A/N: The final chapter in one of my personally favorite stories.

Closing Chapter

Seras' hand trembled as she reached up to grab at the front of her night shirt. Her heart was beating furiously as she tried to recollect her thoughts about the dream and calm her nerves. She should not be so worked up about a silly dream, for the night apparition could be nothing else but a fancy of her mind.

"I need water" she spoke aloud to herself for comfort as she pulled aside the soaked sheets and, with unsteady feet, made her way to the bathroom.

She could barely hold the cup as she watched the water spill into the container, the sound of the faucet helping to bring her back to the present. She eagerly drank the liquid as if one dying of thirst, and then proceeded back to bed, the noted hour was still far from dawn, and the young woman could think of nothing better to do than return to sleep.

Unfortunately, she had an unexpected visitor waiting for her notice.

As Seras struggled along the hall back to her room, her eyes suddenly caught a hint of white which seemed to float in the center of her living room. Curiously, fearful Narcissa had returned for more babbling, she used the wall as a support to lead her into the room.

Seras' gaze fell upon a most astonishing sight. Within the center of her apartment stood a small girl with long, blond hair. She wore a plain and old-fashioned dress, and her eyes were of an unusual hue of golden red. The girl wore a hint of a smile on her lips as she politely bowed at the young woman's entrance, though her eyes never left her hostess' own.

"Who are you?" Seras questioned in a weak tone as she suddenly felt a wave of dizziness sweep over her body.

"Your caretaker, Seras" the girl replied in a soft, gentle voice.

"My what?" the young woman responded in confusion as she suddenly felt her legs buckle.

Seras gave a small cry as she collapsed to the floor, weary and feeling ill as the girl stepped over to where she was seated upon the ground. The little stranger stooped and reassuringly held her arm, giving a soft smile as she looked into the other's eyes.

"I will help you in this time" she offered as, with the strength of many men, she placed Seras within her small arms. "For now, rest" she commanded, which caused a strange haze to cover the young woman's vision as she drifted into slumber.


Seras stirred in her sleep, nightmares coming to her mind as the scene in the strange forest was replayed again and again. Finally she managed to escape the cycle and awake to find herself in her own bed, though she could not recall having walked back. Moving her head to one side, for her strength seemed to have left her, she noted the small girl seated in a far corner of the room away from the windows.

The short visitor sat motionless within her chair as her eyes never left Seras, though her gaze did change to one of curiosity as the young woman fully awakened. A large book was placed on her lap, and she had apparently been reading before her older charge had awakened.

The girl made no effort to hinder her movements as Seras attempted to rise to a seated position, but her efforts were in vain as she could not find the will to lift herself. Her breathing was coming out in rasps as she looked to the windows for the time, and found to her surprise the glass was well covered by heavy clothes. Barely a hint of the sun beyond could be discerned, but she safely assume the day moon had risen and was perhaps half-way through its journey.

With a small sigh of annoyance and fatigue she gave a small smile at her predicament.

"At least I have a few days off" she noted to herself as she gave a strained laugh.

Her amusement, however, was interrupted by another coughing fit as weariness wracked her body. Then did the girl rise and seem to appear at the side of her bed, a glass of water in her hand. Her visitor seated herself upon the covers and lifted Seras up to a sitting position. Slowly she gave the young woman some of the water, mindful not to spill on the bed nor the woman.

Soon the fit was passed and Seras' breathing had calmed to a steady murmur. The girl laid her back upon the pillows, placed the glass of water upon the night stand, and quietly returned to her vigil.

"What, no breakfast?" Seras joked against the strangeness of her situation as she stared above toward the ceiling.

"I do not believe your body can handle food anymore" the girl replied in a saddened tone.

"What?!" Seras exclaimed as her head suddenly shifted towards the caretaker. "What do you mean?!" she asked in a tone full of panic.

