Syrena woke up with a yawn, rubbing her eyes lazily. She sighed and swung her long legs to side of the bed, to get ready for another day of touring. She couldn't help but miss her comfy four poster bed and its silky sheets, her collection of books to help her sleep by the bed side. She looked out of the window to see the concrete jungle of London spread everywhere. The streets were busy with the bustling crowd scampering around to get their day started.
'Oh well, it is the last day today' was the thought that comforted her. She showered and put on a simple outfit consisting of a soft fabric, pale blue button up shirt and a dark colored umbrella midi that came down to her knees. She wore leather penny loafers and put up half of her hair in a thin satin ribbon, leaving the rest to cascade down her back, with long and short strands of hair framing her face and covered her forehead.
She padded downstairs to the hotel's restaurant to get some breakfast. Several of her classmates occupied places of the hall, and she smiled at them politely when she saw any familiar faces. She spotted Chris sitting at the corner table with a dark haired boy, Pablo she remembered.
"Bonjour Chris, Pablo" she nodded at them with a slight smile, sitting down. They both greeted her back grinning. "Oh boy, you English guys are just lucky. This is delicious stuff, where you come from, mate" Pablo said in French, delightedly putting a spoonful of pancakes into his mouth.
"You should try the desserts next. It is equally delicious" Syrena said calmly, while looking into the menu. "Sure thing. I can survive on this, eating everyday. All I eat is just lasagna for breakfast" he replied making a funny face.
"I like lasagna" she stated quietly.
" Whoa. Check this out. This is where we are going today. The Weatherby castle" Chris said, showing out a pamphlet which highlighted a grey brick building. It looked more like a haunted mansion actually. Syrena was curious at the look of it, as she hadn't ventured into this one before. Or even heard of it. Strange.
"Yes! Finally we get to see Britain's haunted mansions. Will be something worth it" grinned Pablo. "Looks more like some ruins to me" Chris muttered with a smirk.
The building before her eyes, looked like it came out of those typical mystery thrillers. The gothic style of architecture was not that bad really. It actually looked fascinating. With towering spires, staircases from the roof, and large vaulted doors. And the background it only added more to the mystery mansion. It was located right in the middle of the thick forest, surrounded by large trees everywhere. The left side of the mansion was left in ruins, walls partly standing. The natural area surrounding it highlighted the only building that was there for miles. There was a raucous of chatter among the boisterous group of her fellow classmates, as they pointed out at it awe or scared whispers.
Click
Click
Syrena snapped away some pictures of it, at whatever angle she found to be interesting. "Peeple come on now, vi don't haeve all day" Mr. Rafael beckoned them, walking forward with slight impatience in his aged voice. The silver haired man ushered them together, as they walked inside the mansion. It looked like there was a dark theme everywhere. The walls looked so old that they looked threatening to come crumbling down if any pressure was put on. The paint peeled on the doors, baring the original rough texture of them. The metallic furniture and elements everywhere looked interesting in an old fashioned kind of way. The floor consisted of a red carpet that covered most of it, and continued up the grand curved staircase that stood proudly in the center of the magnificent expanse of the hall. The once dark granite of the floor was a stark contrast to the carpet, which looked old. There was a huge gothic chandelier hanging from the middle of the ceiling. All in all, the group of students were amazed at the unique beauty of it. They pointed out at every corner in exciting whispers and flashes erupted from the camera here and there.
