A/N: Sorry for the delay. Open Office quit on me and no matter what I tried, I couldn't get it working again. Downloading a new version did nothing and I don't have Microsoft Office, so I had no choice but to spend the day reformatting my computer completely. Anyway, here's the new chapter. Read and enjoy.
Three
"No! Leave me alone! Help me! Master! Master, no! Help me! Please, help me! Help me!!"
"No!" the vampire yelled, bolting awake. He glanced quickly around his darkened room, fully expecting to see his dream playing out before him, making him relive that awful day over and over again. He was surprised to realize that he'd been crying in his sleep again, tears of precious blood dripping down his face and into his hand.
"Just a dream," he muttered into the darkness. "But that same one again? When will it end?"
He'd lost all desire to rest. The screams from his dream haunted him, plagued him all the time, reminding him of his failure in the past. Whenever he awoke from that dream when it decided to show itself in his head in his vulnerable sleep, he always shed precious blood tears. He was unable to help it. He'd failed. He'd failed. Those agonizing screams, pleas for help he was unable to give. The reminder of his bitter failure ate away at him.
He sighed and rubbed his eyes wearily, unusual for a vampire of his caliber. He glanced over at the wall dividing his chamber with that of his young apprentice, Seras Victoria. He got to his feet and moved to the wall, feeling his body slowly grow lighter. In two seconds, he was transparent. In four seconds, he moved to touch the wall, his hand passing through it into the empty space beyond. He slowly moved against the stone, effectively crossing the barrier into Seras's chamber. He found her sound asleep on her bed, the lid still raised. He moved to the center of the room, watching her. Turning to her table sitting a few feet away from him, he noticed that the blood bag was half empty, the bowl still holding a tiny pool of it in its center. He sighed and shook his head with a small smile. At least she'd been trying, he had to give her credit for that. He of all people knew that becoming a full-fledged vampire was a slow process and took some time and patience to do it correctly.
With this in mind, he moved over to Seras's bed and sat down on the edge, watching her sleep. He wasn't sure why, but that dream had made him realize exactly how important Seras's role was in this drama.
"Foolish youngster," he muttered. "That's right; be thankful you have a master who won't abandon you, not until you're ready to be abandoned. You'd better understand this, Police-Girl, because there's nothing I hate more than having to repeat myself."
Seras moaned in her sleep and turned over with a sigh. He just chuckled and stood up, moving back to the wall and slowly dissipating through it. Once back in his own chamber, he sat down in his chair with a sigh and folded his arms. He figured he'd try to sleep again and hedge his bets on one of the more bearable nightmares this time around.
It was going to be a long wait until sundown.
//ooo//
Integra waited impatiently. She'd summoned Alucard over a half an hour ago. Just what in the world was he doing to take so long? She stared out the window, hands folded behind her back as she watched the moon slowly reach its majestic zenith in the sky, illuminating the earth in its soft, stolen glow. Times like this almost made her forget all of the misery she'd endured over the years, all of the lives lost because of her. Her spot in hell was assured, this she was aware of. But even so, she never forgot her pride as a Hellsing. Or, the Hellsing family's darkest legacy.
"Speak of the devil," she muttered at the familiar presence entering her office through the wall. Integra turned. Alucard's face was shadowed beneath his hat so that only his eerie glasses could be seen reflecting the moonlight wafting into the room.
"You summoned me, my master?" he murmured.
"Yes," Integra said as seriously as she could, sitting down at her desk. She decided to overlook how late he was in arriving "And you'd better answer everything I'm about to ask you,"
"If it's within my vast store of knowledge, I'll do my best," he replied. Integra didn't bother to read between the lines. Alucard would answer only if it suited his fancy to answer. Even ten years later, he was still as irritating as ever. Integra had to wonder if that was part of the reason he'd been locked up in the dungeons for so long to begin with. She sighed, deciding where to begin.
"Alucard, have you heard from any of your fledglings recently?"
Alucard froze. Integra knew she'd probably hit a sore spot. But the strings of abandoned fledglings attacking humans was just getting worse. Alucard was her best bet at solving this dilemma.
