Town Chapter Four Vampire Versus Part One

 Night Attack

Melinda and Matilda stood at the entrance of the school. Melinda felt strange looking at the building. Yet, despite all that she had been through, she could not believe that she had not been here in a whole two months! She felt like she was coming back on the first day of school. Yet despite this, she had done all that she could to catch up, but yet she was not quite certain that that would have been enough or if it was all worth it.

The moment that the two stepped in, the other children looked at the two. Some looked at them afraid,  others angry or confused. Some hid tightly together almost like some of them were about to cry. She could hear that they were whispering amongst themselves, cupping their hands so that the duo could not see what they were saying nor lip read what she said either. Which they did not need to do. She did not bat an eyelid at this, after all she was used to this.

Yet the moment that she looked at Matilda, she could see her look of absolute guilt on her face. She could see that she was about to cry in utter remorse.

“Come on.” She said as she grabbed her hand and led her to the classroom.

“Are you alright? What they were saying… They were…”

“Just drop it, I used to be at the but of all that in America.” She sang dismissively.

She kept quiet, yet she was still hurt by what they said.

“Were you lonely there?” She asked, alarmed.

“At first, but I got used to it.”

They then heard thrashers whispering all around them. She, out of curiosity wanted to know what they were saying and why they were looking at the two so intently. In fact they had been looking at the two all day, some more closer than the others.

“I don’t get it! They’re not related, well not by blood, but that still doesn’t account for why the two look so much alike. I mean apart from the different shades of blond, they’d be almost identical!” One asked under her breath.

“Yes, I know it’s strange. After all, all one needs to do is wear red contatlenzes and a white wig and they’d be identical!” Another said.

“Yeah and wasn’t Matilda those creepy twins?”

“Yeah… Hope she’s not going to be a problem.”

“Me too.”

Malinda rolled her eyes, yet stopped when she spotted Vytautas looking at her out of the window. She saw his twisted smile and those predatorial eyes looking directly at her. A flash of him flicked up in her mind like a switch. She touched the wounds he gave her as her whole body tingled with fear and dread. She looked away, feeling slightly uncomfortable as she could feel her heart racing. 

She then looked back to see if he was still there, hoping that her mind was playing tricks, but he was not. She let out a sigh. She tried to brush the moment out of her mind, justifying it as she was seeing things. Yet her heartbeat told her otherwise.

She, during the day, forced herself to focus on her work and at least try to act normal. She spent all her time with Matilda and would spend their break in the library. Where they were not subject to unwanted attention as they went over their homework that their teachers had assigned to them. They soon had done everything that they had been assigned to do by the end of the day. Which would mean that the only thing that they would have to do during the following day is focus on avoiding unwanted attention.

As they reached the end of the day, she noticed just how dark the sky was getting. Matilda shivered as they greeted the cold air. She then turned to Malinda.

“Aren’t you cold?”

She frowned. Suddenly she felt shock run throughout her as she realised that with the temperature that it was she should be shivering but yet she wasn’t. In fact she did not feel cold at all nor did her body show any sign of being cold at all!

“No. In fact, ever since I…left the hospital I’ve never felt cold. Not once!” She admitted as she took off her coat and gave it to her. “Here. This’ll help.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you!”

She smiled.

They then stayed to walk out of the gate, she noticed that even though it was four it was very dark. Together they walked on. Yet as they walked she felt the creeping feeling that they were being watched. So she looked back and caught the sight of someone following them.

“What is it?”

“N-nothing.” She lied so as to not scare her. “I think we should get home as soon as possible.”

She then looked up and noticed that the street lights were already turning on.

“Yeah, especially after learning about that brother of Dantés’.” 

She nodded.

I wonder why he has targeted me? Is it because of the deal that I made with Danté? No, I don’t think that is the case. But if not then what is? 

Matilda looked at her concerned as they walked on, noticing that the sky was getting darker.

“Do you think that he’ll be after you?”

“No, I don’t think he will. I know he will.”

She nodded.

“Tell me, is that who you think is following us?”

Her eyes looked at her and widened.

“You mean that you knew?”

“Yes. I didn’t want you to worry. Especially after what you’ve been through.”

“Yeah…” She looked down at the pavement, guiltily.

But I don’t think that it’ll stop. No, I can’t help but feel like I’m still at the start. The start of what I’m scared to think. I just hope that I don’t die here before then.

“But at last I’ll have you this time.” She said as she smiled. 

After all, she knew that she would help her just as much as if the tables were turned. It was strange to have anyone there to help her, age had been so used to the lonely walks back from school with the embarrassment of having the toilet water all over her hair and her face coated with terribly put on makeup whenever the girls were in an especially cruel mood. At least this time it would be different, at last she would have not only a friend by her side, but a good friend by her side.

She then saw Vytautas being closer and closer to the pair. She knew that they would have to speed up and stick together in order to get home as soon as possible. She saw that more street lights were starting to go on as the sky became darker as the sun was very much down. The sky was now a dark shade of blue. She looked at her watch and was surprised that they had been walking for only half an hour!

Then they came to the road. She could feel her heartbeat in her ears as they saw the cars coming past them as people were coming home from work. She looked back to see that Vytautas was close now, she looked back to the road as she knew that they would have to cross as soon as the opportunity presented itself. After all she knew that the moment that he caught up to them then it would be already too late.

