Chapter 3

"In the Night, when lost in darkness, I found your light."

.

Belladonna faced a choice: flee like a coward or confront the situation head-on. She grasped the door knob and entered, attempting to compose her face.

"Belladonna... Really, do you know eavesdropping is indecent?." Mr. Headstone said as she stepped in, his expression, revealed his displeasure at her presence, However, Her serious demeanor hinted at a deeper concern, making him not to speak any further.

"My Aunt Mae mentioned visiting a merchant's house to confirm prices for some valuables this morning," She announced.

Headstone jolted up, shock etched on his face. "Was there anything else she said?"

"Yes... She told me something about leaving with Master Lucas and plans to return this evening, which is unusual since she's never stayed out so late."

The room fell silent as Headstone sighed. Before he could speak, Belladonna asked, "Will my Aunt Mae die?"

Instead of Headstone responding, the Vampire hunter spoke up, his voice, ominous, "A hundred possibilities whisper her demise."

Belladonna's eyes widened as she turned to face the towering hunter, his golden gaze piercing her soul.

"What!" she however exclaimed, trying to take in his appearance, but his brooding black hat obscured her view.

The hunter turned back to Headstone, "Twenty thousand gold coins, and I'll rescue all, slay the beast, infiltrate the moths' lair, kill the hive king, and capture the bandit leader."

Belladonna gasped, "Twenty thousand..." None of the two men cared about anything she said at this moment.

Headstone placed four pouches on the table, each containing five thousand gold coins. "Do as you say, rescue them, kill the beast, and capture the bandit leader."

The hunter nodded, taking the money and departed, leaving Belladonna bewildered. "Mister Headstone!" she called out, "What's going on?"

Headstone the middle-aged man, looking stressed, with messy black hair and a pipe in hand, reassured her, "Just know your Aunt will be safe. I'll send John to deliver logs to the cottage, so rest assured... Alright?."

Suddenly the door closed. Headstone blinked in surprise, she had left when he just started speaking.

Meanwhile, Belladonna rushed after the Vampire hunter, calling out, "Excuse me, Sir!."

As she grabbed her basket, he stopped and turned his head, his tone unpleasant, "Yes?"

"Are you really going to rescue my Aunt Mae?"

"No, not just your Aunt. I'm rescuing everyone."

"Can I come with you? I want to be with my Aunt..."

"How....amusing. I'm not some petty noble to be accompanied by a child."

"Do you think I want to take some credit?"

"No. Now, if you don't mind... I have to get going," He continued walking ahead.

"Wait."

The hunter sighed, frustrated, "I have no time for your naivety. Don't cling to me like a desperate shadow."

Belladonna approached him, noticing the map in his pocket. He didn't move as she drew closer, their eyes locked. "If you use that tone on all the girls you meet, you won't find a wife soon!" She angrily stated.

The hunter raised an eyebrow, "I don't see that as a problem. Listen well child, your concern are but a fleeting moment in the annals of time!."

Hearing this, Belladonna scoffed, walking backward, her eyes still on him, the basket behind her back. She let out a "Humph!" and flung her hair at him before racing down the stairs.

Just then, The Vampire hunter realized something was amiss. His eyes darted to his weapons, then his pocket, and he sighed. "Ah, the audacity....I'm impressed" he muttered.

*****

"Such an infuriating man!" Belladonna kicked the snow as she walked outside. "He's so rude and only cares about his own opinion. And his tone and words... Ugh! Like a dusty old book."

Marching towards Rosemary's house, she smiled at her triumph. "I'm thrilled I took the map! He won't notice until he's in the forest. I can already picture his shocked face when he realizes I've outsmarted him."

But her victory was short-lived. "Hand it over!" the hunter's voice echoed.

Belladonna froze, her smile still plastered on her face. "Give me the map, Blonde!" he demanded.

Instead of surrendering, Belladonna took off in a sprint, securing the basket on her arm as she raced through the snow-covered streets. The hunter was caught off guard, and Belladonna sped past horses and street workers, leaving a trail of confusion behind her.

Panting, she glanced back, thinking she'd lost him. "I've shaken him off," she whispered to herself. But before she could celebrate, she collided with the hunter's rock-hard body and fell, bruising her wrist in the process.

He swiftly pulled her up, retrieved his map, and turned to leave, saying, "Thanks for the berries." Suddenly, he paused.

Belladonna on the other hand was stunned by his swiftness and grumbled, kicking the snow in annoyance.

"I could have taken your hat!" she whispered to herself, hoping he won't be chance hear what she said next, "That oversized hat of yours is practically an umbrella against the sun."

"BLONDE! Are you injured!."

This sudden question made her blink. "I don't think so...." She searched herself before seeing a scratch from the fall seconds ago, "Oh... Yes! I...."

"Go to the doctor now!" The hunter fell on one knee, the passerbys were confused, they didn't interfere however.

Belladonna, who became worried, walked closer, "Are you alright?." She placed her hands on his shoulder, when a tense and menacing aura fell upon her.

The hunter's head whipped around, and he seized her hand with supernatural speed, dragging her through the cottage alley. They crashed onto a pile of abandoned logs, sending wet snow and dust flying everywhere. Belladonna's clothes were stained, but her mind was elsewhere. The hunter had her pinned down, his knee digging into her thigh, his hands holding hers captive with an unyielding grip. One wrong move, and her arm would snap like a twig.

Fear paralyzed her as she gazed into his glowing red eyes. His fangs were bared, poised to strike, and she knew she was staring death in the face. Her throat constricted, silencing her screams. She was trapped, helpless, and at the mercy of this monstrous hunter. And yet, as terror consumed her, she saw something in his eyes, a glimmer of sanity, or perhaps, a spark of recognition. But, she knew it wasn't possible to say anything which would bring him back to himself.

Just as his fangs descended, Belladonna summoned every last ounce of strength and pushed backward, the log's edge tearing through her sleeve and piercing into her skin. "Help!" she croaked, her voice barely audible.

Suddenly, the hunter's grip relaxed, and his face slumped onto her chest. Belladonna's eyes widened as she spotted the syringe lodged in his neck, it's content glowing with a soft blue light. Then, she saw her savior – Doctor Ferguson, his face obscured by a black mask.

"Morning, Lady Belladonna," he said, his voice calm and collected. "Would you be so kind as to help me transport this...gentleman to the hospital ward?."