Shadow: See told you it'd be more than two weeks.

Author: -_- Shut up.

Shadow: Ha I win well enjoy. Hey by the way when do I see the others?

Author: You'll see them when I write it oh and I do not own any of the Trinity Blood characters.

Shadow: You tend to forget that lil' bit often don't ya?

Author: Be quiet Shadow well enjoy!

Chapter 21

"We made it!" Eva cheers after they enter the complex and find it entirely empty. "Now what, we have no idea where Shadow could be in this massive place?" She asks as the others shrug.

"Ya'll may need to split up." Tyran says suddenly appearing in the doorway. "Like now go in small groups so ya'll will be harder to track." He barks as he blows a few vampires away. "Yer gonna need to find another way out too." He says as he vanishes and a slab of earth blocks the doorway.

"WHAT? DID HE JUST TRAP US IN HERE?" Leon shouts in rage his eyebrow twitching and a vain pulsing on his head.

"I think he did that so no vampires would know we were in here." Esther says and looks around at the deserted building its stone pillars looming over them like hungry monsters. "I think we should really get to looking, this place is kind of creeping me out." She says huddling closer to Abel and the others.

"I agree how should we split up?" Abel asks as he looks around at the massive building and notices all the paintings on the walls and tapestries everywhere. "It seems they like their home to be decorated…" He muses and looks around for Esther but sees her and Eva already walking away. "AH! Hang on we don't have a plan yet!" He panics chasing after them.

"No we have a plan you two go that way and we'll go this way." Eva calls over her shoulder as the two continue down a hallway and wave at the two.

"Don't worry Abel we'll be find!" Esther calls as the two vanish into the shadows leaving Abel and Leon alone.

"Great so now I guess we go this way." Leon grumbles and heads down the opposite hallway leaving Abel alone in the middle of the room.

"LEON, DON'T LEAVE ME!" Abel whines as he rushes after Leon and bumps into him. "OOF…sorry." He apologizes smiling brightly as Leon shakes his head and the two continue on their way…

… … …

"So where should we go Eva neither of us know our way around here?" Esther asks as she stands by Eva who was shrugged and continued to look for a door. "Maybe there are other Methuselahs in here and we could find out by listening to their-omph?" She begins but Eva covers her mouth and they hear voices in the distance growing closer.

"Why would the Boss kidnap the guy when he knew that the others would come here?" One of the voices asks as the two listen and hide when they hear footsteps rounding the corner.

"I don't know but from what I heard Boss didn't want to kidnap the guy it was Andrew that did that." The second man says as they walk by the two who were hiding behind a statue.

"That makes sense since the Boss is way too formal, knowing him he probably just wanted to walk up to the guy and ask him if they could talk." The first one laughs as they turn the corner and are gone.

"Come on Esther let's try to see if he's down that way?" Eva whispers after a few moments of silence to make sure they were gone. "We'll go the way they came from." She says as she slowly comes out from behind the statue with Esther behind her and the two cautiously head around the corner and notice two hallways filled with doors.

"He could be in of these." Esther says and knocks on one of the doors waiting for answer but it stays silent.

"Right you take the ones on the left I'll take the ones on the right." Eva says as she heads down the right hallway and Esther goes to the left. "Remember watch out for vampires!" She warns to Esther as she waves and leaves.

"There are so many doors it will take me forever to look through them all." Esther sighs and looks at all the doors ahead of her knocking on each one or looking through each of the slit of metal bars to peer in but finds the same thing, nothing behind each door. "How am I going to find him he may not even be here?" She grumbles to herself but stops when she hears a sound from one of the doors near the end.

"I MEAN COME'N YA'LL ARE JUS' GONNA LEAVE ME HERE REALLY HOW DUMB CAN YA'LL BE?" Someone demands in a muffled voice and she quickly hurries to the door and sees that there is no way to peer in.

"Maybe I should go get Eva or the others…" Esther muses softly looking at the metal door with uncertainty and begins to head back the way she came toward Eva's direction. "No I have to do this I'm sure he can't be that dangerous if they don't have any guards or someway to be sure he doesn't escape." She concludes and turns back toward the door.

… … …

"Man this sucks big time." Shadow growls and glares at the door after seeing feet under it and turn away. "What they don't want to shock me anymore is that it? They're a bunch of jerks having this collar AND these sticking shackles seriously what do they think I'd do break outta the shackles when I can barely move without being shocked?" He asks in an irritated tone and hangs his head.

