The Musician | Marcel Gerard

Chapter Five

 Marcel walked home with a slow pace. Now he felt terrible.

 He was right about Vera Jones knowing about vampires, but he felt bad that the only reason she did know was because vampires had killed her parents. If it weren't for vampires, her parents might still have been alive.

 She seemed like she'd moved on since then, and was living an ordinary life, but it must have scarred her, enough that she wanted absolutely nothing to do with him whatsoever, even though he had been kind to her.

 "Did you find that address I gave you?" Thierry asked upon his return.

 "Yeah, I found it," Marcel answered. "Thierry, our people haven't been feeding off locals, have they?"

 "The locals you told them not to feed off of? I hope not. Why? Someone get killed?"

 "Not today, far as I'm aware. A local married couple, probably middle-aged, were killed six years ago. It was at least one vampire."

 Thierry shrugged. "Could have visiting vampires we weren't aware of, or someone who went rogue. Are you okay, Marcel?"

 "Yeah, I'm fine," Marcel answered quickly. "Why?"

 Thierry shrugged again. "I don't know. You're just...not yourself anymore. You haven't been for a while. Everyone's noticed it, me especially. Look, I just want to know you're okay."

 "Thierry," Marcel said, "I promise you, I'm okay. I'm gonna be fine. Believe me, there is no need for everybody to panic. All I needed was something to interest me."

 "Well, this old case seems to interest you," he pointed out. "This was six years ago, remember. You lookin' for whoever did it? Because they're probably long gone by now."

 "No, no, I'm not hunting them down. I met the couple's daughter, and she's actually a nice woman. Didn't deserve what happened, and I'm sure her parents didn't, either."

~~~~~~

 Marcel didn't sleep much that night. There was something about Vera Jones, he realized, something that made him feel attracted to her. He would have liked to get to know her better if she would let him.

 Getting out of bed and turning on the lights, Marcel began hunting around for writing supplies until he found what he needed to write his letter.


 Dear Vera,

 I cannot tell you how sorry I am for getting you angry tonight, and for what happened to your parents. I will be looking further into the matter, but from what I know it was not any of my people. A friend of mine said it could have someone who was just passing through the city, but I do not know for certain what could have happened. 

 I know it has only been a little more than a week since we met, but I like you, Vera, and I think you should know that. I would have liked to have been able to get to know you better. But if you do not want that, I understand. After what you have been through, it would be understandable if you never wanted to hear the word 'vampire' again. 

                                                                                                                             Sincerely, 
                                                                                                                             Marcel Gerard 


 ~~~~~~

 Marcel gave the letter to Thierry the next day and asked him, "Can you make sure this gets to that address you gave me? This is important."