Happy Holidays guys! I hope everyone had an awesome winter holiday! I'm getting this chapter up a day earlier just cause you guys are awesome and I didn't want to leave you in too much suspense! Plus, I might even update again later this week just cause I'm on a roll and I've written ahead now cause we're almost done with part one of this tale! The story is going be three parts long and will be posted divided by parts since part 2 and 3 will be rated M, hopefully I don't lose any of you guys, but let me know if that's a problem and I'll consider editing out some stuff I have planned. There's about 5 chapters left of part one so hold on to your butts~!

Disclaimer: I don't own The Little Vampire and all characters belong to their owners respectively.

Special thanks again again to:

Crystal-Wolf-Guardain-967

To my Guest review! Thank you so much! I really hope you stick with me until the end ^_^!

Your reviews are always appreciated guys!

- Chapter 15 -

Nancy's hands shook with exhaustion as she held herself up against the walls of her wooden prison. Those dogs were relentless. She really was going to descend into madness if she was trapped in this Goddamn tree for another minute. I mean, yeah, she was grateful and all but good God man. She rubbed her eyes tiredly. She could only hope that Anna had received her message

A hound howled loudly from nearby.

Nancy shivered and tucked her hands into her pockets. "Shit," she cursed and felt her face wrinkle as the tears fell.

- O -

"Brother, Psssst! Brother!" Anna poked and prodded Rudolf's still upside-down sleeping form. "Wake up dear Brother." Anna huffed as Rudolf batted her hands away from him, his eyes still closed in deep sleep.

Anna huffed in annoyance. The awful sound reached a crescendo in her ears. "Ouch," she held her ear in alarm. What on Earth was this devilry. "Gregory, brother Gregory," she pulled at one of the dreadlocks hanging from his head. "Wake up!"

Gregory opened an eye at her and pinned her with a scowl. He couldn't remember the last time Anna had woken him from slumber. Certainly not any day since their immortal life had begun. Curious he obliged her request and allowed himself to fall from the ceiling.

"Oh thank goodness," Anna breathed out in relief.

"What do you want?"

Anna frowned at her Brother's curtness. "That noise," she rose her eyebrows. "Do you hear it?"

Gregory looked around with thinning patience. "No."

Just before Anna could exclaim her objection. Rudolf joined them on the ground. "What has brought you both up so early?" He yawned loudly, exposing his small fanged mouth.

"Anna claims to hear a noise," Gregory looked to the side with a scowl.

Rudolf rubbed his eyes sleepily at Anna. "What kind of noise Anna?"

Anna just about tugged her golden hair out her head, annoyed with her brothers lack of faith. The loud screech undulated in her head. "Ahh!"

Gregory turned to his younger sibling in sudden concern. "Anna," he knelt down and grabbed her shoulders. "What does it sound like?"

Rudolf peered worriedly at Anna over Gregory's shoulder.

"It's like a tiny siren, it hurts," she winced with pain. She held her own tiny head as the ache worsened before receding for just a moment. "That's quite painful," she rubbed her temple with her fingers. "It feels like a tiny bird pecking at my head."

Gregory's eyebrows knit together. Anna was a tough child. There were times that she was known to show up even himself with her pain tolerance. If she was in pain, it must truly be horrible. He felt his brotherly protective instinct swell. "Does it hurt anywhere else?"

Anna shook her head, but stopped suddenly in thought. "My pocket feels oddly warm now that I think about it, hot to the touch really," she reached her hand down to brush against the lace at her dress pocket. She reached inside and pulled out a handkerchief. Anna's eyes widened in understanding. The pieces finally falling together. She must be in trouble. Nancy must be-

"Nancy!" Rudolf exclaimed from beside Gregory. "Her country mouse," he turned to Gregory's tense expression. "She gave that mouse to Anna when-"

"I know," Gregory cut him off.

"She must be in trouble," Anna clutched the wrapped up mouse to her chest. "I'm sure it's her, Gregory-" Her eyes watered at the thought of Nancy being in danger.

"I'll go," Gregory stood up and separated from his siblings. With a shrug he adjusted his leather coat as he prepared for whatever he might find out in the world above. That damn Witch. He really hoped that she hadn't taken on more than she could handle.

"Wait!" Anna bleated from behind him. "Take this," she handed him the bundled up dead mouse. As his clawed hand grabbed hold of the fabric he was suddenly assaulted with the loud ringing Anna had been describing to him. "Ah!" He held his ear in pain.

"See," Anna chirped beside him. "Not so much fun is it?"

Gregory grit his teeth at the pain. That damn Witch, what the hell kind of sign was this? "Don't you dare follow me," he turned to his siblings in a snarl. The last thing he needed was the two of them getting into trouble as well. Rudolf hesitated before nodding reluctantly at his Brother's warning. Anna sighed but ultimately conceded and also nodded her head in understanding.

Gregory pocketed the mouse quickly before feeling the warmth of his transformation overtake him.

