Transylvania
Episode 2
Loving a Monster
Part 1
AN: Alright, I know this took a long time, dun kill me, please. I had a huge block on this thing for a while. So, since it's been so long, I'll skip the individual review responses for right now and get to the story!
"I love him, I love him, I love him!"
Lucy Westenra, Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula.
In a dark, shadowed field just outside of town, something was occurring. Two figures, both heavily shadowed, one in a hooded sweatshirt, hood pulled up to shadow his face, the other with the drama mask of comedy covering his features and a black cloak swirling about his body, stood facing each other. The eyes of each traveled up and down the body of the other, until finally they seemed to be satisfied. The figure in the sweatshirt stepped forward first, pulling the hood back to reveal the face of Jack Karter, drummer for the band Sprocket. The other figure stepped forward then, removing her mask, to reveal Delphi, one of the women staying within Drakul's castle. The pair met in the middle of the field, Jack throwing his arms around Delphi's waist, and Delphi throwing her arms around Jack's neck. Their lips met, and for the two of them, for a moment, it was as if the world had dropped away. They were the only two that existed, and each only cared for the other.
Finally, after moments that seemed like many years, Delphi pulled away to gaze at Jack. The pair stood in silence for a few more moments, swimming in the sea of each other's eyes, until Jack spoke, breaking the spell. "You know I love to see you, Delphi, but I'm curious…why did you sound so frantic on the phone?" Delphi sighed and pulled away from Jack entirely, slipping out of his embrace and stepping back a few steps, turning away from him and dropping her gaze to her feet. "Delphi," she heard Jack ask, concerned. He took a step toward her, but she stood still, didn't turn around.
"Jack…stop. I needed to talk to you, and it needed to be now. It's important."
"Alright," Jack replied, sounding both confused and afraid, "I'm listening."
"We can't see each other anymore."
"What?" He looked around, as if looking to see if he was on one of those TV hidden camera shows. "Why not? Don't you want to see me?"
"Of course I do," Delphi squeaked, "but it's more complicated than that."
"How? I-I understand if you don't want to see me again…don't like it, but I understand…but you just said you wanted to."
"You always knew it would be complicated when we got together, Jack," Delphi stated, trying to sound harder than she really felt.
"You're not fooling me, Delphi," Jack said softly, stepping forward and wrapping his arms around Delphi's waist. "You tried to do that when we first met, remember? Play the tough girl that was prone to danger and flighty feelings, that no guy wanted to get involved with?"
"That's not it this time, Jack," Delphi replied, turning to face him, looking into his eyes and almost choking on her words. "This time it's for real. I don't want to stop seeing you, it's just…I don't have a choice."
"Delphi…."
"Jack…please, don't make this any harder than it already is." She looked away from his eyes, at the grass, at a tree in the distance, at the town off a little ways, and finally stopping on Jack's chest. "This is the hardest thing I've had to do…and believe me, I've got a lot of life experience to back that up."
"Just…tell me why. Why don't you have a choice? Is it a school thing, or is someone holding something over your head, or…?"
"Guys always guess the things that they think they can save girls from," Delphi stated, both amused and saddened. "No, Jack. It's none of those."
"Then what is it?"
"It's just…my father, if you could think of him as a father, is doing some things…and I can't be involved with you because of that."
"What about Drakul? Can't he do anything to help you? I mean you stay with him, not your father, after all." Delphi let out a wry laugh before composing herself.
"No, Drakul can do nothing." If Jack didn't know any better, he would have sworn that there was a tone of resentment in Delphi's voice when she said those words.
"He's rich, there has to be something he can do."
"Money doesn't make you rich, Jack," Delphi sighed, shaking her head. "Jack…I have to go. Just…please, don't try to see me again." She slipped out of his embrace for the second time that night, wiped a few tears from her eyes, and placed her mask back on her face. "I love you, Jack Karter," she said as he began to walk off. "I just wish that was enough."
Jack was left staring after her, a stupefied, hollow look in his eyes.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Jack was walking down the street, his legs on autopilot and his mind in the sky. He was trying to figure out what Delphi's father could be doing, and whether he could do anything to help. Maybe if he paid a visit to Drakul, he could…he paused a moment as his eyes caught something rather odd, and his mind suddenly snapped back into focus. Orderlies from an asylum were hauling Chris into a van! Jack darted towards them, all thoughts of Delphi on hold. "Hey! What's going on here? What are you doing with him?"
"Our job, kid," the larger orderly snapped.
"Is this guy your friend?"
"Yeah. Now tell me what's going on," Jack stated, narrowing his eyes at the larger of the two.
"He was running around trying to get people to attack Drakul. He claimed that he was a vampire." Jack's eyes widened as he looked at the brooding Chris. His leg was broken…how did that happen?
"Chris," Jack asked. Chris opened his eyes and laughed as he saw Jack.
"Heya, Jack. I guess you don't believe me either, huh?" Before Jack could say anything, Chris continued. "You think I'm crazy, just like all the rest. Yeah, well, no offense, but I'm going to laugh when one night you get drained dry by him or one of his bitches."
