Chapter twelve

It was quiet outside. Even the weather felt dull. To be quite honest with you, dear reader, it was just a very dull day for everyone. Even Walter had got bored with everything. He had done all his daily chores, and was lazily sitting outside reading a book. The sun shone brightly and everything was calm. At least, for a short while.

'WALTER!' Integra came storming out of the house, looking every bit as pissed as she felt. Walter arose from the lawn and looked at her questioningly.

'Yes madam?'

'What is that, that…woman still doing in my house?' Integra said, her eyes fuming behind her glasses.

'We tried to find her home, sir Integra, but it seems it doesn't exist.' Walter said helplessly. He knew Integra would never believe this.

'Goddamn you, Walter! You know I'm to old to believe such pitiful excuses! You just don't want her to leave, do you?'

Walter took a deep breath. She was right, he was very reluctant to see her leave. But she still had to go home. It was, after all, what she wanted. He looked Integra in the eyes.

'Sir Integra, I assure you this is no excuse, but an actual fact. This young woman wouldn't lie to me, I'm very sure of that.' He answered.

'Are you?'

'Yes, Integra, I am.'

Integra thought a while, then answered.

'I don't know what it is with this girl, but I want her out of here. Now, fact is she can't have come from nowhere. So either she mental, or she's lying. Consider that, would you Walter?'

the servant bowed in recognition.

'Oh, and Walter… it's sir Integra. Keep that in mind, please.' Integra strode back into the house, leaving an upset Walter, as far as Walter ever got upset, that is. What if she was right? Walter thought. After all, it is impossible to come from nowhere. Yet, she wouldn't lie to me, and she's not insane either. What the hell is going on?

Behind a nearby tree, Sal was getting pretty damn angry with Integra. How could she? Trying to steal the only friend she had in this damn place! Damn her, damn her to hell! I hope Alucard bites her, that would show her that she isn't as high and mighty as she thinks she is. He would show her what it means to have no choice. To be helpless and trapped. Sal sat behind the tree a bit more, and pondered more of such thoughts, until she saw Walter get up and walk back to the mansion. She followed him at a safe distance. Or so she thought.

'Outside, are we? How long have you been sitting behind that tree?'

Sal stopped dead in her tracks.

'You knew I was there?' She asked in disbelief.

'Yes, Sal, I did. You have been here about as long as I have. Would you follow me into the house, please, I have to discuss things with you.'

Sal gulped and followed Walter into the house. When they were back, Walter took her to the kitchen, and made some tea. Once both parties were happily seated with a hot cup of tea, Walter spoke.

'Dear Sal,' He began, but Sal interrupted him.

'I know what you're thinking!' She blurted out.

'Do you? Well, by all means, tell me.' The butler answered.

'You probably think I'm a liar! That I'm here to bring down the organisation! To kill Integra, even! I don't know! Just that I'm here to do harm. But I can assure you, that's not true! I don't know how I got here, and everyone's against me, and I'm having nightmares, and, and… I'm confused, Walter. I just want to get home, but home doesn't exist, and everyone else's mean to me! I JUST WANT TO GO HOME!' Sal was getting very depressed, very fast. She decided to sip some in tea in the hope of Walter not noticing how sad she actually was.

The old man looked at her for a while, then answered.

'I don't think you're here to bring harm to this organisation, or anyone who's part of it. You're not insane either. I think you really do life in the United States, but I can't explain why we can't find it in the Atlas, or anywhere for that matter. I have my own theories about that, but let's leave that to rest for now, shall we? Meanwhile, why don't you tell me about the nightmares? They seem to bother you quite a lot these days.'

Sal was happy for the change of subject, and began to tell Walter about the fluid, and nobody seeming to hear her scream. Her body wouldn't move, either. It was strange. Walter sipped his tea. He looked at her. Maybe, she wasn't lying. Maybe, that last theory of his could actually be true. Water stood up.

'I can make you a special herb tea to help you get those nightmares out of your sleep, if you like?' He said. Sal stood up, too.

'Sound like a great idea to me! I think I may sleep soundly tonight, with any luck.'

'I certainly hope so.'

Sir Integra Hellsing was working late, as usual. Outside, the moon shone brightly and powerful. Integra could practically turn off the lamp on her desk, and she would still be able to read. But that wasn't very good for her eyesight, and she didn't ant it to get worse than it already was. In her office, there were always shadows lurking on corners. Which was her own fault, because Integra had placed the few lamps she had wrongly. Walter had commented on it once or twice, but had given up almost instantly. He knew Integra wouldn't change a thing, unless there was no other option. The shadows seemed awfully long, though, Integra thought to herself as she looked around her office. They almost seemed to come alive. Then it struck her.

'What is it, Alucard, I'm working.'

'You're always working, Integra. When is the last time we had some fun, hmm?' The vampire came out of the shadows, and looked at her with a certain hint of sexual appraisal.

'Alucard, why are you looking at me like that? Alucard? ALUCARD!'