"Do not worry" the girl soothed as her voice seemed to flit softly about the room to wrap a blanket about Seras' mind. "He will explain everything."

"He?" she repeated in question as the girl's voice seemed to grow farther away as she closed her eyes.

"He will tell you once he comes."


Seras' mind softly wondered about her strange sleeping habits as she once again struggled out of slumber. The nightmares had not returned, but the slumber had not left her refreshed. Rather, she felt languid as she opened her heavy eye lids and looked about the room.

The covers had been lifted from the windows, and the moon was visible in the sky as it made its drip across the bright stars. She then turned her eyes toward the corner and found her steward still seated in the chair with the book upon her lap. The girl's eyes were reading the pages, and she seemed engrossed in the words.

"So you are finally awake" she suddenly spoke, startling Seras enough to jump.

"Yes" she managed to reply, though such a simple word proved to be a strain as she coughed with lack of air.

"Then I suppose I may come in" a feminine voice quickly responded as Narcissa appeared in the room. Seras could not see her enter, but now she cared little for the mannerisms of the strange woman. "If you're awake, it must be just about time for the tree to bear fruit."

Seras blinked in confusion, but her thoughts flew away as another uninvited guest entered the room. The suicidal young man, the one who had tormented her previously in the bedroom, now stood beside Narcissa. He also seemed eager to begin something, as his hands twitched at his sides. The young invalid was curious why they both stayed near the door, rather than pester her at her bedside.

"They cannot cross the room" the girl suddenly explained, answering her unspoken question. "You will not allow them near."

"Me?" Seras asked as another coughing fit took her.

The girl appeared at her side quickly, glass in hand and a soft smile upon her face. She administered a healthy dose of water before answering Seras' question.

"You body may be failing, but your mind is still strong" the girl explained as she once again laid the ailing woman down upon the bed. "You will not allow them to approach you in your ill health merely because you wish them not to be near."

"I'm doing that?" Seras murmured as her breathing calmed.

The girl nodded her head and smiled down at the frail woman, though the two who were ignored seemed unamused.

"Come, Seras, won't you let me come in?" Narcissa cooed as she stepped away from her eerie companion. "I just want to have one last chat with you before I go."

"I think not" the young woman replied with a grin of pleasure as she sighed in some comfort. "At least I can enjoy my illness while it lasts."

"Don't you wonder what's causing your illness?" the woman interjected with a laugh, all pretense of civility gone. "Hasn't your little nursemaid told you anything?"

"Quiet" the girl softly spoke, though the threatening tone within her voice stopped the other woman's teasing.

"What is she talking about?" Seras asked as she turned her attention to the girl. Her nerves were again starting to fray as she felt a heavy weight bear down upon her chest. She brushed aside the sharp pain of breathing and clutched at the girl's arm. "What is she talking about?"

"I can no-" the girl began, but then her attention turned toward the closed bedroom door as the sound of another portal opening came to their ears.

"Well, well, about time" Narcissa commented as she moved as far from the door as she could.

The silent man did the same as Seras distinctly heard footsteps walk down the hallway to her bedroom. The occupants of the room were tense as a hand settled upon the knob, which turned with ease. The portal was opened and all stared at the newcomer.

Seras was shocked to find the delivery boy standing within her doorway.

"What?" the young woman asked in utter confusion as the other occupants seemed to step away from the boy as he entered the room.

"I see I'm late for the meeting" the boy spoke as he looked about the room in amusement. "But I doubt too late for the finale."

"No, sir" the girl replied as she stepped away from the bed and allowed the boy to approach.

"Ah, Helena" the new visitor greeted as he grinned widely. "May I ask where my book is?"

"Here" she replied as she suddenly held up the object he desired.

Seras blinked in befuddlement as her eyes stared at the item, then passed over to the chair which now lay empty. She did not see the girl grab the book, but upon returning her gaze to the object as it passed hands, her mouth dropped open in surprise. Then did she realize the book the girl, Helena, had been reading was the one which had signaled the start of the current predicament, and the one the boy had delivered himself.

