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Wash Away My Sins	By : horrorgal Category: +A through F > Amnesia: The Dark Descent Views: 2697 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, nor the characters. I do not profit from this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter 2

Daniel's recovery took longer than expected. It was almost two weeks before he felt he had the strength to move about. He felt like he was overstaying his welcome, but John kept insisting that it was no trouble at all, even saying he enjoyed the company. He had no wife, or children, much like Daniel himself. John had just moved here no more than a few weeks before Daniel's attack, buying this farm to start a new life. He came from much wealthier stock than Daniel, inheriting money when he was very young from his parents who passed years ago, and several investments kept his money growing over time. It was easy to notice his elegance. The way he dressed, and even his looks were almost royal in appearance. Daniel had observed this over the days as he recuperated.

John was a few inches taller than Daniel, and his hair slightly longer, the strands a deep black that shimmered when light hit it. His eyes were green and wiser than his years. He was well read and often spoke of history, a favorite subject of Daniel's. Even with all this, John was strong and sturdy. He worked the farm, recently working on rebuilding the barn that had begun to deteriorate over the years of neglect. Daniel had watched from the window, wanting to help but not having the strength to do so. When he was finally able, he insisted on helping him to repay his kindness, and John was happy enough to accept. Within a few days, John offered him a job to help him work on the farm, room and board included with more pay than he was getting from the mill and the other farms combined. It didn't take long for Daniel to agree to the arrangement.

The sun was high and Daniel had his eyes closed, head back with a smile on his face. It felt good to be moving again, unconfined by his weakened state. The bruising was minimal now, faint yellow and no longer painful. He'd lost a few pounds, but was slowly gaining it back, muscles bulking back a bit with the hard work. Things were looking up much more than it had for him the last year. Ironic it took a night of violence to get to this place. Even the nightmares had become few, but they still came from time to time. If he was lucky, maybe they too would vanish like the bruises on his body.

"You look peaceful," John said out of nowhere.

Daniel jerked and opened his eyes with a nervous laugh, having not heard his employer approach. "I'm sorry. I was just enjoying the afternoon sun a bit."

"Nothing wrong with that," John said with a soft chuckle. "You've earned time to enjoy it." He looked up at the barn that was nearly completed. "A few more days and we should be finished."

"It does look good, if I do say so myself."

"Faster work with an extra pair of hands." John looked at him. "I have to ride into town for a few things. Why not come with me? You haven't been out really since getting out of bed."

"That sounds good actually."

"I'll get the horses saddled," John said and wandered to the horse stable.

Daniel busied himself with putting tools away, then headed to join John by the horses. They were beautiful beasts; purebred from what John had told him. There would be more horses soon, as he was going to breed them as a business. John knew nothing of farming, but he knew much of these majestic animals. Daniel wondered if that was the way to go, but he himself knew nothing about running a business. He only hoped that John would not suffer failure with this venture. A man with his kindness deserved success.

They were soon off, taking their time riding along the road towards town. They rode in comfortable silence, only the sound of the horses trotting along and the light breeze shaking the leaves along the thicket of trees. Though his memories of the attack were still a bit scattered, he found himself staring towards the exact spot it had happened as they neared. He felt John's gaze, and looked over at him, giving him a slight smile.

"That's where I found you," John said.

"And I am thankful. I wouldn't be around anymore if you had not found me."

"That's not necessarily true, Daniel. Another could have come along that night and helped you as I did. The people in this town appear good natured enough."

"Doubtful that night, the way that storm was blowing though." Daniel looked back ahead as they passed the spot. "You are right though. I have been in this town for a little over five months and most of the people are generally good."

John nodded soft. "That man that attacked you, had you seen him around before?"

"No."

"Perhaps he was a drifter," John said.

"Could have been, though the town is slowly growing. For all I know the man just arrived here and he's still around."

"Hm." John's eyes went cold and the look on his face shocked Daniel enough to make him shiver slightly. There was something so familiar about that stark anger that was making his handsome face, usually soft and happy most days, hard and rough like the coldest stone.

"John, have I said something to upset you?" he asked, voice soft, part of him afraid he would anger him further.

John blinked and looked over at him, losing the fury in moments. "Oh, Daniel, no. It is nothing you've said or done." He sighed. "It just infuriates me that a human being can do that to another so easily without thought."

"Oh, he thought about it. The bastard followed me out of the bar," he said with a laugh. He wasn't sure why he found it so amusing, but it just made him feel better to joke about it. Just being alive felt great.

