Nightwalker Fan Fiction ❯ Autumn of Terror ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

Autumn of Terror

Part 1 of ?

Pairing: CainXShido

Disclaimer: I don't own NightWalker or its characters. I also don't own the situation presented in this work of fiction. No disrespect to those who were involved in the incidents detailed within.

Warning: Yaoi (male/male love), vampiric acts, and brutal violent deaths

 

 

--- Whitechapel London, 1888 ---

 

The fog was incredibly thick when he left his house. The fog didn't really bother the youth. After all, he'd lived in London all his life. Fog was just another fact in life, like death and taxes. One could ignore the fog if they really tried. Either ignore it, or stay inside. Shido would have rather stayed indoors. Inside, where it was warm and dry. But he had a job to do. Sighing, he pushed his way deeper into the fog, trying to keep an eye on a strange man in front of him.

 

It seemed he always had a job to do. The silver haired youth wouldn't have it any other way. Not because he was board. Nor was it because he was poor. Actually, he was far from it. Shido wasn't enormously wealthy, but he didn't really have to worry about it. Still, he did. He insisted on paying for his own schooling. He didn't want that to be a burden on his mother. Especially since Shido dreamed of getting out of this God forsaken city and study abroad.

 

As for boredom, his work was simple. Most of the time he found he could just laze around. There wasn't much call for detectives, amateur or otherwise until just recently. He considered himself lucky when any case was dropped in his lap. Even luckier, if it turned out to be relatively important.

 

Like this one, for example. He had been working it for nearly five weeks. Usually, by this time, something would break, but he was at a halt. Women were still vanishing all around the East End. And he's yet to find out the reason. He'd yet to even find a body. As of late, he'd been frequenting the local pubs. The hope was to stumble onto something. He had. One man had been there every time. The one he was presently following.

 

Though he was disguised, Shido tried to keep from being too noticeable. The fog helped, be he still felt strangely vulnerable. He knew why he felt almost naked. It was because of the way he had chosen to dress. Seeing as how the women that were missing were prostitutes, he had dressed as one as well. He hadn't realized how bad the tight, threadbare get up really was. He'd also forgotten that there weren't too many young men out there with long gray hair, or his slender build.

 

The man Shido had been trailing tailing entered one of the many well-lighted taverns. Reluctant to leave the anonymity of the foggy streets, he forced himself to enter, only to regret it immediately. Every head in the bar turned his way. Shido knew he could do nothing to stop them. He situated himself at the bar, so he could watch the man without being watched himself.

 

“I'd like a beer please.” He settled in, unaware that another set of eyes was watching him.

 

The blond man in the corner had yet to return to his drinking. He was completely mesmerized by the boy that had just arrived. The boy was obviously a prostitute. He seemed well cared for, but the idea stuck the man as tragic. This country must really be having problems if that beautiful vision was being reduced to selling his body.

 

His hypersensitive ears picked up the youth's voice. It was well mannered, proof of the boy's taste in cliental. But at the same time it was soft and melodic, almost sensual. The voice of an angel. And the youth was just ordering a beer.

 

The tender walked away and returned with the drink. Shido downed it quickly, suppressing a wince. He didn't have much tolerance for alcohol. In fact, anything remotely stronger than a single beer quickly sent him into a drunken stooper. He couldn't afford to get plastered. Not with this job.

 

He shot a covert look to the man he'd followed in. The man sat passively. He was alone, but he seemed to be looking around for someone. Shido figured his suspect was waiting for someone. So he settled further onto his stool, prepared to wait the man out.

 

The bar tender returned a second time, to place a miraculously clean shot glass in front of him. It was then filled with what appeared to be very expensive bourbon. “Complements of the gentleman.”

 

Shido immediately wished he hadn't dressed the way he had. But it was way too late to change now. Instead of cringing away, the detective found himself turning to see the gentleman in question.

 

The man sat in the corner of the pub, half covered by shadows. Even from where he was, Shido could tell that the man was handsome. Handsome, and blond, and well dressed, and very much alone at his table. He could just barely make out the strange half-smile the played delicately across his lips. But even covered by the shadows, he could see the man's eyes. Inhuman eyes that bordered on golden. Eyes that fixated upon him. And for a few brief seconds, Shido felt inexplicably drawn to the owner of those dangerous eyes.

