Upside Down

Chapter Four

The day was sunny and warm, a very nice change to the days of rain and cold. The main doors stood wide open allowing the summer breeze to blow through. Dante sat in his chair behind the desk looking through the newest issue of Top Toys Weekly, which had everything from the latest firearms to the sleekest cars on the market. Valentina sat on the leather couch reading a book she had picked up in a local shop. For once since Valentina had started living with Dante both of them were quite content.

A loud grumble filled the shop causing both to jump slightly. Valentina looked at Dante and laughed. “Hungry?” She laughed again and set down her book. She got up from the couch and made her way to the kitchen. “What do you want for lunch?”

Dante shrugged. “Doesn’t matter to me, whatever you feel like making. You’re a pretty good cook.” Valentina gave a smile full of pure happiness and the look of it stirred something in Dante and he smiled back.

“How about stir-fry with beef?” she asked.

“Sounds good to me.”

Valentina gave a quick nod and went into the kitchen. Dante went back to looking at his magazine. He heard the little radio in the kitchen come to life and Valentina started cooking. He could soon smell the vegetables frying in the pan and it was making his mouth water.

“Excuse me, sir, is this where I would find Miss Valentina Marie Caspian?” Dante looked up to see a very old man standing in the doors.

“Well that depends on who’s asking.” Dante answered. He could sense that the old guy wasn’t a threat, but he still wanted to be careful.

The old man smiled. “I am Bernard. I have been with the Caspian family for sixty years. Please tell me if Miss Valentina is here; I have been searching for her for some time.”

“She’s in the kitchen making lunch. Why don’t you stay and have some? I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you.”

“Thank you, that would be most pleasant,” Bernard said.

“Hey princess, make enough for three, we have company,” Dante called into the kitchen.

He heard her give an annoyed sigh. “Damn it, Dante, how many times have I told –“ She stopped short when she came out of the kitchen and saw Bernard standing in the front room. “ Ber-Bernard?”

A large smile spread across his face. “Miss Valentina, I have finally found you.”

Valentina ran towards him and the two embraced like old friends first seeing each other after a long separation. “I’m so glad you were able to get away. You must tell me what happened after I left. I need to know –“ she hesitated for a moment “I need to know about grandmother’s funeral and any information on the guy that killed her.”

“Yes, Miss Valentina, I will tell you everything, but why don’t we do it over lunch?” Bernard said as they broke their embrace.

“OH! I almost forgot!” Valentina dashed back into the kitchen to finish making lunch.


“So, tell me about grandmother’s funeral…did she look peaceful?” Valentina broke the silence that had formed as the three of them ate.

Bernard took a drink of his tea, and set the cup back down, “Yes, she looked very peaceful…considering the way that monster of a man took her life.”

“He wasn’t human, Bernard, no human could have eyes like his. They were so cold and angry…Those icy blue eyes haunt my dreams…I’ll never forget them…”

“So what did this Icy Blue Eyes look like?” Dante asked. Something stirred inside him at the mention of the killer’s eyes.

“Pale skin, tall, dressed in blue and carried a sword, and spiky blonde hair that was practically white. To be honest,” Valentina looked at him, he could see pain and confusion swirling in her eyes, “he looked a lot like you, Dante.”

Something inside Dante snapped. Anger flared up inside him and for a moment consumed him…Vergil, you bastard. What the hell are you up to now?

“Dante?” Valentina’s voice broke his thoughts. “Hey, Dante, are you okay?”

“Hmm? Oh, yeah, I’m fine. Just got lost in my thoughts for a moment,” Dante replied as he reclined in his seat. He looked over at Bernard. “So, if you don’t mind my asking, how did you find our little princess anyway?”

“I have a friend in this city who owns a shop. Mable Woods, she owns the shop Laces,” Bernard explained.

“Oh! I know her, that’s where Dante took me get some clothes,” Valentina said. “I help her at the shop during the week.”

“Yes, that’s what Mable said as well. She told me you were staying with a fellow named Dante, “a punk, but a kind kid at heart” she told me. Then she told me where I could find Dante and well, you know the rest.”

Valentina nodded. “But how did you know I would be in this city?”

“I didn’t. I had searched three other cities before I came to this one. I was just following the map and searching the cities as I came upon them.” Bernard said. “It was a very difficult search to say the least.”

By the late afternoon, Bernard had decided to make his way back to wear he was staying the night. Before he left he pulled Dante aside.

“What’s up, old man?” Dante asked, keeping his voice low.

Bernard checked to make sure Valentina wasn’t near before he answered, “I didn’t want to say this in front of Valentina, she’s been through enough already, but the man that killed her grandmother is looking for her. He is a very dangerous monster and I doubt he would hesitate to kill any one who stood in his way as he tried to get to her.”

Dante grinned, “Don’t worry I won’t let anyone hurt the princess. Guys who mean to cause harm to a lady are scum in my book.”

Bernard smiled, “I’m glad to hear it. Mable was right about you.”

Dante rolled his eyes, “The old lady is too kind. Oh, and by the way, what makes Valentina so special that Icy Blue Eyes is looking high and low for her?”

Bernard shook his head, “That you will have to ask Miss Valentina. She will be able to explain things for better then I. But what I can tell you is that she carries something that was made by the Dark Knight Sparda himself.”

And it was with that said that Bernard left, the big door quietly closing behind him. Dante was wrapped in his thoughts.

So the old man left something behind and my dear brother is after it. He thought to himself. I wonder what the stupid thing could be. He thought and thought; a few minutes had gone by when it hit him hard. Her amulet! Damn it, why didn’t I see it before that it was no ordinary amulet?

He went over to his chair behind then desk and threw himself into it, a grin playing on his lips. Well, if that’s what Vergil is after, then I guess I’ll be seeing him soon.

YAY!! I FINALLY got chapter 4 done. Again, I know it’s not long but I did drop a few very important things in. Hope you all like it!