Creature and the Maiden ch 20

Creature and the Maiden: Chapter 20.

The frail morning light shone inside the dark cave, sending in weak streams that promised that the strange night had passed and all things that happened between this odd couple, who were lying on a bunch of dirt leaves and blankets, bodies wrapped together, were gone. The sadness, the horror and the shock they have showed to each other has passed. Maybe, just maybe, it would be a beautiful day.

John woke to the sun on his face and the very strange feeling of something warm and soft lying beside him. He sat up and realized he did not know how Laura had gotten into his bed. Then, he remembered drifting off against Laura only a few hours ago, after his big revelation and explanation about his background to her. Truth is, he was still in shock and awe. Everything had happened so fast that he hadn't had a chance to process it all. To think, this woman not only loved him, but also understood him. She had almost accepted all that he was, mental and physical flaws included. And she had opened her heart to him and told about her dark past and her poor childhood. Thank God that Mr. Crottington was several miles away, or he would rip this evil man into pieces. How could he have taken such advances with this poor child.

John swore with his heart and newfound soul, that he would forever protect Laura from any harm. After this night, he will never leave her again. But he would be naive to think everything would be smooth from here on out. She knows his past, he knew hers and they may have changed their minds on each other now (to the positive), but thinking about the future, John had no idea.

He breathed a deep, contented sigh. "Where should we go now?"

Growing restless, he found that although it was a little piece of heaven to lay with Laura tangled around him, his mind would not let him rest. Unable to stay in bed any longer, he carefully extricated himself from her grip.

Laura's eyes fluttered open to see John staring back at her. His gaze was penetrating right through her and made her feel bare. Her heart skipped a beat and started to race with anticipation. He knew all of her secrets and all of her desires.

"Good morning." She whispered.

"Good morning to you." He smiled back and brushed her rosy cheek with his hand. He sat and watched the steady rise and fall of her chest as she breathed in and out. What made her so… perfect? He brushed aside some strands of her red hair that had fallen in front of her eyes. "Are you feeling better now?"

Considering all these strange and chocking events that had happened during the night, Laura felt she'd never been so peaceful and calm right now. She didn't believe she would ever tell her secret to anyone. What happened in her past was hurtful to her and she didn't want to be a victim in other people's eyes. But John saw her as a survivor, and that felt so good. He knew her and she completely knew about him…Oh my god!

For a moment she completely forgot that John was different. She was more confused now than ever. All the times she had spent talking with him, laughed with him, held and kissed him, she would never had believed he was an... A tiny knot of fear twisted its way into her stomach. But just as quickly as the thought appeared, she pushed it aside. How could she think that of a man who just saved her life, opening his heart to her and showed so much kindness and gentleness; more than any human being possessed. But still she couldn't help getting Goosebumps.

"Yes…much better."

The next thing she decided to do was change her outfit. Wearing only her undergarments wasn't the wisest or practical choice when the fresh morning air felt chilly. Searching for what to wear, John handed her a skirt and a worn-out brown pair of pants she could use, even the pants was a little too big around her waist. Although it was odd wearing man's pants, she had to admit they were more comfortable and kept her warmer below. John started to put on his own clothes he had removed during the night.

When they were finished, Laura and John went out into the lovely, slightly cold spring morning.

It was early. The sun was just beginning to rise, causing the blanket of dew that had covered the grass and leaves of their precious wood to shimmer and sparkle. It was beautiful, John inhaled deeply, the slight cold rushing into his lungs and filled him with calm and serenity. If Laura had caught a sense of his emotions and peaceful mind, she made her point on this peaceful walk by grabbing his hand with hers, wrapping her fingers with his and held them gently. If John had the ability to stop time, he would have stopped it now…because despite this peaceful and perhaps his and her happiest moment in their lives…it felt a little bit sad.

"John, what shall we do?"

He breathed a deep, contented sigh. "Stay here forever, never let other people know about us, be invisible and always be together."

Laura thought for a moment, the thing she desired right now, more than ever was this morning walk should be long and it would never end. It was their own temporary bubble no one could interfere or harm them. Back in the cottage when she took care of his wounds, they were sheltered from the world, it was she and him. But the sounds of Tobys wagon broke the magic and then the great reaction and tumults after it.

The bubble will soon burst again. "It's a lovely and wonderful thought, I love it but I think we need to think about the future. I want to be with you, honest!"

"A life! Would you clarify for me on the word 'life'. I have tried to make a real life for myself, and from certain experiences as you know, I can't have one like ordinary people." John sighed, "Why can't we just live like we are doing now! Or better, you move back to the cottage and live together…like a husband and wife.

These final words just popped out from his mouth, and realizing what he had said, his steps froze, his mouth open like an idiot.