 

The detective could feel himself coloring under the unnerving gaze, cheeks flushing pink in his embarrassment. He knew the blond man had seen him blush when that strange, confident smile went predatory. Gathering his wits about him, Shido managed to address the bartender. “Tell the gentleman that I'm very flattered, but I'm afraid I must decline.” He pushed the shot away delicately while the server conveyed his message.

 

The blond received the answer. He didn't appear to be please by it. He wasn't. The little tramp had turned him down. Him! It was like a slap in the face. The only thing that soothed his wounded pride was the blush the boy was still wearing. That meant the poor child was a veritable new comer to this sort of game. Most likely he was a kept boy. Some rich man's favorite.

 

Shido watched the brief conversation between the blond and the barkeep. It was too bad that the tender was in the way. Shido would have loved to know what was going on. But when the large man turned, looking abnormally pale, tripping over himself to return to him, Shido quickly changed his mind. He didn't think he wanted to know any more.

 

“He says you are to join him for a drink. He's very adamant about it. Just please do what he wants.”

 

Shido frowned slightly, letting his eyes wonder away from the blond, and towards the strange man he should be watching. Somewhere between his beer and the blond man, a woman had joined his suspect. They even seemed to be involved in a very active conversation. With unaccustomed bitterness, the detective found himself answering the tender's request. “Tell him I don't have the time for that. I happen to be rather busy at the present.”

 

“You can tell me that yourself.” Shido heard a deep, rich voice. It was definitely foreign. It sounded European. He tried to place the accent to conclude that the low, sexy voice hailed from around Romania.

 

He turned and found himself looking up, again captivated. It was the man. The detective wondered how the blond had managed to cross the crowded pub so swiftly. Now, he seemed much more dangerous. Especially since Shido only came up to the man's chest seated. “L-listen. I'm really busy and…”

 

The man cut him off. “I can see that.” His tone was a mixture of anger and amusement. Those strange eyes flitted towards the man and woman Shido had been attempting to watch. “It he your type or something? You seem the kind for a far richer faire than that.”

 

“No! It's not like that at all!” Shido felt angry. But not at the blond. He just couldn't seem to be mad at the handsome man blocking his view. He was angry with himself. Angry that a total stranger had noticed. “It's my job, you see.” He tried to explain.

 

The man smiled dangerously and placed his hands firmly on the counter, trapping the youth between them. Shido tried not to look panicked and failed miserably. Faced with such hungry eyes, his baser instincts were taking over.

 

The blond frowned. His prey was new at this game. The scared look told him that much. It made him wonder who owned the boy. Whoever did sure didn't know what kind of prize they controlled. “Your job.” He echoed in a low purr. “Who keeps you, boy?” His hand went up to tangle itself in a curtain of soft silvery hair. “You're such a lovely boy. So beautiful. I bet he takes care of you really well. I also bet that whatever he pays for you, it's not remotely what you're actually worth. I can give you that and so much more. And I know you'll be worth every shilling”

 

The youth flushed crimson. The man though he was beautiful. And the light touch of his hand in his hair made it increasingly harder to think. “Wha - what I'm worth?” His blush went redder. The blond was propositioning him. Without even thing about his present state of dress, Shido blurted, “I'm not a prostitute, sir.”

 

The man raised an elegant eyebrow. “Of course you're not. You're a kept boy. I recognize the difference.” The beautiful youth's blue-green eyes darted past him and towards that man again. That made the blond frown. He highly doubted that that man was the boy's keeper. He obviously wasn't remotely wealthy enough, or good-looking. He frowned again, his other hand grabbing the boy roughly by the chin. “Your keeper might not mind it, but when I'm speaking to you, I demand your attention!”

 

“I already told you, I'm not what you think I am!” He protested loudly. The outburst caught the attention of some of the near-by patrons. Embarrassed, he lowered his voice to a whisper. “I'm a detective, okay. I've been following that guy over there for a while now. I think he might just be the lead I'm looking for.”

