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Today wasn’t going to go well. Trying to break into a hideous cult’s hideout to get information precluded that possibility. However you didn’t expect to be driving through the rain with a semi-conscious vampire in the backseat. That was a huge surprise.
You saw him in the basement when you were sneaking around. You ducked down some stairs to avoid being seen and there he was. He looked so out of place among the old tools and rotting boxes, a marble statue lying on a rusting table like some macabre version of snow white. Your cover is going to be blown but there’s no way your leaving him there. Your family protects its own.
“Alucard?” You reach out and gently shake his shoulder. No response, but his breathing is slow and shallow. You lift him up, moldering clothes tearing against your fingers. You elbow the door open and head back through the now empty hall, praying no one notices you.
But back to the present. You risk a quick glance at the backseat. The vampire, no dhampir, you correct yourself, doesn’t look so good. Frankly you suspect he’s been drugged, but you have no idea with what. You’re not an expert on the effects of opiates on the undead.
You turn off the paved road and head into the dark and of course ominous woods. If this ends without you being arrested you are going to be surprised.
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Stunningly you make it back to the safe house without being caught by the cops or deranged cultists. You also manage to assist the family dhampir back into the house without anyone noticing. It helps that it’s in the middle of nowhere.
What doesn’t help is that it’s technically your cousin’s vacation home. You hope she doesn’t mind you using it as a safe house, but you didn’t have any other close options. On the other hand it doesn’t look like a house someone would stash a vampire in what with the quaint floral paint job and the darling little collection of wind chimes.
You half carry, half walk Alucard into the house and settle him on the couch. Then you quietly go and bolt the door. Hopefully that will be good enough, I mean you’re only dealing with humans this time.
Frankly you’d rather it be monsters.
You turn to face Alucard who is staring off into space. This really isn’t your forte but taking a half vampire to the hospital sounds risky at best.
Maybe he can sleep some of this off.
“Hey you think a bed might be more comfortable for you? Do you think you can make it in there?”
He blinks and slowly turns his head towards you.
“If you can’t I can just carry you, or I could make up a bed on the couch..”
He gently puts his hand on your chest.
“I can walk.”
He leans heavily against you. Hand clasped with you own. His skin is chill, but you have no idea if that is from the drug or the vampirism.
You guide him to the bed. He stumbles against the mattress and sits rather abruptly. You lean over and help him settle amongst the cushions. “Richter?” he asks.
Who is Richter? Your mind flicks through the family tree. Richter yes that would only be over a century ago. Oh damn!
Alucard looks up at you with placid, trusting eyes.
How to explain this? Oh I know you just woke up to being kidnapped by cultists. Also by the way everyone you knew and loved is dead thanks to the inevitable passage of time. I just happen to look similar to the person you think I am.
Someone really needed to get on writing a training manual for dealing with friendly vampires, rather than just on slaying them and assuming the rest was easy.
Alucard is still watching you. Now with a trace of worry.
Damn!
Stall while you think of the nicest way to phrase this that’s the ticket. “I’m going to get something for you to drink.” You say attempting to buy yourself time. You beat a hasty retreat to the kitchen.
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You try to find something on which to focus your errant thoughts until Richter returns. You cast your gaze to the headboard. A ratty toy bear stares back at you. You look at it groggily and try to piece together what is going on.
Of course it’s Richter, he’s free to grow a beard if he wants. A nagging thought crosses your mind, this would not be the first time you confused one Belmont for another.
Richter returns from the kitchen, glass in hand. The more you look at him, the more you realize something is off. His face is a bit too thin and he has a harder cast to his eyes. The scent of blood coursing through his veins is so familiar though.
“Do you know what year it is?” he says.
That is never a good question. In fact it’s more of an answer.
“No.” you reply wearily. You’ve been through this once before, it’s familiar if not pleasant. At least whatever you’ve been given numbs things a bit.
“It’s 1997. I’m afraid I’m not Richter, I’m Julius. Richter was my great-great-grandfather.” he says.
As if he needed to add that last detail.
You do have a responsibility you think bitterly. But how easy would it be just to fall back asleep, just let the centuries while themselves away…
You feel something cold in your hand. The Belmont looks back at you, his face young and worried. The drink is sweet and vaguely cloying in your mouth. You finish it to sate his distress.
You feel a warm hand against your own. He gently takes the glass from you. Good now you can...
Why is he back?
The Belmont carefully wraps a blanket around you.
Wait is the child attempting to coddle you? Coddle a centuries old vampire, the son of Dracula! You’ve been slaying dulcet demonesses, cacophonous corpses, and other melodious monsters for over a hundred years before he was born!
It doesn’t remind you of Richter in the slightest, Richter who wanted to believe the best in everyone, Richter who brought a vampire into his house without a second thought.
Richter who was carried off as you slept. Richter who succumbed to the foul ministrations of that profane priest.
You look up at the young Belmont with dawning horror. What would happen if your father’s creatures assailed him? The house lies silent, would there be no aid should such a fate befall him?
Perhaps this time you woke early enough to stave off the inevitable. You slept through Richter’s capture and imprisonment. You won’t let such a fate befall another Belmont.