Vows in the Dark | Hudson and Everly

[Hudson Fletcher]

Hudson stood at the edge of the bustling city street, the air thick with the scent of rain and cobblestone. It was a typical evening in the city; hazy and damp, the sky a bruised mix of purple and grey, reflecting the waning light of a sun that had long since disappeared behind the horizon. A soft mist clung to the buildings like a lingering memory, wrapping around the corners of brick structures and curling between lampposts. The world seemed muffled, as though the city itself was holding its breath.

He had lived through centuries, watching empires rise and fall, seeing faces change, and yet, tonight—this night—was different. He could feel it in the pit of his stomach. The tension in the air, the electric hum of something familiar. A memory so profound echoed in the recesses of his mind, preying upon what little peace lingered in the present moment.

He failed to protect her.

His once-human heart twisted in agony as he stepped forward, slowly closing the distance between himself and the worn rail; the soft sound of his boots against the cobblestone hardly breaking the silence that surrounded him.

…she had worn a smile for all but him on what was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives.

With his attention now drawn to the vigorous current of the waters below; his hand came to rest against the wrought-iron railing of the old bridge that overlooked the river. The water was dark, reflecting the faint glow of the gaslights along the bank, their light flickering as though dimmed by the weight of time itself. It was the perfect place to feel the years stretch and pull, a reminder of all the days that had passed, and the years he'd spent lost in a world that had moved on without him.

He had searched for answers through cities, towns, even whispers on the wind. It was like searching for something that either didn't exist, or simply didn't want to be found. It was always easier for him to believe the former; for the latter unearthed a pain that not even his current immortal state could protect him from.

Then, as if the universe were out to save him from his self-induced melancholy, the sound of a wolf whistle echoed faintly on the wind. Hudson knew it was most likely a small gathering of locals heading out for the night, but still, his curiosity piqued. His eyes, eternally sharp and far more perceptive than any mortal’s, scanned the line quickly forming outside the new cocktail bar. Almost two centuries later, even if Everly's back was turned, he would never mistake her presence.

Within moments, Hudson's gaze widened; his breath catching in his throat, like a trapped memory refusing to be forgotten. Despite the passage of time, his memory hadn't faltered, nor had his vision weakened.

I will not be fooled, not again.

But something inside him stirred, pulling at the edges of his resolve. His feet faltered, halting mid-step. Was it possible? He wanted to look, to step forward, but his body refused. He couldn't do it. Not yet. But the faint, electric pulse at the back of his mind told him he was not the only one fighting the pull of destiny.

The air thickened, and before he could retreat further, an unmistakable sound reached him. A soft, familiar whisper that cut through the noise of the night like a dagger.

"Don't." Was all he could muster.

The years had not dulled the ache of seeing her again, but they had hardened him, and now, seeing her after all this time, all the pain he had carried, it was as though the past and present collided in a single, gut-wrenching moment.

Time had been kind to her, it seemed. Her dark hair, once cascading in soft curls, was now neatly gathered, but the same grace lingered in her movements, her posture. For the briefest of moments, Hudson felt as though they had never been apart.

Did she even remember him? Did she feel the weight of their lost years, the promises left unspoken? A thousand questions danced through Hudson’s mind, but he could only focus on the storm within him that both resented and longed for her.

He stepped forward, slowly, each step a pull toward the past that had never fully released him.

“Ever...ly,” he breathed, the name tasting both sweet and bitter on his tongue, a memory he couldn't quite touch but couldn't escape either. He didn't know what to expect, that much was true. Yet as his gaze bore into hers, he was pleading for something, anything - recognition, explanation...

c l o s u r e.

[Everly Quinn]

The scent of fallen rain have always been something Everly always enjoyed. The rain carried away the dirt, the grime, the secrets hidden in the world but her secret would always remain six feet below the deepest sea level. No amount of rain could uncover the horrors she left behind. Still the aroma of freshly fallen rain gave her a sense of peace and calamity. The nightly fog rolled through the quiet streets adding to the calm within her mind. 

