Secret Society – Episode 008: “Those Who Watch”

 

Secret Society – Episode 008: “Those Who Watch”

Mina Harker’s erratic behavior raises alarms, prompting Ms. Sweetins to seek answers from a reluctant Van Helsing. As whispers of the Cult of Resurrection grow louder, a dark truth begins to surface—one tied to Dracula’s sealed fate and the elusive Watchers. With Agent Buckle venturing into the Vale of Shadows, the past may soon awaken... and the veil may tear.

Scene: Executive General Manager (Women’s Division) Office – NPCW North Pole Arena

The office of Ms. Sweetins, Executive General Manager of NPCW, was a monument to order.

Every file aligned, every pencil sharpened, every award and accolade placed with surgical precision. The walls were a calm slate grey, her chair high-backed and elegant, and her bun didn’t have a single strand out of place.

In front of her, a computer screen flickered softly, looping video from a recent match. Again and again, she paused the same moment—a flash of crimson in Mina Harker’s eyes, the almost animalistic aggression in her movements.

Her expression was one of measured concern, lips pursed, fingers drumming once against the desk before rewinding again.

KNOCK. KNOCK.

She didn’t look up.

MS. SWEETINS (without lifting her eyes):
"Come in, Abraham."

The door opened with a soft creak, and a brooding shadow stepped in—Van Helsing, trench coat draped over his shoulders, eyes sharp beneath a furrowed brow.

At the sound of his first name, he visibly bristled, though he said nothing.

VAN HELSING (with a dry smirk):
"You summoned me, Madam Executive Manager?"

Sweetins finally looked up, allowing a trace of a smile to acknowledge his correction.

MS. SWEETINS (measured, respectful):
"Yes, Van Helsing. Please, sit."

The Mina Harker Dilemma

Van Helsing eased into the chair, folding his hands across one knee. Sweetins closed the video player and folded her hands on her desk.

MS. SWEETINS (direct):
"It’s about Mina."

Van Helsing gave a long exhale, resting back slightly.

VAN HELSING (gruff):
"I figured."

MS. SWEETINS:
"She’s... not herself. Erratic would be putting it mildly. And now, other wrestlers are voicing concerns. Several have outright requested not to be booked against her."

Van Helsing’s eyes narrowed.

VAN HELSING (defensive):
"Really? Over dramatic. She’s going through... things. It’s temporary."

MS. SWEETINS (calm, firm):
"Maybe so. But I have a responsibility to the safety and integrity of this roster."

(Pause.)

MS. SWEETINS (offering):
"If she needs time off, I can arrange—"

VAN HELSING (quickly interjecting):
"No. I’d sooner she stayed close to those who care about her."

Sweetins considered this for a moment, then gave a small nod.

MS. SWEETINS (soft but clear):
"She can stay... but we’ll be keeping a close eye on her."

Van Helsing stood.

VAN HELSING (steady):
"We all will."

The Card and the Cult

As he turned to leave, Van Helsing’s eyes caught something: a sleek, black business card, resting on Sweetins’ desk, barely visible beneath a file.

He picked it up and turned it over slowly.

VAN HELSING (curious, voice low):
"Where did you get this?"

Sweetins’ eyes glinted behind her glasses.

MS. SWEETINS (even-toned):
"Agent Buckle found it. During his investigation in Transylvania with his guide, Sorina."

She leaned forward, fingers interlaced.

MS. SWEETINS (pointedly):
"Do you know what it means?"

Van Helsing stared at the white fangs tipped with blood. His jaw tightened.

VAN HELSING (serious):
"It belongs to the Cult of Resurrection. And your friend is walking toward something he won’t want to find."

Sweetins straightened slightly.

MS. SWEETINS (measured disbelief):
"Resurrection. Of who?"

Van Helsing’s voice dropped—low, sharp, final.

VAN HELSING:
"Of Dracula."

The silence in the room thickened.

MS. SWEETINS (flat):
"I thought he was dead."

Van Helsing gave a grim, knowing smile.

VAN HELSING (coolly):
"That which is undead... cannot be dead. Dracula isn’t destroyed. He’s contained—sealed away by an order sworn to guard his resting place."

MS. SWEETINS (quietly):
"The Watchers."

Van Helsing nodded.

MS. SWEETINS (pressing):
"Do you know Count Vlad? Could he be tied to them?"

Van Helsing shook his head.

VAN HELSING (thoughtfully):
"I don’t know him. He may draw from the same lore, but I doubt he’s one of them. He’s theatrical, territorial... self-serving, most likely."

