Ok, it's the next chapter. I fixed that little error in the last chapter, thanks. Sorry about the wait. School and all, you know the drill... .

Disclaimer: You guys are so mean…you force me to remember that I don't own Van Helsing or Carl or Dracula…I do not own the movie, except in DVD form. I do own my characters, and if anyone steals them I will sue. Thank you and enjoy.

It was quiet in Liverpool that night. Few people had dared to venture out so late at after sunset; news about the disappearances had spread, and fear of the monster had seeped into everyone's minds, causing people to lock themselves and their children up in their homes. Those that had been brave enough to go outside were tense and cautious. Women spooked at loud sounds, and men were looked over their shoulders constantly. Everyone traveled in a group or with a friend. Everyone, that is, except Norman.

Norman wandered down one of the busier roads, looking just as nervous as everyone else. Norman wasn't a rich man; his clothes were old and worn out. His black pants were ragged and his white shirt was torn. He hadn't bathed or shaved in days and thought that doing the laundry was a waste of time. In his mid-thirties, his unkempt blond hair was streaked with grey. His green eyes lowered whenever anyone of higher rank passed him by. He was uncomfortable around all these people... Not a social person to begin with, he was verbally attacked by society because of his poor appearance and low status. He had had his share of odd looks from upper and middle classman such as these, but he paid them no mind.

He shifted the bulky sack over his shoulder to make it easier to carry. It was full of food for him and Lydia, his fiancé. It wasn't much, and it was mostly meat, but it was all he could get at such a late hour. I'll get some more tomorrow.

Up ahead was his street. He made the turn and the atmosphere changed.

It darkened.

Unlike the prosperous and somewhat crowded street before, this street was rundown and deserted. Old and battered houses lined the road. Norman sighed in relief as he neared home, and even managed a small smile. Lydia 'ill be happy to see what I brought, yes she will. He picked up the pace a bit.

It stared out into the street with its blood red eyes. Cloaked in deep shadows, it hid in the abandoned alley. It had been waiting anxiously for the arrival of a human, and it was getting impatient. Nostrils flared when it finally caught the scent of an approaching human. Its eyes narrowed, and its ears pricked forward when it heard the disheveled man's footsteps in the distance. He was walking down the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street; just ahead. He would soon be in the cat's line of attack. The sturdy feline lifted its head up higher to get a better smell. Its ears relaxed, satisfied.

Finally. One who isn't already dead…

Adrenaline flowed through the cats veins. It was ready for this to be over with. Earlier it had cursed the man for walking in public streets; it preferred to do its…business… in private. Fortunately for the cat, the streets were deserted tonight. Its ears perked up as its prey drew closer to the open alley. It crouched down, muscles bunching.

A low rumbling echoed in its throat.

Closer...

The human quickened his pace, probably because he was close to home…

…almost there…

…now!

It let out a snarl as it rushed from its hiding place, a bolt of lightening covered with spots. Its strides ate up the ground.

Norman started when he heard the terrifying sound and let out a terrified yell. By the time he started running, the cat was almost upon him. He ran towards his house. It never occurred to him to drop his belongings.

"Help! Somebo-!" Was all he could shout when he felt a sudden jerk on his back. The cat had caught up to him; it grabbed him by his shirt, dragged him backwards, than rammed him against a wall. Norman let out a cry of pain and fell to the ground, whimpering. After releasing its grip, the cat glared down at its prey. Norman slowly looked up at the creature, blood dripping down his hair.

What is it doing? What does it want? Why hasn't it eaten me yet? Why me? What did I do? Norman was so scared that he couldn't stop thinking. Meanwhile the cat just looked down at him, its growl getting dangerously louder…and more violent. Norman pushed himself against the wall, but couldn't tell his body to do anything else. His wide eyes stared up at it in fear. Oh God, It's playing with me.

His hand absentmindedly tightened around the sack. The cat's ears perked up at the action, and the growling stopped. Norman was confused at the creatures' sudden change. He glanced down at the bag. Does it only want…the food? Maybe if I…

The sound of a gunshot sliced through the air, breaking the silence. Jerking its head back, the cat let out a tremendous roar of pain. It stumbled backwards, away from Norman, who was covering his ears at the creature's nasty noise.

"What the hell was that?" Norman shouted. He looked behind the cat and saw a man running towards them. He couldn't make out much of the stranger, except that he was wearing a large trench coat, a silly hat, and holding what looked to be some sort of gun. The stranger avoided the creature and skidded to a stop in front of Norman.

"Quick. Run! I'll hold it off."

Norman remained on the ground, frozen. The stranger impatiently grabbed Norman by the hand and yanked him up. Norman looked into the strangers eyes. Is he serious?

"I said run! Now!" That was all the encouragement Norman needed to wake up, and he took off running down the street.

Van Helsing watched the man flee until he was out of sight. He then turned his attention to the incredibly large feline before him. The creature had recovered from the shock of the bullet, and was now glaring at Van Helsing. Blood oozed from its shoulder.

The cats glowing red eyes glanced in the direction Norman had run off to, then looked back at Van Helsing.

Well, I seemed to have confused it. That's good. Van Helsing tipped his hat at the thing, grinning slightly. "Good evening. I wanted to have a few words with you."

It backs up slowly and growls.

"Well, I was hoping we could have a few understandable words." He responds coolly, but he never let his guard down, or his gun. It was a rather odd looking gun; it had a short barrel, a wide trigger, and a long handle. It was one of Carl's inventions; a gun that had been originally used for killing gargoyles, only it was loaded with silver bullets. Van Helsing had other types of bullets and darts in his pocket; his plan was to try everything he had against the creature and find out how to kill it. He had hoped the gun would expose the creatures' weakness, but it didn't seem to be very effective. The wound seemed to be healing already. He was also wary of the cat's size. It's big. Real big. It's got to be at least seven feet tall.

Pinning back its ears, the cat seemed to have made up its mind about how to handle him.

I don't want him… Tensing up, the cat swiftly maneuvered around Van Helsing and shot after Norman. Van Helsing aimed his gun and let out some shots, but it had already disappeared.

"Damn it!" Van Helsing quickly followed.

Well, that is the end of chapter 3. Tune in next time for chapter 4! If you are interested in finding out: What is this creature? Who is Norman? Who let the dogs out! (Yes, even the last one you will learn!) Please review if you can, and even if you don't like it.