Sorry it has taken me so long to update, but here is the next instalment. I would like to thank Roxula's Bride for all her glowing reviews and for reassuring me that my story is sticking to the PG 13 rating.
Chapter Fifteen
Carl wandered slowly towards Castle Frankenstein. Van Helsing had told him to go there, as he believed that Dracula would show up, if Carl called to him. Carl thought this was quite a stupid idea, as he did not believe that Dracula would even know he was there, yet he was quite scared anyway. Van Helsing had thought this the best place to call to Dracula as it was abandoned and a fair distance from the village.
Carl stood outside the castle's doors shivering, from both the cold and fear. It was dark now, as the sun had set over three hours ago. Carl held a small lamp close to him as he pushed open one of the door to the castle. The castle was a mess, all sorts of objects were strewn all over the floor, and Carl dodged the larger items and walked into the centre of the main room.
He spun around slowly taking in all of his surroundings. Carl began to wish he had never come here, as Van Helsing's plan was a stupid one and Carl feared for his life.
Something moved behind him and he quickly turned to find Dracula standing a few feet from him. Carl had not seen Dracula in the flesh, but recognised him from the numerous pictures the abbey in Rome had. Dracula was much taller than Carl, but he didn't seem to be using that advantage to scare Carl, he seemed intrigued by his presence.
"You have some information for my I gather." Dracula said trying to sound the least threatening he could. He knew that this man knew the whereabouts of Poison.
"How, how, how did you know I was here?" Carl stammered completely petrified. He had not brought any weapons with him, as Van Helsing would not let him saying this would anger Dracula
Dracula smiled softly to the man before him, trying to calm him down. He knew if he scared him too much he would pass out and he would not get the information he needed. He wondered why Van Helsing had sent this scrawny little man he found it quite insulting.
"I sensed your fear. But you need not be afraid, I have no intention of harming you."
"Van Helsing has Poison doesn't he?" Dracula asked.
The man nodded in agreement. Dracula's face dropped; for once he was afraid, afraid for Poison.
"Take me to her."
The man turned and walked towards the entrance door, Dracula followed a good distance behind, as not to frighten him.
Outside the castle was a horse that he must have rode up to the castle. He saddled the horse and began to ride off. He waited until the man was almost out of sight before changing into him vampiric form and following him.
Dracula flew over the trees keeping a good distance from the man, as he knew he would panic if he saw Dracula in this form. Fortunately vampires can see in the dark, so he could easily see the horse and its rider.
Dracula looked up towards the moon. A full moon, suddenly strange images filled Dracula's vision. He saw himself, hands tied behind his back, being led into the abbey beneath Rome. Inside he saw Poison and their daughter Ebony chained to a wall. Poison stood up, upon his entrance, she said nothing to him, but her eyes said it all. She looked like she hadn't slept in months and the spark that was usually in her eyes was gone, they were so dull and lifeless. Her face was red, it was clear that she had been crying.
Dracula looked over to his daughter who had just noticed he was there.
"Daddy, daddy," she cried trying to pull against her chains, in her failure she began to wail. Tears streamed down her little face. Dracula couldn't stand to look at her anymore it hurt him too much. He turned back towards his wife as he was chained against the wall opposite her and his daughter. Poison had slumped back down; she sat on the floor in a crumpled pile, her head down. Dracula watched as a single tear dripped from her face and landed on the floor before her.
Suddenly the vision stopped, Dracula realised what he had seen. It was his past. He had failed to save Poison and their daughter Ebony before, he would not let Van Helsing take Poison from him again. Dracula did not want to have to witness the rest of the vision, as it would be too painful, so he concentrated deeply on following the man before him.
Suddenly the horse stopped and the man climbed off. Dracula landed a few metres away from him, so the man would not see him change back to him human form. They had stopped in front of a small hut in the middle of nowhere. It seemed completely empty and that it had been for many years, it was barely standing and seemed that if the wind got to strong it would blow it over.
Dracula noticed a cellar door on the ground at the side of the house he looked up to see that the man Van Helsing had sent was also looking at the door.
"They're down there." He whispered.
Dracula stared at the man before him from a while he had started to tremble. Oddly Dracula felt no need to harm this man. Usually Dracula would kill the messenger and anyone else he felt like but not this time.
"Go, I have no more need for you." He growled. In an instant the man was on his horse and gone. Leaving Dracula standing alone staring at the cellar doors, hoping he was not too late to save his beloved Poison.
