Vampire Hunter D: Dark Nocturne

Bloodless, the young man and woman’s bodies looked like puppets. Rigor mortis had already begun to set in. Even the suture that ran in a straight line lent them an air of the surreal.
    As D touched his fingers to the horrid wounds of the dead, the living couple watched him. When D quickly stepped away from them again, the boy asked him what he was doing but received no reply, the figure in black heading straight for the steel door as if he’d forgotten all about the other pair.
    â€œHold up a second,” a flustered Lyle called out to him. “Would you just let me talk to you for a second? I’m sure it must be fate that’s brought us together like this. We need your help.”
    â€œWe’re begging you,” Cecile added, her head bowed.
    D stopped and turned to the pair.
    â€œI’ve heard that in this village, they’ll put out a sacrifice if this is the work of the Nobility. Are you it?”
    As the Hunter asked that of the girl beside him, Lyle’s eyes went wide. “How on earth did you know that?” he asked.
    â€œA minute ago, you told her she’d be safe as money in the bank.”
    â€œI suppose I did, at that. So long as we’ve got you here, this can all be settled without Cecile having to be sacrificed. The bastards here in the village are a bunch of weasels. Every time there’s trouble, they leave it to one girl to bail them out and then decide to keep quiet about it later. Ha! Like they know for sure that’s gonna make the Nobility behave themselves or move on to another area.”
    â€œWhen were you selected?” asked D.
    â€œNot long ago—maybe an hour back.”
    The mayor and all the other influential members of the community had come to her house and given her the news, the boy said. This very evening, Cecile would be left out in the place where the Nobility had the greatest chance of appearing, and she’d have to spend the whole night there.
    â€œWould that be the swamp?”
    â€œSure enough,” Lyle replied. “And I’m gonna keep her company.”
    â€œYou mean this sacrifice isn’t sent out there all alone?”
    â€œThe village’s second mayor was a good enough person. He allowed the girls to have a single escort. And Cecile is an orphan, you see. She’s got no one to look out for her but me.”
    The young man actually looked rather proud as D quietly gazed at him.
    â€œWe don’t know for sure whether or not the Nobility were actually responsible for this,” said the Hunter.
    â€œYou mean there’s a chance they weren’t?”
    The boy and girl looked at each other.
    â€œI’ve heard there are demonic creatures in the lands to the west that rip open throats and drink the blood. Why don’t you try telling that to the mayor?”
    â€œIt’s no use. He and all the rest of those pigs are already dead-sure this is the work of the Nobility. They won’t listen to anything anyone has to say.”
    â€œWhy don’t the two of you leave the village together?”
    The pair exchanged looks of astonishment—they’d never even considered it an option. There was such solidarity in communities out in this cruel environment, no one could even think of leaving. A hue of hope tinged their faces, but it rapidly faded again.
    â€œThat won’t work.”
    â€œI can’t,” Cecile said as she stared at D.
    Though there was sadness in her eyes, they lacked the kind of baseness that would’ve clung to him for succor. Her limited stores of self-restraint were doing a remarkable job of keeping her fear at bay.
    â€œMy adopted mother and father still have to live here. If I were to run off instead of playing my part, the wrath of the whole village would come down on the two of them.”
    â€œIn short, the one responsible has to either be caught or killed,” Lyle said, slapping his hands together. “Come on, we’re begging