Vampire Hunter D: Stolen Sunlight

Chapter 12

Leigh had watched the dawn arrive some time back but still refused to close her eyes and give in to the exhaustion that was trying to overwhelm her. She had managed to stay up the entire night. It hadn't been nearly as difficult to maintain as the last time they rode through the night.

D had still not initiated any conversation and, while he had not started walking again, he still made sure to maintain as much distance between them as the saddle would allow. Leigh was still feeling the guilt from the happenings of the previous night which completely eliminated any possibility of being able to relax under the current circumstances.

With her focus so completely on staying awake and not encroaching on D's personal space, Leigh had failed to realize they were approaching a large building in the distance. When it finally drew her attention, she was surprised to see that, although it was large, it was nothing but ruins.

D led the horse through or around several large piles of rubble before he finally dismounted and grabbed the reins again. Leigh started to object once more but realized it was more for the horses footing than to get away from her.

Finally, it seemed that he found what he had been searching for. He tied the horse up and started walking toward a part of the structure that was still partially intact. There seemed to be two walls still standing and a third that had fallen over to rest on its parallel partner. What would have been the forth wall was another pile of rubble. Leigh watched for a moment while her companion climbed it.

Even though he had not said anything, it seemed to Leigh as if it was to be their next shelter. She dismounted to follow him but as soon as she was out of the saddle she found she was not able to keep her feet. Her vision darkened and before she could steady herself, she had collapsed. Belatedly she realized she had not eaten anything in over a day and between that, and a lack of sleep, she was not in the best of shape.

When her vision cleared she looked around to make sure D had not seen her. The last thing she wanted was to worry him anymore. He was nowhere that she could see so she felt a little better. She climbed to her feet and managed to stay standing that time. She was still a little shaky, but it was better than falling over again.

Once she was sure her feet would stay under her she headed towards the missing wall to follow her companion. She had only started to climb up the pile of rubble blocking the entrance when D appeared again. He gave her a look that seemed to ask what she thought she was doing but he didn't say anything about her following him. Once he was beside her he finally spoke up. "There is an enclosed room that is still intact. In the back of this area is a set of stairs going down. I will meet you there momentarily."

Leigh gave him a nod. She managed to make it over the broken wall and into the interior. Once inside she had to give it a moment for her eyes to adjust before she found the stairs D had mentioned. She headed towards them as soon as she saw where they were, but she hadn't made it to them before D caught back up to her. He had their saddlebags in hand, a fact that made Leigh feel bad for not thinking of them.

No more words were exchanged as she followed him down into the tiny room. It looked like it might have once been a storage area. It was relatively clear, a fact that seemed to be a miracle given the general state of the rest of the building. Leigh knew D didn't need it but as soon as they hit the bottom of the stairs she brought out the little lantern that D had previously given her.

She set it by the stairs and helped D get their makeshift camp set up. It was still only midday, but she was not going to complain about an early rest. She did wonder about it once they were set up and she sat down on her bedroll. She decided that she needed to find out what the current plan was more than she wanted to keep her silence. "Will we be resting here long?"