Elaine's eyes painfully creaked open and focused blearily on the hotel night stand. The digital clock there was rudely blaring that it was now time to get up and prepare for the business luncheon with Sir Hellsing. Snaking her hand from within her cocoon of blankets, she reached out and shut the offending device off with a groan. Elaine's body ached from her head down to her ankles; she even wiggled her toes to test the old cliché. "Nope." She grunted to herself as she forced her body to heft itself to be seated at the edge of her bed. "My toes are fine. Ah God…my poor aching body…"

She cradled her aching head into her good hand, letting the sore injured one dangle upon her knee. "I'm shocked my eye hasn't swollen shut by now." Elaine gave a heavy sigh as she turned and retrieved the now warm ice pack from the tangle of sheets on her bed. With another mighty groan she stood and shuffled to her tiny hotel bathroom to empty the now melted ice down the sink. Checking the little miniature fridge she was pleased to find some still solid cubes within the bucket. "Great. I was hoping I wouldn't have to make another trip down the hall to that stupid ice machine. Now I just need to pray the rest of my day goes as well."

Elaine refilled the pack and pressed it with a moan to her eye. "Oh thank you sweet baby Jesus for ice." The phone on the night stand rang and she picked up to find Gina's perky voice on the other end.

"Yes Gina, I'm up….no I still have ice…yes I'm getting ready now…./sigh/ yes I showered last night would you also like to know if I'm on my period or not? Enough with the questions dear, it will take me a bit longer to get ready…yes I know…alright I will let you know if I need help…yes I promise…K…bacon sounds lovely. Thank you Gina." She hung up with her well meaning friend and slumped over the night stand for a minute. She felt so damn tired still and as if cement were tied to her limbs. With a deep breath she made her legs move her to her luggage and clumsily tried to find her dress clothes. She could at least look professional for this meeting, regardless of how her body screamed at her for every minute movement.

Her black slacks were easy to find, as well as a simple burgundy button up blouse. No matter how she sifted and dug, she couldn't find her only pair of dress shoes…neither of her two large suitcases had the trusty go-to black pair of loafers hidden within and she was tempted to face-palm herself.

"Of course I'd forget my one pair of dress shoes…" Elaine cast a critical eye over her scuffed cowboy boots, her frayed up tennis shoes and equally well used pair of black converse….though all three options were comfortable they wouldn't exactly do well for a formal meeting.

Grabbing her room key card she slipped on her boots since she had also not packed any slippers or flip-flops, and morosely went to knock on Gina's door just across the hall. Not caring that she was still only wearing a blue spaghetti strap tank top with purple and grey striped sleep pants sloppily pooled at the tops of her boots.

Gina opened the door and quirked a brow. "Hun, I hope you were planning on wearing something a bit more put together…or at least springing for a bra." Elaine rolled her eyes and pushed her way inside Gina's room.

"Oh shut it. I realized that I'd forgotten my business shoes and knew that you probably had a spare pair hidden somewhere in your army of luggage." Elaine winced as Gina let loose a squeal of glee.

"Ooooo! I've got just the pair. And this skirt that's to die for!"

Elaine quickly grasped her friend's shoulders. "No. Gina. Just the shoes; I've already got my slacks and top picked out. Besides, we may share shoe size but our clothing size is a completely other matter."

Gina huffed indignantly. "Yes I know. But this skirt has laces on the side so it would fit you too. And I think you'd look so gorgeous in it." At her friend's pained expression, Gina rolled her eyes and went to her shoe bag. "Fine. No skirt…for now. But I swear I will get you into one. Mark my words Elaine." Unzipping the hot pink suitcase they were met with a brimming pile of neatly organized shoes.

Elaine sat weakly on the edge of her friend's bed and waited patiently for the undoubtedly many options to be presented. It didn't take long for three pairs to be shoved down at her feet. And Elaine cringed. "Are there not any in there with lower heels?"

Gina sat sprawled on the floor next to the shoes. "Those are actually my lowest pairs that would go with your black slacks luv. Sorry."

