fallintofallfestival prompt fill

[lovemeanyway]

Jerking awake, it takes Eddie a moment to pinpoint what pulled him from sleep. Somewhere in the distance there’s a kitten mewling, sounding weak and pitiful. If he’s heard it, he knows it’s only a matter of time before Christopher comes in to beg him to find it - thanks to his son’s fae ancestry, his hearing is almost as good as Eddie’s. 

With a sigh, Eddie pushes back his blankets so he can climb out of bed and slips his feet into the comfy slippers he keeps beside the bed so his feet don’t get cold on the wood floor. Autumn may have only just begun, but the chill preceding winter has already taken root, especially at night. That being the main reason he’s not looking forward to traipsing about in the woods following the sounds of a likely abandoned kitten. For a werewolf, he’s surprisingly sensitive to the cold.

As expected, the sounds of Christopher waking and hurrying to get out of bed fill the small house as Eddie gathers enough clothes to stave off the chill once he steps outside. As quickly as he can he dresses, then makes his way to his son’s room. 

“Hey, don’t worry. I already heard it,” he says, gently ushering Christopher back into bed. “I’m on my way to find it. You just stay right here and wait, alright?” 

“But Dad. I want to help,” Christopher objects and Eddie wishes he could accompany him into the woods, but it isn’t safe. 

“I know, bud,” Eddie tells him, sitting on the edge of the bed. The disappointed look on Christopher’s face kills him. “But maybe you can help from here. While I’m gone, why don’t you get a nice bed made for it?” That, at least, causes a small smile.

Once the plan is set in motion - Christopher will use an old wicker basket for a bed - Eddie is on his way out the door. If he were human, he’d never dream of leaving his son alone like this, but with his hearing and speed Eddie is confident in the choice. Besides, it doesn’t sound like the kitten is too far away. 

Sure enough, he’s only been walking maybe three minutes when he can pinpoint exactly where the kitten is even though it’s gone silent. Just ahead, there’s a fallen tree and right where a tangle of roots is exposed above ground. It’s too dark beneath the canopy of trees for him to see clearly, even with his enhanced eyesight, but he can hear the rustling as the kitten moves. 

The closer he gets, the more Eddie is aware of something else moving in the shadowy woods. Something without a scent he can detect, but then again, there isn’t much wind to scatter it throughout the trees. It sets him on edge, body tensing in preparation for any number of possible encounters. Then a slight breeze picks up, bringing with it the scent he’s come to learn all vampires carry with them to some degree - faint hints of rose mixed with freshly turned earth, like a grave that’s been disturbed - though it’s doing it’s best to hide beneath the tang of cloves that always reminds Eddie of Christmas. 

“You can relax,” a voice comes from the darkness. Eddie doesn’t. “I came to make sure the kitten wasn’t hurt.” 

As far as Eddie knows, no vampire has ever been this close to his house. He knows, of course, they live in town. Moon Valley is a sanctuary to all supernatural beings seeking a place they can exist in peace, free of the persecution that often finds them among humans. But the woods on this side of town, and the land at the edge of the trees, are where his kind tend to live, not vampires. 

“Looking for a snack?” Eddie asks, meaning it sincerely though he regrets it instantly. 

“A snack?” the vampire scoffs, moving so quickly Eddie barely has time to register it. Instinctively he takes a step back when the tall, shadowy figure stops only a few feet away. It’s still too dark for him to discern any features. “I don’t eat kittens. Do you?”

Eddie bristles at the question, then reminds himself he insulted the vampire by asking it first. 

“Of course not,” Eddie tells him. “I was rescuing it for my son.” It’s the truth, but honestly Eddie probably would have rescued it regardless. Helping the helpless is simply in his nature. 

It’s at that moment the kitten let’s out another pitiful meow. Before Eddie can react the vampire is at the tangle of roots, shadowy form kneeling for a moment before straightening.

“She’s pretty weak,” the vampire says softly. “Might not make it through the night.” 

Comments

[mkrobinson]

I like it!