"Stuudents! Come here pleese. Now this is the Weetherby caestle, dating back to early 18th century. I haeve receeved many requeists for you to be able to ventuure yourself freely, so I am going to oblaige by that. But see to it that, no one of yuu gets lost. Vi will meet at the same plaece here ofter sonset. Now off yuu go and learn some heestory by yourself"
The group buzzed into cheerful yeah's and scattered out in groups with their friends, or with a guide to lead them on. Syrena gladly went over by herself see the paintings hanged on the wall. As she walked over slowly watching one by one along the corridor, she stopped at one particular one that caught her eye. Chris stared at the girl for the past five minutes who stood like she was trying not to breathe, immersed in the view of the painting that was hanging on the wall infront of her. So much that it was hard to even decipher what was running through her mind. Her face showed no expression, with her lips parted slightly, and her dark lashes blinking at times. Her large pair of eyes moved over the expanse of the canvas. She stood calmly in a stature with her hands clasped together , her chin raised. Whereas, Chris was mesmerized by the young woman in front of him who looked elegant though she was standing motionless. He sighed inwardly, trying not to call out her name or so to disturb from her thought bubble. He instead tried to see what she wanted to see actually, moving around her, looking through various angles. She did not seem bothered by his curious fluctuation around her as he changed his standing stances and positions.
"You look like you are about to etch it in your mind and paint it when you go back home"
She turned from her frozen stare to the voice beside her, watching Chris look at her with an amused expression on his face. She angled her neck back to the painting of the landscape in oil medium. "I have seen this one before. In the...internet maybe" she mumbled the last words, knowing well it was hanging in the palace before her eyes as used to pass by it everyday. She moved away from the space, shaking her head mentally to the other direction. They walked together exploring, with Chris making funny comments about any interesting things that would catch his eye. She chuckled with him, forgetting all her worries for a moment. She loved the way he carried himself that naturally.
"Wait, we have already been to this hall." Syrena pointed out when they seemed to walk back to where they started. They looked around to see that few students remained around, most of them exploring upstairs rooms.
"Why, you are so right miss Taylor. Then this way please, my lady. The west side of this palace still has to be graced with your beautiful presence" he said in an imitating British accent, bowing with his hand held out, reminding her of a trained soldier. She rolled her eyes at him giving out a sly smile at his funny antics.
"Why, aren't you a charming gentleman Mr. Kenton" she placed her hand in his, making him wink at her. She turned her head to the other side to hide her slightly warmed up cheeks.
Their footsteps resonated through the seemingly empty hallway. The wide vaulted roof ran horizontally without interruption until the roof exposed the open sky in patches here and there. After some more walking into the deep oblivion the daylight poured in at the end of the tunnel. Stepping towards it, a wide open courtyard was revealed. Half of it was in ruins, justifying the outer appearance they saw before. The place looked completely desolated, as though there was no sign of anyone entering it before. The lush greenery was on the other side, indicating the forest.
" Whoa. This place is awesome" Chris grinned at her, touching the patchy textured wall. The space was half surrounded by old skeleton of brick walls, the ground was bare and covered with dirt and patches of dried grass. The other end of the space was completely exposed to the woods. Which was open to the area where they stood. They went over to the wide steps and sat on them.
The sky was becoming darker as they forgot about time, enjoying each other's company. The suns' rays dimmed lowering slowly at the horizon. The cast of orange and bright yellows reflected upon their faces, at where they sat on the stone steps. Joking about things and carrying on the conversation in merry. And so she didn't feel it at first. But when she heard it, she was alerted onto something was seriously off. The dim place suddenly seemed eerie and watchful by something in dark. Her eyes opened wider at the same familiar feeling she felt, only weeks ago. A soft growling which came out as a hiss was heard from the far left. Her head whipped to its source, seeing darkness. And then, something else was there.
Red eyes.
Gleaming in the dark.
"Chris! we should go" she said urgently to him, with a panicked strain in her voice.
"What? Yeah you're right, it's getting late. But what's wrong? You sound like as if you have seen a ghost" he said shifting his eyes at where she turned her head, seeing nothing there. She stood up hastily not answering, just taking his hand and running their way back to where they came from.
She froze in her step when a misty smoke floated around, suddenly making the scene seem like they were somewhere else entirely. Red eyes glowed in the dark. Not just one pair but several others. They took shapes as they slowly came forward.
Vampires.
