AN: UGH! I am so sorry, you guys. Things have been a little hectic lately. You know, the whole 'teen drama' junk. Honestly, I don't know where some people get off trying to tell us that just because they're not a teenager anymore means that they have so much more drama than us. Honestly, I think teens make the drama themselves, but its there. And come on, NOBODY has it perfect. So of course teens have problems. Just not the same as adults. I mean, come on. I know first graders who create major drama. FIRST GRADERS! Wow, that was a completely wacky bit of babble, lol. Anyhoo, onto the important stuff. Thanks to all my reviewers! Ebony Night, Aradia-Hornbeam, Fortune Zyne, HughJackmanFan, and Ithilwenn thanks! You guys inspire me so much, so thanks for sticking with!

Ebony Night: Yea, he killed Anna, and he feels really guilty about it afterwards.

Aradia-Hornbeam: Yep, that pretty much sums it up, lol. Wouldn't you like to know who is following Ian and Carl, though? Don't worry you'll find out … soon.

HughJackmanFan: Yea, I noticed. It's the longest I've ever written, actually. And in such a short period of time, too. It's weird. I mean, I wrote something else that was finished by this many pages, and that took less time, but it's still quite interesting. Thanks for noticing, and thanks for the review!

Ithilwenn: Oh, no! No, Carl wasn't trying to get Ian to drink the stuff in the bottle. He was just pulling it out and stuff. You know, Carl's just going through his gizmos and pulls out a vial. It's sort of a pull on the whole scene where Carl has the bomb that is intense like the rays of the sun and stuff. It's really an inside joke between my two brothers and I, so that's why it's in there at all. As for the Anna-VH stuff. I thought I hinted at it a little before. Oh well. These next few chapters there should be a little more. I just want to put a little space between is all. Gabriel had to get over his guilt about killing her before he could fully pick up where they left off, lol. Don't worry

Oh, and just another thing, you might think that just because they're at Dracula's castle the story is coming to an end, but I would like to ensure all of my loyal readers that we've still got a long time on this thing, and chances are it won't even be finished until the end of summer. So bear with me, and be happy in the knowledge that the story will go on!

Through the Veil

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

Van Helsing pulled Anna slightly closer as they stepped into the frigid air. "It hasn't changed a bit," Anna said softly.

"No," Van Helsing agreed, stepping towards the castle with a frown. "At least not on the outside." The two began to trudge through the snow, Anna shivering slightly from the intense cold.

"How are we to open the door to Castle Dracula?" Anna inquired finally as they neared the tall building. "You don't have your werewolf strength."

"The castle has been deserted for five years," Van Helsing replied solemnly. He stepped forward and pulled the doors open. "When Carl and I fled here we forgot to ensure the door was closed. Seeing as it is still well open, even a little rusted, it's a safe bet that Dracula hasn't returned here."

"Then he is elsewhere," Anna said.

Van Helsing glanced over at her sudden movement as she came to his side. "What do we do?"

"We explore the castle," Van Helsing replied as he leaned over just a bit to catch the lingering smell of Anna's hair as she moved past him. She stepped inside the building, quickly moving away from him as she glanced around.

"You can't see anything in here," She said, backing away as her face met with spider webs. She quickly knocked them away from her face before continuing inwards. Van Helsing followed her quickly inside, closing the door firmly behind him and wrapping the duo in darkness.

"Can you see?"

"Yes," Van Helsing replied. He quickly grasped Anna's hand and started down the long hall. Anna had to hold back a girlish grin at the hunter holding her hand seeing as VH could see in the dark.

"What are we looking for?" Anna asked.

"Anything out of the ordinary," Van Helsing replied.

Anna nodded and then allowed her eyes to wander, now that they had adjusted to the encompassing shadows. "Do you remember your way around?" She inquired.

"Vaguely," Was the hunter's response. The two walked around for a few minutes, before finally finding a stairway. "There are other stories to search," he said thoughtfully.

"You check the second floor, and I'll go onto the third," Anna said, starting forward.

"That isn't a good idea," Van Helsing said, pulling her back. "Last time I left you alone for ten seconds and Aleera had you captured. We don't know what's up there. Perhaps we should simply search together, hmm?"

