The Persecution: Part Four

Three days ago, one of our own townspeople, Gabriel Kira, was attacked in an alley while he was walking home from work. A Vampire named Tiberius Fletcher reportedly distracted and then attempted to turn Mr. Kira into a vampire.

     "I couldn't believe what was happening," stated Mr. Kira in an interview after her reported the incident to the police. "I thought it was safe, walking our streets, but I should have known better after reading that article published earlier that morning. It's a shame that those creatures take advantage of those that need that money, and the hospitality of the people of this town."

     Gabriel laughed as he read the article, admiring the front page title and the large pictures of himself and Tiberius. Tossing away the paper into the nearest waste bin, he allowed himself a smile. Things couldn't have been going better; the pieces of his plan were falling into place perfectly.

     The chilly wind blew through his white fur as he walked along the narrow road toward Meepit Oaks. It had been a successful week, and Gabriel knew he had some time to go on a long overdue visit.

     Along the way he paused at the gates of the Neovia cemetery, taking a moment to look through the open doors at the rows of graves that lie beyond. He took a deep breath, almost going inside, but decided against it. No... not tonight. He couldn't take that anguish when he had to stay so focused.

     Something brushed against his leg and he smiled as he looked down at the small Ghostkerchief looking up at him.

     "Hey Cloud."

     Cloud flew up and nuzzled his hand before flying into his pocket and curling up in there. Gabriel patted his pocket as he resumed walking, glad to have one friend that fate never managed to take away.

     Eventually Meepit Oaks loomed in the distance, its cast iron gates and steep roof silhouetted against the moonlit sky. The sight of the building always triggered a certain note deep in Gabriel's heart, but this time he pushed it aside and instead walked through the heavy oak doors.

     The lobby was empty except for the single secretary sitting at the front counter. She looked up at the sound of the doors opening and smiled.

     "Hello Mr. Gabriel, it's nice to see you again."

     "Hello Paula. How has my wife been doing?"

     "Oh well, she hasn't improved but she hasn't worsened either."

     Gabriel sighed. It's been the same for twenty years. Always the same, no changes. It was getting harder and harder to visit and see his wife in her condition, but he couldn't stop. He still loved her after all these years, and he still missed her dearly. Though... she wasn't the only person he missed each day.

     "Are you here to see her, Mr. Gabriel? She should still be awake."

     "Oh... yes, yes I am."

     The nurse stood. "Alright, I'll let you in."

     It was incredible at how much security there was in one asylum. The worst cases were kept on the top floor, the ones that tried to break out and were in maximum security cells. Permanent residents that weren't risks, like Gabriel's wife, were kept on the second floor. Their cells had thick doors with heavy locks, but they were not steel doors and not guarded by security checkpoints at the hallways. The first floor was reserved for temporary patients who were let out each day for activities and treatment. Gabriel hoped each year that his wife would finally become well enough to be moved to the first floor, but it never came. She never got better, and she was always confined to her cell on the second floor.

     Before Gabriel knew it, they were past the only security checkpoint to the second floor and standing in front of room 306. Nurse Paula pulled out a ring of keys and unlocked the door. "Bedtime is in twenty minutes, I'll come get you then."

     "Alright." Gabriel walked in and looked at his wife as Paula shut and locked the door behind him. His heart ached at the sight of her, like it always did. She sat on her bed, her knees drawn up to her chest and her arms wrapped tightly around them, as if they were about to run away and leave her forever. Her long hair draped over the sides of her face and was hopelessly tangled around her Zafara ears. Her once bright pink fur has dulled to a faint hue, and her formerly lively eyes stared blankly at the wall. She didn't even acknowledge Gabriel entering.

     He walked over to her bed and sat next to her. "Hey Rose."

     She didn't respond. She continued staring at the wall, muttering something under her breath to herself over and over.

     "Rose... It's me, Gabriel. Your husband." He gently touched her hand, and she finally turned toward him and look at him, though her eyes weren't focused.

     "...Gabriel?"

     Slowly she raised her hand and rested in on the side of his face. She smiled, and he smiled back.

     "I missed you, Rose."

     "I missed you too. Where's Zara?"

     Gabriel sighed. Every time he visited they had to go through this... she never remembered. Her mind was too far gone. Gently Gabriel took Rose's hand from his face and held it between his hands.

     "Rose... Zara is dead. She has been for twenty years, remember?"

