A/N: Flashback time! Yay! Anyway, the sequel is well underway and being planned as we speak. This time, I plan to give Anderson a bigger role. Now, for those of you who were asking, and I won't name names, I'm melding both the TV series and the Ultimate worlds together, as well as veering away from the original plotline toward a more AU version. There will be mentioned elements from both versions in these stories, but they won't focus on any one storyline. In other stories, I spent too much time chasing the original storyline and I want to do it my way for a change. This is not to say, however, that things won't be as accurate as possible. Now, enjoy the chapter.
Ten
"You must remember to keep your voice down," Susan warned him, "She's extremely volatile. I've only ever seen her face once, but she is truly terrifying,"
"So then why do you continue to visit her?" the young man following her asked. Susan smiled, "Because she's a sweet girl when she wants to be. Don't worry, we have her muzzled. She can't bite you, but it's best to be careful what you say around her. She's quite strong,"
"How old is she?"
"I'd have to guess she was nineteen when she died. I suppose she's about twenty-four or twenty-five years of age, now. That's how long she's been here, anyway,"
The young man shook his head wildly, his confusion mounting, "Susan, you just said she died!" he exclaimed. "That makes no sense! Just what the heck is she?"
"I already told you," Susan said, adjusting her glasses, "She's Nosferatu, one of the few remaining original specimens alive,"
"And what on earth is Nosferatu?" he asked irritably. Susan stopped, whirled and fixed him with a piercing stare.
"Vampire," she hissed, "Tobias, you're impossible; I've told you all about her. The thing is, I don't even know her name, so I've been calling her Raya. She seems to respond, but she chooses when she decides to talk, you realize."
Susan led him down the empty corridor deep beneath the earth. Tobias felt as though he were being suffocated by the planet itself. He brushed a hand through his dark brown hair, reaching back to tighten the band holding his ponytail back.
"You can't honestly expect me to believe she's a vampire," he growled, "Vampires don't exist."
"That's where you're wrong. When we first brought her here, she killed and drained one of her guards of his blood. We were too late to stop it and in seconds, he was a dry, lifeless husk. I assure you, she's a true vampire."
"Fangs and all?" Tobias exclaimed in amazement. Susan nodded grimly.
"Yes, and not just her canines. All of her teeth are quite sharp and her jaws can extend sort of like a shark's, allowing her to firmly clamp down on the neck of her prey. It's really quite amazing to watch. But with the circumstances involving her capture, she's hostile and lets no one but me close to her."
"Circumstances? Hey, just where did Arakawa find her anyway!?" Tobias yelled. Susan whirled and shushed him.
"Quiet! She can hear every word we're saying, you idiot! To answer your question, Arakawa's team stole her away from her master twenty-four years ago."
"Master?"
"Quiet! Yes, her master. Her sire. You know, the vampire who turned her?"
Tobias raised one eyebrow. "Oh,"
"Arakawa's team spent months studying him to best get to Raya. They finally deduced that there was no viable way to kill him, so they detained him somehow and stole her while he was distracted."
Tobias scowled. "That's cruel," he said, "Why'd they take her in the first place?"
Susan sighed, shrugging, "Why else? To study her," she mumbled. They reached the end of the hallway, standing before an enormous steel doorway. "Here we are," she said. She went over to a small code box and entered an eight digit code into it. There was a resounding thud coming from the doors as the steel locks were released, one by one. Slowly, the door began to open, the rusty tracks squealing in protest and condensation from inside drifting out toward them, ominously.
"Such heavy security," Tobias breathed.
"Of course," Susan answered, "She's a blood drinker. She hasn't tasted human blood in a little over ten years, not since she feigned sedation during routine maintenance and killed the workers. At least, that's what I was told, anyway. Now, she's fed livestock blood intravenously to keep her from going dormant,"
The door reached the end of the track way with an echoing boom. Susan made her way into the gloomy inner room with Tobias following her somewhat hesitantly. Inside was a small control room, empty of all but one man with stringy black hair in a bowl fashion and thick framed bifocals. He sat at a small counter before a triple-paned window overlooking a black, empty space set about thirty feet into the ground. There was a hatch in the wall leading to a retractable ladder that dropped down into the pit where Tobias could see another doorway carved into the wall, also guarded by steel. He was surprised to see what looked like a silver bar stretching across the opening. Susan noticed him peering through the glass.
