Oy vey, I had hoped to have this chapter out a lot sooner, but you know how real life can be. Real life sucks. But thank you guys so much for your reviews, follows and adding this story to your favourites! It's stuff like that which lets me know that people are enjoying the story and want to see more. I hope that you guys are all doing okay despite the state of the world. Here's the third chapter.

World of Monsters

Floorboards creaked under tiny feet, and blue eyes could barely adjust to the darkness of the hallways. This building had always given Seras the creeps, ever since she had first arrived here. It was like all of the life had been sucked out of it. Most of the floor was made from faded wood that creaked so much that Seras was often scared of her foot falling through the floor. The walls were plastered and merely painted over with a gross yellow colour, probably in an effort to make things more cheerful, but it just reminded the young girl of sick. It was chipped in a lot of places, and was often blank apart from the odd poster of biblical scripture or crucifix.

She knew these hallways like the back of her hand at this point. And it was a good job that she did, because right now, her memory was all she was relying on to guide her way through towards Father White's office. The hallways were eerily silent, with most of the children and staff in bed. The only sound was occasional creak of the floorboards as Seras tried to find her new friend.

The other girl seemed to have completely disappeared, but Seras guessed that she had gone on ahead to the office. Though how Alucard knew where it was, Seras wasn't sure. Her side still hurt slightly from slamming herself into the door, and she knew she would likely wake up with bruises in the morning. Maybe all of this was just a dream? That thought occurred to the little girl when she soon began questioning what she was doing.

She had escaped from her prison and was now following a strange girl she had just met into the night. This was very unlike Seras, and she knew it. But she just couldn't help herself. Maybe it was the mystery that drew her in. This was technically her first detective work. Would her dad be proud of her right now for facing her fears and investigating? She hoped so.

With that new-found resolve, Seras pressed on, finally turning a corner where another corridor led towards a single wooden door that was closed tightly. Seras could just about make out its outline, but as soon as she saw it, she froze. Father White could be in there. Again, what was she thinking? She was going to get into so much trouble for this, and Father White especially terrified her. It was like her blood turned to ice whenever he was near. Could he really have something to do with all the disappearances?

"Is that it?" a hushed voice startled her.

Seras quickly clamped a hand over her mouth to stop herself from screaming in surprise. Her eyes shifted to the left to see that Alucard was suddenly standing next to her. Where had she come from?

Not trusting her own voice, Seras nodded.

A wide and sinister grin spread across the tallest girl's face, sending a shiver down Seras' spine. It was like the smiles she saw on the front of those horror movies that the other children sometimes sneaked in to the orphanage from their other friends on the outside. The smile almost reached all the way to her ears, practically splitting her face in half. Alucard's red eyes glowed before she slowly stepped forward towards the door.

Gulping, the young blonde girl followed, now wrapping her arms around herself as her heart began to pump faster and faster. Her eyes widened again as she fully witnessed Alucard seemingly walking right through the door as if it wasn't there. This caused her to freeze in place again. She knew that her new friend was magical, but a part of her had perhaps convinced herself that she had imagined Alucard phasing through the door earlier. Now there was definitely no denying it.

A feeling of excitement bubbled up inside her as she tried to open the door for herself, but sighed in annoyance when she realised that it was locked. She pressed her ear against the wood, only to hear nothing but silence from the other end. She was about to peak through the keyhole when the door suddenly opened to reveal Alucard standing there looking disgruntled.

"He's not here," she growled out.

"Huh?"

"Father White; he isn't here."

"Maybe he's in another room?" Seras asked, taking an automatic step back from the girl in front of her.

"No. I've scanned the whole building."

"Well… he's normally here…" Seras trailed off. Why did it feel like Alucard was blaming her for this?

Alucard huffed before twisting back around to re-enter the room. Seras paused for a moment before finally daring herself to follow. Alucard was right. The office was completely empty, but all of his belongings still seemed to be in place. Moonlight illuminated the room, allowing the young blonde to finally see better for the first time. Alucard ran a finger along the desk as she walked beside it before flicking through a few papers, only to slam them back down on the desk as if they had personally offended her. Her red eyes menacingly glanced back at Seras, who squeaked and cowered away.

However, Seras quickly put on a brave face and puffed out her chest to stand her ground. "He must have escaped. Maybe he knows that we're onto him?"

Alucard blinked, her anger forgotten before she smirked and stared up at the full moon. "Perhaps."

"Do you really think he has something to do with the disappearances?" Seras asked, relaxing slightly at Alucard's sudden mood improvement.

"There is no doubt in my mind now. His stench should have been proof enough, but it's hard for me to concentrate with all of these holy relics around." Alucard poked one of the crosses hanging on the wall.

"What do you mean?"

