Chapter Text
“What’re you doing out here all alone, Doctor?”
Legs had been lost in thought- admittedly, trying not to spiral- and about to take a large swing at a spruce tree when the voice had appeared out of nowhere.
He dropped the axe in surprise, and it had fallen- by some insane luck, blunt-end first- onto his foot, inflicting (if it were to hypothetically be assigned a numerical value) two damage. Legundo yelped in pain and grabbed his shoe, falling back onto the grass.
Laughter came from the canopy above him. Legs looked up, and saw, hanging upside-down from one of the branches, a small, curly-haired bat.
“Quit it,” Legundo snapped, glaring at the creature. It was chuckling, the sound coming from eerily humanoid vocal cords for such a small animal. The doctor wondered briefly how that would work anatomically, but he decided not to question it. None of the bat stuff made any scientific sense. Invisibility was simple to explain away- the eyes could easily be tricked, but he had yet to figure out how transforming into a much smaller creature complied with the law of conservation of mass.
“Come on, Doc, I have to get my fun somehow in this miserable place,” the bat said in a voice that was unmistakably Owen’s.
“One day your habit of sneaking up on people is going to get you killed, you know. You were lucky I was distracted or you might’ve met the sharp end of an axe,” Legs said, nursing his bruised foot.
“As opposed to your boot meeting the blunt end.”
“I’m really, really not in the mood, Owen,” Legs took out a small baked potato from his pocket and finished it off in a few bites. He felt better after that.
“Oh, why not?” Owen cooed in mock sympathy, flitting down from the tree and transforming in front of him, standing over the doctor with a smirk, “Pray tell.”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Legs stood up and brushed himself off.
“Oh come on, now I’ve got to know.”
“They kicked me out of town, Owen,” Legundo told him.
Owen took a small step back in genuine surprise, “Why?”
“For being a vampire.”
“But…” Owen’s mind was clearly struggling to comprehend this, “But you’re not a vampire? What?! I can hear your heartbeat from here.”
“I know.”
“So why-“
“I lied to them.”
“You what?!”
“I told them I was a vampire.”
The look of utter bafflement on Owen’s face would’ve made the doctor smile with amusement if the situation hadn’t been so dire.
“Why?”
“So they wouldn’t kick the vampires out of town.”
“But they’ve just kicked you out of town for being a vampire.”
“I know.”
Owen laughed. Slowly, he brought his hands together in sarcastic applause, “Wow. Amazing. Simply incredible.”
“Okay, okay, I get it, alright? I just thought- I just thought if I got them all to trust the other vampires, starting with the ones in town, we could work together to reach a compromise. A non-violent one. A bloodless victory- I… I was foolish, I know. I tried to single-handedly fix everything, but perhaps they were a lost cause.”
“Well, it was a valiant effort,” Owen said in a flat tone, “Did you tell them you weren’t a vampire?”
“I tried. They didn’t believe me.”
Owen pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head, “These are seriously the people you’re trying to protect, Doctor? You’re honestly better off without them.”
“You were the people I was trying to protect. I mean- ugh- I was trying to protect everyone! We’re all tearing each other apart and all this damage could be avoided if we just talked openly-“
“Which is why you lied to them?”
“I was encouraging the others to be open.”
“And leading by example, I see.”
“I was the most trusted voice in the town.”
“Clearly.”
“If they thought I was a vampire then they might trust the others.”
“And how’s that working out for you?”
“I did what I thought was right.”
“You lied.”
“I know.”
“And you were the one they trusted the most? I don’t know who that says more about- you or them.”
“I know.”
“You’re trying to prevent mistreatment of vampires but in doing so you’ve become the victim of that mistreatment. And you can’t do anything to stop them now.”
“I know, Owen.”
“What on earth would make you think that this was a good idea?”
“I was trying to stop them from going down the same path as you.”
“Excuse me?” A shadow fell across Owen’s face. He took a step forwards, his voice losing its teasing tone.
Legs softened, “The humans in your life- they shunned you. They mistreated you and your sire because you weren’t like them. And that was wrong. And that caused you to lash out at them. I just- I just don’t want this town to become another ruin.”
Owen took a few seconds to process this, “So you decided to betray their trust?” He said, slowly.
“I tried to show them that vampires are still people, okay? I was trying to teach them empathy.”
“Empathy?” Owen scoffed, “I told you time and time again that humans are a cruel plague on this world. Are you starting to see the truth now?”
“I’ve still seen humanity in all of them.”
“I have, too. I think you and I have very different definitions of what “humanity” means.”