"You've done well" the boy replied as he looked over the blank cover of the old book. "Better than others" he insinuated as he looked over to the two jackals still standing at the door.

"Oh, but Master" Narcissa objected, giving him a sweet smile. "We were only trying to help the vessel."

"I somehow doubt your word, Narcissa" the boy replied as he then turned his attention fully upon Seras. With a soft smile he seated himself upon the bed bedside where she lay. He lifted a hand and gently stroked her heated skin, his cold palm chilling her fever. "But you have done the best of everyone."

Seras was unexplainably thrilled by his praise, but she could not fathom why. Her puzzled expression caught his eyes and he chuckled slightly.

"You were given an important job" he explained as he stroked her chin. "And now your work is finished."

Seras blinked in confusion as the boy leant down, his unusual red eyes glistening against the light of the moon as he smiled widely. The young woman could do nothing as he placed his cool lips upon her own, but the feelings were not unwelcome as they briefly kissed.

However, the action caused a sudden strike of pain to shoot to her head.

Seras cried out as she broke their contact and began to writhe on the bed, which forced the young man to grab a hold of her arms to keep her still. His grip was like a vice and she was held fast, though the pain only grew worse with each passing moment.

"This will not last long" he attempted to comfort while Seras watched in horror as his teeth seemed to grow longer.

Seras could do nothing as he swept down and bit deeply into her neck. The initial pain of the piercing was soon replaced by a gentle wave of calm as the pain subsided and her struggles grew less frantic. She could feel her breathing become more shallow and her heart slow as he drank deeply of her blood.

Soon his thirst was quenched and he pulled back from her neck, though now his countenance was drastically changed.

Rather than the pale boy who had just moments ago sat beside where she lay, Seras now found a man in his late twenties leaning over her weakening body. To her inward joy she realized he was the man from her dreams, the one she had supposed dead by the sword. With her last bit of strength she smiled and reached up, brushing one of her shaking hands against his cheek to prove he existed.

The young man grinned at her touch of affection, and he clasped her hand in his own.

"What trials you have been through" he wondered as he gallantly kissed her hand. "You did well through the journey, but I am afraid your destination is nearing." Her quizzical eyes told of her inward confusion. "I gave you the task of keeping my memories for me while I rested" he explained as he set her hand down at her side. "There was no one else I could turn to but a human with a strong mind to block intrusion" he spoke as his eyes turned toward the two at the door.

"Oh, but my lord" Narcissa protested wit open arms. "We are your humble servants always. We only meant to protect the keeper of your thoughts."

"False breathes, woman" the man bluntly replied with venom in his tone. "During my necessary slumber you thought only of the power held in those memories." His sharp teeth clenched in anger. "What poor lieutenants you make in my absence, filled with ambition and pathetic greed as I once again gathered my strength." Then the man turned his entire attention to the two waiting at the door, a bitter cold encroaching upon the room. "And you have both failed in your schemes. Now leave us."

The strange man growled in anger and hurriedly melted into the shadows, his vexed eyes the last to leave the room.

"Perhaps next time I'll have your memories" Narcissa spoke with a smile as she disappeared into the darkness.

The three were left alone in the room to their final conversation.

"Perhaps then" the mysterious man agreed softly as he turned back to the pale woman at his side. His eyes seemed laden with some unspoken and sorrowful mystery as the feverish atmosphere settled to a calm quiet. "I give you a sorry gift for your help in my need, Seras" he spoke as he smiled softly. "The price to pay in keeping my memories is your death."

Seras' eyes opened wide at his words and she slowly shook her head as tears fell down her face. He smiled and wiped the stray drops away, the fingers gently touching her cheek.

"But I have given you one final gift, Seras" he soothed as he stood to his feet. Helena came by his side and smiled down upon the girl she had kept for the last day of the patient's life. "Though perhaps all you truly need is sleep" he spoke as Seras felt her eye lids grow heavy.

