Grayson house. Day. He was standing right in front of the mirror adjusting his tie. What made him happy today was that India is back to college. The happiest day in his life, his smile never left upon his red lips.
He's gonna see her again. Didn't he notice Renfield standing at the door frame watching Grayson smiling. Renfield clearing his throat, Grayson turns to look over his shoulder.
"Your happy day, sir?" he asked. "Of course. She'll go back to college today after what she had been through these days. I'm happy for her".
Grayson chuckling. "Renfield? Miss Greene is about to walk out at the door. I suspect it's about to rain in a minute. Do you mind?"
"Of course sir". he turned his feet and walked.
India eating her cereal. Her mother Kim asks her to eat more so then she won't go to college with an empty stomach.
Kim woke up early today, she made India's pancake and maple syrup, lots of meat, the nuggets, bacon, hotdog, french fries, baguette with mushroom soup, hot chocolate, milk..
"Mum, you try to kill me with all this food. I'm not gonna die in a minute, I'm fine". India shook her head, watching Kim pack her lunch. "Seriously?"
"Oh honey. It's just food that you could share with Olive and Billy in the afternoon or your free time to eat. It's good for you and besides you already give me a heart attack for your unconsciousness".
Kim sighs. "India.. don't ever do that again, if you want to stay all night in the library please make sure you check your phone for the battery or tell me earlier if I had to pick you up at the college".
India nods. Her mother spoke again. "The thunder is coming. You should catch up to the bus before the rain starts pouring down. Or you like me to send you to college".
"No, I'm fine. Don't bother".
"Good". She pushed all the food she packed toward India. "All set. Honey be careful". She smiled.
Moments later. She closes the door behind, slings her bag on shoulder then walks toward the path. She stops when she hears Renfield's voice.
"Good morning, India". he smiled. "Catching up the bus?"
Snorted. "That is what I usually do every morning. Why?"
Renfield looked up at the cloud sky, then he looked down back to her. "It's almost raining, if you try to catch the bus like this you will catch a cold and you don't want it to happen again, am I right?" She smiled.
"What you suggest then, Mr. Renfield". He points at the car which is parked right in front of Grayson's house. India frowning. "You want me.. that car. Oh no I don't, rather be wet than riding with someone even though I know who the person was".
"To tell you the truth girl. I don't believe my employer and he insist on your own safety and health. Please".
India breathed heavily, she really didn't want to get inside that car with Grayson. What will her college friends say if they saw her with Grayson together?
And Renfield was right, she hates when she gets sick. She hates hospitals.
"Just for today Mr. Renfield. Because it's about to rain".
Renfield nods and smiles. Inside the car Grayson was watching her, see India and Renfield walking toward the car where he is now.
Grayson opens the door for her. "Good morning". he smiles sweetly, India gently slides herself on the passenger seat beside the driver, which Grayson himself will drive this car to college not Renfield.
"I don't want you to get sick again, India. I had to do something". he heard her breath with thank you. "Your most welcome".
Renfield stood on the pavement, Grayson started the engine and drove the car away from the neighborhood street, exactly the same time the rain poured down heavily to the ground.
India sat in silence, Grayson smirking. "I will not eat you, India". She is facing him. "What?"
"I have a lot of questions to ask you, Mr. Grayson. Did you really save my life that night? I was unconscious on the ground, why were you there and what you trying to play".
Grayson smirking again, at nowhere he pulled the car aside without turning off the engine. He is now facing her.
"I didn't do it on purpose. Like I say to your mother I passed by that street, then I saw a girl laying there thinking she was dead but no.. it was you".
He breathes, continuing. "You make me worry about your condition".
"Why?" Grayson can't answer that as his eyes are on hers. "How extraordinary your answer was Mr. Grayson.. why? Are you afraid to answer!"
"You have your exams today and I will not try to spoil your mood".
"How did you know I have my exams today Mr. Grayson?"
He didn't answer her again, resuming his drive back on the road. She leaned back.
"People would always say to me, Are you going to be a nurse when you grow up? And I would say, No, I'm going to be a doctor".
He looked at her, as she spoke back.
"Yes. And it was all very sweet and charming until I was 14 or so". she sighs. "Two words guaranteed to repel any manner of mediocrity masquerading as conventional wisdom. I have a very difficult examination today. One which I may well fail and if I do.."
"That will be the end of your dreams?"
"Very much so".
He chuckled. "If there is one thing I have learned in all my years, in all my journeys is that when it comes to dreams, one might falter, but the only way to fail is to abandon them".
India studied his face. Hours passed, Grayson parked his car, she quickly tried to open the door but it wouldn't budge. He actually locked the door before she could do that, she turned to him.
"Please unlock this door, I don't want them to see us like this Mr. Grayson".
Smiling as he studied her face, he really wanted to embrace her in his arms. Knowing she wasn't Josette.. still he wanted her.
"Unlock the door please..." he did what she told. "Thank you".
