Dora
I own Dora, the rest belongs to the stupendous Darren Shan!
Dora had been left outside the entrance to vampire mountain when she was merely hours old. Larten Crepsley who carried her wrapped in his cape, straight to the Prince's, explained how he had found her. On closer inspection Dora had an envelope, change of clothes, nappies etc all in the basket she had been left in. The note read: 'Dear Larten, This is your daughter Dora, look after her because I cannot. She will age as a human until she is five then her half vampire blood will function and she will age one year for every five. Evanna.
On reading this out loud Larten's cheeks coloured. The Princes were so stunned they could not speak for several minutes. Then after much debating decided Dora should remain in Vampire Mountain, as she was half vampire. Larten didn't know how to feel – scared, happy?
This all happened seven years ago, now Dora was part of Vampire Mountain life and adored by all, especially the Princes's but most of all by her proud father. She was seven years old but still looked only five.
The main worry for Larten was that Dora would get lost in the many tunnels of the mountain and so he forbid her to go near them without his permission. Otherwise Dora knew all the halls and rooms better than any other vampire, this was mainly because she loved to run and explore.
Dora slid quietly off her bed not wanting to wake her dad, it was four in the morning and she knew nearly all the vampires slept soundly. Dora loved this time, she could run through the corridors and halls in her bed socks without being told off. Dora was off to visit one of her favourite people and the only other half vampire she knew….Darren. Dora found him studying maps, so ran up behind him hoping to scare him. At the very last minute when Dora was about to jump on him, Darren turned and scooped her up. 'Hows my little sister then?' laughed Darren (Darren had told Mr Crepsley that if Dora was his daughter, then that made him her brother much to Mr Crepsley's amusement). 'Darren lets go exploring outside before the sun goes down'. Darren knew Dora would persist but cut her off. I will have something to eat with you but I cannot take you through the tunnels without asking Larten's permission. Because the vampires adored Dora she was spoilt by everyone, and was a naturally happy but short tempered (like her dad), and very kind child.
After eating an early breakfast Darren headed back to his maps, leaving Dora alone to clear up their dishes. Dora always tidied up after herself, and had chores to do. Her main duty was to collect the used plates and jugs for washing. She had to do this in the evening (breakfast) and around midnight. After that Dora's time was her own. Dora still had an hour or two before she had to work so made her way to the games hall. No one was in the hall so Dora trained, nobody ever saw her as she leaped high up on the bars practising her balance (her Dad would freak if he found out). After an hour of hard work not only on the bars but also with knife throwing Dora went for a shower. After checking the showers were empty Dora quickly washed and changed.
Dora chatted to everyone as she cleared the plates in the dining hall. Mika ruffled her hair as she walked past so Dora stopped and gave him a hug (Dora always hugged Mika because it always made the normally sad looking vampire smile). When the early rush was over Dora plonked herself down next to Seba. 'Hi ya Grandad' said Dora. Seba loved being called Grandad and was extremely close to the girl and was very protective of her. 'Dora, what are your plans for the night?' enquired Seba. 'Actually I thought I could go outside tonight with you? Can we Grandad?' Seba smiled down at the young child, 'not today and in any case you would need to ask your dad'.
Dora continued with her chores then went off to find her Dad. On her way back to her room (and Lartens) Dora met Kurda. 'Hey Kurda, fancy sneaking off down the tunnels and outside with me?' Kurda was trying to shake his head and shhhh her at the same time. Dora turned around with a horrible feeling her Dad was behind her.
'Dora Evanna Crepsley come with me' yelled her Dad whilst pulling her along by her wrist. 'I was joking Dad, I wouldn't really go off without asking you, Dad, Dad' Dora gave up. Her Dad was not one to listen when he was mad, and judging by the look on his face he was livid. Larten took Dora into the kitchens and asked Jake (vampire in charge of the kitchen) if Dora could wash up everything for the next week. Which he was more than happy to agree with, after Larten clipped Dora round the head he turned around and left her in the huge kitchen with Jake grinning down at her. 'What did you do Dora?' chuckled Jake. 'I got caught asking Kurda to take me through the tunnels and outside, Dad freaked'.
