Three days have passed since leaving the manor, yet I haven't seen or heard anything from my brother. Luckily I did manage to find a small town a bit away from everything that happened.
It is peaceful with little to no interaction here which is good.
The only problem is that I definitely look like a vampire and potentially reek of one. It isn't hard to spot us, but maybe I can hide myself a bit better.
I moved all throughout the town till I finally found a place that I could use; an old medical shop with an older gentleman who runs the place.
Ring!
A bell ringed as I walked through the door.
"Looking for anything specific kid?" The older man asked with a curious look on his face.
What exactly do I tell him I'm looking for? I didn't really think much about that before coming in here. Anything could raise suspicion with the humans.... But medicine wouldn't help me.
I knew that, yet I came here like it was my solution.
I rubbed my head as I look around the room.
"I'll get back to you on that," I answered while moving away from the door.
The shop doesn't seem to hold any of the answers for my problem but who said they could solve my misery.
Clink! Clink!
Bottles slightly butt against each other as I bring them up to the counter, each one varying with what it can do.
"You sure this is what you need?" He asked curiously.
"Positive," I answered.
Honestly I grabbed a random mix of medicine to bring with me since I don't know what any of them will do for me. We never really relied on medical help in the past so this is different.
It could do something useful or it could just be a waste of my money.
Either way I need to do something to try to get this scent away from me... Maybe a shop holding those fancy colognes or perfumes could work.
I didn't see anything like that around here, that's the only problem.
"That'll be 10 silvi," He said while staring back at me.
Without any hesitation I pulled the coins out from my pouch and sat it on the counter.
"Perfect. You're good to go," He said with a bit of relief in his voice.
"Thanks," I replied softly before taking my leave.
Upon my departure from the medical shop I can hear horses entering the town.... Accompanied by voices.
"Surely he went this way."
"There's nothing else for quite a long while if he didn't come here."
"No, he is definitely here."
I stared ahead for a moment as I notice the man who said it. He has long red hair that flows down his back, bright green eyes, and appears to be wearing a black trench coat with a few ribbons on it.
Hunters. He is the one in charge of this hunt so I need to hurry up and get out of here before they catch on. I don't have the strength to fight someone like him right now.
They all have quite a bit of skill to them... Skill that takes years to achieve. Even with my swordsmanship I couldn't beat them while this low on food.
The original boost I got from drinking the man's blood at the manor is gone.
Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
Clench.
My hand tightened around the bag I'm holding, my gaze locked on the men ahead.
Rage is all that flows through my body in this moment but yet I can't fight against them, so what is the right choice.
"That man doesn't look like he's from around here," One of the men said in the distance.
I turned away from them and started to walk but I'm already suspicious enough the way it is.
That was the case until my arm got grabbed by someone.
"There you are honey! I thought I lost you," A woman spoke loud enough for them to hear.
I shifted my gaze towards the woman who started to speak to me. Long curly white hair, sky blue eyes, and she is wearing a dress that is a bit dirty.
"Just play along," she whispered.
"Nope, was just getting some medicine," I replied loud enough for them to hear.
"Hopefully it'll be something to make our poor girl feel better," She said with a sad expression on her face.
I could hear the men walk a different direction in the distance, but something still felt off. They'd really give up that easily because of some elaborate trick like this?
She peeked over my shoulder for a moment.
"Seems you are in the clear," She said with some relief in her voice.
"Do I know you?" I questioned.
She just shook her head before walking ahead of me.
"You should still come along with me for now," She suggested.
I didn't see a reason to say no for the time being so that's exactly what I did. Went along with her until we eventually left the town, making our way to a small shack out in the woods.
It didn't look old but it definitely isn't new either.
"Why'd you bring me all the way out to your home?" I asked with a curious tone.
"Nobody ever comes out here," She answered with a serious tone.
We went inside after that, a nice cozy space with some furniture scattered about. Paintings hang on the walls, some nice natural pieces while others seem to be of people she might know.
Saved by a mysterious woman? I don't really know what to make of that just yet since I hardly ever left the manor. She also appears to be human so why would a human go out of there way to do anything for me?
Too many questions, not enough answers for me right now.
"Who are you?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"Mel, you can call me Mel for now. Until I am ready to give my full name," She answered.
"Dante," I said calmly.