NIGHTS OF HALLOW

Outside, the weather remained frozen as snow was now the landmark of every house. The trees weren’t exempted from the touch of the coldness.

As the night wore on, the silence prevailed, where the inhabitants of Vamlone kingdom had gone to rest their tired muscles after the day’s work. With the exception of some night creatures who took the night as their time to roam, any unfortunate human found would be at their mercy.

Among some of these night creatures were some notable figures walking in line as they entered one of the villages located almost at the outskirts of the kingdom.

Their cloaks now covered with the cold white flakes of snow flew backward against the wind that blew on them from time to time. Even their faces as vampires appeared white. However, amongst them was a human who majorly took the heavy blow of cold on them. These were none other than Head church Donovan, Churchman Theodore, and Churchwoman Aurora.

”Headchurch Donovan,” Churchman Theodore called out, his face barely looking as though the cold affected him. ”Don’t you think it’s high time the church looked into these villages? They lack so many survival amenities for living, especially as they are humans.”

Donovan on hearing Theodore’s question turned his head to take a glance at him before saying, ”You can as well submit this report to the king to look into his kingdom.”

”Oh,” Theodore mouthed, ”I was thinking the church was here to help the kingdom progress on these aspects.”

”Churchman Theodore,” Donovan called out this time in suppressed annoyance. ”I do not recall telling you now you couldn’t make the report to the king. If you could, I would appreciate it if we went for what we came for and achieved it without more talking. Could you do that?”

”I’ll try,” Theodore replied, chuckling at the end knowing he knew how to irk the Head church member. Changing the topic, he asked, ”How long until we get there?”

”A little more houses around the corner and we are there,” Donovan replied. Turning to the Churchwoman Aurora who had been quiet since they started their journey, he said, ”Go with Theodore and conduct an all round check up of this place. I’ll meet you two later when I signal for you.”

”Wouldn’t it be more advisable for me to go instead? It is a vampire we are going to pay a visit to and I don’t think they would intercept your visit as you think they would.” Theodore chipped in, his hands going into his coat pocket as though they had come for a leisure walk.

”And what are you trying to say?” Donovan questioned, his brows furrowing as he stared at the man whose mouth had refused to shut itself.

Theodore turned to look around him in suspicion before turning to whisper to Donovan, ”They might think you to be a late-night snack for them.” He smiled at the end, his red eyes crinkling mischievously.

Donovan lost for words for a moment and kept mute for some seconds before saying, ”I’ve always known vampires to have some missing screws in their head and you confirm it each time.”

”I’ll see you two later while I go have a heart-to-heart conversation with our lovely friend.” Theodore smiled at Donovan making sure his fangs were displayed at him.

Aurora amused by Theodore’s attempts to annoy Donovan which was working, chuckled and also immediately stopped when Donovan turned in her direction.

Now alone, Theodore didn’t find it hard to locate the famous vampire who had decided to turn the nuts in the heads of the church members trying to crack the death that happened in Blackfang town.

Turning his head around as he observed the vicinity, he climbed the short flight of stairs that led to the house. Twisting the doorknob at first that didn’t bulge, he proceeded to knock on the door.

Shortly after, the door opened, revealing a middle-aged man standing gruffly with his goatee beard while staring down at Theodore even though he appeared some inches shorter.

Noticing the red eyes, the annoyance on the man’s red eyes depicted a little as he questioned roughly, ”What do you want?”

”Blood,” Theodore replied, staring back at the man. ”Do you mind if I come in for a glass?”

”A while ago I went to hunt for blood but was nearly attacked by angry human hunters, I figured this house might be willing to help a brother out. We’re vampires after all.” Theodore went on to explain when the man didn’t reply to him at first. ”I mean no harm, besides, what could I do to my fellow vampire when I am in need of blood and I’m considerably feeling weak because of it.”

”You see, my father and mother abandoned me when...” ℯℯ𝑙.

”Come in,” The man interrupted Theodore from telling him about the story of his life he was in no mood to hear. ”Just a glass and you would get yourself out!” The man bellowed, stepping aside to let Theodore pass through.

”May I know the name of my helper?” Theodore quizzed taking in the man’s house and how suspiciously tidy it appeared to be. He could smell the scent of soap used to clean the floor. Does he clean his house at midnight? Theodore questioned himself. Well, it could be because he is a vampire who doesn’t like dirt getting in the way.

”The only thing you should know of is the blood you are going to drink and leave my house immediately.” The man gruffly spoke sneering at the end as he went to his kitchen where he stored blood in a jar. Coming out of the kitchen, he handed the church member the glass of blood.

”Such a great smell it has. I have missed this since the past three hours I spent trying to hunt just like I miss my father and mother who left me.” Theodore exhaled in fake pain of missing his parents as he took the cup from him. ”Thank you. You just saved a brother and I will never forget that.”

Theodore being overly chatty however was being accessed by the man whom he requested blood from. His thick brows stuck out gruffly as his stance did.

Just as the man continued his internal accessing of Theodore and his rattling, the sound of shattering glass echoed in the room they were in.

”Oh no!” Theodore exclaimed, ”My precious blood,” He continued, his face staring bewildered at the red liquid that slowly flowed on the floor as the glass that held it was now in pieces.

”Is it the blood or my glass cup you should be more concerned about?!” The man bellowed, his nose flared up in anger. He knew letting this man into his house was going to be disastrous for him.

”Both, Mr. Helper, both,” Theodore responded, much to the fury of the man. ”Let me help you clean the floor at least,” He offered squatting on the floor.

”My precious blood is gone,” Theodore murmured as he stared at the floor. He turned to look at the man who now stood a few inches from him with his face contorted in annoyance which quickly switched as Theodore uttered his next words,

”Your blood will be the next on the floor if you do not provide the answers I need, especially the foul smell coming from the floorboard below where the buzzing flies like the likes of you had decided to feast on.”