"That silver bar is an extra precaution," she explained, "In case the door were to ever open, it would probably take her by surprise and stall her escape."
"Just what the hell are we dealing with here?" Tobias whispered in horror. The man at the counter turned around, his square face etched with wrinkles.
"Who are you?" he demanded gruffly.
"Uh, I'm Tobias Flint," Tobias said quickly, "I'm new to the facility,"
"Greg Travis," the man replied, extending his hand to Tobias. "Head supervisor of the freak division."
"Freak?" Tobias repeated, glancing out toward the second door thirty feet below them.
"Yes, freak. Unnatural, that one is. Susan's the only one who can get her to talk and sometimes cooperate. We don't really get our hopes up much anymore. I've voted time and time again for euthanization but the higher-ups won't hear it."
"What? You want to kill her?" Tobias said.
Travis snorted and bellowed in laughter, "Of course we want to kill her! She's a bloody demon! God damned bloodsucking monster," he growled. "Susan, you gonna talk to her or what?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. Tobias is my new assistant and I thought it best to get her acquainted with him."
"Just don't be taking his sorry ass down there to see her," Travis grumbled, "We'll be sucking him up through a vacuum if you do,"
Tobias visibly paled and Susan patted his arm. "It's fine. Here, the speakers are over this way."
She led him to a small podium where a microphone sat attached to wires leading through the wall beneath the counter and into the black void below them. She pressed a small red button beside the microphone.
"Raya? Raya, are you awake?" she said into the microphone.
No answer. Just static.
Tobias glanced over at Travis who shrugged. "We used to have surveillance in there, about five years ago," he explained, "But she suddenly went bonkers one day and tore the eyes out of the guard sent down to look through the slots. It's just as well; couldn't see nothing but her eyes anyway."
"Why's that?"
"Ever seen a vampire's eyes? They glow bright, fiery red in the darkness, kid," Travis said with morbid glee.
"Raya?" Susan said again, "It's me, Susan. Are you awake?"
((Yes))
Susan gasped and motioned Tobias over, "Oh, good. How are you today?"
((Fine))
Her voice sounded mechanical through the speakers; empty and devoid of all expression. To Tobias, she sounded almost depressed.
"I have someone I'd like you to meet, Raya. He's my new assistant and he'll be speaking to you in the coming weeks. His name is Tobias Flint,"
There was brief silence. Susan pushed Tobias toward the microphone and nodded encouragingly. Tobias cleared his throat and tugged his collar nervously.
"Um, h-hello? Raya?"
((Hi))
"U-Uh," Tobias said shakily, surprised she'd answered him, "My name is Tobias. Um...how long have you been in there?"
((Far, far too long. I miss moonlight))
"Don't you mean sunlight?" Tobias asked without thinking. Travis slapped his forehead and Susan started giggling. Tobias went bright red. Suddenly, they heard it; the faint, rupture of voice, raspy and faint, but unmistakable.
Raya was laughing.
((Ha, ha, you're quite amusing, Tobias Flint. I look forward to meeting you in person. Tell me about yourself,))
Tobias looked to Susan for help. She nodded for him to do as she asked.
"Uh, okay. I, uh, like to surf and I like fishing. I'm a pretty good cook, so I usually cook what I catch. Uh, have you ever had cod before?" he asked, again without thinking.
"Jeez, what a moron," Travis grumbled.
((I have. I believe it used to be my favorite before I was turned. Of course, I couldn't dream of eating it now, you understand,))
"Oh, right. Sorry. Um, what do you like to do? I mean, when you weren't in here,"
((I enjoy sitting on the beach and listening to the waves. I enjoy spreading my wings and taking flight on a moonlit night and-))
"Wait a second, wings? You said wings?!"
((Yes. I have wings))
"T-That's amazing! I wish I could see them."
