Finally! An update! I'm on break, so hopefuly I'll have time to brood the fic over...

Much Love,

Pax

Silence is a virtue. I'd never really believed it, until recently. Until moments like this. Moments of splendid calm and quiet, in a life of disorderly clashing. I closed my eyes and leaned back against the smooth, wooden pew. Such was my existence: insanity with mere flickers of bliss.

Knowing Anna had been bliss. To encounter another in the world, another person as lonely and confused as me. I should have known God would never permit it. With a growl, I snatched the hat off my head and rubbed my temples. Thinking like this didn't do anyone any good. I was still miserable. She was still dead.

"Van Helsing? Van Helsing, where are you!"

So much for my peaceful solitude. The sanctuary doors were promptly flung open. In rushed the familiar form, still robed in a monk's garb. Leave it to Carl to cause a stir. I glanced over my shoulder and raised an eyebrow at the distraught man of worship. He looked more than his usual flustered, hair untidy and belt coming undone. He must have been sprinting about the entire Vatican.

I turned back in my seat.

"What is it Carl?"

He was at my side in a flash.

"Bad-" Wheezing. "Ba-HAD-" More wheezing. "Bad news from-" He leaned on the booth gasping. "From the east!"

My eyes rested returned to his breathless face. The East?...

"What kind of bad news?" I asked carefully, standing. Carl raised one trembling finger, pleading a minute of rest. I sighed grumpily, and donned my hat. An interval passed in which silence prevailed (the exception being Carl's heavy breathing), then he sighed and began.

"There's been some sort of uproar in the Carpathians. This morning a messenger-"

"The Carpathians?"

"Yes! This morning a messenger brought word-"

"What kind of uproar?"

"If you'd let me finish maybe you would know-" Immediately regretting his words, perhaps more so by the look I gave him, Carl continued meekly, "A messenger arrived saying that some kind of monster has been preying on the villagers."

I frowned deeply, scratching my forehead. Preying on the villagers.

"How is it preying?"

Carl didn't answer right away. I turned and gazed at the statue of Mary. She looked serene, smiling down at the Christ Child cradled in her arms. Candles glimmered at her feet.

"Carl."

He cleared his throat.

"It's draining them, Van Helsing." He replied quietly, "Draining their blood."

I closed my eyes. A vampire. Another vampire. My life had become a never-ending cycle of deadly tedium. Was this worth forgiveness?

"How many? Just the one."

As I moved to the door, there was a second hush. I stopped, awaiting an answer which was never spoken, but universally understood.

"How many, Carl?"

"At least three. That is what the messenger said."

I now understood his fear. Three vampires? In the Carpathians of all places. Could it mean?...

"You're sure it's three?"

He scuttled to my side.

"Positive."

Against my will, a thought began to arise in the back of my mind. But that was impossible. I'd killed him with my own hands. As for the brides, I'd seen at least two die. But what of the third? For the first time I'd realized my mistake. I didn't know if the last wench was dead. Could she have survived? Started her own coven?

"Van Helsing?"

Reaching up, and tipping my hat over my eyes.

"Get ready Carl." I said, pushing the doors open and proceeding out. "We're leaving in an hour."

The monk sputtered, tripping as he came after me.

"Me? Get ready?"

I didn't answer.

"B-but, Van Helsing! I don't want to go to Transylvania!"

I smirked, recognizing the statement.

"That's what you said last time, and remember all the fun we had?"

"Fun? Fun! How can you call nearly getting killed FUN?"

I looked back; he'd gone pale. I smiled.

"One hour."

And pointed him back to the seminary. He muttered darkly under his breath and followed my direction. When he was out of sight, the grin dropped from my face. I raised my head and looked to the rising sun. To the East. That was my destination. In a sense, I was returning.

Going back to where my heart had been kindled. Going back to where my heart had been broken. Going back to Hell.

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