Elaine sighed and eyed the three pairs of black heels. Open toed sandal looking pair was a no. Sparkle covered boot hybrid looking thing was a no. Leaving a surprisingly classy and simple black pair with red soles.

"Ugh…I guess I'll try on those there. They look the most professional and normal…as long as I don't break my neck trying to walk in them."

Gina smirked; having deliberately chose the other inappropriate options just to micromanage her friend's wardrobe choice. What kind of friend would Gina be if she let darling Elaine walk into the luncheon looking unfashionable? And there was no proof whatsoever that Gina had been the one to perhaps make sure Elaine's ugly pair of loafers had been left in America before making this journey. No proof at all.

"Don't look so sour Elaine. It's not that big of a heel. 4 inches isn't that bad, you'll be fine hunny bunny." She laughed at Elaine's pensive frown.

"4 inches…right… why not just make it 6, two inches aren't that big a difference." She saw the eager glint in Gina's eye and quickly followed up the sarcastic remark. "I'm kidding Gina, don't you dare pull out your red fuck-me heels." She chuckled at Gina's resulting pout.

"Make fun of them all you want but I'm telling you, wear those things and there's no way you won't get laid." Gina stood and helped her laughing friend stand.

"Oh yeah, cause I really wanna get a booty call at this meeting today."

Gina smirked deviously. "You never know, that butler could secretly be a sex god waiting to pass his knowledge onto a worthy recipient." They both burst into laughter as Gina subtly helped Elaine to the door; knowing that Elaine had to be extremely sore and in quite a bit of pain after what happened yesterday.

~x-x-x-x-x-x-x~

A few hours later and a seemingly endless car ride into the English countryside found them passing through the massive wrought iron gates of the Hellsing estate. Elaine felt her palms begin to sweat and clam up. Her leg commenced jiggling with nervous energy. Would their presentation be enough? What if she didn't have enough information stored in Richard's leather suitcase to convince Sir Hellsing to fund them? What if she fell flat on her face in these stupid shoes right in front of them? Just because she hadn't had much trouble walking in them so far today didn't mean it wasn't going to happen.

An elbow shoved into her side a bit roughly, bringing Elaine from her thoughts and turning to the smiling face of Gina.

"Relax Elaine. You've got nothing to worry about except for being yourself. Everything will go great. I've got a good feeling about it. Even if you didn't cover your black eye." Her last sentence was a little miffed, as Gina had argued with Elaine for a good twenty minutes trying to convince her to cover it with concealer and foundation. "At least you sprang for eyeliner and mascara. Lip-gloss would have been nice too."

Elaine forced a smile and playfully shoved her friend's shoulder; she knew Gina only wanted her to look her best and didn't genuinely mean anything by the beauty suggestions. The vehicle soon came to a stop in front of the manor's main steps and the door was opened by a steward outside. Elaine was the first to hesitantly step from the vehicle and look up at the grand architecture; her eyes slowly drifting down to notice the butler from the day before waiting patiently for them at the large double doors of the entrance. After they carefully traversed the numerous stone steps, he greeted them cordially and led them inside to the main foyer.

"Welcome to the Hellsing estate, Sir Integra shall be with you shortly."

Elaine couldn't help but stare at the decadent furnishings and structural design.

"Those vases look to be quite priceless. Romanian circa 1400?" The kindly servant smiled at her as the cool voice of his benefactor addressed her from the top of the grand staircase.

"You have quite the eye Miss Townsend. Those particular pieces have been in my family's possession for over a century." Sir Hellsing gave a smirk as she confidently descended the stairs to floor level. "There will be more time for that later though. William, see to it that tea is brought to the veranda. I'm sure our guests would like to enjoy the mild summer air overlooking the garden." She turned and began walking away with the unspoken command that Elaine and her small group should follow.

William bowed slightly at the waist. "Very good m'lady. I shall see to it at once."