"Apparently so but you have to admit they probably have their hands fool with the others." Night calmly says lying on a rafter out of Shadow's view and looks down at him. "You know I'm right." He states and laughs when Shadow answers by scoffing and glares at the wall when both notice the door handle turn slowly.

"WHAT NOW LIKE YA'LL AREN'T BEIN' CRUEL ENOUGH-who are you?" Shadow asks in confusion looking at the girl that was standing in the door way her bright blue eyes wide in shock. "Hey hello I asked ya a question." He says as the girl blinks then turns.

"Sorry I think I have the wrong room." She says and quickly turns to leave.

"Wait hang on how can ya have the wrong room? I'm pretty sure I'm the only guy being held captive here." Shadow barks and sighs in relief when the girl comes back and walks over to him. "What? I don't bite I ain't a vamp." He dryly states when she just stares at him.

"Are you Shadow?" She asks him in a curious and disbelief voice.

"Who wants to know?" Shadow asks the girl when he hears steps coming down the hall at a fast pace. "Forget it shut the door and maybe find a place to hide try the shadows." He orders surprising the girl but she listens and quickly shuts the door then hides behind it.

"Alright buddy let's go." A vampire barks as he storms in and slams the door open nearly hitting Esther.

"Oh joy we get to go on a walk." Shadow dryly says glaring at the vampire whose eyebrow had started to twitch with irritation.

"You could say that." The vampire says as he walks over to Shadow and removes the shackles. "Now come on." He orders not noticing the smile on Shadow's face when he didn't move. "I said mo-OOF!" He grunts when Shadow's foot connects with his face and he falls to the ground unconscious.

"Ya'll should know that I don't handle taking orders from others very well." Shadow says as he rubs his wrists and grabs a key ring then looks at the girl who was blinking in surprise. "Alright ya know my name what's yers?" He asks picking up the vampire and holds him up the shackles then shakes his head and sets him down in the corner. "Hello? Lady you there?" He asks waving his hand in front of her face.

"Oh sorry my name is Esther." Esther says after a moment holding her hand out for him to shake.

"Uh huh…how do you know me?" Shadow asks looking at her hand a moment then shakes it.

"I'm a friend of Alma and the others." Esther says and notices Shadow's expression change from skeptical to surprise to shock to confusion then finally to joy all in under five seconds.

"Really? Yer not pulling my leg are ya?" Shadow quickly asks basically bouncing off the walls then he stops suddenly. "Wait…how can I trust you?" He asks giving her a skeptic expression.

"Well for one thing I'm not a vampire and another I don't see why you shouldn't I haven't really done anything that deserves you to distrust me." Esther says hiding the nervousness in her voice as Shadow thinks a moment.

Do you see any other choice I mean not like I can do much for long with this collar on? Shadow thinks as he lets out a heavy sigh and closes his eyes.

"Well you could just keep moving leave the girl but what if she really did come with Alma it may not kill you." Night answers in a calm voice as Shadow nods and looks at Esther a slight grunt escaping his throat. "Try not to fight too much your body hasn't fully recovered from that shock." Night warns as Shadow grumbles under his breath.

"I know…it won't until I get this stupid thing off of me." Shadow barks under his breath then quickly walks over to the door beside Esther. "Alright fine but if ya make one wrong move I swear you'll regret it." He coldly says and pokes his head out a moment scanning the area for any enemies.

"Hmph well you aren't too friendly." Esther mutters looking at the vampire that was still unconscious by the wall. "Do you just plan on leaving him there?" She asks Shadow who looks back and nods.

"Yeah, why do you ask?" He asks in a bored tone as he leans against the doorway.

"Because what if he wakes up before we leave or chases after us or alerts the others, you have to somehow restrain him!" Esther states pointing at the vampire as Shadow looks over her shoulder and sighs.

"Fine, get out of there and I'll lock the door." Shadow says as he turns to leave and Esther sends him a confused look. "Look I know what I'm doing alright trust me okay?" He asks looking back at her as she nods and follows him. "Sheesh yer such a worry wart, you know that Esther?" He asks in a joking tone and shuts the door once Esther was out.

