-Whoo!

The light of the moon illuminated Joss's face. Henry couldn't breathe. This wasn't possible. Joss was dead, he had seen it himself. Vladimir made Joss his first priority when he came to power, there was no way Vlad messed up. And yet, here he was standing in front of Henry. He looked over to his companion, Jackson, to make sure Jackson saw too. The shocked expression proved it to be true. Dark clouds slowly rolled in the sky, occasionally blocking moonlight. The shadowed streets of Spain harbored poised slayers ready for attack on the two drudges below. To them it wouldn't be a fight, more like gathering children, but they are mistaken. After all what kind of top drudges would they be if they couldn't protect themselves?

Vlad's POV

This man is giving me a headache. Slow negotiating is not my strong point that is what my general and well, negotiators are for. But noooo, I was the one who had to come here myself because people cannot do their job. I sighed and rubbed my temples.
"When is the old man coming back from his bathroom break?"
"Master, please try and be a little more respectful, these things take time."
"Why can't we just offer them, like, money or something?"
Dante just looked at me and I turned away. I mean I may be all power and crap but I am only 17. Technically I'm allowed to complain, and Dante, the adult, has to listen. Whatever, I'm bored. I guess I should get back in all powerful ruler mode before the old man comes back. I looked at my watch, at this rate we may not be finished in another hour.

I wonder what Henry is doing, maybe I should check on him through the connection. Ugh, why am I wondering anyways? Who cares? Although, maybe I should go through his memories to see just how he connected to me in my past…. No! You don't need your past. All you need is your present and your future. Remember your future; you need this to go well. Straighten yourself up, and be sharp, be a leader. Show him that under you, Spain will flourish and become a great nation within your new world.
"The door clicked open and I understood what the voice meant. I need to get Spain to cooperate, any way possible. This is my future.

Henry's POV

"How? You died."
"Well, actually I lived."
"Yeah, we can see that, dumbass!"
"Lovely to see you again, Jackson" Joss stepped closer and we prepared ourselves mentally. I thought about calling out to Vlad, but with him being in such an important meeting, that this isn't such a big deal.
"Stop don't come any closer." Joss halted but had a smirk on his face.
"So rude, is this how Vlad is teaching his followers to act? Hmm, no wonder Spain refused. But if that's true then why are you here?"
I tensed. No one knew about the meeting if the SS found out then we'd be in really big trouble.
"Just a vacation for Jackson and me."
Joss scoffed, "Do you expect me to believe that the Pravus and his general would allow their personal drudges off for a vacation? Don't they get hungry?"
It was my turn to scoff, "Please, Joss, do you really think that so many refuse the Pravus that he'd only have one at his hand and foot?" Joss frowned. "Master and all his high ranking subjects have an overflow of drudges at their disposal."
Joss' jaw twitched and threatened to lose his calm demeanor. "What pitiful people." He voice was laced in venom. I felt Jackson tense up beside me; his eyes shining angrily.
"How dare you! They are a gift to this world, being able to serve them is an honor."
"You know Jackson, I feel so bad for you. You actually believe Dante cares about you. It obvious that he's just taking advantage of you because he knows you'll do whatever he wants. Stupid people like you are the only reason why Vladimir has the upper hand."
"That's enough!" My voice cut through the night and everything was silent. Beside me, Jackson was shaking. I reached my hand out towards him, but he jerked away. I couldn't believe how nasty Joss was being.
"What?" Joss grinned, "Can't face the truth? The truth that no matter how bad you want it, Dante will never love you. No matter what you do he will never look at you like that. All you are to him is a food source."
"That's not how it is!"
"Oh? Are you sure?"
"Shut up, Joss!" I could see Jackson was about to lose it. Joss had pushed him too far.
"Jackson, don't." But it didn't matter; I could already see the red seeping into his blue eyes. In the night they shone against his shadowed face making it a frightening but beautiful sight. This was a side of Jackson not known to many and why he was chosen for such a high ranking officer. To anyone just looking at him they'd see a happy, good looking guy with blue eyes and blonde hair that was just a little too long. This resulted in him looking a bit childish, but underneath all that Jackson was an amazing fighter with unforeseen skill. It took a lot to push him into this state. I never thought he'd be so sensitive about his relationship with Dante.

"What's this? Is the ever cheerful Jackson getting upset?" And that was it. Jackson moved so fast that no one saw him and in seconds Joss was flying into a building. He hit it with a satisfying crunch, and then dropped unmoving to the ground. It wasn't long before others dropped down on us from above. It seems that Joss wasn't alone after all.