"Alucard?" she pried.
"I haven't," he answered, his voice betraying nothing. "As you well know, once a fledgling has drunk the master's blood, they are forever freed from them."
"Yes, but I believe that two of your four known fledglings were different," Integra muttered, turning and taking out a cigar and lighting it. She chanced a look at Alucard. His face showed no emotion as he replied. "Different?" he said.
"Don't play dumb, Alucard," Integra warned, "Two of them were never released, Seras Victoria included. Is that right?"
"Yes, that is correct. Two of them drank my blood and left."
"And what of the other two?"
Alucard smirked, "I'm sure you're aware of Seras Victoria, Integra" Alucard chimed. Integra rolled her eyes. "Yes, I know that Seras is still your apprentice and probably will remain that way for a long time, perhaps long after I'm gone. I wouldn't be surprised, seeing how clumsy she is. I'm talking of the other one."
Here, Alucard's face darkened and Integra knew that she'd probably tread too deep into the matter. For a vampire, Alucard was surprisingly sensitive about his past. He adamantly refused to tell his master how he even came to be a vampire in the first place or what he was like before his transformation, much less who he even was. Considering this, it was only natural he wouldn't want to talk about his previous fledglings.
"Alucard, I'm only asking you about them because the bunch of you might be able to figure out what the motive behind the creation of these new vampires is. You're the only vampire I know who has turned and successfully raised four fledglings, two of whom are still alive today."
"What was that?" Alucard asked, tilting his head. Integra interlocked her fingers beneath her chin and sighed, staring at her desk. "I suppose that you wouldn't have known this, given that they were freed from you. Your second and third fledglings have been killed by the Iscariot Organization, Alucard. But your first and fourth survive, although the former's location is yet to be verified."
"I see, then," Alucard said, "So then you're asking me to track the first down and recruit her help in the matter of dealing with the erratic number of abandoned fledglings?"
"Yes. Do you have any idea where she is?" Integra asked. To her surprise, Alucard started chuckling and pulled his glasses from his eyes, fixing her with a smug stare.
"Actually, Seras and I ran into her the other night," he replied. Integra's eyes widened and she gasped. "What!?"
"Oh, did I neglect to inform you? My deepest apologies, master," Alucard said, still chuckling, "But I'm afraid that we didn't actually kill the vampire. Wynter did."
Integra glared at him fiercely for withholding this important information. Then, she sighed heavily and sat down. "All right, so your fledgling killed the vampire. At least now we know her whereabouts. Did she recognize you?"
Alucard shrugged. "Of course, as did I. We're still connected, you realize," he said. But his tone had gone deeper and Integra could tell that he wished to cease talking, now. She hummed and turned to a stack of paperwork she'd been procrastinating on. "Thank you, Alucard, that will be all," she said.
He turned to go without a word. Before he could leave, however, Integra called out to him, "Alucard, wait a second,"
He paused at the door without turning around. "Yes, Integra?" he mumbled.
"I apologize for bringing Wynter up. I understand that you dislike speaking of her. I don't know your reasons, whatever they may be, but try to understand that we're on the verge of a mild crisis and we're going to need all the information we can get. Am I clear?"
He turned, grinning as he put his glasses back on. He tipped them forward, peering out at her with a single visible red eye. "Transparently," he replied. He turned and left without another word. Integra stared after him, suddenly depressed. She and Alucard bickered constantly, but every time she thought of her unusual servant, she could feel only gratitude. He'd saved her life on more than one occasion, the first being on the day they met when she broke into his cell to escape from her uncle. Ever since that day, they'd shared a strange relationship similar to father and daughter, or brother and sister, or perhaps even something else entirely. With this, Integra sensed and understood what Alucard was sometimes thinking. She'd discovered his secret about his fledglings by accident when he mentioned the name Laura. She'd always assumed that that was the name of a fledgling of his, because he'd spoken her name with a kind of parental warmth in his voice.
