Good evening,
I've written three separate stories. Two of the stories have multiple parts. For Halloween, I plan on releasing one chapter a week. I hope you enjoy this short story.
Seras and Alucard are human in this.
Oxford Not Brogues
Love During An Apocalypse
Alucard and Seras were married a little less than a year ago. Two and a half weeks before their one year anniversary, something unexpected happened: the world was overthrown by the undead. The newlyweds woke up one morning only to hear on the news that crazed people were attacking at random, taking bites out of people and tearing apart others. At first, civilians were instructed to stay in their homes. But, two days later, when all channels went dead and no news could keep people in the know, civilians went into a full panic. Streets were flooded with people and cars, those who were attempting to leave and find safety elsewhere. But this only made things so much worse. The 'crazed' people, otherwise known as ghouls and zombies, came to have their fill. Some humans were able to make it out alive, but a majority of the people who tried escaping only ended up becoming dinner. Not long would those who were bitten became what they tried running from, mindless and starving ghouls. The infection spread rapidly, leaving very little survivors and all in the matter of a few days.
Alucard had wanted them to flee the third day to get somewhere safe; somewhere they could barricade themselves. But his wife managed to persuade him to stay in their house and 'wait it out'. Alucard had taken extra precautions. That very day he had boarded up all the doors and windows using some of the floorboards from their kitchen and dining room. He also gathered anything and everything that could possibly be used as a weapon in their home. He gathered his bedside gun, some knives, legs from dining room chairs, a cricket bat, a hammer, screwdrivers, and a hatchet. Piling all the weapons on the dining room table, he instructed Seras to keep a knife on her at all times. He even did exercises with her to see if she could protect herself with a knife. The husband and wife managed to stay unnoticed and safe in their own home for nearly three weeks.
On the nineteenth day of the apocalypse, the day of their one year anniversary, Alucard and Seras fought to keep their lives. Sometime in the early morning, while they were sleeping, their home ended up surrounded by a dozen or more ghouls. The couple were woken around five in the morning by the sound of glass shattering. Alucard had raced downstairs to find ghouls reaching their decaying arms between the boards on the window. Broken glass cut deep into their arms, but these creatures didn't bleed nor did they show any signs of pain. With the amount of force these creatures were putting on those boards, Alucard knew that it was only a matter of time before they broke through and would flood into his living room.
Acting fast, he ran to get a weapon. But while doing so, he heard more glass shatter as another window was broken in another part of the house.
"Shit!" Alucard hissed in frustration as he hastily grabbed his loaded gun and the hatchet. Not wanting to waste any bullets because he didn't have a clear shot, he temporarily slid his gun in the back of his pajama trousers. Seras practically stumbled down the stairs just as Alucard used the hatchet and swung at the arms that were poking between wooden boards. He managed to take a chunk out of a ghoul's arm with two swings from his hatchet, but it wasn't enough to stop it. If anything, the ghoul became more persistent to reach him and his yummy flesh. "Hurry! Get a knife!" Alucard barked at Seras. His poor wife was frozen on the bottom step of the stairs. She was white in the face and her eyes were so large in her head. She appeared to be in shock before Alucard's words reached her. Snapping out of that trance, she ran into the dining room to grab the butcher knife.
"Damn it!" She heard her husband snarl as he viciously swung the hatchet, doing his best to keep them at bay. Seras ran to help, but before she could even stab one of the creatures, Alucard threw out an arm, keeping her back away from the window. "There are far too many! Get ready to run, Seras!"
"What?!" Seras exclaimed as she looked up at the anxious dark haired male. "But, Alucard, where can we possibly go?!"
"I don't know!" He responded harshly through gritted teeth. "We can't stay here! It's only a matter of time before they break through!"
"But we can't outrun them, Alucard! We can't run forever, and the streets are flooded with those things!" His wife reminded him. Somewhere in the house, he heard wood shattering. Damn it! They were starting to break through the boards! He had to get Seras out of here! He won't let her die! Those filthy things won't lay a single finger on her! He won't let them! He can't let her die! He'll do anything to keep her alive! The panicked husband thought as he nervously looked all around. What can he do?! How can he protect her?! "Alucard!" His wife cried out as she clung to him. He could feel her shaking, telling him how terrified she was. "Alucard, I love you so much!"
"No!" Alucard snarled when realizing she was saying goodbye to him. "We're not dying, Seras! I won't let anything happen to you!" Grabbing a hold of her wrist, he prepared himself to lead her into a run. He'll carry her to safety if he had to! His green eyes flickered around anxiously as the small horde of ghouls at his window thrashed and pounced on the breaking boards, desperate to eat. "The back!" The man exclaimed as he swiftly turned, yanked on his wife's arm, and ran to the boarded kitchen door that led to their backyard.