Susan and Travis just stared in astonishment. Never before had Raya ever talked this much through the speakers, not even to Susan.
"This is incredible!" Travis whispered excitedly, "We need to keep her talking. Maybe we could actually get some work done on her!"
"No," Susan interjected sternly, "Leave her alone. The fact that she's talking means she's comfortable around him, possibly even more so than she is with me. Face it, Greg, we can't keep her like this forever. One of these days, her master will find her and Lord knows what will happen when he does,"
"So," Tobias continued, "I live in this house overlooking the water. I inherited it from my grandpa. It's in the middle of this little cove and the surf there is just perfect. There's this real high cliff that I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who knows of. I know! I'll photograph the place sometime and bring it in to show you!"
((What's a photograph?))
"Oh, that's right, I forgot, you've been locked up in here for a while. Well, it's like a painting, only it takes just a few minutes. It takes an instant shot of whatever you aim the camera at. It's pretty cool,"
((I see. It's similar to portrait work.))
"Yeah!" Tobias said. He was surprised; he'd expected Raya's voice to sound scary, seeing how she was a monster. But to his surprise, even through the speaker's static, she had a very pretty voice.
Susan talked Greg into letting Tobias continue speaking with Raya for another hour until finally, Raya ceased talking and Susan had to shut the speaker off.
"She's probably tired," she explained, "She hasn't been out of that chamber in ten years, so she doesn't do very much,"
"She must be lonely," Tobias said as they left the underground catacombs where they kept Raya.
"She is. She's told me so herself. She tells me that she misses her master so much that she feels physical pain. Don't tell this to anyone, but I've been secretly searching out her master," Susan mumbled. Tobias whirled, eyes wide in alarm.
"You've what!?" he exclaimed.
"Yes. I understand that should he respond, he'll probably kill me and everyone else in this place for daring to do what we did. But it's a fate I'm willing to accept if it means Raya can be set free. Yes, she's a vampire, but she's also a living being. She was human once, you know, and so was her master. I've spent months getting to know her and I can't stand to see her like that. I'll do whatever I can to help her,"
Tobias stared at Susan hard, disbelieving her story at first, but gradually coming to terms with it. He looked away, lost in thought.
//ooo//
Tobias made his way down the corridor that night, long after everyone had left the facility. In the time before he'd met Raya, he'd been under the impression that she'd be this monstrous demon from hell that once spoken to, would scare him away for good. But after talking with her, he was now under the impression that Raya was nothing more frightening than your shadow. He was now determined to find out the truth.
He entered the eight digit code and waited as the magnetic door slid open. He hurried inside and over to the controls for the speaker, switching it on.
"Raya! Raya! Are you there? Raya?"
((I'm here. What's wrong?))
"You're awake, good. I'm sorry to disturb you," Tobias said in relief. He wasn't sure why he'd been so worried about her. After all, it wasn't like she was going anywhere.
((I was awake anyhow. Is something troubling you, Tobias?))
"Yes, actually. Raya, tell me, why do they keep you in here? You can't possibly be as dangerous as they claim!"
((You've no way of knowing that))
"So what? I spoke with you for an hour today and you sound just like an ordinary girl being kept in this place against her will! I don't believe that you're a vampire, I believe that the truth has gotten twisted around, somehow. Raya, you can't be a vampire!"
((I'm dangerous, Tobias. I'm kept in this place to protect the world from my wrath. Don't you understand?))
"No!" Tobias cried, "You're a normal girl with no special powers or anything! You just don't seem monstrous. I just can't believe you're so horrible,"
He waited for her reply. There was none.
"Raya? Raya?" he probed.
((I hear you. I'm quite certain Susan told you I speak only when I choose to.))
"Yes, she did. But Raya, please, let me help you." Tobias begged. "I've only known you for a short while, but I can see you're not this evil creature they claim you are."
He paused, waiting for her answer. It took a long time, but she finally responded.
((You are a fool.))
"Huh?"
((You heard me. You're a foolish youngster with no knowledge of the night world. My kind once instilled fear in your kind, even though we remained somewhat passive, originally killing only when our thirst became too great to bear. Right now, even, I'm incredibly thirsty, so thirsty I'm often tempted to drink my own blood if only to slake my thirst for a short while.))
