Chapter 4

At first opportunity Tyler did something he had never done before.

He apologized, genuinely and as Sammy could be concerned, without the guile of servant's necessity. No, instead he approached as a friend who genuinely wanted to make amends.

And was such motive present? Possibly. However he'd like to not lie to himself if possible.

Once again he had shattered Sammy's expectations, but this time, in a positive manner.

"So why-- why do such a thing? Despite... des--pite."

He choked, struggling to find words. Or perhaps, he didn't feel safe turning the sentiment to words.

Perhaps he had not only created a wound, but exposed old ones. Realizing this gave Tyler an unpleasant feeling, one he wished to have never learned the name of. Guilt. He may have tried to prevent himself, but, he found he liked to see Sammy in a more carefree manner.

He assured Sammy then, that he knew what he had done was wrong. While including that until now, that fact had honestly eluded him. The statement did as expected, piquing Sammy's curiosity, leading to further, more probing questions.

Ones Tyler answered with honesty.

Frowned upon as such notion was back home.

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After the initial exchange as Sammy so obliquely allowed himself to be led... led to witness as Tyler's reservations completely crumbled.

Over the next few days Sammy had a very clear idea of his friend's formerly secret background. Only such things were not secrets.

Unless one could count secrets of mutual silence.

The dreadfully jaded, eventually lonely existence described violence from both humans and his own kind.

And Sammy may even then, have still disregarded the information. Clever half-truths and half the context, only Tyler had answered too many unasked, unlooked upon silent questions. Even more surprising, being told outright what Tyler's intentions were in sharing such secrets.

For Sammy to sneak out with him to the vampire village. It had been the twisting realization of his own ignorance that decided him.