But the mysterious first fledgling, Wynter, posed a great enigma. The mention of her name caused Alucard obvious stress and Integra didn't care to bring it up if she didn't have to. Besides, she had her hands full with their current problem. Fledgling vampires were turning up faster than she and the Hellsing organization could eliminate them. Even the Iscariot Organization was having difficulties. Somewhere out there, someone or something was creating fledgling after fledgling and then carelessly abandoning them to fend for themselves. The result was a multitude of villages being annihilated and a mass tidal wave of ghouls sprouting up in their wake. At this rate, the entire English population was going to crumble before they got to the root of the problem.
What's more, the most recent case she'd received that afternoon had reported the disappearance of five girls, all nineteen years old and all now sharing similar physical and mental characteristics. All of them came from wealthy families in the heart of London, they all played some kind of musical instrument and they were all engaged to be married. Integra couldn't be sure, but it almost seemed like the vampire in question was narrowing down his choice of victims to a limited number of people all sharing similar qualities.
"Damn bastard," she hissed, "Just what on earth is he planning?"
//ooo//
Wynter mulled her thoughts over as she sat beside the drained body of her recent victim. She'd fed well and was content to enjoy a little thinking time as she revisited old memories from before. She could still remember her first taste of blood. She could remember how she'd hated it, but found herself unable to stop drinking once told to. Master had told her that blood was an acquired taste, that within a few years, or even months, she'd come to crave it's sickeningly sweet flavor and smooth texture as willingly as her instincts allowed. But he always warned her about this craving, that it was a curse as much as a blessing. If she killed too much, she'd be hunted down. If she killed too little, she'd grow weak and still be hunted down. There was a fine line of mutual respect that existed between vampires and their prey. He'd had a healthy respect for humans and he insisted that she learn the same. At the time, Wynter had been appalled. Her Master couldn't have been serious, she'd thought. But she knew he was truthful. He often traveled through towns to blend with the human populace, despite their fear of his kind. During times like this, he often took her with him, both to further her knowledge and training and to enhance his disguise.
Wynter sighed heavily and glanced at the corpse beside her. It was already beginning to rot. She needed to move before the humans discovered it. Her fangs were delicate and unusually slim. Her bite marks were barely noticeable. Shielding her eyes with her cloak's hood, she peered up through the branches of the trees at the sky. The sun was an hour away from its zenith, the most dangerous time of day for a Day Walker such as herself. Like Alucard, she was pretty much immune to the sun's punishing rays on her dead skin. But while she didn't scorch like so many other vampires in the past, she did suffer severe burns if she allowed herself too much exposure. She smirked as she remembered a bizarre human invention called sunscreen. Perhaps she'd be in favor of giving it a try. If it worked, then the humans were only making it easier for Day Walkers to prowl.
But as Wynter approached the thicker forest, she choked and doubled over suddenly, cupping her hand over her mouth and wrapping an arm around her midsection. Falling to her knees, she gagged violently before throwing up every ounce of blood she'd just consumed. The sound of it sloshing to the ground only made it worse as bloody tears stung her eyes from the exertion. The previously sweet taste had turned foul as she coughed viciously, gasping on reflex, despite her lack of need for air. She sat back, staring dejectedly at the regurgitated blood resting grotesquely on the ground. She had no idea why, but lately, her body had been rejecting certain meals she took in. She tried to see if there was a pattern in the victims. She'd originally thought that alcoholics' blood did it to her and so she stopped preying on unwary drunks emerging from taverns. But this recent man had been a peddler and after watching him for several days, she assured that he wasn't a drunk and never even touched alcohol. But again, she was vexed. Wynter sighed, feeling the familiar torturous thirst returning. She didn't mind too terribly much that her body wasn't regularly accepting the blood, but she did mind having to hunt again that day. As she stepped around the blood and prepared to leave, a vague sense of familiarity hit her. She frowned. "Hm. I almost recall similar instances from my time as a human," she mumbled, "Did I have a weak body then?"
She shrugged and moved on, the incident already forgotten. She was hungry, yet again.
//ooo//
Seras stared down in mild disgust at the fresh blood bag placed in the ice bucket in her room. Even now, a year later, she still hated to drink it. Sure, the taste was growing on her and her body craved it as it had craved air, food and water when she was human, but her remaining humanity remained an ugly reminder of what she'd become.
