Arthur awoke to a loud thump and the slam of a screen door. He jumped out of his sleep at first, but he was caught in that groggy stage where he couldn't really tell if he was awake or asleep. Time was all slurred together in this off stage but if he could guess he'd probably think it to be about ten seconds rather than minutes. Eventually he urged himself to get up, still trying to make sense of everything. He got about halfway down the stairs before he felt a cool breeze blowing in. He stopped and stared at the open door in confusion, and scratched his head. He continued on his way down the creaky stairs to close it and turned to glance in the room where Alfred should be sleeping on the sofa. His eyes narrowed at first, trying to find Alfred's shape against the dark velvet cushions, but couldn't. His eyes widened. "Alfred?! ALFRED?!" He called, first into the room and then out the door. He peered out but the world outside was nearly pitch black. He pulled himself back inside and yanked open the kitchen drawer in search of a flashlight. He discovered a yellow and black camping one and rushed out, closing his house behind him. First he checked Alfred's home. No one was there.

After some thinking, the Brit decided he'd go a little ways into town. According to Matthew these things were able to control what a person did, but Matthew had said he'd leave Alfred alone. He couldn't be controlling him when what he wished was for Alfred to stay safe inside. He wasn't sure if he'd find anything by risking his life and heading into the town at night, but he was panicked. At every small bump in the dark, Arthur redirected the beam from his flashlight, calling out nervously. Finally, taking a turn onto the main street running through the town he spotted a familiar shadow moving in jerky, zombie-like motions. "Alfred?!" He exclaimed. There was no response. The British man took a deep breath and approached the figure cautiously. "Alfred?" He asked, voice in a feathery whisper. No reply still, but he could tell it was definitely Alfred.

He placed a hand on Alfred's shoulder to stop him from going further. Arthur tightened his grip on the younger man's shoulder and tried spinning him around. In one strong movement, Alfred yanked his shoulder away and kept walking. Arthur narrowed his eyes.

"Excuse me Alfred, where do you think you're going?" He huffed. When he was ignored once more he jogged to get in front of him and gave him a good slap on the face. "Why aren't you reacting? What's wrong? You don't seem asleep," Arthur sighed. He glanced around, eyes skimming the area, only wait… something was wrong. He peered closer at the surrounding area, now picking on two or three sets of eyes lurking in the shadows. They were all glowing red and staring so… hungrily. Arthur could almost hear the growling of the people's stomachs. And as the seconds flew by, more orbs seemed to join in.

"And what do you all think you're doing out so late, huh? Why are you all staring at me? It's rude to do that, you know," He chuckled nervously, beginning to grow more uneasy by the moment. He hadn't brought anything with him to defend himself and now Alfred was getting away. He began moving forward. "Alfred! Stop!" When the sound of footsteps reached his ears and one of the shadows approached him, the Brit turned and hurled his flashlight, just from instinct at a pair of the eyes, staring at they're prey.

Just then an animalistic growl ripped from the throat belonging to the same creature as a pair of the eyes. At the same time the thing, whatever it was, growled, there was another voice further behind him. "ARTHUR!"

Arthur spun around to see Francis running at him with his shovel. His eyes flickered briefly towards a shadowy figure that darted from the darkness. The moonlight hit its pale skin and gleamed off the drool dribbling down its chin and Arthur was frozen, caught in its gaze. His eyes didn't leave the monster with its long, slender fangs bared, even as time seemed to slow and the shovel came into view. The dulled edged of one side hammering down on its head, blood splurging with a sickened crack from the creature's skull. Francis gave Arthur a shove to bring him back before having to turn and ram the shovel into another creature who has snuck up on them. He shoved it deeper into the monster's gut before yanking it back and bringing it across its neck. The shovel wedged into the muscle, severing multiple blood vessels completely, covering the shovel in cold blood.

Francis and Arthur stared, both men breathing hard from the frightening experience.

Arthur looked up at his rescuer and then turned to scan the area frantically.

"No need to fret, Arthur. They're gone for now. Any others near by seem to have scattered."

"I'm not looking for them! Where'd Alfred go? Did you say which way he went? He's off to get himself killed he is!" Arthur began to walk off in one direction before Francis caught his arm.

"We should go back. We probably won't be any 'elp to him now, especially if we're killed by these violent, 'ostile beings! I need to know what's going on, so let's get to your house and lock ourselves in."

