Heart of Darkness

Vitale couldn’t help himself but follow the young lady. She was all alone walking at night. It was dangerous. Did she live alone?

He tried to read her mind but strangely he felt a barrier. He could hear some thoughts, the loud ones, like when she looked around for danger and felt scared and that she was worried about something that could be awaiting her but he couldn’t know what.

Interesting, he thought. Only a few humans had minds that were hard to read and often those people had a strong spirituality. No wonder.

He followed her in the dark and like most people with strong instincts she did feel like she was being followed. She picked up her steps and he slowed down to not alarm her but still followed her to a nearby small house.

Her heart skipped and she shivered as she looked at the lit window. There was something inside that she feared. She stepped inside the fence and the front door flung open. She flinched as a tall man stepped outside. He had short brown hair, tousled from having woken up from sleep.

His eyes narrowed and darkened as he stepped further outside, watching her with a look of intimidation. She shrunk where she stood.

“Where have you been?” He asked.

Vitale picked up from the man’s mind that he was her husband. “I just went to church.”

He knew she was telling the truth but he didn’t care. He didn’t like that she disobeyed him and went out at night. The man stepped closer, too close to her, towering over her and again to intimidate her. She looked down but he grabbed her jaw in a painful grip and lifted her head.

“What did I tell?” He said holding a finger in front of her face.

When she didn’t reply, he grabbed her face harder and glared into her eyes. “What. Did. I. Tell. You?”

“To never leave the house.” She said.

Vitale frowned.

“Then why do you not listen?”

“I am sorry,” she said her voice thick with pain.

He threw her head to the side. “You will be sorry,” he said, and as soon as Vitale realized that he was about to punch her in the stomach he teleported and pushed the man away, causing him to fall fly backward, and fall hard on his back.

The young lady gasped in surprise and stared shocked at her husband before turning to Vitale. She was shocked again as she recognized him from earlier in the church.

Or… no. She knew who he was. Most people did as he was lord of the manor of this area. “My Lord?” Her eyes widened.

Her husband tried to get up on his feet, confused by how he appeared from nowhere. He blamed his slightly drunken state as he shook his head and then looked at him. His heart stopped breathing for a moment as he recognized him as well. They called him the fair lord because of his fair hair and skin. What kind of stupid name was that?

Many compared him to an angel as if they had seen one because clearly angels were supposed to be fair.

“My Lord,” he said bowing but groaned when his back made a cracking sound. “What brings you here this late?”

He looked into the man’s eyes knowing that getting out of this without compulsion wouldn’t work even if he was wealthy and lord of the manor. “I am taking your wife with me.” He said, compelling him to agree.

The man stared at him hypnotized, the words slowly registering in his mind in a way that was acceptable.

“You can take her, My Lord.” He said in a trance.

The young lady panicked and Vitale could sense her fear. She looked at her husband with pleading eyes. When he ignored her, she turned to him. “My Lord. I can’t come with you. I am married.”

She was right. What had he gotten himself into? He was not one to meddle in other people’s business.

“Do you have a sister named Roxana?” He asked straight.

She stared straight at him, not blinking. Not breathing. “Roxana.” She breathed. “You… you know my sister?”

He knew it. The resemblance was remarkable.

“Yes. I know her.” He said.

“Where… where is she?”

“I’ll take you to her.” He told her, just wanting to get her away from this abusive man.

She looked back at her husband reluctantly. Did she like the man or was this a security thing she worried about?

“Don’t worry. Your sister has been looking and she is able to take care of you.”

She was a bit afraid. Understandably so. He was a stranger after all who wanted to take her away at night.

She took a moment to think and then decided to leave with him. She was still scared as they walked down the dark streets and doubted her decision. “How do you know my sister?”

“She is soon to be married to a friend of mine.” He said just to make her comfortable. Him and Skender were barely friends.

“She is getting married now?” She sounded surprised.

“Yes.”

“How did you know I could be her sister?”

“You look alike.”

“Did you follow me?”

He stiffened. “Yes.”

“Why?”

“Well, I saw your face and you resembled her so I wondered.” That was only half the truth. He would have followed her anyway. Strangely disturbing.

Her heart still kept beating fast. She was terrified but hiding it so well. Vitale reached for Skender because if he took this lady home without her sister being there she would panic and run away.

‘Skender, listen. It is important!’ Vitale said annoyed as soon as the man answered his call. These days he had been cutting him off.

Skender chuckled. ‘It is always important.’ He teased. ‘Have some wine and relax. I thought you would take a few days off.’

‘It is Roxana’s sister. I found her.’

A silence followed. ‘Where?’ he then asked in a serious tone.

‘Just get to my home with Roxana now!’

‘Are you sure? I don’t want to give her false hope.’

Vitale paused and turned to the lady. “What is your name?” He asked.

“Diana, My lord.” She replied.

‘Ask her if her sister’s name is Diana. If it is, bring her to my home.’ He told Skender.

‘Alright.’

He cut off the link and returned his attention to Diana. Roxana and Diana.

She turned and met his gaze. He found himself intrigued again. Why? Was it her silent mind? Her deep spiritual commitment? What was it, because he was rarely interested in people?