The Lost Priest
Chapter 2
The Traveling Priest Pt. 2
(A/N WOW, I got more reviews than I thought I would! Thank you to all. Well, please enjoy this new chapter.)
SOUNDS/sounds
Thoughts
Telepathy
(Last Time)
"I won't tell you a damn thing, Vatican Puppet," Jonathan said, before spitting at Abel.
"So be it," he replied coldly, bringing the large scythe down on the vampire's head.
CRAAAAAAASH!
"YAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"SERAS, NO," Abel shouted, seeing her thrown out a closed and now broken window, hitting the ground and rolling head over heels before coming to a stop into a nearby tree. "Ms. Victoria! Ms. Victoria, can you answer me?"
Abel quickly got in front of her as the ghouls started breaking through the windows and readied himself for the fight. He gripped his scythe tightly as the ghouls came closer and closer.
(Present Time)
One right after another they came at him. Abel quickly swung his scythe, taking out each one that dared come near him. The numbers were finally starting to drop but inside he could still hear gunfire. This was bothersome; something was wrong with the whole thing. According to ancient folklore of the true undead if one should take out the head vampire the ghouls should stop moving. But it this was not the case, as they were still moving on their own accord.
Seras could faintly hear someone fighting in front of her but her head was aching terribly. She could hear the ghouls' groans and screams and the deep voice of the one fighting them off. She mustered the only strength she could find to open her eyes just ever so slightly. All she could make out was a tall man in black clothes, white hair standing on end, and a large red weapon. After that the darkness took her away.
(17 minutes later)
"Ms. Victoria? Ms. Victoria, wake up," Abel said, shaking her shoulder gently.
Abel was back to the kindly looking priest, glasses once again encasing his bright blue eyes. Seras started to moan slightly feeling something moving her body. She could hear a voice with a concerned tone to it. Who was it and where was she? She could faintly hear gunfire for a second before it died out altogether.
"Ms. Victoria, wake up please," Abel said as Seras' eyes slowly opened. "Oh, I was getting worried. You had quite a tumble. Those ghouls did a real number on you."
"WHAT," Seras yelped, finally remembering what just happened. "Where'd he go? There was a man standing in front of me and—and he was fighting off the ghouls! And—and…"
"It'll be alright," Abel said kindly, putting his hand out to help her. "Let me help you to your feet."
Seras took his hand as he helped her to her feet. She was still outside from where she had hit the ground rolling before crashing into the large oak. Once on her feet she used the tree to brace herself.
"You're pathetic, Police Girl," a male voice said as a dark red figure materialized out of the church's siding. "I thought you could handle this assignment, but it seems like you needed help from the useless priest."
"Useless," Abel whimpered, looking like he just got hit by a Mack truck.
"Master Alucard," Seras exclaimed, moving over to him. "I'm sorry. I was just overwhelmed."
"Did you get the vampire," Alucard asked as she bit her bottom lip. "You didn't, did you? Police Girl…"
"I did, actually," Abel spoke up in a timid voice. "He's right there."
Abel pointed at the bloody lump of meat on the ground. Alucard looked at it for a moment before looking at the sheepish priest.
"He's more useful than you are," the vampire in red moaned as Seras' face fell.
"But you just called me 'useless' a minute ago," Abel whined, but Alucard ignored him. "I smell smoke. Why do I smell smoke?"
"Huh, I do too," Seras said sniffing the air. "OH NO! THE CHURCH IS ON FIRE!"
"WHAAAAAT," Abel screamed, seeing smoke rise out of the roof with flames reaching upwards. "And it was such a pretty church too…"
"Oh well, no use crying over spilt candles," Alucard said in a mocking tone as Abel watched the church go up in flames, looking as if he wanted to cry. "Let's go, Police Girl."
"For the last time, it's Seras Victoria," she snapped, but Alucard only smirked at her.
"But all of my belongings were in there," Abel said as Alucard just shrugged at him and started to walk off. "I never should have come here."
"Father, you coming?" Seras asked as Abel turned to look at her. "You have nowhere else to go, right?"