"Police-Girl,"
Seras shrieked and leaped out of her chair, bounding over to smack against the wall in terror. Alucard watched her bemusedly. Seras glowered fiercely at him and stomped her feet childishly. "Master, don't do that!" she screamed. She sighed heavily, "And please stop calling me that. I have a name,"
Alucard ignored her, choosing to study the bag of blood on the table, waiting to be consumed. Seras followed his gaze and felt a rush of sheepishness flood in. She shook her hands in the air, laughing nervously, "It isn't what it looks like, Master, I was actually just getting ready to eat it," she fibbed.
"Just make it easier on yourself," Alucard said. In other words, "I've been standing here for a while now and you hadn't touched it".
Seras sighed and slid to the floor, curling into a pathetic ball. "I know, I know. It's been almost a year, now. I should be used to it by now,"
Alucard actually smiled. "I always told this same thing to my other fledglings; the taste of blood has to be acquired. It takes longer for some than others," he said. "However, you're right, it has been almost a year. I'm beginning to wonder if you're even cut out for the job, Police-Girl,"
Seras fixed him with a drop-dead stare. "If I could hand in my resignation, I would, Master. But I can see that's not possible. Wait, other fledglings? You mean I'm not the only one?" Seras exclaimed suddenly. Alucard's face turned incredulous. "Really now, where on earth did you get that idea?" he said mirthfully, inclining his head. "Of course you weren't the only one."
"How many other fledglings are there?" she asked curiously.
"Three. But you'd do well not to worry about them. After all, of all four of you, I'd have to say you're definitely the scrawniest by choice,"
Seras shrieked angrily, clambered to her feet and grabbed the chair, hurling it at him furiously. He just chuckled, ducked out of the way in a single smooth movement and reappeared behind her, lashing out and locking his fingers around her neck. Seras froze and not by choice. She found she was suddenly unable to move.
"Master, what the-? What did you do to me?" she practically whined. Alucard chuckled and adjusted his glasses with his free hand. "I've rendered you helpless, Police-Girl. I suggest keeping that temper in check."
"So stop provoking me, Master," Seras grumbled. He released her neck and at the sudden freedom, she yelled and toppled forward. Alucard raised his head, gazing into space. He sighed and grinned at his fledgling. "It seems I'm being summoned. Don't forget to—"
"I know! I know!" Seras shrieked at his retreating form, dissipating into thin air to respond to Integra's call.
Alucard found his master seated at her desk with another large pile of papers. Dark circles lined her eyes and she moved automatically, going through familiar motions with no real or logical thought. He frowned. "You summoned me?" he said.
"Yes," Integra replied without looking up. She handed him a slip of paper. "Take a look at this,"
Alucard moved forward and grasped the paper into his hand. He scanned over it quickly and his eyes widened. "Is this true?" he asked.
"Unfortunately, yes. Thirteen killings. All women, aged nineteen. The vampire has abandoned all human males for his experiments." Integra growled.
Alucard just stared at what he'd read. Nineteen. A rather familiar number that he didn't care to read in harmony with the news of the fledglings.
"Unlike the last case, these women have absolutely nothing in common but their age," Integra said. "Some of them are artists, some of them in schooling, and some of them play musical instruments. Of all of them, only one was engaged this time."
Alucard could hear the masked stress in Integra's voice. He sighed and set the paper back down on the desk. Then, he pulled his Jackal out.
"Fine then, I'll investigate tonight," he declared. Integra scowled and got to her feet, moving around the desk toward him. "I gave you no orders to do so, Alucard! You are to stay here until we've come up with a reasonable plan for this,"
Alucard smiled. "Far be it from me to go against my master's wishes," he said, "But you're barely standing. I could simply brush against you and you'd crumple to the ground."