"That's enough, kid," the second orderly stated, jabbing a syringe into Chris's arm. "It's time for you to take a nap. We'll get you to a bed as soon as possible."
"Whatever," Chris replied, though the sedative had a rapid effect. Within five minutes, Chris was being loaded up into the van, Jack watching in shock. He didn't notice Professor Van Helsing standing behind him until the van had pulled off.
"Professor…?" He looked over and saw the Professor's van parked a few feet away, the front end of the van on the road, the back end on the sidewalk. "What's going on?"
"Nothing. Go home, Mr. Karter. You don't want to be involved in this." Van Helsing spun and headed off towards his van, leaving Jack stupefied for the second time in less than half an hour.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Delphi slipped into Drakul's castle, opening the doors just enough to get in and turning to make sure they closed quietly. When she turned back around, both her sisters were standing there, and she glared at them. "You knew I snuck out," she accused.
"We always know, Delphi," Philandra replied, rolling her eyes.
"Is it a guy," Beatrice asked, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
"No, it's not a guy," Delphi lied, shoving her way past her sisters and heading down the hallway.
"Share," Beatrice said, laughing while catching up and falling into step on Delphi's left side.
"Really," Philandra sighed, falling into step on Delphi's right, "you should know better than to keep that sort of thing from us."
"Why is that," Delphi asked, already knowing the answer.
"Because we're your sisters," Beatrice stated enthusiastically.
"Beatrice, you're a naïve slut that doesn't know a damn thing about what's really going on, and Philandra, you're a bitch." Delphi turned suddenly and started going up the stairs. "I think that about sums it up nicely." She disappeared around another corner, and Philandra laughed at Beatrice, who actually looked hurt by Delphi's comment.
"Come on, little sister, I have an idea that you might like," Philandra stated, putting her arm around Beatrice and guiding her down the hallway.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Jack stood just outside Van Helsing's, seemingly uneasy and nervous. He wasn't sure why, but he felt the need to come here. Either it was because of Chris, or because…because he wanted to ask about Delphi. He'd always known the situation was more complicated than she made it out to be, always known that something wasn't right…and the only person he could think to ask about that was Professor Van Helsing. He was about to knock when the door swung open. "Come in, Mr. Karter." Van Helsing lead Jack upstairs, to the apartment that he called home above his rather extensive "headquarters." Jack was amazed at all the weapons, books, and occult paraphanelia the man had in the lower portion of his living quarters, but that still didn't prepare him for the conversation that would ensue once they were upstairs.
Van Helsing gestured to a couch that Jack could sit on, and when the boy did, Van Helsing took the chair across from him. "What can I do for you, Mr. Karter? I'm assuming this involves Chris?"
"No," Jack replied, shaking his head. "I was going to get to that afterwards, but…I'm here to ask about my girlfriend."
"I'm not a private detective, Mr. Karter. I'm not going to find out if she's cheating on you," Van Helsing chided.
"I didn't think you were," Jack responded. "Something…I love her, but I've always known there's more to her than meets the eye…."
"And you were wondering whether I knew anything about her," Van Helsing finished for the boy. "Fair enough. Do you know what she is?"
"Um…human? Is there anything else?"
"What's her name," Van Helsing sighed in exasperation.
"Delphi," Jack responded. "She's staying at Drakul's mansion." Van Helsing's eyes widened.
"Then she's not human," Van Helsing replied. "And you're more entwined in Chris's situation than you think."
"What?" Jack looked uneasy again, as if he were about to bolt down the stairs and out the door.
"Mr. Karter, I'm going to be honest with you: Drakul is a vampire. So are the three women that stay with him. He made them."
"…Delphi's a vampire?"
"Yes, Mr. Karter," Van Helsing replied. "I can prove it, if you'd like."
"I think you'd better," Jack retorted, torn between anger and fear. Van Helsing nodded, pushed himself up, and retrieved a picture from a draw. It was black and white, dated around 1939, and was in fairly good condition. He pressed the picture into Jack's hand.
"Tell me who you see in that picture," Van Helsing instructed.
"…That's Drakul, but he doesn't look any different than…! That's…Delphi!"
"Is this proof enough, Mr. Karter?"
"I…pictures can be faked," Jack gasped out, throwing the picture back at Van Helsing.
"Drakul has kidnapped Rose," Van Helsing continued, catching the picture one-handed. "Chris can attest to that, at least until they pump him full of sedatives and make him think whatever they want him to think."
"I…how…it isn't possible."
"I didn't think teenagers today were so disbelieving," purred a seductive voice from a suddenly open window. Jack bolted upright, spinning to face the window. Van Helsing had already reached into his coat, but found his arm in the vice grip of a young looking woman with dark hair and tan skin. Jack was left to stare as the tall, pale skinned woman with brown hair slipped in. He recognized her from the shows as the oldest of the three women that stayed with Drakul, and the woman holding Van Helsing as the youngest.
"How did you get up here," Jack asked, confused.
"Easily," Philandra replied. "We just floated on up, like dust on the wind."
"Actually," Beatrice giggled, "we were."
