One of them.
He told me about Orcop and growing up in this small village, and what a feisty girl my grandmother was. Stubborn and proud, but a tender soul in the heart of her, even if nobody could see it.
He shared stories about their life that made me laugh, and tales about my mother that had me grinning, and slowly he was coming back to life again.As a ghost.His pain was replaced with happiness as his memories returned in colour.
And then, when the dawn started to break, I knew it was time for him to go.
I felt heartbroken.
“I’ve never climbed down these steps,” he admitted as he rose to his feet, indicating the spiral of steps that led to the ground below. “I’ve always been waiting.”
“For what?” I asked.
He gave me a grin and ruffled my hair. “For someone to walk down with me, I guess. I always hoped it would be you. Give your vampire love my thanks, will you? It’s time for me to step into the light. My time is done. Good timing, isn’t it? Halloween morning, when the veils are the thinnest of them all. Anyone would think it was fated. Ha. I guess they’d be right.”
Fated or Hans’ careful planning.
I welled up as we made our way down the steps, the morning dawn giving a mist to the air.
“You’re really going, aren’t you?” I asked him.
“Yes,” he said. “Now I’ve said my piece, it’s time. I’m sick of this place, to be honest. I’ll be waiting for your grandma on the other side. She’ll be getting an earful, believe me, but no doubt I’ll be getting one in return.”
I didn’t want to broach the obvious, but he did it for me.
“And as for you, sweetpea, I have no idea when I’ll be seeing you next. Not now you’re giving yourself to a vampire.”
It felt shit, but I nodded.
“Hopefully quite a long time.” I managed to smile. “I don’t want to be burnt to cinders anytime soon.”
He looked up at the breaking sun when we reached the bottom of the tower.
“Enjoy this dawn. You won’t get to see many more of them.”
Or any at all.
He was right. I was going to savour every second.
“Bye bye, then, my little kiddo,” Grandad said, with another joyous bit of simplicity. I saw his full outfit in the light. His loose farmer trousers and the old green shirt he had on. He was in welly boots, and looked like he was off to work for the morning.
“Goodbye, Grandad,” I said, and gave him a hug. “It was amazing to see you.”
“You too, sweetpea. You too.”
I was rooted to the spot as he walked away. His outline faded with every step, but he looked back at me just in time to raise his hand in a wave.
“Say hello to your mother and grandmother for me, And tell them both that I love them. I miss Rhona’s cooking, even now. Though her omelettes always tasted of rotten eggs.”
I laughed along with him.
“Don’t worry, Grandad. I will.”
I was still smiling as he disappeared from view, a tear running down my cheek as he stepped into the light.
I didn’t realise I was crying until I looked up at the sun to take in the beautiful sunrise, savouring the pinks and reds of the heavens.
Then I thought of Hans. He couldn’t come out here for me. I’d have to go back up the tower and into the tunnel. I turned to leave when his voice came into my mind…