"Ow! Alucard, that hurts!" Seras complained as she struggled to keep up with him.
"I'm sorry!" Alucard mindlessly replied as he released her arm so he could try and tear the boards from the doorframe. He used his hatchet to break the boards.
"They're in the back too!" His wife informed him as she stood on her tiptoes to peer out the window over the sink. "We're completely trapped!"
"It's the only choice of survival! There are far too many in the front!" The dark haired male responded. Impatient by the slow progress the hatchet was making, he dropped the tool and instead used his bare hands. The wood he so desperately tried pulling off cut up the palm of his hands, but he didn't seem to notice. Given so much strength from pure adrenaline, he was able to pull off each board with a few good tugs. "Stay close to me, Seras! We're going to make a mad dash to…" Alucard trailed off as he struggled to think of a safe place they could stay for at least a day. Not being able to think of a single safe place, he clenched his fists and growled in fury. "Just follow me and stay close!" He then pulled out his gun and cocked it, getting ready to shoot at any ghouls that may try to hurt them. "Are you ready?!" The small blonde leaped off the tips of her toes to inch closer to her husband.
"Yes!" Seras answered as she raised her knife, ready to defend herself and her spouse.
"Let's go!" Alucard announced before he pulled open the backdoor. As soon as that door opened, the ghouls in the yard started hobbling their way towards them. Grabbing his wife's arm, Alucard yanked her, forcing her to follow him. "Come on!" He exclaimed. With ease the couple slipped by the few ghouls in the yard. Alucard and Seras followed the wooden fence around their house to the front yard. Instinctively, he raised his gun in case a ghoul was just around the corner that might attack them. As he neared the corner of the house, Alucard slowed down the slightest bit and pulled Seras behind him. Cautiously, he peeked around the corner to see the small horde of ghouls still pounding at the front windows of the house, unaware that the couple were escaping. "Slowly and quietly," Alucard whispered. "Let's not draw attention to ourselves."
"But, Alucard, the ones from the backyard are following us." Seras whispered as she kept an eye on the ghouls that were moving unsteadily towards them. The horrid creatures with the grey flesh and strange luminous eyes opened their foul mouths to release guttural groans. The sounds they made gave her goosebumps. What were these God awful things? The dark haired male took his eyes off of the ghouls in the front of the house to look at the ones creeping up on them. What were they supposed to do? If they ran, they could draw attention to the ones in the front and they could have a large horde chase them. Or they can continue going slowly and quietly only to be caught by the small horde from the backyard. He pushed Seras further behind him. Minding the knife, she placed her hands on his shoulder and pressed her front against his back. "What should we do?" She asked in a whisper.
"I don't know." Alucard responded "Just keep moving. If they get any closer, we'll bolt. But for now, let's try and remain unnoticed by the others." When reaching the end of the fence that separated his property from his neighbor's, her husband was so entirely focused by the two small hordes in front of them that he did not take into account if anything could be in the yard next door. He learned the hard way. From behind, a ghoul latched onto Seras and sunk his teeth into her shoulder. A blood curdling scream broke past his wife's lips. Hearing it made Alucard's stomach drop and filled his heart with dread.
"GET OFF!" Seras cried out as she threw her body forward, shoving into Alucard and nearly making him lose his balance. A chunk of flesh was ripped from her shoulder when she lunged forward to escape the starving ghoul.
"NO!" Alucard hollered before he turned to wrap his arms around his trembling spouse. He raised his gun at the ghoul that was nonchalantly chopping on a piece of Seras. Her blood coated his blue lips and dripped down his chin. Pulling the trigger, the bullet drilled through the ghoul's head, right between his eyes. It shocked Alucard when the ghoul didn't go down. Instead, it opened it's mouth, letting the chunk of flesh fall from his maw, and he released a breathy groan.
"ALUCARD!" His wife sobbed as blood poured from her wound and stained her once clean light pink shirt. Unfortunately, all the noise they were making drew attention. The ghouls in the front of their house turned to find the fresh, live humans.
"RUN!" Alucard demanded. But before she even could try to run, her husband scooped her up into his arms just as the ghoul that attacked her lunged in for another bite. The filthy ghoul grabbed Seras by her arm. The husband and wife struggled together to try and get the ghoul to release her. "GET OFF OF HER!" Aggressively, the dark haired male slammed his foot into the ghoul's kneecap, forcing the leg to snap and bend the other way. The ghoul instantly fell, but refused to let go of Seras. The small blonde pulled on her arm as she slashed at the ghoul's fingers and knuckles with her knife. But nothing was working. The ghouls from the front and back yard reached them far sooner than Alucard was expecting. From behind him, two ghouls grabbed him by his arms and one latched onto his right ankle. Before he could react, a ghoul was biting deep into his calf. The dark haired male screamed in pain while he instinctively used all of his strength to swing his leg back to kick the ghoul off of him.
