The Return of Dracula
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: This is a story that's been sitting around in my head for awhile, now. Arthur Holmwood is dying and Van Helsing is long gone. So Godalming passes on the "tools of the trade" to his son and his friends' sons (Seward and Mina and Jonathan Harker's sons). And there's gonna be a twist concerning Quincey Morris.
Quincey Harker's journal 17, May. Noon. – I have now packed my belongings and am ready to go. Each summer, we would spend our breaks at either Uncle Arthur's estate, Uncle John's estate at Carfax, or at ours. Charles has already packed his bags, as well. This summer, we are all staying at Uncle Arthur's. Charles says that Uncle John's services may be needed, as Uncle Arthur is slowly wasting away.
I asked Charles what Uncle John's prognosis was. He said it was asthma—and so Charles agrees. After all, he wants to be a doctor like his father.
After the summer is over, Charles Seward and I shall part ways—he to take up medicine, and I to go to the seminary. Father agrees that I should be a preacher, although Mum has her own thoughts on it.
I write this in the carriage as we drive away from Stanford. I can see its majestic grounds getting smaller and smaller in the background as we go.
Charles and I are both anxious to know how Uncle Arthur fares. Everyone is concerned about his failing health. Mum is concerned about him, so is Dad. Mum is like a sister to Uncle Arthur—so I'm told.
Mother and Father say that their bonds with Uncle John, Uncle Arthur, and Uncle Abraham—though he has long since passed—bless his soul, have grown stronger through the years, since they first came together to rid the world of a demon who walked the earth. Dracula was his name.
I, myself, do not believe such stories. I think Mum and Dad only made that up to scare us as children when we would not go to sleep at night. Preposterous!
We are now nearing the station. I may be able to continue writing in the train or not. Perhaps I shall sleep in the train. In any case, I shall write later.
___
Quincey Harker's journal, cont.—Later. We arrived at Uncle Arthur's estate at four o'clock in the afternoon. We had tea in the garden, and it was a delight to see Mary, again, after so many years. Such a sweet girl! She is a sister to me—as Mum is a sister to Uncle Arthur. Lucy—who was named after—Mum's bosom friend, was also present. Charles teases me about Lucy. He thinks Lucy is infatuated with me! How absurd! I have never heard a more ridiculous idea in my life! Arthur was also there with us in the garden, that afternoon. My two younger sisters Elizabeth and Wilhelmina were also there. John—Charles's younger brother was also with us, that day.
It was a great comfort to us all to be in the presence of friends and family, especially in times like these. Uncle John is of the idea that Uncle Arthur may expire any day. In that case, we must keep watch—all of us—together. Uncle John fears some dreadful thing might happen. In any case, it will do us all a world of good to be by each other's side.
___
17, May. Evening—As the girls were off talking somewhere, Arthur, Charles, and I, went into the library to have a talk of our own. We talked and smoked our cigars, and in that moment, when we were alone—all three of us—Arthur broke down into sobs.
He poured his heart to us—how he was anxious for his father! It wrenched my heart to hear those wails!
Charles and I took him in his arms as he shook and sobbed. He could no longer bear the strain—with Uncle Arthur's imminent death.
"God!" he cried, "I cannot bear to see him waste away! I have not cried these past days. If I did cry, it was in the comfort of my own room where no one could see me. Oh, God!"
"We are brothers, Arthur," I said, assuring him, "And we will continue to be your brothers in these times—Charles and I."
At this, Charles nodded.
Then, quoting from Uncle Abraham, I said, "We must first cross the bitter waters before we reach the sweet."
He thanked us both and we embraced each other—all three. It was quite a sight! The epitome of brotherhood! Three men—embrace each other in the midst of sorrow and tribulation. Tears fall, even now, as I write this in my journal! God, how these pages are stained with ink and tears! I cannot bear to write more of this... I must stop or I shall burst!
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Dr. Seward's Diary (recorded on phonograph)—Arrived at Hillingham, nine o'clock. Winslow the butler ushered me into Arthur's bedroom. I found him quite rested but in the worst of conditions. He is slowly wasting away. He inquired of Mina and Jonathan. I answered that I have not seen them these past few days but that I may know how they fare when I ask Elizabeth, Wilhelmina, or Quincey. Poor chap! His condition has worsened—he does not even know that Charles, Quincey, Wilhelmina, and Elizabeth are here, keeping vigil!
I am assured, however, that there is nothing supernatural in Arthur's illness. I see no bite marks on his neck to indicate being bitten by a vampire. Besides, we have long-since banished their demonic master from the face of the earth! Still, still... I cannot shake the feeling that something of the sort will happen. I can feel it in the air! I have been introduced to these things, once, and I cannot deny it! I know it! God help us all if there be danger!
___
Telegram. Seward, Hillingham, to Harker, Exeter.
"Can feel something strange and demonic in the air. May be my imagination. Come to Hillingham in any case."
Telegram. Harker, Exeter, to Seward, Hillingham.
"You are not alone. Can feel it too. Strange presence in the air. Mina knows—positive about it."