Deep Sky

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the marvelous movie, Van Helsing!

Summary: A dark past had torn Dracula and Van Helsing apart, but not for long. He has captured the Hunter, but he did not intend for the Hunter to fall for the Prince instead. In the background, Carl is in search of Van Helsing, and has hidden his true feelings until now... SLASH

WARNING! SLASH included! If you are uncomfortable with these things, you should go elsewhere!

I'll try not to make it very graphical, but it would probably still be PG-13. If not, beware!

NO FLAMES! Or I will cut you to smithereens.

P.S. - Imagine VH and Anna had gone to search Velkan in the evening, lol.

Chapter Three – Do Not Give In To Fear

Carl had been looking through the books provided inside the Valerious tower, and he was devouring the intriguing information into his mind. But most of what he found was about the family's history, and nothing as useful as finding Dracula's whereabouts. Cursing, the Friar stopped flipping through the pages and looked out at the window, the night finally closing in. What was Van Helsing and Anna doing outside? Surely they were both smart enough to come back before the darkness spreads. A look of concern printed itself on his face, biting his lips. Van Helsing didn't know what he really felt for him, and this disturbed his thoughts lately. Hiding the truth from the Hunter was hard, and slowly his restraints were slipping.

Gripping the book tightly in his hands, Carl looked outside again. The light was nowhere to be seen, the darkness now spread out and covering the lands of the village. A flicker of fear now sparked inside Carl's eyes. What if something had happened to the Hunter and the Gypsy Princess? This made him shiver terribly.

You're being silly... Van Helsing can take care of himself... A voice called inside his head, but Carl was unconvinced. Can he? Carl thought doubtfully. Although Van Helsing was good with his skills and his hunter's instincts were high up, Carl knew he can be foolish. After all, he knew Van Helsing more then anyone. Or so he thought.

What if... What if... What if? Carl couldn't help but say the words over and over again. If he was wrong, then he will have ignored his own instincts. Looking down at the book in front of him, Carl stared at it. Then his eyes went up at the window. Before he could stop himself, he was already moving, willing himself to go in search of Van Helsing and Anna Valerious.

x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x

Carl had wandered through the night, bringing with him his inventions that Van Helsing had left behind in the Valerious Manor. He was rather irritated that the Hunter had not brung it with him, but on the other hand thanked him for leaving them so Carl himself can use them if he were ever in danger. And I shall probably in need of them if Van Helsing and the Princess were captured... his thoughts trailed off as he thought of the last few words that came up in his mind. …Or if they were murdered. This thought hurt Carl so much he winced horribly, shivering from what he convinced himself was the cold.

Wrapping his brown Friar cloak around him for warmth, his eyes searched out through the village, holding one candle in his hand. The night was silent, and not one living thing seemed to be breathing. Carl felt as if he was all alone in this world, and he hated it. Like a frightened child, he walked out of the Valerious Tower, looking back almost longingly for the warmth, safety and the books. But he wouldn't let himself shrink back. Although fearing for his own safety, the Friar looked at the forests that surrounded the village. Pursuing his lips, Carl thought of where to go. How would he be able to find Van Helsing and Anna when he didn't hear about where they were exactly headed? He thought deep, digging through the memories that were once fresh, slowly turning stale...

Flashback

"Where are you going?" Carl asked, a surprised expression on his face as he looked towards Van Helsing and Anna. Anna was in a hurry to grab stakes and knives, along with her Saber. A desperate look had grown onto her face, and although her tears had dried, Carl could see a hint of moisture revealed easily in daylight. Her eyes were more focused on her tools then at Carl as Van Helsing looked at Carl with a hastened slim smile. "We are going to go after Velkan. We'll be back soon... It may take awhile, but we'll come back..." Somehow there was less confidence inside Van Helsing's tone, and this made Carl look worriedly towards the Hunter. Anna, meanwhile, had finished getting ready, and was watching closely at the two of them. Somehow it showed a look of intrigue inside, along with a sadness that almost told a story of her past lessons. As if they were not coming back as Van Helsing was saying now.

"I don't want you to go, Van Helsing. You said Velkan is tainted with the curse, what would happen to you if the change gets a hold of him? No one can stop a beast buried within a man..." Carl spoke softly, avoiding the gaze of the Princess, who was on a verge to argue. But Van Helsing stopped her and he leaned towards Carl, giving him a soft smile. "I'll be back. Don't worry, my friend."

