Propensity at Dawn

The atmosphere is quite. There’s only a brisky sound of a galloping horse, the dark forest that’s slowly springing to life, and the chilling morning air.

There’s still some time before sunrise. But the sky already began to filled with sprinkles of light.

Sitting behind me, she asked with anticipation in her voice.

“Are we there yet Marsh?”

“Almost there, hold on tight!”

She’s only wearing a run of the mill dress and a straw hat she bought the other day. However, she’s still beautiful like always.

Of course, as per usual leaving almost no skin exposed. But believe or not, she’s dressing for the right occasion today.

A few more minutes has passed. The forest’s starting to get clear. Not long after, we reached the place.

“We’re here!”

Atop of a cliff, the area is quite open with almost no tree growing. But the patches were filled with green grasses and wild flowers.

Getting down from the horse, I then gave her a hand to help her get down. Making a small leap as she grabbed my hand, she sparked a conversation.

“I see. Quite the view you got here!”

“I know right?”

She then turned around, hands behind her back and a smile on her face

“The fact that you didn’t get lost going through that forest, only meant that you’re here quite often. Am I wrong?”

“Yup. This is where the gang and I used to camp. It became our hideout here and there after we scored something big.”

“I can understand why you guys chose this place as a hideout.”

“Oh yeah?”

A smirk then appeared on her face.

“Deep in the mountain like this and near an almost isolated town, it’s the perfect place to hide from and avoid all kinds trouble.”

“Right! But in our case, we actively find those troubles and hide here to avoid the repercussions.”

A sigh escaped from my breath as I shook my head. A silence then followed, before she replied with a calm voice.

“Please continue, I’m all ears!”

“Boy, where do I even start?”

I then walked towards the cliff and sit down beside a boulder.

“The gang meant everything to me back then. And the members... Were like family members to me.

“We were a band of people who lost everything or have nothing to our name. Just as the name suggests, Scorched Folks.”

She then sat to my right as I continued.

“They found me when I was just a teenager. I don’t have a parent nor family, and my relatives are nowhere to be found. So I survived by being a thief.

“I then got caught by a local sheriff. Unfortunately I was locked in the same cell as an outlaw. Said outlaw then escaped because of his friends jailbreak effort. And I followed them.”

Taking off my hat I then put it aside.

“Ever since then, I became an outlaw. Big man Tony taught me how to shoot a gun, before I even knew how to use a knife.

“Clark, despite his rough appearance, was quite kind-hearted. He taught me how to write and read under that tree over there!”

I said, pointing to an overgrown oak tree at the edge of our vision.

“Kevin and Jacque would go to a saloon together to get wasted. Jean, welp, she’s the odd one out. Though her wisdom came in handy at times.

“There’s also big Timmy, he’s the cook. He and his wife cooked the meanest stew from the animals that Charlie hunted.”

I then put my hat back on as the sun began to rise and it’s light illuminated the surrounding nature.

“And almost every morning, I would have that as a breakfast and sit right here as I watch the sun slowly rise.“

“You have a lot of fond memories of the past don't you?”

“I may look back at it fondly. But sometimes, I wished things were different.”

“What do you mean?”

She asked. Half of her face were shielded by the brim of her hat, but her curiosity is at full display.

“I wished I was born, you know... in a normal loving family. Living in a house together and grow up to be an honest man.

“But instead, I was borned out of wedlock. I don’t even know my father’s name or face. And my memories of my mother were blurry to say the least.”

I said as I fidgeted with my fingers.

“I never wished to be an outlaw who live everyday like it’s their last. Stealing despite having the choice not to. And killing... Even though we know it’s senseless.”

“I can understand why you wished for something like that.”

A fleeting smile painted her face, peeking from her hat as she stared off into the distant sunrise.

“At times, I wished that I don’t find human blood tasty. I don’t want to have this scary fangs. And I don’t want my skin to be burnt just by the touch of sunlight.

“I just want to be a normal girl. Wearing fancy dress while playing under the sun. Eating cakes and drinking teas. And wear a big smile without no worries.”

She then hugged her knees while faintly smiling.

“I know that it’s useless to feel resentful. I know that I can’t change fate. And I know things won’t go the way you wanted to.

“So I tried to make peace with the situation. Perhaps there’s a silver lining in everything. Maybe there’s a reason why I was borned as a vampire.”

I then simply replied in acknowledgement.

“Yeah you’re right. There’s probably a reason why we’re here.”

She then spoke in a faltering tone, striking where it hurts the most.

“But Marshall, have you ever thought that perhaps the opposite were true?”

The question might be vague. But, I know what she meant by it.

“What if... There were no meanings? What if there’s no purpose for us to live? What if there’s no reason for us to be borne—“

I then spoke in a dull voice, interrupting her anxious tirade.

“If there are none, we just have to make one ain’t it?”

“...”

Her eyes were wide open, staring down my soul. I then spoke in a higher voice.

“If there’s no place to call home, we’ll make one. If there’s nothing to look forward to, then at least make the present worthwhile.

“If there’s no meaning, we’ll find it. And if there’s no purpose to it, we’ll uhh... Erm... Welp, we’ll just have to make it count!”

A little laugh escaped from her as her worries float away.

“You’re right! It’s no use worrying about all of that. We just have to make it count huh?”

“Okay I admit I’m not good at giving speech. But I will say this.”

I then pat her shoulder as I gave a big smile.

“I don’t care how long it will take to find those reasons, meanings, purposes or silver linings. But, I will accompany you to find it.

“I won’t live as long as you, but I don’t mind spending the rest of mine for it. So don’t worry too much about it, I’ll be there for you.”

She then chuckled as she spoke softly.

“For someone who has only lived a ninth of the length of my life, you surprised me with the manner that you’re speaking in just now.”

“What in tarnation! So you’re almost two centuries old then? Wow you’re really old!”

I said in amazement. She then replied in embarrassment as she got up.

“Oh shut up you... There are vampires who lived far longer than me I have you know.”

“Right, right. You’re probably like a kid compared to them right?”

I said jokingly.

“A kid? Boy you haven’t even turn twenty yet! By the way, I’m feeling peckish. Do you brought anything here?”

“Of course, thought you’d never ask.”

I then take some bread and beef jerky from Betsy’s saddlebag. We sat under the shade of the overgrown oak tree and eat our breakfast together. 

Enjoying the view of the surrounding mountain range, lush forests, and the moving clouds that are illuminated by the morning sun.