     Her face contorted into confusion, she shook her head and tried to pull away. "No... no she can't be dead... our little girl can't be... she can't... she can't!"

     Rose started to shake and her eyes had that wild look that Gabriel had come to know so well. "She isn't dead, why are you lying to me? Why hasn't she come to see me!?"

     "Because she's buried in the cemetery!" Gabriel wrapped his arms around Rose and held her close, holding her head to his chest and stroking her hair. As she started to calm down, her screams melted into tears. Gabriel was struggling the hold it together himself as he tried to push away the memories of that night.

     It was only a few weeks after he had moved himself, his wife, and their thirteen year old daughter to Neovia. He had been offered a new job, and all three of them were excited to leave the monotony of Neopia Central for something new.

     Gabriel remembered every detail of that night, from the invitation to the gala to having to stay home to work. He was new, he couldn't afford to take nights off, especially during opening night at the theater he now worked at. He remembered seeing his wife and daughter off, encouraging them to have fun without him. He remembered his wife's purple gown, and Zara's blue dress that matched her eyes. He even remembered how Zara forgot to wear her favorite necklace, the necklace that he wore every day since.

     Zara was supposed to turn fourteen the next day. Gabriel already had her present ready, her party planned... but he never had the chance to give it all to her. Rose had come stumbling back home well after midnight, her clothes torn and her eyes wild, yelling things about vampires and calling Zara's name. It took Gabriel a few hours to get her to tell him what had happened.

     It was in the news the next day. Most had been able to get away from the gala in time, but the rest weren't so lucky. Five Neovians lost to the vampires there, including a young girl named Zara.

     Gabriel held Rose close as her tears soaked his shirt and her hospital gown. "I'm sorry, Rose... you deserve better, you deserve so much better... I'm going to set things right, I'm going to avenge our Zara and I'm going to rid those monsters from the town for the rest of time... its going to happen, Rose. I know it will."

     Gabriel smiled and wiped the tears from Rose's face. "I'm making a difference. Those rumors I started spread like wildfire, and that article I published about those monsters made such a difference, but it wasn't enough. I had to trick one, I had to show the town what those monsters were capable of. You should have seen me, Rose, I went for it and I framed one of those vampires."

     He pushed up his sleeve and showed Rose the bandage on his arm. She pulled away and rested a hand on it, like it was a precious little pet.

     "You're hurt...."

     "No, Rose, I did this, its fake, but they thought someone hurt me. No one will go near vampires now, not after what happened. You should see how the town acts now, I was walking by the hospital yesterday and there was this crazy riot going on, they fired all of the vampires that worked there and the stupid things were rebelling. There's this new sign, this beautiful sign that was put up. It says "No vampires"! Isn't that wonderful?"

     Rose was quiet, she just kept petting Gabriel's arm. He didn't notice, he didn't care. He was much too excited.

     "Those signs are popping up everywhere in town now, the Vampires aren't allowed in the town hall, the library, not anywhere! They're getting fired too, like that one that was the Chief Editor of the Gazette. You should have seen it, when my article came out he marched in front of the Gazette's office all day yelling, it was fantastic.

     It won't take long now, Rose, everything is falling into place. I was able to get a seat on the council, it was easy after everything that has happened. Soon I'll be able to pass laws to not even let anyone that isn't mortal live in town! Vampires, Werelupes, zombies, they're all dangerous; they'll all be gone too! No other family will suffer like we did! I'll protect everyone, yes..."

     Gabriel stood. "I'll save this town. I'll save it from itself."

     Rose didn't look at Gabriel; she just sat and stared at the place where he had just been sitting. He didn't expect anything else; she lost her ability to understand what was going on around her.

     Just as Gabriel was about to go back over to her, the door to her room swung open.

     "Its bedtime, Mr. Gabriel."

     "Thank you, Paula."

     Gabriel turned his back to Rose and was about to step out when Rose suddenly stood up.

     "Gabriel?"

     He turned back around. "Rose?"

     She paused, swaying slightly. Her eyes were surprisingly clear, she seemed to actually be looking at him and seeing that he was there with her. It felt like an hour before she spoke again.

     "Gabriel.... Please be careful. I can't lose you too."

     Gabriel smiled. "I will be careful, Rose." He walked over to her and gently kissed her on the cheek.

     "I promise."

To be continued...