"Details, details," Philandra replied, waving her hand dismissively. "What does it matter? We're here for a reason, Beatrice, do not forget."
"Oh, don't worry," Beatrice grinned, her teeth elongating into fangs, "I won't." Jack gasped and stumbled backwards, ending up falling backwards over the couch in the process. Philandra and Beatrice both laughed at Jack's display, and Philandra moved closer to the couch.
"So, this is the mortal that has captured our sister's heart," she questioned, a sinister smirk spreading across her face. "Not much of one, I see." Van Helsing glanced towards the couch, mentally cursing himself for letting Jack in.
"Oh, don't worry," Beatrice scolded playfully, obviously catching sight of the look on his face. "You'll get your turn."
"No he won't," Jack's voice exploded from behind the couch, and suddenly the couch was sent forward, smacking into Philandra before toppling over and pinning her to the ground. Beatrice hissed loudly, glaring at Jack, her attention wavering from Van Helsing for a moment. Van Helsing used the moment of distraction to his advantage, yanking his arm out of her grip and removing the stake from his coat. He tossed Jack an extra stake as he slowly backed away from Beatrice, stake held at the ready. Jack held the stake at the ready, though his hand was shaking, and so was his whole body, for that matter. He was afraid, anyone could tell that, and he was struggling with himself to control it.
Philandra shoved the couch off of her and across the room, standing up and brushing herself off as the frame of the couch splintered and broke. "Apparently I spoke too soon," she began. "Come on, Beatrice. This fight won't take place here or now." She waved playfully at Jack and added, "We'll be seeing you…soon." Beatrice looked a bit disappointed that she wouldn't get to take care of Van Helsing, but did as she was told. They both went to the window that Philandra had entered through, and somehow, the next minute they were motes of dust, floating out the window.
Jack, though still shaking, turned purposefully and headed towards the door. "Where are you going," Van Helsing questioned, arching an eyebrow.
"I-I have to get Delphi out of there," Jack replied. He may have stuttered, but there was a stubborn determination underneath the nervousness that Van Helsing knew would be impossible to reason with.
"I'm not helping you," Van Helsing replied. "I need to try and help Chris."
"I know. Do what you have to do," Jack responded. He pushed through the door, and called back over his shoulder, "I'm taking some Holy Water."
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Quincey was sleeping rather peacefully, TV blaring in his living room, when he heard a pounding at his door. It was so loud and insistent that he bit off the sarcastic comment he'd intended to utter and swung open the door. Jack stood there looking frightened but determined. He held a wooden stake in his hand, and had several pouches attached to his belt. "Jack," Quincey muttered sleepily. "What's goin' on?"
"I need your help," Jack replied. "Can I come in?" Quincey nodded and moved aside, and Jack entered swiftly. "Close your door and lock it. We also need to lock the windows." Without waiting for Quincey to comply, Jack strode into the nearest room and began locking the windows in place. Then he pulled a glass vial out of one of the pouches, popped it open, and began spreading the water within the vial all over the window frame and sill.
"What the hell are you doing," Quincey asked, his voice a combination of grogginess and shock.
"I need you to come with me to Drakul's castle."
"What? At this time of night?"
"Yes. Now. The sooner the better."
"…Is that Holy Water?"
"Yes, it is. Drakul's a vampire, so are the women with him. I've been seeing one of them. I love her, and she's not like the others. I need to get her out. Van Helsing's occupied trying to get Chris out of the nuthouse, so he can't, so I'm coming to you. We'll need to call Liam, too."
"…Wait, whoa, slow down a minute," Quincey replied, shaking his head to try and wake himself up. "I was sleeping out in the TV room when you started knocking, so just slow down so that my groggy mind can digest all this. Start from the beginning." Jack sighed heavily and nodded.
"Alright. The beginning, for me, was tonight, when I was seeing Delphi. She's always insisted that we go to out of the way places to be together, places where people wouldn't recognize either of us. She's also always insisted on going to movies that were really early, almost too late for her to make it back before sunrise. I didn't get it at first, but now I know why. She's one of three women, made sisters when Drakul turned all three of them. Well, tonight she broke it off because of something Drakul was doing. Turns out, he's kidnapped Rose, for what purpose I don't know. I'm guessing Chris, being the guy that he is, tried to get her out the direct way, and then when that didn't work, he tried to get the town to help. Didn't work so well, as I saw him being taken to the loony bin."
"Geez," Quincey sighed, shaking his head again, this time to clear it. He knew Jack wouldn't lie about this, but still…vampires? Quincey could believe in a lot, but vampires? "Look, Jack, are you sure everything is the way you think it is? I mean…well, its not that I don't believe you, but…well, to be blunt, vampires?"
"Yes, vampires," Jack replied, and then continued, "You know me." He gestured to the window. "Would I be locking windows and pouring Holy Water all over them if I wasn't sure?"
"Have you…I mean, well, of course you have, but…I mean, have you seen any of them with fangs?"
"Fought two of them briefly earlier," Jack explained. "C'mon Quincey, we're wasting time." Jack smirked briefly and added, "We're burning moonlight."