When Night Comes

9. 𝓐 𝓓𝓲𝓪𝓶𝓸𝓷𝓭 𝓲𝓷 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓡𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱

"Mrs Mitchell," the vampire called as he entered the lavishly appointed study room they had designated for (Y/n)'s lessons, "I regret to inform you that classes will be canceled for the evening."

(Y/n) was startled by that. The sudden announcement was as surprising for her as it was for the governess. Though (Y/n) supposed she didn't mind skipping this evening's classes. History was quite boring after a certain point. With a subtle sigh of relief, she approached the man, grateful to escape another tedious lecture.

Her teacher, however, didn't look so pleased. She shook her head in clisapproval. "The young miss has already missed a class this week," she reasoned, annoyance etching her features. Firmly, she held onto (Y/n)'s arm, hindering her departure. "Allowing her to miss more classes will only reinforce the notion that her behavior goes unpunished."

(Y/n) glared at that. She did skip a session this week, and two the week before. The vampire was quite lenient on that subject. As long as (Y/n) asked nicely and behaved as he wanted her to, he didn't mind if she missed some lectures. Lessons were fun in the beginning, but now, the woman was becoming stricter. Every little mistake was met with harsh words and more work. She couldn't count the number of time she had been forced to write the same lines over and over again just because of one word that hadn't been written properly. Or the number of time she had to recite the same poems.

"She is an intelligent young lady, fully capable of catching up," he responded with a dismissive wave of his hand. His gaze descended until it rested on (Y/n)'s wrist, and he pursed his lips. "Release her."

"That little missy is going to grow up spoiled," she spat in annoyance. "Ladies must not grow to become self indulgent or spoiled."

"My child is flawless in her current state," he hissed with a dangerous undertone.

"Your child?" she scoffed with a sardonic laugh. "This girl speaks and behaves like a commoner. Individuals of her kind should be well aware of their position in our society."

(Y/n) glared. The vampire took a dangerous step forward. "You should know your place," he snapped back. "Release her at once!"

"My responsibility," she responded with an indignant sneer, "is to educate properly this young misfit, and I shall discharge my duty as I see fit—"

In the blink of an eye, the woman found the vampire's fingers encircling her throat. (Y/n) freed herself from the woman's grasp and retreated. The woman continued to wheeze desperately. (Y/n) witnessed the vampire's hand gradually constricting around the human's throat. Every second, he was squeezing it tighter, and tighter, and tighter and—

"Don't do this!" She pleaded. "Please don't kill her!" Her desperate plea resonated in the tense silence of the room

"She is receiving her due, starshine," he replied with a composed, even voice. "If you don't wish to witness it, you may simply leave."

"She doesn't deserve death," she pleaded desperately, attempting to pry his hand from the human's throat.

"Leave," he ordered. "Go amuse yourself with your little dolls. I shall fetch you once this ordeal is over."

"No! You can't -"

"Get out," he bellowed.

She flinched, recoiling from his command. (Y/n) cast one final, pained glance at her teacher before turning away. Suppressing tears, she grappled with the conflict within—choosing self-preservation over another's life. Hugging herself for solace, she closed the door behind her.

...

She sat on her bed, staring blankly at the wall. A certain relief settled upon her as she realized the noises from the study were muffled. She wouldn't have to hear the noise, granting her a reprieve from the grim images haunting her mind. Perhaps, in this solitude, she could convince herself that the cruel vampire wasn't within those walls, smothering the life out of that woman.