Carrie looked around, startled. There was no wind aside from her exhale, but even the candles behind her had gone out. From a room that lead to a second entrance of the garden maze a maid emerged. Carrie's hands lit up, and she prepared herself for a fight.
"Oh dear." the woman spoke in a strong french accent and seemed disinterested in Carrie, "They all went out again at once?" and then one by one the woman approached them and lit them up with a bit of fire magic. Once Carrie could clearly see her face, it was quite obvious she was a creature of the night. Her face was drained of life. She ignored Carrie as she went to light the other side of the room. After doing so, she promptly vanished into mist.
Carrie was somewhat bewildered, but this wasn't the first time a vampire did no harm to her. She supposed not all of them were bad, perhaps some were victims of unfortunate circumstances.
A pair of strong arms slipped around her neck gently, startling Carrie. She immediately ducked down, slipping out of their grip, and moved away from them.
"Carrie?" An average looking man who was well-dressed looked puzzled. He had brown hair and hazel colored eyes, "What are you doing in this place?"
Carrie was shocked as she turned to face him, remembered his voice clearly, "A-Alonzo?!"
"Who else would I be?" He held out his arms, "Come here! Let me give you a hug, its been such a long time!"
Carrie looked over him in disbelief, "Y-You vanished!" She was absolutely stunned.
"Oh yes," he put his arms down, "I did, I suppose." he seemed somewhat ashamed.
"How did you get here? Why are you here?"
"Well, I remember that I was on my way to visit the neighboring village, since I had to deliver medicine, I'm sure you remember, when a beautiful woman stopped and asked for a ride into town." he smiled, "Of course I helped her, being the gentleman than I am..." he took a breath, "and I'm not really sure how...but, I woke up here."
"Were you injured?" Carrie had heavy concern on her face.
"Not that I could tell, but I do remember a nasty headache. I was visited by that same woman shortly after arriving here, however. She informed me that I could not leave, but I could have whatever I liked-"
"How have you survived here all this time? This place is full of ghosts and demons!" Carrie expressed.
"I'm not sure why but, nothing here has really bothered me...and the ghosts have some very interesting stories to tell if you become bored." he chuckled.
Carrie was absolutely puzzled. Alonzo wasn't much of a liar, but how could this man just stay here in this place unharmed?
"Oh!" Alonzo pointed at her hand, sounding a bit excited, "You still have my ring!"
"Oh, yes...I do." She quickly covered it with her other hand as if it were an embarrassing scar.
"You still wore it after all this time?" Alonzo carried a soft expression, one filled with hope.
"Yes...well...it got stuck, really." Carrie spoke somewhat softly. She could no longer make eye contact with him.
There was a moment of silence between them.
"Its alright." Alonzo broke it, "I don't expect you to wait around for me quite that long, even if you're wearing such a thing."
Carrie smiled very lightly,she was nervous, "Yeah..."
"Is there anyone else?" he asked curiously, "I mean, you haven't been too awful lonely this entire time?"
"No, not really." Carrie answered, "I haven't really felt I've had the time." she lied. It was, of course, easier not to become involved in relationships.
The man's face showed another tiny glimmer of hope, "I see."
"Well, its just that I'm not sure about settling down quite yet, you know." Carrie was sure to inform him of this, "Settling down is a very big decision and certainly not one to be taken too rashly."
"Carrie, you shouldn't wait too long to make a decision like that one. Who will support you?" Alonzo appeared concerned.
"I'll be just fine." Carrie frowned at the man, "I've been fine all this time."
"Yes but you've had Malus this entire time. It is a man's world, you know."
"Perhaps it is, but I will not let that stop me!" She insisted.
"But what are you going to do when Malus finds a bride? Its very difficult for a single woman to survive in the wold on her own." Alonzo spoke truthfully and with care.
"I know that. I am strong, I assure you. I've had to be strong since I was just a child." she informed him, "I can do it, have some faith in me."
"Carrie." he stepped close to her, "Let me take you as my bride. We can have everything we want here. I missed you, dearly." he reached out to cup her cheek in his hand, "Its not that I wanted to stay here..."
Carried stepped back away from him, "Alonzo, I do appreciate what you're trying to do but this place is full of evil. Don't you know who's castle this is?"
"Oh I know, the ghosts have told me such a long time ago. Its Dracula's, right? The old fool hasn't been in this castle for years from what the maids told me." Alonzo smiled, "There is nothing to worry about, its just a bit on the creepy side."
