David clambered to his feet as Greg approached.

“David, what’s the matter?”

“Nothing. I must have taken a wrong turn.”

“Did you follow the road?”

“Yes.”

Greg scratched his temple, “Not sure how you ended up back here then. Why don’t you come back to the village?” He stepped closer to David.

David backed away, “No, stay away.”

Greg’s blinked. “Well, right then.”

Climbing the ridge exhausted him, but it’d be the quickest way back into the forest without passing through the village. The trees remained static. No crunch or snap came from the deep bracken that lined the path. The mist vanished, and David could see ahead. He ran as fast, as far away from the village as possible.

“Ah!” David stumbled, fell face-first into the path and tumbled into a thorny bush. The pain roiled up through his ankles. His bloodied and thorn-ridden knees stung. Determined, he gathered onto all fours and pushed himself back into a run. His lungs were aflame while every subsequent breath shortened.

“David.”

He stopped, exhausted and gasping.

“David.”

The whispers danced between the trees and bristled at the edges of his ears. He thought Alius was calling him again. This voice was different from the former captains. It was distant and soothing, like a mother's call to a lost child.

The path became more formed and worn in as he approached a tree line that led into some sort of clearing. Hoping to come across a new face, he picked up the pace. He crashed through the low branches of two trees. David stopped. The path he had left on took him right back to where first began his self-imposed exile. He dropped his pack and collapsed.

***

“David?”

“He’s coming too.”

“Get him a cup of tea will you, Jim?”

“Good evening, David.”

David shook his head and sat up in the bed.

“I’ll fetch Elizabeth. She was most worried.”

“Elizabeth? No, it’s fi–”

Terry had already left.

David looked around the room. He was in the manor house. He pulled aside the blankets and made to get out of the bed.

“Captain.”

“Elizabeth…” David looked at the pale, glassy-eyed woman as she floated into the room with deft grace. “What happened?”

Jimethy entered and placed a cup of tea on the bedside table. He nodded politely and left the two alone, closing the door behind him.

Elizabeth sat on the end of the bed and tilted her head quizzically. “Are you, well, Captain?”

“I am fine. I should leave.”

She placed a hand on his knee and squeezed it. “No, stay, please. You need to rest.”

David felt his body freeze.

“You are under a lot of pressure, Captain. It’s clearly gotten to you.”

“No, nothing has gotten to me.”

“You have been running around the perimeter of the village. Greg and several others reported you in a maddened state.”

“Others, who?”

“My gosh, David, I did not collect names. I am simply trying to help you.”

“You were at my house last night. After the trial.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken. I went straight back to the manor.” She placed a hand over her chest, “The trial took its toll on me too. I had to rest.”

David was about to inquire about Alius but remembered his advice about letting Elizabeth know nothing. “I cannot be captain. I am not staying in this village.”

“I can’t force you to do anything, David.” Elizabeth smiled. “Terrence stated he is acting captain. I would say though, I think you have done a marvellous job so far.”

He rubbed the back of his neck and shook his head. “Marvellous job? Since I became captain three men have died.”

“All three of them brought it upon themselves, Captain. You heard the testimonials. My statement. Did Alius not go mad and kill poor Esme and Angela? You brought justice to the village.”

“I brought everyone’s dirty washing out too.”

Elizabeth chuckled and shook her head, “Oh, you don’t believe the rubbish Alius was spouting, do you? It was all for effect.”

David narrowed his eyes, “Why did you bring up our affair?”

“I told the truth, David. I cannot lie. I am a Christian woman who accepts her sins.” She nodded sternly. “He would have used it against you anyway. I thought it better from my mouth than his.”

“You risked your reputation. I imagine both of ours are in tatters now.”

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Elizabeth nodded. “Yet you still should be Captain. I should be the Captain's hand.”

“You?”

“Who better? We can share this home and continue our vision. The one our families agreed upon.”

David shook his head vigorously. “You are out of line. We are not suited for this. We are both mired in sin.”

“True, as are all the folks in the village. Come, who could honestly do this job? You’re the sharpest man. You uncovered Alius’ crimes. You saved me. You organised a trial with a day's notice. Everyone followed your lead, and they will continue to do so.” She stroked his leg.

David twitched. “I haven’t the fortitude.”

“You need to rest. Terry will look after things for now while you catch your strength.”

The warmth of Elizabeth's words and the comforting embrace of the soft, downy bed lulled David into a contented state. Perhaps she was right. He could lead, enjoy this fine house and have the beautiful Elizabeth as his right-hand woman. By the lord, she was beautiful now. Her gaunt features had filled out and her lips were pouting.

“Alius’ body was missing this morning.”

Elizabeth nodded. “I heard the news. Terry questioned a few folks in the village. I’m sure he’ll have the body back. He says the branch he was hanged from snapped and someone may have dragged him away.”

“Someone or something?”

“I am not sure what you mean.”

David half smiled. “Could have been wolves.”

Elizabeth nodded. “You are a smart one.” She bit her lip and held it before it popped free. “Don’t try to leave again…this village needs you. I need you.”

David sipped his tea and closed his eyes. “I shan’t make any promises.” He said between sips.

“Did you see anyone in the woods?”

