Before Winnie could stop him Dennis took his bat form and flew off. "Please don't go." She whispered slowly. She watched until he'd become nothing but a small dot before running off back to the hotel to tell Dracula and Mavis. she was so tired and anxious by the time she made it back that she just burst thru the double doors ignoring the zombie door greeter and went immediately to find Dracula.
He wasn't in the party hall so she ran up the stairs and past Dennis's room. Dracula's living space was just feet from his, without wasting any words she ran into his room but stopped when she realized he wasn't there. Putting her nose to work she tracked him down all the way towards Johnny and Mavis's room. That's when she realized the extent of Johnny's condition, both drac and Mavis were both on opposite sides of the bed, Mavis was holding his hand while Dracula watched in utter silence. anguish and heartbreak clearly visible on his pale features.
Mavis was holding his hand and gently patting it trying her best to keep from crying. she wanted to be strong but Winnie could clearly see thru her ruse.
Johnny was more pale and sickly looking then anything. His thin, lanky appearance was most likely due to him unable to keep any food down, his once bright and exuberant eyes were now dull, and lifeless. He was coughing but trying his best to give Mavis a smile though Winnie could tell even that hurt him.
"Daddy there has to be something we can do..." Mavis's tone was soft yet somber. Dracula touched her shoulder in a comforting sort of manner though she pulled away "We cant just let him die..."
"Mavis?" She was suddenly alert, "Don't worry Johnny i'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." she took hold of his hand and sat on the opposite side of the bed. The springs underneath creaked under her weight. "There is but one solution." Dracula said after a minute "We are running out of time so a decision has to be made now."
Mavis looked over at Drac confused "What is it daddy? I'll do anything..."
He slowly made his way towards the window overlooking the cemetery. his hands were behind his back and he was staring blindly out into the darkness "We have to turn Johnny into a vampire" He said quietly.
For the first time in weeks Mavis smiled "you'd really do that for him?"
"Of course my little poison berry but there is a steep price to pay for what is about to be done." That was all Winnie heard before she was escorted out by one of Dracula's hotel workers.
frustrated she took off on all fours down the hallway. as she did she could hear rumbling coming from outside. her heart began to beat in and out of her chest faster then a Jackrabbits though she didn't stop running even as she bumped into Brett again who seemed madder then a hornet in a hornets nest.
"Of all the inconsiderate..."
ignoring him she kept on running, it was only after she'd gotten out of the hotel that she began howling. This was her signal howl it was meant to call Dennis back.
He was miles away but could still hear her, tears streaming down his face as he turned away and continued flying. Another clasp of thunder hit and he flinched back but kept going even as it began raining harder. He was having trouble seeing, almost got hit by a bolt of lightening and was nearly blown back by the strong winds that had picked up even this was not enough to deter him.
His heart and sonar hearing were leading him forward. He only stopped when he grew tired of flying, much to his surprise he ended up at the fort he and Winnie hid in as kids.
This is where he finally broke down, his emotions which he'd been holding back spilling out all at once. He went from crying to literally being enraged within seconds. He could still hear Winnie's howling in the distance. She was calling to him he knew that much but he was to depressed to move so he just sat there with his head in his hands.
000000000000
"Winnie get back inside hun your gonna catch a cold" Wanda called.
when she realized she wasn't gonna get thru to her daughter she turned her attention to Wayne who was busy trying to get the smaller wolf pups in line. "Wayne talk some sense into her. She'll listen to you." He muttered something under his breath before tearing one of the wolf pups off his head and walking out into the rain. much to his annoyance.
"Winnie get your butt inside this hotel, now" He demanded automatically shaking off the rain drops soaking into his fur. "I have to wait for Dennis to come back dad I just have to."
Wayne scratched his head in confusion "Don't worry about Dennis he can take care of himself just fine. It's not gonna do anyone any good if you catch a cold. Now I want you inside this instant. don't make me tell you again" He trudged back in with Winnie reluctantly following close behind. She didn't say a word to anyone the entire time they were waiting in the party hall. She just paced back and forth her ears moving from side to side as she tried to listen for Dennis. She did this for a few minutes before her mother got tired and took ahold of her arm.
"I thought he would have been back by now." Winnie said quietly "This isn't like him to be gone so long."
"He's losing his father" Wanda said quietly "thats gonna be tough on anyone. So Just give him his space and he'll come back when he's good and ready. In the meantime you need to go apologize to brett."
Winnie wanted to argue but didn't want to stress her mother out. Not in the condition she was in, so she agreed to give him an apology. It would be forced but she was gonna try at least.
she started rehearsing what she was gonna say "Ok Winn, you can do this" she told herself "Just take a deep breath and say it. I'm so..." she tried a couple times to say that one simple word but found it to be harder then she thought. "So..." Still nothing came out and she was getting frustrated.
forcing a smile she headed over to Brett's parents and asked them where Brett was. They told her that he'd gone outside to look at the moon.
as she made her way outside she was busy trying to get the word sorry out when she heard Dennis's bat calls. he wasn't to far away she could smell his scent as he flew down towards the hotel.
her smile fading when he swooped down and took his human form again. He had his hands in his pockets and refused to look at her "How's my dad?" He asked her.
"I- I don't know..." she said sadly "They wouldn't let me..." he pushed past her and headed into the lobby. Winnie following close behind as he ran up the stairs and down the long empty hallway towards their bedroom.
He paused near the door, completely frozen in place. "This isn't right." he said quietly. Winnie didn't know if he was talking to her but she got her answer when he finally turned to look at her.
"I'm taking my anger out on you and it isn't right. I'm sorry,"
Wondering why he had a sudden change of heart Winnie didn't argue she only watched as he pushed the door to his parents room open. Neither expecting what they saw next.
there were 3 sets of dark red eyes staring back at him, his father who'd been unable to stand in weeks was now standing at the window just feet from the bed with Mavis holding his hand.
"Grandpa drac what did you..." Dennis froze in place as Dracula turned to stare in his direction. Blood completely covering his mouth, one of the guests from the party lay passed out on the ground. It was Brett.
To be continued...