~Bite of Blindness~ Minyadagniriel

Ch 5: Awakening

Where am I? Robyn, are you there? Was it all a dream?

It was dark, like normal…Cele opened her eyes and saw nothing, but it was so clear to her…she saw those gates. Even if it was only a dream, it was the most wonderful thing she ever 'saw'. After rolling around so much last night, she welcomed the new day with a good stretch and yawn. She spread her arms out…or at least tried to, she seemed to have rolled over next to a wall. Wait a second…her bed wasn't next to any walls. Was she moved to another room without her knowing? She asked herself many questions and felt around the enclosed bed of hers. A wash of panic surrounded her when she found another surface directly above her. She was trapped!

She convinced herself to stay calm; she's been in worse scrapes. She took a deep breath, funny…it didn't seem to refresh her at all. She needed to think of something and quick. There had to be a latch or handle somewhere in here…wait a second, there were voices outside. Who was it? She planted one ear against the wood and listened in.

"Alucard, what the fuck were you thinking!"

"I did it on a whim."

That was Alucard, he was arguing with someone. It must have been his master, since it was a female raising her voice.

"I'm sure there was a good reason for this Integra," said another man.

That was Walter, she was sure of it. She listened carefully.

"There is never a good reason for bringing another vampire in the world! Now how am I supposed to deal with Cele? I promised to send her home and now she can never leave!" Integra screeched.

Wait a second, why can't they send her home?

"A blind vampire is not going to be a very good hunter!"

A blind vampire? What is she talking about?

Cele stopped listening, she was getting freaked out. Here she was…stuck inside of a four walled prison that she thought was her bed and the people who rescued her were now arguing about her future. Cele thought back even further…I woke up in this prison, before that I remember talking to that vampire, Alucard. Then he took me downstairs because I was lost and we talked for a bit. One thing…led to…another…he kissed me and then I….

She gasped and her hands shot up to her face. All the warmth from her cheeks was gone…for good. She remembered letting Alucard place her under hypnosis and he…stripped her down. She was wearing her clothes currently; he must have replaced them while she slept. Still, he removed them last night so he could…

Quickly she dropped one hand to her legs and felt the skin…there on her left thigh were two punctures and a lot of dried blood surrounding it. She remembered everything…touching him, wanting him, and he even allowed her to touch the inside of his coffin.

Her body began to hyperventilate, but it didn't take in any oxygen…only humans needed…to breathe. She realized that she was stashed inside his resting place…his coffin.

No! This can't be happening! What did he do to her? Why?

Cele banged her head on the surface just above her and the voices outside halted. She'd had enough…she needed to get away and in utmost terror, she pushed the lid off the coffin and bolted upright. Instead of total darkness and nothingness, she was met with extreme brightness.

Nearby, Alucard, Integra, and Walter were caught by surprise when the lid had flown off and watched as she began screaming and covering her eyes.

Cele tried to get to her feet, but she stumbled out of the coffin and backed herself into a corner. Her hands dropped from her face and she was blinking up a storm. Everything was blurry and the world seemed to be spinning. Terror and pain, that's what she felt.

Integra approached Cele very slowly, "Cele…just take it easy."

Cele's eyes were flying around the room; it was all too much to take in. Everything frightened her…mostly because she'd never seen it before. No matter how hard she tried, her eyes just wouldn't adjust. Integra herself looked like nothing more than a blob, the same with Walter and Alucard. Every step Integra took to get close only scared the poor girl more.

"Sir, I don't think it's wise for you to be approaching Cele at this time," Walter reminded. He was right. The newly made vampire was far too hysterical to come to her senses.

Cele's head jutted back and forth, trying to figure things out, but the more she tried, the worse everything got and her blood began to boil.

Integra stopped in her tracks when she noticed Cele's eyes glowing a bright red color and she bear her teeth at the three of them.

Alucard stepped between the two women, "Let me handle-"

Cele leapt at him, trying to force her way through to attack Integra. The bloodlust she had coursing through her veins wanted its first drink and she couldn't control it. Alucard grab the girl before she could get a single bite in and he slammed her to the floor, putting his knee into her back and twisting her arm behind. She was pinned.

Integra barked orders at Walter, "Get her under sedation quick!"

Walter obliged and he ran out of the room to find the mansion's private doctor.

Cele struggled with ten times more power than before. Alucard didn't let her have an inch but she did manage to get her mouth on his arm and she bit down hard, right through his coat and shirt sleeve. It seemed to calm her slightly so he didn't rip his arm away. He waited for Walter and the doctor to return.

Ten minutes went by and Walter made it back with the doctor in tow. He'd already prepared a large syringe.

The doctor demanded that Alucard hold her still while he injected her with a heavy dose of tranquilizers. Cele's struggling started to die down after a few minutes and Alucard was able to pick her up and transport her to the medical ward.