The young woman struggled against death, fruitlessly attempting to stave off the one equalizer among men. Her breaths came slower and her heart beat slower as she slipped in and out of consciousness. She at last felt herself fall into the eternal slumber, one which held a single, final dream.


"Now do we allow Seras Victoria to enter eternal sleep. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust" the priest spoke as he sprinkled some earth upon the grave.

The officers from her station watched as the coffin was lifted and taken into the mausoleum. Harry and William were two of the palm bearers as they walked into the dusty house of the dead. Her will had unexpectedly instructed that she been interred within an abandoned crypt within one of the older cemeteries, and money had somehow been procured for the elaborate coffin made for her final internment.

"May she rest in peace the priest's final words echoed as they shut the door to the mausoleum.

The group wandered their separate ways, each to give memory to Seras in their own way. All thought of the day only a few past when her body had been discovered in her bedroom. Upon finding her blood drained they had opened up the cause of death as homicide, but few believed the case would ever be solved.

With her passing, though, the other mysterious deaths also stopped. They could only guess if there had been a connection, but no one would truly know the truth.

The sun set over the old graveyard as the last of the mourners left. The ravens, watchers of the cemetery, cried their call as they watched a sudden shine of light flit through the headstones with a purpose. The small girl dressed in the old-fashioned dress made her way to the mausoleum, on an errand for her master.


Seras seemed trapped in a large box, her hands scrambling to tear at the lid. She knew she was once again dreaming, but now she felt as if she were watching the scene from afar. The person, a man by the voice, screamed and yelled as he tore at the timber above. Then he was foiled again, now by dirt, and he ruthlessly attacked the next crust.

Soon they could both see a light emerging from between his fingers, one which signaled the end to his trials. For some unknown reason Seras was overjoyed as he burst through the last bit of soil and she looked upon the moon high overhead.

Then Seras was jolted awake by the sound of a heavy wooden door moving.

The young woman blinked in confusion as she looked about the total darkness which surrounded where she lay. The area was cramped, as she felt by the walls at her sides, and the air was stifling. She pushed against the top, hoping for it to be a lid, but her arms were weak.

"Patience" a voice spoke from outside as the top suddenly moved, revealing it to be a lid.

Seras winced as light from the moon overhead burst into her eyes, and she could faintly make out the form of golden curls looking at her over the edge of the box.

"Come, Seras" a voice softly commanded, which she recognized as being that of Helena's. "The Master sent for you" she explained with a smile as she helped the young woman out of the box.

"The Master?" Seras slowly repeated as she looked about her surroundings. She still felt faint, but the night air was refreshing to her limbs. "The man from my dreams?"

"Yes" Helena replied with a soft smile. "He spoke about not having another person forced to dig their way out."

Seras blinked at the message, then a smile lit upon her lips as she allowed the girl to lead her from the crypt. The night was bright and unclouded as they soon arrived at the gate to the cemetery, where an old-fashioned coach awaited them. Helena opened the door and gestured for the young woman to enter.

With some hesitation Seras stepped up and into the carriage, mindful of her burial clothes, and seated herself upon one of two sides of the carriage. Helena shut the door behind the young woman, and for a long moment she assumed herself to be alone. However, to her glee as she faced forward, there seated upon the opposite seat was the stranger from her dreams. He smiled at her obvious enjoyment, his body clothed in a fashionable evening suit.

"Good evening" the man greeted as he gave a small bow of his head.

"G-good evening!" Seras nearly shouted in joy as she smiled widely at his presence.

"I do hope you will enjoy my gift to you" the man commented as he leant forward and drew one of her hands into his own. "And do allow me to introduce myself" he spoke as he kissed the pale skin. A glint of long teeth made themselves known as he looked up into her face. "My name is Alucard."

The End