Henry went through all the training he had learned, utilizing his knowledge. Fighting was harder in real life but he was doing well; his movement fluid and accurate. At first only five Slayers had dropped down, but soon after Jackson took out three, more appeared. He was quick and had the upper hand and it seemed as though they were going to make it. There was only one slayer left on the rooftops. Silently he pulled a long tranquilizer gun and loaded it. He knew he had to take out the quick one first, but he couldn't get a clear shot. The guy was so quick that he would never have time to make the shot. It seemed as though he was just going to forget this plan, when an idea came to him. Shifting the gun he looked through the scope and locked onto his target.

Henry was being cornered by two slayers against a lonely red building. He didn't even notice how the moon's rays glinted off a metal object high above him. The shot was silent and struck with complete accuracy. The gunman smiled as the boy's form crumpled to the ground. And his plan came together when Jackson, shocked by Henry's sudden collapse, stopped for just enough time for a second shot to hit true. With that, the slayer jumped down and claimed his prizes while the others gathered Joss, carrying them all into the shadows.

Vlads POV

"Where could they have gone to be this late!?" I huffed and sat back in the limo. I was already in a bad mood from that irritating man and now the drudges won't even bother to show up on time. Does Henry really want to annoy me so much?
"Um, Master, do you think they got lost? Something could have happened. This is Slayer land." I looked at Dante; he seemed to actually look worried.
I smirked, "Are actually worried about Jackson? General, I think he can take care of himself. That's why I let you have him. If anything Henry would be the one to get himself killed."
Dante just kind of huffed and crossed his arms. I raised an eyebrow. Did he just…. Did he just get an attitude? Usually I would have him seriously injured for this, but seeing Dante do this was…. just so out of character and generally odd. I mean the guy is about 6'7, broad, lean, dark hair and eyes, tan, and all solider like. It was seriously weird.

"I guess we can go look for them…" I snuck a look a Dante's reaction, but it seemed the temporary moment was gone.
"Okay, I'll try and reach Jackson." He closed his eyes and I could sense him reaching out mentally for the ironically small blonde. A confused expression crossed his face.
"Something's happened. I can feel him but he's not responding and it seems he was activated."
I frowned, "Do you know where he is at?" Jackson must have gotten into a fight and the only ones he would fight would be slayers. But there was no way they could have known about Henry and Jackson. The only person who knew was Joss, but he would have never ratted out his cousin and anyway he was dead.
"This is weird."
"I can tell the place where he was activated, but I should probably drive."
"Right, I'll get a car." I picked up my cellphone and called one of my servants (John?) to drive my black Camaro to us. Several minutes later he arrived and we set off.

Henry's POV

Henry? Henry, can you hear me?
Vlad? I tried to sit up but I couldn't move. I couldn't see either. My brain was fuzzy and I tried to remember what happened.
Stop. Just listen to me. I need you to tell me where you are at.
Where I am at? Where am I? I don't know, everything's so fuzzy. I think I need to sleep more to clear my head.
No! Don't sleep, look at me. Henry look can you see me?
See….you? Everything was black, and then colors, and then I could a fuzzy mental picture of a scowling Vlad.
Focus Henry.
Ugh, my brain is soo messed up right now, why is he demanding stuff from me. I don't feel like focusing.
Uhhhh, excuse you? I swear you had better be messed up talking to me like that.
I focused a little and I could see a clear picture of Vlad. I could also feel his pissed off aura. I can't think straight, but I can hear some voices, muffled.

