Chapter 31: Atrocity makes the heart grow yonder.



Through darkness he wandered across the fields outside of town.
Everything was new and fresh. Feelings of self-hatred were mixed with pleasure.
Innocence was hanging from the corners of his mouth.
He was responsible for the death of a young woman and liable to make the same mistake again. Over and over… until it drove him crazy.
Estella followed him. The dry grass tickled the bottom of her feet, but this was not the source of the grin that had been resting on her face since the moment of Louie’s rising from the grave. She brought eternal life to him. Her favourite creature of all.
He often broke down and cried. ‘Tears of joy because he sees everything much clearer now.’
She would place his head in her lap and gently stroke the tips of his ears.
Confusion clouded his mind. Had she blessed him with the purest gift of all or had she made him stand near the edge of hell and given him the last push.
He hated her, but he couldn’t think of anyone he would rather be with than her.
She was his mother, his murderess and his lover all in one.
‘Sleep, my baby. And wake up tomorrow to find me at your side.’
She wouldn’t leave him for the world.
He woke up the next morning and there she was. Bathing in the lake outside of Greenthorpe mansion. The sun was reflected in the tiny drops of water that hang from her fur.
Her fur was of the purest white he had ever seen and it gave her an angelic look.
He knew that she was no angel though, she was far supreme to any supernatural being.
Because she was his, and his alone.
Louie entered the body of water and could feel more then he had ever felt.
He could feel every single drop of water and he slowly moved over to Estella.
And they unified.

They spend every moment of the following months together.
Dancing, talking, hunting, feeding, unifying. Until they came…

The voices of Louie’s victims came back to haunt him.
Many a rabbit had lost their lives to him. He could hear they’re cries in the night.
When Estella’s body brushed against his and she was fast asleep.
She kept him going for a while. But the number of voices grew and it was not long before they consumed him. He could not take this life and they would never again give him peace of mind.
Until he had lost everything that he had taken from them.
Estella was everything he had and he was everything she had.
But when he was away from her, he found peace.
He would often hide in the forest surrounding Greenthorpe and he would stay away for hours.
Leaving Estella alone in the mansion. Everything changed from that time on.
He would often ignore her. Hurting himself more then she would ever know.
Louie tried to hate her, but he knew he could never do that. And so did she.
But she loved him and therefore she knew she had no choice.
When he woke up one morning, she was gone. Estella had left a little note on her pillow.

‘Dear lover,

Nothing in the world can describe the pain I will be in for the rest of my life, but to stay here with you would be intolerable cruelty. I should never have done this to you.
It is to late to regret my actions but I must face the consequences for them alone.
By the time you read this, I will be reduced to dust. And the wind will carry me across the lands. Know that in spirit I will always be with you. And know that you are the only man I have ever loved. Never forget me, for I will never forget you.
I love you dearest,

Estella.’


The note fell from Louie’s hand and found its final resting place by the foot of the grand piano. The house gave him no comfort.
Estella had left him all alone in this new world and it swallowed him whole.
He knew not what to do and with the image of Estella in mind he sank into a comfortable chair. Feeding off of rats an thinking of nothing but her for years and years to come…



* * *


“Many of you have found jobs thanks to me. Others made promises that I’ve fulfilled.
Where others talk about a better life for all of our furred friends. I delivered.
And I will continue to do so if you have faith in me. Vote not for those who will give you five more years of promises. Vote for the person that already fulfilled dozens.”

Thomas shook his head and took another sip of his ale.
He looked around the room. Strange characters had filled his house lately and the place was a mess. His lovely wife was preparing dinner in the kitchen.
Lately he felt more and more estranged from her. She turned out to be such a strong and confident woman, who was not surprised by anything and had an answer to everything.
He had been up to his nose in books about these strange creatures.
They were in front of him and he could still hardly believe his eyes.
The vampire and the zombie were involved in a deep conversation. Vampire… Zombie?
Alexander Garand sat in front of him. Recently attacked by a werewolf. A werewolf?
He still couldn’t believe this. But he had more to worry about.
Parker was running for governor. And he was sure to win the elections.
‘That man can’t be trusted. The more power he gets, the darker things will get.’
Alexander did not speak much, but when he did, people listened.
‘He has connections with the underworld. They worship him, even the werewolves are afraid of him.’ He shuddered. And so did Louie.
Werewolves were the biggest thread to his kind. A war had been going on between they’re kinds for ages. No one knew exactly how it started, but most people believe that it was because Ronahin, the first werewolf had bitten the head off of Kaijn, the first vampire.
Them being afraid of Parker was troublesome. To say the least.
Tony and Louie got up. ‘We’re going to walk over to the mansion. See how things are progressing. Does anyone care to join?”
Thomas was the only one who nodded, the rest rather stayed home for dinner.
‘Let me get my coat.’


* * *

Parker sat down on his office chair and told his secretary that she could go home today.
She was a good girl, he almost felt sorry for her. He turned the television on and was pleased to hear the news. He immediately picked up the phone and dialled the number to the Cholmondely & Smith office.
‘Cholmondely here.’ The old rabbit on the other end spoke.
‘Hey there old man, it’s Parker. Turn on your TV and watch the latest news.’
The old rabbit did as he was told. He wouldn’t dare to ignore Parker’s order.

‘…Hilda Parkers body was found this morning.
Her death came unexpected. She recovered not to long ago from an illness and had no health problems we know of…’

He did it, he killed the old bat. He’s going to make a fortune now.
‘Congratulations Gary.’ Cholmondely said coldly. ‘That makes you a multi-millionaire.’
Gary smirked. He hadn’t been this pleased in a long time.
‘It’s only the first step in the big plan.’ Gary said.
‘Contact them. Tell them to come to Carrotus.’
Cholmondely scratched his chin nervously. ‘Sure thing Gary, anything to help you.’
Parker put down the phone. They would crawl through the dust for him. Soon, they all will.


* * *

Tony looked around the dining room, it was unrecognisable.
The curtains had been torn down and the antiquities had been removed.
They must be storing them somewhere else. Many cloths lay on the floor.
Uncomfortable but welcome beds for the many refugees that would arrive the next morning.
‘Satisfied?’ Thomas asked Louie.
He nodded. ‘I hope they didn’t break anything while moving it though.’
The three of them walked around the house, the place was sure a lot more colourful and fresh then it had been before. Several men and women were still cleaning the place up.
Removing old tapestry, cleaning the walls and hard wooden floors.
‘They’re doing a great job.’ Thomas said.
‘You’ve been here for ages, you could’ve cleaned.’ Tony said jokingly.
At first he wasn’t sure Louie got the joke or not, but then he remembered he had never seen a smile on his face. ‘I think we’d best head back, dinner is probably ready and Susan has put some great effort into it.’ He said to break the silence that followed.