Her head turned back only to see Matilda walking on without her. She soon had crossed the road. She soon looked back as did she soon became pale as a great number of cars went by. They were zooming like a wall. She saw by that look that he was already behind her. She felt a hand on her shoulder to prove her fears right.

“Watch this little one.” He whispered in her ear.

Suddenly her heart hammered against her ribcage?

He looked at Matilda right in her eye. Her eyes became dull like the eyes of a sleepwalker. She then turned around the other way and walked away. She felt her heat sink as she took step after step further and further away from her.

No! Don’t leave me alone here! Don’t leave me alone with him.

She was now alone with him.

“I am certain that you are aware that I am a master hypnotist.” He said.

Now she knew as she felt herself shake that she was alone. After all, he could hypnotise people from that far away then… 

She noticed that the cars that were going to and fro from work or wherever they were coming from or going were doing nothing to help her. Then it occurred to her that this timing was far too precise for this to be anything but planned.

He then let out a laugh.

“I see that you have figured out what most do not.” He said as his finger rose higher to the side of her neck. “Ahh! That heartbeat of yours, it beats faster than a drum in a heavy metal song, and yet it is so young and stronger than most. Yet it is matched by only one thing…”

He sniffed loudly.

No, no, no, no! Get away, get away, get away!

“That scent… It smells so tempting…”

As he came closer to her she tried to move and her brain was screaming for her to move and run as fast as she could from him, but to her horror she could not move a muscle! She was paralysed! Yet in sheer desperation she tried to move again and again and again but nothing worked. She could feel herself shaking like a leaf as her heart raced like a cheetah.

Come on! Come on move! Please move it! Yet she still could not move a single inch.

“Come now, you ought to know by now. It is useless to resist me. So just relax and let me have a taste.” He said in her ear.

She tried not to cry as she felt his fans in her neck, yet they sank deeper than Dantés’ and as soon as he tasted her blood he almost ripped them out.

“Is that what Danté gets? Oh this is far too good for him!” He said as he let her go. 

She pressed the wound so that she did not lose that much blood. She looked up and saw that the cars were gone and she took this moment to flee as fast as she could. She did not dare look back as she felt the tears rising. She did not stop, not even to look left and right on the roads as she charged past them. She then did not stop even when she saw her home. No she sped up and reached the for and opened and closed it. There at the door she broke down crying.

“Mel’ are you alright? I don’t know what happened I blacked out and next thing I know I’m here-”

She shook her head. 

“Mel’!” She exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around her as Danté came in. He looked at her alarmed and pained. He looked at the wound with nothing but guilt.

“Did-did Vytautas do that?”

She nodded.

He looked away with a sting of grief in his eyes.

“I think that as long as he is here I should pick you two up from school.”

She nodded.

“But first we need to sort that out.”

Energy Drain

After a long dinner, Melinda walked back to her room. Knowing perfectly well that she needed a plan. She just could not deal with vampires but she knew that she needed to. Yet she could not help but feel fear creeping into her mind like a spider creeping on their web. Matilda and Danté met up with her there, Jaden followed her too. It was all too clear by the look on her face that Jaden was going to have to have answers and she will not leave until she had them.

“Tell me Danté, why does that brother of yours have such interest in my sister?” She snapped.

He looked at her, for a moment his eyes narrowed. Yet he let out a sigh.

“I don’t know!”

She looked at him with a stern look on her face. Melinda could tell that his demeanour had changed.

“Yes, you do!”

They looked at her puzzled which made her let out a huff.

“Do you honestly think that I’m stupid? I know that you have targeted Mel as your food source!” She snapped. “You can tell by how pale she is!”

Melinda looked aside in shame.

“But I am willing to turn a blind eye to that. After all, I can’t do anything to stop you. However all I care for is her safety, and Matilda too. So tell me, is that the reason why?” She snapped her eyes, starting to jade again.

Danté nodded.

“Maybe, but I would not put my money on that. No, though he does like to isolate me and sabotage any and all relationships, be that platonic or romantic.” 

At this he glanced at Jaden but diverted it. 

“So that might be it. In fact, I think that he might have been behind Farmour Derek killing himself. After all, he was the closest thing that I had to a normal brother.”

She nodded. Her eyes wide with astonishment.

“So when you said that his death had nothing to do with you, you were being honest?”

“Yes.”

She looked aside confused for a moment and yet she shook her head.

“And is that what he’s planning to do with Mel?”

His eyes tensed up slightly.

“No. I don’t. In fact I think that she has piqued his interest so I think that he’s planning something special for her.”

She frowned and shook her head.

“What? Why?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you think that he would-” She cut off as she looked petrified.

He shook his head.

“No. That’s not his style. In fact he prefers to make people beg for it. Which is usually after a long time of torment that lasts for years. It’s his way to ensure that the person has a great amount of endurance before he turns them.”

“Do you think that is his plan? To make me one of you?”

“Possibly. But I can’t really say.”

“Then why-”

“Because he’s a matter hypnotist, in fact he used to do it to me as a child. He may have been my little brother but he grew cruel as his gifts grew faster than mine.”

“Then I would like for you to stand guard tonight.”

“No.”

“Mel!”

She huffed.

“Look, I will admit it, I am scared but I think that what he was trying to tell me this evening is that he, not only is he coming for me, but none can stop him. Not even you! So what’s the point?”

“More than you think Mel. Plus, I’ve lost my parents and I am not about to lose you too, not after just getting to know you!” She cried.

