A/N: Hello there. Thank you for checking out this fanfiction. I apologize if this first chapter is a bit vague, but I promise everything will be explained later and if you have questions, feel free to message me.
Other than that, I hope you enjoy it . . . and well, there's really nothing else I can think to say that won't constitute as rambling. So . . . happy reading!
Disclaimer: I don't own and didn't create Hellsing.
London is dreary. I suppose it always has been, even in my thoughts before I knew its streets or the many faces of its people. I had heard countless stories of it in France and in the United States, of its fantastic fashion industry and busy streets. Though no one really mentions the rain clouds—except for those that live there.
I've tried to get used to it for the sake of my friends and family, but I miss the sunlight miserably. The grey mist hanging over my head is a constant reminder of the veil I live under, and how it will never be okay until it is all over.
I can still remember my past before London vividly. It haunts my dreams and plagues me in conversation, for a single word can spark a memory and leave me sidetracked. It hurts rabidly when the holes are reopened, and it is excruciating to try and hide that pain from others—especially when I'm reminded in the middle of a session with my unit.
I can't erase the thought of my legs being severed from my mind, or losing my left arm. I can't wriggle myself free of the anguish I felt or how I nearly went into convulsions from it. I suppose that there are some things you never forget, even if you get a second chance.
Still, I've gone through a few months here at Hellsing and have succeeded in using my new alias to its fullest. No one here knows of my past besides me, and I guess that's a good thing. I'm sure that Sir Integra should know a bit more than my name and rank, though.
All anyone seems to know is that I'm Lieut. Lynette Aurelle, and that I'm an American with a French accent (which is a long story I am saving for later). They may also know that I have a grudge against vampires for making my life a living hell from birth, and I'm fairly strong for my age and height. However, that's about it.
So, I'll attempt to fill you in, beginning with my start here in Hellsing.
"I can't believe you! You are so narrowminded!" I could barely keep my voice from turning into a shrill shout.
"I am not narrowminded. I just have more experience than you. Take this advice, girl—you don't look fit for this life," he tried convincing me, but I wasn't going to stand it.
"Oh, really? Well, if you had seen me just a year ago, you would have—" I stopped myself mid-sentence. No, no one was supposed to know about that, at least not yet . . . maybe he wouldn't notice.
"I would have what, girl?" Damn it, he caught me. Think, think. . . .
"You simply would have been shocked." I wasn't supposed to lie, I remembered; freedom from sin was essential and above all else. That was going to make this hard on me—I was a rather impressive liar normally, and my coverups had saved my ass more than just a few times.
He seemed satisfied with my answer, as if I had proven his assumptions correct. I switched the subject before I slipped up on the whole lying deal.
"Anyway, I'm not an NCO, Capt. Bernadette, so would you please address me correctly?"
"My apologies, Lieut. Aurelle. It slipped my memory, with you looking nothing more than a foot soldier." He smirked again. "And I'm also superior to you."
I scowled. "That must make you so proud, to have a higher rank than a girl. Congratulations."
Suddenly, my best friend of nearly a decade, Vanessa Pierpont, whirled on weightless feet to my side. I suppose I didn't mention her earlier . . . she is the one other person that knows of my earlier life.
She looked at the captain with prying eyes.
"Nice pick," she whispered in her phantasmal breath, unseen by everyone but me.
With that in mind, I decided to ignore her. The last anyone needed was to think the new lieutenant was mentally unstable by claiming to see and associate with ghosts. No one would likely believe me, thereon ending my career. I would be locked in an asylum in one of those tight, unbearable straitjackets and fed pills until I truly did go mad—from the medication and treatment. I might even start begging for a kitten, though I'd probably be only allowed flies and spiders into my room, which I would eat appropriately for some type of nourishment.
I may become the female embodiment of Renfield, basically, though I doubt any doctors in the psychiatric ward would be as kind or intrigued as John Seward.
