Episode 3 – A Promise in the Dark

LILYPIE: NIGHT IN THE CITY

I woke up to the scent of burning wood.

My eyes felt incredibly heavy. The room was still dim, lit only by the faint blue glow coming from the fireplace. The black velvet mattress was so soft and comfortable, it made me want to stay in bed forever. But my stomach was grumbling with hunger.

Henry was no longer sitting in the chair where I had last seen him the night before. The house was quiet — too quiet.

I sat up and hugged the pillow close. “Henry?”

There was no answer.

I walked slowly toward the kitchen. The space reminded me of my late grandmother’s house: built mostly of wood, with copper utensils, and filled with the rich, strong aroma of brewed coffee. On the table sat toasted bread and a glass of water. Next to it was a small note. His handwriting was messy and difficult to read, but I managed to make out the words:

“Do not go outside. Front door is locked. – H”

Just ‘H’. He really has a cute way of leaving signs.

I stood there eating the warm, crispy bread. It felt as though my stomach had only just realised I hadn’t eaten properly for two whole days. While I chewed, I heard footsteps coming from upstairs — slow, careful, and measured.

I looked up.

Henry was walking down the stairs. He had changed his clothes; dressed entirely in black again, but this time neat and well-fitted. His hair was damp, as if he had just bathed. The wounds and scars that covered his arms were gone completely; his skin was smooth and flawless, as if he had never been injured at all.

“You’re up early,” he said, his voice deep and husky, still carrying the roughness of early morning.

“You disappear in the middle of the night. Couldn't you at least say goodbye or hello?” I replied, continuing to eat.

He stopped right in front of me. The scent clinging to him was a mix of woody soap and fresh rain.

“I had to make sure the surrounding area is safe. My group… they are quite paranoid about threats.”

“The group of men who call you their boss?”

He nodded, his eyes lingering on my face. “You slept soundly. I honestly thought you’d spend the whole night screaming and crying in fear.”

“I am tired of being afraid,” I answered honestly. “If you really wanted to kill me, you would have done it already yesterday.”

A faint smile touched his lips — this time, without the sharp fangs showing.

“Good. I’ve grown weary of dealing with humans who only know how to whine and beg.”

I put the remaining bread down on the table. “So, what exactly is your plan now that you brought me here? Am I supposed to become your dinner? Or just another decoration for this big house?”

Henry walked toward the large window in the living room and pulled the heavy curtains slightly aside. Thin streams of morning light drifted in, illuminating tiny specks of dust floating gently through the air.

“I am here to keep you safe,” he said simply.

I fell silent, taken aback.

“Keep me safe? But why?”

“Because last night, when I carried you through the sky, you said something,” he spoke softly, his tone turning serious. “You whispered, ‘If I die tonight… may God alone save me.’”

My chest felt tight and heavy. I remembered those words clearly — I had spoken them when I had completely given up hope and thought my end had come.

“I heard those exact same words a hundred years ago,” he continued, his voice dropping lower. “Spoken by someone who, just like me, was terrified of the darkness and the life we lead. Right after saying it, they reached out and held my hand, and told me, ‘We are not alone in this, Henry.’”

His voice cracked near the end of the sentence. He quickly pressed his lips together, turned away, and stared out the window to hide his emotions.

I understood then. There had been someone important to him once, long ago.

“You miss them, don't you?” I asked gently.

He didn’t answer, but his shoulders slumped slightly, revealing the sadness he tried hard to conceal.

I walked closer and stood beside him. Through the window, I could see the thick, dense forest surrounding the house — cold, lush green, and peaceful in its silence.

“I never knew that person. But if they meant so much to you, I’m sure they must have been a wonderful soul.”

Henry turned to look at me, gazing intently for a long time. The sharp, dangerous glint in his red eyes seemed to soften a little.

“You talk too much, Lilypie.”

“And you keep too many things locked inside, Henry Gurney.”

He let out a short laugh. “Don’t call me by my full name. It sounds as if you are reading out a court charge.”

For the first time since that terrifying night in my apartment, I managed a small smile.

“So what happens now? Am I your prisoner?”

“Guest,” he corrected me firmly. “Prisoners don’t get served warm toast and water.”

Then his expression grew serious again.

“But listen carefully, Lilypie. The world I belong to is dark, dirty, and cruel. There are forces and creatures hunting me down constantly. If they ever find you with me, you will be in grave danger — you will become a target too.”

I nodded slowly. I had already sensed that danger the very first night I met him.

“Then teach me how to protect myself,” I said firmly.

He looked at me in pure surprise. “Have you lost your mind?”

“You said you are tired of pretending and living like a human,” I replied, my voice steady even though my hands felt cold and trembling. “Well, I am tired of being a weak victim who gets attacked and scared all the time. If I am destined to die one day, let it be while I fight and stand my ground — not while I am crying and begging for mercy.”

Henry stayed quiet for a long while. Even the blue flames burning in the fireplace flickered gently, as if they too were listening closely to our conversation.

Eventually, he stretched out his hand toward me.

“Tomorrow night, we begin. Basic training. But if you scream, cry, or give up easily… I’ll throw you straight out of this house.”

I reached out and took his hand. It was cold, yet somehow, it didn’t feel frightening or dangerous anymore.

“Deal. But after every training session, you have to cook me a proper meal. This toast is nowhere near enough to fill my stomach.”

He shook his head, but a genuine smile spread across his face.

“You really are something else.”

That night, for the first time in ages, I slept peacefully, without needing to lock any doors — even in my dreams.

Darkness was still all around, but at the far end of the room, there was a soft, glowing light. That light was Henry himself.

And for the first time, I no longer felt the urge or need to run away from it.

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