The Duke's Assistant (RE8)

Chapter One

I felt eyes staring at me as I slowly rode through the village. I knew they were looking at me, I could feel their eyes burning through the hood of my navy cloak. To them I was a odd stranger that wandered through the village from time to time on a large grey horse. Just them seeing the sight of me on the back of Stormchaser could send them running.

The men stared, the women gossiped, and the children stared curiously as walked into the gates of Castle Dimitrescu. This place is known as a "castle of death" and only the Dimitrescu family lives there. As Stormchaser walked up the path I took a deep breath. I knew what Lady Dimitrescu and her daughters do to humans but they were given strict instructions by Duke not to harm me.

I slid off the side of Stormchaser and walked into doors. "Lady Dimitrescu? It's me, Althea, the Duke's assistant. I brought what you asked for." I said as I placed my bag down on the floor. "Hello Althea, I suppose that your journey was okay?" Lady Dimitrescu said as he walked down the stairs. Every single time I deliver something, her height always shocks me. I feel so small compared to her. "Here is your....fresh pig meat." I said as I handed her the blood soaked bag. "Thank you, me and the girls have been craving for fresh meat. The blood helps the thirst." She said as wiped my hands with an old rag from my bag.

"Yeah, I made sure the butcher didn't drain the blood." I said as I zipped my bag shut and pulled it onto my back. "The rest of the supplies can go into the kitchen. Your payment is on the counter." She said as she walked away with the meat in her hands. I walked into the castle's kitchen and began to unpack all of the supplies she had bought from Duke. Most of them were beauty supplies and the others were cleaning stuff. Bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and some other harsh chemicals. I shrugged and picked up my payment. As I walked to the door I heard something in the distance. It sounded like a crash.

I ran out the door and quickly jumped onto Stormchaser. As I we got closer I could hear people screaming, crying, and what sounded like demonic howls. I saw people running and these things following them. They looked like they were people but diseased with something that made them look dead.

"You!" A voice yelled. "Tell people to get to church. Mother Miranda will keep us safe." It was a man, he was holding a gun and looked like he had seen something traumatic. "Got it." I yelled as I spurred Stormchaser. "People! Run to the church!" I called out. "Go to the church! Mother Miranda will keep you safe!" I yelled as I rode around the village.

"Hello?" I called out. There was no one. The village was empty.  "Is anyone there? Hello?" I yelled out. Everything was gone. No people, no animals, and none of diseased things. I gently pulled Chaser's reins and slowed him down to a trot. "Hello?" I called out again. How could everyone disappear in a matter of minutes? I looked up to see winged versions of those creatures. "Holy shit. What are these things?" I asked myself.

One of those things came stumbling out of one of the houses. It's face was stained with fresh blood and looked at me. It came hobbling over to me and I didn't know what to do. Chaser became anxious and started to tense up.

Then the sound of a bullet ripped through the air.

It's body fell to the ground and a man was standing behind it with a gun pointed. "Are you okay?" He asked. "Yes, thank you." I said as I pulled my hood down. "Do you know what these things are?" He asked. "No clue. I came down here after I heard a crash and— oh my Miranda! Your hand!" I exclaimed. His left hand looked like it had been mauled by something and chomped off two of his fingers. "One of those damn thing bit me. Took those fingers with it."
"Hop on. I'll take you to get it wrapped up." I said as I held out my hand.

He took my offer and I pulled him onto Chaser. "You might want to hold on." I said as I turned my horse around. He placed his hand on waist and held on with one hand. I could tel he was trying to get gentle.

"I've never seen you around here before. What's your name?" I asked.

"It's Ethan. Ethan Winters."