No, I did not think I wanted anyone to know of Vanessa.
. . . .That sums up my first day, I might say, with the exception of various dully regular events. The only part I left out was my encounter with Hellsing's prized wildcard. Just meeting him sent chills down my spine. . . .
We met in the hallway, when I was walking toward my room for the night. My body was worn from the stressing commencement of a career for a probable few years, and I knew the days following would not be any easier. I could feel my feet beginning to drag along the glossy, waxed, paneled flooring.
I think he tried sneaking up on me and, despite the years I've spent trying to fend off heinous beings, I was caught off-guard. I nearly jumped out of my scruffy army boots.
"You're the mysterious new lieutenant?" I could hear the grin in his voice as my stomach began to scrunch.
I calmed myself before responding.
"Yes, and I hear you're the vampire of whom everyone is so terrified." I couldn't keep my tone from sounding condescending, or my feet from moving closer to my destination.
"I do suppose that is true." He was close behind me and matched my clanking heels with complete silence. "Though your heart isn't racing nearly as fast as I would expect of a human."
I sneered, "I guess you don't scare me all that much."
"Death doesn't scare you, Lieut.?" This seemed to amuse him.
"No, death does not scare me. Life is horrifying enough on its own." I retorted, "And you are not death, Sir, though it is that which you exude."
He guffawed. "Bold words for a newcomer . . . then again, the French do seem to have an inflated view of themselves—I suppose it is acquired at conception. The mere embryos are superior in race."
"I'm American." Jerk.
". . .With that accent?"
I finally reached my door—"Goodnight, Sir"—and promptly slammed it in his face.
"The nerve!" My jaw was clenched, I realized, so I let out a deep breath to relax it. "Calm down, Lieut. It's just another leech—you can handle it."
"I'm a 'leech?' A bit more sophisticated than bloodsucker, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to disagree. I'm not your average vampire, Lieut."
I nearly jumped from my skin before I whirled around to glare. "How on Earth did you get in here?"
He grinned—his teeth were an uncannily dazzling white. "I told you I'm extraordinary."
I unsuccessfully attempted to stifle a grimace. "If you're so wondrous, feel free to dismiss yourself the same way you found your way in, Mr. Extraordinary."
"That's quite all right. The night is young, it's a beautiful evening, and our conversation has only just begun. I don't know why Miss Hellsing isn't quite sure about you—I'm starting to like you already."
Oh, that's exactly how I feel about you, I murmured mentally.
"Huh, that's strange," he mumbled in dissatisfaction. I didn't care enough to ask.
"Getting back to the point: the night is young to you, Sir, but it is growing fiercely old to me. Unlike you, I don't have the privilege of sleeping all day. I don't mean to be rude," I stretched the truth a bit but not worthy of punishment, "but I'm exhausted and I tend to be a right bitch when I am."
"I couldn't tell."
"Hilarious. Now could you leave before I start getting very angry? I was told before it's not healthy for my blood pressure."
"Why, of course."
His smile did not fade as he added, "I would not want you to sacrifice your immaculate well-being by being irritated with my presence. I know how us vampires have a tendency to put fragile humans in danger simply by speaking to them."
I gritted my teeth and tried to ignore the mockery. "Then you understand."
"I believe I do." He reached out a hand and essayed a palm on my shoulder before leaving, but I flinched away and backed to my closet—I was not about to let a vampire touch me, let alone one like this.
He didn't look offended. "Sweet dreams, Lieut. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other."
I can't wait. I glowered as he dematerialized through my wall and left me to myself in the hollowly lit room. I could already tell this ordeal was going to be bundles of fun.
On that thought, I carelessly ignored the tension at the base of my neck and free-fell onto the bed. The soft mattress cushioned the impact of my body, and said comfort erased my concern for the gunpowder-scented clothes I wore and the tightness of my boots.
Before I knew it, I had fallen victim to my dark subconscious.