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"Cele…Cele…try to focus…can you hear me?"

"I can hear you…"

A gentle voice brought her back, "Good, I'm glad to hear it. You had quite the shock this morning."

"Huh?" Cele tried to move her hands so she could rub her eyes, but they were tied down so she wouldn't hurt herself. She also had an eye mask over her face, which provided her with darkness.

"Try not to move too much yet. Until Sir Integra gives us the okay, you are to remain in bed with those fastenings on. But we do get to help you adjust to your new surroundings."

"Who are you?" Cele asked.

"I am the head nurse of the ward, you can call me Kayla. I'll be working with you until you leave the hospital dear."

"Oh, okay. How are you going to help me adjust if I can't get out of bed?"

"We'll be giving you a couple of eye treatments today. Sir Integra believes your recovery will be fast and you may even be up and about by tonight. Speaking of which, it's time to give your first dose of eye drops." Kayla then helped Cele sit up.

While Kayla was busy preparing the drops, Alucard fazed through a wall before Cele's bed. He was curious to see how his new fledgling was doing.

Kayla didn't seem to mind his presence and walked right passed him to Cele's side, "Okay dear, time to take off that mask." Kayla touched the outer corner of the cloth mask and slowly peeled it off.

Cele didn't open her eyes immediately, but she could see brightness through her lids.

"Try opening them slowly," Kayla encouraged.

Cele did her best, but the lights hurt her eyes so badly, "Can we turn the brightness down some?"

Alucard did the honors of walking over to the door and flipping the switch off. The room was much darker than before.

"How about now dear?"

Cele let her lids split apart, very minimal light bothered her eyes this time and she was able to open them halfway. She blinked a few times and glanced around the room, "Everything is odd." She looked directly at Alucard and he resembled a large red fuzzy slipper. Then she looked at the nurse, taking in her facial features. So that's what a human looked like visually.

"Very good," Kayla praised her, "Now tilt your head back and we'll medicate you."

Having those drops put in was a pain and they stung her eyes at first, but she was able to fully open her lids afterwards. She drank in the visuals from around the room, though everything was still odd looking. She blinked until the images became clearer and she once again looked at Alucard, "Who is that?"

"Oh, that's Alucard."

Cele suddenly turned very red and she was shocked. This gentlemen was so damn tall and he looked very…well she couldn't describe it. Since it was her first time seeing him, she didn't know what to say. He was the one who made her into what she was and he was also responsible for last night's activities. She blushed heavily and it was noticeable.

"Did it sink yet girl?" he said, a wide grin plastered on his face. He had been reading her thoughts.

She turned her head away from him, not wanting to see his face. It was so different to actually see a person's expression.

"Well then Cele, until your next dose, I'll leave you alone so you can adjust," Kayla said and she left the room.

A long awkward silence filled the room until Alucard broke the ice, "I'll take off your restraints."

"But Kayla said-"

"Sir Integra knows so there's nothing to worry about," he said and began removing the buckles to one wrist. They came off rather easily. Cele's hands rushed up to her eyes and she rubbed them vigorously.

"Why did you do this to me?" she asked.

"Turn you?"

"Yes."

"No particular reason, I do things when I feel like it." Alucard seemed to be dodging the question but she didn't want to press him further.

"Anyways, let's lay some ground rules now that you're up and calm. Sir Integra specified that you are not to go anywhere without a escort until your vision improves. You are to stay in the basement with me until your hunger pangs are under control."

"Hunger pangs?"

"Yes…you'll find out about that later tonight. You are also going to begin an intensive training course consisting of literacy, weaponry, armed forces, and other assorted topics. You'll have me, Walter, and Integra as private tutors."

"When does this all begin?"

"Tomorrow."

Cele almost fell off the bed.

"I meant it when I said intense," he reminded, "You have so many skills that need developing."

Alucard sat down on the bed next to her, "You are also required to sleep inside a coffin to regain your energy. I think you know what to expect after what happened this morning."

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That night…

Kayla gave Cele the okay to leave the ward and she now spent time in the basement with Alucard. He and Walter had placed a custom built coffin in his room just for her. It was very nice red mahogany, hand carved with a tiny cross positioned on the cover. Walter bid the two of them goodnight after finishing up.

Cele still had some mobility issues, but she was told that would get better as soon as she'd eaten.

Alucard patiently waited for her to sit at the nearby table. She kept one arm out in front of her, though she didn't really have to. It was more of a habit than anything now. He was already seated and she just found her chair, she bumped it slightly but managed to seat herself just fine. On the table sat a metal ice bucket filled to the brim with cubes and two bags rested inside. He plucked out one of the bags and handed it to her. She glanced at the label on the package, but she couldn't tell what any of those symbols meant nor could she read the writing. Instead she watched as he fished out the other packet and bit off the plastic tab. He brought the packet to his mouth and gulped down its contents.

