I do not own anything related to the Hellsing manga, either thru television, written books, or film. Everything belongs to Kouta Hirano, Shonen Gahosha, Dark Horse Comics, Madman Entertainment, and mentioned above. I do own all the created characters. I do not own any songs, or literature mentioned. They are included to enhance the written words. Please read, review, and enjoy!
Chapter 1
Song(s): Cardiac Arrest (Bad Suns)
588 Dundas St W Apt 4, Toronto, Ontario…
June 20th
11:54pm
Tomorrow is graduation day
Checking over her black dress from Reitman's and Target flats laid out for the next day's afternoon ceremony, twenty-one-year-old Elisabeta Fargason ran her eyes over the six packed carboard boxes holding all her worldly possessions stacked in the far corner of the rundown bachelor apartment that had been her home for the past two years of college.
Glancing at the kettle sitting on the one working hotplate, she filled it up under the sink faucet and switched the burner on as she heard the low rustling. Grabbing her black coffee mug with the chip on the side, she twisted open the lid to the Nespresso instant coffee and dumped in the last remaining grinds. Stirring in the last bit of almond milk that had been sitting in her mini bar fridge, she couldn't help but feel her growing excitement that in nine days' time, she would be out of Canada and on her way to spend the summer months travelling around Europe on her own agenda as a reward for finishing her Police Foundations degree, and without any student loan debt.
Hearing the whistling of the kettle, Eli poured the scalding water into the cup and gave a quick stir before moving over to the window that faced directly down onto Dundas Street. Throwing up the glass pane, she scooted out onto the slated piece of roof that covered the front porch of the unit below before reaching back inside for her cup.
To her immediate left, she could just make out the flashing lights of the CN Tower in the far distance as her ears picked up on a drunken conversation between a couple that was walking up the sidewalk.
"My place or yours?"
"Yours is closer, cause when I get you inside…"
Sighing as she tuned out of the conversation, she knew it was going to lead to sex as she watched the man slip his arm around the woman's waist.
Sex
In her two years at College, she had lost count the number of times she had been propositioned and had eventually, stopped going out to clubs altogether to avoid the uncomfortable topic.
It wasn't that she believed she had to save herself for marriage, it was more that she believed she had to keep it…
For her future.
Finishing the last dregs of her instant coffee, Elisabeta stifled a yawn as she heard the small beep of her wrist watch, signaling that it was now the twenty-first. Feeling a small smile spreading across her lips, she scurried back inside her apartment, leaving the window wide open.
"Eight days remaining until freedom."
Eight days until London
…
Earls Court Studios, 71 Eardley Cres, London, England…
June 29th
"Right now, your room is just you, but I've got another girl coming in later tonight so, here is a pair of complimentary earplugs." Reaching out for the small baggie of neon orange earplugs, Eli smiled awkwardly as she nodded her tired head.
"Um, thanks."
"Also, we do NOT have cable television, that is a misprint by my idiot son."
Moving her eyes onto the small old school thirteen-inch television that had broken off rabbit ears, Eli took the silver key into her palm and watched as the landlady firmly closed the door behind her.
Peace at last
Rolling her carry-on luggage to the far side of the single bed nearest the large window, she allowed the strap of her backpack to slide down her shoulder and off her arm as it landed on the bed, just as she heard the ring tone of her Blackberry. Reaching into her back pocket, she sighed as the word Mum lit up the middle of the screen below her picture.
Great, I've been in Britain for an hour and she is already calling…
"Hi Mum,"
"I thought you were going to call me when you landed?" Irina questioned as Eli picked up on the sounds of a kettle coming to boil.
"La naiba! hold on a minute" her mother swore as the young woman pulled the phone away from her ear in irritation. Hearing the banging of her Mother making a cup of tea, she closed her eyes and pictured the small narrow kitchen with the dark wood standing bureau that held an assortment of teas leaning against the far west wall.
"I just got through the door to my hotel room, I hadn't had the chance to even think of calling" Eli lied as she heard her Mother taking a long sip of her hot drink.
"Hostel Elisabeta, your hostel. Speaking of which, do they have some place where you can lock up your passport?"
Rolling her eyes as her Mother continued her distain with her choice of accommodations, Eli took a seat on the edge of her single bed before reaching for her backpack. Taking out her black Moleskine notebook and black re-fillable pen, she flipped open to her scribbled itinerary and underlined the next six days that would see her exploring the City's sights and sounds.
After London, Paris. After Paris, Budapest…
"Were you able to find any contact info on Dad's brother?"
She knew it was a long shot when she had asked her Mother a week before her departure, but she was also hopeful that she might have been able to meet up with her Aunt and Uncle and ask questions concerning that side of the family tree.
What was my Dad like?
Yes, I was ten when he died, but I really didn't see much of him because of his job
Furrowing her brow as she listened to her Mother's excuse, the young girl tapped the edge of her pen against the word Budapest before scribbling beneath it…
Bucharest?
Transylvania?
Peter and Stella Fargason
"I haven't seen or spoken to his side of the family since his funeral."
It was all she said as Eli shifted the phone to her right ear.
"Well, if I have time, maybe I'll try to google him. But, I've got enough plans and little time here in the city before I move on to Paris."