Even though she was technically working tonight, recruiting any vampire who didn’t already pledge an allegiance to some coven to join the coven she was in, it didn’t mean she also couldn’t have fun. Most of her recruitment happens down at the local bars and taverns. Drunken humans were an easy target for her kind, so it made her job a lot easier most days. Sometimes she would get lucky and bring back five or six vampires to her coven leader Rayne, some days she would come back with none. Luckily for her she didn’t get reprimanded whenever she didn’t come back with any new vampires. The principal of the coven was to help those who were forcibly turned should they want it. And some Vampires didn’t want to be helped. 

She will say the fashion choices through the centuries have become less and less for women. There was a time that seemed not too long ago for the immortal that she was dressed in the most lavish dresses with a gentleman on her arm. A gentleman with emerald eyes, a beautiful smile.. 

Even through the veil I could see a pool of emeralds bore into mine, shining as though he won the most precious prize of all.

The memory came through so fast Everly gasped and fell backward on the cobblestone sidewalk. Rapidly she blinked until she felt positive enough to convince herself she was back in the present. Standing up she was lucky enough that no one saw her sudden weakness, yet she looked around her to make sure as she brushed off any debris from her tight fitted pants, straightened out her lacey black shirt and leather jacket. Her ring spiral curls were neatly put back in place before she once again sauntered to her destination. 

Everly enjoyed being a Vampire, she got the best enhancement of everything. Her once flawed skin was now smooth, perfect but nearly impenetrable. Her hair that was once dull now has a shine of vibrancy, appearing more healthy. She herself became more beautiful, often leading to catcalls which only boosted her confidence. As she continued her walk she kept hearing the whistles and compliments leading her to stop in her tracks and deliver a deadly smile that if she wanted, she could lure her prey into letting her feast upon him. 

Stupid mortal.

“Easy boy, you haven’t bought me a drink yet.” Came her whisper like words. She didn’t need to speak loudly in the quiet of the night. The male who whistled at her licked his lips and eyed her up and down judging if she was worth the few bucks of buying her a drink. He obviously caved and started his approach to her speaking something along the lines of promising her a goodnight. Everly was only half listening. There was a familiar pull that begged her to turn around, to face the destiny she fought. It froze her. 

“Ever…ly,” her name was spoken, a deep voice she knew all too well despite the years that separated her from him. A voice she use to dream about back when she was human. A voice she use to chase away the phantom that stalked her existence as an immortal creature, damning her for all of eternity as punishment. 

No. No. It can’t be.

Turning around she came face to face with the man with bright emerald green eyes, lips so full she knew the smile behind them. A face she loved and still continued to love. A face she thought that was supposed to be at the bottom of the ocean.
“Hudson.” she whispered in astonishment. “You’re…alive?” truly she was in shock as she looked at him up and down, even moving closer to him. One would speculate it was genuine, full of love that she was surprised to see him. And in a way it was but all Everly could think about right in this moment was how she was going to ger her 200 pounds of silver back for a murder that was not only a failure but it came back and found her.

"I thought you were dead?" Still she sounded confused because she truly was, trying to lead him to believe anything other than the truth. "I was told you were.. I even went back home and you were gone." 
Everly did go back to their home. She did go back to the place Hudson called his home but as she thought she had him killed, she knew she wouldn't find him. It didn't stop her from still going to mourn him however. She tried to send any message to him all those years ago to stop looking for her. Faking her death, running away, even sending the betrothal ring back to him, bloodied as a sign saying she was in fact dead. But for years she heard of his continuous search for her even almost finding her at one point. She couldn't risk him finding her so she placed a mark on him. A mark to anyone who could kill him. That's when she found some desperate Vampire in need of help of his own. Everly thought at the time it was a good trade, some money in exchange to murder her fiancee. Yet here he stood alive in a matter of speaking. 

Everly didn't think Hudson knew the truth of his death because if he did, he wouldn't be standing here looking at her with so much love in those eyes. Even in sadness and surprise, she could still see the love. 

If only..