Order 36: Skey's Confessions
St. Peter's Basilica. 3:00 P.M.
Skey wandered through the Basilica aimlessly. She sat on a bench. Today, tourists were around snapping shots, visiting confession booths and so on. Music played on the surrounding speakers with such beautiful Latin chorus vocals. It was so sad to know what she knew, and none of these citizens had not a clue. They hadn't even the clue vampires even existed outside of the stories and novels. Being emerged into the surroundings of tourism, the usual priest and even citizens themselves, made her forget about the Iscariot Organization. She felt just like a regular person; not one who mowed down vampires, clutched bloody swords and then mutter prayers. Skey had been thinking the past hour of maybe visiting her foster parents from long ago. Instead of pondering the thought, a prayer came to mind. She haunched over, elbows resting on knees and herhands together in prayer. with a slight hesitation, a reluctance, she closed her eyes. And thus, her silent prayer begun.
" Hello, God. It's me again...Skey. How are you doing today? I hope you're fairing well. We aren't fairing too well ourselves. With the coming vampires' threat, it seems everyone's faith in you is leaving them. I haven't lost faith so to say, but I am afraid. The vampire Malakai will not give up until he has me...and I fear, no...I know he will be willing to burn the Vatican to the ground just to obtain me. I fear I may be a curse upon the Faith. I pray I am not. Please Father...if it's possible, lend us some strength in the face of battle. It will be greatly appreciated. Well, there isn't much to say except thank you for everything you've given me in my life. Take care of yourself, ok? Goodbye...Amen."
Skey got up and prepared to leave the Basilica to the hungry tourists. Passing by some of the confessional booths, she saw one labeled "English". Now, Skey knew she hadn't confessed in a while. The temptation to go into the booth and confess her sinful thoughts was overwhelming. When Skey felt she had been standing there far too long, she made the choice to enter the vacant confessional booth. She closed the door and settled herself down on the small sitting area in the booth. It was hard to feel comfortable in these things, more, hard to feel comfortable knowing you had to confess a sin. Skey crossed herself and then said the usual line all were familar with.
" Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned."
The priest on the other side of the elaborate wooden grille gave her the permission to go on with her confession. Skey bit on her bottom lip, gathered her wits and let out a heavy sigh. Memories flooded her memory channels. She remember the foster family with immaculate memory. They told her her she was a good-for-nothing brat. Time camethat she wanted to prove to those demons that she was good for something. Secretly, (as the Iscariot Organization worked) she eradicated vampiric threats against humanity. In this way, she protected humankind. She was proud of this feat. But was it right to approach them and flaunt her pride? More so, would it be seen as justice in God's eyes to pay back that family for the pain and suffering they put her through?
" Father, I...this is hard to admit or discuss but it's been knawing on my mind as of today...see, asa child, I had been adopted by an awful foster family. They beat me, slaved me and the foster father even raped me. They always said I wasn't good for anything but being a dog. I been thinking, and wishing, to pay them back for the suffering they caused me even if it be a small amount. I feel wholeheartedly they deserve every ounce of my wrath, but I don't know how God would see it. As Jesus said, turn the other cheek, but...in this predicament, it's hard to. I wish to turn my wrath on them like a lit match on dry leaves. To show them the suffering inch by inch of the years I had lived with them. But I feel God would be angry with me if I did so. It is His will to punish them, not mine...I confess I've had murderous thoughts of them. Bad intentions overall. I seek guidance into finding a way to forgive them for what they've done."
" I see your argument and your shame in what you think. Yes...as a human, we think that when one casts a stone at us, we must cast one back. Though I do admit myself, that even I would have a difficult time in forgiving such people. I advise that you find some kind words for them and then go visit them. Deliver your kind words then leave. Let them know that what they have done hasn't effected you, and that you forgive them for their mistakes-no...that you forgive them for crossing you."
" But Father..that's my problem. I cannot find it in my heart to forgive them. And it will not leave my mind what they've done...the 'disturbance' has shaken memories of mine and they're plaguing me and abstracting my thoughts."
" If you cannot find the strength to in your heart to forgive them, then seek strength in God. I trust you will find what you seek."
Skey bowed her head and left the booth. Meanwhile, the priest in the confessional took a step out to watch her leave. Some light had been shed on what really went on in Skey's mind. It became evident there was far much more to her past than the priest originally thought. Dark compartments of her mind were left unseen. During the whole time she had been in the Vatican, in Section XIII, she had never let out one word regarding her past and what it was about. How could she walk so confidentally, talk back to superiors and act so sassy when she held such painful memories bottled in tightly inside? Her plays about everything is fine and dandy were only mere masks to hide the pain she wanted no one to see. Maxwell wondered...did Anderson see this too or did he already know everything about her now? Another sinner, clutching a rosary tightly within her young hands approached him. Maxwell went back into the confessional and to hear the woman's shameful sins while in the back of his head, he was trying to unravel the enigma known as Skey.