"He.." John started to laugh with him. They were still in fits as they entered town, getting a few unsure, but amused looks from townspeople. The horses whinnied softly, heads bobbing as if wondering what the humans on their backs thought was so funny.

"We best stop, or people will think we've gone mad," Daniel said as his laughter slowly died down.

"You're probably right, my friend," John said, his smile still in place as they neared the store.

They dismounted and went inside. John gave him half the list to gather supplies and Daniel went about the task, searching the shelves. He grabbed up a bag of flour just as the bell chimed above the door as more customers entered. Daniel went about his business, not paying much mind until he got a earful of the conversation the man and woman was having. He wasn't snooping by any means, but something the woman said caught his attention and he found himself listening to every word coming from the next aisle.

"It's scares me to know the murderer could be in this store right now," the woman said, voice hushed.

"Will you stop going on about it. You do this every time we come into town."

"I can't help it."

"Look, they said it was probably random and not to worry," he tried assuring her.

"Probably isn't certain."

"For God sake, Lizzy."

"I'll never feel safe until the one who did it is caught," she said with a annoyed sniff and hurried off away from the man, probably her husband, to do her shopping.

The man muttered a soft curse and wandered along in the other direction. Daniel stood frozen, forgetting his list as the news sank in. There had been a murder in town somewhere. Could it have been the man who attacked him? Had he beaten someone else and robbed them, succeeding in killing them this time? He looked at the list in his hand, not seeing the words, his thoughts too scattered. Perhaps he should come forward and tell about the attack on him. If it was that brute, then maybe it could help put the thief and murderer in a cell where he belonged. He was unsure if he wanted to become involved in the whole mess, but what if someone else turned up dead because he chose not to speak? He wasn't sure if he could live with another death on his hands. There were far too many already from Brennenburg that he was sure when his time came, he'd be in the lowest pits of Hell, rotting forever.

"Daniel, are you alright?" He jerked, startled by John for the second time that day. "You look pale. Do you feel ill?" John put a hand on his arm, his eyes soft with concern.

"A bit, yes," he managed, swallowing, mouth feeling as dry as cotton. It wasn't a lie. He did feel sick in the pit of his stomach as he was made to think about the things he had done.

"Here." John took the few items from Daniel's hands. "I'll finish up. Go head out by the horses and wait. The fresh air will help."

Daniel nodded numbly and walked down the aisle and through the door, the ring of the brass bell above the door sounding distant to his ears. He sat heavy on the steps, eyes focused on the dirt ground, watching small ants move about in a formed line. He concentrated on their busy little movements, watching them take food treasures down into small holes, taking deep breaths to calm his nerves. He really wanted a strong drink. He hadn't had one since that night in the bar. He took another shaky breath and rubbed his face tiredly, wishing he had not come along with John after all. He's been having such a good day too.

The door opened behind him, but he did not look as soft boots passed by him, down the steps and by the horses. John packed the saddlebags with items, leaving Daniel to his thoughts as he did. He kept his head down, feeling ashamed and afraid. If only John knew who he really was, and all the blood he had on his hands. It was unbearable, imagining the disgust John would have for him if he found out. Daniel, of course, had never told anyone what happened at the castle, or even of the discovery of the orb that started the trail of death to begin with. He kept it locked away from others, lest he be locked up for his crimes. Not that he deserved any less for what he'd done, but... He foolishly thought killing Alexander would truly wash away the sins, but it did nothing of the sort. How could he blame the man for his own weakness? Would any sane person torture and kill others, even if they were criminals, to save their own life? What's worse, most of the poor souls were innocents; and that poor little girl.

"Oh, God." His voice trembled thickly, the threat of tears stinging his eyes.

"Daniel." John knelt before him. "Are you well enough to ride?" he asked, voice low.

Daniel wiped his face again and cleared his throat. "I think so." He was thankful his voice did not betray his weary mind.

"Good. Lets get back so you can rest, alright?"

Daniel agreed with a slight nod and climbed back on the horse. John seemed aware there was a lot more than feeling ill that was bothering Daniel, but he didn't hound him with questions as they rode back to the farm in silence, slightly less comfortable on Daniel's side this time around. He kept his eyes on the dirt road ahead as he tried not to think about it anymore, but it was impossible, and he again longed for a drink. He wondered who the unfortunate victim had been, and if he knew them. Was if one of the men he had worked with at the mill? Maybe it was one of the men from the other farm he'd worked on. He was only making himself feel worse and stopped the train of thought. When they got back, Daniel slipped off the horse and immediately tried to help John with the packages.