He'd find her.

- O -

His bat wings flapped easily through the winds currents as he fought to find his Witch. The half moon shone brightly down from above him and illuminated the forest below in it's pale ethereal light. The world was still aside from the occasional deer that he found with his keen senses. But Nancy remained nowhere in sight.

He screeched in pain as a piercing noise rendered him immobile and he dropped a few feet in the air before regaining his senses. What the-! Extending his wings he flew down into the woods in the direction of the familiar sound. That pain had to mean he was close. With a final sweep of his bat wings he touched down and transformed back into his natural self.

His nose twitched with the scent of Nancy's smell. The hint of a bizarre spice he'd never before smelled in any of his lifetimes. He'd know it anywhere. Looking around with his enhanced vision, he proceeded through the woods. Leaves crunching beneath his boots as he searched carefully for any sign of the Witch.

In the distance he heard the hurried footfalls of dogs as they rushed through the woods. The hounds baying as they seemed to hurry closer to him. Ignoring the call of the creatures and their pumping blood, he followed Nancy's scent more closely.

He ended up in a clearing of trees, obscured by large piles of leaves and a large rock face. Nancy's scent ended here. He sniffed the air curiously and reached a pale hand out to touch the stones of the rocky wall. Nothing. She wasn't here, and he highly doubted that she'd managed to climb that monolith. He cursed his luck. Where was she? Was she truly even in danger? The foolis-

A hand grasped his shoulder tightly.

Millennium of instinct sprung into life as he turned to grapple with his aggressor. Strength pouring into his limbs, he slammed his attacker against a tree, but just as his next victim made contact with the bark, they were both suddenly fazed through.

"Gregory! Oh my god!" Nancy cried from his bruising hold, but she didn't dare complain. She was just so happy to see him. She collapsed into sobs against his still dazed form, his clawed fingers still gripping her painfully.

Gregory blinked down at the crying Witch in his arms. His brain taking a while to process what had happened. He looked around at the hollowed out tree they were residing in. Magic, of course. He peered down at Nancy's shaking form as she clung desperately to the front of his shirt. He eased his grip on her at last. "Anna got your message..." He trailed off as she hugged him around the middle and cried into his neck. He stiffened in surprise at her actions but allowed her to touch him. Very carefully he placed his hands at the small of her back. His undead heart was practically beating at the intimacy of the gesture. The confined space didn't give him much room for options, but he found that he truly didn't mind holding Nancy in his arms. He didn't think he'd ever held a girl in his arms now that he thought about it. He suddenly wished Nancy wasn't distraught and crying and that these were very different circumstances. With a sigh he pried her off of him so that he could see what was wrong with her.

Nancy was covered in dirt. Smudges of mud were on her cheeks and twigs adorned the curling tines of her hair. She took a shuddering breath. Large tears were still falling steadily down her faces and creating muddy rivulets where it ran through the streaks of muck. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying. He'd never before seen her in this state. He found that in the pit of his stomach, he was worried for her.

She looked terrible.

She sniffed and wiped her face with the back of her hand. "Those dogs-" she hiccuped with her fright and moved forward to cling to Gregory once more.

Fury erupted through him at her words. Those hounds were responsible for her turmoil. He growled low in his throat as he slipped from her grip. They were no match for him. He'd make those beasts pay for harming her.

Nancy released a strangled cry as Gregory began to push his way back through the opening of her created hiding place. He grabbed the arm that was trying to stop him. "I'll be back, I swear it to you."

Nancy slowly released him and clutched her arm back to body. No, he'd just found her. Where the hell was he going?! She tried to glare at him through her tears, but he was already gone.

- O -

Gregory stalked through the woods. His footfalls quiet as death as he navigated over branches and tracked the hound nearest to him. The creature barked at him as he observed it from the height of an enormous oak tree. Ugly thing. Searching through his memory he'd never seen a dog quite like it. The way its flesh seemed loose around its face. It was a peculiar sight. Its blood was probably still sweet he supposed. With practiced grace he leapt down and hissed as it reared it's head back in a growl.

Quicker than the strike of a snake, he reached forward and drug the yelping animal to his lengthening fangs.

The dog yelped and scratched at Gregory's hold and released a loud pained howl as the boy's fangs sunk into its nape.

Gregory closed his eyes as the tangy blood filtered into his eager mouth. The dog twitching in his arms as the life drained from its body. The moon cast an eerie glow over the scene as Gregory released the deceased animal from his maw and place it on the forest floor. He wiped the stray droplets of blood from his mouth and stood over the motionless creature. There. Nancy wouldn't be bothered by this beast any longer.

Just as he was about to turn away, the light caught and reflected on the collar around the animals throat. His blood lust temporarily sated, he curiously crouched down over the dog and turned the collar so he could read the engraved plaque.

"'Property of Erskine Psychiatric Ward'"

Psychiatric ward? As in a hospital? The word "Psychiatric" was unfamiliar to him. But he could sense that it was important. Why would a dog owned by a hospital be after Nancy? He had so many questions. His eyes narrowed in thought as he crept stealthily back to Nancy's hiding place.

