Chapter 25: Stay or Go?
Time passed and scars healed, both physical and mental. The cross marks on your hands had healed over as well as you had learned to control your vampire urges. Alucard has almost disappeared completely from your life; he never spoke to you anymore let alone touched you. You awoke in your bed, buried underneath fifteen layers of bedding as a temporary resting place until you and Stephan were to go shopping today.
'I never thought I would be excited about going coffin shopping.' You thought, getting into the shower. Your body had changed as well; your limbs were longer as well as your curves became more accentuated. Pulling on a set of tight black pants and a black lacy top which revealed your ample bosom, pulling on a wide brimmed black hat to protect your face from the sun. Wrapping yourself up in a long black shawl you looked ready for a funeral, your funeral.
"Ophelia are you ready?" Came a voice, you opened the door to see Stephan waiting for you. "You look perfect, let's go." He said, you followed him downstairs to the car. Luckily for you the sun was covered by clouds so you could relax a little under all the layers of black. "Hey sis?"
"Yeah?"
"I know you don't like talking about it but... Alucard still hasn't spoken to you has he?" He said, your fist clenched.
"No." The rest of the ride was silent. The car pulled into the empty parking lot for 'Green Briar Funeral Services', Stephan led the way inside. A tall man in a suit greeted him, and then looked at your pale form.
'Remember to look sick.' Stephan thought, you gave a little nod.
"How can I help you two today?" He asked, Stephan led him aside as you started to drift around to look at the different coffins. Your ears picked up as you heard every word they said.
"It's my poor little sister... she's going to be dead within a month. An incurable disease, the doctors have given up hope." He said, the undertaker sighed.
"But she's so young and beautiful! How can she be dying?"
"It rots her from the inside out, it's called something like Nosferatufangirlitis, and it's a very rare blood disease." Stephan said, you gave a little laugh but disguised it with a cough. The undertaker came up to you and took your hand carefully.
"You can choose anyone you like my dear, shall I leave you two to look around?" You nodded and looked away. He left the two of you alone in the room, filled with different coffins of every shape, size and colour imaginable. Passing a sleek brown one, running your hand over the glossy wood.
"Ophelia?"
"Yes?" You said, opening it up and looking inside at the purple lining.
"Do you still want to stay in England?" He asked, the lid of the coffin slammed down on your hand. Frowning you pulled your fingers away and moved on to the next one.
"What do you mean?" You asked, wincing at the pink floral design on the lid of the next one.
"It's just that well... Alucard's not talking to you and... We miss you a lot in America. Since you've changed as well, then... we could always use another vampire back as the Gold Moon Squad." You looked at him and sighed.
"I'll think about it, maybe I should go back home. It's clear that they don't really need me here anymore. I'll talk to Sir Integra about it." You said, looking over to the far side of the room. Clutching your hands together like a child on Christmas morning, it was perfect. Plain black with golden trim, half open to reveal the black satin lining. Tapered to show the human form, wide at the shoulder and smaller as the feet, you ran your hand over the front of it. "This one." That was that, the coffin was bought and Walter went over to pick it up that afternoon. Taking off the hat you sat down on your bed in your new underground room. The walls were stone and all your possessions had been moved there, you rested your head in your hands. 'Maybe I should go home. I wouldn't mind being back at the Gold Moon Squad.' You thought, than your thoughts turned to him. Alucard. The vampire you were so in love with. 'If he did love me then he would accept me for who I am, even if I have changed!' You thought. With a heavy sigh you went up to Sir Integra's office, knocking on the door lightly.
"Come in." You pressed your hands against the door and phased through. She looked up and smiled a little, tapping the ash on her cigar. "Nice to see you Miss Jones, come in." You tried to move forward but you stopped. Looking back, your foot was lodged in the door. Thinking hard you yanked your foot through the wood, taking half the door with you. Integra groaned and looked at you in irritation as you tried to shake the wood from around your ankle. You sat down opposite her.
"I wish to discuss my employment here." You said, she raised an eyebrow in interest. So the both of you talked and talked. In the end she agreed that it would be in your best interests to return to America.
"After all, there's no longer anything here that you want." She said, your heart felt heavy.
"Your right." You said, getting up and heading to the door.
"Miss Jones." You stopped and looked at her, her glasses shining so you couldn't see her eyes. "It's in his nature to be an arsehole; you will have to tell him that you're leaving. I won't do that for you." You nodded and left the room. Integra smiled and looked out at the setting sun. 'If she's smart, I'm sure she'll find some reason to stay.' She thought.