They were back to her utter horror that the hairs on the back of the neck stood in that electrifying fear rushing through her. They looked the same like they were when she had encountered them that fateful night. Their sharp, murderous row of teeth drawn exposed , their bodies pallid and parched. Their fangs elongated for a flesh to sink in. Clothes torn, hands elongated into claws.
"Oh my god. What. What are they" she saw from the corner of her eye, Chris take in a sharp breath in horror. His face paled in an instant. They took their steps backward and backward as they edged closer, dragging themselves across the gravel.
"Run" she whispered to him.
They turned around sprinting in any direction they saw, heels picking up the slipping stones beneath them. Her breath felt heavy, her heart thudding a mile, she panted hard as her mind screamed about the way last incident happened. They ran across the wide open courtyard, the growls behind them increasing. She won't be left alive this time, that thought rang loud and clear as she ran with all her might. Tears stung behind her eyes, as she felt the pain on her knees when she slipped and fell down hard.
"Syrena!" she heard Chris scream out her name. She wandered her gaze behind in terror while she was picking herself up on her hands, finding one of those atrocious creature was about to leap on her. The vampire split open his mouth at her viciously, about to pounce.
WHAM!
A thick wooden log smashed into his skull with blood spurting out as the creature fell aside screeching. Chris threw the log away and rushed to her side as she shivered at the sight before her. The creature picked himself back from the ground, as though nothing happened and merely roared, his razor sharp teeth spitting he came towards them slowly. Other creatures were not far away. They looked so many in numbers. She could not even see some who were still crawling their way out from the dark at behind. They walked slowly, their mangled faces contorted into a deathly grin. She knew what they were capable of. She witnessed it before. She was going to die, no mistake this time. The thought paralyzed her making her frozen on the spot right there. She felt cool arms around her tightly, pulling her back into Chris's strong arms as he lowered himself on his knees. She felt herself being pulled up by him, both of them trembling in each other's comfort. Tears filled her eyes as she took a moment to look at her friend. He was indescribable, his eyes becoming lifeless and face drawn into a terrible emotion something which she hadn't seen before on him or even imagined. Wetness trickled down her face silently, at how Chris was trying to protect her despite the hopeless luck. He dragged her back, covering her face with his arms. They caught each other's hands and sprinted down the other direction again. Their legs took them as fast as they can which came to an abrupt stop and she gave out a shriek. The vampire was right before them blocking the way.
"No more escape." He snarled, extending his clawed hand towards her.
"Get away from her!" Chris barked, his voice edged with fear while pulling her to him tightly covering her. The creature drew his teeth back into a full sized grin exposing his shark like canines with an animalistic growl, he charged at them without warning at lightening speed.
BANG!
She heard a loud scream mixed with the sound of a shot fill the tense air, only to realize it was hers. She opened her eyes to see the vampire burst into nothingness, as a thick bullet sliced through him. "What-"she was cut short as there was chaos all around. She twisted her head up at chris who was staring down at her with a pained expression.
BANG!
BANG!
The bullets flew in the air knocking the creatures down. She couldn't even see anything; such was the speed and the blurred action coursing around. Until she understood the source of all this. She sucked in a deep breath and her purple eyes widened at what she witnessed.
It was him. He was back!
Alucard wielded his gun in his signature fashion, pulling the trigger aiming at each one of those worthless maggots, immensely enjoying himself. Whereas on the other side, Syrena and Chris stared at the scene in shock as the mysterious man pierced every single creature's hearts who stood far from them.
"Chris! We should get out of here now" she pulled him with her, as they tried to navigate out from the smoke, taking advantage of the circumstances. He nodded, taking her hand and making their way through the scene carefully. They scooted out into the vaulted semi open ruins sprinting through the darkening wide hall. The light poured in from the patchy roof as they panted. They were clutching their lives in their hands as made their way out of the ensuing mayhem calmy without being noticed. The noises were dying down, the air becoming calmer as the smoke floated throughout. And before they could make it out to anywhere, they were blocked by a dark figure again for the second time.
