Arene
walked up the stone staircase and brushed her fingers along the cool
surface. Her mind seemed to be racing, but it seemed so peaceful as
well. All she knew was that so much had happened and she wasn't sure
what to make of it. She finally came to a small hatch at the top of
the stairway and opened it. It led to the roof of the Vatican.
Arene had been up here a few times before, after finding the
passageway. She took a deep breath and walked up to the roof,
grabbing hold of the Golden cross to keep herself from falling. She
sat down and looked out over the night sky. The stars seemed to dance
tonight and a warm breeze fell over her. She wrapped her arms around
her knees and looked up at the sky.
"God? Hi, it's Arene
again. I need to talk to you. I don't know what just happened, but
suddenly, I brought Dracula back to life... literally. He's human
now, thanks to my blood and Nicola's love. I know I should feel happy
for her, but I feel like I've committed some evil sin. I also feel so
confused about myself. As though I have made so many mistakes that I
cannot be considered one of your children. I know I might just be
scaring myself, but I worry all the time, I am a crybaby and I think
so lowly of myself. I don't even want to know what Van Helsing and
Carl think. I just need to know something God, before the night is
over. I would just like to know, what is my place and...was the
Cardinal right? Do I belong here... have I found myself?"
She
finished her prayer and crossed herself. She wished she could talk to
someone about how she felt.
"One more thing God,"
she added as an afterthought, "please let Nicola and Dracula be
happy together, if nothing else... just that."
Van
Helsing stood there for a moment with his arms crossed and an unsure
look on his face.
"I don't know what to make of this,
Carl?" He said finally. "How could it be that he real does
care about her?"
"You forget two things, Gabriel,"
Dracula said, giving him a smile. "One, I can hear you and two,
I always had the ability to love." He kissed Nicola
passionately. "I just needed my heart to be rekindled."
Van
Helsing sighed. For once he would have to talk to the Cardinal about
what he should do about him.
"What am I going to do with
you?" Van Helsing sighed.
"How about just enjoy the
moment for once?" Dracula suggested and pulled Nicola into a
quick dance. She smiled happily, laughing as though she had never
felt happier in her life. Van Helsing had to smile; glad Nicola had
found someone who really loved her. He turned to look at Carl, who
had a very strange look on his face. He seemed actually sad about
this.
"Carl," he asked, "is something
wrong?"
"No," Carl mumbled, "nothing's
wrong."
Nicola and Dracula both saw the little friar and
the look on his face. Nicola smiled sadly and stopped dancing for one
moment as she went over to him. He gave her a sad look and shrugged
his shoulders. Nicola tried to grin.
Carl smiled at her in return.
"Well, if that's the case. I wish you so much happiness."
He nodded
in the Count's direction and Dracula bowed to him slightly.
Van
Helsing grinned from his place in the room. Suddenly Nicola looked
around, confused.
"Where's Arene?" she asked. Van
Helsing continued grinning.
"That I can answer."