"You're not a vampire, Raya!" Tobias shouted. "You're human! You must be! Monsters and vampires are vile demons filled with hatred and malice. You...you're not like that," Tobias finished weakly.
Raya sighed heavily, ((Such a fool. I take back what I said earlier. I hope we never meet. I'm quite sure that your blood would be most delectable. Leave now. Do not bother me again,))
She ceased talking. Tobias scowled at the microphone, clenching his fists angrily.
"Damn it, you've been in there for so long, called a monster for so long that you've actually come to believe you're a monster," he muttered. "That's it. Raya, I'm going to plan your escape! I'm getting you out of there! It's time you saw daylight again! I'm convinced you're an ordinary girl who's been brainwashed into believing she's a vampire! I'm going to free you, Raya."
No answer. Tobias sighed heavily. "Raya, please, this isn't right. Whether you like it or not, I'm going to get you out of there. One of these days, I'll take you away from this place. I'm serious, Raya, I just met you today, but after talking with you, I couldn't stop thinking about how unfair this is for you. Do you understand, Raya?"
A low sound, almost like a wolfish snarl that sent shivers down Tobias's spine.
((Fine. Do whatever you like, arrogant youngster. Just promise me one thing.))
"Sure, anything,"
((When you finally see me in my truest essence, you must promise to run from me as fast as you are able.))
Tobias scowled. "Why on earth would I do that?"
((Because I might just be tempted to eat you. Now leave this place and disturb me no more.))
She fell silent again and Tobias turned the speaker off. He slowly moved forward to the window, staring down at the steel doors holding Raya captive. He wondered why she really told him to run. Surely she couldn't have been serious when she said she'd eat him. She wasn't a real vampire. She couldn't have been. There was no such thing. The agency had probably just kidnapped her when she was walking home from elementary school one day and started telling her that she was a vampire, causing her to begin to think she was one. That was all there was to it.
"I'll get you out of there, Raya," he whispered, placing his hand on the glass, "I promise. Just hang on, okay? Just hang on,"
//ooo//
Alucard stood at the edge of the grounds, arms folded, staring intently at the red line rimming the horizon signaling the end of the day. He heard the familiar footsteps approaching, but made no move to turn around.
"Good evening, Integra," he said casually.
"Good evening, Alucard," Integra replied. "I see that you're watching Wynter train with the new weapon that Walter gave her?"
"Yes. It seems a bow and arrow suit her quite well. Much better than the handguns he was training her with,"
"What exactly is she using?" Integra asked as they watched her take careful aim down on the grounds, fire and then reach into the quiver she wore to pull out another arrow.
"Walter told me that he custom made a special bow made of bamboo, nearly indestructible by ordinary means. The arrows' shafts are made of cherry wood and the tips made with pure Macedonian silver. The bow can also be used as an ordinary hand weapon when the arrows run out. I have to say, Walter's outdone himself on this one,"
"So then, you're confidant of her abilities?" Integra pried.
"Yes. I'd say so. Wynter's always been a little different. If she were released from her bondage to me, she'd likely be a powerful rival," Alucard said. Integra glanced over at him, watching his one visible eye behind his glasses. The only possible way to see any of what he was thinking was through his eyes and often, even she couldn't discern what was going on in his mind.
"Is that so?" Integra said finally. "You don't seem all that pleased about that. As I recall, you're always on the lookout for powerful opponents."
Alucard just smiled. "Am I?"
"Don't play dumb, Alucard; it doesn't become you," Integra grumbled.
Alucard chuckled. "As you wish, my master,"
But as he turned back toward Wynter, his demeanor changed again. Integra couldn't figure it out. Something about Wynter brought out an almost depressed nature in Alucard. It unnerved Integra to say the least. Could it be his failure to protect her that did it?
"Walter performed a counter tracking on the chip we recovered from her," Integra said. "He managed to dig up information on the agency that took her,"
Alucard's eyes flickered.