Legs didn’t have a response to that.
“You. You’re all the same. Each and every one of you is a parasite.”
Now, that wasn’t fair. Owen had sucked on his blood, not the other way around. Legs’ fingers twitched and he had to fight back the urge to rub the scar on his neck.
“Come on, I like to think after everything I did to earn your trust I’ve risen above the ranks of “parasite”.”
Owen’s eyes narrowed. He took a few steps back up the slope of the terrain, positioning himself slightly above the doctor, “You told me- by the lake, you told me when I asked why you guys were suddenly all mobilising- you said that the reason you could act a lot quicker was because, and I quote: “we were honest with each other. We were true to each other about who we are and where we stand”. You said that while actively lying to them about what you were.”
“I… I know.”
“So you not only lied to them but you lied to me about not lying to them.”
“You didn’t turn me in the forest,” Legundo’s voice was raised at a higher volume than he would’ve liked, but he couldn’t help himself, “You didn’t turn me because you trusted me. I like to think that counted for something.”
“You broke that trust. You lied. You told me that the town was a trusting, honest place. You fabricated this idea that Oakhurst could be peaceful and accepting. The implication was that they’d even be accepting of me. You painted a picture of community. Of family. Something you knew for a fact that I never had. Why? To convince me onto your side. To tempt me with some illusion of acceptance. You lied. You lied for your own gain.”
He was right, of course, and Legundo knew that, but that wasn’t what Owen needed to hear. Some prideful part of the doctor still thought there was hope of Owen joining him and giving up his quest for violence, and that would never happen if Legs admitted he was wrong about the humans, “The best lies are still grounded in truths, and, for at least a little while, Oakhurst was a place that could be accepting.”
“In my experience, the words “Oakhurst” and “accepting” are oxymorons.”
“Juxtapositions. Oxymorons are two opposite words specifically placed next to each other in a sentence-“
“Well I’m sorry, Mr Medical Degree, that I was never actually allowed in a real school due to my horrific diseases, but thank you for clearing up that minor stipulation in the definition.”
“You don’t talk like you’re that uneducated.”
Owen sighed, sadly, “I learned a lot from Louis. I could’ve learned more- like the difference between a juxtaposition and an oxymoron- had I had the time. But, unfortunately for me, my tutor was burned at the stake. So yeah, sorry if I slip up.”
Legs didn’t really have anything to say to that. He hadn’t exactly come from the most wealthy of backgrounds himself, but he was still lucky to have the education that he had.
“You’ve seen what humans can do. What they did to me. Stop with the lies, Doctor. Stop telling me that Oakhurst could ever change, could ever be a place of acceptance and peace. They will always turn on the kindest in their ranks,” Owen’s eyes met the doctor’s, and Legs could almost see the burning pyre reflected in them, “It’s a viscous cycle that would never be broken.”
“But-“
“Humanity hasn’t changed in two hundred years, doctor. They came for you like they came for Louis. Stop trying to defend them.”
Legundo sighed. He was prone to headaches enough with all his eye problems, he didn’t need to be constantly trying to argue with Owen on top of it. But alas, his insistent stubbornness was something he’d had to accept would always put him in difficult situations.
“We were getting better,” Legs told Owen, his voice defeated, “We were opening up to each other. We just-“
“No you weren’t. You were falling apart at the seams. You had to turn to falsehoods- you lied about being something that they could’ve killed you for- to keep everyone together, and even that only lasted for a little while.”
“But they didn’t kill me, did they?”
“They shunned you, ran you out of town so you’d have no choice but to join the enemy, and cost themselves an asset. They did the exact thing that you were trying to prevent.”
“Yeah, they were stupid,” Legs admitted, “Tactically, I mean.”
Owen’s smirk grew wider, “Was this a decision on the militia’s front, then?”
Legs didn’t feel like he had to answer that. He had never believed that the militia could’ve actually been any more than just people playing pretend soldiers. Apo was the only one with any real experience, and she had had her loyalties split very early on. The rest- Martyn, Ren, and Sausage- they were hasty, quick to act, and much too trigger-happy. Legs had seen a lot of men like that in the war. It was something you had to either grow out of quickly enough, or you’d die.
Fear was a powerful thing, and when left uncontrolled it could easily outweigh reason. Abolish and Pearl had been outnumbered. Legs predicted it wouldn’t be long before those two were accused of being vampires and kicked out as well.
Gods, the militia were idiots.