“Jaden Narcissa, Melinda’s right. But I will stand guard tonight.”

She looked at him with wide eyes.

“Alright, you just keep her safe but after your brother’s dead you are not to feed on her.”

“No.”

She looked at her annoyed.

“Again Mel?”

“Yes, we made a deal, now I know that if you want me to be as safe as I can be in this town, then this is the best way.”

“Mel!” She said warningly.

“Look, if it will ease your mind, how about this; another deal. Danté, my blood is yours as long as you keep me, my sister and my niece safe. Does this sound like a good deal?” She asked, outstretching her hand.

“Mel, no.”

“Jaden, there are more dangerous out there other than Vytautas.” She said sternly. “And you above all know it.”

This took her back. She nodded slightly subdued.

“Alright.”

With that they shook.

Later that night Melinda was soundly asleep, Danté sat on her windowsill. In her dream found herself walking down a long dark Gothic corridor. She was walking slowly. She did not know why she was there or where she was going. She turned to a dark brown door and opened. Now, she knew where she was going. She did not know how, but she did. She walked inside the room with a man with silver hair, sat at a desk, writing and by the sound of the scratching he was using a feathered quill.

She heard the for close behind her as she walked close to the man. To her horror it was Vytautas! She turned to run away but he caught her by the wrist. She tried to wake up but she could not. She tried to pull herself free, but she could not. She pulled and pulled. She could not even make his hand move an inch!

“Help! Help!” She shouted, hoping that she would be able to reach Danté.

He then chucked. Seeing that that was not working she turned and started punching him again and again but that too was not working. He then smirked and he let go of her. She woke up safely in her bed covered in an ice cold sweat. She felt colder than she had in a long time, yet she knew that the swear had nothing to do with it. She tried to get up but she felt weak and tied. She felt nauseous too. She closed her eyes again.

She woke up the next day, feeling better but she was exhausted throughout the day. Danté took the girls to school and she felt herself getting weaker and weaker as the day wore on but she pushed on. They then were picked up by Danté and they were home safely. She gave him a drink of her blood. Then at the table they ate together. It was strange having Danté there at the table. 

She was soon back in her bed. She closed her overly exhausted eyes. She was back in the corridor. She walked down it again. Yet as she knew what was going on she felt her heart drum in her ear. She did not want to go where she knew she was going. She felt all the hairs on her body stand on end as she came to the door. She opened it and she could not stop herself as she walked in. He turned to her. He then pulled up to her. He then reached out his hand. She reached out and took it. She then stayed where she was. She was nothing but a servant to his will and she could do nothing to stop it. After a while he let her go. She then stepped back, wondering why she was not waking up yet.

Knowing that he was not done she turned and rushed to the door. She turned the doorknob. She twisted it but to her shock it would not budge. She tried to push the door open, hoping that she could break it open but she could not. She then kicked the door and the door opened with a crash. She then ran out of the door. She ran and ran. She dared not stop for one second. She looked back as Vytautas walked out into the corridor. She turned a corner to see that he was right in front of her! She turned back only to see that he was there too! The next moment he was next to her.

She saw a window next to her and she dived out of it and landed in some water. She swam as far away as she could. She then felt herself being raised up and out of the water as the claws of a giant white golden crowned flying fox! She reached out and gripped it as she looked down seeing that she was far too high up than what was comfortable!

She was slammed against the roof. She soon saw that the giant white golden crowned flying fox landed and turned into Vytautas as he landed! She tried to get up but she could not! He walked up to her slowly and gripped her hand when he reached her. He pulled her up as he did.

“Stop it! Just stop it!”

He smiled and held it for a long time. He then let go and she woke, feeling so exhausted that she could not move. She closed her eyes again and was woken up no less than three hours later. She got out of the bed almost like the world was in slow motion. She managed to get to the kitchen but just as she reached the bowl, she fainted.

“Melinda!” Jaden shouted as her head reached the floor.

The Offering

Later that day Melinda woke up. She still felt tired despite having slept for over an hour. She saw Danté looking at her sternly. She rubbed her head as she looked at him knowing that he had noticed that something was wrong.

“Why did you not tell me that you have been dreaming of Vytautas?” He asked like someone angry but, for her sake, is trying to be as calm as he could.

She looked down feeling both frustrated and confused.

“I-I didn’t know that it meant anything.”

“Melinda, you have the Magician’s powers. You should be seeing through other people’s eyes when you dream. You should have had an inclination that something was wrong.”

She looked down, realising that he was right. As she felt both anger and guilt filled her.

Yet he relaxed as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Though, I’m at fault too. I should have told you about dream walking.” He admitted, trying to look apologetic.

She looked at him with a frown.

“‘Dream walking’?”

“It’s a vampire ability, though it takes centuries to master. Which is why I did not think to tell you after all, neither Vytautas nor me are that age yet!”

“And how old are you?”

He narrowed his eyes.

“Well I was born in the year of our Lord eighteen fifty July the first, and as it is November two thousand and five so one hundred and fifty five. Vytautas is only four years younger than me so he was born in the year of our Lord eighteen fifty four April the fourth so he is one hundred and fifty one.” He explained.

Her eyes widened.

“Wow!”

“What? You didn’t expect me to be five hundred did you?”

“Yeah.” She admitted jokingly.

“Are you surprised?”

“Yeah.”

He smirked, pretending to show off.

“And now you know why I’m surprised that he’s mastered dream walking so young. After all, it usually takes over two hundred years at least to do what he has done!”

