A Wolf in Sheep\'s Clothing

I’m not dead! Or even undead (sigh). Sorry I haven’t posted in so long, me bad.

Thanks to those that pointed out the I in Alucard. Apparently the computer changed it automatically because Alucard is not a word, go figure. I have threatened my computer and should have no further problems with this.

Again I do not own anyone on thing from Hellsing and I’m not making a red cent from writing this. I do own the fistful of original characters because I thought them up. Now on with the show.


Ceras Victoria was uneasy, unnerved. Something felt very wrong about the reports they’d received. A large number of ghouls, a few freak sightings, random killing around the old school area. It felt a little like a set up, like the freaks wanted to be found, but why.

And now that Hellsing had been sent in, all they’d found was ghouls. Not a trace of a freak anywhere. There had been a lot of ghouls outside, but more in a pattern that seemed to pull them deeper into the school. “Something stinks here,” Ceras muttered. “And it’s not the ghouls.”

The building was perfect for hiding something. It was a large rambling old school that had thick walls and loaded with rooms.

“Did you say something Victoria?” One of the men with her asked.

Ceras shook her head. She was with two of Hellsing’s newest recruits. She probably should have gone in solo, but this was these guys first time in the field. She wanted them to live through it.

“This just doesn’t feel right Taylor.” Ceras frowned. “You and Sampson get behind me.” She didn’t want to risk accidentally hurting them with her Harkonnen, not that she could really fire it in here anyway. Her big hope was that her vampire senses, weak as they were, would help her protect them.

She sighed. Her master said her powers would grow if she fed. She could barely choke down a couple mouthfuls, let alone a bag a day. She was sure her master was disappointed in her. She’d do anything to please him, except give up the last of her humanity. She hoped to make him proud tonight.

The two newbies had followed her order instantly. She gave them a small smile, trying not to expose her fangs. Most of the members of Hellsing hated her, were terrified of her or both. She was getting rather lonely. She hoped she could get the new recruits used to her appearance and the fact that she was a vampire. If she did, maybe she could make friends with some of them. As things stood now, the only ones that would talk to her were Fergusson and Walter.

The further they went into the school, the more she felt that something was up. She held up a hand to stop the two soldiers behind her. She was getting some very bad vibes, something wasn’t right. She’d have to remember to ask her master if vampires could ‘feel’ things.

They stood in front of twin doors leading into the cafeteria. She could almost feel ‘disappointment?’ because they had stopped. Ceras eyed the doors cautiously.

Suddenly, two freaks leapt out from the shadows. The first one took Taylor down, the second hit Sampson like a whirlwind. The one on Taylor seemed to be trying to tear or break his communication equipment.

Ceras felt her chest tighten in rage. How dare these lowly freaks attack her humans, her friends? They would pay. She dimly heard the sound of her Harkonnen hitting the floor.

Sampson was screaming and flailing. The scent of his blood sent her over the edge. Her eyes bled completely red in anger. Her nails grew into long claws.

She grabbed the freak, tearing it off its victim. “Mine!” Ceras snarled. She twisted the freak’s head, hard. Its head tore loose from its neck with a moist ripping sound. Blood sprayed the walls and ceiling. Ceras dropped the head to the floor and turned to face the other freak.

He grinned at her. “You are not the ones we expected to find us, but your power is definitely a plus. You will make us much more powerful.” The freak kicked Taylor to the side and threw himself at Ceras.

She met him in the air. They crashed to the ground, scratching and biting. Ceras was truly trying to kill the freak, but he was playing with her.

“I don’t really want to hurt your two companions there.” The freak’s voice was so low she could barely hear it. “Just help me and I’ll make sure that they survive. I don’t want to make war on humans; I want to make war on them.”

“Them?” Ceras was very confused. “Who is them?” She tried to make her voice just as quiet as his.

“The one’s that trick others into accepting this false unlife. I know what I am; I truly am a freak, their freak. There are five freaks in that room along with a pile of ghouls. I’m supposed to lure you in there, so they can drain you, and then kill you. They think if they drink your blood it will make them stronger. Especially since you’re a true vampire. But I don’t want to do that.”

Ceras nearly went limp in shock. A freak that wasn’t truly a freak? And why did they want her blood? Would that work, they weren’t really vampires. They had been created. And he didn’t want to hurt her?

“At least pretend you’re fighting me!” The freak ordered in a quiet hiss. He banged Ceras’s head against the floor, rather gently. “I want you to kill those freaks for me. I can’t do it myself, but with your help it’s possible. I just want to be free. Now toss me around a bit so they think you’re winning.”

Ceras’ head was whirling, but she did renew her struggles against the freak. After a few moments of wrestling, she pushed him up with her arms. Then she braced her torso and hit him squarely in the chest with her feet. He flew through the air and crashed through the doors to the cafeteria. She winced; she hoped she hadn’t hurt him.

Sampson moaned and she was by his side in an instant. The freak had torn his shoulder up pretty bad, but hadn’t had time to drain his blood. He’d have some nasty looking scars, but he’d survive. If she could get him out of here.

She glanced over at Taylor. He was sprawled where the freak had tossed him aside. His helmet was broken and she could see his ear piece lying on the ground in several pieces.

Ceras thought about what the freak had said. There were five other freaks lying in wait for her. She couldn’t let these two go into the cafeteria. Especially the way Sampson reeked of blood. It would drive the freaks crazy.

“Taylor, I want you to take Sampson and get out of here. I’m going to go after that freak”.