"Yes," Integra continued, "It was a nameless organization that specialized in the creation of mutated humans for the supposed goal of furthering mankind, headed by a Takeshi Arakawa. Apparently, Wynter's records stated her as their most valuable specimen until she was 'accidentally released' and killed twenty-seven members on the base in her blood lust. After that, she disappeared."
Alucard grinned. "Acted like a true vampire,"
"It turns out that because of this, the organization's few surviving members disbanded out of fear of her. However, one member's body was never found and it was always assumed he fled. Do you want to know his name?"
Alucard glanced at her curiously. It wasn't often Integra put him on the spot.
"What?"
"His name was Tobias Flint," Integra said, "And he was Wynter's handler."
//ooo//
Helene stood on the roof of the ruins of her old home, gazing out at the setting sun and feeling the breeze tear through her hair, slowly evolving into a gale. She could hear the screams of the new girl, another fledgling-to-be that Louis was busying himself with, trying to turn her. So far, it wasn't working. She wouldn't hold still and Helene was growing tired of her incessant screams.
She whirled and leaped down through the hole in the roof, landing delicately on the cracked marble floor. Louis looked up blandly from his position by the wall, the young girl pinned against it by a single clawed hand. She struggled furiously, screaming in terror and eying Helene pleadingly. Helene turned a blind eye to her and fixed Louis with a venomous glare. "If she won't cooperate, just kill her," she snapped. The woman screamed ever more loudly, flailing about viciously. Louis snarled and hurled her to the floor, momentarily stunning her. He stalked over to Helene, snatching her thin throat in his grasp.
"I'm tired of you telling me to kill them while they're still alive, Helene!" he snapped.
"And I'm tired of their constant screaming! It bothers my sensitive ears!" Helene growled. Louis released her abruptly and she fell to the floor.
"Damn it, Louis, how many more of these stupid fledglings are you going to create before you're satisfied?"
"Patience, Helene. I'll create as many as I need. After all, our only concern right now is that blasted organization, Hellsing and its supposedly tame vampire, Alucard. Integra Hellsing may be human, but she's a force to be reckoned with. Then there's the Angel of Death, a.k.a Walter C. Dornez, and that idiot girl, Seras Victoria. Despite her age, she's strong. But that's to be expected; she is, after all, of Alucard's blood."
"And just where are you getting all of this information?" Helene growled, getting to her feet.
"Where else? The organization's file system was actually quite impressive. Most of their archives survived intact in the Japanese government's systems. I've spent years pouring over what I received from them yearly. To them, I was nothing more than a wealthy benefactor. With Wynter out of harm's way, I was successfully able to study her sire thoroughly. I now have an estimated guess as to how to kill him once and for all. He needs to die in order for Wynter to completely accept me as her new master. If I want to possess her, I'll need every scrap of knowledge I can get my hands on."
Helene crossed her arms, scowling. "I don't see why you don't just accept the fact that she refused your advances. She did so as a human and she'll do so as a vampire."
"Yes. She might, at that. I understand that she lost all memories of her life as a human. This means that she likely won't remember me, or what I did. But she'll still sense my animosity and again refuse me." Louis said thoughtfully, scratching his chin. "Well, for the moment, I'll finish with her and then take my rest."
He turned to the young woman, just beginning to stir on the floor. Helene just snorted and turned, heading upstairs to the remains of her old bedroom. Ignoring the terrified screams as the woman experienced the ultimate horror of vampires like Louis, she stepped around the rubble and fallen debris. Louis' power had sealed her home as it was on the day of the fire. But a few things had survived, one of which Helene gingerly lifted from her ruined bed. It was a portrait in a daguerreotype case. It showed a pretty, older girl holding a small, red-haired infant in her arms. The girl's green eyes still shone, even through the oil paint being dulled by dust. Her raven hair cascaded down her shoulders and back and her smile was as warm as sunlight. Helene felt tears stinging her eyes at this sad shadow of her sister, Genevieve.
"I'll save you, Genevieve," she whispered, "I'll be the one to stake your heart and end your wretched existence. I won't let Louis harm you, so don't worry," she said as she clasped the case to her chest, "I'll save you,"