Syrena froze on spot, Chris stalling with her. She knew exactly what she was looking at. The tall shadow in the smoke stood in the way before them with a strong aura floating around. Two red eyes glowed like fire pits from the hell as they came closer and closer as the girl involuntarily took small steps back, feeling a lump form in her throat. He is here. The vampire who encountered her last time. Alucard.
He showed himself, the semi darkness of the sky not helping much but the air has cleared now. There was no one else standing except the three figures. He looked the same as that night, but what was that on his face? There was a different emotion. He was emotionless last time, but now this night he had a dead glare in his eyes like that of a hungry predator. His reddened eyes darkened as they melted throughout her form that made her want to crawl back in the earth or run far away. His thin lips shaped into wolfish smile, savoring her fear.
"Where do you think you are going little human? You are coming with me" he voiced in a sharp growl. Chris instantly pushed her behind him, and she tried to push him aside, fearing for him. But he kept his grip on her firmly, clutching her behind him with shaky hands. His face paled, yet his body was firm and poised.
"Who the hell are you! She's not going anywhere with you" his voice shook slightly, but he seemed determined and stood before him some distance away.
Alucard slanted his head with an amused smirk and stared right at her who was peeking at him behind Chris, as if this was an enjoyable drama to him. He slit his eyes towards Chris; "Get out of the way boy. I have no business with you." his smooth chilling words crept over them.
Chris stood there trying to look defiant, though his expression said it all. Alucard flashed his eyes into his now. She saw the vampire; his altering eyes as the dark pupils changed into swirled shapes burning into the young boy's own widened ones as if he was trying to control him. She watched Chris who was shielding her; suddenly become stiff as a statue and he fell to the ground in an unconscious heap as she cried out at him, trying to catch him. She slumped to his side, shaking him. "What have you done to him?!" she yelled at the vampire before her, tears running freely down her flushed cheeks.
"The boy is only unconscious. There is nowhere to run human. Come, come now." He said in a soft purr looking right at her, as though coaxing a child. He began to saunter over to her.
One step. Another step . Then another.
Syrena kneeled on the ground with her head bent down, closing her eyes for a moment. She looked down at her hands wrapped around the crumpled form of Chris. Her half closed eyes became blurry in her tears. She felt cool drops begin to fall on her head from the open patchy roof. They trickled down her hands.
'Why? Why was this happening? I have to go. I just have to escape. I can't let him get to me. I have to do something. Chris- what about him? He is alright, you have to go. Just get some help. And everything will be fine. Just run. Find someone, something!' Her inner voice screamed at her.
She determinedly snapped open her eyes, glaring heat fully at the black boots approaching towards her, ever so coolly. Then she saw something nearby, from the corner of her eye. A very sharp metal blade lay just beside her. Her fingers closed down its shape, hiding within her folds of her spread skirt. And she waited as her anger brew within her, refusing to give in. She saw his boots in front of her bent head now, and they stopped. His 6'3 frame hovered above her, drowning her in his dark shadow. He slowly crouched before her, extending his hand toward her face.
At that moment, his eyes widened in surprise at the sudden sting shooting up his leg. He lowered his gaze at his foot where the shrapnel was embedded into it deeply. And she didn't stop there. She pulled the blood soaked dripping weapon out with its hilt, ignoring its sharp cuts on her palm and lunged onto him, going right for his neck where she pierced his side with all her fury and power left within. His features twisted from being surprised to a bulging shock in one second and fell backward.
The girl did not wait another moment, as she ran her eyes over to Chris who lied there knocked out under the darkened vaulted chamber. Reassuring herself that he would be alright and she would come back with some help, her need to escape rushed over her strongly and she sprang forward into the darkness of the night will all her might. Soon, trees surrounded her as she trimmed her way through them urgently, not even daring to look back. She sprinted into the thickness of the forest, her mind soaked with all possibilities of danger that washed over her; strikingly resembling her anguish that night.
