Chapter Two: Oskar's Night (The conclusion)

Oskar sat leaning forward on the wooden bench, picking at the cracks in the planks of wood that formed the seat. When the occasional person or rabble of folks happened his way he would look toward the ground and stare at his dirty and worn shoes until they passed, hoping they would pay him no mind. No one had a clue that he wasn't entirely what he appeared to be.The night was pleasant and many of the locals were out enjoying a summer evening in the park. He had been sitting there a while hoping vainly that some poor soul would come running up to him and say "I'm the one. I'm the one." Maybe if he thought of the people he saw as thieves, murderers or even bullies it would make his decision a little easier. He could entertain such thoughts but he couldn't fool himself. This night was all about reality which at times like this seemed like his worst enemy.

If only he had argued longer with Eli. She would have given in and he wouldn't be out in a park by himself hoping against all odds that a victim would fall at his feet. Oskar had never liked arguing much, he didn't have the stomach for it. The shouting and temperment of heated arguments always made him feel anxious and small, even when he was only a witness to such an argument. He never wanted that type of exchange with Eli. Sure they disagreed at times and even fussed a little but it never went too far. Why was Eli so worried about her long sleep anyway? Maybe now that he was with her it wouldn't happen anymore. Maybe if he just went back to the apartment and told her that, he would never have to hunt alone.

A brief but strong breeze blew through the park and rustled the leaves in the trees. Oskar looked up and watched the leaves tremble as the trees swayed and the branches danced. The noise of the leaves reminded him of previous hunts with Eli when she taught him how to use the limbs to fall upon unsuspecting prey from above. She was able to execute such attacks with a precision he wasn't quite ready to attempt. She had been patient in her teaching and so supportive after his mistakes. If only she were here now, he thought, he could just follow her lead.

Oskar glanced down at his watch. A silly thing he thought for a vampire to wear a watch. Hours and minutes were no longer relevant. There was only light and dark, day and night. Eli had given the watch to Oskar the night after he had become like her. She persisted that he wear it so that he would always be aware of the approaching dawn. She was overly cautious like that at times but he had come to accept such concern as affectionate advice. The watch was a little big for his wrist even with the strap pulled as tightly as the last adjustment hole would allow. He wiggled and shook his wrist until the face of the watch slid around so that he could see it. The hands revealed that the night was aging and soon most people would be indoors, safe and sound.

Oskar stood up and began to walk away. There were just too many people wandering the park. The challenge of the hunt could definetly be frustrating. Eli was right. It was good that he was not in the grip of hunger or perhaps he would take unnecessary risks that might put them both in jeopardy. He couldn't come to terms with being the one who chose the prey, that had always been Eli's decision. He realized now more than ever the burden that she's borne for more than two centuries and with his needs that burden had only gotten heavier. He had to do this for her. He wouldn't let his choice to become like her add to her guilt. It just seemed so wrong to make such a decision, who lives and who dies. Could their survival afford the concepts of right and wrong or was there was only choice and consequence? Should it matter? His mind would give him no ease on this night. He put his hands in his trouser pockets and walked on staring at the ground and each approaching step.

Oskar found himself walking the sidewalks of the downtown district and realized that as the hour grew late a kid walking these streets would seem suspicious so he decided to take a detour. He walked down a narrow alley and came to the backside of the buildings that lined the streets. He knew that soon most of the cafes, drugstores, convience stores and other such businesses would be closing for the night and maybe there would be a lone clerk or patron who would help to make his decision clear. He spotted a large dumpster behind a restaurant and decided to take refuge behind it for a while. He glanced at his watch again and hoped that Eli wasn't beginning to worry.

A few buildings away and a couple of stories high on a flat roof Eli was keeping watch over Oskar from the cover of a large exhaust fan. She had been with Oskar ever since he had left the courtyard of the apartment complex and had been careful to observe a safe distance from him. She had to know that he could take care of himself but she wasn't willing to risk the only person she ever truly loved. From her vantage point she could see the dumpster clearly and her eyes would not leave it until Oskar did.

Oskar had been sitting behind the dumpster for a long while. During that time he had heard the sounds of doors closing, locks turning and automobiles being started and driven off, but now the night was calm and silence was everywhere. He wasn't sure if he was waiting for an opportunity or hiding from one.

