Rusting Guns

The burning fire bought us a little bit of time.

He spurred his horse as he shouted.

“Come on Betsy!”

Quite an interesting name. I then chimed in as the horse responded in a grunting neigh.

“That’s a rather endearing name!”

“You think so too?”

“You could’ve just runaway, why bother coming back?”

“You can ask Betsy that!”

“What?”

He didn’t elaborate any further. All i got was a grin.

As we raced throughout the city, four lawmen on horses caught up to us. Marshall spurred Betsy again to get more speed.

The horsemen got impatient. I looked behind to see them aiming at us. Noticing the danger, I shouted.

“Marsh, watch out!”

He skillfully drove his horse in a swerving like maneuver. Gunshots were heard, but all three of us were fine as the bullets whizzed by.

I can see the east bridge up ahead, the same one that I crossed this morning to enter the city.

Just before it, on the cross road, Marshall unexpectedly took a right turn instead.

Confused as to why he did that, I asked him about the odd choice.

“Wait! Why are we going this way?”

“Don’t you worry about it, I’m betting on something.”

He replied, with a cheeky smile.

Don’t worry? Betting? Since he spoke rather confidently, I have no choice but to trust him.

We encircled the city as we continue to ride on the outskirts. Some lawmen tried to cut us off, but Marshall outsmarted them by taking the most optimal route.

It only took a few minutes, but we’re almost there as he said something.

“There it is! Hold on tight Lily, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!”

His face were serious, he then pulled out both of his revolvers.

What’s ahead is another bridge. From it’s build, it’s less grand than the east one. The bridge is made out of woods and ropes.

The horsemen is catching up. Our time is almost up.

Marshall extended both of his arms, as he aimed at the corner of the bridge. Shots simultaneously fired.

He was aiming at the ropes that connected the bridge to a pair of bollards that’s on each side. The ropes were severed, caused by the bullets that pierced them.

We got on the bridge still maintaining the speed. Marshall doesn’t intend to slow down. In fact, it appears that we’re getting faster.

The bridge is creaking, sounds of wood breaking and ropes snapping were heard. Marshall then aimed at the ropes that are suspending the wooden planks on the halfway point.

Shots were fired again, just as we’re halfway crossing the bridge. I hugged Marshall tighter when the sound of ropes snapping intensifies.

Finally, as we’re approaching the other end of the bridge, Marshall aimed his revolvers again. This time, he’s aiming for the ropes that’s tied to the bollards on the side that we’re trying to cross.

Shots were simultaneously fired. The bridge began to crumble down. The rumbling sounds of woods breaking and ropes snapping filled my ears.

Just right before the wooden planks gave up underneath us, Marshall whipped Betsy’s harness. Betsy then jumped just in time, and we landed on the other side.

Followed by the loud sound of the bridge that’s crumbling down, I looked behind.

The bridge is pretty much done for. The only thing remains are a few ropes as most of the wooden planks has fallen down to the river below.

I can see the disbeliefs of the lawmen who were chasing us on the other side of the river. Marshall then spoke pridefully.

“Seems like I made the right bet.”

“I see, you were planning that this whole time?”

“Yep! The bridge is way long overdue for maintenance anyway.”

We’re now riding through the dirt road that’s on the grass plain.

Looking him dead in the eye, I asked him the question that was previously brushed aside.

“So, why did you came back?”

“Came back for what?”

“Playing dumb are we?”

“Quite pushy aren’t ya? Welp, let’s just say that I was returning the favour.”

He then looked away. Unsatisfied with that joke of an answer, I pushed my luck.

“Really? You’re not very good at lying.”

After hearing that, he sighed as he gave me an answer.

“I was entranced by you!”

“Huh?”

“I feel like we connected with each other very well back there. I wanted to talk and know more about you! So that’s why I came back.”

A bit surprised by the sudden confession, I can’t help but laughed.

The scenery has changed. It appears that we entered a forest before me realising.

He laughed nervously.

