Chapter Five

New York and Other Things

"Do you remember Nathan, Karl?" Julia asked.

"Of course," Karl sighed.

"What can you tell us about him?"

"I wasn't that close with Nathan. He loved the stage, which you probably already know. Anyone who knew him can tell you that. James didn't always get along with him. Amshel was actually afraid of him," at that, a smirk came to his face.

"You do know that he's still alive, right?" asked Julia.

"I know," Karl nodded, "She told me while I was sleeping. He has her sister."

"We don't know why he's still alive," Riku explained, "He was one of her Chevaliers, and… Saya stabbed him, but… we can't explain it."

"I'm sorry, Riku," Karl looked sympathetic, "I don't know why your aunt's blood could not kill him. Like I said, I wasn't close with him. I was only close with Solomon, and… Amshel, because he was the one who preformed experiments on me."

"Hey, it's okay," Riku gave him a little smile, "Don't worry about it."

"I wish I could help you," he sighed, "I…"

His eyes suddenly became wide, and he looked like someone who had just realized the obvious. "What is it?" Julia asked.

"Perhaps… maybe he was never Diva's at all. I became a Chevalier in nineteen thirty-nine. Nathan was there then. He's always just… been there. Even when I wasn't a Chevalier. He was there. What if he was playing a part?" Karl asked no one in particular.

"Then he's a damn good actor. He fooled everyone, didn't he?" Riku asked, angrily.

"No, not… everyone. Maybe Amshel knew. Maybe that's why he feared him. I never saw Diva give him her blood."

Riku flinched at her name, but she let it go, "It makes a whole lot of since, actually. It would explain why Saya couldn't kill him right, Julia?"

Julia nodded, wide eyed, "Yes, it would. Does this mean he's not a Chiropteran?"

Karl nodded slowly, "He's a Chiropteran… he's definitely a Chevalier… but who's?"

"My God!" Julia exclaimed, in awe, "Riku, call your dad and David. Tell them all of this. Tell them to have Collins confirm it, if they can get him to talk."

"Okay," Riku nodded, and then got her cell phone out of her pocket.

Julia looked back at Karl, "If you're right… I think we have a problem. Maybe this man can't be killed."

Karl smirked, "He can be killed. He's just going to be a little tougher to kill than I was."

II

"That was Riku," sighed Kai, "She had something really interesting to tell me."

The two were on the subway train, on their way to the institution. They had only just arrived in New York the day before. David had decided that it would be a good idea to rest up before going to see Collins. "So, what is this information?"

Kai told David everything that Riku had told him. "I'm afraid Julia's right. We do have a problem… if Collins confirms it. However, Karl is probably right, too. Nathan isn't invincible. We'll have to find a way. We have no choice."

"Well… let's just see what Collins has to say. Then we'll decide if we should start panicking or not."

III

Kai and David knew right away something was wrong… as soon as they stepped foot inside the institution. It was dark and seemed empty. Some lights were flickering, but most were out completely. "What the hell is going on?" Kai asked, "Where's all the staff?"

"And the patients? It's midday. There's no way they're all asleep… and where are the visitors?" David sighed, "Kai, take out your gun. Be ready."

"You don't have to tell me twice."

Both men stood at the ready. The two made their way cautiously to the nurses desk. Kai glanced over, gasped, and then fell back. "No…" he trailed off, with a disgusted look on his face.

"Good God!" David shouted.

There were three nurses behind the desk, and each one of them had been torn apart. "David…"

"Wait here!" David demanded.

He ran down the hall way, throwing open doors. With each door he threw open, his expression got grimmer and grimmer. Kai managed to get to his feet. He suddenly felt as though someone were watching him. He had a chill run all up and down his spin. He wheeled around, pointed his gun… "Don't be afraid… Kai," a woman with pale skin, brown hair, and green eyes smirked.

"Yes, Kai," a blond young man, with brown eyes grinned, "We aren't going to hurt you… yet."

"Don't move, you bastards! I swear I'll blow you away!" Kai warned, angrily.

They ignored him, coming closer, and closer. "We want to speak with you… Kai," the woman said, emotionlessly.

'No one can ever accuse me of shooting first, and warning later…' Kai thought, squeezing the trigger.

The shot rang throughout the empty hospital, and seemed to echo on for forever.