Another chapter in the fanfiction, this one came rather early due to how short it was, but I might start doing this more often, because this could go for a while. This chapter focuses more on a specific mercenary who voices his thoughts on the old man himself. I've added in a hidden fact about Dracul, so keep close attention to detail. I'll give you a hint, Benjamin Franklin was like this. Another word, the chapters are going to take a turn for the darker ally. I'm still leaving it at a T simply because if I can take it you should be able to yourself. But I'd suggest knowing yourself before reading. I'm not saying it's going to get dark in this chapter, or the next. I'm just saying that it will get darker. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans, I just own the plot.
A Haunting Memory Returns
Chapter Six: "Worthless Mercenaries"
Dark, dank, damp, all of the nasty D's. Joseph couldn't take it anymore. Working under Dracul had taken a toll on him. Levi promised a better future, but all they had was an uncomfortable warehouse and the clothes on their backs. Heck, even the guns weren't theirs. Joseph's heart ached for his family. His beautiful blonde wife and his baby girl. He kept a picture on him and constantly took peeks at it whenever he felt depressed, which was most of the time. He was considering telling Dracul that he wanted to quit. All they ever did was draw up blue prints of some weird devices. He never told any of the mercenaries what they were, and Joseph was starting to think that they were working for a bloody nutcase.
He specifically remembered when the old man had them sitting down waiting for him to finish the bloody sketches. Levi was the only one with a pencil, apparently "He came prepared." Joseph felt like a schoolboy during that meeting, and he hated every bloody moment of it. He remembered Dracul walking to Levi's seat and snatching the pencil with his left hand before going to the paper to start the sketches. The bloody guy was left handed! No one is born left handed anymore! At least not that he knew.
Dracul also constantly muttered to himself about some girl named Jinx. Joseph didn't know what these musings meant, and personally didn't want to. This guy was insane and it was time to part ways before calamity struck. Worst of all, other men were dropping like flies. One false word and nobody would ever find your body. He went to Dracul to talk over the matter when he saw him looking up at some big screen with some weird looking kid on it. He was small and had a chubby face.
"His grandmother must love him." Joseph thought in his mind with a small snicker.
He also wore some green suit that reminded Joseph more of those pajamas that infants wear. Lastly he kept a pair of goggles at the top of his head. Levi and a few other mercenaries were nearby.
"Well done Gizmo. You managed." Dracul said.
The Gizmo kid's face lit up at the sound of the accolade.
"What's the next part of the plan?" Gizmo asked eagerly.
"We're going to have a little field trip." Dracul replied.
"What kind of field trip?" Gizmo asked quizzically.
"One that you'll be graded on."
"We're out of the Academy and you're still testing us? Snotnosed gas bag." Gizmo growled.
"We're robbing the Mint, and if my psychological studies are correct, which they are, the Core Titans won't be able to resist jumping in to save the day." Dracul scoffed in distaste.
A few mercenaries started laughing. Joseph couldn't help but join in.
"And when they do I'm going to grade the Five on how well they handle the fight."
The old man walked over to a table and picked up the clip board he set down for later next to a bottle of ink. Now Joseph knew what it was for.
"Levi, there should be a quill in that drawer, hand it to me." Dracul said reaching out his right hand.
Levi scrambled for the quill and tripped. He got up and grabbed it handing it to Dracul. He started to dab the quill in the ink and then started scribbling a few things.
"You will be graded on Team Coordination, Technique, Execution, Effort, and lastly Results." Dracul explained as he finished writing.
"Why test us though?" Gizmo pouted.
"So I know if you're still of use to me or if I should just slit your throats and be on my merry way."
Another round of laughter erupted at the statement and the Gizmo kid looked both offended ashamed.
"After that I'm going to deliver a speech to the people of Jump City. Those who hold the hand of the crowd hold the hand of advantage." Dracul explained.
He sounded wise for a lunatic. Hopefully he wouldn't start laughing.
"What's the speech about?"