"Blessed objects can hinder my powers slightly, and this place is full of them." Her nose wrinkled in disgust.

Seras' eyes widened. "You mean… like a demon?"

Alucard turned to smirk at her. "Yes, Police Girl, like a demon."

"But you're not a demon." Seras frowned.

"Oh?" Alucard cocked an eyebrow as she threw herself down into the desk chair before propping her feet up against the desk, watching Seras with both amusement and curiosity. "And what makes you say that, little human?"

Seras stiffened. "Well… you helped me. Demons don't help people."

"Au contraire, Police Girl," Alucard chuckled, "demons may help humans when there is something in it for them."

"Well I don't know what a demon would want with me," Seras sighed out. "I don't have anything."

Alucard shook her head while grinning, relaxing further back into the chair.

Seras then looked around the room, desperately trying to think of something useful. Now that Father White wasn't here, was her new friend going to just abandon her? Was she just using her? For some reason, Seras didn't want this girl to just leave her. She wanted her to stay around and be her friend. She thought back to the creepy things that Alucard had said: demons only helped humans when there was something in it for them. That sentence bothered her a great deal. But that was stupid because Alucard wasn't a demon. Demons only lived in hell.

Quickly thinking of something to say, Seras spoke again, "should we try and look for clues?" Seras approached the desk as she said this, trying her hardest to impress the other girl.

Alucard sighed, sounding fed up.

"I'm sure he'll be back very soon though. We can interrogate him then," Seras added, feeling her heart sink the longer Alucard remained silent.

"If he knows I'm onto him, I doubt he'll be back," Alucard replied, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Then what do we do?"

Alucard turned to glare at her. "You do nothing."

The door to the office suddenly opened again, and Seras whipped around, gasping as her eyes locked with one of the nun's. The sister's green eyes widened before she frowned in disapproval. Luckily, it was one of the nicer nuns, so Seras didn't feel too worried about being caught by her. But still, she was likely to be punished again over this.

"Seras Victoria, what on earth are you doing in here? You know you're not allowed in here without permission," the nun hissed as she stepped further into the room before reaching out to grab Seras by her wrist. "How did you even get out of the cellar?"

Seras turned to look back at Alucard, who remained seated, seemingly not paying attention to the situation. She was frowning at the night outside the window, and Seras got the sense that she was tempted to leave. Her heart sunk in her chest at the thought. This was all her fault. She was the worst investigator ever and now Alucard likely hated her and she was going to be left alone again.

The nun followed the young girl's gaze before her eyes flickered back, her eyebrows furrowing slightly.

"Seras, are you even paying attention?" the nun demanded.

Seras finally turned back around. "Yes? What? No! Don't take me back down there! Please Sister Grace! I'll be good! I promise!"

Sister Grace sighed. "I suppose you have been punished enough for one day. Now let's get you to bed before I change my mind."

Seras let out a sigh of relief before frowning when Sister Grace began pulling her out of the office. Her blue eyes glanced back at Alucard again before looking up at the nun.

"What about Alucard?"

The nun looked down at her, not pausing as she dragged the girl down the corridor. "Who?"

"Alucard? The new girl?" Uh oh, maybe she shouldn't have said anything. She didn't want to get her new friend into trouble as well, and Seras was certainly no grass. But surely Sister Grace must have spotted her. She looked right at her after all, so why wasn't she dragging Alucard out of the office too?

"Seras, I haven't the foggiest idea what you're talking about. There's no one new here," she brushed the young child off.

Seras wanted to argue, but the words became stuck in her throat. A lump of confusion seemed to have formed there, blocking any coherent thought from reaching her mouth. Sister Grace had to be mistaken. Maybe Alucard kept to herself so well that she hadn't been noticed? But still, the nuns always watched new children like a hawk, worried about any potential corrupting behaviour. They always made sure to show any new children who was boss.

Before the little girl could ponder the weird situation more, she was dropped off outside her small bedroom and ordered inside before Sister Grace took off walking back down the corridor. Seras sighed before opening the door and heading inside, wondering where Alucard could have possibly got to. Had she left? Was she still down there in the office? Some undercover officer Seras was if she got caught within the first few minutes of her investigation.

Sulking to herself, the young blonde changed into her pyjamas before climbing onto her lumpy mattress situated on top of a plain metal bed frame. She pulled the covers over herself before curling into a tight ball and staring at the Lord's prayer that decorated one of the only posters that she had been allowed to hang on her wall. Seras hadn't really understood it when she picked it, she just liked the pretty flowers that decorated the sides.

Our Father who art in heaven

Hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Seras closed her eyes as she fought back the burning sensation of tears. She had suddenly become painfully aware of the cross shaped bruises that were now forming on her skin. If God was her father, then did that mean that he would look after her? Seras knew it was blasphemy to think this, but it really didn't feel like he was doing a good job. Had he abandoned her? Had she been too naughty? Why had he taken her parents away from her? Were they in heaven right now? Were they happy?