"No! No!" Alucard growled. He was supposed to protect her! But because of him, because of his carelessness, she was now infected! She was going to die because he failed her as a husband! "Seras!" The husband exclaimed as he struggled harder to get his wife free from the clutches of a starving ghoul. "Seras!" He barely paid mind to the teeth that were sinking into his shoulder and arm. He needed to protect her! He won't let her die such a horrible death! Alucard did the only thing he could think of to keep her from getting eaten alive. Crushing her to his body, the man dropped to the ground and shielded her to the best of his abilities. The couple were completely surrounded by ten or more ghouls. Fingers grabbed at him, teeth gnawed on his tender flesh, those terrible groans filled his ears. He bit back every scream, refusing to show any weakness. But then his wife let out another sharp scream of pain. Shocked, Alucard glanced down to see a ghoul taking a chunk out of her arm.
"Alucard!" Seras cried out as hot tears poured down her pale face. She buried her face in his chest, wanting to bury herself in his scent and warmth one last time. "I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you so much." She muttered under her breath and continued to repeat it. Alucard slammed his fist into the face of the ghoul that was trying to eat his wife. When her arm popped free from the monster's mouth, Alucard yanked her arm back to keep it protected between their bodies.
"I'm sorry, Seras." The husband whispered. "I'm sorry that I couldn't protect you. I'm sorry." And then something happened; a miracle. With Seras' face buried in her husband's chest, she didn't witness what Alucard saw. The dark haired male's eyes widened when a tall, black figure suddenly appeared behind the horde. The creature's inky black hair whipped around in a fiery fury. His deep red eyes expressed nothing but rage and disgust. The black figure became a blur as it took down the horde of ghouls all on it's own. With ease, the black creature crushed a ghoul's head with it's bare hands. He plucked hearts from chests, crushed in skulls and brains, and tore the heads off of others until none were standing.
After slaughtering the horde of ghouls, it stopped to stand over the defenseless couple. Alucard's mouth fell open as he stared into the face of that shadowy figure that gave him such a withering glare. Even without knowing anything about this creature, Alucard knew that particular glare he was receiving was pure hatred and jealousy. Why? Was this black figure disappointed in him for failing to protect Seras? What did this creature want exactly? The black figure's gaze lowered to look at the small blonde who was pinned between the ground and her husband. The creature's look softened and, for a moment, Alucard could have sworn he saw a flicker of self loathing. Was it just possible that this mysterious creature was disappointed in himself as well for failing to protect her?
The black figure kneeled beside the couple, causing Alucard to wrap his arms tighter around his wife. Despite him trying to protect her from this thing, the husband felt grateful that the black figure had saved his wife from a gruesome death. The creature lifted a hand and started to lean in, but stopped before he could touch a single blonde hair. Deciding that wouldn't be for the best, the black figure dissipated right before Alucard's eyes. Nervously, the husband looked all around for other ghouls and the dark figure, but saw nothing.
"Come on," Alucard whispered as he tried scooping Seras back up into his arms. "Come on, we have to go." His wife was pale and already covered in a cold sweat from the chunks that had been taken out of her. Her breathing was uneven and she panted heavily.
"Alucard," She whispered as she bled profusely from her wounds. For the first time in so long, Alucard felt terrified when she went limp in his arms. However, the sound of her heavy breathing gave him hope and motivation. Ignoring the tremendous pain he was in, the husband climbed to his feet. He stumbled and nearly dropped his wife, but caught his footing.
"Come on," He whispered again to her. "I have you. It's alright. We'll get somewhere safe and I'll fix you. I'll tend to your wounds and you'll be fine. You'll be just fine, Seras. I promise. I promise to save you. I promise to protect you. You'll be alright." The husband made these promises through his murmuring. He felt dizzy and nauseous. He feared that he would pass out soon and then his wife would be all alone to defend herself. He couldn't have that. He must take her to safety first.
"Home," Seras whispered.
"What?" Alucard mumbled as he glanced down at his broken wife.
"Home," She repeated. Cracking open her eyes, she stared up at him with a look of desperation. "Please. Let's just…succumb to our injuries in the comfort of our own home." Tears welled in her eyes. "Please, Alucard. Please. We can crawl into bed and…take a nap. We'll pass away in our sleep. Let's do that."
"No," Alucard whispered and shook his head. "No. I'm not letting you die. I won't let you."
"Alucard, you and I both know what a bite from one of those things does to people. We're…going to turn into one of them, whether you like it or not." She then gave him a small tender smile before she lifted a hand to cup his cheek. He leaned into the warmth and softness. "Please, Alucard, let's go back inside." The male hesitated to give an answer. He wanted ever so badly to run from this place, but he knew that wouldn't do any good. No matter where they went, they both were still infected. His wife wanted to die in a familiar place, where she was comfortable, and pass peacefully in his arms in their warm bed. He didn't want her to die. Tears burned his eyes, but he refused to cry, especially in front of her. He had to save her. Maybe if he took care of her wounds as quickly as possible he could save her. There was a chance, right? He will be able to save her?
