Chapter 9

The Road to Recovery

I will be referencing some events from an alternate ending of Hotel Transylvania I wrote for backstory. It is relatively short, replacing the last 20 minutes or so of the movie

The next day was difficult on everyone, including Johnny. Not only did his family have the events of the previous 2 nights on their heads, but they had begun to wean themselves from the taste of blood. As Dracula suspected this would be a long road. All of them woke up screaming at least once throughout the day. Johnny would do his best to comfort them, which was easier with the Mavis and Dennis, but he was unsure what to say to Dracula.

"Do not worry about me, Johnny," Dracula said trying to provide support to his son-in-law. "I have done this before, so I know what to expect. Mavis is going to have the hardes time. She has never tasted actual blood before as far as I know. She is the one you will have to focus on."

"But dad you…"

Dracula cut him off before he could finish, "No. That is the way it must be. I cannot lean on you that much. Your family needs you more."

"But you're my family as well." Dracula instantly smiled feeling a little relief. "I am just going to have to deat with it. I better get used to it now." A few minutes passed before Johnny wanted to inquire more, "Dad, why did you give up blood before?"

"For my zing. It repulsed her, the hunting. She was never a hateful person, and thought that you couldn't kill unprovoked without hate."

"I think I understand now what happened to Mavis."

"You do?"

"Yes, it wasn't just the fact her grandfather died. That would have caused grief. The pure rage she felt was caused by the fact that I was taken."

"Johnny, you are wise beyond your years. She is going to need all your help for the next few days. Once we get passed that, it gets easier. But cleansing our palettes takes time. Thank you for staying, but I think your son needs you now." As if by physic ability, Dennis woke up crying, and Johnny went to comfort his son.

"Daddy, I've done something bad," Dennis said as Johnny entered. "I think I killed Papa Vlad."

"No, you didn't kill him. It was is former allies."

"But if I wasn't born, then this wouldn't have happened."

"Don't think like that. After he saw all of us at your birthday last year, human and monster, fighting the demons his heart softened. He loved you dearly. Now he and Grandma Martha will be watching over you from beyond the grave." Instantly Johnny didn't like the way it sounded, but it seemed to cheer him up. "Did I ever tell you that it was Grandma Martha who led me to your mom?"

"No."

"I was at the castle she died at, when she spoke to me. She told me I would find my destiny here, and she was right." Johnny was stroking his son's hair, and it seemed to be calming him. "So we do get messages from our loved ones, even when they are not with us." Dennis was now fighting a small smile, and was able to get back to sleep. Johnny stayed with him until Mavis let out one of the most primal cries of terror he had ever heard. He instantly went to comfort his wife.

"Johnny, I can't get the taste of blood out of my mouth. I hate the way it tastes. I never want to taste it again."

"Did you have a nightmare, honey?"

"Yes, this time I actually killed you. I didn't stop. I just kept sucking all the blood out of your body even though I knew it was you. I didn't care." Johnny was now cradling his wife, rocking her back and forth as if she was still a child. "Why," she paused for a second, "Why are you doing this?"

"Because it is what my mother did when I was scared. And I don't know what else to do." It seemed to be having a calming effect on her. As he saw the look of panic leave her he kissed her on the forehead. "My zing, we are going to get you thru this. This is the first step, and from what your father said, it is the hardest. Once the taste is gone, the rest is easy."

Mavis got out of Johnny's arms and went to get a glass of water, hoping that would help. She was horrified upon turning on the tap, and it being the color of blood. She let out a bloodcurdling scream. Johnny instantly rushed to her side. As soon as she saw him she said, "There's no water, it is only blood."

Johnny looked at the clear water coming out of the tap confused. "My love, your mind is playing a terrible trick on you. It is just water. I swear to you it is fine." She was able to take a drink, and to her relief Johnny was right. Instantly the look of horror left her face. "Your father said you would have the hardest time. Are you willing to try something?"

"Sure, anything if you think it will help."

"Turn into a bat, and come into my arms. I will cradle you all night if I have to." She did, and to her surprise, it calmed her. Johnny then began singing one of the lullabies that Dracula used to sing her.

"Hush little, vampire.
Don't say a word
Papa's gonna bite the head off a bird."

Mavis was now able to go to sleep, but Johnny still held her for the rest of the day. He repeatedly kissed he on the forehead saying, "I love you so much, my zing."

The next night came and everyone looked much more rested than they had been before. Meals consisted mostly of salads and vegetables, not wanting to risk introducing the taste of blood at all. The biggest hit, other than Mavis's favorite, a bagel with scream cheese, was peanut butter. Johnny said, "It got me thru school for 12 years. Simple, and delicious." Dennis and Dracula didn't do any training, and it meant that he would miss his tryout for Camp Winnepacaca, but everyone knew this was more important.

If there was a good thing to come from all of the rehabilitation, it was that Johnny got to spend a lot of time delving into the inner beings of his family trying to comfort them. And to his surprise, he was good at it. He and Dracula actually learned they had more in common than they thought.

It took three more days before Dracula and Dennis were able to sleep throughout the days, but Mavis still struggled. Every time she woke up screaming, Johnny would ask her to turn into a bat and he would cradle her and sing to her. It worked every time.

About a week later, Mavis finally said, "You said you were going to get me thru this. You have. I cannot believe this has worked as well as it has." She turned back into herself and they embraced and kissed. "My zing, I cannot believe how comforting you can be. I thought this was going to break me, but you wouldn't let it. I love you so much."

"And I love you, my zing. This is how it must be. We must be there for each other. You, Dennis, your father, and I. Like the four horsemen." Johnny instantly regretted this analogy, but luckily Mavis thought it was a good thing so he just rolled with it. He'd explain later.

He was still unsure of when to tell her about his decision, that after the last two weeks was as certain as ever, but Mavis would not be strong enough to hear it now, and by the time that she was back to normal, his sister would be coming to start finalizing the plans for the wedding. He had hoped Mavis had confided in Jenna already and told her everything since she also knew how good Jenna was at deciphering secrets, and besides they had acted like sisters ever since they met. And he knew it was sometimes easier to tell a sister or girlfriend than a husband.