Elizabeth keeps one hand on the wheel as the truck hums through the dark. The city falls away behind them, replaced by long stretches of road and the soft wash of dashboard light.
Elizabeth Bathory
I used to think freedom would feel louder. Cleaner. But it mostly feels like waiting for the past to catch up.
She glances at Thadeus, then back to the road, her shoulders easing a little as the miles slide under the tires.
Elizabeth Bathory
The woman I was, the things I did, they still sit in the back of my mind. Even when I am here with you, I can feel them.
Thadeus Jovanović
The highway lights make her face look softer than usual.
Elizabeth Bathory
I do not know yet if I am free of that life. But I know I am tired of it defining every room I enter.
The truck rides smooth and steady, the cabin warm around them. For a moment, the road feels less like a chase and more like a place to talk.
“Thadeus smiles warmly, his hand pressed against her free hand, the other still on the steering wheel. "Elizabeth, you've done more than enough than to remove yourself from that life. You were put in an untenable situation, you didn't have the agency to get out from it." Elizabeth smiles, "It makes it easier to believe that, hearing you say that." Thadeus continues to hold her hand, then looks out the window, briefly distracted by the clouds above. Elizabeth thinks to herself, "I love this man, but I wonder if he'll feel the same when he reads the Grimoire more carefully. How could be possibly forgive me, let alone love me, knowing what is written inside?" She quickly pushes the thought away. Thadeus turns his attention back to Elizabeth, stating "Don't forget, you've saved me a few times too. Guess we're stuck with each other." Elizabeth's heart soars, replying, "There's no one else I'd rather spend eternity with."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Thadeus lets his smile answer first, then rests his hand over Elizabeth’s free hand on the console. Her grip loosens a little under his, and the truck keeps rolling through the dark with an easy, steady hum.
Thadeus Jovanović
Elizabeth, you have done more than enough to leave that life behind. You were trapped in it, you did not have real agency.
Elizabeth Bathory
It makes it easier to believe that, hearing you say it.
Thadeus keeps hold of her hand, then looks out at the clouds sliding over the windshield. The weathered box with the Belmont Family Grimoire sits quiet on the floor between them.
Thadeus Jovanović
You have saved me a few times too. Guess we are stuck with each other.
Elizabeth Bathory
I love this man, but if he reads the Grimoire too carefully, what then? How could he forgive me, let alone love me, if he knows what is written there?
She pushes the thought down before it reaches her face. The road stays open, the cabin stays warm, and the moment feels like it can hold.
Elizabeth Bathory
There is no one else I would rather spend eternity with.
“Thadeus is looking lazily out the windows, the road surrounded on both sides by large corn fields. Something ahead catches his attention on the side of the road. He directs Elizabeth to pull the truck off the road. She agrees and the vehicle comes to a stop off the shoulder. Thadeus runs over to field, and spots movement. Something crawling out of the field. It's a woman, but she looks wrong. Her dark hair is matted with dirt, her blouse torn in the back, one of her heels is missing. Then he sees the creatures face. Pure white eyes, pale Grey skin, limping towards Thadeus and Elizabeth. It's another zombie”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +1)
The truck glides past endless corn under a black sky. Thadeus looks out, catches movement near the shoulder, and points Elizabeth toward the verge.
Thadeus Jovanović
Pull over.
Elizabeth eases the truck off the road and stops on the gravel shoulder. The engine idles low while Thadeus is already out the passenger side.
He cuts into the field edge and spots a figure dragging herself out of the stalks, dark hair caked with dirt, blouse torn down the back, one heel missing.
Thadeus Jovanović
That is not right.
The woman lifts her face. Pale gray skin, blank white eyes. She limps toward him through the ditch, and the shape of a corpse settles in the night air.
Elizabeth comes up behind him at the shoulder, seeing it too, her hand tightening on the truck door as the road stays empty and the field keeps moving.
“As Thadeus processes the scene, Elizabeth catches his attention, "Thadeus, look over there!" Thadeus darts over to his left, and is filled with dread. Dozens of undead zombies, all with those white eyes and pale skin, are lumbering towards Thadeus and Elizabeth. Thadeus shouts "Get back in the truck!" Elizabeth starts the engine up again, while Thadeus hops back in the passenger seat. As Elizabeth and Thadeus are flying back down the road, Thadeus can see what he thinks are hundreds of zombies clambering into the road, mindlessly wandering. Elizabeth lets out a yelp, "Oh my god, those poor people." Thadeus reacts with purpose. " There's nothing we can do for them now. We have to stop the evil at its source. We've got to get that mockery of a church." Elizabeth steadies herself, focusing on the road ahead, getting closer to the SoD sanctuary.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +1)
Elizabeth Bathory
Thadeus, look over there!
He snaps left and the ditch opens into a slow-moving line of dead faces, pale in the corn shadow. Elizabeth's voice tightens behind him as the field seems to keep feeding them.
Thadeus Jovanović
Get back in the truck!
Thadeus gets inside in one quick motion, and Elizabeth hauls the door shut, twists the key, and brings the engine back to life. Gravel spits under the tires as the truck lurches away from the shoulder.
In the headlights, more white-eyed figures stagger out between the rows, then another cluster beyond them, turning the road into a crawling dead zone.
Elizabeth Bathory
Oh my god, those poor people.
Thadeus Jovanović
There's nothing we can do for them now. We have to stop the evil at its source. We've got to get that mockery of a church.
Elizabeth says nothing for a beat, then steadies her grip and keeps the truck pointed into the dark, with Thadeus braced beside her and the church waiting ahead.