Grayson watches her running inside the building without looking back at him, of course she won't look back at him because it's still raining out here.
He stays silent inside the car until someone knocks at his window, he turns to see Miss Jayne smiling down at him. He sighs annoyed, faking his own smile to her.
"Miss Jayne". she backed away a bit as Grayson climbed out from the car with an umbrella, shut the door and locked it. "It's rain Miss Jayne what are you doing out here"
Inside the building, India was hugging her shivering body to fight the cold. Her lips trembling, Olive who sees her from afar quickly grabs the towel from her locker then runs toward her.
She wrapped the towel around India's body. "I didn't know you were coming back, I'm sorry I should know".
"Don't worry. I'm fine, thanks for the towel". she wrapped herself. "I brought lunch, nuggets, everything. She thinks I would starve here".
She talks about Kim, Olive smiles as they walk to the locker. "I can't believe you soaked wet. Are you nervous? today is your turn, if you pass the exams they will transfer you to university. Professor Helsing is here for you, he can't waited".
"How do I look?" she asked.
"Nervous and death".
Professor Duke Van Helsing approached the girl. "India are you ready?" She looked confused. "I'm sorry they haven't told you yet, because your exam will start in five minute".
"Five minute! But I just got in here Professor".
"I know. They can't wait till noon". he turned to Olive. "I want you to be prepared for your next exam". Olive nods understand. "Come India you need to dry yourself, they are from different hospitals. They are interested in you as I told them about you, that's why they are here for you".
Olive smiles as they watch the two walk in the hall. "Good luck". She then looked for Billy.
"Miss Greene, it's about to start her exam in a minute". Grayson stops, Miss Jayne smirking. "You don't know Mr. Grayson? Professor Duke Van Helsing is here for her, he's the one who recommended Miss Greene to the different doctors who are from different hospitals, they are excited to see her".
Without a word, Grayson storms out from the teacher's office leaving Miss Jayne speechless behind.
She then sighs walking toward her table. "I hear if she passes this exam Professor Duke will take her to university".
"That's correct, Jayne. She is the luckiest girl. Scholarship, and everything Miss Greene needed was on Professor Duke. He was obsessed with that girl and he wanted that girl to succeed in her life". said Mrs Fillian.
"Oh gosh my husband won't stop texting and calling. He'll think I'm some kind of having an affair with other men".
Miss Jayne opens her drawer, pulling out the compact powder and lipstick. She put it on.
"What's with you and Mr. Grayson?" ask her.
Miss Jayne giggling. "Exquisite isn't it. I sort of fell in love with Mr. Grayson".
"Oh yes he's charming. I wonder why my Daniel doesn't look like him".
Grayson was hiding as he watched India start to pull the organ out from the real human body. He can see how nervous she was but he knew she was strong enough to handle this challenge, his eyes then turned to Professor Duke Van Helsing who circled around her while she was doing her exam.
An hour passed. India began to explain or we could say a presentation of what she was doing earlier with the human organ.
"The patient exhibits left ventricular wall thickening and mal-alignment of the muscle cells, or myocardial disarray. The hypertrophic thickening is asymmetric and clearly involves the interventricular septum, which obstructs the cardiac outflow and prevents blood from flowing freely between the aortic valve and into the aorta."
Her eyes looked up but she didn't see Grayson was there. Professor Duke Van Helsing stared at the doctors whom his fellow friends seated in silence as they whispered something about India exam performance.
A silent room suddenly breaks as they clap for India successfully, Duke Van Helsing whispers at her ears.
"You are doing a great job. They love it".
India blushed and smiled. As for Grayson.. he gives her a smile that almost looks like a smirking smile but then he leaves the room proudly of her.
Night. Grayson shut his eyes and he was seated in front of the fireplace, his mind remembering the words of his beloved Josette before he went to battle, the last day he saw his wife alive.
A word that she cursed upon him, a curse of the damned that she will never love him even after her death.
So, what exactly happened between Grayson and Josette. Why did she hate him? loathe of him and when did it happen.
Does someone bewitch her or does she know who he was?
"Sired?" Renfield stood at his back. "You alright?"
He breathed heavily. "Where'd you have been, Renfield?"
"I was buying my personal things at the pharmacy and I took your car. Sort of grocery we're running out of food that I notice". he breathed. "If you ask for a time it's eleven at night sir". Grayson nods. "Is there anything you need sir?"
He smile, said. "I just wanted to share my happiness that she was successful on her exam today. She was so nervous and everyone was watching her".
"Of course sir. If you need anything I'll be in the kitchen". He is about to leave the room but Grayson stops him. "Hunting for blood sir?"
"It's been too long since I killed him. Tonight I need something fresh".
India jolted from her bed when the car alarm went off and the dogs started barking madly again.
This is the third time since the last time it happened. She got up from bed looking out the window, there was nothing to see on the road.
People were asleep and afraid. And the next thing they all will knew is the news of the mass murderer of midnight strike again.
Night Walker. The names were given by Sheriff Bourbon.
