Reviewer's Replies

Jenny: It was just a general comment in conversation P

Guava Nancer D: I'm glad you like it! I shall keep updating from now on! And thanks. o.o

Selly: I hope it won't fall in that category. I'm trying to keep it pretty original. I have some good idea's in my head.

Fanfiction Fanatic: I will update as much as I can. But I had exams, and it's all so messed up x.x

Blix Howlett: XD Benden won't be coming back into it though. He was just a voice for what us viewers believe. We know Van Helsing is good and stuff, so, yeah. O.o

Lembas7: Well, I was considering having it being noted a few times. But I don't really know about it. I can find any websites where I can fuel up on knowledge for it! If any find any info on it, please give me the link in your next review!

Denna5: Oh, thank you! :D

Mythers: I agree, it's one of the best movies I've ever seen! I hope you continue to like this story!

The White Werewolf: I hope it does! Though not too much has happened yet!

Astra1: Continued!

Mistress-Dracula: I hope you're still keeping an eye out after all this time! Hehe, thank you for the review!

Bluekyrstal1: Updates are good, but not as long as this took!

Nat2: Yeah! Carl was great comic relief, I tried to keep it in with the story by his swearing issue and the fact he's not a very good horse rider!

Hypercaz: Writing on! Now! Finally! x.x

Lady Nessa: Although the update wasn't soon (hectic time with exams etc, see below) it's finally here!

Wow, that's the longest review replies I've ever had to write! Please keep them coming, reviews are amazing, especially in their plentiful quantities such as yours! Thanks everyone!

At last, the exams are over, I'm in my Sixth Form, and will soon have Van Helsing on DVD! (If anyone's curious, then yes, I am pleased with my exam results! :D) I forgot parts of the movie since it had been so long! I read through my first two chapters, and feeling rather proud of myself, I decided I must continue with my plot. So here it is everyone, Chapter 3, the next of what I hope to be a long and successful story.

I now have the DVD and revised Chapter 2 to correct it. I am now fully equipped with the movie, a computer and my brain. Let's go!

Chapter 3

Whilst bitterness still stung with the air, the blue sky above issued bright sunlight upon the small coast side town. The harbour area was bursting with life. The market stalls lined the cobblestone street with their colourful canopies, store sellers calling out their prices to the passing population. Birdcalls shrilled the sea air; the splashing of small waves hit the stonewalls of the harbour, whilst grand boats that anchored there swayed sleepily on the spot. Van Helsing watched the scenes from a short distance. He stood leaning against a damp stonewall, his coat button up his chest, and his large hat tilted down low of his face. The shadows of the rim darkened his features to an unrecognisable state, and on the streets before him, the people continued to pass amiably by.

Out of a small alley going down the side of the buildings came Carl. He shuffled along quietly beside the passing people, keeping quiet as he did so. As he returned to Van Helsing's side he thrusted a small bag into his hand, "Got it!"

"Woah," commented Van Helsing as he felt the weight of the bag, the clinking from within proved it contained coins, "They paid you well. And I almost thought a Friar would be too good-natured to haggle."

Carl smiled proudly and nodded to Van Helsing, "They said there were worthy creatures, said they'd been looked after well.. so.. I offered the highest possible price."

Van Helsing nodded his head slowly, his hand straightening his hat, "Good." He said simply, before striding on through the bustle of the crowd towards the harbour. Carl blinked after the taller man, glancing around warily at the busy crowd.

"Van – " he quickly cut himself off by pressing his hand to his mouth. He was supposed to be keeping their identity a secret. With a worried mumble he ran on through the crowd, yelling out random words in hope of drawing Van Helsing's attention back upon him. It certainly got everyone else's attention. Van Helsing paused in his walk as he heard the crowd chattering quieten with a curious halt. He frowned and turned round to look through the shoulders of the people.

"Carl.." he called with a sigh. Carl immediately ran after him, pulling his hood over his face gently.

"Don't leave me alone!" Carl muttered softly as he stuck by Van Helsing's side.