"Alright," He whispered and then placed a kiss in her palm. Alucard carefully carried his wife through the side yard to the back of the house. With his calf practically torn to shreds, he limped the entire way. Normally, Seras was capable of soothing him by brushing her thumb over his cheek, but it didn't work this time around. All he could think about was his failure and that his wife was dying in his very arms. The dark haired male walked through the backdoor, used his foot to close the door behind him, and then carried her to the dining room. Gingerly he set her down in one of the chairs as he knelt down in front of her to check her wounds.
"Alucard," Seras whispered as she combed her fingers through his hair. Her voice didn't reach him though as he stared intently at the bite mark on her shoulder. Her dying was not all that worried him. Seras was bitten about two or three times while he was bitten around eleven or twelve times. From what they witnessed, a singular bite from a ghoul would cause a transformation from a human to zombie in a couple of hours. More than one bite from a ghoul and the person had approximately from minutes to an hour. Looking over her bites and how deep they were, Alucard could only assume she had an hour or two and that is if he tended to her wounds immediately. But him? He was covered in far more bites. It was possible that he only had an hour…or less before he became a ghoul.
Whatever will he do then? He would be a mindless ghoul and go after the only living human in the house, his wife. In her state, she would not be able to defend herself. So, what was the plan? It was clear to him that he had to distance himself from her. Perhaps he'll lock himself somewhere upstairs. However, he didn't want to risk the possibility of his ghoul self escaping just to harm and kill Seras. Then perhaps he should just put a bullet in his head before he can hurt her. Alucard considered before he rose to his full height. He cupped the side of her face as he leaned down to kiss the top of her head.
"Stay here for a moment. I'll be right back." He breathed. His hand slipped from her cheek as he turned to leave the room.
"Alucard," Seras mumbled as she latched onto his arm. "Forget the bandages or painkillers or whatever you plan on fishing out of the bathroom. Let's just go to bed. I am so tired."
"I'll be right back and then we'll go to bed. I promise." Alucard lied through his teeth. Reluctantly, he pulled his arm free from her loose grip. Leaving the dining room, the husband rushed upstairs to the bathroom. He flicked on the light before hobbling his way across the room to drop to his knees in front of the sink. He opened the cabinet doors and started scouring through the container boxes, looking for bandages and alcohol. He struggled to focus, not being able to comprehend the items he was looking through. He was unsure if it was because he was in such a state of panic or if it was due to the sickly and lethargic feeling that possessed him after getting attacked by multiple ghouls.
"Stay focused." He muttered under his breath. His hair stuck to his sweaty face while his breath kept hitching in his throat. "Focus," His fingers, he could hardly feel them. He shook his hands before he tried clenching them into loose fists, but it was nearly impossible. "Come on," He demanded as he tried curling his fingers, but it was like they were stiff. Rigor mortis? Was it already setting in? How long did he truly have before he became a ghoul? The feeling of pins and needles spread through his legs. Wanting to prevent the transformation, Alucard attempted to spring to his feet in hope to walk this feeling off. However, when he tried jumping to his feet, his legs gave out from under him and he fell to his side on the bathroom floor. Having no energy to move, he started shivering, sweating, and convulsing. He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes tightly as he kept slipping in and out of consciousness. All he could think about was Seras. How she was sitting downstairs, bleeding to death and waiting for him. She wanted to die beside him in bed. He wanted to save her. But it looked like neither of them were going to get what they wanted.
"I would love to stand here and watch you die." A deep, dark malevolent voice reached his ears. Alucard cracked open his eyes to see a horrific black creature standing directly over him. "But, unfortunately, you're needed for my plan."
"You," Alucard managed to get out while he shivered. Such an icy coldness was spreading through his stiff limbs. He stared up at the creature that glared at him. He recognized him immediately, even though he looked different. This time the black figure was in a more distinguishable form; he had facial features. The creature, or more accurately demon, was tall but not quite as tall as him. Though, he was currently wearing high heels, which could help him fully reach Alucard's height. The demon had long black hair that brushed over his shoulders and inky black skin that was as black as the leather outfit he was wearing. The demon's red gaze was hard, full of spite and disappointment. "You…saved…her." Alucard panted and gasped those words out, doing his best to fight the infection. "Thank…you." His skin was starting to develop a grey tinge to it while his once vibrant green eyes became hazy.
"Like you, she doesn't have much time." The demon informed him as he knelt down in front of the broken man. "I know you want to save her. I know you would do anything to save her, even sell your very soul."
