Uncle Vlad

Chapter 4: The task

3rd September (continue)

Like that the lessons started. Vladimir...er Vlad, lead me up the highest top of the building, if it wasn't for the wolf, Zoltan, sat at the foot of the stairs I would have not followed Vlad up the stone steps, I was scared of what was going got happen when we got up there.

The cold autumn night air hit my face as we reached the large open window, we looked out, I could see the whole of Garside Grange. The sky was clouded, no stars like last night twinkling down but I could make out the round orb of the full moon poking out of the clouds. Vlad pointed out the area where the children go to school and the field where they have PE during the day but in the night it was a vampire hunting ground.

I was taking in so much of the view that I didn't notice Vlad coming up from behind me. Before I could blink I felt myself falling forward, out of the tall open window. I screamed! I was going to die! I was heading straight for the cobbled floor, I closed my eyes waiting for it to end, then another sensation filled me up. I wasn't falling anymore, I was flying! My eyes opened, I was now rising up towards the night sky. I looked down I could see the whole of Garside Grange, it felt amazing; my hair blown back from my face, my feet not touching the ground. It was all fun, then, a familiar voice in my ear

"Fun isn't it?", it was Vlad holding me tightly by the waist and before I knew it we were in the trees. Vlad landed us on one of the thick tree branches.

"I wish you didn't have to throw me out the window though. I say at last.

Vlad laughed, "it was just for fun."

"Throwing someone out of the window is fun!" I shout.

"Of course, watching someone fall to their death is quite interesting, just be thankful I decided to save you."

Oh that really cheered me up (not really) but I didn't have a chance to say that out loud, he spoke again "let's put you skills to the test, you'll see," he said in a sly tongue "the stupid servant, Renfield, has let my lunch get away do you think you could find it for me?"

I don't know how to answer, was it a rhetorical question? "it's a pig and a fat on at that" he says "of you go," with that he snapped his fingers and I was suddenly standing on muddy earth surrounded by tall dark trees circling around me, I heard an owl hoot, rusting in the bushes, the flapping wings of birds. I was scared, lost and alone. How could Vlad do this to me? How do I find a pig in this large dark wood?

"Don't give up yet Marlin" said the comforting voice of Timmy "you will find the pig your uncle wants, just listen and let you senses guide you." I take a deep breath to calm myself down and I follow Timmy's advice. I closed my eyes and strained my ears to here the chilly north wind blow though the whistling trees, animals rushing though the bushes calling out to one and another. It's interesting what sort of noises you can hear in the woodland.

So I let my feet guide me though the trees. My feet crunched on dead leaves and twigs, the moon shone rays of light though the whispering trees, I knew where to go, I don't know how but I knew the pig was trapped in a ditch somewhere off the clearing.

A few minutes later I found myself on the edge of the ditch, I almost stumbled over the edge. Looking down I could make out a small shape scuttling around. That must the pig Vlad wants, but how do I get it out of this ditch? Perhaps there is something around that can help me.

I search around the area but it was so dark I suddenly banged my head on a tree trunk, "ouch!" I spat, then I noticed on a branch, hanging off, was a black car tyre being held by a rope. An idea came to me in a flash.

Climbing the tree, I unknotted the robe from the branch and it fell to the ground with a thump, I carried the fallen objects towards the ditch. Checking the tyre was safely attached I knotted the rope onto the nearest tree and swung the tyre around my waist. 'This is stupid' I thought but I had to do it, I didn't want to disappoint Uncle Vlad.

Checking one last time the rope was tightly secured on the tree, I take a deep breath and lower myself into the dugout ditch.

My feet hit the muddy ground. I could hear a pig like noise as a big fat pink pig came happily trotting towards me. This was so easy, all I had to do was pick him up and climb back up , simple, but as I picked my prize up I heard a snapping noise that made me jump and before I knew it the rope that should have been attached to the tree came down at my feet.

...

This was a nightmare. I picked up the end of the rope. It must have snapped somehow or has it been cut? I look up the walls of the ditch they were to smooth for me to climb and even if I could I would have to leave Vlad's pig behind. I sunk to the ground in depression I was trapped! Stuck, my only hope was Vlad would come looking for me. The full moon was now out of the clouds high in the sky. It was my only comfort, but how wrong people can be to underestimate what power the full moon has.

I was back in Vlad's old castle in Transylvania in the same room as last time but there were no angry peasants outside, no stacked boxes, everything seemed to be in place until a shatter of glass was heard from the next room and a cry of anger was heard as Count Dracula, my Granddad, burst though the hard tall wooden doors, candles flicked on. The room was in light shining on The Counts face "HOW DARE SHE!" he screamed as thunder struck.

"Daddy?" said a small voice behind the doorway there stood two children, a boy and a girl both with bright sapphire eyes and silken black hair and faces as white as snow. I knew who they were at a moment, it was my mum and uncle Vlad they both looked so young, only children.