- O -

Nancy smiled in relief as she caught sight of Gregory's approaching form. She gathered her satchel up and slipped out of hiding as he met her in the clearing. He didn't meet her eyes as he extended his hand to her and she took it as they flew back to the graveyard in silence. Nancy was a bit worried about his even poorer communication skills than usual, but was just so relieved to be heading back to the cemetery she didn't even think to question him over it. Shit, he could be in whatever mood he wanted to be in. She was just happy to be out of that forest.

Gregory studied Nancy's profile as they landed just beside the graveyard's gate. He purposefully landed them there just so that he could have a bit of privacy to put some of his burning questions to rest. It wouldn't do to have his family interrupting or overhearing their conversation. He didn't know what he was going to discover, but he had an uneasy feeling that it wasn't going to be good.

Nancy groaned and stretched her arms above her head. A little put off that Gregory hadn't landed them closer to the catacombs. What on Earth was he up to? She was beyond exhausted and depleted of magic, she fervently hoped that whatever it was, it wouldn't take long.

An owl cooed at them from a crooked tree nearby.

Gregory took in a deep breath. "What does...Psychiatric mean?"

Nancy felt her blood freeze in her veins.

Fuck. She ran her fingers through her hair anxiously. Should she lie? No, he'd find out one way or another. Plus he didn't deserve her lies after all his help tonight. He really had been patient with her all this time. The least she could do was tell him this much. Her fingers fidgeted. "It's-It's-" she cleared her throat and turned to face him. How could she put this so that he understood? Her thoughts struggled for a moment.

"It's like a modern day bedlam."

Gregory gazed at her in alarm. Bedlam?! Nancy was a-!? She belonged in-?! All this time, they'd been living with-! He cleared his furiously rushing thoughts with a shake of his head. He didn't know anything yet. He glanced over to observe Nancy's weary and crestfallen expression. She looked so haunted. Pity and dread filled Gregory's stomach.

Shit. There's the look. Nancy couldn't bear to see the panic on Gregory's stupid face, she looked down to her scuffed and dirtied boots. Damnit. She hoped she could get him to understand. She wasn't going to bank on Gregory understanding, that boy had his own angle and agenda. But she sincerely hoped she could get through this moment without revealing too much. She was just so tired of all this.

"Tell me," He intoned coldly. "...Tell me what happened."

Nancy winced and struggled with herself before saying, "...I escaped." The necklaces around her neck jingled in the breeze. "You see, my Mother-she-she-" Nancy exhaled deeply to calm herself.

"...She put me there."

Gregory caught Nancy's dead eyed gaze. He looked into her eyes and saw her truth. She was incredibly hurt. Haunted and betrayed. He thought he had it bad. He couldn't imagine how that must have felt. "...Why?" He asked her, softening his aggressive tone to one of concerned contemplation.

Nancy came back to herself at his questioning. "Because I'm a Witch."

Gregory stared into her eyes as she silently challenged him to ask her another question. Gregory was the first to break the intense eye contact and ran his hand through the spikes atop his head. Nancy wasn't going to give him any more information. He could tell from the intensity of her expression. She'd had enough for one night, and he found himself easing up on his urgency for answers. She'd told him more than he honestly expected. The Witch loved to be vague. He was satisfied for now. A million more questions flooded his brain but he supposed they'd have to wait.

He met her tired eyes and nodded his head in understanding. He'd let her hold on to her secrets a little bit longer. Just a little bit. Nancy's shoulders visibly relaxed at his acceptance.

He then awkwardly turned away from her and silently led them back down into the safety of the catacombs.

- O -

Nancy was beyond grateful. She was truly shocked he hadn't try to push or pry her for answers. She could tell he wanted to ask her more, but was holding back on her account. That knowledge left her feeling three parts warm and four parts guilty. He should know by now she didn't deserve his kindness. Nancy's eyes focused on the dyed red dread locks on Gregory's back as he walked ahead of her through the maze of caverns. She wondered what he thought of her now. Probably even more of a nuisance. She tried not to let that thought bother her. She really hoped she could somehow manage to keep his family out of her problems. For her sake, and theirs.

Just as they arrived at the fork in the path leading to their respective caves. Gregory stopped and turned to face her. His face shadowed and solemn. He looked every bit as frightening as he had the first night she met him.

Nancy held her arm and stopped the shudder that threatened to quake through her and waited patiently to hear what Gregory had to say. She owed him that much.

"Will they come after my family?"

Nancy's eyes watered at the question. Shit Gregory, way to pick up on the biggest fear plaguing her mind. She looked away from him so that she could answer him truthfully. "I...don't know."

Gregory exhaled through his nose at her answer, but didn't comment any further.

Nancy frowned sadly to herself as he disappeared from her sight down the corridor, away from her and back into the shadows.