Chapter 10
The Fable
Alvin Caravel was reading a story he wrote to Diana, they were having a juice she made from the bearberries she got from the forest.
Caravel acted partly as a military instructor while he was under Nina’s command as he was leading paratroopers. But studying the tactics all day was a monotonous and exhausting business. It was always the repetition of plan and execute. Because of this, Alvin formed a strange obsession toward the literature, recently after he got out of Nina’s command. When he heard that his school was having a play, he got excited and started writing for himself, although it didn’t quite work out. So Diana came along and helped him.
“It was built centuries ago by a fallen king. Afar from the castle, deep inside the forest, marked by a little tombstone, it was used for storage to keep secrets. It was handed down since the birth of the nation, until the king met a woman named Ginger. Bewitched by a haunting beauty of the woman, the king had an affair with her. And guess what? He used this archive to hide her from the queen’s rage. It was a perfect place for his secret love. And the woman bore a baby. This child, the secret child who was to be hidden from this world, well, more of a jealously from the queen, is raised right in this very place, in the underground archive,” said Alvin, looking at the piece of paper scribbled with his rough handwriting.
“You shouldn’t name her Ginger,” said Diana.
“What are you talking about? Of course I can,” said Alvin.
“No, it is a same name as the prostitute down back in the alley,” said Diana.
“Seems like you went there for a routine visit, is that what you are, a girl with a naughty little secret?” teased Alvin. Diana blushed, heated up.
“No! No! I did not! You filthy bastard!” shouted Diana.
“Look, Ginger is perfectly good name, and who cares about she’s a whore or not?” said Alvin.
“You… you! It’s children! For the school play!” shouted Diana.
“Well, Diana, we shouldn’t judge what others do for living. Can’t we just love one another without pointless hostility?” Alvin smiled playfully, his eyes beaming at her. Diana’s face was rose red, but was stuck on what she would say back.
“I think Juliet is more suitable for a school play,” she smiled.
“Oh that is nonsense. That is just stupid. Did you play Romeo and Juliet in your school? Because I hate, and hate that stupid story,” objected Alvin.
“Why not? It’s a perfectly charming story, ahh, Romeo,” said Diana with admiration.
“Yeah, I can’t remember was she sixteen? And she destroyed two well founded rich families, killed the man and killed herself afterwards. With all due respect, I want her as my bodyguard,” said Alvin.
“Shut up! You are ruining everything!” Diana screamed.
The footstep was heard and there was a little boy came toward them. They both stopped talking and looked, it was Jake.
“Jake! Did you do your chores?” shouted Diana.
“Did you do your homework, Jake?” said Alvin.
Jake slowly nodded and walked back the way he came. They heard his whispering, ‘I will…’ like some dying echo in the hallway.
Suddenly loud footsteps were heard, it was Tasha, running across the hallway almost bumped into Jake but stopped abruptly before Alvin and Diana.
“Tasha did you…” said Diana but Tasha ignored her and shouted.
“Diana! The festival is in town! All the vendors are in town! Oh I love that elk meat sandwich from Mr… Aww… I forgot his name again. And, and the cotton candy and other candy Charlie made! And I’ve heard they brought ponies! They brought PONIES! So, can I go?” Tasha bellowed.
“No, festival opens tomorrow too; it is open for three days! I told you we will take you and Jake and have a nice time together,” said Diana.
“Diana…. Pleeeeeeeaasseee?” Tasha begged.
“No honey. No is no.” snapped Diana.
“Aww… man…” Tasha let her shoulder down and walked away. Alvin laughed on the chair.
“Go on Tasha. Diana and I will go tomorrow; you guys should watch our house for us ok?” said Alvin. Tasha ran toward Alvin, and kissed him on his cheek and jumped to get away before Diana says anything.
“Alvin! You know how dangerous for them to be out there by themselves!” Diana shouted.
“Oh, they are pretty strong, my dear. They are not made up of a glass, you see. They have endured much already. I’m sure they know how to handle themselves,” Alvin drank the last drop in the cup and held up his scratch paper.
“But, they might still be in danger, those men, they might seek revenge!” said Diana.
“Yes, but making them stay here won’t help a bit,” said Alvin, gently. “Soon or later my dear, they will have to get out in this world. You want them to be happy don’t you?”
“Of course I do,” muttered Diana.
“I want them to be strong,” said Alvin, winking at her. “You know, they have become much brighter than when they first arrived here.”
Diana coughed softly and sniffed.
“Yes, you are right,” said Diana, feeling a little better.
“Ok, let me read you the other part of the play, when the king is haunted by the vampires,” said Alvin, looking at the paper on the table.
“Vampires?” Diana murmured.
“Yes, they want the child,” said Alvin.
“Is this in the middle of the play?” said Diana.
“Probably, haven’t figured that out yet,” Alvin sipped the coffee. He raised few papers around and found the sheet he was looking for.
“In the darkest hour of the night, playful young ladies appear under the moonlight, their vampiric beauty haunts the soldiers, yet the strange charm triggers the lustful desire. Seems like the wicked fiend casted a deadly spell. Forming that bluish, ghastly shadow those fragile bodies drifted along the street. HIDE if you do see that bluish shadow, and SHH… don’t make a sound. The land will taste blood. Crows will have a feast, all under that silvery zeal.”
“… That’s…” murmured Diana.
“Good, isn’t it honey?” Alvin smiled, standing up. “And if you don’t mind, I’m going to take a walk and meet those charming ladies.”
Alvin walked toward the door, tapping Diana’s shoulder on the way. Diana snorted and smiled.