CHAPTER 36

While I was despairing over my imprisonment in the Count's castle, over in England Mina had been helping Jonathan and the others prepare for the journey to Transylvania when she suddenly received a strange sensation. Once again, I let Mina tell of her experience in her own words…

As Jonathan and the other men discussed their plans for taking the count's castle and rescuing Teresa, I was occupied with packing supplies taken from Van Helsing's checklist. As I gathered each item, I marveled at just how much it took to destroy a vampire. 60 rings of garlic, 100 vials of holy water- Good Lord, how was I going to fit all of that into seven small valises?

My head feeling as heavy as lead, I sat down to rest for a moment. Then suddenly, almost as plainly as if she was present in the room, I heard Teresa's voice.

"Mina! Mina, help me!"

I almost leapt to my feet but then entered into my mind the possibility that I might be hearing things. Not entirely convinced though, I sat back down. There was a moment's silence and then-

"Mina, you must help me! The Count is trying to turn me against you, against everything good. He can easily penetrate my mind and is no doubt planning to lure you all into a trap. I don't know if I have the strength to repel him. I don't want to become a vampire! Mina, you must rescue me before he gets any deeper into my mind. If you don't, we're all doomed!"

Now I was certain I had not been hearing things. I found myself racing from my chair into the next room where Jonathan and the others sat, pouring over a map of the Count's land in Transylvania. They were conversing in low voices. I didn't know what they were talking about and at the moment, I didn't care.

I came up to them and said, my voice quivering, "We must hurry! Teresa is drawing closer to becoming a vampire!"

Jonathan got up from his chair. "Mina, what is wrong? You look as if you've seen a ghost."

I burst out, "I heard Teresa's voice in my head! She's trying to hold out as long as she can, but he is slowly taking her over."

Jonathan looked at Van Helsing in confusion, but Van Helsing didn't say anything. He seemed to be as bewildered as Jonathan, and I saw Dr. Seward, Lord Godalming, and Quincey Morris exchange frowned expressions. The silence was maddening. In a rage that was completely unlike me, I stamped my foot on the floor. "I am not going mad! I did hear Teresa's voice in my head, but that doesn't matter now. What does matter is that we come up with a plan to rescue her and we come up with it fast! We have to leave tonight if we want a chance at rescuing her."

Somehow, I was not entirely surprised when Van Helsing acknowledged that he believed me. Turning to the others, he said, "Madam Mina has heard what is called an astral echo from Miss Teresa. I will explain in detail later."

He led me over to the table around which Jonathan and the others were standing. "When we arrive in Transylvania," he said, pointing to the map, "it would perhaps be wise if we did not wander together as a group, but that we separate into twos and each take a different route close to the vampire's territory."

Lord Godalming looked up and pointed to the mark where the water met land. "I shall get a steam launch and see if I am able to track him by water."

"And I," said Quincey, "shall get horses to track him on land."

Van Helsing smiled briefly. "Very good, both of you. But neither of you must go alone. Even if you do not encounter the vampire, there are still Slovak rogues to 'reckon with', and they are notoriously known for being brutal and strong. " He turned to Dr. Seward and said, "Friend John, you told me that you and Quincey have often hunted together; you must accompany him on this route, and bring some Winchester rifles lest you should encounter wolves also."

I heard the anxiety and dismay in Dr. Seward's voice as he protested, "But, professor, I was intending to journey to the vampire's fortress and retrieve Miss Teresa. "

I'm almost sure I saw a smile on the professor's face, but it was briefly gone within an instant. "Friend John, there is more danger circling the fortress of the vampire than any other place. Logic and brains are required there, not rash judgement and last-minute decisions. The slightest error would exact the cost of a life- perhaps that of Miss Teresa herself. On another matter, what should happen if you meet Miss Teresa and she is already one of the undead? You would be forced to dispatch her quickly and I doubt you would have the strength and stamina to do so. No, you must go with Quincey, and (as you English say) 'cut off' the vampire's path on lower land, while Lord Godalming surveys the watery regions. "

I was sure that Dr. Seward was going to argue, but his respect and trust in Van Helsing led him to agree reluctantly.

Jonathan, I noticed, was altogether different than what he had been between the time he had returned from Transylvania and before Teresa was kidnapped. Then, he had been ever so weak and ill that there were times I had feared he would die. Now, however, he looked much stronger (in spite of his weak appearance and pallor) as though some energy had revived him from a deep sleep. In spite of this vigor, his eyes looked vacant and empty, as though he was a soulless being. I could tell from the faraway look in his eyes that he was thinking of Teresa and no doubt blaming himself for what had befallen her.

He caught me gazing at him and, looking away quickly, gathered himself together and said, "I shall go with Lord Godalming on his steam launch. That way he will not be single-handed if he should cross the path of the vampire. There is an old saying that states that 'two heads are better than one'. "

Van Helsing nodded in encouragement, but he, too, seemed to sense the internal suffering occurring in Jonathan's mind for he said, "Friend Jonathan, you clearly understand that the task of dispatching this fiend- this monster- falls to you for two reasons. First of all, you are young and capable of fighting, the latter of which will prove most useful. Second, it is your God-given right to destroy him –that spawn of Satan- which was brought such woe to you and yours.

"You must not worry so about Madam Mina," the professor continued and it was only then that I realized that it was not only Teresa about whom Jonathan was worried- it was also me!

"Madam Mina will be traveling with me deep into the enemy's country and we shall find our way to Castle Dracula, where we shall hopefully find Miss Teresa in good health and body and rescue her. Madam Mina's gift of receiving astral echoes should help pinpoint our path. "

Jonathan flatly refused to let me journey with Van Helsing into Transylvania- if Teresa was already lost, he did not intend to lose me also. But Van Helsing persisted, and at last Jonathan gave in.

We leave for the station in several hours.