NIGHTS OF HALLOW

Donovan took the lead followed by Mr. Welsh, Martha, and then Theodore who still had a bored and lazy look on his face. He looked as if he badly needed to get back to sleep and be left there without being disturbed.

The church members after entering the building, walked along the path that was now covered with snow, their shoes plowed the snow as they moved forward. They took a turn to their right before they entered through the small gates that led to the main building of the local constabulary building where the head warden’s office was situated.

Almost immediately, the head warden rushed out of his office and met the church members halfway. His hat sat on his head and his coat covered his small body protecting him from the cold and snow. But it didn’t stop his hands from shaking at the sight of the people who now stood with their chins up in confidence as they peered down at his small figure.

”It is good to see you church members visiting this old constabulary building.” He spoke and bowed deeply and respectfully to the church members.

”It is also good to see you up and running as you are, Mr. Humphrey,” Donovan replied with his black eyes boring deep at the man. He continued, ”Should I take it that you knew of our coming or you saw us from your office window and came running to meet us halfway?”

Mr. Humphrey nervously chuckled, his head bobbling back and forth. He said, ”Of course not, Headchurch Donovan. I was informed immediately of your arrival some minutes ago by my junior staff.”

Donovan tilted his head to the side. His eyes still staring at the man with a questioning gaze. ”We must have missed meeting him at the entrance or was he also hiding somewhere?”

”O...of course not, Headchurch Donovan. If I knew of your coming, I would have arranged a well welcome service than this. We only knew of your arrival now.” Mr. Humphrey replied confidently with his hands clasped in front of him.

Truth was, someone had informed him about the coming of the church members, albeit he didn’t know who or where the person came from, he had taken the safety measures required of him and had also prepared and kept everything in order.

”Hmm,” Donovan hummed with a nod of his head. He stated, ”We came here for a crucial task, and we would love to discuss it in detail.”

”Sure, sure.” Mr. Humphrey bobbled his head again and signaled for them to follow him. ”Please, this way, church members.”

Mr. Humphrey held his coat tighter to his body as the cold had slowly slipped into his bones since the little conversation he had with Head warden Donovan.

They climbed a short flight of stairs that led to the office of the head warden, Mr. Humphrey, and he opened the door wide for the church members to pass through.

When the last person, Theodore walked into the office room, Mr. Humphrey closed the door shut.

The church members were immediately welcomed by the warmth of the office that was wafting from the fireplace that crackled with burning wood.

Martha was the first to go to the fireplace and place her hand on top of it for warmth. Mr. Welsh just stood by it while also receiving the heat the fireplace was enveloping the room with. Theodore didn’t walk to the fireplace nor did he walk around like how Donovan was inspecting the room. He went ahead to the seat of Mr. Humphrey and sat down, crossing his legs over the other as his lazy red eyes roamed around the room.

Donovan walked around the room, inspecting everything that was in it. He commented, ”Head warden Humphrey, I must applaud you for the way you have kept and maintained this old constabulary building to the state it is in now. Also, your office looks quite furnished and warm compared to other measly village offices I’ve been in.” He said tracing his hand along the edge of the recently polished table.

The table looked like it was newly bought which had Donovan wonder if Mr. Humphrey got it with his money or through another means. Because he knew, the church or the king has not issued or approved the refurnishment of constabulary offices in the kingdom.

Mr. Humphrey gave a low inaudible laugh and responded to Donovan’s praises, ”Those are words of flattery, Headchurch Donovan. I’ve been trying hard as much as I could to keep the place running. And this little office of mine is barely kept in order.”

”Hmm, barely kept in order I see,” Donovan repeated the words of Mr. Humphrey. He said, ”Those are not words of flattery, head warden Humphrey. I was merely praising you. Not everyone has the capability to do the little you have done.” Donovan stopped walking and turned to look at Mr. Humphrey with a sharp gaze that quickly went as it came.