"I really wish you had re-considered jetting off overseas, I really could have used your help in the store over the summer."
Letting herself fall backwards onto the mattress, Eli stretched one arm up over her head as she pressed the phone against her ear.
There is no way in hell I was going to stay cooped up inside a dusty, smelly antique store in the middle of a second-hand market in plus thirty-degree temperatures.
That is the last thing I wanted to do
"Mum, you know the police forces don't look to actively hire until September, and once I start, I'm not going to have any time to think about taking a break to travel" she replied, knowing the woman would start to argue on her choice of future career, picking up on their last conversation before she caught her taxi for Pearson.
"Why you want to become a Police Officer I'll never understand."
Ending the phone call on her Mother's words to be safe and pick up a pocket sized pepper spray to keep in her pocket, Eli tossed the Blackberry onto the white comforter before falling backwards onto the mattress for a second time.
"Hmmm." Closing her eyes, she slowly rolled over just as a light pattering of late afternoon drizzle began to tap against the room's only window.
Two hours later…
Hearing the loud slam of a door in the hallway, Eli threw her eyes open and sat straight up, turning towards the window and the now heavier rain pelting against the glass. Rubbing her eyes, she half stumbled into the small bathroom and left the light off as she turned on the cold faucet. Scooping handfuls of water into her mouth, she let the water run over her wrists until she could no longer take the cold.
"Food, now."
Gathering up her shoulder length dark brown hair into a ponytail, she pulled it through the black elastic twice before grabbing her black zip up hooded sweatshirt. Tucking her wallet and phone into her pocket, she stuffed her passport and laptop under her mattress before grabbing the room key.
The room was equipped with a double hotplate, small fridge, toaster, french press and kettle, though it had been the first topic of communication right after she had handed over her credit card to pay for the one-week accommodation.
(Flashback)
"We provide the instruments, but not any food. There is a Tesco about five minutes away on Old Brompton."
"Just enough for the week" she reminded herself as she pulled the door closed behind her. Bounding down the staircase, she nearly collided with a young girl dressed entirely in black. Muttering a quiet apology, she caught sight of the girl's black painted lips before she noticed the black luggage at her feet, littered with spider and bat stickers.
"You are sharing a room actually, with that girl there."
Hearing the housekeeper's voice, Eli gave a weak smile as she took in the girl's gothic appearance.
"Can you help me with my luggage?"
…
Thirty minutes later…
"My name is Jessica, you are from Canada?"
Hearing the question from the bathroom, Eli nodded her head as she shoved her hands into her sweater pockets.
"Yes."
"I've never been. Hopefully one day."
Moving her eyes over the woman as she exited the bathroom adjusting the black lace fingerless gloves that she wore over her hands, Eli jutted out her chin as she tightened her fingers around her wallet.
"I like your outfit."
Narrowing her eyes as she adjusted the black corset around her waist, Jessica took a step backwards and held out her hands.
"It's a lifestyle, not just an outfit" she spoke. "It's called steampunk."
Whatever floats your boat
"I'm heading out to get some food…"
"I'll join you if you don't mind."
…
Old Brompton Road, London, England…
6:34pm
Feeling the cold raindrops running down the back of his neck from the brim of his red fedora, Alucard leaned his shoulder against the brick of the building as he kept himself shielded in the alleyway.
I crave the thrill of a hunt
It has been so long…
Staring through the lenses of his ever-present sunglasses, the vampire ran the tip of his tongue against the sharpness of his left fang as a rumble of thunder sounded in the late afternoon sky. He blinked not once as the crowds moved past the mouth of the alley, oblivious to his presence.
Straightening up to his full nearly seven feet in height, the vampire suddenly blinked quickly as he breathed in deeply.
Found one
Keeping his eyes trained on the wet pavement, he listened to the woman's approaching footsteps as he closed his eyes, singling out the set of steps.
"How long are you in London for?"
Hearing Jessica's question as she quickly moved aside to avoid colliding with a small child, Eli threw her eyes to her immediate right at the mouth of the alley and felt her lips parting as she caught sight of a tall elegantly dressed man who slowly peered over the top of his unnecessary sunglasses with a low growl.
Good evening
Feeling Jessica's arm bumping into her shoulder, Eli looked down to the toes of her wet Blundstone boots before looking back to the alleyway.
He's gone
"Judging by the sky, I'd say it's going to start pouring rain before we get into the shops."
…
Dumping her grocery haul onto the narrow cupboard beside the double hotplate, Eli shook off her soaking wet sweater and boots before moving over to her backpack and carry on. Digging for a dry pair of tights and her University of Toronto grey hoodie, she peeled off her socks and changed in front of the rain pelted window.
"I'm going to take a hot bath."
Nodding her head as she watched the door close, Eli caught sight of a flash of lightening from the sky as she threw up the glass pane. Hearing the steady rain falling and pinging off of the street lamps and metal garbage cans in the street, she leaned her folded arms on the ledge and stared up into the sky, watching the flashes as they lit up around the edges of the dark clouds.
Good evening
Blinking quickly as she remembered the rich, deep accented voice that she had heard in her head hours previous, Elisabeta moistened her lips as she heard Jessica's low singing from the closed bathroom.
Were his eyes…red?
How, did I hear him speak to me?
His lips, never moved.
…
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