Silent Vigil

Posted on Sun Jul 5th, 2026 @ 8:54am by Lola ‘Myth’ McDowell & René Rouen

810 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: The Light House
Location: Cassandra's Cottage
Timeline: 19 December 2012

René had moved from his place on the hearth to next to the couch after Nathan had walked through to lock doors and windows. He (Nathan) had glanced curiously at René, but otherwise remained silent. Lola had murmured something in her sleep a few minutes later while she slept, which had prompted René's move to sit on the floor in front of the couch.

René was concerned for Lola, but nobody was saying what was bothering her. He figured it had something to do with the Europa's return. That Lola's recent nightmare about this guy Smith was the issue. He had almost left shortly after arriving, but Cassandra and Nathan had left for the ship and, shortly thereafter, the priest had departed. He had opted to stay for Lola's and Maureen's protection. He had sat quietly, vigilantly.

René had only meant to rest his head on the couch cushion for a moment, but Lola's breathing had a hypnotic affect and he fell asleep. He woke as Lola's hand dropped on to his shoulder and squeezed gently before loosening to just rest on his shoulder. He glanced over his shoulder and saw her stir briefly before going still. He didn't want to move for fear of waking her.

Lola woke with a jump as she realised that she was not in her bed, as the room was too light from the fire, and someone else was there. She slowly sat up, pulling up the blanket over her, and looked confused. "René?" She wondered quietly, seeing him awake.

René sat on the floor at the midpoint of the couch. He glanced over and up at Lola's confused expression. He spoke softly, in a reassuring tone. "Everything is okay mon...amie. We are at the Lennox home. You fell asleep on the couch. You're safe."

"Aye... I remember." She scrubbed at her eyes and frowned as she looked at the time on the clock ticking away on the mantlepiece. "It's 2 am. Why are you awake?" She demanded turning it on him, not wanting to talk anymore if it was possible as she could not tell him anything.

"I only just woke up a few minutes ago." He rose from the floor and moved to the hearth. He prodded the embers and placed a fresh log on the fireplace grill before sitting on the hearth to finish answering her question. "I just wanted to make sure you were safe and warm."

"You should have gone home," Lola muttered, shaking her head. "I would have been safe and warm. What makes you think I would not be?" She wondered, sitting up, taking off her boots.

René shrugged from his seat on the hearth, staring at the floor. "Commander Crawford and Mademoiselle Lennox left for the ship. The Pere left shortly after them. I didn't want you and Madame Lennox to be alone." He looked at Lola, a concerned expression on his face. "I could leave now if you want. I heard Commander Crawford and Mademoiselle Lennox return earlier. I am pretty sure he is still here."

"There has not been a zombie in town for over a year. We are fine. You do not need to protect us, trust me, I have seen Maureen end several Zombies with a wrench." No one was feeble in the Village other than the children; they had all destroyed Zombies in the beginning. "He will be here. He and Cass are... a thing."

René cast a confused frown at Lola. "Quoi? (What?)" Lola's last comment didn't translate well into his native French for a moment. Then it dawned on him what she meant. "Oh!" He rose from his seat on the hearth. He reached for his bomber jacket and weapons belt. "I'll head out then. My apologies for intruding earlier. I..." he wanted to say keep her safe from Smith, but decided it wasn't relevant anymore, "...never mind. Get some rest." He started for the door.

"Why did you come here in the first place?" Lola asked quietly, confused by the shift in tone. She thought it was obvious that Nathan and Cassandra had something going on, but who was she to judge men and their views on things? Some were not as observant as they should be in the current world.

Rene stopped midway towards the front door. "I was concerned about you. I know with the return of the Europa...it also means the return of Smith. I.... I just wanted to make sure you would be safe from him. I can see you don't need or want my protection." He started forward again, quickly. He reached the door and was through it before she could respond or move. He broke into a run as soon as the door latch caught. The darkness swallowed him up in the light fog sprang up in the early hours.

 

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