 

The man laughed coldly. Hard to get was one thing, but this was just ridiculous. “That was a most entertaining story. But I wish to be amused by you in other, more pleasurable ways. And since you won't behave, I suppose I'll have to teach you the lessons that your old keeper wouldn't.” The man moved his hands, one arm sliding around and against his back, the other under his knees, as if the man was about to pick him up off the stool.

 

He was about to protest again when a second voice entered the conversation. “Ya alredy `ad yer chance. Let a real man take gud care o' `im” Before a soot stained hand grabbed his arm.

 

Shido wondered if up in Heaven God was having a tremendous laugh at his expense. He thought his night couldn't possibly get any worse than when the charismatic blond took notice of him. But it had, and some local drunk thought Shido would be heading home with him tonight.

 

The blond man glared at the new comer with eyes that promised a slow and grizzly death. He moved quickly in front of the youth in a clearly possessive stance. All around, people were leaving. It seemed none of them wanted any part of this soon to be fight. It seemed that the man and woman with him were among the rapidly departing masses.

 

Shido started to stand as well. He found he couldn't. The ruddy man still had hold of him, and he was almost thrown back onto his stool. “You ain't goin. Nowhere, little `ore.” The words made Shido want to wince.

 

The blond man was seething. How dare that filthy man touch perfection. The silver haired boy was his. His prey and no one else's. Even the boy seemed to know it. He was trying valiantly to get away. He'd even managed to regain his feet before the drunk struck him. And that was all it took for the blond to lose his rapidly waning patience and restraint. No one dare hurt this fallen angel he sought to bed.

 

Shido barely bit back a yelp when the man backhanded him. He found himself careening backwards against the bar, clutching his cheek. It hurt so much already, and he knew it would bruise terribly. But it was a small price to pay. He had to get out of there and follow that guy.

 

He just didn't expect for the blond to react the way he did. He saw the tail end of the man biting his own finger, before he seemed to just manifest a blood red whip. The detective hadn't seen such a weapon on the foreigner before.

 

“You will pay dearly for harming the boy.” The words were an inhuman hiss. And then the whip snapped, cutting deeply into the drunk.

 

Shido watched in mute horror as the blond man continued to beat down the man. He felt as if he had started this so it was his obligation to stop it. If he didn't, the drunk man would surely die. He would be the cause of the man's death. Without really weighing the consequences, Shido reached forward and grabbed onto the blond's arm. “Quit it.” He demanded. Then softer, in an almost begging tone. “Please stop. You'll kill him.”

 

The blond halted, mystified. For someone who looked so delicate, the smaller youth was strong. He could fell the boy's heart pounding wildly against his arm. The poor angel was scared out of his mind. “I'll let you live, dog.” The blond growled before turning to the silver haired boy. Standing, the boy was almost a head shorter. Just the perfect height for deep kissing.

 

Shido let out a brief sigh of relief. He had spared a life. The sigh was also out of frustration. He might have just spared the drunk, but he'd lost his suspect. “I can't believe I lost him again.” He swore.

 

The blond blinked. The boy sounded angry. Angry and slightly frustrated. The combination was rather endearing. That was until the youth suddenly decided to vent that frustration on him.

 

“It's all your fault. If you hadn't…Too many damned weeks of legwork. Now I'm back to nothing. I don't know who you think you are, but I hope your happy now!”

 

Shido abruptly let go of the arm he'd still been clinging to. He stormed away before he went and did anything drastic, like punch the guy for being such a distraction. He heard that deep sexy voice behind him, stopping him dead. “My name is Cain, boy.”

 

Shido looked back over his shoulder. “Look Cain. If you really want to impress me, you'll tell me who that man was. Or that lady.”

 

The bar tender peeked from behind the counter. “Don't know than man, but the woman. She comes in here a lot. Prime piece of ass. Name's Polly.”

 

“Thank you!” Shido exclaimed exuberantly, virtually ignoring the brooding presence behind him. “Would you know where she goes?”

 

“Might try around the chapel.”

 

Shido could feel himself smiling. Maybe his night wouldn't be a total loss after all. He still had a chance to find this guy. A slim chance, but he was willing to take. He thanked the barkeep again for the information and started towards the door.