Laura stared back at him, her green eyes wide with shock and tried to focus on what he'd just said to her. Did he just say…"Husband and wife!"

"Husband and wife?" She whispered.

"I just…" John stammered. How in heaven's and hell's name did he just come out with this silly fantasy thought? Yes, it wasn't the first time, instead it was several times. John had daydreamed of being a "husband" and her "wife". To wear a golden ring on his finger, to have the priest, guests and God himself as witness to see them being connected forever until their death sets them apart. Getting children…dear God, what kind of children will they produce? Will they have Lauras red hair, green eyes and his grey skin, or his dark hair, blue eyes and smooth white skin like hers? Can he even give her children? He didn't know. The thought gave him shivers. Mere thought of him as a father? A "creator" of his own offspring. He didn't know if it would suit him or not? But the main thought…Marriage! His brain must be from a fool, a great fool!

Laura's cheeks were heated. There must be few women in the world who hasn't thought of the idea of marriage with their sweethearts or a total stranger. It's a commitment for a lifetime in the eyes of God. Your father is handing over his "property" to another man and the girl will become a full grown woman as soon as her husband is deflowering her on their wedding night and she will give him children. But thinking herself a "wife", she couldn't see herself in it. She was too young…No, she's turning eighteen next month and using this excuse in Esther's nagging will have no affects anymore. She loved John, there was no question of that, But she wasn't sure if she was ready, everything was coming too fast.

"Honestly, I never really thought about it…but…it's a start…of something…But you have a life, John!" Laura quickly changed the subject, she was happy to talk about the future, as long as there was no talk about weddings and honeymoons. She needed to think, a lot! "As long as you're living, it's a life, everyday is a new day and a new challenge and experience. But we need to make a plan. A change is coming and I'm a coward in new changes, but we need to face it…John, have you ever thought of meeting your father again?" Laura asked curiously.

Perhaps she was lightheaded, like John this morning, the meaning that came out from her mouth right after was entirely out of the blue. She knew he didn't like him or either talk about "him".

"Sometimes, despite that it was he who abandoned me, I have thought to speak to him, ask him to recognize me and perhaps help me. But it doesn't matter now. Because I got you and it's all I need. But why do you ask about him?

"Because…I think we are not safe here anymore…"

John nodded. "I know that… But I prefer not to think about it right now, not in this moment of peace and silence."

"I'm happy you didn't kill Pierre back then." Laura spoke. "But he and Duncan saw you and I'm afraid that they will spare no time to tell about us to the townspeople. They will haunt us!"

"And how are they going to explain that Pierre tried to rape and ruin you?" John added. "That wouldn't go unnoticed."

"They always think of something, no doubt about that. Pierre is not a fool. So we need to be prepared and perhaps leave this area."

John thought for a moment, the danger lay there very visible. They have burned all the bridges and there was no turning back. They have hurt Pierre's pride and his reputation is now at stake. But this night, he has certainly proved that he's evil, sadistic and a rapist. He would do anything to take and harm her body and soul.

"All right," Laura continued. "No interfering with him and his family. But I have another idea! This seems like a long shot and not a very bright idea, but I have a long distance relative I haven't met for a long time. Her name is Caroline and she's my father cousin and they used to have a great relationship before she got married and moved to Switzerland."

"I think that is a bad idea, Laura." John protested. "How can you think to take a chance to meet them and beg for their protection when they hardly know you and never in their lives met me? How are you going to explain to them why I look this way? War injuries?"

"…Yes, it's a very great risk. I know that! But I remember she was a beautiful, very kind lady. Always friendly and cheerful." Laura said.

"I only met her twice during a summer holiday. I remember she was on her way to pick up a poor orphan girl who had recently lost her family. I think her name was… Elizabeth. Oh I got so jealous!" Laura chuckled. "Elizabeth was my favorite name back then and I really wished my father had given me that name instead of Laura. Sharing the same name as the Queen of England; Elizabeth I."

They both laughed at this silly story, even John had no idea who Queen Elizabeth was and where England lay, but all worries on their shoulders lifted up a little.

John smiled and pressed Laura's hand softly in his. "Thank God he never thought about it, I can't see you with that name."

"I like my name now, it represents me. But after Caroline picked her up, they came back and visited us again. I can tell you I changed my mind directly after I first met her; Elizabeth Lavenza." She said the name with a slow and soft tone, kind of like it was music in her ears.

"Why?" John asked curiously.