Dora's week in the kitchen wasn't as bad as she first thought, Jake went easy on her and she took lots of breaks (when she knew her Dad wasn't around). Dora also got on with Jake really well and became good friends.
With her week in the kitchens behind her Dora's life got back to normal. Then one night a fairly new vampire's assistant came to the mountain called David. He didn't seem to like Dora very much and thought her beneath him. Dora had not really experienced rejection before, as all the vampires were kind to her. This made David very interesting to Dora and she couldn't help spying on him. She found he had a computer thingy, which Dora had only heard about, and nervously summoned up the courage to knock on his door. 'What do you want' snarled David angrily. 'Well I have never seen a computer before and wondered what they were like' whispered Dora shyly. David turned on her 'of cause you wouldn't you're a bleedin freak, you dress weird and act weird and you're a pain in the neck spying on me'. Dora wanted to cry but held her tears in 'what is wrong with how I dress?' whispered Dora. David looked smug then said 'let me show you how normal kids act and look who aren't freaks'. David opened up his laptop and showed her young girls in dresses playing games together and laughing. Dora stood with her eyes bulging as David showed her more. 'See you're just a freak of nature, half witch, half vampire, so now you know get lost and stop bugging me squirt' David laughed.
Dora ran out of David's room and found a quiet corner to compose herself and her feelings. David was right she was weird. Not only was she the only child, only girl and only half vampire girl she wore old vampire clothes that had been cut to fit her…. he was right she was a freak. Also half witch, this must mean her mum was a witch but why hadn't anyone told her before now?
Dora spent some time deciding what she should do, should she talk to her Dad about it? He was still upset about the 'tunnels' incident a few weeks ago. After a while Dora made a decision, she was going to find out about her mum and then go and visit her. She was seven not five and she was tougher than the vampires knew; now to find out about my mum thought Dora and Grandad would be just the person.
Dora knocked on Seba's door and he stood aside so Dora could come in, Seba noticed Dora had been crying. Dora climbed onto Seba's bed and when Seba sat beside her she hugged him. Seba sat and waited for Dora to speak and after sometime she asked 'Grandad do you know my mother the witch?'. Seba tried not to look shocked but whoever told Dora about her mother had better watch out when Larten found out. 'Yes I know your mother Dora although I have only met her twice'. 'Can you tell me about her Grandad, dad hasn't told me anything'. 'Well your mother is magical and some call her a witch but I don't believe that is the correct word to describe her powers, your mother always hated being called a witch. She has always been very kind to the vampire clan and she provided shelter and food for me when I was travelling'. 'Where does she live Grandad?' whispered Dora. Seba didn't want to say to much as he felt it was up to Larten to decide what he thought Dora should know but replied 'in a cave some 100 miles from here although I cant remember exactly where. Now Dora I feel you need to talk to your father about this, why don't you run and find him?' Dora thought for a moment then replied 'I think I will leave it for now I am going to bed anyway he's still a bit cross with me thanks Grandad bye'. With that Dora hopped off the bed and out of Seba's room.
On entering her room Dora ran up to Larten and hugged him 'I m goin ta bed Dad I m well tired'. Larten lifted Dora and hugged her tightly Dora its 'I am going to bed as I am very tired'. Now give me a kiss then I will tuck you in. 'Love you Dad' whispered Dora, 'and I you' replied Larten with a proud smile on his face. Larten told Dora a story until her eyes fluttered closed then Larten crept out of the bedroom closing the door quietly behind him.
When Larten entered the hall for a drink of blood Seba waved him over. Larten took his drink and sat next to his mentor giving him a quick hug around the shoulders. 'Larten I am concerned about Dora she came to see me today, has she spoken to you about her mother?' Larten looked rather shocked, no I have just put Dora to bed and waited till she fell asleep and she made no mention of her mother, what did she ask you?' Seba told him what had happened and Larten sat scratching his scar thoughtfully. 'Who has told Dora about her mother I will find out and then they will be sorry, I wish I had noticed she had been crying what sort of a Dad am I. Also no disrespect Seba but why did she not ask me about her mother?' 'Well Dora believes you are still a bit upset by the tunnel incident as she puts it and maybe she also thought it may upset you to speak of her mother'.
