He didn’t have much to take with him – just the stuff Vince and Jett had helped him get while he was staying with them, so mainly clothes. He looked down at the scrap of paper in his hand, double checking that he had the correct address before going up to the door and knocking. He knocked hard twice, and waited a few minutes for the door to open to reveal a man he thought was Marcus.
“Marcus?”
“Yes?”
“I’m Deacon. You should have been expecting me?” he offered a hand out. Marcus took it, but shook only briefly before moving to let Deacon inside, then closed the door behind him.
“I’ll show you around, then tell you what I expect of you.” Deacon nodded and followed Marcus throughout the house. The stopped at one of the spare bedrooms. “This will be your room. Take a few minutes to put your things away and then meet me in the living room.” With that he left.
Deacon looked around. The bed was a double, made up with black sheets and a chocolate brown duvet. The dresser, two nightstands and headboard all appeared to be wood, with a cherry stain on them. He set his duffel bag and backpack on the bed, and began to put away his clothes in the dresser and closet. He could tell there had been things hanging in the room, there were faint marks of a cleaner wall in certain places. This must have been Jett’s room. he thought.
Once everything was put away, he went back out to the living room. Marcus was waiting for him, hands behind his back as he studied Deacon’s demeanor. As for Deacon himself, he gulped, wondering if he’d already done something wrong. But Marcus didn’t appear angry, and after a moment he spoke.
“Your job around here is simple enough. You’ll see to the day-to-day upkeep of the house; things like managing bills, the cleaning, and taking care of your needs, such as groceries and whatever else you need. Most importantly, you’ll see to it that I’m not disturbed while I am sleeping. You’ll field any calls on the house phone, and take down messages if it’s important. The evenings are likely to vary, though I doubt I’ll need you much, so that may well be your free time.”
Deacon nodded, listening intently. So far it didn’t seem like it would be a very hard job in exchange for the vitae he needed. After a moment to let things sink in, Marcus continued.
“What sort of education do you have?”
“Sir?”
“Just as I said. What is your level of education?”
“Oh…just high school, and I graduated about thirty years ago, so I’m sure I’m outdated. Gabriel never taught me much about anything.”
“That’s unfortunate. Well, I may decide to educate you in a few matters, or I might just enroll you in the university. I’ve no use for someone who lacks education. You understand?”
“Yes sir. Whatever you think is best.”
“I’ll decide within the week. For now you may go. I’ll leave you with funds before I sleep for the day, so that you may tend to anything that is needed around here, or for things you might be lacking.”
Deacon nodded and headed back to what was now his room. It definitely needs some personality in here. he thought. He wasn’t wrong; it felt achingly bare and almost spartan to him. Tomorrow I’ll get some things to make this room more me. he decided.
By the end of the week, Marcus had some new credentials for Deacon made, and enrolled him in the local university. “I expect you to work hard, and maintain your duties.” he’d said. Deacon agreed – he was oddly eager to begin school and learn new things. He only hoped Marcus would approved of his efforts.
A week after that, Deacon felt like he had a good handle on the kind of person Marcus was. He really doesn’t seem as bad as people have been making him out to be. He only did the one thing wrong, that I know of. Sure, non-consent is bad, but should that really be a reason to color a whole guy’s life?He decided not, and then and there decided that he would stick up for Marcus when possible.