She looked down and nodded.

“And, as we’re both children of Dracula, we are both, what are known as Alucards.”

She nodded, trying to keep herself from giving into any fear. She focused upon keeping her breath slow and steady.

“Right. So how do we stop it?”

He pulled out a silver cross.

“Wear this when you sleep. It will also stop you from using the Magician’s power.”

She let out a sigh.

“Thank you.”

She put it on and looked down to try to distance herself from the situation.

“How long will this go on?” She asked.

I hope that this doesn’t go on too long. After all, I don’t know how long I will be able to hang in here.

“I don’t know. Get your rest and I’ll walk you two to school tomorrow and back.”

She nodded.

The next day, she woke up and for the first time, she felt well rested and refreshed. She got up and she ate her breakfast. For some reason it tasted better than she had remembered. Though it was slightly embarrassing having Danté walking them to school, yet it earnt them a few stares, but most of them were out of slight fear. Yet she was able to endure it, for Matilda’s sake mainly.

She told her teacher that she was not feeling well the day before to explain her absence. As she knew that the truth would never be believed. She found herself enjoying her day and normal life. It was nice and calm. Here, at school she could pretend that this was a normal town and she was leading a normal life. She could forget it all.

She met up with Danté and waited for Matilda. When she showed up, they walked home. That was when Danté went pale. He sniffed as they came to the door. He looked around as he sniffed and sniffed. His eyes were scanning everything with a razor sharp focus.

“What?”

“Vytautas is here.” He whispered.

The girls looked at him shocked. They pressed their backs against the wall as they let Danté go in first.

“Tell us when it’s clear.” Said Malinda.

He nodded as he walked in slowly. They waited until he gave them the all clear, but then they heard something break as they saw something land in front of the house in the corner of their eye. They looked to where they spotted it. Melinda’s heart sank. Suddenly she felt like she needed to go to the loo.

Her eyes rested on Vytautas holding Jaden tightly in his arms. Her eyes were like that of a sleepwalker. It was all to clear what he had done to her. His eyes rested on her and looked back to Jaden. He then smirked as he turned her around to face him. He touched her jaw gently and with the other hand he placed his hand on the side of her neck with the middle tapping the neck. She ran over to him afraid that he was going to turn her into a vampire. He gave her a deep and long kiss. When she reached them, he whipped out his hand and gripped her neck, his lips never breaking from Jaden's once. With the other arm he pulled her in closer.

“Jaden! Jaden!” She shouted. “Wake up!”

She then punched her out of frustration. This broke their lips and she looked at her as if she had just woken up.

“Mel? Where’s-”

“Ahh! He should be sound asleep right now. Thanks to you.”

She looked at him confused but she kept her eyes away from his eyes. She tried to push her out of his arm but he was just too strong.

He let out a laugh as he pulled her in close to her.

“Oh? Did you not know? I came here this morning. You have been serving me all day. Obeying my every command. Although,I have to admit, it was nice having you call me master and having you spill your darkest secrets. Making you cry when I want you to, making you beg for me not to take your precious little sister away!” 

He laughed as he pressed himself closer to hers as he placed his mouth next to her ear.

“I can see why he likes you.”

Her face went pale.

He let out a laugh.

“What do you mean by that? And let go of my sister right now!” She shouted as she punched him in the face. He was unfazed by this and gripped her by the wrist he pulled her in.

“No. I’m afraid I just can not do that. See, her blood tastes too good. No.”

“And what? Are you going to kidnap her against her will? Over my dead body!”

He bellowed out a laugh.

“Be careful what you say my dear. Oh, and she is not going to be coming with me against her will!” He purred as he shrugged.

“And why is that?”

“I believe the large knife in your back pocket will answer your question.”

She put her hand in her back pocket and pulled out a long serrated knife. She looked at it with shock, she looked at him but diverted her eyes from his. She then looked back.

“Matilda!” She shouted as she spotted that she too had been hypnotised!

“Now, my dear, look deep into my eyes.”

Her eyes filled with anger. She quickly closed her eyes.

“No.”

That was when he squeezed her neck. She gripped his wrist and tried to hit him again and again but she could not make him budge. She could feel his hand start to squeeze tighter and tighter. He made sure that her choking was as loud as he could make her. She could feel her head start to pound.

“Look at me!”

She looked at her with her emotional pain in her eyes.

“Do you want to lose her?”

“Won’t I do that anyway?”

“But do you want to lose her permanently?”

“No, don’t!” Cooked Malinda.

He squeezed tighter. She looked at her in horror. Then her eyes slid to him. She looked at him right in the eyes. He then let then go. She coughed again and again, but he did not give her a break.

“Good. That is better. Now put that blade to your throat.”

“No! Stop it!” She croaked as her sister put the blade to her throat. He let her go as he turned to Melinda. She raised her fist to hit her to wake her up but she soon realised that she could kill her if she did that and placed her hand down.

“I see you understand what you would do, if you wake her up. However, if you do not agree to come with me, lowering your hand would be for nothing. If you understand, take that cross off and come close to me.”

She looked at her sister and took the cross off. She put it in her sister’s pocket. She felt herself shaking as she walked slowly towards him. She was shaking, so much so, that her legs got weaker and weaker under her. Her mind going over all the nasty things that he would or could put her through. The thought of Farmor Derek dreading ending up becoming like him. By the time she was in front of him her legs were shaking so much that if he did not put his arms around her she would have fallen.