"How do you plan on locking it?" Esther asks then shivers when she sees Shadow smile a dark smile and he opens the door back up and walks in. "What are you doing?" She asks and just stares when Shadow puts one of the vampire's hands in the shackles then walks back out. "Why did you only put one hand?" She asks him as he shuts the door again and looks around.

"Forget locking it I don't wanna chance running into any more vamps but believe me one should be enough now there has to be others with you so where are they?" Shadow asks her as he continues to look around glancing at Esther for a moment. That is if she's even telling the truth… He mentally adds on and looks away from her when she looks at him.

"Well I know one of them went the opposite way of me so we should find her first." Esther explains as she takes the lead and heads toward the direction she had come from to try to find Eva.

"Her? Is it Alma or Scarlet?" Shadow asks in a curious tone as he trots alongside Esther and she stares at the stark white collar around his neck. "What ya act like ya ain't ever seen a collar before?" He asks looking down at her an eyebrow raised as she quickly looks away.

"Oh nothing…um it's neither they were outside fighting the Methuselahs last time I saw them." Esther answers looking at the wall to avoid Shadow's stare.

"Dang…then who's the we're looking for?" Shadow asks his hands behind his head as he looked around in a bored manner. That's not right! He think as he mentally sobs.

"Well her name is Eva and…will you quite staring at me?" Esther barks at him catching him off guard.

"I can't help it! You were staring at this stupid thing 'round my neck a second ago!" Shadow barks quickly recovering from his momentary shock as the two have a stare down. "Look not like I want this thing on me an' I didn't really have a choice in the matter anyways!" He continues then sighs and looks away from her.

"Well…uh…I…" Esther fumbles trying to find the right words to say but can't think of any and drops her gaze.

"Can we jus' get on with finding this Eva person the sooner we find her I take it the sooner we can leave?" Shadow asks his back to Esther as he looks around making sure no one was coming. And the sooner I bet I get my butt chewed out by Alma and the others…crud. He silently adds on and hides his growing depression.

"Yeah, you're right come on then we can find Abel and Leon." Esther says as she quickly turns and walks down the hall.

"Hey wait up!" Shadow calls as he starts after her and catches up to her.

… … …

"Um…Leon I think we picked the wrong path." Abel nervously says as he and Leon run down the hallway trying to avoid the vampires that were chasing after them screaming curses at them and shouting insults to them.

"No, you think?" Leon sarcastically says as he runs alongside Abel and the two round a corner too fast nearly making them slam into the nearby wall. "Keep going!" He shouts as they quickly take off again and he laughs when he hears the vampires smash into one another after the first few slam into the wall.

"Well look on the bright side-AH!" Abel begins but cries out when a blur comes out of nowhere and slams into him knocking him to the ground.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow that hurt!" Eva whines as she sits on the floor and rubs her face then looks up to see a shocked Abel lying on the floor in front of her and Leon behind him. "Oh hey guys I found you two!" She cheers quickly jumping up and claps her hands together and smiles at the two.

"Wait you were looking for us?" Leon and Abel ask in surprise as Abel stands up and brushes his clothes off and the two exchange odd looks. "Where is Esther?" Abel asks after a few moments of silence.

"Oh yeah you see we came across this other fork in the road and had to split up well I didn't find anything in my hallway so I went to look for you guys!" Eva explains as she smiles and turns to leave. "Come on I'll show you guys which way to go!" She chirps as she leads them down the hallway she had come from.

"Wait you mean you didn't even bother to check on Esther to make sure she wasn't in danger or anything?" Leon asks as he and Abel exchange worried looks and follow the extremely happy girl down the hall.

"Uh…yes I did but I figured she'd be alright because I didn't hear a scream." Eva answers looking over her shoulders and smiles at the two. "Besides if you guys ran into those vampires here than that could mean that Shadow is down here not down her hallway, right?" She asks the two in a confident voice none of them hearing the pair of feet hurrying down the hallway.

… … …

"Wait I'm confused who's Abel?" Shadow asks Esther as he looks at her with a confused expression. "And who's Leon?" He asks again an eyebrow raised in confusion.

"I already told you! They are both priests of the Vatican sector called A.X!" Esther barks at him her patients slowly wearing down at the teen who kept asking the same questions.