David swallowed a mouthful of tea and set the cup down to compose himself. Elizabeth seemed to have a knack for discovering his lies. David wasn’t sure if he was a terrible liar or if she could read the scripture upon a man's soul. “Anyone like who?”

“Anyone like anyone. Perhaps someone who might be the perpetrator of Alius’ missing body.”

“I saw nothing but my own shadow.”

“A terrible thing to run from, David.”

“It always keeps up.”

Her eyes flashed. “If you do remember anything from your jaunt, please tell me.”

That feeling of safety and comfort had mangled into the spiny grasp he was used to. Elizabeth had a way of darkening every moment of hope or happiness that might dare to frolic in his psyche. “I certainly will, Elizabeth.”

She wobbled her head playfully, slapped his knee and rose promptly. “I shall make you some eggs.”

“Thank you.”

“You’ll need it.” She raised her finger. “Also, I have commissioned Greg to make renovations to this manor. If you’re going to be presiding as Captain, I think it’s only right you have the proper home to do it from.”

“I still haven’t agreed to that.”

“You will. You won’t regret it. Terry has gone to the evening meet-up. He’ll discuss your leadership there.”

“Terry? He’s not exactly a word-smith.”

“He’s doing a good job in your absence. Still not half the man you are.” She winked and left David alone.

***

The evening was warm and welcoming to those surrounding Terry. He stood by the willow tree and addressed the villagers with his usual terse style.

“So you’re captain now?” Asked a disgruntled and confused villager.

“I am acting captain just for today.”

“Why?”

“Captain Potter had a stumble. He is instructing me on finding Alius’ body.”

“Who made Potter Captain anyway?”

“We did!” Yelled Terry.

“We should choose our next captain.”

“Who’d like to be captain then?” He raised his hands in the air, “Well?” Terry laughed. “None of you are fit for this job. Potter found the killer. Potter led the trial. Potter’s captain.”

“Potter is a degenerate! He’s adulterous!” A large man had pushed his way in front, brandishing his bible. “He’s no leader!”

“Thirteen years ago he made a mistake. Who are you to cast stones, Simon?”

Simon grimaced.

Terry smirked, “You’re also a simpleton, Simon. If I were you I’d keep my big mouth shut.” He looked over them all. “You’re all simpletons quite frankly, and you’ll accept Potter as your captain.”

“Or else what?”

“Or else you’ll end up like the last man who crossed him.” He gestured to the willow tree. “It’s market day tomorrow. The travellers will come through and we will need to trade. That should be your concern. Not who sits in the manor.”

“Piss off, Terry!” Simon called.

“If you have a problem, why don’t you march your fat arse up to the manor and tell the captain yourself?”

“Maybe I will!” Simon looked behind him, “Who’s with me?”

The villagers looked tired and they broke away. Their will had been sapped from the previous days. Simon was a simpleton at best and did not inspire the masses.

“Looks like you’ll be going alone. If you have the bollocks for it.”

Simon spat. “I’ll go on my own, no problem.”

Terry made his way back up to the manor with Simon trailing behind him. He ignored the dolts muttering.

Elizabeth opened the door and welcomed them both in. Simon sat on the couch with Jim and Terry at either side of him.

“What is the problem, Simon?”

“I want to speak to the captain.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “He’s indisposed. You can speak to me for now.”

“I don’t want to speak to a woman, I want to speak to Captain Potter.” Simon looked between the men on his flanks. He tried to put up a brave front but he wasn’t comfortable.

“What about, dear?”

“I don’t think he should be a leader. He’s a sinner.”

“Who should be Captain, Simon?” Elizabeth spoke softly.

“I don’t know.”

“So you come here with a demand and no alternative.”

“I don’t need to speak to some harlot about the leadership of this village!” He grunted.

Elizabeth nodded deliberately to Jim and then to Terry.

The men stood up.

Simon looked at them. “What?”

Terry grabbed Simon and hauled him off the chair while Jim came up behind. Simon found himself in a standing nelson he couldn’t wriggle from. Jimethy held him in place.

Terry put his face close to Simon’s “Should have kept your mouth shut.” He stuffed a block of wood into his mouth and moved aside to reveal Elizabeth.

“Well, Simon. I’m going to show you something.”

Simon struggled and moaned as he tried to push the block out using his tongue. It had been wedged tight between behind his teeth.

Elizabeth held up a finger to reveal her long talon. She placed it on his chest and ran it down Simon’s shirt to the top of his crotch.

Simon was shivering with terror as he watched her finger. At first, it felt like a tickle, then searing pain. From his shirt oozed blood in a vertical line following the trail she made with her finger.

“On his back, please.”

Simon was laid flat on his back. Elizabeth straddled him and looked down with a wide smile. He had become pale and weak.

“Let’s see what I can show you.” She reached down.

Simon heard a sickening squelch. A fiery agony burned in his stomach and his eyes widened.

“Oh, look at this.” She lifted her hand, dangling a length of his intestines. “It’s your insides, Simon. I’m showing them to you.”

Simon tried to turn his head to look away, but Jim took him by the cheeks and held his face firmly. He closed his eyes but could still hear the visceral smacking sounds as Elizabeth emptied the contents of his stomach. She would name each organ as it was liberated. “David will eat well tonight, won’t he boys?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Shall I have him disposed of?”

“No, have him reanimated. He lived with the mind of a ghoul, so he may as well become one.”

“Of course.”