Elizabeth stood with her hands behind her back, rocking from ball to heel. She had removed her veil.

“How did you get in here?”

“I went through the door.”

“I didn’t invite you.”

“You never uninvited me. Well, Esmeralda never uninvited me,” she smiled and licked her lips.

“I shan’t be going to the manor house, and you should not be here?”

“Why? Do you fear the dullards of this village will think the worst of us?”

David walked past her and into the kitchen. He could feel her cold breath on his neck. “They already know the worst of us.” He muttered while preparing a pot of tea. The broken china cracked under his boots as he trotted around the kitchen.

“I overheard your conversation with Jimethy.” Elizabeth stood in the doorframe and watched David.

“Shouldn’t you be mourning your husband? You’re dressed for it.”

Elizabeth chuckled, “He wants your position.”

“He can have it.”

“You don’t want to be captain?”

David was about to reply when he felt icy fingers rub his shoulders. He placed his hands on the table and inhaled. Her presence made him want to curl up into a ball and die.

“Where has your ambition gone?”

“I have no ambition. I’m a cobbler who stumbled on a murderer. Why would you care?” He tried to shrug her off but was held in place by a strength which would be unreasonable for a woman her size. David turned his head to look at her.

“Don’t look at me.” Her voice was a husky whisper. “You wouldn’t like what you saw.”

He shuddered and closed his eyes. “What are you?”

“You will be captain, David.” She kissed the back of his neck.

David tried to struggle but was held too tight. He whimpered softly. “You’re not Elizabeth.” He shook his head as tears formed in the corners of his eyes. “You’re not her.”

“You will come to the manor house. I do not wish to be alone.” Her voice was a deep and animalistic growl.

“I wish to be alone.”

David could feel talons claws dig into his shoulders. He mustered the courage and roared as he turned around to face her. She had gone. The door flapped in the wind and the candles flickered then extinguished.

The captain stormed onto the wet street and into the square, where Alius’ body swung in the wind. He looked up at the manor house. The upstairs window was bright. Watching him only for a moment before it went black. He gritted his teeth and yelled to the house on the hill, “I’m not coming!”

Terrence came out from the tavern where he was having a drink. “Captain, everything alright?”

David held his finger out to Terrence. “Tomorrow, we choose a new captain.”

“Right.”

“Jimethy can be captain. Tell him he’s the captain.”

“Now?”

“Yes, now, I’m no longer acting captain.”

“Why? Is it the affair business?”

David ran his hand over his head. “I’m leaving.”

“Leaving where?”

“Anywhere. I’m going back to Old Town.”

The rain had given way to a drizzle and the wind picked up a fierce whip. Signs, tables, chairs and buckets flew about the streets as villagers ran out to collect their stuff.

“You can come with me if you like.”

“Nay, sir. I’ll stay here.” He looked back at a young lady he was drinking with. She was waving him back into the pub.

“Do you as you please.” David returned to his home and tried to open the door, it was locked from the inside. He looked through the window where only blackness and his wide-eyed reflection stared back at him. He picked up a planter and tossed it through the window. The glass shattered and sprayed his living room floor with soil and glass. He took up a street lantern and clambered through carefully.

The glass crunched under his boots as he waved the lantern in front of him. Smoke still danced from the candles and the scent of their wicks filled his nostrils. He whispered to himself, “Right, David, Pack a few things and get out of here.”

“You alright?”

David jumped and turned around. His neighbour Louise was peering through the broken window with wide eyes. “Yes, locked myself out.”

“That’s a frightful way of going about things, Mr Potter.”

He rolled his eyes, “Cheaper to replace a window than a broken door and frame.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Right.”

The lady left, and David could still hear her chattering about the goings on with a few concerned villages nearby. Tentatively, he made his way to the living room door that led into the hallway running to the kitchen. The door whined as it opened onto the dark stretch. He never thought he’d be so scared to walk through his home.

Whispers from around the house taunted him. He pushed his arm out to illuminate the hallway, and his head followed. Looking left, clear, looking right towards the front door, it was clear. “Right, David. Compose yourself.” He quick time stepped to the door and retrieved the key.

Padding footsteps from behind had David turn to look down the hallway. The door to the bedroom where Esmeralda died slammed shut.

“I’m not amused by your games, Elizabeth.” He waited for a reply. “I shall be leaving this place. There’s nothing here for me now.”

Two golden eyes in the darkness blinked at David from the kitchen. He dropped the lantern and turned to unlock the door. The low growl hummed from behind, prickling the hairs on his neck as he fumbled for the key in his pocket.

“Come home to me.”

David whimpered and shook his head. The growl grew louder. He could feel a cold breeze on his neck as if a revenant was breathing over him. “No, no, no!” He jammed the key in and twisted it. The door clicked. He shoved at the door but it wouldn’t budge. Something was blocking it.

“David. You will go home now!” The voice echoed through his ribcage.

With the last of his strength, he shouldered the door and spilled into the street.

At least, he expected to be in the street.

David walked in and looked around. He was in the manor house living room. The table had been blocking the door from when he placed it in front last night. He shut the pantry door behind him quickly and breathed.