“Tilt your head.” He whispered into her ear. 

She had to bite her lip as she did. She tried not to cry and stop shaking. She tried to pretend to be strong, but then the fangs dug deep into her neck. First came the great amount of shaking, then came the blinding tears. Soon her legs were shaking, so much so, that they could no longer support her. She was filled with a blinding pain, but she tried not to let out the scream or any sound of pain. But soon she could no longer take it and let out her screams. He then pulled away smiling as he looked at her satisfied.

“Good, good girl!”

He rose up gripping her with a strong grip. She looked at her home becoming lower and lower with pain. She again seemed to be in the place of wondering if she was ever going to see it again. She was, again in the clutches of a monster intent on doing her harm. But unlike the other times, this one was far more powerful and not human. She let out a tear as her home became further and further away.

Foods Source

Melinda was taken to a large mansion. It was made of black timber and white walls and had silver door knobs and windows. Yet it had the levels increasing in size as it ascended. In the centre were a set of double doors painted black. All the windows were boarded over like it was abandoned. Yet the only thing that held any sign of it being occupied was how clean the place was.

She was then dropped onto the ground. She landed painfully as she hit her head. This caused her to roll but she was dragged up before she could recover. He pulled her in close. He put an arm around her and gripped her shoulder tightly. He then leaned in to her closely, his eyes caught sight of the blood coming from a scrape on the right side of her forehead. He quickly licked it before he could stop himself. Then pulled back.

“Tell me, my dear Melinda. Do you know why I kissed your sister?”

“No.” She lied.

“Ah, ahh! Now, now, do not lie!” He coxed, playing with her hair near the scape.

She looked away and looked down, her lip trembled a little.

“I don’t know what you mean by that.”

He frowned as the grip on her shoulder was increased slightly. She tried not to show how much it hurt as she knew why he was doing this too. He was going to get that answer out of her even of he was going to have to torture her to get it out. She felt her throat was dry causing her to gulp. She did not want to say the words but she knew that she did not want to feel more pain either.

“It-it was to prove that you could do anything that you wanted to her.” She said, her throat so dry that her voice no longer felt like her own.

“Aaannnd?”

Don’t say it! Don’t say it! 

“There’s nothing I can do to stop you.”

He then turned her chin to him and leaned in close to her. He smiled triumphantly at her. He then drew his head next to her ear. She could feel his ice cold breath brush against her ear. She felt her heartbeat increase as she became frightened that he would feed on her right here and now.

“Now, my little pet, if you try to escape or deny me even once, I will do more than just kiss her. And I will make you watch until she begs for her death. If you understand, hold my hand.”

She nodded as she felt those tears rerun. She, with a shaking hand, took his hand. She could feel her hand holding his tightly. He smiled as he held her’s, tightly, and patted it. 

“It’s alright. You should save all that for later.” He said. “Tell me, what do you think of your new home?”

She looked at it.

“It-it looks beautiful.”

“Good now let me show you to your room.”

They walked in. She groped his hand as she felt the fear become greater as she walked in further. She could hardly make out the features of the place. They walked in further and they came to a small plain unpainted wooden door. He took out the key and unlocked the door. They entered a dark narrow corridor with a staircase. This she could barely see. She was forced to rely on Vytautas to guide her down the staircase. She then almost fell and gripped his arm with her other hand to stop her. At this, he laughed.

“I forgot that humans can not see in the dark!” He laughed. “My mistake!”

She felt her anger grow within her.

“No you didn’t!” She spat, before she could stop herself.

He then let go and he pushed her. She let out a scream as she felt herself fall incapable of stopping herself. She then felt his hand grip the back of her neck. She could not stop herself from screaming as her eyes were greeted by the abyss.

“Don’t let go! Don’t let go!” She screamed.

“Depends, will you be making a comment like that again?”

“No! No!”

“Good.” He said as he pulled her in and gripped her as she shook in his arms. He stroked her hair. “Sh, shh. Now, now. Calm down, calm down.”

He let her get herself under control before they then went on. She gripped him the whole time all the way to the bottom. He then pulled her up and he flicked her legs up and gripped them. He then broke out into a run. This was so smoother that it made it impossible for her to determine his movements. He did not put her down until he had stopped.

She heard a creak of a door. Then a flick of a switch and soon she squinted as the light came on. She soon saw a well cleaned room with red and black wallpaper with a rose floral pattern. She was a double bed with maroon and crimson velvet covers with a frilly edge and pillows to match. She then saw a white painted Victorian desk with a series of mirrors rising at the back with a few drawers underneath. She then saw the chair in front of it which matched the desk. She then saw the other chair behind it that was beside the bed. It was made of steel with brown leather cuffs with a buckle attached to it. This caused her body to tingle with fear as she knew what that was for. 

“Come in!” He sang, like he was talking to a small puppy.

She found herself almost frozen in place as she thought about all the pain that she had been put through in this room. Then her eyes locked onto the chair, she knew that she would be put through even more pain. She could feel her breathing becoming rapidly as she saw the flashes of what she had been through flicked through her mind. Then what he was going to do to her in that chair. She almost felt it as she thought about it.

“Melinda!” He said, warningly.

She remembered his threat and forced herself into the room. Trying not to let herself give into her claustrophobia as she tried to get herself back under control of herself. She felt faint as he closed the door behind her.

“Care to tell me what that was all about?” He snapped.

