HyperCaz: Have no fear, the next chapter is here. (Cool that rhymed :D)
Denna5: Hehe, I've updated again! Here you go!
Lady Nessa: Thank you, I hope it turns out well! Updated!
Blix: Yes, Fred. XD Carl is so original isn't he? Hehe.
Chapter 4The 'La Signora Bella' smoothly bobbed along the mild waves as she proudly sailed out in the open sea of the Adriatic. The sky was a merge of red and orange, the orb of sunlight casting a hazy evening glow over the stretch of moving sea. Van Helsing stood at one edge of the ship, watching out over the spectacular view whilst Carl kept quiet, huddled up on the floor, leaning against the ship's side. Van Helsing felt content as he watched the distance, seeing such natural beauty of the earth made him simply forget who he was.. what he was. With transfixed eyes he stared at the sunset, watching the gentle ripples of light cast across the distant sea. For a moment he glanced tentatively around the ship, pulling the hood of Carl's robes over his face further to shield himself. He turned his head quietly back out to stare out at the sea.
Anna had never travelled by sea.. he remembered her words. How much she had wanted to travel across the waves and experience such views as he was witnessing now. If she'd had been still alive.. Van Helsing would have granted her wish for sure..
But to the east, darkening clouds were taking over the glow of the sky. Thick and heaving, spreading their way. With an instantly worried frown, Van Helsing turned to Carl, who was still sat on the other side of the sip behind him, huddled quietly as the boat slowly rocked, "Carl?" he said in a low whisper.
"Mm? Yes?" Carl replied, slowly rising his head to peer over to Van Helsing from under the large brim of the hat.
"That looks like bad news," informed Van Helsing as he turned to look back to the east. Carl followed his gaze, standing to his feet slowly.
"Oh no." he whimpered, "That's it. We're done for."
Van Helsing kept his eyes on the distance, "Surely the Captain knows.." He turned his eyes to see various crewmembers pointing at the east, shouting commands to each other. Captain Marlon appeared and began to shout orders in French, pointing and gesturing to various people.
Van Helsing lifted his head gently, inhaling mightily at the sea air as a large gust of wind blew up into his face, rippling the ends of his hood and front strands of hair, "The wind is picking up," he said simply, looking down to Carl, "Better brace ourselves."
The clouds had quickly drifted over to the ship's course, and the wind speeds had grown steadily. The waves below which were once gracefully swooping had now angered into thrashing currents, smashing into the sides of the ships and barging past the family of waves. The great ship now rocked heavily side to side, to and fro, battling in the stronger winds and unsteady waves. The rain began to tumble down, nosily hitting the roaring waves and smacking at the wood of the ship. The crew hurried around the ship to secure the sails, all the members trying to keep the ship on course and to get it through unharmed.
Carl had returned to his huddling, hidden between their bags to try and shield himself from the storm. But Van Helsing remained stood by the edge of the ship, keeping a stern eye out at the process of the storm. His attention never wandered, eyes trained upon the horizon. But then, a small figure caught his eye. His gaze swivelled upon it, nothing more than a small blur through the sheets of rain. But the longer he watched the shape, but more he began to recognise it. Then, he heard a voice shouting to him from the distance, the figure began to move, waving at him.
"Help me!" called the voice, only just heard over the violent sounds of the storm. Van Helsing noticed that whoever it was stood on some sort of raft.. why on earth were the attempting to get through a storm on that. Unless they had been shipwrecked..?
Then, realisation hit Van Helsing like a slap. "Oh my God," he murmured, immediately spinning to Carl, "Carl!" he called urgently. The friar shuffled over obediently, but his eyes held a frightened nature.
""When is this going to end?" the poor man asked, shivering visibly as he watched Van Helsing, droplets of ran streaming down his nose and face.
But Van Helsing had more pressing matters, "No, no. Look! Over there!" he pointed out at the figure in the sea, it was coming closer, and even through the rain the body shape was obvious.
Carl peered in the direction, tilting his head as he tried to make it out, "What is that..?"
"It's Frankenstein's Monster!"
Carl's eyes widened, "He's going to get himself killed!"
"Here!" commanded Van Helsing, throwing off the robe and into Carl's arms before she pulled himself up upon the edge of the ship, balancing a moment before he dived into the rearing waters.
"Mon Dieu!" cried Captain Marlon as he saw the figure dive off his ship. "Vladius!!" He spun his head to his crewmembers, "Man overboard!"
"No!" cried Carl as he saw Van Helsing dive in, "You'll get yourself killed!" The friar shook his head gently, running along to the edge of the ship, "Oh no.. no." he murmured.
Van Helsing hurriedly thrashed himself through the waves towards his stranded ally. Gulps of seawater were accidentally swallowed, and with heavy coughing and gasping did Van Helsing reach the soaked raft and Frankenstein's monster.
"Van Helsing!" gasped Frankenstein's monster.
"Need a hand?" asked Van Helsing with a faint smirk as he took hold of the monster's arm, "Come on, follow me!"
The monster let out a yell as he fell into the water, his arms madly waving, "What are you doing?" he coughed, throwing his head upright.
"Follow me to the ship!" cried Van Helsing above the thrashing wind and rain, turning to swim through the water back towards the 'La Signora Bella'.
Both Carl and Marlon watched the two figures swim back with alarmed expressions. Carl continued to mutter in frightened manner, praying under his breath for the safety of his two friends.
Within a few minute Carl heard a grunt, and sure enough, Van Helsing was heaving himself back onto the ship, behind him the Frankenstein monster following. Van Helsing staggered onto the deck, falling to the floor with gasps for well-needed breath. Frankenstein raised his head slowly, most of which were hidden under the hood of his robes. He quickly averted his eyes from Marlon, looking worriedly to Carl.
Marlon's eyes instantly widened, "The Frankenstein Monster! Vladius! Why did you bring this thing aboard my ship!"
Frankenstein immediately looked puzzled as to why Van Helsing had a different name, but chose not to pursue his questioning; he just kept his eyes solemnly downcast.
"He is no monster," said Van Helsing with a sudden growl, forgetting his place on Marlon's ship, "Just leave him be.. he's a friend of ours. He would've died out there."
"I don't agree with this monsieur," said Marlon heavily.
"I'll make it worth your while, alright?" said Van Helsing with narrowed eyes, quickly putting the Friar robe over himself, thankful that the mist and darkness of the night made his form indescribable.
Marlon turned away with a curse, "Ye better be leavin'' shortly. We'll be there soon."
As Captain Marlon disappeared back to his crew, Frankenstein turned slowly to survey Van Helsing and Carl, "Thank you," he said softly, nodding his head slowly, "It feels good to know I have friends.."
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