"Well, since you put it that way, I guess I really don't have a choice," he said with a big grin as he quickly took off after her and Alucard. I hope I don't get into trouble. From the old text I've read, the Hellsing Organization and the Vatican were always at each other's throats. Seems like I have finally met the true vampire race, the undead. I have to be on my toes as they're nothing like the vampires that are plaguing my era.
After a long, six mile hike the trio made it back to camp, but as they entered it they noticed something was wrong. Every one of the men was armed and aiming right at them. Sir Integra was also holding a gun, looking more serious than usual. The group quickly stopped, looking a little wary of the situation.
"Master, may I inquire as to the meaning of this is?" Alucard asked, not liking the look of things.
"Stand aside, you two," she said as they heard Abel give a yelp behind them, followed by a large thump. "Make sure he's bound tightly! I don't want that THING getting loose!"
"Yes, Sir," the men answered, chaining Abel's arms to his body.
"Sir Integra, what's going on?" Seras asked as one of the men aimed a dart gun full of tranquilizers at Abel. "Why are you doing this to Father Nightroad?"
"Yes, what did I do wrong?" Abel asked quickly as one of the other men removed his gun from under his black cloak. "I don't remember doing anything to deserve such treatment!"
"Hold your tongue," a soldier said, kicking him in the side.
"Ow, you didn't have to—I'll shut up," Abel gulped, finding a gun in his face.
"Master Integra, I know he's a Catholic, but even this is a little unortho—"
"Enough, Alucard," she snapped. "Get him on the truck! I want him interrogated and studied with the utmost attention and security! If he tries to escape I want him shot! Understood?"
"Yes, Sir," the men sounded off as they picked Abel up like a large rag doll and threw him into the back of a military truck.
"Sir Integra, would you please tell us what's going on?" Seras asked as everyone in the camp began packing up.
"You and Alucard will be informed once we get back to HQ," she said, turning on her heel and walking off.
The moment everyone arrived at the Hellsing HQ Abel was quickly loaded off the truck like luggage, still chained. He was then guided to a dark room with only one light shining down on the table. He was shoved into a seat and left there, alone for the time being.
He waited a couple of minutes before the door opened and two men came in. He blinked, a little confused, as one of the men set down a large case on the table while the other undid his chains. Abel rubbed his sore arms as he watched them. The two men never said anything as the case was opened. Able looked on in wonder. It was an old polygraph machine; a lie detector.
His cloak and robe were quickly removed and he was literally wired for sounds, among other things. One man sat down on the other side of the table while the other stood right behind Abel. This could not be a good thing.
Alucard and Seras quickly followed a huffy Integra to the video room accompanied by the surveillance team that had been watching the church. The small group stood in front of a blue screen as the video operator took a disk from Integra and put it in the player.
"This was recorded while you were at St. Peter's. I'm not sure what this THING actually is," She said as the video started to play. "If one of you men would be so kind as to explain this in better detail to us…"
"Yes, of course," a soldier said, walking to the screen. "I want you to watch this area."
He pointed to a window almost out of frame. When it shattered and someone fell out, the night vision camera quickly panned over to what was going on.
"We see the priest get up and dust himself off. He seems to be talking to someone."
"That was me actually," Seras said meekly. "The vampire threw him out the window."
"Yes, well, here we see Jonathan jump out and move over towards this man just before he takes off his glasses."
"If it helps, Mike, his name is Abel," Seras said as Mike nodded.
"Now, here is the best part. I suggest you don't blink."
Abel said something as his face started to change and his long white hair untied itself, and stood up straight in the air. They could see long fangs coming out over his dark bottom lip. Jonathan began to panic.
"Watch Abel's hand, please," Make said, pointing at the picture.
A large, intricate scythe appeared in Abel's hand. After a small conversation Jonathan pulled out his gun, but Abel cut off his arm before he could fire. The vampire hit the ground holding his arm in pain. Able spoke to him and the vampire answered back bitterly just before Abel brought the blade down on his head.
"Now watch this window here."
