, and she had accepted he had to go and helped keep him hidden. Samuel would be alright, but none of them could know why he was going. If they found out they may try to follow and he couldn\'t have that on his conscience.

He was so deep in thought that he barely registered when he was asked a question and William blinked confusedly at his captor before joining the dots to figure out what had been asked. He wasn\'t hungry, but he should eat if they were going to sleep the day away. He might not get the chance again for a while.

And to tell the truth he was somewhat interested in watching the redhead in action, although in this light he doubted he would be able to see anything. From the image he\'d been given before Adrn would be drinking from rabbits, so maybe he wouldn\'t need to feed on a human for a while.

"Yes, I should eat," he said softly, with no enthusiasm in his voice as he lowered his gaze to the stick in his hand. His knuckles were white from gripping it so tightly.

"How often do you need to drink?" he asked, finally lifting his gave again to the giant beside him.