“We can’t leave you alone,” Taylor protested.

“Run now”. Ceras’s voice asked for no further argument. She just wanted them to be safe. She turned back towards the doors and picked up her Harkonnen. She loaded an explosive shell. “It is going to get very dangerous here. Go!” She waited till Taylor had Sampson up, and they were limping away. She shut her eyes for a second and hoped that the one freak was far, far away from the doorway. Then she aimed her Harkonnen and fired.

The shell hit the doors with a terrible crash. Both doors were blasted into kindling. Howls of pain and anger echoed in her ears. A misting of stone dust and the smell of burning flesh filled the air.

Ceras dropped her gun for the second time. It was no good close quarters, and this promised to be very close. She reached down to her right leg and drew a knife.

It was a big Bowie, six or seven inches of sharpened steel with a handle. It had been a gift from her old companions, back when she was still human. It and a few pictures were all she had left of them. It felt strange to still carry it, but it was going to come in handy.

Her hand tightened around the grip. It was time; she would make her master proud. She crouched down and moved along the wall towards the now gaping hole.

She looked through a small hole near the main opening. The room seemed deserted. The floor was covered with destroyed ghouls. There was no sign of movement.

Cautiously, she entered the cafeteria. She’d not only destroyed the doors, but she’s blown a hole right through the food prep area and partially into the kitchen. The smell of heated metal blended with the other smells in the room.

Ceras walked further into the room. She heard a moaning noise and slowly headed towards it.

It was the freak that had talked to her outside. He looked like he had been attacked. Blood drooled out from between his lips. “Run, it’s a trap.”

Ceras turned, but she was too late. Freaks jumped down from off the ceiling above the door. Their weight pinned Ceras to the floor. ”Stupid Ceras, stupid”’ she chanted.

“Hello darling”. A freak stroked the side of her face. “It’s so very good to see you. We’ll enjoy adding your strength to our own. You see, we knew he would betray us. We were hoping you would kill him. But I guess we can drain him as well. Since he’s already been softened up, I guess it is ladies first.”

Ceras struggled, but it was in vain. She had a freak on each limb and one kneeling next to her chest.

Fangs sank into her flesh and Ceras screamed. She writhed against the arms that held her. Her attempts to get free did nothing more to tear her wounds open even wider. The smell of her blood filled the air.

She felt like she was sinking into some dark sea. She couldn’t move, her limbs felt like they were made of lead. Ceras went limp. The freaks relaxed their hold on her and continued feeding.

Ceras was nearly unconscious when an image appeared in her mind. It was her master’s disapproving face. His mouth was drawn into a thin line, his eyes glaring at her.

“What kind of vampire do you think you are, Ceras?” His voice mocked her. “I thought you wanted to make me proud. Then fight, don’t lay there like some animal waiting to be slaughtered. Fight!”

Ceras arched up with a roar. Everything was hazy. The only clear thought she had was to listen to her master’s voice.

She tore into the freak by her chest. He threw an arm up and she sank her teeth in his flesh up to the gums.

Blood pored into her mouth. Hot, sweet, and thick, it was the taste of heaven. She swallowed and drank more. The taste and smell of his blood drove her over the edge. The room around her disappeared in a bloody fog. She tore at the remaining freaks like a rabid animal.

When Ceras’s head cleared, she was alone in the room, save for the wounded freak in the corner. The room was littered with pieces and parts of freaks. It looked like they had been run through some sort of shredder.

She looked down at her shaking hands. They were covered in blood and bits of tissue. Blood and other fluids smeared her clothing. The tips of her boots were died a bright red as well.

“Are you back with me?” A voice asked softly. Ceras whirled. It was the freak; he was propped up on one elbow. “For a second or too, I was afraid you’d gone mad.”

Ceras looked at him for a second then nodded. “I don’t know what came over me.”

“I’m not exactly sure either, but it worked.” The freak grinned. “My name is Kelsey. I’m sorry to drag you into this with me, Miss…”

“Victoria, Ceras Victoria.”

“She was over this way!” A voice echoed down the hallway. It was Taylor. He must have brought men back with him, she couldn’t stay here, and neither could Kelsey. He would be killed on sight, and she didn’t want anyone seeing her like this. Especially Taylor, who thought of her as a comrade.

“We can’t stay here. We have to leave now.” Ceras helped Kelsey up. “There are people coming.”

Ceras staggered over to the window. Now that she was thinking clearly again, she was so very tired. She used most of her remaining strength to break the glass and drag herself out. Kelsey followed right behind her.

They lay in the grass beneath the window for several moments. Ceras heard the shock in Taylor’s voice as he surveyed the carnage she had left behind. They pulled back against the wall as heads poked out the window and looked around.

“Do you have someplace to go?” Kelsey asked softly. “You can stay with me if you need to.”

“No thank you.” Ceras shook her head. “I’m going to go back to Hellsing. I want to clean up before anyone sees me.”

“Come meet me later,” Kelsey stood up weakly. “I’ll drop by this place from time to time.” He limped off into the shadows.

Ceras watched him go. She must never tell her master about him. Who knows what he would do if he found out she’d let a freak go. Never mind the facts she was almost friends with him. She staggered to her feet. Hellsing was farther away than she’d let Kelsey believe, much farther.

She pushed herself forward. She made it about two and a half blocks before she collapsed. The ground rushed up to met her and everything went dark. Thunder rumbled and a hard cold rain began to fall.