The Gwy, YD Series: Alternate Realities

Chapter 3

Over the next few weeks, Vlad would talk to his dad, would experience his relationship with a human Erin in this reality, and he was currently re-befriending Bertrand. He would talk to Gwynn at night, but each time she seemed to fade just a tiny bit. But she would be fine though. RIght? Vlad thought so. He hadn't seen Ingrid yet or the Gwynn from this universe. But he was sure they were fine. This world was everything he wanted it to be. It seemed perfect. He decided today he would go out and see what this new world was like. He hadn't yet as he was kind of scared of what this new world would be liked. He hoped it wouldn't be too good to be true. He walked out the door to check out this new world. He saw more castles and buildings around and there seemed to be more vampires roaming the streets. He saw that the humans seemed to run to their homes. They seemed to be scared. They know, thought Vlad. They know about the vampires. That's why they're scared. He saw one vampire flash their fangs at a human running home. This made the human run faster. Vlad decided to approach the vampire.

Vlad: Hey!

The vampire turned around.

Vampire #1: What?!

The vampire's bad attention vanished when he saw Vlad. He almost seemed... scared.

Vampire #1: Oh, Grand High Vampire. My apologies.

The vampire bowed and then left using vampire speed. Vlad frowned. That was weird. That vampire seemed to be scared of me and that breather was scared of the vampire. Ok, so I'll figure it all out and then I'll fix that.

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A few weeks later, Vlad was hanging around the castle with Erin and the Count. He hadn't managed to befriend the Bertrand from this reality yet and he had yet to find Ingrid or the Gwynn from this universe. He and Erin were a couple in this world and he had gone along with it but he told himself it was just so he didn't make anyone suspicious... right? He and Erin were eating breakfast at the table, talking as they did so.

Erin: Good day yesterday, Vlad?

Vlad: Yeah. Fine. Yours?

Erin: Yes, thank you. Fancy going to a movie tonight. Maybe in an hour or so?

Vlad: Sure sounds good.

Erin: Great. It's a date.

She pecked him on the cheek and left the room.

Vlad: Wait, what? A date?

Vlad felt kind of guilty going on a date with Erin. But he had to keep up appearances. Right?

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AN HOUR LATER

He and Erin were at the movies on their date, sitting towards the back. The movie had just finished. He stood up and Erin stood up as well, the two of them ready to exit the theatre. Erin held Vlad's hands. Vlad realised she was leaning in for a kiss, and he didn't back away from it. The two of them kissed, and it was long and passionate. It felt... nice. More than nice. Vlad felt... something. Something... he couldn't quite describe. Gwynn wasn't right was she? He didn't... have feeling for Erin? Did he...? He began to wonder.

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Two days after their date, Vlad decided to go see if he could find the Gwynn from this universe. He had been feeling guilty about going with Erin for so many reasons, some he couldn't even explain, to himself or to anyone else. He had been researching all day and night yesterday and it was now dark outside. She had the same name in this universe and he had managed to find her address. It wasn't the same house as the Gwynn from his universe used to live in before she moved in with him. The adress was in North London. It would be over a two hour journey if he took the train. It would be a little less if he flew as a bat. He decided it would be easier to fly, so he began the transformation into a bat, and flew to North London.

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IN NORTH LONDON

Vlad had arrived at the Gwynn from this world's adress. It was a giant castle on a hill, solitary. There wasn't another house for miles, which was strange for North London. This was sort of the countryside outskirts of North London. The castle was grey, full of dust and cobwebs, tall with turrets. There was a giant knocker on the door carved like a lion's head. Vlad took a deep, unnecessary breath, and knocked the knocker. The door opened automatically, creaking as it did so. Vlad was horrified by what he saw. There was a mass of human bodies littering the floor. There was barely a clean spot in sight. All had been drained and mutilated. Vlad's mouth open wide in shock and horror. What the hell was this? Gwynn walked through and saw him at the door. She was dressed in a black leather bodysuit with spikes all over it and a v-neck. She was wearing long black press-on nails and black knee-high boots, that also had spikes on them. She had her hair up in a high ponytail, with her fringe quiffed up.

Gwynn: Are you here for something, or are you just gonna stand there gaping all day?

Vlad: Gwynn?

Vlad was completely shocked. He couldn't believe this was actually Gwynn. He hadn't been around her that long, but she was nothing like his Gwynn, the one from his world.

Gwynn: That's my name, don't wear it out.

Vlad: What the-?

Gwynn: If you're gonna stand there gaping all day, then you can piss off.

She slammed the door in his face. Vlad stood there in shock, before everything he had just seen finally processed through his head. Oh god, Gwynn. What happened to you. You woudn't want to be like this. Not in any world. Not the Gwynn I know. But this is the world now, and I fixed everything else. Maybe I can fix this too. Or maybe... maybe I can't and it'll be ok... Oh my...

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LATER THAT NIGHT

Vlad was in his room talking to the see-through Gwynn from his world.

Vlad: It was horrible, Gwynn. She was you, but not you. She had no regard for human life.

Gwynn: Well, that's not me. I'm the real me, Vlad. Right here. But... I'm going to fade eventually Vlad.

Vlad: No! I won't let that happen.

Gwynn: Vlad, there's nothing you can do to stop it. I'm not from this world! I don't belong here!

Vlad: I'll fix it. I'll fix everything.

Gwynn: The only way to fix it is to reverse this. But that's ok, Vlad. You don't need to do that. I know things are better here. At least, they seem to be... But it's ok. I get it.

Vlad: Thanks Gwy. You're so understanding. But... I don't want to be without you.

Gwynn smiled.

Gwynn: That's sweet. But if you want to stay in this world... you'll have to be. The me from this world will be here, but I won't. I don't belong here. It's ok, Vlad. You do what you gotta do. I love you. Always.

Vlad looked at her, the girl he loved. She was his last tie to the world they came from. He thought about that world. He thought of this world. He thought of the Gwynn from his world, and the Gwynn from this one, and thought of the differences. He thought about Erin being human and his girlfriend and not hating him, and Bertrand being alive. Somehow even though there were differences, it seemed worth it. Yet he felt slightly conflicted, deep inside. Yet, perhaps stupidly, he ignored it.

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