"You honestly have no idea what kind of danger you're putting yourself in." Carrie said to him.
"Perhaps not..." Alonzo sighed and looked to her with sorrow, "I'm stepping outside for a little while. I haven't been able to sleep, and came down for some fresh air." He moved to the side of her, "Excuse me, please."
Carrie observed as he opened the front door and exited.
The room was silent again.
She stood and thought about the situation for a few minutes before continuing her quest.
Carrie then walked to the back of the room, inspecting it. She stopped behind the stairs and crossed her arms. She wasn't sure she could trust Alonzo right now. He seemed mostly the same, though the man looked as if he were physically stronger than she remembered. Then again, not every detail was easy to remember after so long.
She stepped out from behind the stairs and looked at the front door. She felt it was best to stay indoors for the time being. She stepped back up the stairs and back through the hallway to the rose garden.
She opened the door to the rose garden, a creaking sound emitting from its hinges.
"I heard one of the maids speaking about a human in the villa." a blonde haired woman turned to look at Carrie as she opened the door, "I was hoping it was a hunter, but I did not think I would see a familiar face." Rosa still wore that old red dress she had when Carrie first met her. "I need your help."
Carrie stepped through the doorway and closed the door behind her, "You, a vampire, need my help?"
"Its Reinhardt, you remember that man?" Rosa looked saddened, "A demon must have possessed him."
"He never escaped from the castle?" Carrie was surprised, "How?"
"He was slowed down by the creature in the maze: the gardener. He could not leave. The castle had already vanished from the human's world by the time he could try." Rosa held a mildly happy face which was also filled with compassion and worry, "But he stayed with me. I helped keep him hidden all these years." she then appeared as if she were going to cry, "But someone or something really hurt him a few weeks ago, and he started acting strange. Eventually he just began to wander the villa aimlessly. Suddenly, one day, he just snapped and went outside to the garden maze. I haven't been able to talk to him since then." Rosa wiped her eyes, "The creature roams the maze during the day, but Reinhardt roams it at night."
"Th-that is terrible!" Carrie exclaimed, "I need to head there right away!"
"No. I heard of how you arrived." Rosa took a deep breath, "You need to use this night to rest. I don't know what is going to happen, but you are going to need your energy in top shape." Rosa appeared sincere, "I need you to come back to the rose garden once it becomes dark tomorrow. I heard the key for the maze was hidden in archive room again, but I will not let you have the key for that room until then."
"I'll be here then." Carrie was somewhat annoyed, but she had another matter she wanted to know about, "You know how I arrived here?"
"Yes, I do."
"Then please tell me!" Carrie seemed desperate for information.
"I can't. Its risky. I've already asked too much from you, and gave too much information to you as it is. The walls tend to have ears. Just meet me here again." Rosa faded away immediately, leaving Carrie thirsting for answers.
Carrie quietly observed the garden for a few minutes. If it was Dracula himself who had brought Malus and herself to the villa, would Rosa try to hide something like that? It may have been someone or something else. Carrie slowly made her way back to the bedroom she started in. Before entering she noted that the shadow-glass monsters were still broken in pieces all over the floor. Normally those creatures would have re-formed by now.
She entered and decided to sit on the chair to wait for Malus to return. She had some thinking to do.
"Carrie." a gentle tone escapes from Malus' lips, "Do you care for me?"
"Of course I do." Carrie turns and faces the man.
The two of them were in the dark forest. Ominous clouds made their way across the sky.
Carrie smiles at him, "You've been such a wonderful friend all these years. I don't know what I would have done without you by my side."
Malus looks at her longingly, "Isn't it more than that?" the man approached her.
"W-What do you mean?" Carrie appeared to be a little anxious.
Malus reaches up with one hand and gentle caresses her left cheek, "You are a wonderful woman." he smiles with compassion, "Strong, wise, and yet gentle when you need to be."
Carrie looks to his feet as she feels her face turn hot, "Of course, I had to be."
"Carrie..." Malus gently directs her face upward and their eyes meet, "I need you more than you know."
"W-What?!" Carrie moves away from him.
"Won't you stay with me?" he asks and moves closer to her, "For the rest of our lives?"
Carrie stares at him, "I don't know..."
"Why don't you know?" Malus brushes some of her hair back, "Are you afraid?"
