9. Getting it Done

**********

The next night saw William out alone on the orders of his Sire.  He felt like an errand boy but Drusilla had been most insistent that he should follow Angelus' direction. He walked toward the library at the university through the misty night. The London Fog was out thick, complete with its unhealthy greenish black tinge and daunting odor. At least he needn't worry about his health any longer. The breeze blew just hard enough to part the fog and reveal the doors of the building he wanted. The heavy doors and stone walls loomed over him as he stared at them in awe. It overwhelmed him no matter how many times he saw it, a monument to the knowledge of man.

He wondered if Angelus knew there was a certain irony in the first task he gave his new childe. Could he have known how many hours William had spent in that same reading room to which he was now dispatched? He knew his scholarly days were over. No more would he sit and pour over volumes of poetry and history, taking in the ambiance of the college. He came as a prowler this time, intent on stealing one of those precious tomes of history.

Down the hall, he saw it. The door to the reading room beckoned.  He opened the doors on the room filled with dark wood and musty books. The large gothic window on one end of the room barely let in any light on a dark night such as it was. William wouldn't have needed much light to find his way even without his enhanced nocturnal sight. He knew the room by heart. He followed the path on which his memories led him, across the room to the steps, up the steps to the balcony, to the end of the balcony and the books nearest the window.

He found the book he needed with little effort just before he heard the door creak open again. He turned his back to the stacks and saw Gilford, the night watchman, his lantern held out high in front of him, squinting into the darkness of the room. "Who's there?" came that uncultured voice William had grown to love. William had spent much time in the library after hours with the watchman, who had allowed him to continue his studies at all hours of the night. He had even spent more time with this man than he had with his own father.

Maybe the old man had heard of his passing and would take him for a spirit. No. He had to get out of there. He heard Angelus' words from earlier that evening echo in his mind. "This book is important, lad. Let no one see you or eliminate those that do. It cannot be traced back here."

"Please," William thought, "do not let him see me." Vampire stealth took time to learn. Unfortunately, he had only been a vampire for days. One of the books on the stack behind him, set off balance by the removal of his prize, fell to the floor with a thump.

Gilford was at the steps quickly and up them to the balcony even faster. "I said who's there?" Gilford walked across the balcony toward the sound, effectively cutting off William's only route of escape.

He knew he no longer had a choice. Things were going to be as they would be. He stepped forward into the circle of light cast by the lantern, smiling. "Hello, Gil."

Gilford jerked so sharply that he nearly dropped the lantern. "Will, William, that you, mate?" He paused and took a step forward, holding the light up again. "Bloody hell, I heard you was dead."

William looked at him with sad eyes. "I fear you heard correctly."

The old man stood agape. "What? Walking around all dead like, are you?" He laughed as if relieved. "You scared me to death, boy. What's in your hand, then? Here to study ancient history tonight, are you?" He grinned. "Come on downstairs with me. If you're lucky, I might even share my dinner. Lydia made biscuits just this morning. I know how much you like those."

William walked toward him at a snail's pace, setting the book on the arm rail as he walked. "I would let you go if I thought only I would suffer, Gil. I want you to know that. If he knew I let you live, having seen me here with the book..." William moved closer. "He must know I promised her to do as he asked. I have to protect her. Please understand."

Gilford started to back away, fear creeping into his face. "William, what are you doing?" Gilford's breath caught as William's face changed. "Oh, hell."

**********

William walked in a daze. He had considered that man a friend and killed him anyway. Strange thing was, he liked it as much as he had liked the death the night before, if not more. The fear Gilford experienced only made the blood sweeter. He experienced no guilt, only immense satisfaction as the hot liquid made its way over his tongue and down his throat. He felt himself growing stronger every time he fed.

He had left the grounds of the university far behind before he knew where he was. The storefronts all around him were dark. At that time of night, nothing was open. Still, he found himself drawn to one of the stores, a small shop, on an alley corner, with a small window facing the street. This shop caught his attention despite its size and the fact that it normally would not interest him. There, nestled in the window display, he saw something he knew he had to have.

Breaking into the shop to get the item took almost no time at all. A new spring in his step, he headed home in the waning night.
 

TBC