"Yeah I get that but I mean who are they?" Shadow barks back throwing his hands in the air then rolls his eyes and scoffs. "Ugh you know what never mind I'll find out later." He sighs in annoyance at the nun who didn't understand what he was asking. "Yer worse than Scarlet and I didn't think there was anyone worse than her at arguing." He grumbles under his breath ignoring the shocked looks from Esther as he rounds a corner and suddenly freezes at the sound of people talking and footsteps coming closer. "Shhh, get to the wall." He orders in a quiet tone as he presses himself and Esther against the wall waiting for the targets to round the corner.

"What is it?" Esther asks in a low whisper and tries to make out the voices but all she hears are muffles then when she realizes who it was she was too late Shadow had already struck and pinned Abel and Leon to the wall with a dazed Eva on the ground.

"Who are you? Do you work for William? Where's Andrew how do I get this thing off of my neck? Answer!" Shadow barks glaring at the two his ocean blue eyes cold and demanding as a low growl follow his demands.

"Wait Shadow stop! Those two are Abel and Leon!" Esther exclaims in a panicked tone as she runs out and sees Shadow blankly looking at her.

"Wait? What?" Shadow asks in confusion and shock dropping the two and looks at her with a blank look. "Then why's he smell like a vamp?" He demands pointing at Abel who began to look around nervously and tried to find an answer.

"We'll explain that later but you know the two priests I told you about right?" Esther asks as Shadow nods and continues to look at her and then at the other in confusion. "Well that's who they are I finally recognized who they were but before I could tell you…you um already attacked." She says as Shadow visibly pales and then smacks his face with his palm.

"You've gotta be kiddin'…seriously do I honestly not get a break today? Or is it just torture Shadow day or something like that?" Shadow asks no one in particular as he shakes his head and tries to hide his face. "I swear I have the worst of luck I try to keep my deal with Mickele and I end up bein' kidnapped, tortured by crazy vamps, had to talk to their leader, an' get um…freed by a nun who claims she knows Alma and the others, then I literally attack her allies can this get any worse I mean honestly what could go wrong now?" He barks to the air and shakes his head.

"Well there's still that collar you have around your neck." Andrew calmly remarks stepping out from behind the wall and gives Esther a cold look as she stare up at him in shock.

"Of course you come out of nowhere and have to remind me that I'm like a stinking dog to you!" Shadow snaps glaring knives and daggers at Andrew his eyes blazing with hatred and rage. "Say one more thing I dare ya an' I show what all I can do even with this stupid collar 'round my neck!" He continues his rage boiling over as he continues to shout at Andrew who was slightly taken back at his sudden outbursts.

"My you have quite the temper don't you." Andrew calmly says recovering from his momentary shock which irritated Shadow even further if that was possible. "Perhaps you should learn to contain your rage better, hm?" He asks and holds a small metal box that Shadow looks at confused then gulps in fear.

"Uh I suggest you run…like now Shadow!" Night barks suddenly as Shadow takes a few steps back and glances back to see all the other vampires approaching the group. "Forget about those idiots they can't stop you if you go at them full speed just run and get away before that Andrew shocks you again!" He orders as Shadow glances back and nods.

"Gotta catch me first vamp!" Shadow barks as he turns and dashes straight for the other vampires. "Jus' hope they don't bite me." He grumbles as he reaches them and jumps right over them then kicks a few in the head making them topple into the others and runs around the corner but doesn't stop not wanting to be anywhere near Andrew and the box that possibly controlled the collar around his neck.

"So I take it you don't have a plan other than running." Night says as Shadow continues down the hall with no sense of direction.

"Well do you have any other ideas I can't just go back there I mean he has the stinking that controls the collar if I get near 'im he'll zap me!" Shadow barks back as he turns the corner and leans against it trying to hide from any vampires that might have been chasing him.

"No not really." Night answers when the two hear a scream fill the air and Shadow looks around the corner. "Oh no, I don't like what you're thinking." He says as Shadow glares toward his direction and rolls his eyes.

"What do you expect me to do just sit here?" Shadow barks in a demanding tone as he looks back around the corner noticing that it was clear.

"No but you should know that it's a trap!" Night shouts back and face palms after Shadow ignores his protests and warnings and goes on back to the scream.