"No, I got it. Go inside and lay down for a while."

"I'm fine now, really."

"Daniel, I can tell you aren't. Please, go rest a bit. I'll make us some dinner in a while."

"...Alright." He relented and headed back to the house, feeling rather small and unhelpful. He went upstairs to his room and sat on the edge of the bed to take his boots off before he lay back and stared at the ceiling for a long while. He was too wound up to sleep, but he stayed put, if anything to please John. He felt rather useless and pathetic as he lay there, trying to bury the memories and the worry about the murder. Perhaps the man was a drifter as John had suggested and had moved on, so telling anyone anything would not be of help anyway. Maybe it hadn't been the same man that attacked him at all. He shook his head soft. Now he was just making excuses not to come forward. Daniel growled soft, hands over his face. "You are a rotten bastard, Daniel," he muttered, his voice muffled against his palms.

A tap on the door roused him. "Daniel, can I come in?"

"Oh...of course." He sat up as the door opened.

"Were you asleep?"

"No, I couldn't manage it, but I do feel better. Thank you."

"I'm glad to hear it." He lifted up the bottle of whiskey in his hand and two glasses. "I thought you might like a drink before dinner."

Daniel smiled. "You read my mind."

John walked over and poured him a glass, handing it over before he filled his own. He sat on the bed, his weight shifting the mattress as he sat the bottle on the table and took a sip from his glass. Daniel drank and watched John, feeling guilty all over again. He shouldn't keep his past away from this man who put so much trust in him. He took another deep drink, head back, swallowing it down until his glass was empty. His eyes were closed and he heard a soft chuckle that got his attention. He looked at John who appeared amused as he took note of his empty glass. Daniel looked back sheepishly as John took the bottle up again and poured him another.

"I see you're a man that knows much about drinking."

"I..am, yes. Too much so."

"Well, it can happen to the best of men, Daniel, and I can see you are a good man."

Daniel swallowed. "You wouldn't say that is you really knew me."

"Why do you think that?"

"Things I've done in my past.."

"Is past." John waved his hand to stop him. "The man you are now is the only thing that interests me. No man is perfectly clean, Daniel. All men have something they would rather not speak of."

"John, it's much more than a little secret."

"Either way, I do not need to hear of it," John said and drank down his own drink in two swallows before he poured more and smiled at Daniel. "Agreed?"

Daniel thought a moment. "Agreed."

John nodded, satisfied. "One thing I will ask."

Daniel drank and looked at him. "Yes?"

"Was it what that woman said at the store that triggered your unease?"

"Oh, I didn't know you'd heard her." Daniel shifted on the bed to sit on the edge beside him.

"Mn, well, it was hard not to. She was chirping about it like a bird with it's wing caught in a trap." He took a drink, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. "Women are such excitable creatures."

Daniel mused. "Yes, but her worry was warranted. A murder is serious."

"Indeed it is, but unfortunately, in this world of our, it happens quite often."

"Even so.."

John observed him. "You're thinking it may have been the man that attacked you that committed the crime?"

Daniel nodded. "I'm that easy to read?"

"Right now you are." John put a hand on his shoulder. "It's not your fault."

"Shouldn't I tell someone though?"

"Ah, Daniel." John's hand moved from his shoulder to cups his cheek, like a mother talking soft to a child. "If it was that man, I'm sure he's long gone by now," he said, saying what he'd been thinking himself not long ago.

"Oh," Daniel whispered, feeling the warm press of his fingers and palm against his cheek, a sensation much too intimate for two men.

John's lips curled with a ever so slight smirk. "Come, lets go eat and try to forget this day." He stood, removing his hand. Fingers brushed like a caress, whether intentional or not, making Daniel shiver. John didn't wait for him to follow as he went out the bedroom door. Daniel shook the twisted thoughts from his head, cursing himself for imagining the touch was more than just a friendly hand of comfort. Yet, a thought occurred to him. Something that John had said as they rode into town. It just infuriates me that a human being can do that to another so easily without thought. That had been his very word, yet he'd just talked about a murder like it was a thing of normalcy. He sighed, deciding he was thinking too hard about it and left the bedroom to join John for dinner.
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Wash Away My Sins