"Is…that…why you're…here?" Alucard asked. "For…my…soul?" The demon grimaced at him.
"I do not want your soul. That is not why I'm here." The demon scoffed. "I'm here to save her. She is the only person that truly matters to me."
"What?" The husband whispered.
"Alucard?" Seras called him from downstairs.
"Seras," Alucard groaned, but his voice was too weak to reach her ears. He attempted to push off the floor so he could climb to his feet, but he just fell right back onto his stomach.
"Alucard, where did you go?" They could hear so clearly the fear in her voice.
"That girl down there, your wife, is my mate. Unfortunately, I didn't find her until a few months ago, after she was already married to you. And what's even more unfortunate…I believe you are truly her mate. You both have such a deep bond, unlike other humans. And the both of you would do anything for each other, even sacrifice your souls." The demon's frown deepened. "We both want her safe and alive. We both want what's best for her. But she'll never trust me, especially if I just let you die. So, let's make a deal. I'll save you but in return you have to persuade Seras to drink my blood."
"Your…blood?" Alucard questioned.
"Alucard, please." Seras started to cry. "I am so scared. Don't isolate yourself from me. Please. I want to be with you in our last moments together. Please, Alucard. Please." His wife begged, breaking Alucard's heart. The demon looked greatly uncomfortable hearing her pleas. Glancing over his shoulder at the door, he frowned while sorrow and sympathy expressed so strongly in his sinister eyes.
"Seras," He whispered her name. "Amazing. There she sits covered in bite marks and bleeding to death, but…the only agony she is feeling is that you aren't there to die with her." The demon then looked back at what he considered to be a completely worthless man and lousy husband. "If it was up to me, I would let you die for letting anything happen to her. But…I don't wish to do anything that will upset my mate. So, I will give you my blood so you can survive."
"Why…your blood?" Alucard asked again.
"It's your cure. I can turn you both into vampires. You'll then be immune to all illnesses and infections as well as have an eternity together. However, I would like to be a part of her life and eventually become her mate." The demon admitted. "But I think that's only capable of working if you are alive and…work in my favor. Perhaps by helping me have her fall in love with me."
"How…can…I…trust you?" Alucard asked as he gave the demon a withering glare.
"Because if you don't trust me, you'll die and leave Seras alone with me." The demon reminded him. "If you truly don't trust me, your best option is to stay alive so you can 'protect' Seras from me." Such a sly smirk spread across the demon's face. "But, as her mate, you should know that my feelings match yours. I love her. I want to save and protect her, and I will do anything I have to in order to keep her alive. I will only mate with Seras if she is able to return my feelings and accept me as her mate." The husband stared long and hard at the daunting black figure. Finally, after a short moment, Alucard responded.
"Only if…she's willing." He whispered, earning a nod of agreement from the demon.
"You have my word, Alucard." The creature replied.
"Then…please…save her." Alucard begged. He watched silently as the creature raised his hand and used one of his sharp talons to cut deep into his wrist. The blood that poured from the open wound was thick and a very dark red, nearly looking black. No words were exchanged between the two men as the demon carefully hovered his bleeding wrist over Alucard's mouth. The weak man parted his lips to accept the blood. The dark liquid dripped down to cover his teeth and tongue.
"I'll let the infection kill you. It won't be long now. When you wake, you will help me save Seras." The demon whispered as he fed the sick human his curative blood.
Downstairs, Seras sat on the arm of the couch clutching the wound on her arm. She had attempted to 'run' after Alucard, but she lacked the energy and made it as far as the living room. The small blonde panted and breathed heavily as her vision became blurry. She continuously got hot and cold flashes; it was like her body couldn't make up its own mind. She shivered and was sweating profusely while her stomach churned. It was strange, she felt like she was going to be sick but she also felt extremely hungry. Her mouth was practically watering.
"Shit," Seras hissed as she closed her eyes to catch her bearings. Where was Alucard? Why wasn't he here with her? She was so scared and wanted nothing more but to be in his warm embrace. The girl cracked back open her eyes. Moving her hand a little, she peeked at her wound a ghoul gave to her. Such deep teeth marks were imprinted permanently in her arm and a good bit of flesh had been removed. But what really worried her was the blackness that surrounded the wound. That fucking infection. The veins near the wound showed clearly, turning a light shade of black, on her very pale flesh. It was clear to her that she didn't have long. Her muscles were starting to lock up, her limbs becoming stiff. She wanted to prevent rigor mortis by pacing, but she didn't think she had the energy.