Van Helsing nodded his head gently, "Sorry.." he murmured, stepping down the wood planks of the harbour as he strolled on towards the boats, "I'm sure somebody here is going to Italy." He took long great strides in his calculated walk whilst Carl bobbed along behind him, trying his best to hide his face with in a nervous manner. Van Helsing glanced round to Carl before suddenly stopping, "Of course.." he whispered to himself before grabbing Carl by the shoulder and hurrying them both to one side beside the wall of the harbour in the shadows, "Carl, give me your robes."

"What?" asked Carl with utter confusion.

Van Helsing lowered his head gently, "We need to look different, some sort of disguise. But we're limited, so swap clothes."

Carl sighed gently, "Oh, the things I do.." he murmured as he hoisted his Friar robe off himself to reveal a plain attire beneath. Van Helsing gave Carl his large lack coat before pulling the religious robes upon himself. With a smirk Van Helsing removed his hat and plonked it upon Carl's blonde haired head whilst the hood was pulled up to shield his own.

"How's that?" asked Van Helsing.

"Ridiculous," informed Carl before walking on ahead, "It'll never work."

"Trust me, Carl," murmured Van Helsing as he hurried ahead to join his friend. The pair walked a short way before Van Helsing stopped suddenly, he turned to read the name scrawled upon the boat beside them, 'La Signora Bella,' before he looked up at the boat itself, "I've seen this near Rome before.. it delivers wine from France.. it has to past the Rome docks.. "

Carl tilted his head to study the boat slowly. The dark wood of the ship contrasted beautifully with its large scream sails that sat patiently in the wind. A man on the ship notice their gazes and watched them a moment before waling towards them leaning off the ship edge, "Y' alright, étrangers?" came the heavily pronounced accent of French, "Can I 'elp you?"

Carl instantly looked to Van Helsing who instantly raised his head to the man, "You can.. this ship goes by Rome, does it not?"

"Oui.. we go by Rome.. got some crates o' quatorze Red berry to drop by there." The man answered with a slow head nod, "Why y' ask?"

"My friend and I," Van Helsing gestured a hand to Carl, "need assistance in transportation to Rome."

The man's grin broadened, "Ah, that can be done, mes amies." But man nodded some more before watching them, "But de extra weight.." he trailed off as Van Helsing issued the bag of coins from the newly adorned robes. "That be more like it.." said the man with a smile, "Come aboard."

Van Helsing offered a smirk to Carl as he turned and strode up the boarding plank to join the Captain, Carl as usual trailing behind with a rather uneasy expression. "The name's Marlon." greeted the Captain warmly.

"Oh, I'm C –"but Carl was silenced by an angry hiss from Van Helsing, "Er.. Fred."

Van Helsing rolled his eyes gently at the lack of an imaginative name before turning to Captain Marlon, "Vladius."

Carl raised his eyebrows suddenly, but Van Helsing kept a sturdy face to Marlon. "Welcome to The Beautiful Lady, we be setting sail jus' after the Mighty Horn over there.," Marlon gestured to a large ship before them, readying to set off, "Please stay this side o' the ship for now monsieur's, we need to secure de wine.." with that the Captain walked from them, "I'll be back for the coin later Vladius.."

Carl turned to watch the man leave before he exhaled heavily, plonking down upon an empty case, "This secrecy is hard work."

"Carl, you've been in the Vatican most of your life," said Van Helsing quietly, "You should be used to secrecy by now."

"I have many secrets, just no one to tell them to," murmured Carl sadly a moment before he blinked at Van Helsing's attentive face, "Nor have I now!" he quickly said feeling his face instantly flush.

"Don't worry Carl.. sorry, Fred," chuckled Van Helsing as he rose from the seat and walked out to watch the distance of sea. His eyes dropped gently to his hands, eyes falling upon the large insignia of his ring.. Dracula's ring.. Van Helsing quickly averted his eyes from it, brow furrowing at the thought of the man. The man that supposedly had all the information about his past had gone, was there anyone else who knew? As he had once said to Anna, it is perhaps worse to love and lost than to have no memories at all.. but now.. he had loved, and he indeed had lost..



Yay, I updated at last! I'm glad about that, I hoped you liked it!