Van Helsing frowned as he leant over the papers in front of him. They had many documents in the archives here at the Order and had details of many forms of haunting but nothing that matched what was happening to Nicola. He had kept out a few books on similar incidents, which he hoped would be useful but he wasn't happy with what he was finding. He sighed. He wasn't cut out for this research lark anyway. He looked across at Carl to find the friar was all but invisible behind a growing pile of books.

"Carl do you have anything?" he asked as he stood and moved towards the other man.

"Give me chance Van Helsing," the friar replied. "I've only been here 5 minutes and there is a wealth of material to peruse."

As he said this, the door opened and the two young women entered.

Nicola looked round in amazement. She had never seen such a wonderful library before.

"Oh how perfect. I wish I could just sit here all day reading," she declared.

This statement did much to raise her up in Carl's estimation and he hurried forward to show her round the various sections of the great room.

Arene hurried to Van Helsing's side and looked up at him with a worried expression.

"Anything?" she questioned quietly.

"Nothing concrete - just a few vague ideas at present," the Knight of the Holy Order replied. "Carl will find something though," he added to reassure his daughter.

"There is something you ought to see," Arene continued slowly. "I don't think Nicola is aware of it but on her back, as she was getting changed, I saw some markings."

"What kind of markings?" Van Helsing questioned with concern. In his experience of the occult such things were never a good sign.

"As if someone was writing something into her back. Whatever is was, it didn't seem to be complete though..should we tell her?" Arene bit her bottom lip as she waited for her father's response.

"No, not yet," answered Van Helsing after a moment. "Carl will bring the salve for her. Persuade her to let him apply it to her back for her then he can make note of what is there..."

"I already did," interrupted Arene. "I scribbled it down as she dressed." This said she pulled a crumpled piece of paper from her pocket.

Van Helsing uncreased it and looked at what was written there.

"Můžu vra.."

He stood deep in thought for a moment as Arene watched his face anxiously. She hoped this didn't bode ill for Nicola. She glanced over to where her friend stood in deep discussion with Carl and allowed herself a brief smile. At least the two of them seemed to be getting on better now!

"It appears to be Czech," Van Helsing said at last. He had picked up a fair few languages during his various missions over the centuries. "The first word means 'I can' but it is impossible to guess the second word at this stage. I'll show this to Carl later and see what he thinks. In the meantime I want you to sit with Nicola and get her to tell you of each visitation she has had. I want details - times, places, actions...everything. It might be hard for her but it will help us get an idea of how things have progressed."

"We'll start straight away," Arene declared.

Just then Nicola and Carl wandered back over towards them.

"Well you two," Van Helsing said jovially, "what have you been up to over there?"

Arene smiled as her friend approached, she looked so happy talking with Carl. It must have been the first time she felt relaxed in a long time, Arene figured. She hated that she now had to bring up bad memories, but she knew it had to be done. It was the only way to help Nicola. She took a deep breath seeing Nicola smile happily at the friar.

"Carl was being nice and showed me around the library."

Carl bushed at this statement.

"I was only showing her the first area, if you follow me, I can-"

"Uh, Carl?" Van Helsing interrupted him. "Sorry to interrupt, but maybe another time. I need to talk to you now," he said with a slight sense of urgency in his voice. One only Carl knew. He nodded and turned to Nicola.

"I guess we will have to finish the tour some other time," he said, sounding as though he didn't want to wait for that time. Nicola smiled.

"It's okay, I can't wait till next time," she replied, looking at the little friar. Carl smiled back at her and went over to Van Helsing and they both walked to another part of the room. Nicola came up to Arene, grinning,

"He's so sweet," she said.

"Which one?" Arene joked.

"Both of them," Nicola responded. "They really care about you, you know."

"Yeah, I'm happy to be with them," Arene said. "I love them so much. I'd die for them... the same way I would die for my friends." She looked up at Nicola, meaning each word she said. She took a deep breath and spoke again.

"Look... I need to talk to you about something," She continued in a pained voice. Nicola knew it couldn't be good as the two walked over to a couch and sat down. It was like she knew what was coming and braced herself. Arene looked at her friend and spoke.

"I need to know what happened during the attacks. All you can remember, time. place, date, actions, anything. Take as much time as you need, but I promise you, this will help." She took Nicola's hand in hers. "I'll be here the whole time."

Nicola smiled slightly at her friend. She knew Arene was right. She had to tell about the attacks, but it hurt so much. She squeezed Arene's hand tightly and closed her eyes.