Larten desperately wanted to wake Dora up to speak with her but knew he would have to wait until sunset.
As neither Seba nor Larten knew whom Dora had been talking to and what else they had said (Larten intended to find out as soon as possible) there was nothing further he could do. Larten gently pushed Dora's fringe away from her eyes and he watched her sleeping then kissed her gently on the forehead before going to his coffin.
Larten woke and made his way to breakfast, spotting Dora collecting Mika's plate and then gently hugging him. Larten couldn't help but grin as he watched Dora chatting to everyone and making them all smile but saving hugs for the favoured few (Darren, Mika, Arrow and Paris). He watched as Darren grabbed her and plonked her on his lap and set about tickling her making the other princes laugh. When Dora had fought her way free and went about her duties Larten went to sit by Darren and the other princes. Larten asked Darren if he knew who had told Dora about her mother and he and the other prince's were very surprised and angry when they found out Dora had been crying. Larten asked them to not say anything and he would find out from Dora shortly, Darren offered to shove who ever had made Dora upset off the top of the mountain after pulling his arms and legs off (Larten couldn't help but smile at Darren's protectiveness over his sister and knew exactly how he felt),
Larten caught Dora's attention 'have you nearly finished Dora?' 'Hi Dad, yep just gotta take these back and then I m done'. Larten over looked Dora's grammar and said 'finish up and then come and sit by me, I wish to talk to you privately'. 'Ok Dad wont be a minute' then Dora rushed off. Knowing that her Dad was going to quiz her Dora knew what she was going to say and sat down next to her Dad as he put an arm around her. 'Dora I know you have been asking about your mother and please don't be cross at your Grandfather he was only concerned about you. Now tell me who has been talking to you and what they said' Larten asked sounding very serious.
'I overheard two vampires talking about me, I was just coming around the corner but when I heard my name I just stood still. I honestly don't know who they were but they said some unkind things, which I would rather not talk about'. Dora's voice went so quiet that Larten had to stain to hear and when Dora had finished he was furious. Darren was watching carefully and he could tell straight away that Larten was ready to kill. 'Tell me what they said Dora it is important' said Larten trying not to sound to stern. 'Its embarrassing Dad said Dora as tears welled up in her big green eyes'. Larten lifted her onto his lap and gently hugged her 'please tell me Dora I hate to see you upset'. Dora lowered her head and fiddled with her Dad's cape as she quietly spoke 'I am a bleeding freak, I m a half witch and half vampire who doesn't dress or act like normal girls, I m a weird freak of nature'. Dora's tears fell steadily down her cheeks as Larten hugged her tightly and whispered reassuring words into her ear telling her how much he loved her and how proud of her he was. Larten would truly love to find out who had said such cruel things for he was sure he would not be able to stop himself from killing them.
Larten didn't leave Dora's side and spent the night reassuring her and playing cards together. When she finally drifted off to sleep once more Larten found Darren with Seba and the other prince's and told them what had happened. 'Right said Darren lets find the sorry sons of b- and kill them'. 'Thank you Darren I had the same reaction earlier but now I have spent the night with Dora and she does not wish to speak about it further but this has upset her deeply. Maybe we could keep an eye out for her and make sure she doesn't get upset further over this'. All the prince's looked madder than when the vampanese had tried to attack the mountain and Mika said he would try and find out who had spoken so harshly about little Dora (who he adored).
As Dora lay in bed she went over her plan in her mind. First she would go through Darren's maps to see if he had one with her mothers cave on (which she would take). Then she would take some knives and food and make her way out of the mountain at sunrise if she could find away to sneak past the guards. With that decided Dora drifted off to sleep.