Silently, the vampire walked over to Rue, paying heed to the cremated remains that had been strewn throughout the grotto floor.
“What’s wrong, kid?” Rue says, perturbed by the unblinking crimson stare.
“Please follow me, Mister Rue.” He tugged at the hunter’s black sleeve gently, slowly guiding him to the safe and absolutely dry portion of the grotto. There was nothing that could be done about the ashes, and as much as the vampire would desire to not cross their paths—to let them enjoy the rest of their afterlives in peace, he must stay…for now, at least. Until the rain relents. Only then, can they both leave.
Rue shoots an incredulous look at the patch of earth. While the moon is visible to a certain extent, its light was obstructed by dark rain clouds. Light still spills forth into the grotto, but the sight is weak. Despite its efforts, the grotto is still rather dark from its plain, rocky interior.
“Don’t worry, Mister Rue. It’s perfectly safe here,” Noël stated as he took note of the hunter’s worried expression. He looked left and right, paying particular attention to the ashes spread across the sandy and muddied floor. “If it’s about the spirits, don’t worry. They probably won’t attack us.”
“Oh, that’s good,” Rue says with a smile…only for realization to dawn on his face in a matter of seconds. “Wait, what do you mean by probably!!?”
“Exactly that.” He waves his hands in a dismissive manner, uncaring or merely oblivious to the plight of his elder. Calmly, Noël reached into his pocket and retrieved a small parcel of cookies, one of which he handed over to Rue.
“Please stop crying, Mister Rue,” Noël says, casually waving the cookie a bit too close to the hunter’s face. “This is for you.”
Rue eyes the cookie, frowning at its close proximity. “I’m not very hungry.”
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“Neither am I, but you don’t see me denying food.” The vampire takes a bite out of the cookie, impassively staring at the golden-eyed man the entire time. “Food is literally all I have left to live for.”
“Can you stop staring at me like that?” Rue says, attempting to back away from the shorter boy. “It’s…kind of creepy.”
“Good,” Noël responds, making a point to continue staring at the hunter, completely motionless and unblinking.
“You’re…you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?” Sighing at the lack of response, Rue plops down on the ground, gazing up at the starry night sky. While it is partially obscured by the rocky ceiling of the grotto, he can still make out various constellations that dot the horizon. “I wish I were at home right now.”
“Ah, must be nice. I don’t have a home, at least…not anymore.” Noël tears his gaze away from the hunter, instead focusing his eyes onto the shadows of the grotto. Large and looming, they almost appear to be moving of their own volition…
“I’m sorry, kid.” Rue blinks, suddenly sitting back up and staring at the vampire in remorse. “Then…why are you all the way out here? What do you want?”
“I want to go back to my coffin.” The sky….it is insurmountable in its bleakness, and Noël…he almost wishes he could return to the home he had resided in for fifty years. It was rather dull, but there is a comfort in that hazy dream’s never-ending sky and how his routine was always a constant. Almost, he wishes he never met this strange, golden-eyed hunter or….that so-called demon. If he could, would he return to the life he’d known before? Completely and utterly ignorant to the plight of the outside world?
If he could, would he have chosen to not pursue this adventure?
“You’re joking, right!!?” The hunter’s voice resonates along the grotto, grating in its unexpected volume. Only one quick glance at Noël’s deadpan expression and lack of a laugh is an indicator of how he is clearly not kidding.
Allowing for the question to remain unanswered, Noël merely gazes unseeingly at the gloomy, darkened sky.
Everything has changed, and yet, it is only he who remains the same.
There is so much that he realizes has faded into obscurity during the last fifty years, but…how would he ever adjust? He knows he should be thankful…most would kill for a chance at immortality.
But here, listening to the rhythmic chatter of rain as it descends from the heavens, only to crash onto the earth, he cannot help but make a wish.
No matter how selfish he may be, if possible, he wishes for a shred of happiness, no matter how undeserved it may be.
Just one, tiny moment of joy…
Only then, will the vampire begin to feel complete.
---
Somehow, he fell asleep. Perhaps the gentle lull of rain coaxed him into a dreamless slumber, but upon waking up, he…while he had not necessarily felt at peace, for the first time in a while—
Noël almost felt hopeful.
While it was still dark, upon glancing upwards, Noël could tell there was a promise of light in the not so distant horizon.
“Ah, you’re awake.” He looks forward, and sees that Rue has moved towards the edge of the grotto. There is a book placed on top of the hunter’s lap. It is well-worn and looks as if it has seen better days.