Chapter 3: Story Telling

Over the next couple of days no one could not help but notice that Herr Muller seemed to be on the mend. His complexion returned to a healthy shade, his nightmares were less frequent or at least tamer, and his wounds stopped bleeding, but they still looked infected.

Berit is treating the wounds as she says, "I still don't believe you do not know what did this to you."

"You would not believe me even if I did tell you."

 "Oh now, I fancy myself a rather open minded person, why not try me?"

Wolf thinks it over. "Well, if you claim to be 'open minded' then do you believe in anything…supernatural?"

Berit frowns. "What, like ghosts and fortune telling?"

"You are close, but think more on the lines of creatures."

She sighs and shakes her head, still not getting where he is trying to go. Until that is her attention is drawn to the marks on his neck, like two pinpricks…or teeth. She starts to laugh. "No…"

"See, you are laughing already!"

"Come now, what is this, some bizarre publicity ploy for that vampire film…"

"No, just listen." Wolf swallows trying to think of how to make her understand and believe. "Please, you are the only one I can talk to." Her face changes from, humour to compassion. His face is wan with seriousness, his eyes completely sane she notes. "Murnau," he continues, "has gone too far. He's obsessed with making the ultimate realistic vampire film, his 'Symphony of Horror'. How does one create a completely realistic vampire film? Hire a real vampire. We were told of that he was some sort of extreme Stanislovsky student."

"Stanislovsky?"

Wolf smirks finding how that is her first question. Such an innocent inquiry. "An advocate of method acting…um…an actor literally becoming a character that he is playing. So we, and when I say 'we' and mean myself and the cast and crew, were told that this 'actor' would only appear to us in full make-up and costume. The first time I saw him, it wasn't right. No one could create that visage with stage make-up; no costume shop crafted that coat. There was age unattainable during those supposed few weeks of preparation."

"And this person…"

"Thing. Creature. Not person."

"Creature, attacked you?"

"At least three times, maybe more."

"And this Murnau did nothing?"

"I wouldn't doubt it if he encouraged it," Wolf spits, the disdain evident.

"My last day on set, the Thing attacked me in front of everyone! Everyone saw, everyone was in uproar; though the rest of that night is blurry I can still hear the ringing of Murnau's voice in my mind, shouting, no concern, no compassion. 'I am tired of your lack of enthusiasm' Are the last words I can remember him saying to me. Some darker side of me hopes that his vampire destroys him as well." He glances at Berit who is staring at him. "Yes…better call Dr. Komisch and tell him it's time to get Herr Muller committed."

She shakes her head. "Of course not Wolf. In my time I have seen people gone after some sort of physical or mental trauma; and after all you've been through I am amazed that you are sane."

"Don't patronize me, please."

"I'm not! I believe you. In fact I feel a little special that you have decide to confide in me in such a way."

"I never asked you to keep it secret."

"No, but I shall. You know, I think finally telling someone all this will help you a lot." She stands, "It is getting late Wolf. Get some sleep." She turns off the lamp.

"Do you honestly believe me?" He asks her.

"You have never given any reason to not trust you. Why should I doubt you now?" She bends and briefly gives Wolf a kiss on the forehead before quickly retreating out of the room.

Wolf sleeps, but for once does not have nightmares.

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A/N: Even after revising this chapter didn't come out as spiffy as I would like. Oh well. Such is life. Now review.