“Don’t think about leaving, David.”

David pressed his back to the pantry door. Elizabeth was sitting on the couch, cross-legged wearing her nighty. Her eyes flashed golden and her teeth were a row of chattering spines. “Who are you?”

She smiled at him and cocked her head. “I’m famished, David.”

“I can’t help you.”

“The village is ripe, David.” She stood slowly. Her face caught in the candlelight. It was bony and pallid. Her hair fell out as she glided towards him. Her mouth opened wide.

David lifted his arm to cover his face and then screamed. He awoke on the bed. Which bed? He looked around the room. He was back at his home. Sweat-laden, he climbed off the bed and walked into the dark hallway. He lit candles one by one. “Just a dream.”

David checked the living room. The window was intact, yet, glass and soil littered the floor. A loud rapping at the door made him jump. Ever so gingerly he approached. Unlocking it and easing the door open. It was still night. Standing outside was the short man, Sylvester. “Oh, it’s you.”

Sylvester nodded. “May I come.”

David was about to agree, as he could use the company after that nightmare, but something twinged in his mind. “No, you’re not permitted to enter.”

“It’s not for long—”

“You are not invited into my house.”

Sylvester paused. “You’re starting to sound like Alius. I am not a vampire.”

“Well, that remains to be seen after what transpired in the trial.”

“Do you honestly believe that drivel?”

David rubbed his head, “No. I suppose not.”

“Then you’ll let me in, hm?”

“I am not taking visitors.”

“I do wish to speak to you urgently.”

David gritted his teeth. Exhaustion had set in. He didn’t much care for the people in the village anymore and still had a great desire to leave as soon as possible. “I shall visit your mortuary tomorrow.”

“Whatever for.”

“We can discuss what plagues you. Amongst other things.”

Sylvester was turned away and David slammed the door shut on him.

“A fine job, sending him away.”

David froze when he heard Elizabeth's voice. He turned to look at her, expecting the monster. No, just plain Elizabeth.

She smiled at him warmly. “He’s a bad sort. Do you think it’s true what Alius said about him?”

“Why are you here?”

“I’ve come to check on you, David. You don’t seem well.”

“I just saw you, in the house, you were—”

“David.” she raised her eyebrows. “You have a very important duty as Captain. You must remain vigilant.”

“What are you talking about?” David pressed himself tightly against his front door.

“Tomorrow, you will investigate the accusations levied against Sylvester. If he has done what Alius speaks of, we need to stop him.”

“We? I am the Captain. I’ll decide who needs to be stopped.”

Her eyes seemed to flash as she approached him. “Get some sleep now. Tomorrow is a new day for us. For this village.”

David closed his eyes tightly.

“Excuse me, David.”

He opened them.

“I’d like to leave.” She nodded at him.

“Right.” He moved away from the door to let Elizabeth leave.

“You are acting so very strangely.” She shook her head left.

David locked the door and stumbled through his home before collapsing on the chair. He dipped in and out of consciousness before finally falling asleep.

***

“He said I’m acting captain, now.” Said Terrence.

Jimethy raised his eyebrows. “You?”

“Yeah.” He nodded. Terrence had been slurring his words. “Said I did such a good job today, and because you made a pig's ear of everything, you have to be my helper.”

“I don’t have to be your anything, Terrence. You’re drunk.” Jimethy made to close his front door on him but Terrence stopped him. “Doesn’t matter if I’ve been drinking. What matters is you accept that I’m Captain.”

“Where is, David?”

“He’s gone. Left.”

“He’s run away has he?” Jimethy narrowed his eyes. “I think I can catch up to him before he leaves town.” Jimethy attempted to leave his house but Terrence shoved him back in. “What are you doing, Terrence?”

“Don’t question me you prat.”

Jimethy sneered and shoved Terrence back. “Piss off with you, drunkard!”

Terrence took considerable offence to Jimethy’s shove and tackled him into the house. They both fell on the floor with Terrence on top. Like a frenzied ape, he began to rain blows down on the cowering Jimethy. He cursed and thumped with all his might.

Jimethy was able to roll onto his belly underneath the maddened Terrence and crawl away, rocking his assailant off. He scrambled to his feet and ran up the stairs.

“Jimmy. Come out, Jimmy!”

Jimethy could hear the door locking. He looked around his bedroom for a weapon, only to find an old bushcraft blade. “Go away, Terrence.” He could hear him coming up the stairs with deliberately slow thuds. “I know you’re drunk. Leave now and I won’t tell a soul about this!” He shook in the corner, the inch blade at the ready.

Terry kicked the door open and growled. He pushed the bed out of the way and pointed at Jimethy.

“What’s wrong with your face, Terry?” Jimethy held out the blade to threaten.

Terry laughed and snarled. His spiny teeth chattered. His eyes glowed a pale yellow with large pupils like pits. “Never challenge the Captain, Jim.”

Jimethy lunged at Terry and found himself on the floor. Terry mounted him rapidly and pinned him down with impossible strength.

“No, Terry!”

A blood-curdling scream rang out through the village. Nobody cared. They were either sleeping or making merry after the trial. Besides, it’d just be a drunkard.