Elaine's eyes remained glued to the twin vases a moment longer before hastily catching up to her friends and host. Questions concerning the two pieces of art burning in her mind, but the time was simply not right to inquire further. "Damn my curiosity." She paused mid-step when she distinctly heard a dark chuckle immediately following her thought. With furrowed brow she looked but could see no one that would have been able to laugh, knowing that she did not see any of the group ahead of her do so. "And they would have had no reason to laugh at my own thought..." A chill ran up her spine as the air around her seemed to thicken; Elaine slowly continued walking the few steps to the open French doors that led onto the large stone balcony. She tried her best to shake the feeling and write off the event as a figment of her weakened state. If only she had turned right then, she would have seen a menacing figure clad in red ripple forth from the shadows and grin broadly.

It wasn't long before William served tea with their light lunch consisting of salad and herb poached salmon. The conversation was slightly forced small talk until the meal had neared its end and Sir Integra steered things into deeper waters.

"Let us focus upon the issue at hand. I will not mince words and do not desire to suffer needless prattle from you. What equipment would be needed to analyze the shears found and how long would such testing take before any confirmation is reached?"

Elaine was taking a sip from a glass of ice water and nearly choked at Integra's brusque tone. "When she means business she really means business…" Carefully she set the glass upon the table and met the woman's cool blue eyes as Richard spluttered about the presentation they had prepared. Integra's gaze never left Elaine's.

"That won't be necessary Dr. Allen. I have already decided I wish to fund this expedition and provide any aid needed right down to buildings, equipment, and lodgings. That does not, however, provide me with knowledge concerning what is required to authenticate these shears before any further excavation is done to the decrepit chapel's hidden cellar."

Integra's eyes finally broke away from Elaine's to rest on Richard. This gave Elaine the distinct feeling that some personal decision had been reached concerning a matter beyond the current topic. Elaine didn't have to wait long before this hidden subject was revealed.

Integra retrieved a cigar and lit it calmly once Dr. Allen had finished speaking his profound thanks. She hadn't honestly been listening very closely. Too preoccupied by the mental communications with her servant; debating how much of the truth to disclose to these so called people of knowledge. Alucard was certainly intrigued by the prospect of new entertainment that could potentially be provided by these poor souls…Integra weighed the decision in her mind. The last battle with Millennium had only been four years ago…a mere three years since her name had been cleared and released from Her Majesty's prison… The fiasco is still so fresh upon the world's mind and media relations is working globally, to this day, in putting out fires of suspicion on the events of that night in the streets of London. Not every person in the populace was willing to simply swallow the story of a radical Neo-Nazi group unleashing biological warfare at such a large scale. The few that survived knowing what they saw for themselves was more than diseased humans infected with a virus…knowing there was something darker…something more. It was a public relations nightmare and the Hellsing organization was still in very real danger of being revealed.

Integra exhaled a steady stream of smoke. If those vampires Alucard and Seras silenced the night before were originally directed to retrieve something from that sublevel room, then that meant whoever sent them was not likely to simply direct their attention elsewhere. Not while these humans sifted through the ruins. Having these individuals remain ignorant and outside of Hellsing's perimeter of security could prove disastrous.

"There are certain conditions that you should be aware of before accepting what I offer Dr. Allen…dangers lurk within this mystery Miss Townsend has unearthed. Dangers you can't possibly imagine." Integra reclined further into her chair and watched all three of them closely. "I am the leader of a covert organization whose sole purpose is to defeat unholy creatures in defense of the church and crown. We are the Hellsing organization; if you should pursue this particular project it is highly probable you will be faced with undead creatures bent on retrieving the very same artifacts you hope to find. With this danger, it would be required that all research and testing be done here as well as have you reside within these walls."

Elaine's eyes widened slightly. Her mind jumping to Sir Integra's question the night before and the strange glint that had been in her eye when asking if Elaine believed Bathory was of the undead….

Gina gave a nervous laugh. "You want us to believe that there are monsters that go bump in the night? Bogeymen?"