Mr. Humphrey stayed rooted to the spot he stood on thinking of what Donovan had said. He held a deep frown at the previous words of Donovan that hit hard on his body. For a moment, it made him slightly nervous that the church members had gotten a sniff of what happened behind the closed doors of this constabulary building. No, there was no way they would know. He immediately dismissed the thought with a shake of the head and his attention returned to the church members in the room.

”Mr. Humphrey, let’s get down to what we came here for, shall we?” Donovan changed the topic with a smile on his face.

”Please have a seat, Headchurch Donovan.” Mr. Humphrey said and gestured to the vacant seat in the room.

”Do not bother about the seat, if I wanted one, I would have made myself comfortable when I came in. So...” Donovan clicked his tongue and began, ”A report was recently filed in this village, am I right?”

”Report?” Mr. Humphrey questioned back with a raised eyebrow. Confusion clearly written on his face. ”I don’t have any idea of any filed report recently.” He honestly replied to Donovan’s question.

The man that informed him about the coming of the church members never mentioned the purpose of their visit. So he was utterly confused by the sudden question from Donovan.

Donovan frowned. He stared long and hard at Mr. Humphrey to see if he was spouting some old fat lie. But looking at the confused expression of the man, he knew the man was good as a fool.

Donovan continued with his interrogating gaze, ”Should I take it that you are ignorant of the situations in this village or should I conclude that you have concealed and decided to turn a blind eye to everything going on in this village?”

Mr. Humphrey’s eyes grew wide at the subtle accusations Donovan was throwing at him. His head bobbled disapprovingly as he cleared his innocence, ”There is no report that was recently filed in the village, and neither have I turned a blind eye or concealed anything. I treat all the cases brought to me with utmost and rapt attention. You can also see for yourself in the record book.”

Mr. Humphrey proceeded to prove his innocence of the unknown report to the church members by going to the cupboard that stood by the corner of the room. He brought out a big book that was held together by a thick black bind and a small locket in the middle.

Donovan waved his hand in dismissal to the book Mr. Humphrey brought out for clarification. ”I don’t need the clarification of what I’m asking you. Who knows if you deliberately refused to write down the report or not?” He walked forward from where he stood and eased himself onto the vacant seat. His hands rested on the armrests as he regarded Mr. Humphrey with narrowed eyes.

Mr. Humphrey raised his hands in the air. His small black eyes dilated in fear and confusion. He declared, ”Headchurch Donovan, I would never do such a thing. I am truthful when it comes to matters like this one.” The dread that slowly formed at the back of Mr. Humphrey was undeniable as he spoke.

He knew how powerful the church was, and any wrong move will warrant a punishment greater than stripping him off his job.

Truthfully, no one had filed any report to Humphrey recently. So it came as a surprise and shock to him to hear the Headchurch Donovan question him about it. The questions that continuously ran through his head were, ’Who filed the case? And what was the case about?’

”How do I know that you’re being truthful?” Donovan questioned with a raised eyebrow. ”Do you have evidence or a witness to prove your truthfulness that no report was recently filed in this village? Should I also go ahead and believe that this village is calm and peaceful?”

Mr. Humphrey stayed calm and did not immediately reply to Donovan’s question. He took a deep breath and exhaled before daring to look Donovan in the eyes and questioned, ”Headchurch Donovan, if I may ask, what report was filed that came to your notice that did not first reach me?” He knew his work and knew how to follow up with it. He believed someone was trying to frame him. But why? To take his job or was it another thing he didn’t know of? Humphrey questioned in his mind.

Donovan shifted in his sitting position and stretched his leg so he could bring out the parchment in his coat pocket. He rolled it open and announced to the hearing of everyone in the room.

He said, ”Head warden Humphrey, it is stated in this parchment that there was a recent abduction of humans in this village which is caused by vampires.”

”Abduction? Vampires?” Mr. Humphrey questioned in utter surprise.

”Yes,” Donovan answered with a nod. He continued to say, ”The man in question who is the adoptee is Mr. Persin. Do you know anything about this?” He asked in a hard tone. His eyes bored deep into the confused Humphrey.