Disclaimer: This may come as a shock, but I still don't own Van Helsing! But a plan is in the works, lol.
Megan h: Thanx for reviewing! I hope Dracula isn't OOC in this chappie. I don't think so, but if you do, tell me because an OOC drac would be AWFUL. So be honest k? Enjoy!
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1"What! Are you sure?" Van Helsing asked after Carl and I explained to him what we had seen.
"Are we sure!" Carl retorted sarcastically. "How could we be mistaken? I swear, it was him right there outside the window!"
"But in Rome? It doesn't make sense. Besides, I really think I killed him the last time. Maybe you just imagined it."
"Both of us just imagined a giant bat flying around outside?" Carl exclaimed. "I don't think so. And anyway, he never seems to stay dead, does he? With the devil, there's always a loophole. We just have to find it." Both Carl and Van Helsing turned and looked at me.
"What? Don't look at me!" I said. "I don't have any answers! I don't even know what I'm doing here in the first place!"
Van Helsing sighed. "Whatever the reason for your being here, I'm sure Dracula has something to do with it. We need answers. Carl, I want you to look through everything we have on Dracula. Find that loophole. Andrea, you need to tell me everything you know about Dracula. Anything could help." I nodded.
"I'll try, but I doubt it will help."
"Why not?"
"Because in my time Dracula is just a story. A book was written about him–"
"A book?" Carl interrupted.
"Yes, but it was just a made up fictional story! According to the history books of my time, there was a Count Dracula-like man, but his name was Vlad Tepes, he lived during the 15th Century, and he wasn't a vampire! He just had this wacked out psychotic obsession with impaling people. He was often called Vlad the Impaler, but not much else is known about him. I'm sorry, but I don't think I'll be much help. Until just a few minutes ago, Dracula was just a made up kid Halloween story to me."
"This book," Carl asked tentatively. "Do you....have a copy?"
"Of course not!" I exploded. I don't even have my own clothes on! What'd you think, that I just carry around a copy of some old, made-up novel with me everywhere?! Of course I don't have a copy!" I stopped for breath and noticed Carl practically cowering behind a stack of books. Van Helsing came up behind me.
"Calm down." he said, guiding me into a chair. I sat down and started crying, dry racking sobs. Ugh, what a girlie thing to do. Here I am with the Van Helsing and Carl, and all I can do is cry. Stupid hormones! Stupid stress! "It's alright Carl, you can come out now."
"Bit temperamental, isn't she?" Carl said, still slightly wary of coming too close.
"I'm sorry." I said, trying to stop crying, which only made me start hiccuping. " I just.....hic......I.....hic....I didn't mean....hic....oh!" I cried angrily, giving up attempting to explain. Van Helsing sat down next to me and patted my back, looking slightly uncomfortable and at a loss, until I finally stopped hiccuping and began breathing normally again.
"It's okay," he said, "Calm down. Everything's fine, you're just a little stressed. And Carl's sorry, aren't you Carl." It wasn't a question.
"Now, wait just a minute!" Carl said indignantly. "I'm not going to apologize for something that's entirely not my fault– I mean," Carl caught a look from Van Helsing and suddenly sounded very apologetic, "I mean, I, uh, I'm sorry Andrea, for, uh.........Van Helsing!" Carl whispered furtively, "what exactly did I do?" I laughed at this and drew back from Van Helsing's comforting touch, blushing slightly.
"Don't bother to apologize, Carl. I'm the one who was screaming at you, and I am sorry. This is all just too overwhelming." I took a deep breath and stood up. "Okay," I began, my voice still shaky, "where's that loophole?"
It was now mid-morning, and after hours of research, dead ends, and a few hours' sleep, Carl announced the worst. "I'm afraid we won't find what we're looking for here. This small library isn't extensive enough. We need to go to the Vatican Archives."
"How long will it take to get there?" Van Helsing asked grimly.
"If we leave now, we should arrive there about this same time tomorrow. If we don't stop for the night, that is."
"We don't have much choice. Carl, pack your things. Andrea and I will be outside waiting for you." Carl nodded in assent and I followed Van Helsing outside. While Carl collected whatever he thought we needed, Van Helsing and I got the horses. Van Helsing seemed tense, but I was excited. After all, the Vatican Archives are almost impossible to get into in 2004, and I had always wanted to go, but here I was, getting free access to the place. It was exciting! As soon as Carl arrived, we mounted and took off, not wasting a moment.
That night, after we had eaten, Carl and I were getting ready to sleep as Van Helsing had volunteered to keep watch. Everything was quiet. As a matter of fact, it was too quiet. The three of us exchanged a look, and a chill blanket settled over our campsite. Then, from the east came a horrific cry as a giant bat swooped down and landed near our campfire, almost smothering the flames. As soon as it touched the ground, it transformed, and there, before my eyes, stood Dracula. Dressed all in black with a cape and eyes like cold fire, he looked at the three of us, his stare lingering on me.
