Thirty-Two

/

She was 32 years old. It had been ten years since the war, and Britain was faring better. There were still memorials held, and program specials about vampire attacks. Keeping these things on the down low was impossible these days.

But perhaps it worked in Hellsing's favor. TV Programs about what to do in case of vampire attacks were prominent, and garlic crops soared. Holy water was in high demand. Everyone had a stake and hammer under their bed. It was a little paranoid, of course, and vampires had evolved with the times.

But everyone knew the telltale signs of a vampire, and thus, they were easily disposed of before they could wreak havoc on unsuspecting people. This was much easier for Hellsing, who used to lay in wait for calls. The company was rebuilt. It was going strong.

By and by, vampire sightings were less. "Probably melting back into the woodwork." Integra stated to her draculina, "Once things die down, they'll be back."

"I guess so." The girl shrugged, "Or maybe there's just less of them in the world."

"Perhaps."

/

Insomnia crept back into Integra's life, and she found she could not stop it. Some nights she would read, others she would find herself at the shooting range, practicing her aim. Attempting to do things like hit the mark with her eye closed.

"Master Integra, your eye is closed, you know." The sound of Seras's voice startled her and her eye flew open, "Or you're just blind as a bat."

It was the first time Seras joked with her like that. A sudden case of déjà vu hit Integra like a ton of bricks. "You stupid girl!" the woman shouted quite suddenly, and sent a shot straight through the draculina's right arm.

"I—Master Integra!" She was startled. Integra was startled. She had never shot Seras. The vampire's matter seeped back together where a small hole had formed.

"I'm sorry Seras." She was sorry, "You just caught me off guard."

"Why are you out here in the middle of the night?"

"Does it matter?"

"You should sleep."

"Would if I could, Seras."

The vampire stayed back and watched the woman unload the cartridge on the displayed targets. Her aim was a little off. Losing an eye had become a bit of a setback for the proud leader of Hellsing, but still she persisted. She would let nothing stop her. She was strong. When the woman placed her gun away, Seras followed silently. It was Integra who spoke first.

"He's not back yet."

"No." The vampire muttered, "You miss him..." The woman did miss him, she missed him more than she would ever admit. She couldn't bear to think it. To say it. She would give anything to have him there by her side at that moment.

"It's been a long time." Seras didn't know how to respond. She had reassured her many times. Her master was out there, somewhere. She knew this. She could feel it. In her very bones she could feel it. She missed him terribly, but perhaps not as terribly as Integra.

"Don't worry Master Integra." Was all she could say, "Don't worry."

Integra did not sleep for quite a while.

/

When Integra slipped up during fencing, she was certain that Seras would joke. When Integra dropped a plate and it shattered at the vampire's feet, she was certain the girl would laugh at her. When Integra slipped on the ice and landed with all the grace of a three-legged cat, she knew beyond doubt that Seras would say something.

But nothing happened. No jokes came her way. Only expressions of worry. It had been years. So many years, and yet Integra still had come off as so cold, so heartless, that even a laugh was not allowed?

"Are you afraid of me, Seras?" She finally asked, "What retribution do you fear?"

"I don't understand." The draculina responded

"You hardly joke or laugh around me. We know each other better than this." She didn't want to admit, but Integra hated how easy it was for Seras to converse with any member of Hellsing, but couldn't as much laugh in her presence.

"I just…thought it would remind you of Master." Integra was taken aback by this. Of all the stupid things she'd ever heard—

"I am reminded every day that Alucard is not here, simply by the fact that, well, he is not here." The void was so empty, "I will not shoot you again. It was something I am sorry for." Seras breathed a sigh of relief,

"Yes, well, I guess I was afraid of that again. I mean it didn't hurt, but, well, you know…"

"I don't hate you, Seras."

And so the bubbly, energetic child that never left the vampire rose to the surface, and Integra was glad for it. She needed it. She needed something in her life that distracted her, made her smile, made her roll her eyes and yell every once in a while. Damn, how that girl could get on her nerves, and how she could make everything right.

Integra was grateful for her.

Life seemed almost tolerable then.