Crimson Tears By: Fragraham Lincon -------------------------------------------------------------------- Author's note: This is the sequal to Crimson Rain compleating the short Trilogy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The morning mist was still wafting in a gentle breeze. The sun not quite peeking over the treeline yet. Caste Dracula had fallen. The count had shown his true self and fallen. Now the unholy darkness was gone and once again the dead could sleep in peace. upon a hilltop on concecrated ground among the grasses and flowers stood a stone cross marking the final resting place of a person who stood for goodness and light. Approaching the cross was a young girl who's head was topped in blue and who's eyes shone crimson. In her hand a collection of flowers which she laid down at the cross. "Mother...It's over. Count Dracula is dead. Now both you and my real mother can rest in heaven. But Mother..... .... why do I still feel so empty inside. Dracula is dead now. Why does it still hurt." Carrie said with her voice beginning to quiver on the last word. Carrie heard the rustle of boots in grass and turned to look at who was approaching her. Still clad in shining armor was the blond headed young warrior named Reinhardt Shneider. Standing beside him was a strange woman dressed in red with long blond hair. Carrie seemed to recognizer her from somewhere before. Also with Reinhardt was Henry whom she had seen traveling with him earlier. Reinhardt stepped ahead of them a few paces and approached Carrie. "Carrie...it's time to go home now." Reinhardt said. "I'm an orphan remember. I don't have any place to call home." Carrie said with her head held down. "You're welcome to come with me. All of us have new lives to start. Why not start them together." Reinhardt said smiling at Carrie. "It's so hard Reinhardt....I thought things would be different once Dracula was dead but.....Reinhardt is there something wrong with me? Why won't the hurting stop." Said Carrie as her voice quivered even more and the cold gaze of her crimson eyes began to change. "Carrie I'm sorry to tell you this but...when someone close to you dies the hurting never ends. You have to grow stronger to deal with the pain. That is why God has given us heaven. So one day when our long fight is over we can finally let go of our pain to become pure and happy once more. And I'm sure your mother is there right now. She wouldn't want you to give up on yourself now. I'm sure she's watching right now. And I know she would be proud of the strong person you've grown into." Said Reinhardt as he knelt down to Carrie's hight. Carrie stood silent for a moment. She tried to speak but words would not come to her. Carrie stared at Reinhardt now not with an icy gaze but looking for compassion. Reinhardt looked back with a tender smile. "Such a kind man and I was so cold to him." thought Carrie to herself. Carrie's thoughts continued to build in intensity and emotion "Why is this happening? Why can't I hold it back any longer...." Reinhardt as if he knew what was going to happen waved a hand beind his back signaling for the others to turn away, and then opened his arms toward Carrie. Carrie finally broke down. Her voice emited a melloncholy sob as she fell into Reinhardt's arms and a river of tears poured from her crimson eyes. Carrie's controll was gone and now those tears held back for so many years came fourth. And oddly to her not a greater pain as she had feared but some degree of relief. Reinhardt held the grieving Carrie knowing what pain she must be feeling. Reinhardt's love of justice would not permit him to leave leave Carrie in pain in this her time of need. Carrie continued to cry. Unable to speak unable to understand why she could not hold back her tears. But somehow she felt comforted by Reinhardt's kind pressence. And in a soft caring voice Reinhardt spoke to Carrie. "Go ahead child. Cry. Cry all you like. You have every right in the world."