Vampire Of The New World

Jon was in good spirits as he walked out of the library. He was happy that his work with Dante was progressing well and that it would be possible for him to see Lisa sooner than he expected. He could not wait to get off Orsica. Already, Jon thought of the places where he could take Lisa.

His anticipation that he would soon be reunited with Lisa made Jon doubt of the strange things that he had seen since he embarked on his journey to Orsica. He was starting to convince himself that what he thought he experienced, that the weird things he thought he saw were really just a product of homesickness and that longing for Lisa.

However, Jon wondered at what Dante said as he left the library. The locked doors, Jon already knew about as he already tried opening some of these, but when Dante mentioned that he should sleep in his own room, Jon could not fathom the reason for this request. If Dante trusted his servants as he said, there should be no reason for Jon not to sleep anywhere else in the mansion.

Jon remembered the man-of-few-words Pablo from whom he could learn precious little about Dante and the island. Then, there were the blank expressions of the servants or the furtive glances they threw him when he walked by. Jon imagined the servants undergoing some form of indoctrination or brain washing. He toyed with the idea in his mind and smiled at how fantastical his imagination could get.

The maid with the white apron, Jon forgot to ask her name. She seemed unlike the rest as she seemed to be always nervous and would often throw a glance at Pablo as if afraid that she had done something wrong. Jon thought of interviewing the maid next. Perhaps she would be more generous with information.

Opening the door to his own room, Jon was surprised to see the maid inside as if making his bed. It would have been a natural thing for her to do except it was nearing midnight and the servants would have left the main house.

"I'm sorry, Sir. I just forgot something when I was cleaning earlier," came the apology from the maid. She was holding her hands behind her and Jon was sure that she managed to slip something in her pocket.

"It's alright. I was just surprised to see you here. I hope you found what you were looking for," said Jon.

The maid seemed at a loss for words, but with head bowed, she proceeded towards the door. However, she paused on her way out and decided to turn back to Jon.

"I was just wondering if you could help me, Sir. I have no one else to turn to. My name is Flora and I haven't been working here long. I came with my daughter just a week ago and I'm not sure if this is really where I want to be, whether this is really the best place for me and my daughter. I heard that you were just visiting and would be leaving soon." The maid fidgeted with her hands.

"I don't see what's causing you to worry," said Jon. "Has Dante or the others mistreated you in any way or forced you to do anything you don't like?"

"No. Not mistreated. They do not harm me in any way. I just don't feel that I don't belong here. I feel that me and my daughter, we should go back to my mother's house in Cardena. I was just hoping if you could bring us with you when you go back to the mainland." The maid looked at Jon pleadingly.

Jon did not know what to say. He was certain that the maid was just feeling homesick, much like how he felt.

"I'm not sure what to say," began Jon. "Don't you think you should talk to Mr. Dante first or at least to Pablo about this? I'm sure they don't want you to be unhappy here."

The maid was wiping her tears with her hands and struggled to stop crying. Jon decided to pat her back reassuringly. "I'll tell you what I can do. I can ask Dante on your behalf. If he agrees, I will let you join me on my return to the mainland."

The maid gave Jon a hug and wiped the remaining tears on her face. "You don't know how happy you have made me. I just think I made the wrong decision coming here with my daughter. I should have stayed at home," said the maid. She then left the room.

Jon sighed. He then checked his luggage and found it still locked. He thought of preparing for bed when he noticed that his rosary was no longer on the bedside table. In its place was a paper bill along with a few coins.

Jon did not feel anger at the maid, thinking that Lisa would forgive him for losing her gift. He, however, would like to know what the maid really wanted and to assure her that he would willingly give the rosary had she asked. Jon left his room, hoping to reach the maid before she reached the servants' quarters.

While in the corridor, Jon heard shouts from downstairs. It was Pablo, berating Flora at the landing. Jon took a look from over the railings and saw Flora bending down, holding a little girl, clearly her daughter.

The library door opened and Jon saw Dante walk out without the aid of a cane. He seemed to glide across the floor and was quickly at the landing where Pablo, Flora and her child were. Flora kneeled in front of her child and hugged her tightly. Dante paused in front of the child and tried to snatch her off Flora, but he immediately withdrew his hand as if burned.

Dante held his hand and barked his command at Pablo who led Flora and her daughter out the hall. Just as they left, Jon caught a glimpse of what it was that seemed to have burned Dante's hand. Around the neck of Flora's daughter was the rosary that was missing from his room.