Chapter 6: Twilight Tales II: Inception
'Splish'
'Splash'
'Splish'
'Splash'
The sound of Rose's shoes hitting the puddles echoed as she passed through the quiet boulevard. Heading home was her very mission and cooking, another. Pondering some thoughts she suddenly felt a presence, like someone was watching her every step.
Being self-conscious, Rose looked around. From roofs top to doors, now and again, yet nothing.
Narrowing her eyes, she increased her speed while clutching onto the cloak. Leaving that particular place didn't take minutes nor seconds, she however didn't notice the black figure leaning behind a chimney which seemed to destroy at the slightest push, with eyes as red as wrath staring intently.
Finally home was close enough, smiling with relief and happiness, she reached for the door. Warm but also cold at the same time were the temperatures that greeted me immediately after entering.
The living room was a bit small but provided a position of contentment and security. Few chairs arranged orderly, there she dropped her cloak in a folded form. A light brown rug which laid in the middle camouflaged with the wooden floor. A small flowerpot settled on a tripod with fresh roses blooming.
Going downstairs upon the creaky steps which were again made of wood and were also quite old, she opened the only door in the lobby leading to the bedroom. A wooden bed with which thick beige woven cotton sheets laid upon stood without shaking, the pendulum hanging on the wall performed its work. Towards her right, a chair looking like it had aged almost a million years rocked back and forth while facing the fireplace (which had no wood).
Again, she climbed back upstairs towards the kitchen. Cupboards a bit dusty held silver cutleries, dull white cups and dishes. Hopes on cobwebs being cleaned wasn't a sure idea neither would it be happening any sooner. It was on the owner's choice whether it would be removed or not.
"Holy Camoly!," She exclaimed after seeing the dirty backyard filled with dried leaves from the trees growing around,"looks like I need to clear this place right after cleaning the kitchen".
The night was cold, quiet and also lonely, Rose neighbors had all gone to sleep and crickets were playing their best sounds to at least make the night a bit lively. It was only this particular area that was this dull, no lights, no children playing around, nothing at all. Just the darkness, birds and crickets.
"Well, I need to get some cooking equipments and head towards the village, it's cold and some hot soup would be pretty much appreciated" thinking wisely, Rose packed up all the needed with a full heart as the wooden window in the kitchen she was in flung open letting a cool yet stinking cold breeze enter freely.
Shutting them quickly, a quick flash of different cleaning occupied her mind.
"Oh well, I can do it later or maybe tomorrow" she said, moving outside and arranging everything into the carriage. Procrastination is a bad habit, and the worst possible move. She had to do this just because of hurrying to get the villagers food, but still it would be multiplied twice than before.
Mounting upon the horse which rode slowly towards its direction.
**********
Life filled the village as she entered, men sat in circles at a corner with candles as their source of light, discussing farm problems and other stuff. Women and the girls had their own gathering with a topic to always discuss about. Children played on the grounds, with some acting different roles.
"I'm a pirate who had sailed the seven seas" she could hear one say. "I'm a sorcerer, feel my magic" another said.
Smiling fully at what the children said, Rose was sure she would be gathered very soon because she always comes during the night to give them hot soup and bread.
"Look," a ginger-haired boy called towards his fellow friends, "it's lady Rose". Only those words made the villagers gather up in happiness, the elderly were already hopping out of their rocking chairs with aging smiles, children and adults still followed side by side, with some men bringing out the equipment out of the carriage.
"Maddie, your friend Rose is here" an elderly male voice called from inside. Without any time wasted, a young lady in her early twenties ran like a child to meet Rose.
"Looking young as usual" was the first words of greeting Maddie told her friend.
"Good evening Maddie, and thanks alot for the compliment again for the hundredth time" Rose replied with a hug.
"So, what are we waiting for?. Let's get cooking" Maddie announced as all the villagers screamed in happiness.
Minutes later, the main huge kitchen which also had lots of benches and tables were filled with the villagers. Bowls demanding yet another delicious meal. Everyday, the soup would be improved with either tuna fish, beef, or vegetables. Today however was different, not only were there numerous beef inside, but also hot steamy spicy stew came along and this time chicken was diced inside. The hot newly baked bread sat by the side just waiting to be eaten, there was also more to be asked for.
"In a single file everyone" Rose announced ready to dish out the soup. With a blink of an eye, the entire place changed into the most orderly representation ever.
Everything was going smoothly, until a boy rushed from the back. A bowl held by one hand and a tray at another.
"Lady Rose, please would you mind serving me?" His beautiful smooth voice reached towards her soul, until she soon realized his poor condition.
He had legs filled entirely with sore, hair roughly kept, face decorated by what seemed to be ash, He looked like an orphan who truly is.
"Hey young man, no line breaking" a woman screamed into his ears harshly.
"Yes!" Another said
"She's right" yet another.
Rose looked at the boy with a raised brow, before speaking up quietly, so quiet only he could hear her.
"What's your name?"
"It's Dave," he replied.
"Dave, I know you truly are hungry but it's not good to break the line, especially with elders in it" she told him calmly.
"Okay, I'm sorry. I will go to the back" Dave said obeying instantly with the sweetest smile ever, he also apologized before heading to his position.
"I love obedient children" Maddie told Rose who looked at her with surprise.
"Didn't know you heard all those" Rose said, dishing out some soup to Man's bowl.
"Oh I heard everything," Maddie smiled, giving him some bread.
"Thanks a lot, '' the man gratefully said.
"No problem," the girls replied.
However after a few minutes, the line was gone and it was just Dave who patiently waited that was left.
"Here you go" rose dished out some soup into his bowl and also doubled everything because he was the last one and also the food wouldn't last till the next day before getting finished.
"Thanks Lady Rose" he took it happily and sat down with some other boys who quickly stood up and left. Dave on the other hand eats there alone with tears.
Rose saw this and quickly took her food (that was after giving Maddie hers) and headed to Dave.
"Would you mind if I sit here?" Rose asked as he quickly wiped his tears.
"Yes, thanks alot" Dave smiled like someone who had won a good fortune.
"Why did your friends leave you?" She asked and his face went sad again.
"I don't know, they just don't want to play with me" tears flowed freely from his eyes as he said those words.
"Well, I'm here," Rose smiled, cheering him up.
"Thanks alot".
"What about your parents?"
"Don't have" he quickly answered feeling lost.
"Oh I'm sorry" Rose looked at him with a suggestion, "I don't know if you would like this but I always wanted a little boy…. So, would you mind if I adopt you?".
Dave didn't wait for the words to be finished before hugging her tightly, "thanks alot lady Rose".
"Just call me Rose" she told him as he poured out tears of Joy.
"I won't let you down Rose, no matter what" Dave whispered softly, making her totally confused from the words.
"I saw him," a man stood on the rectangular table with a beer in his hands, he wasn't drunk nor dizzy. It was just a real story that was about to be told.
"Saw who?" A woman asked, speaking everyone's words.
"Dracula".
The villagers suddenly kept quiet, with the sound of candles melting and flames burning only being heard.
Rose sat comfortably with concentration filling up her eyes, these men were vampire hunters, but still only a few percentage of people believed vampires were real. The majority didn't believe until a day, a vampire was truly seen, a day which left the villagers speechless and also filled up the doubts.
Vampire hunters had gone through one thing or another, to encounter Dracula was a story to be heard.
"It was one cold dark night...".
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone