A New Threat

chapter 6: Mission for the Monster Hunter
A stream of smoke rose from a newly lit cigarette as Gabriel Van Helsing reclined in a chair in Father Cerino's office. The smoke began to wind up around Van Helsing's face as he exhaled – flowing around the long curls of his brown hair. The cigarette's end glowed orange as Gabriel took another long drag before he lifted his eyes to coldly meet those of the nervous priest.

"Why the hell ya call me here?"

"Mr. Van Helsing, I went to great lengths to locate you and wouldn't have called upon you if I didn't think this was of the utmost importance."

The priest's voice was shaky, and that tone instantly informed Gabriel that this was indeed genuinely important. He waited several long moments.

"So, out with it."

The priest sat back in his chair inhaling deeply before responding.

"We have reason to believe that Count Dracula is alive."

Gabriel reclined back again and took in a deep breath. That was a name he had never thought he would ever hear again.

"So."

"You were the only man to be able to kill a vampire – let alone a master vampire like Dracula."

"I'm retired."

"Sir, I seriously request your help," the priest began to plead.

Van Helsing snuffed out his cigarette and returned his attention to the priest.

"You know our underground network has been passed down through the ages and it has fallen on my shoulders to stay abreast of situations like this. That's why I called for you."

"What the hell ya want me to do about it? I killed the son of a bitch years ago. So, why ya tellin' me you think he's alive now? It makes no sense."

"No one here can figure how that would be. We know of how you killed him then. Why he has risen from the grave now is a total mystery."

"How do you figure it's him?"

"There have been several attacks on homeless people living in and around New York City and one witness claims he felt an evil presence."

"So, you are going on some drunk's `intuition' on sensing evil?"

"Gabriel, this man is no drunk and is as close to being a holy man as you are. His faith runs so deep that it is unlike any I have seen recently."

"How would ya know that?"

"I happen to know him from when I was stationed in Munich several years ago. He's a… special person in many ways," the priest said not wanting to mention knowing of Kurt's Wagner's mutant qualities.

Gabriel stopped for a moment before laughing heartily – the idea of being thought of as a holy man struck him funny, even after all these years. He was a murderer of men and monsters, and yet a savior of innocent souls caught in the grips of evil.

But, Gabriel was tired. For centuries, he had fought the minions of evil and championed all he confronted. As the world changed, as faiths changed, Gabriel sat back living his unending life more or less in solitude.

He also spent a great deal of time questioning his own faith in God. Gabriel was granted an immortal life but with the price of no memory of why and how – cursed to stand guard awaiting the rising of evil again. And due to this gift, or curse as he considered it, he could not be like other men and this left him feeling very bitter.

"This is not something to laugh at, Gabriel. This is incredibly serious. If Dracula is indeed alive, then we all know what he will be after."

"Supremacy. And what better a world to rule than this one – one filled with hate, corruption, crime, evil around every corner, and a huge population of people to feed on."

"Maybe that's exactly why he has risen again – this world seems filled with more evil than good and the vast majority of people have lost their faith in God."

"No. There has to be something more to it."

"But, you are the only one who can fight him," the priest said.

Gabriel took in and released a very deep breath.

"So, where do I begin my hunt?"

"It is thought that he has taken up a new identity and residing somewhere in New York City. I did some searching for new names recently moving there, men of affluence in particular, and have a few names that might be worth checking out."

The priest handed Van Helsing a small piece of paper with twenty names on it.

"A few names. Christ, help me."

"Do you require any assistance?"

Gabriel was nearly out the door when he turned around one last time while placing his hat on his head. He recalled his old friar friend, Carl.

"I hunt alone. If this is indeed our dear Count, I know his game plan well enough. The only help I require from you is a way to kill him for good and preferably without my growing hair and fangs."