Town Hall Meeting
Matilda sighed when she reached the hitching post and took her time tying Obsidian down.
The uncertainty of her future was more overwhelming than the rumbling of her belly.
One of the vampires she proudly killed thought it was funny to throw the remainder of her provisions into a ravine as a big fuck you before he died.
But she had the last laugh when she stuck his detached head into her knapsack while childishly asking, “Who’s laughing now? ”
Matilda was so hungry that she had half a mind to flirt with Belzar for provisions, but that was a dangerous game in itself.
She shook the thought from her head, knowing there would be a price that she wasn’t willing to pay.
She pondered what her next move would be.
Work was scarce in Night Falls, and the only work she would be hired for was the kind demanding she show her tits or lie on her back.
Her parents would be rolling in their graves if they were aware they entrusted their vampire-slaying legacy with her, only for her to end up a common whore.
Matilda could venture out of Night Falls to look for work—possibly Moonshire, but she’d be damned if she left her home because of the vampires.
The job shortages began shortly after they colonized Night Falls.
They not only took most of the jobs, but those in positions of power also discriminated against humans and refused to hire them.
“Matilda? Is that you?” someone screeched, catching her attention.
“Yes, it is I, Belzara. How are you?”
“Why in the world are you lurking in the shadow? Come inside before you catch a cold. The meeting should be starting soon.”
“Thank you as always for your generous welcome,” Matilda replied before following her into the warm tavern.
“There is no need to thank me. I am simply showing hospitality to my future sister-in-law.”
“Oh? I wasn’t aware you had a human brother.
” Matilda chuckled as she removed her leather gloves.
She stopped when her eyes met Belzara’s.
It was clear she was not in the mood for jokes.
Matilda quickly apologized, not wanting to bite the hand that fed her.
“I apologize, Belzara. Please forgive my crassness.”
Belzara released a heavy sigh before shooing Matilda towards the bar.
“All is forgiven. You know I couldn’t stay mad at you even if I tried. Sit while I fetch you some soup.”
“Ah! I hope it’s your infamous boar soup.”
“It is,” Belzara replied with a grin, knowing her boar soup was to die for. There were a few other taverns in Night Falls that weary travelers would frequent, but most came to B however, I’m 1000% sure this is not how she would want to obtain one. I need to get ready for the meeting. Thanks again, Belzar.”
“You’re welcome, little one. I’ll see you at the meeting.”
***
Matilda’s booted foot angrily bounced as another donor left the podium. They were a bunch of traitors, the whole lot of them. Each one said they were giving up the good fight. Taxes had risen. At the same time, their donor fee had also increased, courtesy of King Alesi.
Matilda wasn’t unreasonable. She understood the need to feed a family and keep a roof over their heads, but if they gave up, all her efforts would have been in vain.
It was she who prowled the darkness, ridding Night Falls of the filthy vamps.
She was the one putting her life on the line so they could be free of King Alesi’s tyranny.
Of course, there were other hunters, but none who came close to her.
They treated vampire hunting as a job, but it wasn’t employment to Matilda; it was a calling.
Hunting was the blood that flowed through her veins. It was intertwined in her DNA.
“If there is no one else who wishes to speak, we will conclude the meet-”
“I have something I wish to say!” Matilda exclaimed, standing up. She ignored the frustrated groans and lip-smacking as she approached the podium.
“Matilda, give it a rest!” someone shouted.
“I’ll rest when I’m fucking dead,” she snarled at him.
Belzar chuckled from the back of the room.
“I attended this meeting with all hopes that we would band together and continue to fight against the vampires, but I was sorely mistaken. I overestimated our strength and unity. I thought we were of one accord, but clearly, somewhere along the line, I was bamboozled. For years, my family has been loyal to the people of Night Falls, vanquishing our enemies without recognition and fanfare. We didn’t do it for the glory or the honor.
No, we did it because we loved our village and its people.
But you have given up and cower under the vampires’ control. You all are weak and spineless!”
“You’re just a fool!” someone from the crowd shouted.
“You’re damn right I’m a fool because I put my life and wages on the line for this village, and this is the outcome! You all roll onto your backs like dogs!”
“We didn’t ask you to become a martyr for us, Matilda!”
“Oh? You didn’t ask? Well, you sure as hell took my share of the money!
Not a single one of you refused a silver or gold piece.
Meanwhile, I’m homeless and starving, and not one of you ungrateful sons of a bitches offered me a morsel of food or a place to lay my head at night!
I take that back! Belzar and Belzara have been more than hospitable, but the rest of you are selfish, slimy bastards!
In closing, I hope you all are satisfied being used as walking blood sacks for the vamps!
Do not come crying to me, looking for a savior when the scales unfavorably tip, because I guarantee you, there will come a time when they will no longer ask for your blood.
They will take it, and I will happily sit back like the cat that caught the canary and say, I told you so.
“With all due respect, fuck every last one of you.”