End of Flashback

"'I'll be back...' Liar..." Carl muttered as he bit his lip, sighing. Now he was lost. He was worried sick for the two of them, but mostly for the Hunter. His eyes looked rather hopelessly towards the forest, and then caught sight of something unusual. It was a Castle, and although there was no light that seeped from inside, it looked like it had been built quite recently. His instincts immediately told him to follow it, but the Friar hesitated. Fear continued to dwell in his gut. But sucking in a deep breath, he made himself investigate, running through the forest in search of the Castle in question.

x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x

Carl gaped at the Castle. It was huge, and although it was gray and almost lifeless looking, he was drawn to it, as if someone had put a spell on the Castle. Running through the forest had not been a very good idea, and he knew. He was now tired and hungry, cold sweat sticking on his clothes. But perhaps it was worth the trouble. Carl continued to gap but slapped himself, pulling away from the reverie. Wake up, Carl! You have a task to attend to!

But the haunting presence of the Castle made Carl back away a little. Gulping, he forced himself to move on, if it were for Van Helsing and Anna's sake. He pushed the door open slowly, and it creaked horribly, making the Friar jump out of his skin. It was like he had just dived into a really terrifying nightmare, only it was real. Beads of sweat started to form on his forehead as he walked in. He saw that not only was it truly deserted, but it was a mess. There were broken machinery everywhere, littering the floor. Cobwebs strewn itself on the walls, and there were dirty puddles that pooled like little streams on the ground.

What could have possibly happened here? Carl thought, disbelievingly. Now he was determined to find out. He had definitely come to the right place. He could feel it in his gut. They had been here. The Friar couldn't guess if Dracula had, but he was certain that Van Helsing and the Princess had.

Avoiding the puddles and the broken machinery as best as he can, Carl ran, running through the halls for any evidence of their mark. If they had been captured, there would have been something that would have been left behind. Carl whimpered at the thought. No... Van Helsing wouldn't have died... He is strong... And Anna, she is also brave... Foolish, like Van Helsing maybe... but strong, Carl thought, reassuring himself. He went up through a deserted foyer that looked as if it was swept clean. His eyes narrowed at the notion, and the Friar thought it would be a good thing to investigate. And so he did, looking for something that will help him find Van Helsing and the Princess. Then something caught his eyes, and a horrified gasp escaped him.

Carl ran towards it, as if his life depended on it, as he grabbed the thing on the floor, brushing off the dirt as tears were brought up his eyes. Lips trembled as he continued to stare at it, lost for words.

It was Van Helsing's hat.

No.. No... It's not true! He didn't die! If he did, I would have found his corpse! The voice spoke frantically in his mind as Carl's mind screamed the Hunter's name. Van Helsing!

"I'm going to find you, Van Helsing. I'll free you..." Carl spoke softly, hugging the hat. Now his mind pulled at the thought of Anna. What could have happened to her? Fearing the worst, Carl's eyes widened as he ran through where he came, finding the flight of stairs as he pulled himself further and further up until he was on the roof. There he saw something that he would rather have not seen.

It was Anna, and she was pale as death, which technically might have been the case. Her body was sprawled onto the ground, her curly hair spread in all directions. But what cleared Carl's theory was the wound on her neck. Something had cut her throat, and she didn't even have a chance to attack nor escape. The tears that had stayed hidden now poured down his cheeks like a river as he wept, for both Anna and Van Helsing, dropping onto his knees.

"Oh lord. Oh my god..." Carl whispered repeatedly, eyes wide from all the shock as tears continued to escape freely. What was he going to do now? How can he, a mere Friar, could possibly be able to do for Van Helsing? If he had Anna, perhaps he would have stood a chance. But without her, he was lost.

You have the knowledge to uncover the secrets of the Valeriouses past. You hold the keys. You must be the one to open the door, or the answer will stay hidden. You will be blinded. The voice in his head continued as Carl sniffled. You will be blinded by grief, from the precious things that were stolen from you. Anna would have wanted Dracula defeated. For her sake, and for Van Helsing's. Find the lock on the doors that will fit with your keys...

Somehow, these wise sentences gave Carl the courage to move on. Sniffling once again, he wiped away the last of his tear and stood up. Yes... He will find Van Helsing, and will destory the Vampire that stole the Hunter from him. Looking down at Anna, he realized she would need a proper burial.

"For love..." Carl whispered, looking up at the starless sky.

A/N: YAY! (: Finished Chapter Three! Hoped you enjoyed! XD I loved writing this chapter, just loved it! My imagination just flowed through! It was awesome:D Thank you so much to Poppy Cotton of Underhill for the support you have shown for this story! -hugs- THANK YOU SO MUCH! XD Just seeing your review makes me smile! Thank you once again! (; Please review, and I shall update soon!