She then turns to look at Grayson's house. The whole house was dark, he probably went to sleep early because she didn't care.
Before she went to bed, she always peered at the house behind the curtains afraid he would notice that she was stalking him.
"Oh god why am I stalking him". she shut the curtain then jumped back to bed resuming her sleep.
Her sleep and her dream suddenly brought her back to where Josette always came to her. She stood in the middle of the castle which is Vlad's castle she never knew.
She begins to wander around the castle, and there is a woman in white who looks just like her, that was Josette. She was smiling, and India approached her.
"Who are you?" ask India to Josette. "Why you look like me and why you always come in my dream. Are we two related from blood, are you my grandma or .. I don't know you. If you want to say something to me please now, if you don't just leave me alone".
Gently Josette extended her hand to India asking her to take the hand. She feels awkward about that, the second time they both try to reach each other but somehow she feels comfortable.
Without thinking straight her shaking hand took hers, as their skin touched a flash brought her back to present, she jolted from bed and was sweating like a mad man looking around the room. Panting.
"INDIA! TIME FOR COLLEGE!"
Kim was shouting from the kitchen. She growled looking for the time beside her bed. What the hell! she muttered, staring down at her hand.
"I feel her. But what did she want from me? how am I supposed to help her if we touch.. hah shit!"
She jumped off the bed, grabbed the towel quickly taking her shower before she missed the bus.
"Sired?" Renfield approaches him. "Are you alright?"
"What life can be alright, Renfield".
"You tell me. I'm just a human not a God. I can't predict the future. I'm just a lawyer".
Grayson takes a seat in front of the fireplace, he loves to see the fire from the fireplace dancing in his eyes. It reminds him back when the battle took place, the enemy's body laying down on the ground after the kill, their blood was his lust to see in his hand.
He breathed. "I'd suddenly miss my life. My Josette". he turned to Renfield. "I've been living in Renfield for over a century. Just missed it".
"I was born December 10,1910. London. I have a sister but she died after she was born. Our family lives as much as we can, as I grew up. I was tested by a white abolitionist and permitted to pass the Missouri bar...
"However, when sent out on an assignment by the St Louis firm that employed me, I was set upon by ruffians and imprisoned for the crime of defending myself, the firm washing their hands of me...
"I subsequently speculated that was their goal all along... That was the first I saw you".
Grayson nods. "Yes. While I'am searching for her. I brutally slaughtered the guards and arranged for you to get medical attention..
"I hired you as a lawyer because we both recognised your skill and sympathized. I told you my secrets after you informed me that you could only work for a man who trusted you completely...
"As a result, you're fully aware of my vampiric nature and history, you didn't run as I told who I was. Once I convinced someone to work with me but he'd fail and I had to kill him before he revealed my secret".
Grayson's eyes met Renfield. "I trust you Renfield nor will a man will and you did". Renfield bowed with a smile.
"With gratitude I thank you for saving me that night on the train. I won't be here, you make me immortal".
College. Day. "India! Professor Duke wants to see you in the library".
She turned her feet as she heard the command, she was about to walk to the locker corridor to grab something from the inside of her locker.
Her feet hurried to the library and found Professor Duke Van Helsing seated on her usual table, dragging the chair she seated in front of him.
"I have great news to inform you about India. Are you ready to hear?" she nodded, he spoke back. "You better quit your college".
Her eyes widened. "You say they love my performance and why suddenly you ask me to quit my college". she shouts. Luckily there were no students with them in the library.
"Why! Did I do something wrong Professor".
He chuckled. "I didn't say you have to quit, I did say you have to quit. India. How I adore you like my own daughter. Of course I don't want to see my daughter upset by her good performing you're doing a great thing...
"You prove to them that you are capable of becoming a doctor, so I say quit your college then move to university".
Her jaw dropped, he snickering. "I'm serious. They want you to continue your study in university, they even ask me why you stay in college while you can study there and achieve your goals". he said.
"Really? I'm in? Am I in? University. I'am university student, really I'am Professor?" he nodded. "You're not joking aren't you, Professor?"
"Did I? No. They're interested in you. You make them believe you'll be a good doctor one day, you must pack your things. This week is your interview at university. There's a cheap apartment for students near the university that I could find for you and I'll be glad to escort you there. Tell this good news to your mother, she'll be so proud of you".
She doesn't know what to say. "What happened to Olive and Billy?"
"If they believe like you they will. I will not abandon them".
"So this means this week I cannot go to college anymore? I must say goodbye". he nodded with a smile. "Well. I moved out of the house".
"Aren't you rather?"
"No. I mean of course. It's been my life, my dream. Of course I'm going".
He was stunned when she hugged him around the neck, she never had a chance to hug her real father, never she had a chance to feel a father's love, never she felt a father's hug as Professor Duke Van Helsing hugged her back.
He's now her father since she set her foot in college. He's everything for her.
"I should ask Olive and Billy if they want to come with me".
He smiled. "Of course. First thing in the morning".