Malakai's hideout. 4:00 P.M.
The sun's light was dying out but still held the power over the vampires. They slept now, resting up for the attack. Only two vampires couldn't rest. Malakai and Babylon. both had much on their minds. Malakai kept wondering when Wednesday would come while Babylon was worrying over the Vatican's strength. She'd send a coven member out last night to spy on the holy Vatican. The report had been they were beefing up on security. This didn't matter to Malakai. What did a few hundred Iscariot and Hellsing agents matter against thousands of vampires? He gave them respect for being highly trained vampire killers, but the odds were still against them. Babylon took a seat next to the dark clothed Malakai. The long, silky hair hung off to the side, his vacant eyes focused upon the nothingness in front of him.
" Lord Malakai...it's time we tried to rest like the others."
" I cannot, dear Babylon. The battle is so near, I can taste the blood of those Catholics already...I can taste her being so close. That goddamned priest Anderson turned her into a hunter of the undead."
Babylon leaned in and snuggled up to him. Malakai grinned, putting his arm around her tightly. Those crimson eyes fell upon her, his face with a crescent smirk. Babylon couldn't resist him nor could any human or vampire whether they be male or female. Malakai took her chin in his hand firmly, lifting her up off his chest. Lips melded together lustfully, Babylon closing her own eyes to absorb the bliss. Malakai wrenched his mouth from hers then sunk his fangs into the side of her neck, pulling her in and drinking her own blood. Babylon moaned and grasped him tightly, not wanting to let go. She wondered...she wanted to know what made Skey so great. Malakai would gladly have sex with any man or woman who threw themselves at his feet, but he never felt love nor compassion for them. Skey was the one who had found his heart and stolen it. It was inferior to compare the ones Malakai coupled with to Skey. They were only a way to channel out his sexual appetite. Skey was the one he was willing to fight a war for. Babylon found herself slammed against the wall, Malakai's fangs digging deeper into her throat. He pinned her arms above her head as he drank from her and pressed his perfected body against her own. Lust was one thing when he acted with another...but one emotion he had never showed while she had been around was love. No, that honor was reserved for the Great Skey.
Skey's Room. 6:00 P.M.
She'd planned it out. Tomorrow, Skey decided to pay her foster parents a visit. In a small notebook, she wrote things down she thought she should say besides the simple " I Forgive You" speech. In a way, she wanted to thank them for doing that. If they hadn't she wouldn't have been tempted to run away, go through a bit more shit before finding the perfect place to be. Soft Latin hymns played at a low volume on the clock radio as she sat on the bed in a nightgown, jotting down the ideas that came to her. Hiding in her walls was Alucard. The wolf was waiting for the perfect time to hop into her mind and pick around her mind. Unlike Anderson, she didn't succumb to sleep easily. Young ones never do. So while hidden within the walls, he had to listen to the chuch music she had playing. It hurt his ears in ways a regular human couldn't imagine. Just the sound of church bells, Latin choruses and praises of God made his head ache terribly. It wouldn't kil him of course, but it was more aggravation than Alucard wanted to go through.
-One hour later-
Finally! The girl was asleep from so much thinking. Alucard had thought he would die within those walls before she gave up to sleep! He stepped out of the walls' dimensions and stood at the girl's bedside. Sleeping so soundly, looking so peaceful while waves crashed beneath the exterior. The aura of her was sorrowful and filled with confusement as one would be in a dense fog or cornfield. So many deep, dark secrets plagued her mind in various corners. Alucard could feel the troubles waves within the child. Anderson was able to keep most of himself locked away but this girl was like an open book from always thinking of the past. It was always so current, that it had no protection from being read even in the face. Alucard sat down in a chair and like last time, fainted and jumped into Skey's mind.