Dracul paced to the other end of the room before turning around. He gave his trademark laugh, the very thing that sent chills down Joseph's spine. Oh he couldn't wait until he was cradling his child and kissing his wife instead of standing in front of Admiral Giggles. Sitting down in bed and not having to eat the horrible concoctions Dracul created. It was rumored that he was actually DNA testing, and was using them as lab rats. Dear God, Joseph would be just fine with some Corn Flakes thank you very much.
"Questions are a hazard to you and a burden to others." Dracul finally said.
"Wait! Dracul!" Gizmo started.
With that he turned off the screen before the brat could make any more objections.
"Men, I'm going to leave tomorrow for the Mint. I'll be back with your pay after I'm done." Dracul said.
"What about the speech?" Levi asked.
"You and fifteen other mercenaries are coming with me. The rest of you should stay here and alert the other bases of what's going on. That's beside the point though, after robbing the Mint I'll come back for a few days, make sure all the preparations are made."
Joseph was tired of hearing this garbage. He wanted to get out of this awful place and never see it again. He went up to Dracul and gave him the details.
"Ah, Joseph. How may I be of assistance?" the old man asked.
"I can't take this anymore Dracul. I've been here too long and my family misses me just as much as I miss them. I can't bear to pull all these crimes and be away from home. I mean, we've kick started a bloody war! I don't want my little girl to go to Daddy Show and Tell and say 'Hi, my Dad is a mercenary currently oppressing a city in Maine.' I'm tired of this sewer of a building. I'm tired of not being able to hold my baby girl and talk to my wife. Even the simplest pleasures are gone." Joseph started.
Levi gave him the "Cut it out" look with his hand going back and forth in front of his neck. However, Joseph continued to talk. And the old man just stood there and stared with those cold glass eyes, seeping in every detail of Joseph's words.
"I'm sorry but I have to live my life with those who are truly important. I have to be there for my wife. I have to raise my child. Working here isn't bringing me any closer to that. I have to leave. I hope you understand."
Levi winced as if he knew what was coming up next. He tried to warn Joseph but it was too late.
"No, no Joseph, I understand." Dracul said genuinely.
He stepped forward towards Joseph and dug his knife into his flesh. Blood started to pour. Men looked away because of their weak stomachs. One even vomited. Dracul raised the knife higher up Joseph's chest. Blood trailed from his lower jaw which had dropped out of shock. Who was he kidding, he knew this wouldn't work, and he still tried it despite knowing better. Joseph felt nothing but pain, pain and disgrace. He let this old man, this demon; take away every last thing that made life worth living. And now with nothing left he was taking away Joseph's life. Leaving him with nothing but the shame of letting the old man strip him of everything he had. Dracul gave one last push up the chest before pulling his knife away and letting the lifeless body fall backwards.
"I understand completely." he whispered.
Pulling out a handkerchief to clean off his knife Dracul called to one of the mercenaries.
"Get the janitor, will you? Joseph's gotten sloppy."
…
Those were the last words he gave to the mercenaries as he walked outside of the warehouse staring at the moon. A waning gibbous, a new moon would be nice, that's what he usually saw over at the island.
"Surrounded by fools, when will I interact with someone from my background? Worthless mercenaries." Dracul growled.
"You evil man." a voice inside him said, "I still can't believe this, everything you do, it's awful."
"Hmph. You were nothing without me. Мъка, твърди, че са толкова мощни, така че отнема ... Много я борба чрез просто moping на около, но аз знам по-добре. Трябва да изтриете всички емоции в себе си. Мнозина знаят това, както добре, но отказва да го приеме като истина, защо? Просто защото те не искат другите да ги виждат като "безстрастен простак". Те искат любов, те искат радост, те искат холографски топлината на илюзията мъжете, преди да ги създали. Те се хранят от небитието, което е защо другите се стремят много повече. " Dracul retorted.
The voice shut up and Dracul continued his nighttime stroll. He couldn't wait to watch this city burn.
End of Chapter
As you may have noticed, I also added in another message that would need decoding. This one is in Bulgarian. If you manage to translate this (and find the hidden fact) let me know, and I'll tell you later if you're right. Also keep in mind what Joseph said about a war in Maine, Dracul's forces are pulling off something rather dastardly, and this war will be intertwined into the story. All reviews are accepted. Thank you for your time.