The silence of the night was shattered by the sound of the back door of the restaurant hitting the wall of the building as it was flung open. Oskar was startled and he quickly sat up. The noise had made his pulse quicken and to his surprise he felt the familiar pressure of fangs against his upper lip. While the echo of the door's collision still resonated in his ears he peeked around the corner of the dumpster. A young man came storming out of the open doorway followed by an older man who was flailing his arms in the air and shouting. The young man stopped and turned to face the older man and began shouting back. The older man struck the younger with a hard blow to the face and then pushed him to the ground. The young man quickly collected himself and ran off towards the narrow alley leading to the streets. The older man didn't give chase. Instead he walked over to the dumpster and unleashed an angry kick on it which caused Oskar to nervously step out from behind. The man came at Oskar quickly and grabbed him by the wrist that he wore his watch on.

"What are you doin' back there boy?" he shouted at Oskar.

"Were you watchin' me? You gonna tell the cops?"

Oskar began trying to mumble some sort of answer but before he could speak the man raised his other arm and struck him so hard that Oskar came loose from his grasp. The watch was torn from Oskar's wrist and he went down on the ground hard. The man turned and started to walk back toward the building.

Eli was now standing at the edge of the roof watching intently and summoning all her will to keep from intervening. If Oskar looked in her direction he would have no problem seeing her but her secrecy no longer mattered. Still, she didn't want to hurt Oskar's confidence so she lowered her stance and kept watch.

Oskar was dazed but the smell of the blood that was streaming from his nose and mouth steadied his focus and aroused his hunger. The stinging pain from the blow awakened his anger. He got to his hands and knees and looked up towards the building. When he saw the man walking towards the doorway he sprinted forward in an angry burst and with a low growl he crashed into the back of the man sending them both to the ground. The man's head bounced off the ground with an awful thud. He was out cold. Oskar moved quickly and tore into the man's neck with his fangs and began to take long, deep gulps. The blood calmed his mind and relieved his pain. Once he was satisfied Oskar sat up slowly and looked at what he had done. He looked around to make sure there was no one else. He put his head down and turned his face toward his shoulder, without looking he reached for the man's head with both hands. Once he had a grip he twisted until he heard and felt the bones in the neck shatter. It was over. Tears welled up in his eyes and he put his hand to his mouth to wipe away the blood. Hunger and anger gave way to remorse.

Oskar rose up from the body and began to think of a way to dispose of it. As he was looking around he heard the sound of footsteps coming rapidly in his direction. The young man came running back through the alley with a tire iron in one hand. When he got to the back of the building he came to a halt and saw Oskar standing near the body and covered in blood. Shocked, he dropped the tire iron and gasped. The young man turned to run but before he could take two steps Oskar leapt and landed on his shoulders. Before they hit the ground his neck was snapped and the night was calm again. The only sound was Oskar weeping.

Oskar moved quickly through the city on his way back to the apartment but was very careful to travel unseen. Dawn wasn't far away now and most people were sound asleep, completely unaware of the events of the night. They would know something had occurred as soon as the bodies were discovered under all the garbage in the dumpster but by then he and Eli would be far away. He wasn't racing back for the shelter of the apartment or to escape the fury of the morning sun. He was racing back to his Eli. Missing persons and mangled bodies would always be in their shadows and these things did matter to Oskar but so did Eli. So did their commitment to each other. So did the hope of lifetimes with her at his side and he at hers. Love mattered more.

When Oskar opened the door to the apartment Eli was standing there waiting for him. He entered quickly, closed and locked the door. She went to him and put her arms around him and squeezed tightly. Oskar relaxed in her grasp and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Are you alright Oskar?" she asked softly.

"I am now Eli."

Oskar wrapped his arms around Eli and returned the hug. He raised his head and pulled back from her grasp just enough to look her in the eyes.

"Oskar, is everything ok?"

"I...I lost the watch. It...It just..."

"That's alright Oskar. I don't think you need it anymore." she said with a slight smile.

Oskar pulled her back close and they stood in a firm embrace for a long moment, then they both released and walked toward the dark bathroom with the cozy tub.