"Your angry about mum aren't you?" said Vlad with tears in his eyes "she's leaved us?"

"GET OUT!" the Count roared in anger and the two children sprinted away. I ran after them down the hall, up the stairs. They stood on the landing out of breath.

"Why did you say that?" snapped my mother, Ingrid in frustration at Vlad, even as a little girl she still looked frightening.

"Because it's true!" Vlad cried in tears

"How would you know any better, Vlad?"she asked in anger "your nothing but a little breather-lover your too dumb and little to know what's going on!"

"I am not!" Vlad blustered "you know it's true Ingrid, she sneaks out every night when dads busy, I've seen it so have you, she's gone!" all of a sudden Ingrid raised her hand and slapped poor Vlad across the face and he landed to the floor with a thump.

"She's not gone!" she screamed with her own tears pouring down her face, "she won't just leave me, she loves me, she would take me away with her!" and like that she was off, both children were leaved in tears.

I awoke with a wet and soft feeling on my face I slowly opened my eyes staring into black ones, I screamed. There on my lap was a small black Scotty dog wagging his tail and licking my face. I pushed him and stood up. I said before I was scared of dogs but this one looked so cute and friendly. It won't hurt me. "Hello" I say nicely "how did you get down here?" with that the little dog ran to were the end of the rope lay and took it in his mouth. "What are you up too?" I ask and he used his paws to climb up the walls.

I suddenly understand what he is doing. I take the sleeping pig and got the tyre around him and I watched as that little dog pulled up that fat pig.

Strong dog.

Me next. My waist through the tyre, the dog pulled me up out of the hole. When I was finally out I picked up the pig in my arms with a smile on my face I have succeeded, and I have that cute little dog to thank but where is he. I suddenly heard barking in the trees. It was the little black dog, he must want me to follow him. So I do through a trees, bushes and mud until I am lead back to the place I first set off, there was uncle Vlad waiting for me.

"Well done Martin" He says rubbing his hands together "I knew you would find my dinner but I heard you got yourself into a pickle, luckily I heard or I wouldn't have been able to sent Wolfie to search for you" he gestured to the little dog.

"The rope snapped on me" I said "it was only an accident."

"I don't think so" said Vlad becoming more serious "everything happens for a reason."

"You think someone snapped it on purpose?" I ask in horror.

"All I know it wasn't an accident, that rope was strong, I put it there myself to help you" I sighed "we will talk later, but now I'm hungry, give me the pig please" I handed the pig to him and he put it on his lap "watch closely, this is how you will one day get your meals" To my horror he bared his sharp pointed fangs and pressed them the poor animal's neck. I watched in disgust and fascination as the pig's life slowly drifted away in a matter of minutes.

"Thanks Marlin" he said wiping blood off from his lips "that was a lovely meal."

"He's dead isn't he?" I ask.

"Sadly yes but be careful Marlin" he said in a serious tone "remember animals we can kill, but humans we only take some of the blood, but not all of it do you understand" I nod "Great!" he said "lets walk back to the school it a nice night for it don't you think?"

"Marlin" Timmy said "ask were the pig came from, its important!"

"Uncle Vlad" I say carefully "will you tell me were that pig came from?" He stopped in his tracks and turned to me.

"Do you really want to know?" he asks "you won't like it" from his eyes I could see what he meant.

"It wasn't my pig was it?" I ask "was it!" he nods and walks of but I quickly follow "WHY!" I scream "Why did you have to chose mine? There are plenty of pigs around!"

"It wasn't my decision!" he said gently but sternly, "your mother made me take him she said he was in the way and he could give you some company but you see I couldn't just bring a smelly and disgusting animal like a pig into my father's home let alone a school. I had to get rid of him"

"But you have Wolfie and Zoltan they are allowed in you fathers home and they are animals"

"First of Wolfie is not an animal, he's a werewolf and he's also my half-brother!" he snapped "he will be human anytime soon and he saved your life you will do well to remember it and secondly" he added "Zoltan has been in the family longer than you think and he knows much more than anyone I know so if you're going to worry about the stupid pig go back to that crumbling old tower!" I felt as if I was going to cry, I'm away from home, my uncle is now angry at me and my pig is dead and it was all my fault.

Vlad sighed "if you're going to cry run back to the school its five minutes straight ahead" with that I ran.

Five minutes later Uncle Vlad was already waiting for me by the gate with Wolfie at his feet. I don't look him as I walked through the gate I just keep my head down "Sorry Marlin" he says in a gentle tone "I think I was too harsh back there" I look up to see him, he looked so sorry. I forgave him and we went back inside. As we strolled to the throne room with Wolfie at our heels, we were expecting the Count to be sitting at his throne bossing Renfield about but instead it was a woman sat there with a long red dress and scarlet lips, she spoke

"Hello darlings"

Now I think we all know who says "Hello darlings" in Young Dracula LOL.

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