Zing A Second Time

Chapter Two

Silver Serpent

He made every effort to be away from her… yet here was Dracula, hiding behind the bushes at the Gorgon Lagoon, where she said she'd be.

He felt like kicking himself. He should be keeping his distance away from Medea, though here he was, following her footsteps. She was picking clover at the edge of the water, mud along her hands and wrist. In the basket beside her were other sets of herbs where she placed once she picked them.

He had no idea why they zinged in the lobby. What was it about her that made them zing in the first place? Despite her strong frame, there was something in her eyes that seemed… sad.

Cleaning her hands on a towel, she began to pack her things. She picked up the jewellery beside her. In her hands was a sliver band in carved with a serpent. Her eyes closed. She held the band for a long time.

Dracula's brow dropped. The piece of jewellery must have a special meaning to her. Opening her eyes, she began to move the band. Her fingers suddenly fumbled, and the band splashed into the water.

Her hands were against her face. "No…!"

His eyes widen. Dashing into the water, he found himself covered in algae and mud. The silver band was in his hand.

"Oh, thank you…" Medea breathed. "I thought I'd loose my bracelet forever."

She smiled. "I'm glad you were here in time."

A wayward smile was on his face. He came out of hiding. Did Medea suspected anything?

"No trouble at all…!" he began. "I was just… on my walk."

Taking the band, she began to clean it with her towel.

"They always said to leave behind jewellery when you're gardening or herb collecting, though I always have this with me…" She placed the band on her left wrist. "I can't bare to part with it."

Her smile was gone once she observed Dracula. "Oh, goodness, look at you… You're a mess no thanks to me."

She offered him the towel.

"I'm alright…" Dracula raised a hand. "Nothing that a good bubble bath can't fix."

"You sure? I wouldn't want you to catch your death."

He smiled. "I'm immortal. I can't die."

They both laughed. Medea got up. Dracula was still in the water.

"Thank you…" she smiled. "I'm glad that you were around today."

As she walked away, Dracula knew the silver band had more to a story than she was telling. She must have lost someone close to her. Just like him…

Avoiding her was going to be harder than he expected.

A sneeze sounded from him.

"Have you guys noticed anything different about Drac lately?" Murray asked his friends as he placed his cup back down on the saucer.

The whole gang drank coffee in the lounge. Mavis happened to be walking by.

Wayne mused. "Now that you mentioned it, he does seem a bit more frightful lately."

"Do you think it has to do anything about that sorceress that checked in?" asked Frank.

"You guys should have seen him hiding in the closet when she walked by," began Murray. "He was in the closet, hiding in the closet…!"

Mavis frowned. "You don't think she's after my dad, do you?"

Murray shook his head. "If there was a curse, I would have sensed it."

"I don't think she's here to cause harm," shook Frank. "She doesn't seem that dangerous."

"Maybe I can see what she's up to…" began Griffin. "She won't see what's coming."

Frank rolled his eyes. "She knows magic… She'll know you're there in two seconds flat."

Griffin's glasses furrowed. "Oh… right."

Mavis got up. "I'll go see what's going on. I'll try and get an answer out of him. If he's in any danger, he'd tell me."