「 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 」

Ch. VIII [8] ♡

Paris, in general, was a city full of docile people who would offer you a nice steamed bun as you walked by. but there was another side to those people, especially when it came to the "monsters" they've come to see roam the streets at night. Cedric wasn't quite aware of this particular sentiment, but the people were scheming together in their homes to eliminate these creatures once and for all, whatever they may be.

time was all Cedric and Drake had and they spent most of it together. Cedric dared to say that he loved the time he spent with his sire, causing their relationship to eventually bloom into a romantic one. nothing could ever tear this eternal bond.

"promise me you'll be here when I wake up?" Cedric asked.

"I promise, Beau. you have nothing to worry about."

until there was a night filled with so much vitriol and hatred, directed towards them. Cedric and Drake had been the targets of vampire hunters wishing to mount their heads above the fireplace. the only way anybody could've figured out they were vampires was that someone didn't keep up with the masquerade; someone was too careless. it was the least of their worries now, though. Cedric and Drake just had to stay alive.

running into the Paris countryside was Drake's idea. the trees there could provide protection for them and hide them from the hunters. and it did for a couple of days. unfortunately, a gap in the trees would prove to be a fatal error on Drake's part, causing him to be shot with an arrow doused in holy water. Cedric tried to grab him before he fell to the ground, but he slipped right out of his hands.

"go, Cedric, they're coming... you need to hide."

"without you!? I can't! come on, Drake, move!"

Cedric tried his hardest to get Drake to stand and run, but he was incapacitated by the arrow. it must've had more than just holy water on it. in the distance, they could hear the hunters closing in on them, most likely coming to collect their bounty.

"Cedric, listen to me; I can't go with you. you need to go hide and live."

Cedric couldn't keep tears from falling down.

"... no..."

"you have to. they're coming, Cedric. you have to go. here, let me take your coat; I can convince them you already died so they don't keep coming after you..."

"Drake..."

"it's alright, Beau. I've lived a long, long life; more than I should've. this is... overdue. you on the other hand, are so much younger. and you have so much more to do and see."

Drake wiped away a tear on Cedric's face.

"don't worry. as long as you keep living, I will too. now go."

without a word and a final kiss goodbye, Cedric turned and ran.

-

Cedric knew it was foolish, but he had the need to return to the site the hunters took Drake - a vampire graveyard. there were piles of ash everywhere. Drake wasn't the only one they got. there were many giant crucifixes in a row, presumably the ones they nailed the vampires to. Cedric perished the thought of what happened here.

he sifted through the ashes looking for... something. anything. maybe he was just looking for air. he found an object, lying underneath one particular pile. it was an intricate signet ring Drake always wore. Cedric brought it close to his unbeating heart for a moment. he wasn't sure if he could ever see humans the same way again, especially since all these vampires used to be human. he pocketed the precious ring and set off on a journey back to the city. before he began his new life, there was one more thing he needed to take care of.

moving through the shadows, Cedric was able to track down the circus leader of the hunting posse, gloating in such a sickening way about how many "demons" he and his group killed, in a darkened pub. walking out of it drunkenly would be the last thing he'd ever done in his life, as Cedric saw to that.

the next morning, a woman's screams could be heard as the leader's viscera and entrails had been strewn about the place in the most barbaric manner Cedric could think to do. avenging the only one he'd ever loved and who returned that love was the key force that drove him to such an act. morals and empathy had completely vanished from his mind and body.

if they thought vampires were "monsters," Cedric would show them a monster.