Shallows Creek: Requiem Of The Guilty

Love Sick And Dumb

Constable Bryant brings his hand to his face, touching his chin he feels a warm stream of liquid run down his fingers. He looks down to see his hand now stained with crimson blood, his adrenaline all but gone and the taste of copper strong on his tongue he let’s out a yelp from the throbbing pain emanating in his mouth.

“Oh Lord why is there so much blood” Bryant states putting his hand to his mouth to try and stem the flow of blood still leaking out from his mouth. The chamber maid reaches out assuredly placing her dainty hand on his shoulder while offering him her handkerchief.

“There there it is quite alright here use this” She takes his hand placing the handkerchief in his, her soothing voice calms Bryant’s beating heart. He takes hold of the handkerchief and places it over his still bleeding mouth.

“I have yet to properly thank you, if not for you those men might have killed me.” She say’s to Bryant with a small smile on her face. Bryant now flustered tries to hold it together.

“It was my duty as a constable miss, there is no reason to thank me.” He replies trying to seem well put together but is barely managing to stand at this point. The chamber maid let’s out a small giggle and begins to twirl her dark hair between two fingers.

“I would very much like to know the name of my savior” She asks Bryant in a soft sweet tone.

“Wyatt Bryant, constable and right hand of Inspector Young!” He replies with only a hint of stuttering. The chamber maid c***s her head, her eye’s like pools of warm honey Bryant’s heart is beating out of his chest at the sight of her. She then grabs her black dress with white frills and gives Bryant a curtsy.

“My name is Delilah, it is pleasure to meet you sir Bryant” She say’s with a warm smile on her face. Bryant still mesmerized by her has not blinked in quite a while, he is just standing there dumbfounded with a look of pure bliss plastered across his face. Confused on why the constable has not moved in quite some time Delilah reaches out and taps Bryant on his shoulder.

“Excuse me sir Bryant but I must be going.” She tells the love stricken constable who is still oblivious to the outside world. She waves off Bryant and begins to walk away collecting her scattered belongings, she makes her way up the cobble stone road towards the manor of the deceased musician Henry. A few moments later Bryant realizes he is standing alone the morning sun has risen up high in the sky. The streets now are starting to look alive with artisans and shopkeepers beginning their day. Bryant looks around and see’s no sign of Delilah, he lets out a grunt in frustration.

“Damn I should have asked her where she lived” He mumbles to himself and kicks some lose gravel near his feet, just then he hears the sound of footsteps behind him and a mans voice call out to him.

“Constable Bryant have you finished getting the victims statement” A husky sounding voice calls out. Bryant turns to see a rather portly fellow in uniform he seems out of breath and wheezing a bit. “Are you alright?” Asks Bryant his fellow constable looks rather disheveled and on the verge of keeling over.

“I will be that goon was quite the fighter he just now stopped resisting. ”He takes a pause to catch his breathe.

“Quite surprising you managed to take one all on your own.” Bryant starts beaming with pride he had taken down a vicious assailant with a little help from Delilah. It was at that moment he realized he made a mistake he forgot to ask why she was under attack. He starts to panic.

“I need to find her he shouts, did you happen to see which way she headed?” Bryant asks with panic in his voice. The portly constable points in the direction of Henry’s manor which is only a quick jog away. With a nod Bryant takes off running towards the manor at full speed, he knows he needs to tie up this report but deep down inside he’s ecstatic to have another chance to speak with her. His boots make a resounding thud against the hard cobbled road with each step, he is close now almost to the manor when a high pitched scream pierces the air Bryant hears this and does not slow his stride.

“It came from the manor Delilah!” He shouts as he reaches the front door of the manor, he grabs the metal door nob and give it a pull but it will not budge.

“Damn it’s locked.” He begins to pound on the door shouting for Delilah, he hears the sound of frantic footsteps running towards the door. Bryant backs off from the door then the sound of a click of the lock the door swings open, Delilah runs out into the arms of Bryant with tears streaming down her face.

“He’s dead He’s dead.” She keeps shouting shaking in Bryant’s embrace.