As he spoke, he tapped her shoulder with his finger. Integra didn't fall, but she shifted a bit, glowering at him. Even eleven years later, he still admired her tenacity, but being human took its toll on her. He always wished she'd allow him to turn her so she could get around such petty human weaknesses like fatigue. But Integra would have none of it. She slapped his hand away. "Your orders are to remain here," she hissed. "Disobey me and you'll suffer the consequences,"
She whirled and stalked back to her desk. "I'm sending out squadron ten to deal with the new fledglings I'm sure we'll receive by tonight, that is if our wayward sire decides to stick to his schedule,"
She shoved a fresh stack of papers closer to her and paused. She seemed to be thinking about something deeply as she hesitated. She looked up and met his gaze, "Alucard," she said, "Actually, I do have something for you to do,"
Apprehensive, but unwilling to break his oath, Alucard didn't take his eyes from her. "What is it?"
"I need you to track down Wynter for us. As I've said before, I don't know your reasons why you avoid speaking of her or the others, but we're going to need her help. She is your fledgling and therefore, a direct successor to your power. The situation is only getting worse and now, I fear we have no other choice."
Alucard regarded her coldly. But he would never go against Integra's orders. Of all his previous masters, he considered himself loyal to Integra more than any other. After all, she would likely be his last master. He tilted his head down, hiding his face. "As you request," he said. "I'll do what I can, on one condition,"
Integra watched him carefully, but he betrayed nothing. He just turned, eying her out of the corner of his eye. "I expect you to be recovered when I return," he said. Integra sighed and pushed her hair from her eyes. "Very well, I'll accept that condition," she said, not entirely planning to, though. She appreciated his concern for her, after all, despite their constant bickering, they were still close. But she knew that the lives of so many people depended on her future actions. Alucard understood that, but she knew better than to voice her qualms aloud to him. He was quick with the argumentative comebacks.
"Stay out of trouble, Alucard," Integra warned as he left. His laughter could be heard reverberating through the hall even as the door closed. Integra sighed and shook her head. "And take care of yourself," she added silently.
//ooo//
Alucard made several attempts to try to locate Wynter telepathically, as he'd done countless times over the past century and a half. But for some reason, after that day, all telepathic response had been severed between them. He could only sense that she was alive, though struggling for some reason. That was all.
He was thirsty and his body was telling him to hunt and slake his thirst. But his honor was stronger than his instinct. Integra had given him not only an order, but also a request. This case was getting more severe by the minute and she was running herself ragged trying to stop it. Alucard forced his instincts aside and focused on the mission at hand; to find Wynter, after more than a hundred years. Vampires were incapable of physical change, but they made mental changes all the time to better adapt themselves to an ever-changing world filled with humans. It made them crafty and was one of the reasons they were so feared by the humans.
He heard the familiar footsteps long before Walter actually appeared in the dimly lit hallway. Walter nodded politely at Alucard, who stopped.
"Good evening, Walter," he said.
"And a very good evening to you, Alucard. I can see you're heading out, so I'd like a moment of your time,"
Alucard followed Walter to the basement sub-level where age old devices and weapons were stored, remnants and relics from a bygone age of Hellsings. Walter took out a wooden box and handed him three fresh magazines. Alucard took them and stored them in his coat.
"Thanks," he said. Walter nodded. "Be careful with those. They're experimental shells containing a higher level of silver content than before. I suspect that they're powerful enough to scorch you, this time."
Alucard smirked, "Not a problem," he said, "I don't expect this job to require bullets."
"If I may ask, what exactly are you doing this time? I'm afraid I was unable to return until just this afternoon,"
"Integra asked me to track down Wynter," Alucard said, his voice just barely concealing...something. Walter couldn't place what he'd heard in the Vampire King's voice right then. He only knew that he'd never heard it before in all the years he'd known him.
"I see," Walter said sternly, "Do you know where to begin looking?"
"No, but I have a fair idea of where she's skulking about," Alucard leered. "She's got a rather unusual aura. She shouldn't be difficult to track down,"
He turned to go, leaving Walter with a confused expression on his face. "Alucard," he said, "If it's so simple to find Wynter, then why have a hundred and fifty-two years passed and you still haven't done so already?"
But Alucard ignored him and continued, leaving Walter behind to stare after him in puzzlement.
A/N: All I can say here is that I hope everyone's still in character. -_-;