Hellsing Fan Fiction ❯ Truth Lies Within A Scarlet Rose ❯ Me, Myself, and Someone Else? ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer:I own nothing from Hellsing.

I'msorry it took so long for chapter 2 to be postedI was bombarded with philosophy andessaysthroughout out the break and the first week back was brutally busy for me. Anyway, I hope you like it; I'm interested in what you have to say! =)By the way, exams are coming up so I don't know when I'll have chapter 3 up; I'll do it as fast as I can.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Chapter 2: Me, Myself, and Someone Else?

Seras finally reached her house, `Home sweet home'she thought sarcastically. The buzzing of the television led her into a dull room where her exceedingly drunk father was passed out on the couch. Her father, Claudiu, was sprawled over the filthy piece of furniture, snoring, with an empty beer bottle hanging from his hand.

Seras shook her head in disgust. Out of habit she headed over to the television; shut it off, walked back to take the empty bottle from his hands, threw it into the trash can and headed upstairs. Once she was in the confines of her bedroom she sluggishly made her way towards her bed, exhausted from the day's events. It was a filthy old mattress that she laid down on, many stains were scattered over the material, some food and others were unknown substances. Her father had picked it up from a neighbour's trash and put it to “good” use. Placing the sketchbook beside the bed she fell on it awaiting that blissful dream world she knew would soon come. That perfect world where she was loved, cared for, protected and where nothing could harm her.

The next morning Seras woke up to the sun shining agonizingly in her eyes. Crawling from the bed she stood up to stretch, and began her regular morning ritual. Once her hair was combed and face washed she took one last look in the mirror. Leaning into the mirror she gave a large smile and traced her tongue over her teeth, stopping to press it against her canines. `I wonder how that man got his so sharp and long?'She thought fleetingly before going downstairs to make herself something to eat.

Like most Saturdays her father was still passed out having inebriated himself into an oblivious state. A look of revulsion was etched across Seras's face as a trail of drool dripped from his gapping mouth. She walked past him to the kitchen, taking one glance back, `loser.'

Within the fridge there was a total of peanut butter, jam, bruised apples, a loaf of bread and a 24 pack of Ursus beer. Seras exhaled a heavy sigh, `How does this idiot survive on this?'She grabbed the peanut butter and jam and made a sandwich from what was left.

Eating as quickly as possible she headed back to her room to grab her sketchbook and to brush her teeth. Completing her tasks, she headed out the door to go to the park. Ever since her mother's suicide three years ago she didn't spend much time at home. When her mother had been alive, Seras felt loved and safe from the brutality of her father's violence. Her mother had been the only person to truly understand and appreciate her unique personality. The memories of her mother were quite faded being so young when the tragedy happened. All the same she held onto them with desperate, yearning arms, not wanting them to slip from her grasp.

Seras lived in a dilapidated town in Transylvania, growing up very poor, she never had very much. All her clothing was bought from thrift stores making her the grounds of most classroom humour. She was always quiet and secluded, never drawing much attention to herself; she spent most of her time sketching in her art book. That is why the “A team” was so keen on `befriending' Seras whenever the opportunity presented itself.

`I hate those boys so much!'Seras cringed with anger. `One day I'm going to punch their lights out. It's just not fair they always gang up on me, cowards!'

They out casted her because they thought she was a freak and they're right, she was a freak. Even Seras knew it and it hurt, more then words could describe.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The park was one of the best places to be alone; no one ever went there due to its bad reputation. Seras always felt calm drawing there, the forest that practically surrounded the park created a soothing atmosphere. Most people stayed away from it because of the ridiculous notion that it was haunted. But she didn't believe in that superstitious babble, she thought it looked wonderful under the glow of sunlight, and even more so in the night.

Seras opened her sketchbook `What should I draw?'she thought for moment when the image of glowing red eyes filled her mind. She placed her pencil to the blank page and began drawing.

Stroke after stroke the picture started to form, `I wonder how he got his eyes to glow like that... what a strange man.'After finishing her picture, Seras admired her drawing, “another job well done, if I do say so myself!” Shutting the book and she went to sit on the swing set nearby, `I couldn't even see him; it wasn't even that dark out. It was as if he was a shadow…but how can that be?'