A creak came from the staircase. Seras whipped her head around so fast that she nearly gave herself whiplash. Her heart rate accelerated when she saw Alucard walk ever so casually down those stairs. There was an unsettling grin on his extremely pale face. From where she sat, she could have sworn his eyes looked different, but she wasn't able to focus. His pajamas were torn in some areas and covered in blood, but…from what she could see, he didn't have a scratch or bite mark on him. However, Seras was relieved and elated to see him that she suddenly found her energy and strength.
"Alucard!" She exclaimed as she pushed off the arm of the couch to stand on her two wobbling legs. And then she saw someone else descend the stairs. Her glossy gaze lifted to watch a mysterious, but gorgeous looking man come down to stand beside her husband. The male was an inch or two shorter than Alucard. He had perfect black hair that was parted to frame his elegant face. His skin was a milky white kind of pale. He had deep brown eyes, the same color as melted chocolate. He also had a smile that would kill. Those pale pink lips were perfectly pulled to form a smirk. He stared at her openly while he nonchalantly held a wine glass that was filled halfway with some strange dark red liquid. She had never seen this man in her life and was deeply disturbed that he not only showed up out of nowhere, but came from upstairs. How did he get in here? While they were being attacked by the horde? What was he doing here and why wasn't her husband more concerned? "Alucard, who…is that? Where did he come from?" Seras asked. She was frozen in the middle of the living room afraid to go anywhere closer to the stranger.
"A friend," Alucard answered and his grin widened. "An extremely good friend."
"But…how…" Seras started but was interrupted.
"Seras, it's alright. I promised you that I would save you; that I would fix you. I intend to keep that promise." Her husband then lifted his arms to gesture for his wife to come to him. "It's alright, Seras. There's nothing to worry about." Trusting her husband completely and seeking comfort, the small blonde rushed over to wrap her arms around his waist. However, the second he wrapped his ice cold arms around her, she knew something was wrong. His wife gasped before she pulled back out of his arms. Her glazed eyes lifted to meet his gaze and that's when she saw it. Blood red eyes stared deep into her discolored eyes and sharp incisors poking out from beneath his upper lip. Seras' heart practically stilled in her chest as her entire body went stiff in fear. Tears welled in her eyes as she stared up at the man who looked like her husband, but was far from it.
A vampire? She recalled what she had learned from the News channel. These ghouls appeared because of vampires. How was her husband a vampire? Did it have anything to do with the mysterious man? Alucard cupped the side of her face, causing his wife to flinch from his cold skin. Such sadness swelled in his demonic eyes and he frowned while he gingerly brushed his finger just under her eye.
"Your eyes," He whispered. "It looks like all life has been drained from them."
"Eyes a corpse would possess." Sebastian added softly with a frown of sorrow. "If we wait any longer, she will turn into a ghoul."
"I don't understand." Seras interrupted. "We were bit by ghouls, Alucard. How are you a vampire?!" The tears flowed freely down her pale cheeks. Alucard's hand slipped from her cheek to gesture at the man beside him.
"A demon. He cured me by feeding me his blood. He can do the same for you, Seras. He can save you from turning." Her husband attempted to persuade her. The man beside him gave a large, welcoming smile as he raised a hand to give a friendly wave.
"I am Malphas," The mysterious man introduced himself. "But you may call me Sebastian if that makes you more comfortable. I am very pleased to finally meet you."
"A bloody demon?!" Seras raised her voice as she glared up at Alucard. "You sold your soul?! Are you mad?! We were supposed to die together! We were supposed to just go to bed and never wake up again! But…instead you decide to break the laws of nature and become a sodding vampire! And now you want me to damn my mortal soul and cheat death?!" The stressed girl ran her fingers through her hair. "I can't believe this!" Her body shook, but they knew it wasn't from fear but because of that damn infection.
"I would do anything to keep you alive, Seras. You know this." Alucard responded, but his wife just shook her head at him.
"My husband was…eccentric but…I never imagined he would do something like this." Seras corrected him, earning a strange look from both men.
"Why are you speaking in past tense?" The vampire questioned. "Why are you speaking as if I'm not your husband?"
"Because you're not!" The small blonde shouted angrily. "You look like him, but you're not him!"
"What makes you say that?" Sebastian asked out of curiosity.
"He lacks a soul! He's now a killer; a blood thirsting demon!" Seras answered. "My husband was…loving! He loved me so much!" The small blonde started to cry hard, barely able to get the words out. "Vampires…can't…love. And…he chose that life…over me. Why?"
"You are mistaken." Alucard responded as he cupped her face in his large hands. He brought his face closer to hers, but she wouldn't let him. Immediately, she pushed his arms away, forcing his hands off of her. She then distanced herself from them by taking a few steps backwards closer towards the dining room. "Seras, I still love you. That has not changed. The only reason why I chose this life was so that I can save you. I don't want you to die this way. I want you to be able to live a very long life with me. We have been given a second chance, Seras, and I think you should take it with me." Alucard spoke as he moved towards her. But his wife, scared and confused, moved further away with every step. They now found themselves in the dining room. Seras stood far from them on the other side of the table, playing with her wedding ring.