Sweetins leaned back in her chair, letting the weight of that response settle.

Buckle’s Mission – The Vale of Shadows

MS. SWEETINS (after a beat):
"Agent Buckle is heading to the Vale of Shadows. He believes he can find someone I tasked him to find—or at least more information."

Van Helsing turned sharply.

VAN HELSING (alarmed):
"He shouldn’t. The Vale... it only offers torment. That place doesn’t give answers, it swallows those who ask too many questions."

She opened a folder and slid a picture across the desk.

MS. SWEETINS (quietly):
"Does this man look familiar? Is he one of the Watchers?"

Van Helsing studied the image.

VAN HELSING (evenly):
"I don’t know every Watcher. They remain hidden for a reason."

He handed the photo back, then moved toward the door.

Before stepping out, he paused.

VAN HELSING (last warning):
"The Cult of Resurrection... and the Vale of Shadows... are not to be trifled with. Tell Buckle to end his search. Before he opens Pandora’s box."

Ms. Sweetins gave a single nod, but as the door clicked shut behind him, her eyes didn’t leave the image on the desk.

She reached forward, gently tapped the photo, and whispered to the picture—

MS. SWEETINS (softly, firmly):
"What he doesn’t understand... is that finding you might be the only way to save NPCW. Recalling Buckle isn’t an option."

EPILOGUE

Van Helsing stepped into his private quarters, his mind weighted with concern, his features carved with quiet urgency. The conversation with Ms. Sweetins had stirred old fears—ones he had long hoped would stay buried.

He cast a quick glance to the mantle clock: enough time before his next departure, though time itself felt fragile now, like ice beneath booted feet.

Muttering under his breath, he removed his coat, tossed it over the back of a chair, and moved to the desk.

“They have no idea the danger they’re in,” he whispered grimly.

With deliberate movement, he unlocked a secure phone from the drawer, punched in a sequence of numbers, and placed a call—an international line encoded and seldom used.

The phone rang once. Then again.

Click. A connection.

We hear only Van Helsing’s voice, low and deliberate.

VAN HELSING (tense, quiet):
"Hello, Jonathan… I need your help."

(beat)

"No, it’s not Mina—though yes, she’s struggling. But she’s still in control… for now."

(a longer pause)

"This is about the Cult."

(his voice darkens)

"I wouldn’t be calling if it weren’t important."

He rises slowly, begins pacing. The shadows cast by the lamplight stretch long across the study.

VAN HELSING (pressing):
"There’s an elf—Agent Buckle. He’s heading into the Vale of Shadows. Following a trail to one of the Watchers… a friend of yours, I believe. Sent by Ms. Sweetins."

(he pauses again, listening)

"Yes. That Watcher. He’s her objective, but Buckle doesn’t know what he’s walking into. And worse still… the Cult is watching now."

A crack of frustration slips into his voice.

VAN HELSING (grim):
"They don’t understand what they’re stirring. They think this is myth and echo. But I fear it’s more than that."

(quiet intensity)
"I need to know… is Dracula still sealed?"

(relieved breath)
"The seal remains unbroken… Thank all that is holy."

He stops pacing, his shoulders sagging briefly with restrained relief.

VAN HELSING (resolute):
"Can you travel to the Vale? Meet Buckle. Divert him if possible. I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t dire—but do it for Mina, if not for me."

(final pause)

"I cannot go. There’s another situation here I must see to—I'm leaving as soon as we finish speaking."

He walks to the window, staring out at the moonlit horizon.

VAN HELSING (calm but firm):
"Thank you, Jonathan. I’ll follow up once I return. Goodbye, for now."

The line cuts.

He sets the phone down slowly, resting both hands on the edge of the desk as the weight of the moment crashes down. Something larger was moving—he could feel it in the edges of the night.

And then—

A knock.

He turned.

The door creaked open to reveal a broad figure in red: Santa Claus, hat off, trench coat on, beard trimmed, eyes sharp and gleaming with purpose.

SANTA CLAUS (cheerful, yet deadly serious):
"Well, Van Helsing… are you ready for our road trip?"

Van Helsing gave the faintest smirk, reached for his coat, and pulled it on.

VAN HELSING (gruff, determined):
"As ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s go get Hansel."

Coming July 10, 2025: THE ALPHA AGENDA – Episode 001: "Santanatural"

Santa and Van Helsing join members of the Hunter Enclave to follow a lead on what the Alphas have been up to.