She opened her mouth but the words could not come out. Her jaw and lips went up and down as she tried to get the words out. She could feel her throat becoming dry as all she could do was breathe in and out fast and deep. 

Come on! Get those words out! You just get those damn words out! He’ll hurt Jaden if you don’t!

She felt like she was being choked by an invisible hand.

“S-sorry. I-I just…”

Get those words out! Please! Just get those words out! Why can’t I get those words out?

He huffed.

“Alright, get in the chair.”

She looked at him suddenly feeling shocked and in disbelief.

“W-what?”

“Get in the chair.” He snapped.

“I am confident you know which one.” He said with a softer voice.

She looked at the chair and shook as she slowly walked to it. It almost felt longer than it was and once she had arrived at the chair she almost collapsed into it.

He smirked.

“Good, good girl!” He said as he walked to her. 

He strapped her in tightly. 

“I can see that you are by far smarter than the others.”

She closed her mouth as she dared not open it. She knew that she would beg for him to stop. She knew that it would be useless for her to do that. No, it would only amuse him. Then he sank his teeth into her neck. She closed her eyes to stop him from seeing just how terrified she was. She bit her lip to prevent herself from crying again. She even clenched her fists until her nails dug into the palms of her hands. She then started to feel faint. She felt weaker and weaker. Soon she felt dizzy when he pulled away.

“I am done!”

She opened her heavy eyelids. She was far too weak to even look up at him. She could do nothing but feel her eyes betray her exposing just how upset she truly was. Showing just how weak she truly was and how helpless she was.

“Well done!” He said crouching in front of her. “You have shown great endurance. Maybe you will last longer than the others. Maybe if you impress me, I could make you into a vampire.”

She did not want to respond as her stomach growled. She did not know if it was out of either sickness or hunger. She could feel her body aching as she gasped for breath.

“Oh! That is right! You missed your dinner!” He sang.

Her eyes tensed as she tried to hide the pain. She dared not to show anything to him. She forced herself to look at him and do anything to stop from looking away. She could not allow her to show this one weakness. She wanted to demonstrate her last piece of strength and deny him this one thing. He cocked his eyebrow as he broke out into a smirk.

“I will get you something then.” He said as he undid her cuffs. “And I want you to be in one of those dresses when I arrive, my little pet!”

Her eyes slid to the wardrobe that was the same make as the desk next to that was a toilet and sink. She nodded. He then closed the door. She took her time to gain her strength back. She then got to her feet and slowly walked over to the wardrobe. She opened it and looked at all the Victorian dresses. Her eyes then rested on a silk Royal blue dress with long graceful sleeves. 

She quickly cleaned her neck and then put it on. She then tightened it and then tied the back. She walked over to the mirror. She looked at herself, she really did look like a Victorian Noble! Which shocked her. She looked down and noticed that there was a hair brush with the initials VD on the silver back. She then put it back down. She then looked at herself in the centre mirror. She saw the blood on her neck and she could hold the tears in any longer.

She wanted help but none could come. She wanted her mother but she was dead. Her father too. She wanted Danté and Jaden to come and rescue her but she knew that they would be dead before they could even get to her. She was alone. Alone in the dark and none cold bring her into the light. Not this time after all, Danté was not as powerful as his younger brother.

Vytautas came in with food. He put it in front of her on the desk.

“Eat. You need to keep as much of your strength as you can.”

He gave her a heavy Victorian knife and fork. She looked at them and noticed that they were genuine Victorian utensils. She, like a zombie, ate her food. To her surprise it tasted great. She felt her eyes lit up for the first time since she left the hospital.

“Thank you!” She said, once she had finished her mouthful. 

He smiled.

“Good, good girl!” He said. “And I do like that dress that you have chosen. You truly are like her.”

He started to play with her hair.

“Who?”

He smiled as he left. She continued to eat. She mainly did this out of comfort. After all, she knew that this would be her only comfort as the days went by. That was when the thoughts went back to her parents and their comfort. She did not realise just how much she missed it or them.

When she finished she knew that she felt exhausted. It had been a horrific day. She walked to the bed. Her eyes closed before her head hit the pillows. She could not even believe just how comfy it was.

Then she found herself walking down a long corridor. She knew what was going on. She tried to stop herself but she could not. She walked to the room. She, wanting to get this over with, walked in and walked up to Vytautas.

“Did you enjoy your meal?” A woman’s voice came.

“Yes I did.”

“Good.”

She reached out her hand. He grabbed it. She soon felt the energy drain. It lasted longer than the other times. She knew that this would be her life, yet she wanted to get away from this monster. She wanted that cross, she wanted a good night sleep feeling refreshed and well rested. 

When her eyes opened. She still felt tired. She hoped the night before was just a bad dream, yet seeing the darkness she knew that it was not. She felt the tears come as she remembered what happened was what happened. She was in a nightmare that she could not wake up from nor could she escape from, no, that she should escape from. Not if she wanted to protect her sister.

She heard a knock. She froze as Vytautas came in. She closed her eyes hoping that if he thought that she was asleep he would leave her alone. Yet he placed a hand on her shoulder. He then slipped her out of her bed and slammed her against the chair. He then bit deep into her neck. Her eyes flicked open as she screamed in pain as she felt lightheaded. She was about to get him off her but then she remembered his threat. She stopped and it took all her will to do so. She gripped the arms of her chair. She soon found herself weeping.

“Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!” She wept before she could stop herself. “Please!”