"What was is this!"
"Just some tranquilizers."
"For what? A freaking elephant? We're supposed to capture them alive."
"Look he's still breathing, and if it wasn't for me you guys wouldn't be alive."
"Whatever, just give him this so he can wake up and tell us where the Pravus is."
"Whatever."
I could hear him walking towards me and then he shoved some kind of awful syrup down my throat. I sat up coughing and spiting.
"Huh, it worked, cool."
I rubbed my eyes and let everything focus. Where was I …the slayers. Sure enough when I looked down both my hands and feet were tied together.
"Hey there, pitiful soul."
I glared at what seemed to be a young guy around my age with spiked brown hair and gray eyes, but looked more like an idiot.
"So…..is it true that you call the Pravus master and stuff like that?"
I only rolled my eyes in response, refusing to answer his stupid questions.
"Hmmm, not talking huh? Look I'm not too big on blood and torture, so why don't you just talk to me."
I smirked, "Pussy."
He opened his mouth, closed it, pursed his lips, and said, "Well alrighty then. I see you kind of upset with the whole…." He gestured his hand to my bound form. "But, really, if you just tell us we'll protect you from him. It's a good deal. I mean it can't be pleasant being used like that; don't you want your freedom?"
I just shook my head. No one understands my situation. No one gets how this isn't even really Vlad's fault. Human are the ones who drove him to this. "Do you really think humans deserve to be protected?"
The guy gave me a confused look. "What do you mean by that."
My short laugh was bitter. "Do you think humans are innocent? Humans are the creatures that drive each other to suicide because they may be different from what other humans think is acceptable or cool. Humans are the creatures who can say it's okay to murder a baby just because it hasn't technically been 'born'. Humans are the creatures who judge, ridicule, use, taunt, and abuse each other. They are the evil ones with selfish intentions and self-righteousness; they can abandon anything to become what they think they want. And these are the ones you want to protect? And you want to kill vampires who hide in the shadows to make humans feel more comfortable. They have done a lot to coexist with humans. I just think that after all this time humans kind of had it coming. Humans are the ones who made the Pravus an outcast while he tried to do all he could to not hurt anyone. They are the ones who are at fault. If they were less judgmental, more open and accepting, all of this wouldn't have happened. Did you know that the person who the Pravus loved as a mother was murdered by a human? It was so that the human could steal drugs from the hospital she worked at. These are the people you want to protect?"
My capturer was silent.
"Why are you here? Tell me why you are a slayer."
"…I was recruited." His voice was weak and quiet.
I laughed, "Oh? Recruited? I guess I didn't know that they had to do that now."
He sat down on the floor in front of me. "But vampires murder human too."
"So when a human kills a deer, is it considered murder?"
"What? No that's different, it food for survival…..oh." A look of realization crossed his face. "I guess we are their food as animals are our food."
"It's the order of things, but in actuality vampires don't murder for food. Most human have been fed from and they don't even know it. There is a code they follow. And anyways most of the older vampires have drudges as a food source, so that they don't have to feed from numerous humans."

"Wow, that's so different from what they told us." He pursed his lips and looked like he was trying to figure out if I was lying to him.
"Like I said just a bunch of people with grudges, they tend to exaggerate. And like, vampires don't like slayers but you don't see them going out of their way to hunt them down and kill them. So why did you join."
He looked at me with a sad grin, "Honestly, because I didn't have anywhere else to go when they found me. I have no family and no real friends."
"Well that's a stupid reason. Do you like stay at this place?" I looked around. The walls were gray cement and bear. The floor was also cement and only had a table and two chairs in the small room. Across from me was a metal door with chipped paint. This was certainly no palace, and even my room was luxurious compared to this.
He laughed, "Yeah, but this is just a holding room. The rest of the place is slightly better."
"Well, I live in a mansion."
"Oh yeah?"
"Mhmm. And you know I think the staff might have been talking about needing more help and stuff. Sad, I bet they need a guy that's tall and strong for the harder stuff. Pays well too."
He narrowed his eyes at me, "Are you trying to bribe me…..?"
"No, of course not. I was just making small talk." I smiled, "Man this rope is tight and uncomfortable."
He seemed to be having a mental debate with himself. This just might work. He seems to be the type of person who doesn't really pick sides based on morals.
Abruptly he stood, "You thirsty?"
"Water if you don't mind."

Henry, what are you doing, do you know where you are at?
No, but I'm trying to figure it out.
What happened?
Well, we kind of got lost and then ran into Joss.
What! That's impossible ! He's dead.
Yes, that's what I thought, but it turns out that he somehow survived. But anyways we were attacked and then shot with tranquilizers.
What. Tranquilizers? Isn't that a bit excessive?
Well Jackson did activate.
Is he around, is he okay? Dante keeps hassling me because he can't reach him.
No. We were separated.
Contact me as soon as you know. We are at the place you were ambushed.
Can't you sense where we are?
….I should but it's like I'm blocked to a certain point.
Oh the place must be blocking you somehow.
Yes, just try and hurry. If he has already contacted headquarters then we will be in trouble.
Yes, but it is possible that he hasn't since he was knocked unconscious by Jackson. He might still be recovering.
Good good. If possible find Jackson and get out of the building so that I can sense you again.
Yes I will try.
We will be waiting.