… … …

"Esther!" Abel shouts and glares at the vampire that was holding her up by her neck a hungry look in his eyes. "Put her down." He orders in a calm tone. Why would he just run away I don't understand what does that remote have to do with-the collar! He thinks in realization.

"Why, then I lose my pawn and it's not like you or your friends can do much plus your little Guardian friend fled in sheer terror at the sight of me doesn't that tell you something?" Andrew mocks a twisted smile on his face as looks back at Esther and gently strokes her neck.

"I don't think he fled from you I think he fled from that box you held up." Abel dryly states as he points to the box that was in Andrew's other hand. "I take it that box is the remote control to the collar around his neck." He continues and smiles a sweet smile when Andrew growls at him and he clenches the remote. "I'm right aren't I?" He asks and sighs when Andrew's glare darkens. My hunch was right but what exactly does, it do it must be painful to make him take off without saying anything. He thinks glancing at the direction Shadow had taken off to a few moments ago.

"What do you plan on doing with Esther besides sucking her blood?" Eva demands her hands clenched into fists as she glares at Andrew.

"She's not worth my time as soon as that Guardian's back in my hands I'll let her go and you all can leave empty handed." Andrew coolly answers regaining his composer and looks at Eva.

"Well we can't really do that you see we have friends that need to talk to him." Eva answers and continues to glare at Andrew all the playfulness usually present on her face gone and replaced with determination.

"Oh is that s-OOF!" Andrew grunts as Shadow's foot connects with his jaw and sends him flying into the farthest wall causing him to release Esther out of reflex.

"Don't ya ever shut yer yap?" Shadow barks to him as he lands on the ground and immediately runs behind Abel. "I mean come on ya'll need a dang shock collar to keep me here yer a bunch a sissies!" He mocks and makes a face at Andrew who had sat up in the rubble and glared at Shadow with pure hatred. Oh man I'm so dead. He thinks resisting the urge to run away again.

"Says the one hiding behind the priest." Andrew bluntly remarks as Shadow looks up at Abel smiles an apologetic smile and then glares at Andrew.

"Shut up! You have no right to be makin' fun of me ya sick twisted old man vamp thing!" Shadow barks back and slowly starts to step back away from Abel to the corner of the wall. Yeah real smart Shadow make 'im angry and he'll shock ya for sure…I'm an idiot. He thinks as he hides behind the corner.

"If you wish to call me what I am than do not use that pathetic term vamp I am a Methuselah get it right you stupid Guardian you can't even talk right." Andrew remarks as he stands up and brushes himself off not even giving Shadow a second look.

"What did ya say? Callin' me stupid is one thing but insulting how I talk is something different all together!" Shadow barks as he quickly stands away from the corner and glares at Andrew. That's it let him shock me no one insults how I speak I take it as an offense to Alma and the others…okay mainly Alma and Tyran the others speak pretty good grammar. He thinks as he boldly stands his ground but starts to slip behind the corner when Andrew smiles a smile of pure evil.

"But it is oh so very true, now let us see you come out with another attack like a few moments ago shall we my boy?" Andrew asks in a mocking tone as Shadow gulps and starts to inch toward the wall again.

"Why are you so scared of him what exactly does that collar do?" Esther asks from her spot behind Abel and Leon.

He acts like he already knows what will happen when Andrew presses the button…so could it be a shock collar perhaps but that doesn't make sense. Abel thinks as he looks from Shadow who had started to edge down the wall and Andrew whose smile was growing with every second.

"Uh…about that…I ain't scared of 'im for one thing an' another this collar hurts when he presses that button let's keep it at that." Shadow explains as he starts to edge away from the group and freezes when Andrew suddenly appears in front of him. "Ya know it's times like this where I really hate the fact that vamps are so quick." Shadow grumbles to himself and whimpers as he tries to run but falls to the ground when Andrew activates the collar. OW! THIS HURTS LIKE HECK I CAN'T EVEN SPEAK FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! He thinks as he lays on the ground his muscles locking up from the shocks.

"See my boy you can't do anything with that pesky collar on, can you?" Andrew asks in a mock concerned tone watching as Shadow struggled to even breath.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" Leon barks and rams into Andrew sending him into a pillar that shatters and lands on top of him and makes the collar stop its cycle. "Hey are you alright?" He asks as he runs over to Shadow who was panting trying to catch his breath and slow his racing heart down.