Shaking the confusing thoughts from her head Seras decided to visit the book store. Her Saturdays usually consisted of the morning visit to the park and then curling up to a nice book. Anything that could take her mind off her life attracted her, but drawing and books were her favourite way to pass time. Seras liked to pretend that she was the characters in the stories she read; she would experience all the adventures and fantasies they did. It was a form of escapism for her. The stories carried hope, family, and love, something Seras desperately craved. But with each passing year as she read, she realized that the characters paths continued to grow, whereas hers was beginning to close off in front of her, as if she had nowhere else to go

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The store bell rang as Seras stepped into the small book store.

“Hello Seras! How have you been my dear?” An old woman sorting books greeted her warmly.

“Hi Mrs. Florea, I'm good I just came to read, is that alright with you?

“Oh please dear, how many times do I have to tell you, call me Cosmina and of course it is alright with me. I do not know why you insist on asking me the same questions every time you come in; you have been visiting my shop for a good two years now, love.” Mrs. Florea gave one of her sunshine smiles that could brighten anyone's day.

Seras looked down sheepishly, “I know, but we learned in school that it's not polite to talk to our elders without using their last name. Anyway I'm going to go read now I'll see you later!” Seras yelled as she excitedly ran off towards the fantasy section. Mrs. Florea shook her head with a grin and went back to sorting out the books.

Mrs. Florea's book shop was anything but glamorous. It was a small shop that had few employees; it was typical to see scattered books along the floor and on top of shelves. But Seras didn't mind, the mixed smells of tired, musty books, apple-cinnamon scented candles and freshly brewed coffee comforted her. Mrs. Florea was like a grandmother to her, the grandmother she never had.

“Hmm, let's see which one to read; Lord of the rings- too hard, Harry potter- read it, The Princess Bride- too cheesy-” Skimming through the shelves Seras settled for Narnia, something she'd been meaning to read.

Heading to the back of the shop she plopped down on a worn out sofa and began to devour the book.

On the wall to her right a large clock hung ticking away. The big hand overlapped the small hand several times and before she even knew it Mrs. Florea was calling her name.

“Seras dear, it is getting dark outside, maybe you should head home. I need to be cleaning up anyway; the store closes in an hour.”

“Oh ok,” closing the book she walked over to the shelf she found her book on and slipped it into its rightful spot. Walking down the isle Seras's foot bumped something. Bending down to retrieve the fallen book, she was immediately intrigued by the covers picture. It was Bram Stoker's Dracula. The picture was of a sickly pale man with unusually sharp canines. `Just like the stranger's at the park.'Her fingers lightly brushed over his face.

“Love, I'm leaving the door open for you; just leave when you're ready!” Mrs. Florea called from the front of store snapping Seras out of her daze.

Putting the book onto a shelf, she made her way to the door, “Bye Mrs. Florea see you soon!” `I wonder if I'll ever see him again?'

Seras walked in determined thought down the street, blithely unaware of the dangers outside of her own mind.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Not quite ready to go home, Seras headed over to the park bench. There was a beautiful blood moon out that night and she wanted to enjoy it for a while. She sat down and relaxed, looking at the mesmerizing moon hanging in the sky. A slight breeze was in the air causing the wind to whistle as it flew through the branches. The trees danced angrily about and there shadows formed mysterious figures all around the field. Seras started to feel uneasy, usually she loved the park at night but there was something strange about the way the forest swayed uneasily that gave her an eerie feeling in the pit of her stomach. Suddenly she heard a low snarl. Her head snapped to locate the direction of the sound. She grasped her sketchbook tighter and her knuckles turned white.

“Hello?” She called out, “Is someone there?” A piercing growl struck through the air. Seras jumped to her feet, frantically trying to find where the sounds were coming from; but to her dismay the noises was resonating from all around her. She started towards the street when something within the forest caught her attention. A pair of bright orange eyes slowly emerged from the darkness followed by the most grotesque creature Seras had ever seen. It was wolf-like, covered in teal-black fur making it difficult to see even with the light from street lamps. Its face held the features of a bat with a permanent scowl engraved upon its mouth.

Seras wanted to run but was so petrified her body seized up and failed her. All she could do was stare as the beast crawled towards her from the abyss. Once fully emerged, the beast stood on its high legs, reaching a height that must have been 6 feet or more, and released a ghastly roar.

