Chapter One
Coming Storm
The sun was setting, and the time drew nigh. The bickering and arguing had come to an end. It was time for a staking.
Malkavian didn’t offer any resistance as he was dragged to the ground by Comicsartist and AlineaHeart. The two of them looked up expectantly at GrumpyGirl.
“What?”
“You voted for him too, and someone needs to do the deed.”
“I only voted for him so I could live!”
The stranger stepped forward. “Does the purpose of your vote even matter? Whether you physically participate in his execution or not, you have played an important role in his demise.”
“I can’t kill him! I am a preacher!”
“That did not stop you from voting for him, fully knowing what that would entail.”
“Enough of this!” Shouted the old man. “If none of you are going to do it, I will!” He took the stake and placed it above the center of Malkavian’s chest. He continued to offer no resistance. Malkavian was resigned to his fate. As Kanadesaga raised the hammer, preparing to land the killing blow, Malkavian’s eyes went wide with terror. When the hammer came crashing down, Malkavian uttered his last word under his breath, “No.” He clenched his fists as the stake plunged into his chest. Malkavian opened his eyes one last time before closing them slowly again. Blood seeped from his wound.
Kanadesaga stood back in anticipation and...nothing happened. “So he wasn‘t a vampire?”
Kana spoke, “A vampire’s death would have been different.”
The crowd started to talk amongst themselves. “Great! What a waste!”
“I guess we should bury the body.”
“Well, do it quickly. It is almost dark, and it looks like a storm is coming. I don’t want anyone moving around during the night. Too much risk.”
“I agree.”
And so the villagers went to their homes, and the stranger went to one of the spare houses. The vision of Malkavian’s staking fresh in their heads. DRS and Chrisbb took Malkavian's body to the cemetery to bury the him. DRS spoke softly while carrying the body. "I am going to find out what or who made the old preacher hang himself. Tomorrow I will search the church for any clues."
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I will now write up the dawn portion of the next day. Voting will begin again after it is posted.