I heard scuffling and then the door was thrown open.
"Joss! You shouldn't be up."
"Shut up! Everyone get out!" Everyone left and he slammed the door closed.
"Was that necessary?"
Joss glared at me. "So you won't talk about your beloved master?"
"I don't really think that gossip is productive, so I try not to indulge in it."
He rubbed his temples and calmed himself. Then he pulled up a chair, sat in front of me, and pulled out his phone. "Maybe this will help motivate you."
He put the phone and front of me and slide through pictures. I could feel myself start to panic. No what is this? They were of Jackson. Bruises and blood were splotched on him, he was tied and had a blindfold on.
"Joss! This is too far! You're insane!"
"No!" He snapped, "I'm doing what's necessary to take down the Pravus. Oh and in case you're wondering why he is helpless…" Joss leaned towards me and whispered in my ear, "Heehee, I drugged him, but not so much that he couldn't feel pain."
"You insane bastard!" I yelled and lunged, landing on top of him. "What is wrong with you!?" I can't believe this he is so far gone; it's not even Joss anymore.
Maybe it's not. Maybe things are a whole lot more than they seem.
I stopped. A voice? But my thoughts were cut short when Joss shoved me off into the wall.
"Are you ready to talk? I might stop hurting the little blonde if you do."
What do I do? Jackson I'm so sorry but you know I can't do anything in this situation. I'm sorry I can't let them know anything about the Pravus. I hate this feeling so helpless. I wish I could help him. I can't get those images out of my head.
"I guess I'll go ask Jackson again then, I wonder if he will tell me."

Master can you hear me? They are hurting Jackson, Joss has gone insane. I don't know what to do.
Why are you constantly calling out to your master? Don't you think it'd be better if you could do something? You could shine. You know, like how you used to in school. Didn't you like have everyone look at you?
Who are you?
I am you, Henry. I am what you can be. Trust me Henry, I can tell you things; give you things that your Master cannot. Listen to me.
No. Go away. That life is what got me here. This is how it is supposed to be.
For now you think that. But soon you will call out to me instead. You will.

"Henry." A whisper sounded and I lifted my head to see the guy before. He stood in front of me and held out a glass of water."
"Thanks, uh,…"
"Ryder."
"Creative."
"Yeah, my dad named me before they decided to give me up."
"…Do you know what they are doing to Jackson?"
Ryder looked away, "Yeah, I heard."
"Help me. I know if you help get Jackson and me out, then you will be heavily rewarded. Jackson's master is very fond of him; he'll give you anything you ask for."
"You know it's not that easy….. Joss is insane."
"PLEASE. I will get you out too."
"… Okay, but you will have to wait a little while, not long. The drug is about to wear off and I will make sure he doesn't get drugged again. He's a fast healer from what I can tell. I will be back."
"Please hurry."

Is this really going to work? I don't know if I can trust him but it's all I have right now. Please, please Ryder. Dante's going to be so upset and pissed. I hope they come back and find Joss and kill whoever has taken over his body. There is no way that can be Joss. It just can't.

Jackson was alone. Just like it was before. Alone. He was so terribly afraid to be alone. Darkness enveloped him and he wondered if everyone had forgotten him; if they had left him alone to die, finally deciding that he was no good anymore. Jackson felt the hot tears roll down his face. Maybe, he thought, that Joss was right. Maybe Dante was just using him. Maybe all that time ago when Dante found him alone and forgotten, he just thought he was pitiful enough to use. And now all this time he has been laughing behind Jackson's back at how stupid he is. No please don't let that be true. Please, please, please.

There was a small noise as the door to Jackson's room was opened. Ryder stuck his head in, but Jackson couldn't see him. Jackson thought that they were back and started crying even more. He hated the pain, all the harsh words. He hated how somehow Joss knew all about what happened and how he taunted him. But he couldn't do anything; his body wouldn't move.
"Hey, it's alright. Don't cry."
The voice was different.
"I'm going to help you."
Slowly Jackson felt the blindfold come off. The lights were bright and hurt his eyes. He readjusted and a face came into focus.