“Seems like I’m too straightforward, aren’t I?”

“No, not at all. I like boys who are direct!”

“Welp, glad that I chose to save the princess”

What’s that all about? With a subtle voice, I asked him a question.

“Princess huh? Even if that princess is a vampire?”

He then chuckled.

“I already knew you were one when we first exchanged words.”

“Was it that obvious?”

“I caught a glimpse of your fangs for a second.”

That’s unbelievable. I’m pretty sure I didn’t open my mouth too wide whenever I speak.

“Rather observant aren’t you?”

“Welp, I have to. If not, I’d probably die a long time ago.”

He said, as he frowned a bit. I then used the opportunity to know more about him.

“So what were you? There has to be a reason they chased you right?”

“I was an outlaw. By the way, you said you’re not that old, that’s a lie ain’t it?”

“I heard that human reached their prime in their twenties. So I technically wasn’t lying, we just don’t aged as fast.”

He then gave a faint smile, as he muttered a reply.

“So the story of vampires can live for centuries were true.”

“You seem to know much about us.”

“Some of our gang members were European, I heard it from them. But, back then I didn’t believe them.”

We finally left the forest. A lake then came into view, there’s a wooden hut near it.

We stopped right outside of the hut. Marshall dismounted, then tied Betsy to the railing outside of the hut.

“We’re gonna stay here for tonight.”

He said, as he lend a hand to help me go down.

“It’s okay, I can go down myself.”

“Not with that ieg.”

He said, pointing at my left leg that’s bleeding. He really is that observant.

I grabbed his hand, as I slowly dismount the horse. My left arm is wrapped around his shoulder while he helped me walk towards the hut.

He then kicked the hut door open. As we entered it, he spoke in a calm voice.

“Still, to think that a vampire can be hurt this easily.”

“I’m not a purebred vampire. I’m half. I’m still stronger than a human, but far weaker than a pure vampire.

“I understand now.”

He said, as he helped me sit down on the floor of the hut.

The inside of the hut is similar in size with the room of the Inn. Then I remembered, I left my belongings there.

“Ah! My stuffs are still there!”

“If it’s the duffle bag, I brought it with me.”

“What?”

“Yeah, let me get them for you!”

He then left the hut. After a few seconds, he came back carrying a tan coloured duffle bag.

“You really did have it!”

“I had a feeling that you were the same person I passed this... Yesterday morning. I checked for your name on the guest book.

“It seems like you used an alias, as your name were written as ‘Lucia Moore V I’. They’ll mistook it for the roman number 6, but since you told me earlier. It probably stands for Viktoria Ingrid.”

It appears that it was a good thing I told him my real name. I then spoke with a smile on my face.

“You’re right on the mark. You really are a strange one!”

“Sure. More importantly, I think we should do something about that leg!”

“Right. Do you have some medicine on you?”

With a quizzical look on his face, he replied to me.

“Don’t you guys able to heal real fast?”

“That’s only if I drink blood.”

“Welp, drink mine then!”

He said, as he sit down beside me and thrusted his right arm.

“I... But... Are you sure?”

“Does it look like I’m kidding?”

I was hesitant at first. However, almost as if my instinct took over, I bit his arm.

“Argh...”

It’s been so long that I even forgot how it taste. It’s euphoric! I really want to drink to my heart’s content, but I need to be mindful.

I then let go of his arm.

“Does it hurt a lot?”

“Erm, not really. It just not how I imagined it’s going to be.”

He said, while scratching his cheek. I then tilted my head as I wait for the follow up reaction.

“Why do I suddenly feel sleepy?”

There it is! I chuckled as I whipped out a respond.

“That’s normal, people who got their blood suck by a vampire for the first time, will become sleepy.”

“I see, so th—“

He fell asleep before even finishing his sentence. I rested his head on my lap, as he fell in deep slumber.

It appears that it’s not going to be a charming prince or a chivalrous knight. The one that came to me instead, was an erratic outlaw with his horse Betsy.