"Afraid? Of what?" Carrie instinctively hugs her arms to her chest as she feels uncomfortable about the topic.
"You don't want to get too much closer, do you? Everything seems to go wrong when you become close." he looked sad.
Carrie felt tears welling up, "I believe no such thing."
"You don't have to lie to me." Malus insists, "Its okay to admit the truth. Perhaps we may work things out. You know: I'm strong." he holds out his arms, "Please? Just relax. Its okay, really."
Carrie glances at him before simply leaning against his chest.
His arms wrap around her tightly, "See now? Its not so bad..."
"Malus?"
"Yes?"
"I do like you."
"Yes?"
"A lot."
"I know..." Malus gently lifts her head from under her chin, "I've known for quite some time."
Carrie locks her gaze with his own. As their eyes meet she feels as if she notices a thirst of passion. How long had that been there? How long was he waiting?
Malus slowly moved in for her face, gently meeting his lips with her own.
Carrie goes slightly rigid, but relaxes soon after and closes her eyes. It takes a second or so to realize something was off. Why were his lips so cold? They were cold as snow.
Carrie feels Malus back away. She opens her eyes. A frightening, scaly dragon's face stares back at her. She falls to the ground with great surprise.
The long necked dragon pulls its head back, it takes a breath and sends flames to burn her to ash.
Carrie awoke with a start. She observed the room. She must have fallen asleep while she was waiting. The door to the hallway creaked open to reveal Malus. He was carrying a cloth of sorts; it looked like he stuffed it with something.
"Oh good morning." Malus smiled at her as she stood.
"I slept for that long in that chair?" Carrie stretched her arms and body.
"Yeah, I thought about waking you up so you could use the bed but you looked so peaceful..." Malus explained, "Anyway, I brought some food. It smells like its still good."
He spread the cloth open on the foot of the bed, "I've already had something to eat, so its yours." Carrie sat on the side of the bed, "Thank you, Malus. I really do appreciate it." she smiled a smile filled with relief. He was okay. It was all just a dream, but she did wonder about it.
"Its just bread and cheese, but its better than going hungry." Malus took the chair and brushed some of his hair from his eyes, "Did you sleep well at least?"
Carrie swallowed some of it, "Yes, better than I thought I would in a chair. Though my neck feels a bit stiff."
"I'm glad." Malus watched her eat for a moment, "Odd, isn't it? That there would be fresh food in a place like this?"
"I ran into Alonzo last night."
"Alonzo? Here?" Malus was surprised at this news, "Surely you didn't trust him."
"I don't. He claims he is unharmed, but I don't have any reason to suspect anything wrong, yet."
"Yeah, I wouldn't turn my back on him even for a second. You just don't know what might happen in a place like this."
"Indeed." Carrie ate slowly. Her head was still in a dreamy fog, she was silent for a minute.
"Carrie. You seem distant." He looked at her curiously.
"Oh? I'm sorry. I suppose I'm still a bit tired."
"Its alright." Malus yawned, "So, what should we do today?"
"I'm not quite sure." Carrie answered, "but I need to return to the rose garden after the sun sets. The vampire woman there has requested my assistance."
"Oh? A vampire, really?" Malus was intrigued.
"When I entered the castle the first time, it wasn't just myself alone." Carrie explained, "Henry Oldrey and Reinhardt Schneider also entered."
"Oh yes you told me about that years ago." Malus stated, "Henry's job was to rescue kidnapped children. Reinhardt and yourself split up at some point."
"And I made it to Dracula first." Carrie said, "I never did see either of them as we escaped. Anyway, its about Reinhardt. She said that he's been here this entire time and that recently he started acting strange. He's been roaming the garden maze at night and she hasn't been able to talk to him. She said something about him being possessed."
"So she wants you to go after him?" Malus asked.
"Yes." Carrie nodded, "However, we have no holy water. I'm not quite sure how we're going to save him." she bite her lower lip in thought, "Perhaps we could try to knock him unconscious."
"I'm not quite sure if that will work for possession, but anything is worth a try." Malus commented, "We'll just have to try our best."
Author's Note: Hey again! So I'm working on this bit by bit as I have time. I really don't intend on new characters being personal OCs, but I did need to invent them to move the story along.
Hopefully I'll have another update done in a timely manner, but I can't make promises. I am determined to finish this so an update will come regardless.