Ryder couldn't help but feel guilty. He was a part of this even though he didn't know they would do this. Although Ryder was the type to be easily swayed to the better offer for himself. It was never anything personal; it was just the way he was. Still he had a limit and this was over it. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would have never guessed this was the guy fighting before.
"Hey, are you okay."
Jackson looked at the rugged looking young Ryder and nodded.
"Henry convinced me to help get you guys out of here. Something about a big reward…"
Jackson didn't speak just held up his bound hands.
"Right."
After Ryder was finished he help Jackson stand, Jackson's short frame only coming up to his shoulder.
"Um.. Do you want me to, like,….carry you?"
Jackson opened his mouth and was about to say no when he realized that that wasn't such a bad idea.
"Actually, sure."
"Oh, kay." Ryder wasn't really expecting him to say yes, he just thought he'd ask. But he figured the blonde wasn't too heavy.

Henry's POV

Every time I heard a sound I was sure that it was Ryder back with either Jackson or Joss. Of course hoping for Jackson but couldn't help the thoughts of Joss bursting into the room in some sort of horrible scenario. Ironically when Ryder and Jackson came in I didn't hear them at first.
"Hey."
I looked up relieved to see Jackson…. being carried bridal style. Well I guess he's in no condition to walk.
"Okay now come and help me with these ropes."
After Ryder help cut me out I asked him about the exit.
"Well conveniently, there is a back door down the hall. The only thing is that it's in the kitchen, which happens to be where everyone likes hang out. The front door is further away and has more rooms in between here and there. But if everyone is in the kitchen, then the front door is a better bet."
"Okay so where is everyone right now?"
"The majority is in the kitchen, but a few are probably around."
I took in a big breath, "Okay then let's do this"

Ryder decided to continue carrying Jackson and we started out as quietly as possible. About halfway to the door we heard voices around the corner. I peeked my head around to see two Slayers sitting in the foyer just before the door.
Two. I mouthed to Ryder. He looked around and nodded twice. I'd have to take them out. I felt something poke in my back and I turned around. Jackson was holding a metal pipe. That could work, but where did he get a metal pipe? Because luck is on our side, the two were sitting with their backs towards us. I slipped up behind them and swung. With a thud they hit the ground. That went better than expected. We hurriedly went out the door onto the street.

Master? Can you sense me?
"Henry!"
I looked up the street and there they were. And then they were right in front of us.
"Dante...I'm sorry."
Dante clenched his fists and then went forward to hold Jackson.
"What. Did. They. Do."
"Oh don't get all pissy, general. Man I sure didn't count on someone turning against me."
I spun around. Joss. Again.
"Well, well, well. Look what crawled his way out of the underworld. What? Did you not make into Slayer heaven? Or did satan send you back?"
"Cute, Vladimir."
"You know when I said I wish I could kill you a second time you seriously didn't have to come back just for me."
Joss scowled, "I think I was just given my fair chance to redeem myself."
Vladimir just rolled his eyes, grabbed Ryder and me, and in seconds we were in the car.

"I seriously don't have time to deal with that. So who this guy, Henry?"
I looked beside me where Ryder was sitting in the back of the car, "Well I convinced him that he should help Jackson and me get out."
Ryder coughed.
"And also kind of promised him a reward for doing so."
Vlad started the car and drove off, thinking over what I had said. "A reward?"
"Yeah."
"Maybe."
Ryder's mouth hung open, "Uh, maybe?"
"Yeah I'll think about it."
He looked at me and I just shrugged. It's not like I was going to go against him. I nodded towards Dante. He would be easier to get a reward out of. I think. They've been silent. I looked and I for a minute I thought they were sleeping. Dante was holding Jackson in the front seat, but they weren't moving or talking. "Uh, Dante."
"Hush." It was Vlad, "He is trying to heal Jackson though the learned arts."
That was something I had never heard before. As if he knew what I was thinking (and he probably did) Vladimir started to explain.
"Right now Dante is channeling his energy into Jackson through their bond. The energy is type of healing energy that works from the inside out. This requires complete concentration. Since Jackson is more fragile than Dante, you know being mostly human and all, if Dante were to lose control and too much energy was release, Jackson's heart would explode. So try and not bother him."
I sat back, "Right."

I settled down noticed the sun was starting to come up. It had been a long, but informative night. Now we knew that Joss was alive and insane. And once again became an enemy to Vlad; although now the situation was very different. This time he was Master and he wouldn't hesitate to kill. Seeing Joss again reminded me not of his death, but of the life before that. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to be swept away to the time where we were kids. Both of us innocent and on the same side, laughing and playing together. Now I feel as though they were someone else's life.