"Ugh…I think I've had better days…" Shadow answers in tired tone not resisting when Leon grabs his arm and lifts him onto his shoulder after his breathing slowed to a semi-normal rate. My head's so fuzzy I can't think right those shocks and wine are seriously messing with me! He thinks and shakes his head in an attempt to clear it.

"Come on let's get out of here while he's down." Esther says as they all take off while Andrew slowly digs himself out of the rubble and holds head. "Shadow can you walk?" She asks after they get distance between them and Andrew.

"Le' me try." Shadow mumbles still dizzy from the shock but lets go of Leon's shoulder and manages to stand for about thirty seconds then he falls to his knees. "No…." He mutters as he takes Abel's hand and leans on him for support. Dang it that's the fourth shock I've gotten today which is pretty bad considering that they multiply by ten each time…I don't want any more of those things. He thinks as he walks on wobbly legs with Abel for support.

"Well that explains why you ran away when he held that remote." Eva laughs in a playful tone and sends Shadow a bright smile when he shoots her a death glare. "I mean for a moment there I thought you just ditched us! I'm glad you didn't though then how would we explain that to Alma and the others?" She asks with a cheerful smile on her face.

"You guys keep telling me ya'll know 'em but I haven't seen 'em anywhere! So where are they or next time I really will ditch ya'll." Shadow barks glaring at Eva his temper nearly boiling because of the shock. "Oww…my head." He grumbles scowling at the floor his head drooping. Shouting doesn't help me any. He thinks scolding himself silently under his breath.

"Maybe you should work on your temper hm?" Abel asks shaking his head when Shadow grumbles under his breath. "You will have to wait to see your…um friends they had to distract the Methuselah so we could get in here." He explains to Shadow in a calm voice. I don't blame him for his ill-temper he must have been shocked before and I don't think they would make the shock lessen with each turn. He thinks looking at Shadow in pity.

"Mm stupid vamps putting this stupid collar on me, stupid Mickele, stupid, stupid, stupid Andrew, stupid way to polite William. I hate this day when I get back I'm takin' me a nap!" Shadow mumbles and almost trips over his own feet. "Really can I get a break anyone? I mean seriously just for one lousy minute I would like to not be injured or shocked by anyone! Is that too much to ask for?" He continues his rant and then finally sighs in defeat. I'm not helping anyone by going on my rants… He thinks as he sighs again.

"Are you finished do you need to have a minute to cool down?" Eva asks looking at him her head tilted with a concerned look. "Oh or maybe do you need a hug?" She asks holding her finger up and smiles.

"No I think I'm done and I don't think I want a hug from you." Shadow answers in a dry tone looking at the ground not noticing Eva inch closer. "Touch me and I swear you'll regret it." He darkly says looking up at her. I know she doesn't mean any harm but that shock's pushed me near the edge. He thinks regretting what he said and how he said it.

"Now, now calm down Shadow I'm sure you're in a foul mood after all that's happened so let's try to get along shall we?" Abel asks in a sincere tone smiling gently at Shadow.

"Tell her to leave me alone." Shadow says and looks away from Eva who was scowling at him but nods.

"Tell him to act nicer then I'll leave him alone." Eva grunts her arms crossed as she ignores Shadow's cold look.

"In case ya'll didn't know its kind a hard to act nicer when I've been kidnapped, shocked at least four times, and held captive against my will all in one day, might I add." Shadow grumbles to her as he rolls his eyes in annoyance. Man I'm so tired I just want to take a nap maybe I could…nah I don't these people. He thinks as he shakes his head.

"Wow sounds like you've had a rotten day." Eva says looking at him with wide eyes as the others do the same. "I guess that would be a good reason for the way you have been acting but still, try to be nicer and people won't think you're such a jerk." She kindly says as Shadow gives her cold glare and then smiles.

"Fine I see your point…sorry for what I said earlier." Shadow says and holds his free hand out to her a sincere smile on his face. She's right not much I can do right now and I want to get on their good sides…besides they don't seem that bad. He thinks as she shakes his hand.

"Apology accepted now come one let's go find the others!" Eva cheers as she turns and runs down another hall having no idea where she had to go or where she was.

Shadow: You enjoy putting me through the harshest situations don't you?

Author: They only seem harsh to you. Hope you enjoyed sorry for the wait!