"I am still your husband. I still have every memory of us and I still deeply cherish all of those moments I shared with you. I remember how we met, our first date, our first kiss, the first time we both fell asleep on the couch while watching a movie, seeing you in your wedding dress. The day I married you is one of the happiest moments in my life. I remember what I felt that day so very well. I will never forget that feeling." Alucard then raised his left hand to show his wedding ring to her. "This is a symbol of our love and devotion to one another. It's still a symbol of my vow that I will always love and protect you. If anything, becoming a vampire has intensified those feelings I have for you. You are my wife and mate. You were my everything then. You are my everything now. And you will be my everything forever. I would do anything for you, Seras. Please, let me save you. Let us cure you of this infection so we can continue our life together. It could be a long and happy one."
Sebastian placed the glass of blood down on the table in front of them. Seras used her palm to wipe her tears away as she stared intently at her husband.
"Is it really still you in there, Alucard?" His wife whispered. A ringing in her ears appeared.
"Yes, Seras." Alucard breathed as he took a cautious step towards her. Thankfully, Seras didn't step away this time. He gifted her with a familiar warm smile. She was incapable of not smiling back. "I still love you and want to be with you. Do you still love me?"
"I will always love you, Alucard." Seras promised him. "That hasn't changed, not even after…what you chose…what you've become." Her gaze then slowly lowered to look at the glass of blood. Suddenly, that ringing in her ears suddenly became sharp and painful. Instinctively, the girl cupped her ears and she bent over.
"It will cure you." Sebastian spoke as he gestured at it. Her skin was becoming that awful grey, telling them that she didn't have long. "Please, drink, Seras. It will clean you of the infection and heal all of your wounds."
"But…I'll become a vampire?" The girl asked as she glanced up at the demon. That ringing continued so sharply, but being the tough girl she was, she tried not letting it bother her.
"That's the only way to save you from becoming a ghoul." The demon confirmed with a nod.
"And my soul?" Seras asked, causing the demon to frown in disappointment.
"It will be damned, but that is the price to be indestructible and live forever. I'm sorry." Sebastian answered.
"But…why are you…offering this to us? Why are you helping us?" Seras questioned him. "Shouldn't demon's be…deceptive and evil? I mean, you are damning our souls…but…you just…apologized to me for that. What are you really gaining from this, Malphas?" The demon appeared to have lost all courage to look at her. Instead he stared down at his shoes while he frowned. The small blonde started shaking so badly. Losing what very little strength she had, Seras stumbled backwards but was able to prop herself up against a wall.
"Seras, you won't last much longer. You will turn soon. Will you please drink from the glass?" Alucard asked as he carefully slid the glass across the table closer towards her.
"But what if it changes me? What if it causes you to fall out of love with me because I change so much? And what about blood? I can't kill someone just to satisfy my own needs!" Seras panicked.
"I can supply you with blood bags." Sebastian immediately offered as he looked back at her with a glint of hope in his eyes. He even gave a soft smile to help ease her mind. "It'll be donated from a completely willing source. You won't have to kill if you don't want to."
"Why are you helping us?" Seras repeated as her gaze flickered back to him. "I don't understand what you are getting in return." The demon's smile faltered once more.
"You're…" Sebastian struggled to find the right words. He didn't want to offend her in any way or give her a reason to be afraid of him. But he also didn't want to lie to his mate. "You're…sweet." Was the best he could come up with. It was the truth. He was fond of how kind and sweet she was. It was one of the many things that drew him to her. "I would like to help you and keep you alive."
"You're doing all of this just because I'm sweet?" Seras asked in disbelief.
"He's smitten with you, Seras." Alucard chuckled. His wife instantly went stiff as a very faint blush appeared on her pale, grey cheeks. "He has developed a crush on you and wants to help."
"And you're okay with this?!" Seras exclaimed as she looked back at her husband, looking bewildered.
"I want to save you. He is my only solution." Her husband replied with a shrug. "He has agreed not to make any advances unless you reciprocate his feelings and are completely willing." Alucard admitted to her. They could see the absolute fury bubbling in her eyes. As she opened her mouth to start to yell, her husband raised a hand to cut her off. "No, I didn't just 'give' you away for a cure. He is willing to help you just out of the small kindness he has in his heart. What you decide to do afterwards is strictly your choice. If you eventually return his feelings, then very well. Supposedly, like me, he's your mate." Seras closed her mouth and blinked at both men in confusion.
"It's a phenomenal bond between two beings. It binds two people together forever." Sebastian further explained. He then gestured at Alucard. "He's your mate. Considering you both had a very strong bond as humans and even married, it will be inevitable for you both to mate soon."