She really didn't want to drink this stuff but if it meant for her to remain alive, she supposed it wouldn't be so hard after the first bag.

Alucard saw her hesitate and commented, "It's not gonna drink itself."

"I just don't feel comfortable with this yet," she admitted.

"You've already drunk blood once, not a large amount but still. You have to learn to like it as soon as possible if you want your vision to clear up and to get stronger." He tossed his empty bag on the table. "Now then, bottoms up."

She stared at the little pouch, still doing nothing.

Under mild annoyance, he took the bag from her and bit the top like he did before, "I'll give you a hand," and he poured a quarter of the blood into his mouth and got up from his chair. He placed his hands on her shoulders and squashed his lips to hers. Surprised, Cele opened her mouth slightly and soon enough, a mouthful of blood filled her cheeks and he wouldn't remove his mouth from hers until she swallowed it.

She gulped down the liquid and pulled herself away, wiping her face with the back of her hand. She didn't expect the blood to taste so sweet.

"Type A," he remarked, "It's the best tasting. Walter is pretty good at providing us with good quality blood." He handed her the remainder. "Finish that up and we'll get started on your training."

Cele didn't argue with him and she brought the bag to her lips and slowly finished the last of the red liquid.

Alucard smiled at her, "Not so bad huh?" He got up from his chair once again and stood before her, "One more thing," he started. He began fishing for something within his coat and found it. He pulled out what looked like a hat.

It was the very same cowboy hat he picked up just three days earlier, the one dropped by that female vampire, Nadia. He plopped the hat down on Cele's head and surveyed her for a moment, "It looks good on ya."

She touched the soft leather brim of the hat and tugged it down so it fit better, "Is there a mirror in here? I can see my reflection right?" she asked softly. If he said she looked good, then it must be true.

"You want to see yourself? Well there's no mirror in here and yes, that no reflection bullshit is just folklore."

"Oh."

Alucard let his coat slide off his shoulders and he draped it over the back of his chair, "On your feet, it's time to test your healing abilities."

"Already? But I'm still recovering," she complained.

"On your feet," he demanded once again.

She sighed and stood up, leaving her blanket behind, "What do I have to do?"

"I'm going to slash you."

"What?" She backed away from him.

"You drank your first twelve ounces of blood, so your vampiric abilities should be much stronger than this morning. However when you make your first kill, you'll have abilities like mine. Now turn, back facing me."

Cele turned around, it's probably better that she doesn't see the blow coming. She waited for him to strike her and he finally did. She felt a sharp pain run up her left shoulder ad her blood trickled out of the wound. "Ow…geez that fucking hurts!"

"Get used to it because you're going to receive millions of injuries in your life and some will be by far worse than this." He studied her back and watched as the skin melded together to its natural state. He then ran his finger up her skin and collected some of her blood. He licked his fingers clean.

"You can drink vampire blood as well?" she asked.

"Oh yes, the flavor is a little bit spicier than human blood. But still good none the less."

"Blech, sounds delicious…"

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One week later…

Cele was exhausted. She stayed up all night and day just training with her masters. Integra made a lot of progress with Cele's reading skills and Walter spent time teaching her about firearms and military tactics. Alucard showed her how to use her abilities to their advantage.

On the other hand, her eyes were almost fully healed and she was discovering something new everyday. Of course, she received an occasionally laugh or tease from a passerby when she accidentally bumped into a wall or tripped over something. She played along with it.

Now she was ready to turn for the morning, so to speak. Alucard had already passed out and she crawled into her coffin, ready to join him in slumber. The satin interior was so nice against her ski and she relished in its silkiness. Sleep took over quickly.

It seemed the second she went to sleep; it was time to get up again. Alucard lifted the lid to her coffin and shook her awake. She yawned, "Go away before I strangle you." She plopped her head back down.

"We've just been assigned a new mission girl. Get up, get dressed."

She sat up again, "Mission for me too?"

"Yes, now get your ass out of there." He let go of the lid and it tumbled to the floor with a thud.

Cele growled at him and slowly got up, "Prick…" she mumbled and rolled her eyes.

Their orders were to take out one rogue vampire without causing a ruckus. It wasn't a remote area; humans were everywhere…a smorgasbord for any vampire. This was also a test for Cele; she would be using a sniper rifle for the first time.

One hour later…

Cele rested on top of an abandoned building waiting for her target to emerge. He was hiding inside a metal production factory. Alucard had gone on ahead, wanting to flush out the wannabe vampire for her, and then she would take her shot.

