HUNTERS OF THE NIGHT
Chapter 2 – Hatred
There was banging. She thought it was her dream. More banging…then BANG! Gabrielle sat upright in her bed. What on earth is going on? Quickly, she climbed out of bed and put on her work dress. The noise sounded like it was coming from the kitchen. She threw her hair up in a loose ponytail and checked herself in the mirror. Her wavy brown hair was rich in texture and color. The most exquisite feature on her face was her green eyes. They shined with mischief and dazzle. A loud band brought her back to her senses and she made her way to the kitchen.
“What are you doing Uncle Drake?!” Surprise and shock came over Gabrielle as she saw her uncle sitting in the middle of a pile of pots. Drake had never liked coming to the kitchen. He thought that it was a place for servant women.
“Where are the herbs for a hangover?” he asked in a droggy voice. Apparently his guest did not come.
“They’re in the cabinet beside the fireplace.”
“Make some for me and then clean up this mess.”
“You made the mess, why don’t you clean it up?” she said under her breath.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing,” came the innocent reply.
“If you ever mock me, you will face serious consequences.”
Gabrielle shivered but glared at him. After a few seconds he turned away and went to sit in a chair. She wasn’t surprised. Many men would retreat at her glare. Fifteen minutes later the remedy was steaming, reminding its creator that it was ready. Gabrielle poured a glassful and handed it to Uncle Drake, who ripped the glass from her grasp and chugged it down. As soon as he was done he threw the cup aside and strode out of the room.
Sighing, she looked around the room. With all the damage he did it would take at least three hours to clean it all up. I’ll start after I have my breakfast. Two hours later, Gabrielle heard a crash on the floor above.
“Gabrielle!” came the voice of Uncle Drake.
“What now,” she groaned.
When she finally reached the second floor she couldn’t believe her eyes. The heavy velvet drapes were torn down and stained with red wine. On the floor were pieces of china from the beautiful china collection. Bookshelves of the hall were face down on the floor; their contents scattered. By the drapes was Uncle Drake.
“What did you do?” said her shocked voice.
“I didn’t do nothin’,” the drunken man said, “Clean it all up. Then go get me a lass to tumble.”
“You clean up the mess up yourself!” she screamed, “You can get off your lazy butt and do your things yourself! I’m tired of it!”
You little w...”
But she never heard the end of it as she stormed out. That was the last straw; it was time to leave.
She looked over her room once again. Gabrielle could not stop feeling like she left something out of her bag. After she left Drake’s mess, she immediately went to the kitchen to gather herbs and food. Then she went to her room to pack clothes (rangy work dresses were all she had) and whatever else she needed. By the time she was done, it was dark. It surprised her that Drake hadn’t tried to come find her and give punishment. Though he probably just opened another bottle of wine and passed out somewhere.
The grandfather clock struck midnight as she quietly crept to the entrance hall. Once at the large oak entrance doors she carefully undid the locks and opened one of the doors.
“Going somewhere?”
Gabrielle spun around to find Drake leaning on an archway. His eyes were dull and his clothes in ruins. She had been right that he opened another bottle but clearly wrong on the passed out part.
“Going somewhere?” he asked again.
“Maybe,” she said, not wanting to tell him anything.
“You better go back to your room or else you will be punished.” When Gabrielle stood her ground he yelled “Move!”
“The only way I’m moving is out that door.”
“You dare not listen to me!”
To answer his statement Gabrielle took a step out the door. When she heard a shout of anger she started to run but tripped and fell. Before she could get up Drake pinned her down.
“Get off me!” she cried, but he didn’t hear her. In a drunken rage he ripped at her skirts. Sudden horror gripped at her when she realized what he was trying to do. With adrenaline pumping through her, she used her fingernails to scratch any part of him that she could. Drops of blood splattered her dress from his face. Just when she thought she had the upper hand of things, pain encased her face and she saw stars dancing in her eyes. Drake had punched her, hard. Consciousness was slipping from Gabrielle as Drake continued to fight with her skirts. When she thought all hope was lost someone pulled Drake off of her.
“Run Gabrielle!”
That was Albert’s voice. As quickly as she could she stood and started to run down the drive. A quick glance revealed Albert also running behind her. Drake must have had the wind knocked out of him, for he was laying on the ground in front of the doors. They didn’t stop running until they reached the end of the drive.
“Thank you Albert,” Gabrielle panted.
“No problem,” he said panting as well, “I couldn’t believe what he was going to do to you, though I shouldn’t have put it passed him.”
“I’m not going back,” she declared.
“Neither am I. I’ll go into town and look for a position there.”
Gabrielle looked at the direction of the nearest town. Drake would suspect that she would go there and come looking for her. Then she looked in the opposite direction; the road she had never been down.
“I’ll go that way,” she said, pointing in the direction of the unknown.
“Transylvania is that way,” Albert said. “I don’t recommend going there at all. They say strange things happen there.”
“No matter. I want to be as far away as I can get.”
“At least come to town tonight and leave in the morning.”
Gabrielle shook her head. “Drake will expect that. He thinks I am just another weak woman.”
Albert sighed. “If you say so, but if you get yourself killed I’ll never forgive you. In fact, I’ll check on you when I get things settled.”
It was her turn to sigh. He was trying to be a father figure again. At least he didn’t insist on coming with her. If he got hurt because of her, she would never forgive herself. They exchanged a quick hug and departed in their different directions.
Back Home Van Helsing Main Page Next