"And…I'm supposed to be…your mate?" Seras asked.
"Yes," Sebastian answered with a nod.
"How do you know?" The girl asked.
"A feeling," The demon whispered as his eyes flickered up and down her body. "Now that your…husband is a vampire, he understands what feeling I'm talking about."
"I do," Alucard purred with a large grin. "It draws me to her."
"You won't be able to feel it until you become a vampire." Sebastian added as he locked eyes with her. "But again, I don't intend on making any advancements in any way until you make it abundantly clear that you want me to. I am forever yours and yours to do with as you please, even if you never return my feelings, Seras."
"Why?" She asked in a whisper.
"Because…I love you and would do anything for you." The demon answered with a bow of his head. Seras' eyes widened when hearing those familiar words. How many times has she heard Alucard say those very words to her? Hundreds? Maybe thousands? Was it purely coincidental that the demon, her supposed mate, was saying it because he truly felt that way? Or was he being manipulative and repeating the words Alucard had always said because the demon had been…stalking or watching them? Trying to piece it together was making her head spin. No, wait, it was the room. The room was spinning. And the ground was suddenly zooming up to meet her.
"Seras!" She heard her husband exclaim before hearing his footfalls. It took a second for her to realize that she was all of a sudden on the floor. How did she end up here? She tried sliding her arms up to support her so she could sit up, but she had absolutely no strength and her arms were so stiff. "Seras," Alucard whispered as he scooped an arm under her and placed a hand on her back. He gingerly rolled her over so she could rest comfortably on top of his lap. Cracking open her eyes, she saw that Alucard was holding the glass of blood directly in front of her.
"Seras," The demon spoke her name as he knelt down beside her. "I hate to put you in this situation, but one way or another Alucard and I will save you. We would both prefer it if you were willing. Make a decision quickly, Seras. I'm afraid you don't have much time."
"Please, Seras." Alucard begged softly. He mindlessly played with her hand, specifically her ring finger where she proudly wore her wedding ring. "If anything should happen and we have to make the choice for you, please don't hate me."
"I never could. I love you too much." Seras assured him. "It's okay. I've already made my decision."
"That being?" Sebastian asked.
"I'll do it for Alucard." She whispered. He did this all for her. Sacrificed and damned his soul just to find her a cure. All he asked in return was for his wife to join him.
"Drink as much as you can." The demon instructed her as Alucard brought the glass to her lips. "Potentially, you only need a sip to be cured. But I would rather be safe than sorry. Yes?" Carefully, her husband tipped the glass, allowing the blood to flow into her mouth. Seras' eyes instantly snapped shut and grimaced from the taste of strong iron on her tongue.
"I know," Alucard snickered as he held her hand to comfort her. "It's not entirely pleasant, but I'm sure we'll get used to it."
"Very good," Sebastian whispered words of encouragement. "Nearly finished," Alucard poured what was left into her mouth. Swallowing the revolting substance, Seras squirmed in his lap.
"Bleh!" She exclaimed and stuck out her red stained tongue. "I probably should have asked this before drinking that but is it really going to cure me? I won't turn into a ghoul?"
"That's correct, my dear." Alucard purred as he set the empty wine glass off to the side. "Come on," He whispered and then scooped her up into his arms.
"What are you doing?" Sebastian asked as he rose with Alucard.
"Seras wanted me to crawl into bed beside her and pass peacefully in our sleep." The husband responded. "I can still grant her that wish." Alucard then smiled at his wife. "When you wake, we can start our new life together." Seras gave him a warm, but weak smile.
"I can't wait." She whispered.
"I'll give you both some time alone." Sebastian muttered as he watched the man carry his wife through the house and towards the stairs.
"Wait, Alucard." Seras muttered. The husband paused in the middle of the staircase. Her faint blue, dead looking eyes flickered over the banister to look at the demon. "Sebastian,"
"Yes?" The demon whispered. He looked somewhat stunned that the small blonde was not only making eye contact with him, but was speaking directly to him.
"Thank you," She responded. "I'm still a little confused and bothered by what you want in return." Before she could continue, the demon interrupted.
"I expect nothing in return, Seras." Sebastian told her truthfully. "I did this for you."
"Thank you," She repeated with a polite nod. "And thank you for saving my husband. I am eternally grateful." She then gave him a small smile. Warmth emanated from the demon's eyes as he gave her a tender smile in return.
"You're welcome," Sebastian whispered and bowed his head to her. The couple then continued their way up the stairs and to the master bedroom. Believing he was off to a good start with Seras, the demon's smile widened. Perhaps one day, in the far future, she will be able to return his feelings. But, in the meantime, he'll wait patiently and be there for her.
The End
I hope you enjoyed the first story. I'll release the first part of the second story next Friday.
Oxford Not Brogues.
