A Nightmare

It had been a long day. Integra allowed her robe to fall off her shoulders as she entered the Water Closet.

Turning on the tap, she enjoyed the sensation of the warm water as it flowed down her face and relaxed her muscles. She felt as if she had been the one in battle. As if this second shower would rinse off all the blood on her.

She ran her fingers through her hair, searching for any foreign items in it. Over and over, her fingers flew, as she tried obsessively to relieve herself of this feeling of uncleanness.

A small sigh escaped her lips as she at last began to feel the toll of weariness from the day's events. Maybe she would never feel clean again...

Something caught her eye. She turned to the corner of the shower, but there was nothing there.

Still, she felt as if something was watching her. She hugged her bare shoulders.

Nothing was allowed near her room nor her lavatory. She probably had the world's best security to ensure her privacy. Then why did she feel so vulnerable?

Sweat dripped down the side of her face and mixed with the bath water. She tried to rid her mind of the unnerving sensation, but her inner alarm was sounding. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

Quickly turning off the water, she raced to gather her robe together and cover herself. But she could not shake the feeling. Who could possibly be watching her in her own lavatory?

Would the stalker follow her into her room? Watch her sleep? She wanted so desperately to be rid of this feeling. So she decided to ignore it.

Walking briskly into the next room, her bedroom, she changed into her nightgown and threw herself into bed.

A creak woke her from an uneventful sleep. Opening her eyes, Integra watched with horror as her bedroom door slid open.

A dark figure slid into the room. Integra forced her fatigued body out of bed. The figure drew closer. Integra reached into her bedside table, allowing her fingers to run along the gun in there.

Don't move! Integra cried, aiming her gun at the figure.

Would you shoot me? Taunted the voice of Alucard. He stepped closer, into the light. Indeed it was him.

Integra lowered her gun slightly. Alucard? W-what are you doing here?! she said exasperatedly. You know never to disturb me in my quarters.

Alucard stepped closer. he hissed.

Integra glanced at her clock. Alucard, it's 2:00 in the morning! What the hell kind of bloody joke is this?! She trained the gun on him in her anger.

Alucard laughed at the empty threat, his voice sounding heartless and full or mirth. Master... You are... He had to hold his head, he was laughing so hard.

Integra began to grow frightened. Alucard, what is it? She realized she was wearing her blue nightgown. The revealing one that didn't leave much to the imagination. She suddenly felt so naked and exposed before him. Like before... in the shower.

Alucard continued. You are not my master! He reached into his jacket and pulled out his gun.

Integra's eyes grew wide. Her instincts of Shoot first, ask questions later forced her to act now. She cocked her weapon.

But suddenly she felt very dizzy. There appeared to be multiple Alucards before her, and the room began to spin. Was she... falling under a spell? A vampire spell? Alucard would resort to this?

Integra fired as her feet collapsed beneath her. Her shot missed completely, and she was left gripping the side of her bed for support.

Alucard laughed, thrilled to see his master weaken before him. You are not my master anymore!

Alucard, you, Integra began. She gripped her gun in anger. He had finally turned against her. Her instincts had always told her this would happen. And now...

She screamed out of hatred and rage. How dare he?! She had trusted him! She even--

Integra's aim was true and she fired her gun. Alucard fell, right before her eyes. He shriveled and melted into a puddle of black goo, and then disintegrated.

Her vision returned back to normal, but quickly swam again from all the stress. Integra stared at the place that Alucard stood when she shot him.

Her fingers trembled. She had killed him. Killed Alucard. Her breath was ragged and forced. All the pain she had ever felt in her life now accumulated in this one moment.

she screamed.

Integra woke up screaming, bathed in sweat. She glanced around the room. No one was there. Her clock read 2:15 AM.

She gripped the bed sheet, her knuckles turning white. Steaming hot tears slid down her cheeks. How frightened she felt. And still so vulnerable.

Reaching over, she pressed the two-way communicator.

A sleepy voice yawned at the other end. Yes, Sir Integra?

Get me a cup of tea. Very strong tea. Frankly, you could give me coffee at this point. I'll be in my office.

Coffee, sir? Walter asked. That wasn't a good sign.

Integra laughed halfheartedly.