Sir Integra smirked. "That is it precisely. I'm sure you all saw the news from a few years ago concerning the catastrophe that took place in London."

Richard narrowed his eyes. "Yes. People were driven mad with an aggressive virus and then organized against the city's inhabitants by a radical Neo-Nazi regime."

Integra's blue eyes filled with a sick sense of amusement. "Is that so? Truly?"

Elaine spoke up quietly in fear of what the answer might be to her next question. "They weren't human anymore…were they?"

Integra looked to the brunette. "No. They were ghouls. Deflowered mortals bitten by a vampire and completely under its control. The Millennium battalion was a top-secret elite portion of Hitler's army that had managed to go into hiding at the end of the Second World War. Over the years it slowly strengthened itself for retaliation. Their goal was to begin a third global war simply for the sake of bloodshed and combat."

Elaine looked closely but couldn't see any trace of deception in Integra's features. "Vampires?...Forgive me for being skeptical…but how am I supposed to believe that an army of vampires, or ghouls, or whatever you called them, attacked the city of London. Yet is the first I've ever heard of such a suggestion? I'm sorry. But I also find it hard to believe that a woman of your intellect is one of those people who would buy into the legends of nosfaratu. Especially considering your family's prestigious and legendary name."

Gina and Richard both sat a bit stunned; trying to wrap their minds around the situation and allowing Elaine to take the lead, as it was her discovery on site that led to this situation. In a way making this her expedition rather than theirs.

Integra ashes her cigar in a crystal tray and then leans forward to sip from her tea. A small smile on the corner of her lips at Elaine's doubt. "Alucard. Reveal yourself and provide this academic her proof."

Elaine jumped slightly when she again heard the deep chuckle from earlier followed by a deep disembodied voice.

"Yes, Sir Integra."

Her eyes widened when there behind Sir Hellsing's chair, the man in red materialized from the very floor. As if he'd passed through it like water. She was frozen as the red eyes immediately began to bore into her own through those yellow glass lenses and sharp fangs were prominently showcased in his broad toothy smile. She felt Gina reach and grip her hand tightly in fright.

Richard's voice came out strained. "I-I thought vampires could not venture into the daylight."

Integra gestured generally in her monster's direction. "If they feed fairly regularly a vampire will usually have the strength to withstand the sun's rays. Though, they are much weaker when doing so. It would take a newborn fledgling quite some time to be able to do so as my servant Alucard does."

Elaine managed to find her voice and kept it as firm as she could. "I still do not see definitive proof. An impressive optical illusion so that he could suddenly appear behind you, and prosthetic fangs placed upon his eyeteeth, do not a true vampire make."

She became rigid when there was an unexpected voice in her left ear; the breath surprisingly warm as it ghosted across the shell of her ear.

"I could certainly have a little taste, my dear, if you yet doubt my origins." The voice was a deep purr of amusement as the incredibly tall form moved within her eye line. Allowing her a closer view of his visage. When her eyes met his once more that chill again tap danced across her spine. Such red burning eyes; not only for their color but for their unwavering scrutiny. Unsettling in the way they made her feel as if he was slowly unraveling the secrets of her inner most mind.

Elaine nervously cleared her throat. "Keep your head. Be logical." Her face paled and gripped Gina's hand in a death hold when a foreign voice decided to answer her inner mantra.

"Hm…and do let me know how well that course of action unfolds for you."

The maniacal grin and smug look in his eye told her it could be none other than him invading her thoughts. Her lungs felt frozen as she breathed out a single word of disbelief. "Impossible…."

Integra snubbed out her cigar into the ash tray. "It is very real Miss Townsend. Alucard has been in my family's control since my ancestor Abraham Van Hellsing first captured him. His former fledgling, Seras Victoria, is also under my employ. As such, they have been ordered not to bring any harm to you or your companions. The rogue pair that had been sniffing around those ruins is another matter entirely."