This snapped Seras out of her shock and she sprinted towards the street. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears in time with the creature's heavy steps. Within seconds a sharp pain shot through her leg and she let out a shrill cry. Whatever it was, it had bitten her ankle and dragged her down onto the cold ground.

She landed with a painful thud. Rolling over, Seras stared death in the eyes. She wanted to crawl away but an unfamiliar sensation washed over her as she continued to stare into the beast's eyes. It was as if her whole body was being held down by an invisible force and she couldn't find it in herself to look away from its luminescent eyes. `This is it. I can't believe it; this is how I'm going to die! I can't move my body; please this can't be how it ends. Someone help me!'Seras cried in her mind for her mouth was useless; she watched it raise its claws, preparing to rip out her throat. With terror filled eyes she looked away as the beast's arm preceded its downward motion.

After a few seconds of waiting for the crushing blow that never came Seras looked back to see what had happened, `Wh- why did he stop?'

Suddenly an amorphous mass of darkness surrounded both of them and a familiar feeling seeped into the air. Breaking its gaze from Seras, the creature backed off a few inches and assumed an alert stance. Finally she felt the force lift from her body and she could move again. However, she was too enticed with the mist to escape and saw the mysterious fog start to solidify and reform.

A sinister chuckle emitted from a newly formed man, “Ah, what a beautiful night for a battle. I must say I have to thank you little girl, you have not seized to entertain me. First with your oh so witty charm and now these, really you're too much.” The man smirked while stray pieces of shadowy smog emitted from his hair creating a tentacle-like effect.

The man released a sadistic laugh as the beast attempted to leap towards him. A second after it left the ground it was suspended in mid air.

“This has been the most fun I've had in a while, don't you think?” the man asked. Seras just stared dumbfounded at him; she was in utter shock. The man's mist like hair firmly wrapped itself around each one of the beast's limbs. It let out a disgruntled growl that quickly turned into an anguishing cry as the man started to stretch.

“It's rather pathetic preying on innocent children. Personally, I prefer to play with my victims, make them beg for mercy and unfortunately, you never quite get that out of children.” The beast replied with a feeble whimper.

Seras couldn't fathom what she was seeing, `He's talking to it…like it's the most casual thing in the world!'Her mouth dropped open, 'Why the hell is he talking to it, he should just kill it!'“Ok mister; let's do a little more killing and a little less talking. In case you haven't noticed that… that thing, tried to kill me!"

The man cocked his brow at Seras and gave a smirk, “Tsk, tsk, patience is a virtue my dear. Have your parents taught you nothing?”

“Patience?” Seras inquired dryly. “You're telling me to be patient! That thing tried to kill me and you're talking to it like it's just a friendly stranger you met off the street. Let me tell you mister, this is how all movies end. Someone will be caught but throughout all the unnecessary chit chat they find a way to escape and successfully kill everyone and don't you dare try to deny it! I've watched enough sailor moon to know this! It's basic movie knowledge!” Seras screamed in frustration.

The man head snapped back as he released a thunderous laugh. “You never fail to amuse me; very well, I'll cooperate. I'm hungry anyway; I should be finding someone to feed off of.” He drew his attention back to the sniveling beast.

“Feed? What are you ta--” She was cut off as the man's stomach started to shift. A menacing hound-like figure erupted from his belly, shooting towards its prey and burst through the beast's ribcage. Blood spewed from it body in all directions and the man proceeded to rip the creature limb from limb, laughing ominously throughout. The sound of ripping flesh and breaking bones emitted into the air. Shortly after the hound retreated back into the man's body and the dark mist dissipated.

“That felt good, maybe I should have you around more often; you seem to be where all the fun is.” The man turned to face Seras, her face was as pale as a sheet; blood has sprayed all over her and a piece if intestine was hanging from her hair.

Reaching up to pull off whatever had got caught in her hair, Seras stared at it with blood covered hands. A looking of disgust formed on her face. Returning her gaze to the man, she uttered one last inquiry, “What are you?” With that said her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she collapsed.

Watching as she fell, the man rubbed his face in aggravation, “humans are so useless.” He picked Seras up with ease and retrieved her sketchbook; a black portal appeared amidst the air. The man looked around before vanishing into it.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

If you want a better idea of the creature go to these links. In the next chapter I'll explain all about it. =)

www. wizards. com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG22b. jpg

www. odyum. com/Gallery/Barghest%20fight. jpg