"She was perfect…" Laura muttered, her head bent down, half covering her face and started to kick some dead leaves on the road, like a sullen child. "Everything about her was perfect. She had golden hair, blue eyes, perfect lips, and beautiful skin. She was beautiful and you should have seen me back then. I was skinny, with a lot of freckles and very red hair. If you think my color now is red, which it is, you should have seen my hair back then. It screamed 'Carrots'! Our appearances were the complete opposite. She was the swan while I was the sparrow."

In all honesty, John thought Laura was beautiful. He had seen many different sides of her that night and each and every one of them was just as beautiful as the next. She was natural, innocent, tempting and strong. He found it very hard to believe that there could be someone more beautiful than her. But if what Laura said was true, that she looked like a plain sparrow, he would still think she's beautiful and perhaps even more. "Was Elizabeth mean to you?"

"No, no, no" Laura protested. "She was very kind and sweet. We played together during their short visit, but she was calm and a little bit of a coward sometimes. Like when I wanted to climb up into trees or play with my neighbors' bulldogs. Bulldogs look mean but these bulldogs were my sweethearts and good-tempered like Milton here."

Milton has joined their morning walk but he was busy controling his territory and taking a few marks on trees and rocks around, so he didn't listen when Laura spoke his name.

"We were different but I liked her and I liked Caroline. Father told me that when Caroline was young, her father died in a cruel sickness and left her as an orphan and poor. He was ready to help and support her, but she was already in love with Alphonse, her father's great friend and shortly thereafter she married him and bore him a son, I think he`s a few older than me. But I never met their him; he didn't join when Caroline picked up Elizabeth. I think Elizabeth was kind of a surprise gift to him. You think it's hard to believe that after just two meetings with them I know everything about them. It's true, I don't really know them and several years have passed since I last met them. But from their actions and kindness they showed to Elizabeth and from Carolines own experiences to lose someone dear, be left poor and almost alone. I believe their hearts are open, good and understanding. They might help us!"

John admitted that her plan sounded logical and he didn't doubt on Carolines and Elizabeths honesty but it had several holes in it. There was a great risk that this family had moved to another country, were dead or they thought Laura to be dead. If this family was so good and honest, where were they when Laura's father died? Where were they when Laura was tormented by Mr. Crottington and then ran away? Why hadn't they contacted her, not even to send a small letter? Is this a good family?

"But what can they possiblly do for us? How do you know they are still alive or left the country? Where do they live?"

"In Geneva."

Immediately, John looked at her, intrigued. "Geneva!"

If her plan didn't work, there was always their last resort; He didn't want to "introduce" himself and Laura to his father. It would be too absurd and awkward but if there was no choice…But the irony that her relatives and "his" lived in the same country and on the same spot.

It was ridiculous! He wouldn't be surprised that they were neighbors, to! Then something started to freeze in his head and began to flow down his spine. If his face couldn't get any paler, it was turning white and almost blue right now.

"Alphonse, bore a son, Geneva."

"W-w-what is this family's name?" John stammered and prayed that everything was all in his imagination. It could be a coincidence. A very creepy coincidence!

"I can't remember exactly. Caroline's maiden name was Beaufort. But I think their name was pronounced, something-Stein.

" Stein…Stein…Frankenstein…"

Did someone just kick John right in his stomach? Because everything was turning up side down and he started to hyperventilate. The answer was far more painful than he could have ever imagined. "Frankenstein! You belong then to my enemy…to him towards whom I have sworn eternal revenge". He whispered.

"I belong to what, what are you talking…ouch!" She hadn't time to finish before his hand started to clutch hers very hard; it was almost painful. "Stop it, you're hurting me!"

Looking down at her as if he had seen a ghost, he immediately removed his hand from hers and took several steps away from her.

"What's got into you, You didn't need to get upset just because…" But then the truth struck her when she saw his face. "Are you alright?" She asked, looking panicked for his sake. John waved her off.

"Yes, just feeling a little lightheaded...that's it."

"John, I don't think my family and yours…"

"…I…I think we need to create another plan, I'm going back to the cottage and you go back to Esther, it's not far away…I…I need to be alone for a while!"

"But John…it must be…"

John didn't wait to hear what else she had to say, He dashed out of the road without another glance over his shoulder and rushed as fast as he could to the cottage. He sank down to his knees just after he slammed the door behind him, all his energy had drained only for a few seconds.

God help him! Or was this God cruel to him or perhaps had a sick sense of humor? The only human in the whole world who cares and loves him, who told him all her secrets and sadness, has a blood-relationship with Victor Frankenstein! Did she know? Did she know who his creator was before she read the book? Probably not, but the moment he thought they shared the same blood, he vomited right down on the floor…Removed everything until his stomach was empty.

Trying to not think of anything, he crawled slowly to Laura's/his bed and fainted right after he laid his head on the pillow. The only sensible thought before his head went black was,

"It's not her fault!"