The thunder in the sky rumbled and darkened, flashing like a picture being taken all over. Rain soaked through her tangled long hair, her clothes and wet the muddy ground, throwing dirt over her running legs. She didn't know, where she was. She was lost. 'If I could only find someone..' she thought stuck in the middle of nowhere. The sky was cast over her in semi darkness, moonlight as her only source of anything to be visible. She jogged slowly, her energy totally spent, her breath coming out in harsh pants as she slowed to walking through the sodden foliage.
The rain never seemed to end, falling even more harder in sheets. She whipped around when she heard the crack of the twigs under someone's foot. Someone or something was following her. She twisted her head scanning her surroundings in panic. And then she saw a shape of a man. Like a dark shadow, until he became visible as he etched closer into the clearing. He was not very tall, but he looked slender and in late twenties. He had brown hair and a prominent nose with a stubble chin. He wore an average looking suit and boots. And most of all he had a pair of murderous crimson eyes glowing within the night. He was a vampire, she got that clearly.
His mouth twisted into a deadly smile, revealing those sharp teeth. "Miss Syrena Franseca Taylor. Such a pleasure to meet you atlast" he grinned widely as if this was his most happiest moment. Her eyes widened when he uttered her full name. He knew who she was. Her identity.
"Are you confused about how I came to know about you? We have been looking for you for quite a long time, you see" he started in a calm tone making chills go down her spine.
"Who are you? What do you want with me?" she asked as normally as she could. His creepy smile grew wider, running his eyes over her soaked form from head to toe. She suddenly felt self conscious of her soaked light chiffon shirt, and her wet clingy skirt that came down to her till her knees. As if he was taking her in. "Oh my, you have grown up into such a lovely woman, sweet one. And I can sense your pure virgin blood flowing throughout you. My master will be so pleased that I have caught you!" he almost jumped in a delightful tone as though he was so proud.
Her heart hammered at the words he had said. 'Looking for me? Master?' were the loud thoughts going around her mind. He laughed more darkly as though he just read her mind.
"Don't you worry darling. You will come to know everything in time. As of now, you look simply irresistible like a perfect doll. Forgive me, but I cannot help but give in to your temptations as I am feeling rather thirsty and.." he simply chuckled like a villain without completing the sentence. But Syrena got a hint at what he was trying to imply, what with the look of blood lust and the perverse desire in his eye.
Her heart pumped wildly, as within a second before she could see anything he was right infront her face, making her gasp silently. Before her mind could even register of what was happening, the vampire grasped her slender neck and pulled it to him by her hair, sniffling at her neck. Her reaction was immediate. She fisted her fingers and brought it to the side of his head with all the strength she could muster. He growled and dig his fingers into her skin more painfully, making her yell out sharply.
"Yes! Scream all you want princess. They are like a melody to my ears." He hissed in her ear.
She shrieked in horror, when another hand shot up to below the collar of her shirt. One tug and the soft fabric split open in middle, some of the buttons flying in the air. Her face burst into fury and involuntary tears mixed with rain at this shocking, degenerate situation that she never even dreamed of going through. Her hands kicked at his face, scratching and digging her nails across his flesh wildly, making him hiss in anger. She did everything so she could to get away from this monster. She abruptly kneed him as hard as she could in the groin pushing away her 'ladylike habits'. The vampire doubled over in pain but did not let go of her like she expected.
"Little bitch! You are going to learn this the hard way" he growled menacingly. She felt a hand in the thickness of her hair on top, forcing her to fall down on her knees into the muddy ground. Hot, stinging tears flowed their way out of her reddened eyes with the stabbing pain she felt on her head, and at the peeling skin on her legs when he dragged her on her knees on the rough earth mercilessly. She clawed at the vice grip that was holding her by her hair, giving out silent screams. It was unbearable. He laughed at her attempts sadistically, as if he was taking pleasure in her pain.
A/N: Next chapter will be up soon. Please review what you think! Motivation works wonders on me :)