 

An elegant hand clamped down on his shoulder. It turned him around savagely. He found himself face to face with Cain. “Don't walk away from me.” He ordered. And for a second, Shido could have sworn he saw fangs.

 

“Unhand me. I wasn't lying. I'm not a prostitute or a kept boy or anything like that. I have a job to do and you…” He trailed off into a stunned silence. Something in the man's eyes held him there totally helpless. Shido could have sworn they had become as golden as the man's long hair.

 

Cain looked down possessively at his captive prize. The boy was perfect. Even with the bruise forming couldn't mar his beauty. He was almost too beautiful, especially with that lovely willful streak. “Before you leave, tell me your name.” He commanded.

 

“Shido.” Came the foggy reply.

 

Cain repeated the name sensually. “Well, darling Shido, you shouldn't bother yourself with that man. If you keep after him, you might get yourself killed.” He quietly stroked Shido's bruising cheek with his thumb.

 

Shido's eyes stared blankly upwards. His long silver hair fell slowly away from his neck. Cain had to fight himself not to latch onto it and the youth right then and there. His scruffy beauty was too tempting for his own good. But he was not going to give into that particular craving.

 

He had already decided that this alluring youth was going to be the one. Shido would be the one to ease his loneliness. He'd known so front the moment Shido had walked into that tavern.

 

He leaned down and lightly nipped at the youth's jawline. Shido tasted so sweet, innocent. The slight contact earned him a quiet groan from the boy. Even with his mind clouded, Shido was responsive. He liked that in a companion. He liked that a lot.

 

Slowly, regretfully, he let his prize go. But only because his control was waning. He'd be fine though. There were others out there to feed off of. That one Shido claimed to be chasing came to mind. That man was competition in a sense. Cain detested competition. And as long as the man was around, Shido's attention wouldn't be where he wanted it to be. Namely on him.

 

Cain wouldn't rest until he had his Shido's complete and undivided attention. His Shido. That sounded good. Very good. And very true. Though the boy didn't know it yet, Cain had marked him. Shido now belonged only to him. And no one else was ever going to have him.

 

Those innocent glue-green eyes went back to normal. The boy blinked, and then blushed delicately before sprinting the rest of the way to the door. There, out of habit, he turned and offered a polite “see you around”. Then he disappeared into the fog.

 

Cain waited momentarily, before following. As he entered the street, he could smell the thick, subtle odor of blood. It was still fresh. He followed the scent into an alleyway.

 

There were bobbies all over the place. His Shido knelt next to a body. He looked abnormally pale in the fog. Cain could see why. Even from as far as he was, he could tell it was a woman. Or at least what remained of one.

 

One of the cops put a hand on Shido's back. Cain suppressed his jealously. The officer was just doing his duty, comforting a poor, distraught, beautiful little whore. He inched closer, in order to hear the conversation.

 

“Well Shido, you're the detective, you tell me.”

 

Shido ran a hand though his bangs. “She leaves with a strange man, and ends up dead on the street. It means I was on the right track. I really do have to find that guy.”

 

So it seemed that what Shido said was true. He wasn't someone's favorite stress relief. That meant the shy, virginal attitude was not an act. The promise of Shido's untainted flash writhing under him flitted through his head, leaving him unmercifully aroused.

 

“Cute outfit, by the way.” The constable breathed, ruffling Shido's hair.

 

“Oh, just shut up, Fredrick.” Shido snapped. “If I never wear such things again, it'll be too soon.”

 

The bobby laughed, leading Shido away from the body, hand going to rest in the small of Shido's back. Cain was beginning to wonder how close this officer was to his Shido. He wondered just how much more competition he'd have to fight off to get the youth. Not that he cared right now.

 

At the moment he was more worried about the corpse. He could tell by the look of it that no human had done that. If the attacker was what Cain thought it was, his Shido was going to most definitely get himself killed. Unless, that is, he had a guardian angel. But Cain doubted the boy did. So Shido would need to be protected. Else he'd never stand a chance.

 

“I'll watch over you, my darling detective. I'll keep you safe for all eternity.” He whispered. But his watching would have to wait. Dawn was coming soon.

 

 

TO BE CONTINUED