Tonight made the thrid night in a row the rain had fallen. Unlike the first two, tonights felt a light and warm shower. It was later than usual that Doctor Luca made house calls but this was for an emergency on Vinci’s Vineyard.

Everyone in town knew of the rusted gates of the Vineyard that never opened. Nobody talked of them, only of the greatest wine that came from the other side. The only thing to ever cross those gates, that great wine. The twists of the roads through the trees made the gates of the drive way hard to see as there was no marker for the address making Luca almost miss his turn in. As they opened slowly the creaking sound of the gates pierced Luca’s ears. He drove for what seemed like miles down the driveway until he saw the dark shadow of the large manor house. The only light seen was dim and yellow above the front door, yet hints of light crept past the window curtains a few rooms. Dispite the lack of light the shadows of the vines up the walls highlighted how tall the stone really was.

“It’s not raining hard enough to need an umbrella.” Lucas said to himself as he grabbed his hat and his bag. He took a long look at the house before he sighed and stepped out the car onto the wet pavement. Lucas felt a cold spot spiking the hairs on his neck as he approached the door. As far as he knew, nobody had ever seen the Vinci family and those who have don’t speak of their time on the Vineyard. He whipped the warm rain from his face and rang the door bell.

The call he had received earlier came from a soft spoken young women.

“My daughter has fallen ill. Her fever won’t go down and she’s so cold and so pale. Please help her. I don’t know what else to do “ She sounded panicked. When Lucas asked the location his stomach churned. But he made a vow to God, to help anyone in need whenever, wherever he could.

Lucas admired the great walls as he waited at the door. Deep breaths he could see to calm his nerves though he didn’t wait for long before he heard the lock at the door.

“Good evening Doctor. Thank you kindly for coming in such a short notice” The women, presumed to be Mrs. Vinci, stood in the door way. “Please come in.” Luca did not move as he studied the petite women in the doorway. Her long brown hair lay long over her shoulders. Her face soft and cheeks red. Her eyes stunningly green doe eyed. She was quite beautiful Luca thought.

“Sir?”

“Thank you.” Luca coughed and stepped inside, removing his hat.

“Give me those Doctor, I will hang them for you” She helped him with his jacket. They stood in a hallway warmly lit. The peaceful sound of the crackling fireplace and the smell of warm dinner filled the air. Luca found his muscles relaxing as they walked into the main room.

“Would you like some coffee Dr. Luca, or perhaps some tea?” she asked as she hung his things on the coat rack near the entryway.

“Tea would be fine Mrs. Vinci, thank you” He sat on the couch and sank into the cushions. The fireplace across from him lit the room despite there being a lamp beside him. On the other side a lazy boy. A television sat in the corner with a box of toys on the floor next to it.

Luca was observing the bookshelf when Mrs. Vinci came back. She handed him a warm mug and smiled faintly.

“I’ll show you to Estella’s room” She quickly walked out the room and he followed her up the stairs that creaked beneath his feet.

The room was dark and Luca felt the cold on his skin as soon as the door opened. The air still and damp. The smell of the dinner from downstairs mixed with something that made his nose burn. It smelt of rot and decay he thought to himself. In the bed lay young Estella as she slept. Her face lightened by only the candle on the side table. Her hair long and combed. Her hands held one enother. At first glance she looked as though she was already dead and dolled, ready to rest for eternity.

“Estella darling, this is Doctor Luca, he is here to help you feel better” Mrs. Vinci sat on the bed next to her daughter.

Doctor Luca slowly approached the girl. She was pale her skin a tint of blue. He held her wrist searching for a heart beat. Her skin felt cold it made his fingertips burn.

“Estella?” He said lightly under his visible breath

“She will not wake” A shadow of a man stood by the window across the room.

“Oh will you please remain hopeful?” cried Mrs. Vinci.

The shadow stepped closer. “you know why, we talked about this, a doctor cannot help us my love. you havent need to call.” The shadow turned to the doctor. “Doctor DeLuca, i apologize for waisting your time tonight. My wife has been a wonderful nurse to our daughter, however i think it has made her mad.”

Luca looked back at the girl. She remained still.

“I’m very sorry to say, she has no heart beat. No breath.”

“Do not worry, we will take care of her finely Doctor DeLuca. Allow me to compensate you for your time tonight. I’m sure this is not what you want to be doing so late.” Mr. Vinci said kindly.

“Mr. Vinci, im sorry but your daughter is dead.”

“No i believe not, she just needs something to drink”

Before Doctor Luca could respond he felt a warm sting in his back causing him to gasp. The sting turned to a stab as he felt the cold knife hit his spine. A fire up spit up his bones as he fell to his knees. The knife fused to his spine twisted making a cracking sound deep in his eardrums made him nauseous. He felt the warmth up his throat and his mouth tasted metallic as he spit. His sight hazed and the room spun into darkness.