A small little whimper escaped her as she thought about how much she wanted to join them. But she had committed blasphemy earlier, so did that mean she was going to go to hell? Did God not like her? Is that why all of these bad things happened to her? Seras often had these thoughts as she laid awake at night, unable to sleep because of the sound of gunshots in her mind.

Still lying down, Seras clasped her hands together and closed her eyes. "God, I know that I've done a lot of bad things, and I'm really sorry. I promise that I will try to be good from now on. Just… please can you take the pain away? Please can you help me? I want my mummy and daddy back…"

"You won't receive any help doing that, Police Girl."

Seras gasped and sat bolt upright in bed, her heart leaping into her throat as her eyes locked with red ones that hovered above her. A dark figure came into view, and Seras became even more startled when she realised that it was Alucard. What? How? She hadn't even heard her come in? Oh yeah, duh, she was a magical king.

"Wh-what?" Seras blinked, dumbstruck.

"God doesn't answer prayers," Alucard sneered as she traced a pattern on Seras' covers, frowning as she appeared lost in thought. "You have to fight for his attention, and even then he seldom grants it."

"Why?"

Alucard shrugged. "To test faith? To test our souls? Our willpower? Or perhaps maybe he has abandoned his children? It matters not, though. Prayer does not yield results. Only actions do."

Seras frowned in confusion. "But… the sisters tell us it's important that we speak to God, so that we can show that we love him…"

"Is that so?" Alucard grinned and shook her head. "You almost remind me of myself when I was younger," she added that last part more quietly.

"Are you not a Catholic?" Maybe that might explain the dark girl's different logic. Maybe she was a Protestant.

Alucard chuckled. "I was once Orthodox, but I had forsaken God a long time ago."

Seras gasped. "Why?"

"So many questions," Alucard rolled her eyes as she moved to sit on the bed next to Seras' feet. The little blonde unconsciously scooted closer, fascinated by the whole conversation. She wanted to know more about this strange girl who often spoke in strange riddles. She was so different and fascinating. She seemed wise beyond her years, and Seras could already feel herself looking up to the older girl. She felt almost star-struck in her presence and could listen to her voice for hours on end.

"But back onto the case at hand," Alucard quickly changed the subject, and Seras sat in anticipation. "It appears that you have led me on a wild goose chase, and for that, I am most displeased."

Seras blinked. "But… I didn't know that he was going to be leaving…"

Alucard frowned. "You kept me distracted while I was supposed to be concentrating on my mission."

"What?!" Seras practically shrieked. Why was she being so mean? "I didn't ask you to come and help me; you just appeared out of nowhere! And also, a 'thank you' would be nice since I'm the one who told you about Father White anyway!"

There were a few moments of tense silence before Alucard laughed and clapped her hands twice. "You stand up for yourself. I like that."

Seras' frown deepened. She didn't like being laughed at.

"And perhaps you're right. You did lead me right to him – although he wasn't there."

"What are we going to do?" Seras repeated her question from earlier. "What is he doing to those other kids?"

"Again with the 'we'." The taller girl sniggered.

"We're partners, right?" Seras asked slowly, her stomach now feeling like it was made of lead as she waited for the other girl's answer.

Alucard frowned. "Seras, I shouldn't even be talking to you right now."

"Then why are you?" Seras then lowered her voice to whisper, "I thought that you were my friend."

"You thought wrong, Police Girl." Alucard's voice turned into a warning growl. "I was merely shocked that you were able to see me, so I had to come and investigate. Imagine my disappointment when it turned out that you were indeed nothing more than a human."

Seras huffed. "You don't make any sense."

"Oh, but I do," the dark haired girl replied. "You are just merely ignorant of the world. Of course you are. You are a human child who could not possibly comprehend such things. I thank you for the information you shared with me, though I would have gotten to it one way or another."

Was that supposed to be a compliment or an insult? Either way, it boiled Seras' temper.

"You're so mean!" she cried out. "Go away and leave me alone!"

Alucard growled in annoyance. "That I cannot do right now. You've seen and heard too much, and my master orders that I stay put in this place until the threat has been neutralised. You will likely be of use to me when the piece of shit finally decides to return."

"Hey! You said a naughty word!" Seras gasped, feeling worried yet excited at the same time.

"What? And telling God to kiss your arse isn't naughty?" Alucard's smirk finally returned.

Seras blushed and looked away back to the prayer that hung on her wall.

