Disclaimer: I don't own "Dracula 2000" or any part of it, etc., etc.

A/N: I know this is kind of a teaser chapter, but the sooner I get a nice review, the sooner I update.

ER

'With all these damned lights flashing overhead, it's a wonder I don't get a seizure.'

That was my thought as I was wheeled desperately into the ER. I was suspended somewhere between living and dying and I knew it. Well, life had given me nothing but back pains anyway. Might as well accept it. I was going to die.

"Nurse! We need an emergency team in the ER stat, this girl's been seriously injured!"

'They might as well give up. I'm hemorrhaging badly and they know it.'

"We need a blood transfusion, we've got to save her!"

'Doesn't matter.'

"What blood type it she? Have we found out yet?"

'Doesn't matter.'

"The results just came back…AB negative. Damn it, we don't have enough!"

'Doesn't matter. Nothing does. Not you, not me, not the son of a bitch who shot me. You can't help me, thanks anyway for trying.'

"What's her name? Call to her, see if we can get a response!"

'You'd only laugh at my name, though I carry it with pride. Whoa, the lights…they're all blurring together. Huh, I guess you really do see a light at the end of a tunnel. Cool.'

"Ebony? Ebony, c'mon, hang in there, you're gonna be OK!"

'No, I'm not. I'm dying. I'm dead. I've been shot three times, it's a miracle I lasted this long!'

"Doctor! We've found another supply of AB negative! We'll have just enough if we can stop the bleeding."

'Try taking the bullets out. No, that'll just make me bleed more I guess. Oh well. I'm out of suggestions. Damn, this is really uncomfortable.'

"Look! Did she just move? It looked like she just shifted!"

"Stay with us, Ebony, hang on!"

'Still doesn't matter. Ow!'

"She's definitely still alive, she just twitched when I inserted the needle. We've stopped the bleeding, she's gonna make it!"

'Really? Wow, I must say, I'm impressed. And it takes a lot to impress me.'

"Well, we can thank our lucky stars and, uh, Mary Heller, whoever she is, for donating the blood she needed."

'Heller? Cool name. Haven't heard it before. I'll have to thank this Mary Heller if I ever meet her. Unlikely. Wow, I'm tired…' Exhausted from the blood loss and the pain from being shot, I let my eyes close.

"Ebony…"

My eyes opened again. Who had spoken? The doctors said they didn't know my name. And they way whoever said it, it was like a prayer, or…or a summons.

"Ebony."

And again. What a charming voice. Curious, I turned my head as best I could and saw a man standing near, smiling at me. A very handsome man too, but in a somehow dangerous way. Curly black hair fell to the nape of his neck, midnight-blue eyes gazed into me, he stood with his hand clasped loosely just watching me. He was dressed all in black: black jeans, black shoes, black trenchcoat. He wasn't wearing a shirt, exposing his rock-hard six-pack abs, which I tried not to stare at. I struggled to hold onto consciousness, but it was slipping away.

"Sleep now, child. I'll be with you when you dream. And I'll be waiting for you when you wake."

Still curious, but more tired than ever, I let her eyes close, holding the man in sight for as long as possible until darkness overwhelmed me.