Rosetta leaned forward, noticing Eve standing in front of the carriage door with her back facing her. She asked, "What happened, Eve?"
Eve stared at the note, which had no name and wondered who it could be from. It wasn't like she knew many people in Hollow Valley. The tower bell wasn't far from where she stood; people were still walking up and down the streets. Giving it some thought, she turned to Rosetta and said,
"I need to go meet someone. Will that be alright?"
"Now?" Rosetta raised her eyebrows, looking slightly impatient as she wanted to bring her aunt here. The quicker she would leave Hollow Valley, the faster she would return with her aunt and be able to drink from the mermaid. "How long will it take?"
"I am not sure," Eve noticed Rosetta's lips set themselves in a thin line and said, "Why don't you go ahead, and I will use the local carriage to get back home?"
"Are you sure about it? If it isn't long I can wait," said the vampiress with a slight frown.
Eve nodded, "Yes. I will see you tomorrow."
Turning away from the carriage, Eve started to walk in the direction where the tower bell was. Having heard the sound of the bell ring earlier over the crowd chatter and music playing in some corner of the streets.
When she came near the tower bell, she saw no one standing there and waiting for her. A few wealthy folks paid her no mind as they walked past her. She reread the note to ensure it read tower bell.
"So easy to kidnap," said a voice from above, and Eve raised her head and looked at where the big bell was tied at the top of the tower bell. At the top stood Vincent, who was munching on an apple.
Eve stared at him. She somewhere had a feeling it was him who had sent her the note. She asked him, "Why did you ask me to meet you here?"
The people nearby turned to see why the woman was shouting at the tower bell.
"Come up," said Vincent, taking another bite from the apple.
Eve pursed her lips before climbing up the spiral stairs. Reaching the end of the stair, she found the large bell tied to the tower's ceiling. Vincent leaned the side of his body against one pillar that held the ceiling, and his legs crossed as he stared at her. He said,
"This place is more peaceful than the maddening crowd in the streets. The view is always better on the high road. Bought anything from the stalls?" He questioned.
"A person like me cannot afford anything here. I would have been able to if I had those gold coins that the council offered," replied Eve, moving away from the bell and noticing the sky that now held streaks of blue, purple and orange.
Vincent's lips twitched, and asked, "Upset that you are poor again?"
Eve asked him, "Why did you call me here?"
"I thought we could watch the sunset together," stated Vincent with a serious expression.
"... is that all you wanted from me?"
Vincent's eyes twinkled, taking another bite from the apple and munching it as he watched her. He pulled out something from his trouser pocket. When he threw it towards Eve, the metal made a clinking sound. Eve caught hold of it, noticing it was a coin with a skull symbol and a crown on top of it.
"What is this?"
"Your safety pass," said Vincent after swallowing the piece of apple he ate, and he threw the remaining fruit behind him. "The next time something like last week happens, use this. It will work only with officials or guards. Not with an ordinary person like from your town, as they don't know what it means. You will be safe until I want you to be."
Eve ran her finger across the symbol and asked him, "Is this related to the safe registry you mentioned back in the council?"
"Mhm. Now is the time for you to thank me for it," stated Vincent, and Eve bowed.
"Thank you," she then raised her head. "Why didn't you give it to me earlier?"
Hearing her question, Vincent looked amused. He said, "I would have if someone wasn't watching you. Do you know whom I am speaking about?"
Eve's eyebrows furrowed and she shook her head. "Whom are you talking about?" She was slightly upset with the conversation that they had earlier.
"I am done eating, shall we go shop now?" Vincent raised both his hands upwards and stretched his body. Bringing it down, he took one step backwards.
Eve's eyes widened, noticing the vampire place his foot in the air. He then took another, and his body was pulled by gravity toward the ground. Her heart jumped to her throat and she quickly ran towards the edge and near the pillar. Leaning forward, she looked at the ground and didn't find him there. Her heart was beating loudly.
"What are you looking at?" Vincent's voice came behind her.
Startled, Eve spun around so fast that she almost fell off the tower bell if it weren't for Vincent, who caught hold of her hand. She stood at the edge, holding his hand tightly and feeling her heart thumping. Though Vincent caught hold of Eve's hand, he made no effort to pull her.
"I don't think you are a fish, Ms. Barlow. You must be a cat with nine lives, don't you think so?"
Eve asked him, "A-and all the lives are taken by you?" starting to feel dizzy with where she stood. The sun was starting to set, and the sky was welcoming darkness. She felt Vincent's hand slowly starting to slip and though she knew he wouldn't let her fall, it didn't ease her anxious heart.
"You make me sound like a demon who is collecting your soul," a grin appeared on Vincent's lips, and he said, "But it is only right that I take it."
Vincent pulled Eve towards him and away from the edge. She crashed into him, heaving for air. He got her to step away and be safe. She took a step away from him with her shaky legs.
Eve didn't understand Vincent's twisted humour or actions, but one of these days she was sure she would die of a heart attack. She said, "I think I should leave now. I am tired and it is getting dark."
Vincent whistled and asked, "You don't want to shop? I was planning on spending the gold coins that the council handed to me to give it to you."
"I think this one time I will choose to be poor," Eve replied and started to climb down the stairs. She heard Vincent's footsteps behind her. "Thank you for the coin again, I very much appreciate your help."
She heard him chuckle like a devil. When they reached the ground, he said,
"You sure you don't want to buy anything? I found this shop which has the perfect item that you will like." Eve shook her head. When she started to walk away from him, Vincent said, "What if I said it was a fish?"