Anna was about to object, but decided spending some more time alone with Van Helsing could be enjoyable. Not to mention it was safer. "Fine," She agreed. The two started up the long staircase, still holding hands. Van Helsing allowed his fingers to travel lighting across the cement feel of the old castle. Anna glanced at the hunter out of the corner of her eyes just as they made it to the second floor.

"The count mentioned a need for revenge. Was that solely because you killed him? Or was there something more?" She asked.

Van Helsing stiffened, suddenly turning to look Anna fully up and down. Then he dropped her hand and took a step back. "How do I know you're not a shape shifter?" He finally asked.

Anna blinked, looking truly confused by the comment. "What?" She asked.

"You know what a shape shifter is," Van Helsing said coolly.

"Of course I know what a shape shifter is," Anna snapped angrily. "Have I turned into a monster on you?"

Van Helsing eyed her. "I mean a creature that can alter its appearance to become anything," He growled.

Anna tried to contain her fury. She only managed by convincing herself that Van Helsing was simply trying to be cautious. "Would a shifter know that when we found the Frankenstein monster we had fallen through a poor spot of wood over the old wind mill? And before that we had been drinking absinth?"

"No," Van Helsing reluctantly admitted. He took the princess's hand again and continued down the dark hall. "I'm sorry about your brother."

"He is happy where he is now," Anna replied.

"And I'm sorry about you."

"Van Helsing, we've already discussed this. You did me a favor. And now I'm here … with you."

The two stopped once again, and Van Helsing turned to look down at Anna. He grinned as always, and Anna returned it. In a few moments, Van Helsing was bending down to kiss the princess before him. Their lips were almost touching when screeching sounded through the castle. The two jerked apart and looked hastily around. Van Helsing reaching for his gun, Anna for her sword. They spun around in circles, trying in vain to find the source of the noise.

Something quickly flew past the princess's hair, and then another. Within seconds, the hall was filled with screeching bats. They clawed at Anna's hair and managed to knock Van Helsing's hat off his head. Despite herself, Anna let out a startled cry and stumbled backward, quickly separating herself from the hunter that she could no longer see.

THE TEENS (AND DOMMY)

Dommy frowned. "Scratch that. I choose life," He said, turning around and heading for the doorway they had just come through. Amanda quickly spun around and caught his collar.

"Oh no, you little pain. I'm not letting you out of my sight for two seconds. March forward."

"Why do I have to be in front?" The young boy whined.

"So if anything jumps out from behind a corner it gets you," Justine grumbled. The boy tossed her a quick glare before he stumbled through the snow.

"At least I didn't wear a T-shirt and boxers," He muttered under his breath before sneaking a look at Francis. The older boy shivered again, Stefie's arms wrapped around him to give him some of her body heat.

Darey and Kaelin glanced over at the teen with goofy grins on their faces.

"Okay, anyone else not want to enter the foreboding looking castle?" Justine whimpered.

"Me," Dommy said quickly.

"Hey, Anna and VH are inside," Amanda replied. "We can't just leave them hanging, can we?"

"Is t-there he-he-eat in the c-castle?" Francis asked, his teeth chattering beyond belief. His pale skin covered with goose bumps.

"Probably not," Darey informed him.

"I'm game for leaving," Francis said quickly. Stefie rolled her eyes.

"Well maybe you shouldn't have changed into your pajamas so soon," She replied. "Although I adore those bunny boxers!"

Despite the cold, Francis could feel his cheeks burning warmly. The others snickered.

"Oh!" Kaelin gasped as the lantern blew out. "Shitaki mushrooms."

"There better be some light inside that castle," Dommy warned.

"Hello, deserted evil castle! Why would there be any light?" Justine snapped.

"Because it's convenient," Dommy snapped back. "And if this were a movie there would be lighting!"

"Dommy, we may be in a world based after a movie, but trust me, this is not a movie," Amanda said.

"Yea, I mean, if this were scripted, wouldn't we have better lines?" Darey asked.

"And more clothing?" Francis suggested.

"Aw, hon," Stefie said, giving him a hug. "Hollywood loves guys without their shirts on. Beside, I think boxers and a T-shirt are cute!"

"…"

"Umm, sure," Darey said. "Why not?"

"You'd think that if we were in a movie, the stupid light wouldn't have blown out," Kaelin muttered.

"Thus proving this isn't scripted. It's sheer bad luck," Amanda supplied.