Elaine looked from Integra to the towering figure and back again. Her brow broke out into a cold and sweat as she heard her blood rushing past her own ears. Her head began to pound as if a tiny drummer was inside. She felt stifled despite being out in the open air and so tugged her hand from Gina's. "I'm overheating. I need to think. I need to slow my thoughts. Calm. Deep breaths."

The red terror again began grinning darkly and stalked toward her a step. Darkness appeared to be around him as if he were starting to suck the very light from the scene. The pit of her stomach began to twist and roil with a cold dread and impulsively grasped the butter-knife on the table in front of her tightly. Elaine immediately clinched her jaw and tried to steal herself; realizing a flimsy butter-knife was not likely to prove as much defense against this person. Undead or not.

~x-x-x-x-x-x-x~

Alucard watched their reactions as he began to close in on them with shadows. Deliberately testing their instinctive responses…and intrigued at what he found.

The man…Richard…he stiffened and became poised to stand…perhaps to defend the two young women. The bottle blonde became petrified even further; but hidden deep down was a sense of fascination. "Ha. That could prove most interesting." And then there was the woman with the skin bruised darkly around one brown eye. She'd broken into a cold sweat and paled considerably. Her hand shook slightly but darted out to fist around the silver knife. His grin broadened when he saw the self deprecating look traverse her face briefly at the futility of the gesture. "So rigid. So stiff. But she appears to be the most determined of the group." He leaned down close; within inches of Elaine's face and impertinently braced himself on the arms of her chair. Trapping the woman and mildly surprised his master was letting him toy with these individuals so thoroughly.

"And what do you plan to do with that little utensil, child?"

She swallowed thickly; he could see the wheels turning behind her eyes and was tempted to read her thoughts, but decided to leave it a surprise. He looked over the rim of his sunglasses and stared intensely for her next response. Not concerned in the least that one of the other two would dare make a move. At this point it was clear she would be the only one to take action against his threatening aura.

His eyes widened slightly with mild surprise as the sound of silver searing against his skin reached his ears, along with the resulting sting. Alucard straitened to his full height with a roar of laughter at the audacity of this woman and the priceless reaction on her face at seeing his arm's flesh sizzle upon impact with the silver.

"Oh how delightful. May we keep them, my master? Please, let's do."

Elaine bolted from her seat, the chair knocking over with her force as she attempted to distance herself from this…this creature. Gina's scream was shrill as she shrank as close to Richard as possible. Integra's voice was slightly amused while the monster pulled the small annoyance of the butter knife from his arm.

"Now that you have seen the silver's reaction with Alucard's undead flesh, do you believe my claims? You cannot say the knife was treated in some way as you had just used it during lunch."

~x-x-x-x-x-x-x~

Elaine leaned heavily against the stone banister behind her, feeling so shocked. Eyeing the thing before her warily. Surprised at herself for actually going through with the crazed thought. "I…I need a moment to think…this…this is impossible. And yet I just watched your skin sear as if I placed a heated poker to you….the oppressive shadows…"

Her voice had trailed of as she spoke mostly to herself. Focusing upon her borrowed shoes in attempts to somehow focus her mind as well. Blocking out the trembling, hyperventilating form of Gina. Blocking out the pale frozen statue that Richard had become. Blocking out the knowing relaxed form of Sir Integra. And most of all, trying her damnedest to block out the dark beast she'd just stabbed with a dull silver eating utensil.

An intense wave of nausea hit her; her injuries taking affect in combination with the way this situation was sapping her energy and composure. Integra's voice was slightly scolding.

"Do sit down, Miss Townsend. I will not have you injuring yourself needlessly. Alucard, give them space to breath."

Elaine righted her chair weakly and slumped into it once more once he'd retreated. She was no longer concerned with etiquette or decorum when in the presence of her host. The ice of her water glass audibly quaked as she brought it to her dry lips. She took large gulps of the cooling liquid before she held the cold glass to her throbbing eye.

"What…How would this situation work exactly, should I still want to pursue the site exploration?"

