A long narrow rode in the middle of the woods, was all she saw. She sighed deeply and prepared for the long journey to safety. Her parents were dead and so was everyone else in town. She had a bag slung over her shoulder and walked along the dirt path, occasionally slipping in carriage ruts and stepping in a puddle of murky brown water. The rain had subsided for the time being and she found that in her deepest stage of sorrow she had to leave. Her town had been attacked by monsters and now she was the only one left. She had a long journey ahead of her, she had to get to Italy. Right now she was in England, yea long journey.
She stumbled over a large stone and fell on her knees. She saw her reflection in one of the ponds, she jumped back, she looked horrible. Her face pale and draught, her body skinny from lack of food. She looked ghastly. She knew she had to find someone to help her, maybe she still had family in Rome, maybe not. That was a chance, she'd have to take.
She continued on for days and days, stopping only if necessary and for rest. She was making good time, each town she passed through she knew she was getting closer to the English Channel. And once she got there the rest would be rather easy.
She came to the shipyards at three in the morning, sailors were loading their hold and getting ready to set sail. She kept to the shadows and was as observant as possible, she finally heard what she needed.
"Which of these ships sails straight to Italy?" a voice asked.
"Why that's the Pearly White," a boy with a thick British accent answered.
"The Pearly White," she repeated.
She made her way through the shadows and various pieces of equipment until she got to the ship called the Pearly White. It was rather large and had unique carvings on the side. She needed to be able to stay hidden and keep out of sight until she reached Italy. She climbed aboard and immediately ran to cover. She went down a flight of steps to the lower deck, where she hid in a small empty crawl space. It was only accessible through a small tunnel that only a child could fit through. She got used to the cramp ness and snuck out for food and other purposes.
Weeks flew by and then a month, finally she lost count, they made many stops and finally she overheard a conversation on the deck.
"So here we are in beautiful Italy," the boy with the accent said.
"Yes, and what are your plans in Italy, young man?" another man asked.
"I dunno yet," he said.
Their conversation went on and she didn't pay attention. She looked around for anything she could have left. She grabbed her bag and started crawl through the tunnel. She finally made it to the end and out, but she had to be careful, she knew of no one and knew where no one was. She carefully ascended the stairs and made it above deck, she snuck behind the men talking and out onto the plank. She walked down it and on to the dock. She smiled at her own wits and cunning. She jogged to the nearest building and asked where Vatican City is.
"Excuse me, but I was wondering where Vatican City is?" she asked.
"Well my dear, if you catch this carriage, you can get about halfway there," a man said.
"I'm sorry but I don't think I have enough money to get too far," she said almost embarrassed.
"Well my dear, I'm the driver and I say you can go for free," he smiled.
"Thanks," she breathed.
She knew something was up with this guy and didn't trust him, he didn't come out of the building for a while. She waited patiently, walking around seeing all the sights and interesting foods. Finally around dusk he walked out and found her.
"Come along," he said.
"Coming," she said following him.
They traveled out of town quickly and into the dark forest, he drove the horses on and on. They passed another town very quickly and soon they were flying at speeds she never dreamt possible. They were there within a matter of days. She went to get out, but the door was stuck.
"Excuse me kind sir, but I think your door is stuck," she shouted to him.
"OH no its not that, I just don't want you to leave," he said turning around and smiling.
He had long white fangs protruding from his mouth and his smile that had been so kind was now malicious and gross.
She screamed and pounded on the doors, but no one heard her screams. She kept screaming and looking for a way out, but there wasn't one. Suddenly the carriage lurched forward and she felt them moving at a fast pace. She looked out the opaque windows and saw the city lights growing more and more distant. She started to scream at the driver.
"Let me out now!"
"Why?"
"Because that was part of the agreement!"
"What agreement? Oh yes that's right I do remember the one where I take a helpless little orphan away to her dream city, but don't let her out, because it was never made clear that I had to let you go at Vatican City, I just had to take you there, and I did,"
She started crying knowing she had been defeated, she had nothing to do but wait. She sat on the floor of the carriage and hugged her knees. She sat there thinking hard, a plan that was all she needed. Suddenly the carriage stopped and she heard talking, she listened carefully.
"What is the problem?" the carriage driver asked.
"I heard shouting," a man said.
"I didn't,"
"Well I did and I think it was coming from in there,"
"OH no you must be mistaken you see its only me and my horse,"
"Well then let me have a look inside and we can both be on our way,"
"No, I really…"
The carriage door swung open and there on the other side was a tall dark haired man wearing a cloak and hat. She jumped back from him and he reached in and grabbed her. She screamed and starting fighting him.
"No please, let go!" she pleaded
"Don't worry you'll be fine," he said.
Another man in dark brown robes came over and took her by the arm and silently led her away. The other man suddenly took out a stake and drove it into the carriage driver's heart. She gasped and turned her head. She was so scared, she didn't know who to trust. She suddenly jerked out of the man's grip and ran into the forest.
"Van Helsing!" the man in brown yelled.
"What Carl?" he said turning to see the girl had ran.
He took off after her.
She ran as fast as she could, she could hear him crashing in the woods behind her. She ran faster until she slipped and fell. He reached her and grabbed her arm.
"I'm not going to hurt you," he soothed.
"NO just let me go!" she commanded.
He held her close and tight so she wouldn't get away.
"C'mon let's go," he tried.
He stood dragging her up with him she struggled and finally gave in and let him take her over to where he and the other man's horse were. She looked over at the horse tied to the carriage, and then back at the others.
"I have an idea," she said.
"Okay," Carl said.
She took the other horse and unstrapped him. She led him over to the others and jumped on him bareback. She cut the reins so they would be shorter and started to walk him. She smiled and looked up at the two men who were getting on their horses. She followed them out of the woods.
They made it back into town by midnight and rode slowly to a church that sat in the center of town. She looked up at it in awe. It was amazing and beautiful. Both of the men rode around to the back and dismounted their horses and tied them to a post, she did the same. They entered the church and headed straight for the second floor. She struggled to keep up, for both men had long strides.
She came to a room where there was a man sitting behind a desk, he was older, with gray hair and robes that resembles those worn by the man called, Carl. He smiled at her and then looked to Van Helsing and Carl.
"Please step into my office," he smiled, "If you will," he said gesturing to a seat, "It will only be but a minute,"
She sat down rubbing her hands together, trying to hear their conversation.
"I don't know why she was with that man, but I think we can help her," Van Helsing argued.
"Since when do you pick up random little girls that you save?" the Cardinal asked.
"Since I felt there was something special about her," he snapped.
"I don't see any point in having her around,"
"I do,"
"Well what are they?"
"I don't know yet,"
"WEll then that settles it, she's going back on the streets in the morning,"
"Since when does the Church throw out poor defenseless girls out onto monster infested streets?"
The Cardinal said nothing, Carl shifted uneasily in his seat, and Van Helsing stood fuming.
"I don't know?" The Cardinal sighed.
"Give me a chance to see what she can do," he tried. "If anything I'll find her a home,"
"Fine, but you haven't got long,"
"Thank you,"
Both Carl and Van Helsing left the room hoping to save this girl's life.