“They’re probably gonna die because of that,” Owen said, plainly, “There’s going to be so much bloodshed and it would all be because of them.”
“Hey, that’s not fair,” Legs protested, “You started all this!”
“No I didn’t. I’ve turned no one.”
“Scott started all this.”
“Most of the turnings have happened because you guys attacked us and got caught in the fray. We were just defending ourselves.”
Legundo crossed his arms, “Most of them?”
“I have no responsibility over what Scott does. He doesn’t listen to me.”
The doctor grinned, “He’s got more power than you.”
Owen’s eyes flashed with anger, “No,“ he said, far too quickly, “He’s just playing a different game to me. I don’t want to control people, I just want them to go away.”
“Preferably in a blaze of fire.”
“That would be a perk, yeah.”
Legs raised an eyebrow.
“Humans are vile, disgusting creatures, Legs. The sooner you see that, the better.”
“I have seen that. You think I’m naïve? Look at my face- you think I can still believe in a benevolent world when this has been done to me?” He gestured to the discoloured rift of skin where his face had been cloven in two.
“It’s not the same. Your scars come from heroism, form sacrifice. You’ll never be shunned because of it. You’ve got your medals and you medical degree and you’ve got no idea how much of a privilege that is. You don’t know-”
“I know. I might be luckier than you in some ways, yes, but just because I’m well-educated doesn’t mean I’m exempt from suffering. Cruelty comes in all shapes and forms and colours- there’s a whole array of horrors that you’ve yet to encounter. You think after all this time spent on this forsaken planet, after everything I’ve seen- you think I didn’t experience the absolute worst of humanity on that battlefield? I said- I told you that I’ve seen humans be so incredibly monstrous, and monsters that are much more human- I meant the former as much as I meant the latter. I know, Owen. I’m not stupid. I know.”
“And you still insist on fighting for them?”
“I believe in the power of change. I have to. I need to believe that we can work to make the world better. There are so many good parts to humanity. So much kindness and generosity. Your sire- your Louis- he seems like he was one of the good ones.”
“He wasn’t human.”
“He used to be.”
“You say these things- “I’ve seen monsters that are more human”- you seem to think “human” is synonymous with “good”, but the only good person I’ve ever known had not been human in a very long time. Humanity is not the light the same way that vampirism is not the darkness.”
“This is what I’ve been trying to tell you! Finally, we agree on something.”
“Your semantic choices are lacking if that’s the point you’re wanting to make.”
“To be human is to be complex. Nuanced. Multifaceted. The “monster” I’m describing- the ones in storybooks- are one-dimensional. They’re just plain evil. They’re not to be sympathised with. That’s not you.”
“I don’t need your sympathy.”
“Well, you’ve got it, whether you like it or not.”
“And these “monstrous humans”?”
“Monstrous behaviour. Something all humans, all vampires- all people- are capable of exhibiting. From what I’ve learned, it’s never the whole picture. All people are capable of goodness, and if they’re not in a position to be good at that moment, they are capable of growth.”
“You really believe that?”
“I have to.”
Because he did. He needed to believe he could be more than who he was. That all the work he’d put in to doing good counted for something, even if it could never make up for the lives that he took.
“So if it doesn’t matter what a… a person is, then why are you so insistent on sticking by the humans’ side? They’re arguably the party that’s done the most damage- to you, at least.”
“I’m not on the “humans’ side”. I’m here to help everyone. As in: all people. That’s my job as a doctor. I just want to stop as much bloodshed as I can,” He took a deep breath, “You’re the key to that, Owen. You’re one of the few we can cure without hurting anyone else.”
Owen’s face contorted into a snarl. He bared his fangs, “You don’t want to do this again, Legs,” he threatened, “You’ll re-spawn back in the town, and that’s a dangerous place for you to be right now.”
“I know. You’ve said no. You made that…” he gave a small chuckle, “You’ve made that abundantly clear.”
Owen narrowed his eyes, “You’ve seriously got to watch yourself, Doctor.”
“Come on, Owen, I have to get my fun somehow in this miserable place,” Legundo said, mimicking Owen’s remark from earlier. He wasn’t scared of Owen. The fangs were flashy, but Legs was a far worse creature than Owen could’ve ever conceived of.
“You still want to help the humans,” Owen said, ignoring the doctor’s teasing.
Legundo opened his mouth to say something.
“Yes, I know, help everyone,” Owen cut him off before he could interrupt, “Including the humans. But they’ve done nothing but mistreat you.”
“That’s not true,” He’d known kindness in the town, care and respect. The people had their flaws, but so did everyone.