Gina whimpered and Richard finally unfroze at her words. His voice a none too subtle hiss. "Are you crazy? You still want to go after that decrepit chamber? Elaine! These creatures are real and they are dangerous! You just stabbed the one that's supposedly in charge of protecting you from the others out there that also want that crumbled building's remains!"

Elaine set the drink down upon the table with a slight clunk. It seemed all sense of professional decorum had gone out the window at this point. She turned a tired gaze to her friends.

"Yes, I do still want to see what's down there. And stabbing our host's …servant… was probably not the best decision, but how else were we to…to even entertain the notion that vampires are supposedly real beings…and not just an incredibly intimidating man dressed strangely using body language with illusionist's tricks to make us ill at ease." Elaine took a deep breath and pressed a still shaky hand to her forehead.

"Despite the threat of other vampires. I feel we have a rare opportunity here. I have a rare opportunity. If he is a true nosfaratu. Then what if there's something in that chamber that might indicate the same of Countess Bathory? What if those farfetched tales weren't just legends?"

Gina shook her head and spoke quietly. "But Elaine. Even if that's the case. No scholarly institute on the planet will accept any of the proof you may find to support that. It would be struck from public record just as it was centuries ago. It will just become another legend."

Richard nodded his head; trying desperately to talk Elaine out of this mess while keeping a close watch on the evil creature now standing behind its master. "Elaine, you'd work yourself like a slave and find no recognition or acclaim at the end of it. You may even get yourself killed…"

Elaine bowed her head dejectedly. Knowing her friends were right and that she'd be better off just walking away and trying to forget she'd ever come across those shears. What was there to gain for anyone? The Hellsing family would acquire even more priceless artifacts….but they were artifacts that no one else could truly appreciate in any museum or university. Artifacts that told a story rejected by historians and scholars. A story few were privileged to know…she gave a deep sigh. "Damn my curiosity."

"I don't know if…if it's vanity or pride or just stupidity." She looked up sadly to her friends. "I know, though, that I can't just walk away from finding out what's down there. From finding out what the records have already left out. Finding out the truth about how much historical fact and legend really does blend here." She reached out and took hold of Gina's hand.

"And I'd understand if you guys didn't want to stick around and subject yourselves to this insanity…I may be insane but that doesn't mean I gotta drag you both down with me."

Elaine sighed again and met Gina's eyes with a small smile. Seeing the tears pooling there in her friend's eyes and the uncertainty.

"Elaine…I love ya hun but…I just don't know if I can handle this. I…I need time to think this over…" Gina's green eyes darted nervously to the terrifying specter behind Sir Hellsing. Smiling at the trio as they talked amongst themselves as if it knew exactly what was being discussed.

Elaine felt her heart sink a bit at the prospect that her friend may not be able to help her through this ordeal. "I can't argue with that Gina…it's a big decision…Richard?"

Her mentor had a pained look on his face. "Elaine I really think you should reconsider the danger you're putting yourself into by merely entertaining this notion. Much less following through with it! I'm sorry. I can't…" He looked down sadly at the gold band on his left ring finger.

Elaine's brow creased with remorse. "I know Richard. You have a family to think of…Mary and your newborn…I can't ask you to chance losing them for something that would never bring any gain worth that potential cost."

Richard smiled. "Thank you for understanding. I really do wish you'd just walk away from this…but…if you need any advice you can always call me. I'm sorry I can't offer more…"

Sir Integra stood then, sensing that there really wasn't much left for the three to say…their lines having been drawn in the sand. "Very well…it would be a shame not to have all three of you working on site… Regardless, I've taken the liberty of having your things brought here and checking you out from your hotel. Until you move onto your next assignment and sufficiently distance yourselves physically from this project you are still under possible threat. I doubt you'd be of much moral support or academic assistance later on to Miss Townsend if I did not see to your safety now." William appeared just then as if he had been waiting precisely for this moment.