Arthur narrowed his eyes. "Francis, it's very important we keep Alfred from a certain person and if he's out sleepwalking, anyone of his minions could reach him- or even Ivan himself!"

"Mon cher, did you see any of them try to attack Alfred? They weren't after him, but you, and possibly myself."

Arthur was about to accept that, but it was still so bizarre. "But why us and not him?"

"Arthur-" Francis started.

"Matthew said something about controlling his actions but, he said no others would be able to save for himself. He surely wouldn't control him to get up and leave. See, he was just so genuinely concerned-"

"Stop, Arthur." Francis gave him a slight shake and then grabbed one of his wrists to pull him along. Arthur stared desperately into the dark where he thought Alfred may have disappeared to.


The rest of the night Arthur spent storytelling to Francis, explaining everything and his research. and by the time the following morning came, the Brit and the Frenchman sat across from each other, tea and scones untouched. Francis was watching his friend intently, and said friend was averting his eyes to the floor. Neither of them said a word, as it had been a long night, morning's light just peeking through the windows.

Finally Francis broke the silence. "It's 'ard to believe but I'm more than willing to do anything I can. Anything at all," he replied. Arthur made no sound. The other just furrowed his thick brows together. "We should go today. Just right up to Ivan's home."

This got Arthur's attention. "Are you mad?!" He exclaimed in response.

"Non! Not in the least, but you just seemed so upset, and dare I say- distraught by this whole thing! I 'aren't seen you like this in a very long time! It's concerning, and if it will 'elp for us to go find out some answers and get Alfred back, then so be it!"

Arthur cleared his throat. "You don't get it frog, it's suicide going to their home. Did you not heard anything I just told you?" He asked.

"I did. I 'eard everything you said, which makes me think we can do it. You said you think they're vampires of sorts, oui? And that they only come out at night? That Matthieu had been in a comatose-like state during the day?"

"Yes, but you're forgetting! Natalia lives there too, and she was out in broad daylight. No burning or anything!"

"True, but maybe it means she's not a vampire!" Francis suggested.

"Something's off about her though, and I'm not sure what." Francis sighed in a frustrated way and slid his chair back, coming to a stand. "Francis, what are you doing?" The shorter blond asked.

"I'm going to go on my own, since you obviously are too scared to accompany." The blue-eye blond gave a sly smirk and rubbed his chin. If he was right, it would coax Arthur into going along.

"Not alone, you aren't! Sit back down!"

"But sitting here is so useless. Are you just going to stay here while the world turns to chaos?"

"It's not that big, git. So far as I know, the rest of the world has stayed out of it."

"You know what I mean," Francis hummed, going to open the door. Arthur growled something to himself and grabbed the Frenchman's jacket as he was trying to slip it on.

"You aren't just going to go out there!"

"And you aren't the boss of moi! I will go if I want!" Francis tugged on his jacket and when it was evident Arthur wasn't about to compromise, he slipped out of it, leaving it hanging in Arthur's grip. Arthur saw this one smooth motion that was swift enough to allow Francis time to move further outside, and he stumbled forward to grasp the older's shirt too.

"Do you really want m to take this off too? What then, would you grab my pants? How naughty, mon cher~!"

"Don't be ridiculous! I'm not trying to undress you, you'd be doing it on your own accord. I'm just trying to keep you safe, idiot! I'm not ready to face whatever's waiting and I'm not going to let you waltz over there unprepared as you are."

"Just because you aren't set to go, doesn't mean I'm not. Really don't make such assumptions!" Besides, I wouldn't be completely alone. I called a friend of mine, Gilbert. You may remember him."

"What? When did you- why is he coming? What would make you think it'd be ok to drag others into this?"

"I called him while you were putting out the oven fire this morning. He may not seem like the type but it's only part of his job to collect information on people. He said he'd get some dirt on this Ivan Braginski and his family, and be here shortly! It's not much of a flight, an hour at most and it's been approximately that long since I called. I suspect he'll arrive within the next half-hour given he needed time to get ready and make his way to this town!"

"Francis! I-"

"Ah-ah! No need to say a word! Now. Do you want to come with me or not?"

Arthur gave an angry sigh and rolled his eyes. "Fine, frog but at the first sign of danger-"

"Oui, oui, I know. We split!"