“Still- they kicked you out. They’ll be coming to kill you soon.”
As inexperienced as the militia was, fear was a powerful drug. Legs didn’t want to have to face up against the three of them.
“They’re doing what they think is right,” Legs told Owen, “They’re trying to be good, they’re just… misguided.”
“Humans would do unspeakable things to achieve what they think is the right thing to do.”
“I know,” Legs looked up, his eyes meeting Owen’s through his monocle. The jagged line that ran from his temple to the opposite cheek twitched with the tightening of his brow, “Believe me. I know.”
“So what are you possibly going to do about it?”
Legs let out a weary sigh, “I don’t- I don’t know, Owen. I’ve yet to figure that out. Right now, I’ve got bigger problems.”
“Like what?”
“Food. Shelter. They might think I’m a vampire but I’m still human.”
“Well, lucky for you, there’s an easy way to fix all of that,” Owen rubbed his hands together, “Since they already think you’re a vampire anyway, why not make it official?”
“No.”
“Come on, Doc, stop living a lie!”
“No way.”
“The only decent shelter- other than the town- is the castle, and we hardly have the facilities for you to stay as a human. Join our ranks and you’ll be accepted into the coven. You’d be a great addition.”
“Anything but that, Owen.”
“You want to help us- you risk your life to help us- but you don’t want to become us? Bit hypocritical.”
“I have no problem with vampirism, I just… it’s not for me. And everyone should have the right to choose, just like you did.”
“We can’t have a rogue human running around in our woods. I’m sick and tired of people trying to play both sides.”
Legs crossed his arms, “Then, in that regard, turning me would be counterproductive. I will keep up my duty to help everyone, no matter what.”
Owen sighed, “Well, I’d hate to give the gift to someone who won’t appreciate it, but you’d still be more use to us as a vampire. It’ll be one less person who can make holy water, one less person who can consecrate a beacon. And you’ll be easier to kill permanently if we need to.”
The doctor weighed up his options, then brought out a head of Garlic and began hastily peeling off the skin.
Owen raised an eyebrow in amusement, “Scared, are we?”
“It worked against you quite effectively before.”
“We’ll see,” he glanced at the forest around him, “So if you’re insistent on not coming to the castle, what are you going to do about the whole “food and shelter” situation?”
Legs chewed on his garlic clove and sighed, “I’ll probably fell some trees and build a small shack for tonight.”
“You sure you can do it in time?”
Legs examined the sky, “I’ve got a few hours of daylight left.”
“And what about the rain?”
“What rain?”
Owen smirked. He raised a hand up and pointed towards the sky.
Clouds rolled in to block the sun, huge and heavy and grey. The sky broke, and large, fat droplets started falling thick and fast, the leaves in the trees above them bending under the weight as they were slammed into by what was quickly beginning to become a torrent. Legs raised an arm over his head to shield himself, but it wasn’t much use.
Raindrops filled his field of vision, landing on his monocle and distorting the light so the sight in his one good eye was still blurred.
“Did you do this?” He yelled through the strafes from the heavens, an onslaught in his ears. He could barely see two inches in front of him.
He heard a voice in his ear. Unmistakably Owen, invisible, “Have fun building that shelter, Doctor.”
He seemed to disappear into the wind.
Legs, with a start, hastened to work, gathering what wood he already had and realising very quickly that it wouldn’t be enough. The rain only got faster as the doctor became more frantic. He tried to lift the axe, but the handle was too wet to grip tightly. The water felt like ice in the late October air. Legs rolled down his sleeves but the thin surgery robes weren’t much to protect from the downpour. He was shivering too much to be handling sharp equipment safely. He stuck the axe back into his belt.
A thunderclap rolled overhead.
A flash of light almost instantly after- the storm had been summoned directly above him- and a the top of a spruce tree a few yards ahead was set alight.
Legs stumbled back, running to escape the tree-line to avoid being caught in a blaze.
No chance of him building a wooden shelter, then.
He could find a cave?
No- he didn’t know this part of the woods too well, and he’d catch hypothermia if he spent too long looking. Besides, caves provided shelter, but not warmth, and the wood around him was far too wet to light a fire.
He couldn’t go back to town.
Suddenly a thought stuck him.
Owen didn’t know about his secret lab.
It was risky. The rain was coming down thick and fast and he was deep into the spruce forest, and he’d be venturing a little closer to town than he’d like, but it was a better option than walking into a den of hostile vampires.
He picked his way through the forest, struggling against the torrent of rain.