"William will escort you all to your rooms so that you may compose yourselves and continue to evaluate your choices. I have other business I must attend to but I shall see you all this evening over dinner. If you should need anything, please ask William and he shall accommodate you as best we can. Good day."

With that she turned and disappeared into her mansion.

The vampire bowed with insincere civility. "I do hope you enjoy your remaining time together." He sank into the floor with a mocking laugh and was gone. Leaving the depressed group in William's care.

"If you will follow me, please. I shall show you all to the guest wing. It may be of note that your rooms are not terribly far from one of the main libraries you have been authorized to access." He gave a kindly and sympathetic smile. "It does make for a rather good location should you need to discuss your situation with each other further."

~x-x-x-x-x-x-x~

William dutifully showed them their accommodations and gave thorough instructions on how to reach the library before taking his leave. All three companions stood in the hallway silently for a few minutes. Just tiredly looking at each other standing in front of their respective doors. Gina began to tear up again and was close to breaking out into full out sobs.

"I-I-I need some time to myself. I'm sorry guys."

Elaine walked over and took the poor woman into her arms. "Don't apologize Gina. I think we all need some time to ourselves. Why don't we all meet in the library in about an hour or hour and a half, yeah?"

Gina nodded with red eyes and Richard quietly voiced his own agreement. Elaine let go of Gina and watched her friend's door close with sad eyes. Hearing Richard's door closing softly one door down on her right. She gave a great sigh and placed her hand on the handle to her room, situated right between her co-workers…her friends…Elaine's shoulders slumped as she turned the knob. Silence settling into the hallway once more. The small hall table and vase of lilies prettily keeping watch over these sad proceedings… The mirror hung decoratively on the wall above flashed briefly with a dark image and two piercing ruby orbs.

~x-x-x-x-x-x-x~

I got a monster in my closet
Someone's underneath my bed
The wind's knocking at my window
I'd kill it but it's already dead

It waits till the midnight hour to come
To torture me for the wrong I've done
It just sits there and stares at me
And it won't let me get any sleep

I got a monster in my closet
Someone's underneath my bed
The wind's knocking at my window
I'd kill it but it's already dead

At first I was scared when I looked at his eyes
But now that I know him I'm not that surprised
I'm just waiting on the sun to rise
Oh, how I wish that old sun would rise

I got a monster in my closet
Someone's underneath my bed
The wind's knocking at my window
I'd kill it but it's already dead

I used to wonder why he looked familiar
Then I realized it was a mirror
And now it is plain to see
The whole time the monster was me

Oh, there's a monster in my closet
Someone's underneath my bed
The wind's knocking at my window
I'd kill it but it's already dead

Yeah, the living dead
Only thing that could bring it back alive, woman
Is some good, good head

-Gnarls Barkley-"The Boogie Monster"

AN: Okie dokie. It was rubbing me wrong just having one lonely chapter for this story so I kicked myself in the buttocks and made myself get a second chapter out before school swamped me again and drained my creativity for another unknown amount of time. Would love to hear any feedback on this story. How it's going. If the summary could use some spiffying up. If maybe something struck you odd in the chapters. Or if you're just pleased as peaches with it. Or wtv.

Ummmmmumumummmmm oh. Knowing how unpredictable an update I am; if you DO like this story and want to keep track of it as it progresses I really would recommend setting it up on your alerts list. I'm not a ratings whore or review whore or 'ooo I'm on this many listy thingys' whore that will refuse to update unless I get so many blah blah blah. Don't get me wrong. I lurrrrrrv seeing reviews and that my stories or page gets added on favorites or alerts. I reaaaaallly really do. It's flattering. But yeah…if you don't you don't. I'm just trying to be helpful and considerate when I warn you that it may take me AGES to update.

I guarantee I'll update with my stories. Especially ones people have taken an interest to and that I seem to be getting a good creative flow conceptually on. But again…it sometimes takes me forever because I have things in my life I'm responsible for that have to take precedence over writing things for personal enjoyment. So ok. Enough rambling incredibly too long author's note.