He pulled away and smiled.

“That must have taken all your will, did it not?”

She looked away in shame. He smiled wider as his fingertip lingered on the side of her neck. He looked at her sympathetically. He then hooked it under her chin.

“Say it.”

“Yes.” She said trying not to let any emotion in her voice.

“Good, good girl.”

She looked at the open door. It took all her will to resist the urge to run out of it. She then looked down. She knew that this was the best thing that she could do. That way she was not looking at the open door nor Vytautas.

“Come over here.”

She got it off the chair and over to the desk. He then gently pushed her into the other chair. He pulled out the brush that she spotted the other day. He then nudged her head up.

“Tell me, have you been told who this brush belonged to?” He asked as he started to brush her hair.

“No.”

“Well this is the brush of little Miss Vladamyra Dracula. Has my brother told you of her?”

“No.”

He raised his eyebrows.

“Strange, I thought that he would have. I mean the two of you are a lot alike!” He said brushing the back of her hair.

“Then why don’t you tell me then?” She asked, already knowing that he wanted her to, yet she had the underlying feeling that she was not going to like what he had to say.

“Well, I might as well. She was Danté’s beautiful little daughter. You know Danté had a good life, he had a beautiful wife and girl. Oh he was in such good bliss! That is until I took it all away.”

“So, you killed them!?” She exclaimed out of disbelief as her heart started hammering her chest plate.

He let out a laugh.

“Ahhh! That intelligence of yours is just spot on! Yes, I did.” He boasted as he turned to her back as he started to brush the other side of her hair. Suddenly she felt even more uncomfortable than the day before. She felt chills race down her spine like a lightning strike of ice.

“Tell me, do you know why I am telling you this?”

She bit her lip as she knew that she did not want to answer that question and decided to nod instead.

“Do not move your head and answer me.” He snapped as he hit her with the back of the brush.

“Aw!”

He then let out a sigh.

“I suppose that you do not care as much as I thought about that sister of yours.”

She closed her eyes in dread.

“It is to tell me that you could kill me and my family if you want to. To remind me that you could k-” She cut off as the panic came in as she realised what he was getting at.

“Good, good girl. Now you get it.”

That was when she went over that moment he kissed her sister. It was all too clear he had all the power. He held her life in his hands. More than that, he had her humanity in his hands!

“Ahh! I can tell that you know what I am on about. Now tell me, what do you think Danté would feel if I took that away from you? Oh the torment would that be? Especially as I have noticed how he feels about that sister of yours!”

A ripple of shock spread throughout her body.

“What?”

She looked at him confused. He looked at her sternly. Turned her head back to the mirror. He soon finished brushing her hair.

“Really, you have not noticed? Well a child your age would not, I guess. No matter, I can tell you that I have been looking at those two for a long time. Though he likes her I know the memory of what I did to his wife and child still haunts him.”

So, that’s why he would not act on his feelings!

“Yes. Now, tell me, how much more would it haunt him after I do what I would do to you the moment that you disobey or try to escape me?”

Despair entered her eyes as she noticed what he was getting at. She was never going out of this place. She would never see the sky again. She would never feel the fresh air on her skin again. Not while she was human.

“Now, I will leave you here to think on that.”

He then left and closed the door.

For the entire day she was alone in the dark. Her eyes were being used to the dark. The moment the door opened she was in the chair. She knew that it was what the monster wanted. He smiled as if he was impressed by her actions.

“Good, good, girl.”

He walked up to her as he buckled her in. He then looked up at her.

“I like that you are so much like her. She too was just as agreeable. She let me feed on her as many times to keep her loved ones safe too.” He said as he leaned in and bit her.

He covered her eyes so that all she could focus on was all the pain. It took all her will not to cry out in the pain. When he noticed this he jabbed her in the gut. She then remembered what he had just said. She realised that it was not her blood that he wanted. It was her screams. She felt another jab which got her to scream. He jabbed her again, she then started to cry, yet he continued. Until she screamed and screamed. He then pulled back.

“Good, good girl.”

“Stop it!” Came Danté’s voice.

“It is about time brother.”

Fight Of The Alucards

Vytautas looked at his brother with a wide smile. He then looked at her as he placed both of his hands onto the chair. His eyes slid to his and then looked her directly in the eyes. He stroked her hair before placing his hand on her shoulder. With the other hand he placed his hands on her wounds.

“Do not think that you are out of the woods just yet.” He said as he kissed her on the forehead. 

She looked down not even wanting to look at him.

He then pulled the chair up and she heard a few screws hit the floor. This caused her to scream. He then threw the chair at him! The only thing that kept her on the chair was the cuffs. Danté caught her and then looked at her. She could do nothing but shake as she heard her heartbeat in shock. He then looked at her marks with a moment of anger in his eyes, yet this softened into concern. This was when the chair was flipped up and hit him. She screamed as they flew back into the dark corridor. 

Vytautas ran and pulled her out of his hands. He then ran with her away deeper into the tunnels. She could do nothing but scream. They came to another door and he kicked it open. He then ran and jumped over a large ditch. She then heard Danté behind them, which became her only hope. He then ran down a flight of stairs then they turned a corner. He then jumped higher and landed. He then jumped up again, and they were about to get to another door when she felt her being yanked out of Vytautas’s hands. She was placed down gently.

She panted as she could feel herself trembling all over as her heart was beating so fast that it felt like there was a bird in her chest bursting to come out.