The next thing they saw was Seras careening through the window in front of Abel, hitting the ground and tumbling a ways before hitting a tree roughly.
"Nice work on the landing," Alucard smirked as Seras groaned.
"Abel now runs up and gets in front of Ms. Victoria, getting rid of the ghouls," Mike said as Integra looked very displeased, if not angry, at Seras. "Speed the video up—stop here. Now we're down to the last ghoul. He cuts right through it and just as quickly as he transformed he changes back and puts back on his glasses. He leaves for a moment through a window to retrieve a gun as seen here. He puts it away before rousing Ms. Victoria. You can turn it off now, Thomas. From there Alucard shows up, the church is on fire, and Abel leaves with you two."
"So, what exactly is this thing?" she asked, looking at Mike. "It's like no vampire I've ever seen."
"We really couldn't hear what they were saying over the gunshots," he answered back.
"I might know," said Thomas, the video operator. "I used to specialize in lip reading. If you could just give me a few minutes, I should have part of the conversation for you."
"Very good," Integra said. "Seras, by any chance, do you remember anything from when you saw Abel in that form?"
"Not really," she sighed, shaking her head.
"Hahaha," Alucard chuckled. "I think I'm going to like this Abel fellow. If he poses a problem, please allow me the honor of disposing him, Master."
"As you wish, but don't start a fight until we figure out what his true motives are," she said, watching Thomas write down what he could make out. "Anything of interest yet?"
"Here, this is all I could get," he handed her the paper.
"Jonathan: 'What are you? You're a vampire, right? Why do you side with these humans? We can work together to make an army—' Abel: 'That's enough. I'm not interested in taking over the world nor do I feed on humans. I am a Crusnik. I'm higher up on the food chain. I feed off the blood of vampires.'" Integra paused for a moment. "Hmm, a Crusnik? Alucard, have you ever heard of such a being?"
"No, I have not," he said as a devilish smile slid across this face. "But this Abel sounds more fun with each passing moment! Hahaha…!"
"Seras, Alucard, I would like you both to follow me to the interrogation room," Integra said, turning on her heel. "Abel is being questioned right now and I would like to see what they have come up with."
"Hahahaha! This night is turning out to be wonderful," Alucard said, following his human master. "I want a fight with him, Master. Just a few minutes with him!"
"Alucard, please do not start one of your rampages," she said, looking over her shoulder- only to find him gone. "OH, GOD! Seras, you can move faster than me; hurry to the interrogation room now! GO! Make sure Alucard doesn't do anything stupid!"
"Right," she said, speeding off down the halls. Master Alucard, please don't hurt him! He helped tonight I don't want him to…
(9 minutes prior, interrogation room)
"How do you gents like your tea," a butler asked, walking in with a silver tray with cups, a sugar bowl, a creamer, and pot of tea.
"Oh, good evening, Walter," Justin said as the butler set the tray down.
Abel's eyes widened as the monocle wearing butler poured out three cups of hot tea.
"Just a little cream, nothing more," William said, keeping his place at the table.
"Two lumps of sugar and some cream," Justin said as he stood behind Abel before hitting him in the back of head. "Well, what about you, bright eyes?"
"I get some too?" he asked, turning around to the man behind him.
"Yeah, the last thing we need is for you to fall asleep in the middle of your interrogation session," he said as Abel smiled happily.
"Oh, thank you, thank you," he squealed excitedly as he turned to Walter. "I'll have milk and thirteen lumps!"
"You're kidding," Walter said with a smirk.
"No, he's not," William disagreed, looking at the polygraph. "So, how many cavities do you have?"
"None, actually," he said happily as he watched Walter fix the three cups of tea.
After each of the cups was made, Walter bowed to them, leaving the tray in the room.
"Where are you from?" William asked as Abel looked up at him.
"The Vatican. I'm just your average humble traveling priest."
"Alright, now, Father Abel, how old are you?"
"How old?" he asked back, picking up his sugar filled tea cup.
"Yes, how old are you?" he repeated as Abel took a sip of tea flavored sugar.
"How old do I look?" he asked with a grin.