Walter waited on the roof along with her, making sure she handled the weapon properly. She held the .338 Lapua Magnum steady, letting the barrel rest on the brick surface. There were so many people wandering below, going about their business. She waited for the signal from Alucard…

"Ready yourself Cele…he's coming…"

That was what she needed to hear, Alucard sent the signal her way and she waited…

Across the street a man sped away from the factory, that was the vampire.

"Aim for the head or heart!"

Alucard yelled at her telepathically to fire but she hesitated…

"Miss Cele, you must fire immediately," Walter reminded.

"I know, I know!" Cele watched as the vampire began running in the other direction, getting further and further away. She strained her eyes, it was getting harder and harder to separate him from the humans. There were merging together.

"Shoot!"

She tried to lock onto the enemy, but it was already too late, he blended into the crowd and disappeared around a corner.

"Damn it Cele!"

Her head hug from her shoulders, she failed her first mission. She returned to the helicopter where Sir Integra had been waiting. Cele couldn't look at her…

"Failure is not an option next time Cele," Integra said sternly.

"I'm sorry Sir," Cele apologized and she climbed in, along with Walter.

Alucard had managed to hunt down and exterminate the rogue. He returned to the mansion on his own, deciding to skip the helicopter ride with Cele, he was incredibly angry with her.

That night, Cele sat alone in the basement, her back to the doorway. She was staring at her hands…wondering why she was having so many problems adjusting to her new lifestyle. She only drank once and that was almost a week ago…her vision wasn't any clearer than the day she first saw the light. She could see her fingers, but anything more than a few hundred feet was really fuzzy.

It remained silent in the room until Alucard busted through the door. Cele looked over her shoulder but she wasn't expecting a blow to the face from him. She fell off the chair and to the floor, holding her burning cheek with one palm.

"What the fuck was that today?" Alucard demanded.

She rolled onto her side and looked up at him, his facial features were twisted with anger. Satan himself couldn't compare…

"You hesitated!"

Not knowing what to say, she climbed to her feet and tried to look him in the eye, "I'm sorry, I just…"

"What?"

"I couldn't see the target!" she spat out.

"What do you mean you couldn't see him? I gave you the gift of sight when I turned you!"

"I…couldn't…" She received another blow to the stomach before she could respond. Why was he doing this? She fell to her hands and knees and a small amount of blood drip from her mouth.

"Enough excuses, you're pitiful…in fact I think you're dead friend would have made a batter vampire than you…" He sneered at her.

She grimaced. Hearing about Robyn injured her and she wanted to crawl under a rock and die, "Robyn…" Silent tears trickled down her cheeks.

"Yeah…she would have been a good lay I think…" Alucard said aloud.

Cele stare at the floor, how dare he say things like this! He was disrespected Robyn's memory. Her belly no longer hurt and the blood in her mouth dried up but she still cried. He couldn't get away with this…Robyn was her friend. Cele's instincts told her to fight back, defend Robyn's honor. She climbed to her feet and faced her maker, "Don't talk about Robyn that way."

"Struck a nerve did I? Good." Alucard smirked, "What will you do about it?"

To be honest, she wanted to tear him limb from limb and beat over the head with the severed appendages. Her mind began filling with images…but they weren't hers. He invaded her subconscious and was baiting her! Scenes of torture mixed with happy memories were a horrendous combination. Her hands flew to her head and she tried to push him out, "Stop!"

"I think not," he replied.

The anguish, pain, and death spiraled in her mind's eye. She couldn't escape it. Her eyes and ears began to bleed, "Enough!" she screamed.

He laughed at her, "Only you can stop it Cele…fight back."

How was she supposed to do that? He could get into anyone's thoughts, but she was just a fledgling.

All Alucard needed to do now was toss in one more image…

Cele hoped it would all end soon, but the worst was about to come…her mind fell blank for a moment and then a new picture appeared…it was of Robyn and she was screaming and crying out while being sucked dry by…none other than…Cele herself!

"You are the one responsible for her death…you killed her…"

"It's a lie!" She tore at her hair and screamed until the image disappeared.

Alucard watched as his apprentice suffered and caved. She dropped to the ground, flat on her back and fell silent…her eyes wide and fixated on the ceiling. She'd managed to force him out of her thoughts, but not without consequences. He stepped over to her and knelt down, lowering his face to her ear and he whispered, "You passed." He was about to get back up but suddenly a hand wrapped around his throat and several long nails dug into his skin. The next thing he knew, he was flying into a nearby wall.

Cele was overcome with rage and she wanted to destroy him, her eyes burned a glowing red as she stared down Alucard.

The vampire king removed himself from the rubble, "Oh you just attacked the wrong vampire, girl…" He then pulled Jackal out of his coat and pointed it at her, "If you think you're my equal then you'll survive this!" He pulled the trigger…

To be continued…

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Thanks to my reviewers for their support, I promise I'll get the next chapter up as soon as I can. Happy Reading!