Such sorrow! All around paintings of crying, sadness and depression wecomed Alucard. Unlike Anderson's room of sanctity, this room could have been one of a gothic movie. Whips cracked in the air loudly and thunder clapped loudly threatening to turn into an earthquake. Rain could be heard pouring down like water through a sieve. Far away down a long corridor, sat a naked girl. Alucard approached carefully. Closer and closer he came, rain pouring down in sheets on the windows to his left. He could see Skey stark naked. Her legs had been brougt up, her arms tightly wound around them. Her head as buried and she was crying. Blood was inking down her arms and legs. A loud voice boomed behind him. Alucard turned quickly to see a man approaching with a riding crop. The man had angry hazel eyes, black hair styled in a crew cut and a pretty powerful body stature. He yelled at Skey, hitting her with all his might with the animal's whip. He had the aura of a miserable tyrant greater than any Hitler or Stalin. Lightning struck loudly as she screamed, making Alucard temporarily blind. When the vampire unshielded his eyes, he was welcomed to an orphanage. Children ran around with happy faces and fingers coated in paints. The building was rickety looking, the woodnot in best of conditions. But the atmosphere, the feeling was good. Near a window sat a teenage Skey. What was she doing in an orphanage at such an age? One of the female caretakers was having a chat with her. Skey bursted, punching out thw window in fury.
" I been here since I was five! You have no idea how unloved one like me would feel after such a long time of seeing friends going off and getting adopted! What have I done to deserve this? To deserve not to be loved!"
The scnee disappeared as a wispof smoke would. Darkness held Alucard suspended untilt he next memory came up. Nothing did...So Alucard walked through the darkness aimlessly, feeling for anything that may ne an entrance or exit. Techno music shook the darkness. A rip of neon light zipped past Alucard's face and a whole new scene opened. Skey was partying in such tiny clothes that would fit a child! A man came to her, dancing close to her. Both were talking. The man flashed a wad of money and with a giggle she had grabbed his hand and ran for a room. Unfortunately, Alucard was in their way to the second level of the club where rooms were. Both flew through Alucard as if he was not there; non-existent. One could guess where this was leading to. Alucard walked around the club some in her mind. Three other girls made their way up to the rooms where Skey and that John was. Laughter pursued and then it all calmed. to find out what happened, Alucard went through the cielings and luckily appeared in the right room. Skey and this other man were naked, already reeking of sexual fluids. But another pleasure fluid was being passed in the room...heroin. They were all shooting up like the pigs they were, feasting upon a dead drug. This was Skey's past life? How the hell did she end up in the Vatican then? Ah, yes, Alucard had remembered. The dying girl on the streets Anderson had picked up. Just as he remembered, the scene faded and a door appeared. Inky blackness surrounded everything but this shining white door marked with a golden cross. Aucard cameto it cautiously, not aware of what it may do. alucard remembered well what the doors in Anderson's mind did. Without the will to take any risks, Alucard took out one of his guns and shot the lock on the door. It creaked open slowly. Hymns being hummed came forth. so this was her sanctuary. Alucard entered and in flashes, was able to see how she bonded to Anderson. Voices filled the rooms, overriding the hymns one heard when entering the place. Everything he saw from their past. Their training, their conversations, the arguments and vampire hunts as a team. Skey's voice distracted him from the many Tvs in Skey's mind...Alucard found steps leading down into darkness. The voice wascoming up from the darkness. He headed down quickly, not wanting to waste any time. Here...a diary of Skey's thoughts was kept. Everything she had said in her life, thought about silently in her head had been recorded in this darkness. These were her deepest secrets...
" I do not know what to think of him, truthfully...I must say I do look up to him but sometimes I fear it goes beyond such. Oh, but he would never feel the same. Not ever. I don't even dare to admit these secrets in a confessional. He shouldn't know and the others should never know. He's coming! I must go..."
No picture, no description was given. for all Alucard could be guessing, it could have been her younger self thinking of Malakai. He turned and headed back up, and was preparing to leave her mind. Too much disturbance would wake her up and he wasn't about to have Anderson hunting him down for messing with his student yet the third time. Then something stopped him.
" Father Anderson...sometimes there are things that can never be confessed in life. Sometimes in life, we keep secrets to keep others close without losing them. I will never tell you my secret because I know what you would say. So, I write here in this journal...I can't bring words to what I fee but what do I know? It's only been two weeks...but I do say, I thank you for saving me...I am forever in debt to this priest."
Alucard headed back up with a head trying to configure what he heard. With a presumptuous laugh, he said aloud, " How interesting you are, little Iscariot girl...I think I am figuring out how you feel for the Vatican dog. Oho, leaving your mind so open when vampires are around is never smart." Alucard jumped out of her mind, waking up in the chair. On the bed, she stirred a bit, a wrinkled face and groan then she turned over and curled up. Alucard stood and took a gliding step back and into the wall. He grinned cause now he knew her secret. He wouldn't have minded taking the journal to read it, but what he got out of her head was good enough. And Alucard, like many, wasn't above blackmail if he wanted something.