"Answer the question, Abel."
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Answer the question NOW!"
"No need to get all huffy," Abel said. "I'm over nine hundred years old."
Silence filled the room as the two men stared at Abel, who calmly sat in the chair sipping his wet sugar. William looked down at the polygraph machine and then back up at Abel, then at the polygraph again. Either he knew how to trick a polygraph machine or he was telling the truth. William shook his head, removing the stunned look from his face.
"So, if you're over nine hundred years old... Are you a vampire of some kind?"
"No, well… Kind of… Depends…Heh, heh..."
"STOP PUSSYFOOTING AROUND!"
"Alright, calm down, calm down. If you must know so badly, I'm a Crusnik. I'm a vampire that feeds off the blood of vampires."
Silence once again filled the room for a brief moment before a deep chuckle was heard in a dark corner. The threesome turned to look in that direction as they heard footsteps moving toward them.
"Who's there," Justin asked, reaching for his gun.
"I suggest you two leave him to me," the mystery man said, finally stepping into the light. "I just want to spend some time alone with the Crusnik. Hahahaha!"
"Alucard, what are you doing in here?" William asked, standing up from his seat. "You shouldn't be here right now! We're in the middle of an interrogation session!"
"Leave now or I'll send you two out in body bags." Alucard smirked widely, showing off his long fangs.
The two men quickly scrambled out the door, afraid for their lives, and slammed the door behind them. Abel heard the door lock itself as he looked up at Alucard, somewhat worried.
"Mr. Alucard, I must ask you what this is all about," Abel said, still sitting in his seat. "There was no reason to threaten them like that."
"I wanted them out of the room, Crusnik. I want to fight you," Alucard said, setting Abel's gun down on the table. "Pick up that gun!"
"Are you crazy? I don't want to fight you," Abel said, rather flabbergasted at the vampire's behavior. "I don't believe in fighting when there is no call for it!"
"Then I'll make you fight me, Father," Alucard said, firing his gun at the panicked priest, who quickly dodged the bullet, hitting the ground, taking the polygraph with him. "Take up your gun, Father! Use it! I want to see what the new toy of Iscariot has to offer!"
"Please, I don't wish to fight you, sir," Abel said, dodging another bullet while removing the polygraph from his body. "STOP IT!"
"I'll keep firing at you until you fight back! I want to see what a Crusnik's power is really like," the vampire in red laughed, firing another round at the priest. "I want to see it first hand! Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Show it to me! The night is still so young and you have nowhere else to go, Vatican lapdog!"
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"MASTER! MASTER ALUCARD, PLEASE STOP THIS! DON'T DO IT! ABEL, GET AWAY FROM HIM!"
"SHUT UP, POLICE GIRL," Alucard snapped as Seras tried to knock the door in. "I want to fight something worthy of my power! Not those cheap 'freak' vampires my master orders me to destroy! Hahahahaha! You, Crusnik, are at the top of the list! Show me your power!"
"So be it. If it will quiet your bloodthirsty rampage," Abel said, standing up right and setting his glasses on the table. "Then I shall fight you."
"That's more like it! Hahahaha," Alucard laughed as Abel picked up his gun.
"ABEL, DON'T LET HIM GET TO YOU," Seras screamed, looking through the one-way mirror as Abel turned to look at her but only saw his refection. "GET OUT OF THERE!"
"Please forgive me, Ms. Victoria," he said, turning back to Alucard, hearing hurried footsteps coming down the hall.
THUMP! THUMP!
"ALUCARD, I'M ORDERING YOU TO STOP!," Integra shouted, having finally arrived, and started banging on the glass, watching what Alucard and Abel were about to do. "ALUCAAAAARD!"
(A/N: Well, this was chapter 2. I hope you all enjoyed it. I'm mean with my cliffhangers from what I've been told. Please review.)
Millie M. Banshee
Beta Reader: 2stupid.
(B2N: Yes, tea with 13 lumps of sugar is no longer tea. I've tried it, and I had to throw away the cup because it resembled a lump of tea-colored sugar. Ugh.)