First day

Celine kept her arm around me while she lead me down the long hallway. After a minute or so she opened a door to the right. Leading the way inside I saw a sewing machine, fabric, boxes with clothes, and a wooden room divider against the wall. "I'll need to take your measurements and it would be best without the blanket", Celine said. Shocked I flinched at the thought of removing the blanket.

"Is that really necessary?", I asked. Celine came a little closer to warmly say, "It's ok that you're shy, we can save the measurements for another day." Looking to the door I worried that someone would come barging in. Celine followed my eyes before saying, "No one can open the door without permission if its being occupied." Seeing the truth in her eyes I loosened my hold on the blanket to give it to her.

Turning around I heard Celine gently gasp. Knowing why she did so I looked down at the reminder of my lightning scars. It began on my left hand and ended on my right hip. Strange that the scar has lasted for years, medical records say that these scars only last a few hours rarely a week at most. "Can you help with the binder? Its getting a little hard to breathe", I asked. Feeling her fingers gently loosen the brown gauze around my chest I could feel her eyes scanning my body.

"It's okay, might as well get the measurements out of the way" I said. Once the bandages were finally off she sized my neck first then ended at the length of my legs. Celine took some clothes out of a box to give me. As I got dressed quickly my mind drifted to everything that just happened today.

Last night I was forced to be a nun in training who was taught to treat wounds like a surgeon, then I went against all of that to cross-dress to get revenge for my best friend. Now I'm in Dracula's mansion with Chase who I had thought was dead for about a month now to find that he's still alive and happy here. Thinking of him filled with such rage. He left me alone in that godforsaken place. Broke his promise to me, to Anne.

Now I'm here.

The sound of someone calling out to me slowly brought me out of my nostalgia. Fully dressed I saw Celine write down my measurements on a sticky note. Needing to take my mind off all unwanted thoughts I ask, "How long have you been here?" Celine replied jokingly, "Do you mean alive or in this location?" I shrugged, "Both". "I've been alive for almost as long as Dracula. He fond me when I was a child and as for the location I would say about a century or so" she said with a smile.

Feeling my eyes brows shoot into my hair line I shook my head to ask, "What? What are you exactly?" Celine took my hand to place on her chest. Feeling a very slow steady heartbeat, "I'm what you've called Dracula's wife, although contrary to your beliefs I only need Vlad's blood to continue living."

Hearing those words I had to ask, "You're one of Dracula's wives?" My voice quivered. Celine responded with a steadily calm tone "Funny thing about that. I'm only called 'Dracula's wife' due to being loyal to him. Plus I was there to help either revive or get him out of the clutches of the church for years now. It's honestly just a label the church put on me. I'm more like Dracula's daughter than his wife."

My mind went blank. I can't take it anymore. I can't breathe. Everything I've known, been taught, has been based on lies. Feeling my knees crash to the floor I could barely understand a word that Celine was saying. My vision began to blur by what I could only assume was my tears. Bracing my hands on the floor I tried to remember my breathing techniques to help calm my nerves. Hearing another voice in the room calling out to me "Zeke, I'm right here. Everything is going to be ok. I need you to listen to me. You have to breathe. Zeke look at me. You have to breathe. Come on, in for four out of five." Slowly recognizing the voice trying to sooth me I stared blankly at Chase while my breathing started to regulate.

Finally gaining my focus I looked directly into his eyes. "You left me alone! You broke your promise to both me. To Anne of all people! Do you have any idea of what I went through without you?! Mother Superior Erza only got worse after Anne died. That woman made my life a living Hell. I barely got away by the skin of my teeth. You were all I had and then they told me you died. I thought I'd never see you again", all my anger spilled out.

On my feet now Chase just stared at me shocked. Feeling my brow furrow I balled my fists to hit him. "You left me alone! I hate you! You coward!", I repeated those words after who knows how many times. Chase didn't raise his hands in any kind of defense, instead he wrapped me in a tight hug saying, "I know and I'm sorry Zeke. I'm so, so sorry."

Even more tears came out. I had held back all my emotions for so long that everything finally seeped out. I stopped hitting him and just let myself be held. Holding onto Chase for what felt like hours all the while crying into his chest. When I was done I patted his back to say "I'm ok."

Seeing that Celine had stayed in the same room, she probably saw and hear everything I just said. Noticing that she gave us some space I was grateful for that. Slowly moving away from Chase, Celine brought over a chair for me to sit in. Closing my eyes to take in a few deep breathes I heard Celine ask, "Are you both ok?" "I'm good" Chase replied. Keeping my eyes down I started counting in the span of fours. In for four, hold for four, exhale for four, and repeat.

"Why don't I get you and Zeke a glass of water" Celine said. Watching her leave Chase got closer to hand me a box of tissues while pulling up a trash can in tow.

While I blew my nose ferociously Chase said, "I really am sorry Zeke. I'll do whatever it takes to make it up to you." Giving him a weak smile, "Oh I know, cause if you don't I'll beat you to death." "You haven't changed at all", he chuckled. After another snot blow I steadied my breathing to reply, "Never. I don't really hate you and you're not a coward. I was just so angry at you." Chase gave me a pat on the shoulder before saying "I know man." I smiled while trying to hold in a sniffle. Looking back into his eyes all I see is love and kindness, just like back in the church.

No longer needing the tissues I felt both exhausted and something else I can't quite put my finger on.

In the process of opening my mouth a knock echoed in the room. "Come in Celine. What were you going to say Zeke?" Taking a moment to realize this is peace. Closing my eyes to let the last few tears out to reply, "Nah, I'm good actually."

Rubbing my eyes Celine came into view holding two glasses. She gave one to me and the other to Chase. "Everything ok?" Looking over to Chase before meeting her eyes to say, "Never better." She looked between with hope in her eyes.

Letting out a heavy sigh I stood from the chair, "What's next?" Celine's face brightened, "I think the grand tour is needed." My stomach just had to growl at that moment. Feeling my face begin to heat I tried to change the subject when Chase began to laugh. He continued to laugh even after I hit him. Celine just wanted trying to hold in a giggle. "I think the first stop should be the kitchen, there's plenty of snacks, and someone should be in the process of making lunch", Celine said trying to save face.

Only able to nod my head from embarrassment I followed behind Celine and Chase. They held hands once in the hallway. The sense of envy hasn't left me, yet seeing both look so happy makes me feel warm.

Part 3