"If you go off on another of your "I'm a bad omen" things," Justine said, pointing a finger at Amanda, "Then I will literally rip your lips from your face."

"Somebody needs to take a nap," Stefie said cheerfully. The group stopped and stared up at the closed door.

"Should we knock?" Justine asked nervously.

"Darey, open the door," Amanda instructed.

"What? Why do I have to open the impossible to open door?" Darey demanded.

"Because you do everything so well," Kaelin said, giving Darey a lop-sided encouraging grin.

"Please, never do that again," Darey replied. Then she sighed. "Alright, I'll do it. But I don't want any comments from the peanut gallery when something creepy sweeps down and rips my guts out, got it?"

"Okay … that's more imagery than I would have liked," Dommy said.

"Something's gonna sweep down?" Justine whispered, grabbing quick to Francis' free arm. This, of course, didn't bother the shivering male at all.

"Be quiet," Darey snapped. She stepped up and cautiously peeled the door open.

"It looks dark in there," Justine muttered.

"Didn't we have this discussion already?" Kaelin demanded. They all filed into the dark abyss, leaving the door open to provide some light for the teens to see by. They stalked around the room. Stefie glanced at Francis.

"Do you still have that match?" She asked.

"Uhh … yeah. It's in my sock," He said.

"Why is it that everyone steals my perfect hiding place?" Dommy grumbled to himself as Francis handed the match over to Stefie.

"Thank you," Stef said, taking the match and then planting a quick kiss on his cheek. Then she quickly got to work on lighting the match. Within seconds fire erupted on the short stick. "Kaelin, get me the torch!"

The taller girl did just that, and the two quickly had the room a little brighter. With that, Darey quickly slammed the door closed so that the cold air couldn't get in.

"Now where are VH and Anna?" Francis asked, leaning into the warmth of the small flame. As if on cue, seconds later Anna's shriek filled the air.

"Oh boy," Justine said.

"Where did it come from?" Stefie asked.

"I say we split up," Dommy suggested. "We'll find them easier. Darey, you come with me."

"I don't think so," Amanda said, quickly grabbing hold of her brother. Suddenly the same screeching that had been upstairs filled the lobby, and the bats began to fly around the room.

Justine cried out fearfully, tripping over her footing and grabbing a hold of Dommy's neck. The small boy grunted before tumbling onto the floor.

"Everybody get down!" Someone called out. There was quick shuffling as everyone besides Kaelin flung themselves onto the cold floor. Kaelin still held the torch in her hand, and had taken to swinging it around the bats, managing to catch a few on fire. (AN: I hate the idea of killing poor helpless bats. Especially when they aren't really doing anything. But for the story's purposes, we'll have a few bats taken out.) The bats took the hint and flew off in another direction before disappearing out of the tall and wide gothic windows.

Amanda slowly pushed herself off of the ground, blowing her hair out of her face. After pursing her lips for a few moments, she said, "splitting up it is then."

Kaelin quickly approached the others and helped some of them up. Once everybody was standing, Darey glanced around.

"She's right. If we split up we can have a better chance of finding Anna and VH," She said.

"Alright, Dommy and Justine will go down that corridor," Amanda said, pointing across from them.

"Gee, leave me with the shrimp," Justine said sarcastically. Kaelin snatched up a torch from the wall and lit it before handing it to Justine.

"Fire stalls anything for a few moments," She explained. "Plus it's good for lighting."

"Thanks," Dommy grinned, reaching for the light.

"No way," Justine said. She took a nervous hold of the boy's hand and then disappearing down the long corridor.

"Francis and Stefie can take the stairs, see if you can find anything on the second floor."

"Aiy, aiy, cap'n," Stefie said quickly, grabbing Francis' hand and darting up the staircase, Kaelin handing them a lit torch along the way.

Amanda looked around the group thoughtfully, and then handed Darey the last torch. "Kaelin and I will take the third floor. You can explore the other corridor," She said, pointing in the opposite direction of where Dommy and Justine had gone.

"Okay," Darey said with a smile. Amanda and Kaelin quickly ran up the stairs, leaving Darey alone. After a few seconds, she frowned.

"Wait a minute … why am I always the one to go by myself?" She demanded to no one. Not receiving an answer, the raven haired girl turned on her heal and marched down the hall, trying her best to ignore the soft sound of footsteps coming from that direction.