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our trespasses

As we forgive those who trespass against us

"I'm sorry," Seras finally sighed out. "I ruined the mission and I keep messing things up and getting into trouble." The prayer had said that God would forgive her, but would he? She had done so many bad things. She hurt people and ruined things. She had stabbed someone with a fork just hours earlier. How was she possibly someone who was worthy of forgiveness?

Alucard wrinkled her nose. "You think too much."

"Huh?"

"And your thoughts are so loud. Why do you have to shout so much?"

"Ummm… sorry?" was all Seras could think of to say.

Alucard shook her head, a genuine smile almost seemed to be creeping up on her face. "You're a strange and interesting creature – for a human anyway – I'll give you that much."

"Thank you?"

Alucard chuckled.

"I think you're really interesting too," Seras returned the bizarre compliment.

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. You look funny, you talk funny, and you're magical!" Seras threw her arms out in excitement. "Will you be my friend? Please please please please please!"

The older girl looked annoyed as she rolled her eyes and looked away again.

"Please!" Seras begged again.

"Don't be so pathetic," Alucard growled out. "I don't have friends; such trivial relationships are beneath me."

Seras sighed in defeat before lowering her head as her eyes watered.

"But…"

The blonde girl looked up again.

"Like I said before, I do need to keep an eye on you, so I will be sticking around," Alucard explained, looking less than pleased with the idea.

Seras tried to hide her excitement, not wanting to come across as pathetic again. Having someone stick around was good enough for her. Everybody left her at some point, but the promise of having this girl stay by her side, even if her feelings of friendship were not returned, was enough to help the young blonde girl feel content. She had never had anybody stick around her before. Even before coming to live here, she had never had many friends. The friends that she had quickly ditched her after her parents had been murdered, complaining that Seras was now weird and scary. Other children tended to avoid her like the plague due to her violent outbursts, but they were the ones who provoked her in the first place.

"And can I keep helping you on the case?" Seras asked, clasping her hands together.

Alucard sighed, crossing one leg over the other. "Do you even want to stop and think about what you're getting yourself into?"

"What do you mean?"

"You want to work with me, yet you do not even know what my mission is. You do not know what sort of creatures and enemies you are dealing with," she replied, beginning to sound amused again. What was with this girl and her mood swings?

"Creatures?" Seras gasped. "You mean like… monsters?"

Alucard grinned creepily and nodded.

"What kind of monsters?"

The taller dark haired girl leaned forward slightly, red eyes locking onto blue ones. "Monsters that walk the night. That feed upon the blood and flesh of humans. Monsters that could easily snap your little body in half as they bite into your neck and consume all of your blood until there is nothing left, enslaving you for all eternity."

Seras shuddered as Alucard reached forward as she spoke, running one of her nails along the younger girl's neck.

"Vampires?" Seras gulped.

"And you still want to help me on my mission?" Alucard's eyes sparkled mischievously.

Seras didn't even need to think twice. "Of course!"

Alucard leaned backwards, probably not expecting that answer from the blonde girl.

"This is all so cool!" Seras exclaimed. "If a vampire ever tried to mess with me, I'd stab them right in the heart!" She turned to grin at Alucard who almost looked impressed.

"You're a tenacious one, aren't you? Maybe sticking around for a bit might not be so bad. It might even be interesting." She closed her eyes as she smirked.

Seras did a mental fist pump. If she could continue to impress Alucard then maybe she would finally see her as a friend. Right now, that's all Seras felt like she could focus on. She wanted this girl's attention and approval more than anything. Alucard was easily one of the most fascinating people she had ever met, and she wanted them to be friends forever!

She jumped on her bed excitedly as she mimed stabbing motions with her hand. She would destroy the evil creatures of the night and protect the innocent from being hunted and slaughtered aimlessly. Both she and Alucard would be an unstoppable team. All of the vampires out there better watch out!

"This is going to be so much fun!" Seras cried out.

"Police Girl –"

"We're going to stake them right through the heart!"

"Human –!"

"Every vampire in the world will fear us and we'll be unstoppable!"

"Seras!"

Seras stopped jumping and turned around just in time to register Alucard placing a finger on her forehead, capturing Seras' gaze with her own. Her red eyes seemed to glow, and Seras found herself unable to look away or even blink. Those red pools seemed to dive down for an eternity, and the young girl almost began to feel like she was drowning in them. Her heart slowed down in her chest, and her own blue eyes became slightly hooded.

"Enough," Alucard whispered soothingly, her eyes still glowing. "You are giving me a headache. Now sleep."

Without Seras' permission, her heavy eyelids shut themselves and she fell limply against the girl next to her.

Lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom, the power

And the glory, for ever and ever

Amen.

And that's a wrap for the third chapter. As always, please feel free to let me know how I'm doing by leaving a review, no matter how big or small – it all helps. Thank you so much for reading, and take care out there in this terrifying world that we live in. See you again soon.