The Vampiric Chronicles Part Twenty-Two: A Moment Withheld

Been a long time since I posted! I'll have to brush up around here. XD

One week passed after the sinister events that befell the Witch Diane, and even as Mark, Paul, John, Sandra, and Tom discuss it over dinner they still cannot believe the harsh brutality that the town mayor exhibited over the poor witch. Although Diane did survive the conflagration of her house with the execution of several clever witchwork and the help of underground passages within her shack, she has now, according to Sandra, fled to the countrysides to the homes of the outlying witches that reside there.

"Of course she will be safe there as I am here, but there's no telling what that mad mayor might do should he encounter more witches." Sandra said. "Have you heard what happened to his daughter?"

"Yes." Mark said curtly, slicing half-cooked steak in his plate and spearing it with his fork. "From what I hear, his daughter died several days ago of intense fever and what they believe to be witchcraft at its worst."

"No better words can describe that." Sandra said. "We witches are helpful and kind to a fault, but if we are disrupted by these non-believers then we can set loose nature upon them!"

John didn't reply, nor was he even listening to their conversation. Several things had come to his attention recently and often he sneaks some time out of the Manor, preferably at night and during the moments when Sandra educates young Tom. Not that he's evading her, but he's got several things in mind.

"Uhm, excuse me for a moment," John said, rising up from the chair all of a sudden. "I'll... I'll need to take a short walk."

"I'll come with you." Sandra said, half-rising from her chair, but John held her back.

"N-no, this is something I must do myself." John said, taking extra caution to choose his words carefully. He didn't want to hurt her feelings.

"Well, if that's what you like." Sandra said. "You be careful now."

"That's something to be said for those who cross me."

Sandra smirked. John strode to the door, put on a coat, and went out of the Manor.

"Y-you two are not fighting, are you?" Mark asked curiously.

"Not at all!" Sandra said suddenly. "Why do you ask that?"

"Nothing."

*****

John walked along the almost-empty town streets, watching the town folk light the street lamps and close up shops. He stopped in front of the bookstore where he and his friends normally stayed, then entered without anyone noticing.

"Oh, hi John." Jason said, looking up from his reading. "Took you a short while to get here."

"Sorry, we're having dinner." John said. "Had to excuse myself. Is it ready?"

"Not yet, but it's almost done. I'll just need Anthony's assistance to finish it."

"Thanks. I wouldn't know what I'd do without you guys."

"Not a problem, man. You take care with her now."

"I will."

John went out of the bookstore, thinking deeply. Thoughts danced around his mind as he walked along the street, all revolving around the single woman in his life. Sandra had been the best thing that had come in his darkened and miserable vampiric life, yet there's something missing that he seems to fail to give.

"Just a little more time..." John said to himself, frowning. "I'm sorry, I'll have to hold it a bit longer..."

He looked up at the night sky, as a light snow started to fall. He had completely forgotten - it's almost Christmas.

"Maybe during then." John said.

Now I wonder what that is *giggles*