Jonathan Harker writes to Dr Seward after being visited by a strange emissary from Transylvania, who tells him that Dracula has returned.

My trusted friend and ally Dr Seward,

It is with great reluctance I write to you, for the recent news I have received has distressed me greatly. The circumstances in which I write are dire and unfortunately, though I have gone through every note in every journal, I have no choice but to request the assistance of one I can trust.

I had slept only a few hours; the feeling of unease had plagued my slumber, you see. I could not shake the sense that something was not quite right. I was, most unfortunately, correct about this, for no sooner had I awoken when a knock came at my front door. I was confused, as too was Mina, for we had not been expecting any guest, and certainly not as early in the morning as it was. Standing on my doorstep was a small man, pale but not unhealthy looking, carrying nothing but a small briefcase. He cleared his throat at the sight of me, and spoke in an accent far too familiar for comfort.

"Jonathan Harker?" he inquired. The distinctive Transylvanian accent brought back far too many unpleasant memories, and I was momentarily struck speechless, not able to do anything except nod. At my nod, he invited himself inside – I was not certain of the man's disposition, and so sent Mina upstairs with our son. He sat, and gestured for me to do the same, apparently not knowing or caring of the strangeness of being offered a seat in one's own house. "On the behalf of one Professor Abraham Van Helsing, I am here to warn you." I had only just begun to wonder why Van Helsing had not visited me himself with this news, when the emissary continued to talk. I must warn you, my dear friend, to sit down if you are not already seated – if I could only have told you this in person.

"It is with regret I must inform you that the Professor was found dead several weeks ago – he was found, bloodied and torn apart, on the property of the late Count Dracula. Among his possessions was a record of his research, in which your name was mentioned. I am to believe that one Count Dracula has re-emerged in the forests of Romania – according to the notes of the Professor, there have been rising numbers of victims in the Szgany population, all of them bearing the tell-tale fang marks on their necks."

My friend, I must say that it was fortunate I was sitting – this news came as a great shock, and even from my position on my chair I felt the strength go from my legs. Had there been a better way to inform you I would have taken it – however I am not willing to leave my wife and child after hearing this distressing news. I do not wish to let them out of my sight, especially knowing what the Count is capable of.

The emissary, after giving me a moment to collect my thoughts, then handed me the briefcase, in which all the Professor's notes were contained. The emissary wished me luck before promptly exiting, as quickly as he came. I was not convinced of his legitimacy – though I was not sure why he would lie about such a thing. But after reading the Professor's research and records, I have no choice but to believe this terrible news – Count Dracula has returned. I am not certain what this will mean for us – however having lived with the Count for those terrible days, having fought him alongside yourself, I do not doubt for one second that he will be paying us visits in the foreseeable future. He spoke of vengeance – I believe it is vengeance he will next seek, after he has gained strength.

With the death of Van Helsing, I implore you to contact our friend Arthur Holmwood – if we are to send Dracula back to the hell from which he returned, we will need as many allies as we can get. I cannot help but be reminded of poor Lucy, and our dear departed Quincey Morris – I only hope that we have a better chance of all coming out of this alive since we now know what we are facing.

I advise you to get your affairs in order – two of our friends have already been claimed by the beast, and I do not doubt that one of us will be next.

Your friend and ally,

Jonathan Harker