“I will be back. Just sit tight.”

She nodded.

“Can’t do anything else!”

He smiled as he ran off after Vytautas and then threw a door at him. He then flung out a kick and it smashed. Some of the shards flew at him and some stuck into him. Then Vytautas ran over to him and punched him in the gut. This caused him to be pushed back by this, yet he flew out his leg to the loins. Vytautas jumped up before he landed the hit. He then flicked out a kick in the face as he did. He then flew back and landed in front of Melinda. Danté ran over to them and threw a punch. This he dodged and then saw Melinda he stopped inches away from her face! He looked around for Vytautas but the next moment he flew back with pain in his gut. 

Vytautas laughed.

“Still as emotional as ever!”

“Still hiding behind people I care about I see!”

“So you do care for this girl! Good! Then you must have no qualms if I turned her into a vampire then?” He remarked as he leaned in close. “After all, she does look like one!”

With that Danté ran to him and hit him square in the face. He then flew and he flung back his feet and bounced off the wall. He flicked his legs out and did this again and again. Ending with Danté hitting the floor.

“Danté, Danté, Danté, you have always been so easy to toy with. That is why I love to do this to you again and again. I hope that this is entertaining enough for me to enjoy this one the longest. Maybe I might make the girl into a vampire so it can last longer! Although, I can tell that she has a spirit that I know I just have to sink my teeth into!”

He staggered up and raced to him. He then sent another kick, but Vytautas caught it. He slowly pulled him in, forcing him to hop forward.

“Tell me brother, do you know why I am here?”

“To torture me over and over again?”

“Oh, that yes, but no, I am here because our father is dead. Which leaves his throne unoccupied and we both know that mother has always wanted me on that throne. So I took it.”

“Congratulations.” He said sarcastically.

“Oh? Are you not sad or angry like the other vampires? After all, you were always his favourite!” He exclaimed as he dug his fist into his gut. “But then again, you never cared about that! No, but still those vampires are still loyal to you and only a handful were ever to me!”

With this Vytautas hit him again. 

“Maybe I will make that girl into a vampire, and the others too! Then make that, Jaden my Queen!” He then shot out his hand to his throat. This gave Danté an opening and he shot a jab into his side puncturing him. He then tore it out and with the other he dived to his chest but Vytautas caught it.

“I see what you did there, but where are your manners brother?” He said as he punched him in the gut and punctured his stomach. “Now bow before your king!”

He then pulled his hand out. Danté staggered back clutching his stomach.

“Good,  good boy, as father always said!”

He then picked him up by his hair and bit hard into his neck. Danté then jabbed him in the rib. He gripped his wrist and then pulled it out. He punched Danté in the throat causing him to cough and more blood came from it. Danté then punched him in his gut causing part of his neck to tear as he pulled away. Danté then brought up a scissor kick exposing for a moment his bare chest. He then dug his hand deep into his chest and pulled out his heart and crossbred it. Soon Vytautas was dust.

Home

Danté walked over to get. He unbuckled her cuffs. Immediately he wrapped her in a hug. She just took this time to weep as her body hurt from all the cuts and bruises. Yet she did not care. She  was safe and it was over. 

“Come, time for you to come home.” He said, patting her back

She looked down at her dress.

“But what about-”.

“I will come back for your uniform.”

He held out his hand. She took it.

“Don’t worry, it’s Vytautas’s.” He said as he pulled her up.

He retraced their steps. He then came to the doors and kicked them down.

“Thank you.” She said as she felt a rush of gratitude and relief as she saw that they were leaving this place. 

She started to cry again as she breathed in a great breath of fresh air.

“Do you want to walk home or do you want me to fly you there?” He asked.

“I just wanna get home. I like your flying too.”

He smiled as he bowed his head. He picked her up and flew away. She flew over the town again. Melinda looked at the empty castle again. She wished that she had a castle, a castle that she could build to protect herself from all the evil of the town. She knew that there must be a way to protect herself, but she was afraid that she would lose herself in doing so.

She realised how weak she was. Vytautas had drained a lot from her. She just wanted to keep herself awake as she came to her home. She wanted to keep awake so that she could see both Jaden and Matilda. She wanted to be able to get into her own bed and sleep, knowing that she was safe. Even the Magician’s power would give her comfort. Yet she was so sleepy and the cold air did nothing to help as it soothed her. 

Then her eyes dropped and she saw her house. She felt the treats come and fell. How many times had she seen that? How many times had she come back after all her nightmares and felt safe there?

He slowly put her down and walked up to the door.

“Danté, I have a question for you.”

“What is it?”

“Do you have the hots for my older sister?”

At this his face became as scarlet as a tomato as he almost dropped her.

“If so, then it’s alright.” She said with a weak smile. “I didn’t know it at first, but I like you. You’re a good friend and I would like having you as an older brother.”

He smiled and raised his eyebrow.

She then knocked on the door. Jaden opened the door and as soon as she saw her she embraced her tightly.

“Are you alright?” She asked as she looked at her all over.

“Am now. Where's Mat’?”

“Asleep. Now come in.” She said as her eyes slid to Danté. “Are you alright?”

“Yes.”

She folded her arms.

“Come on! You’re red. And you’re covered in blood! Both of you!”

“It’s alright. I’m going home to clean.”

“But why are you red?”

Melinda put a hand on her shoulder.

“Trust me, he’ll tell you when he’s ready.” She said, winking as she walked in.