"Van Helsing!" Dracula cried, "So good to see you again. This seems all too familiar, does it not? Too bad Anna won't be joining us this time."
"What do you want?" Van Helsing growled.
"Want? My dear Gabriel, haven't you guessed?" Lightening fast, he transformed again, launched himself at me, grabbed me by the shoulders, and took off!
"Andrea!" Van Helsing shouted, far below. "ANDREA!" Dracula laughed, and Carl and Van Helsing rapidly vanished into the distance.
I, meanwhile, was having the time of my life! I was flying, (momentarily forgetting about the frightening bat that was carrying me) caught up in the rush of the wind and the view of the breathtaking night country-side. We finally landed on top of a high castle tower. Dracula set me down and transformed back into his human form.
"That.....that was amazing!" I cried, in wonder. I ran to the edge of the tower roof and looked out, spreading my arms wide. I could still feel the whistle of wind in my hair, the butterflies in my stomach. I turned back to Dracula. "That was so exhilarating! The rush, the swoosh, the wind, and the view!" I twirled around in pure joy of the feeling. Then I stopped in front of Dracula. "You..." I said, "You.....I........Thank you. I've always wished I could fly like that! It was.....wonderful!" I looked at Dracula with admiration and excitement from the flight still in my eyes. Dracula just stared back at me in wonder. He seemed totally unprepared and shocked at my reaction. Then he seemed to recover and smiled. "Oh!" I gasped, completely unafraid of the man standing before me. "We haven't been properly introduced. My name is Andrea. Andrea Valeria, though you probably know that." Dracula bowed gracefully.
"Count Vladislaus Dragulia."
As he straightened, I vocalized a thought I'd just had. "Hmm. Interesting. You have a first name, naturally, yet people only refer to you by your surname, Dracula. Similar to Van Helsing. He has a first name as well, yet you are the only one I know who actually calls him Gabriel. Granted, I haven't been here long, but I've never heard anyone else call him that. Don't you think that's an interesting coincidence?"
Dracula just stared at me again. "You are....." he stopped, searching for the right words. "...Strange. Unlike anyone I've ever known."
I smiled. "Thank you! Likewise, you can be sure, Count Dragulia."
"Oh, my dear, that sounds so formal! Please, call me Vladislaus." Dracula replied, as he opened a door leading down into the castle.
As we walked down the stairs, Dracula leading the way, I asked, "Where are we?"
"Dr. Frankenstein's old castle. It has been abandoned these last few years, but, I still come here now and again to.......make use of it. After all, it seems such a waste, wouldn't you agree?"
"Wholeheartedly." I answered. I wasn't afraid at all. Dracula seemed so charming and gracious, it was easy to forget the monster he could suddenly become. All I remembered was the indescribable ride to get here, not the beast who carried me. And being roughly pulled off the ground. "Tell me," I said, "was there any particular reason why you snatched me right off the ground so ungraciously?"
"Ah, Andrea, for that I must apologize. You see, you were brought here by God," he said the word with great distaste, "to assist Van Helsing in my destruction. Now, I couldn't just let that happen, could I? So, I took matters into my own hands. Self preservation, you understand, I'm sure."
"Of course," I responded, "I fully understand. I suppose I forgive you, Vladislaus." Dracula stopped on the stairs, turned, and kissed my hand, almost mockingly.
"You are...too kind." he said with a smile. The stairs came to an end and opened up into the main hall. I looked around.
"This place is huge! But so empty." I turned to Dracula. "There isn't one piece of furniture or anything! Are we staying here?"
"Of course not Ms. Valeria! This is simply a temporary residence until tomorrow night. Dawn is almost here, and, I'm afraid we wouldn't have enough time to go further."
"Well, what shall I do until then? There is nothing here but bare walls!"
"Make yourself at home." Dracula replied. With a wave of his hand, a bed, a dresser full of clothes, a table filled with food, and a bookshelf stocked with books instantly appeared. "And now," Dracula continued, bowing, "I must go." He kissed my hand again. "Until tomorrow night." he said, a smile playing on his lips and fire dancing in his eyes. Then, he straightened, and with a whirl, vanished.
"This is too surreal." I thought out loud, and wandered over to the food on the table. There were all manner of delicious things, so, remembering how long ago my last meal was, I began to eat.
So, what do you think? I like this chappie cuz Drac rox, but if you have a comment on it, good or bad, share it with me! I'll update as soon as I can and as soon as someone reviews. But I'm not gonna wait for a certain number or anything…I hate it when authors do that! Okay, I'll stop babbling… Anyways, review please!
GEM