"What was that?"demanded Dracula who was obviously expecting an explanation, And a good one at that.
Johnny smiled as innocently as he could."what was what?"
Dracula gave him a look.
Johnny's smile faded as he could see Drac was not buying it."Ohhhhh... That. Well you see, that's kind of an interesting story cause...
Dracula yelled at the man." DO NOT PLAY GAMES WITH ME HUMAN! THAT IS MY DAUGHTER IN THERE AND YOU WILL TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED TO HER!
Johnny, who was not even the slightest bit frightened from Dracula's yelling, just stared down at the floor with sad eyes and sighed in defeat. "Ok" Johnny replied softly." Can you keep a secret?"
Dracula replied cautiously." It depends on what kind of secret it is that I'm keeping".
"No, Drac I need you to promise me you'll keep this a secret. If you tell anyone about the conversation we had here, you would have just put all your guests in harms way". Johnny tone was dead serious." Also I won't tell you if you don't promise".
"Fine, I promise"answered Dracula.
"Ok..." Johnny started to pace in the hallway not looking at Dracula. "Apparently, Mavis has picked up a disease or flu called "DVMCD" or "DVMC" for shorter usage".
"DVC what...?" A confused Dracula replied.
"DVMC" repeated Johnny. "It stands for Dramatic Vampire Mood Change Disease."
"I have never heard of such disease" Dracula said doubtfully.
"Yea because its "new" or "newer" at least. It started about two years ago in India. No one knows exactly what caused it to start but they do know that it has something to do with the humans."
Dracula carefully absorbed the information he got. "And how exactly do you know this?" He questioned.
"I picked up some book in this like voodoo shop thing" Johnny answered.
"Of course, this was after Mavis got infected".
Dracula's ears perked up in interest when he heard this." Ahhh, yes, and how did you figure out she was infected?".
Johnny started to explain the entire story to him."it all started when we were in India. You know, Mavis wanting to see the taj and all."
"Yes yes I know just move on already" Dracula said impatiently.
"Ok well anyway, it was late and we were walking back from the taj to our hotel room."Johnny started again. "While we were walking, these two guys jumped us and told us to give them our money or they would kill us".
Dracula yelled with concern. "WHAT!? Is Mavis alright?!
"oh Yea, yea she's perfectly fine" Johnny immediately answered back.
Dracula let out a relived sigh.
"Although I can't say the same for the men who jumped us" Johnny continued.
The vampire looked confused."What do you mean?"
"Well, you see, when they jumped us, I was just expecting Mavis to beat them around a little bit so that they would learn their lesson. But instead of that outcome, Mavis totally jumped up and ripped both of their heads off in less than three seconds." Johnny stood there like he had just witnessed the incident. "I couldn't believe what I just saw. It was like Mavis was a totally different person altogether".
Dracula was surprised about this and could see a hint of sadness in Johnny's eyes. This was mixed with the fright and concern that followed there. Also, for the first time Dracula had noticed that Johnny had dark bags underneath his eyes. It looked like he hasn't slept in weeks. Heck, he could of passed off as one of Dracula's zombie servants if he wanted to. There were also small cuts and scars on his face that looked relatively new. "Johnny, what happened to your face?"
"I'm getting to that" Johnny replied
"So after she killed them, she turned to me with the red eyes that she has now then her eyes went normal again. She looked at her hands that were covered in blood and couldn't believe it ether. We ran to the hotel room as fast as we could and washed all the blood off her."
Dracula just nodded taking the scenario In.
Johnny continued. "Over the next few days, we just tried to forget what happened but Mavis had violent break outs more and more often. They were usually in public so fortunately I was able to stop her from hurting anyone before she came to her senses again". Tears started to form in the corners of Johnny's eyes." Then on the last breakout, which was on the maid who cleans our hotel room, she never resurfaced from her violent nature. I was able to get the maid out of the room safely before Mavis could hurt her and managed to lock Mavis in the room. This was when I decided to get that book in the voodoo shop. Everything that I've told you about this disease came from it."
Dracula wanted to know as much about this disease as he possibly could so that maybe he could help his daughter." What other important information did the book tell you about this disease".
Johnny stopped pacing for a moment to think."well there's the stages of the disease"
"Yes start with that." Dracula was a bit annoyed as that was obviously important.
"Ok so unless she heals after this first stage, there are two stages that are certain to happen." Johnny explained. "First is extreme aggression and violence like she is now. She is not herself at all so don't think she won't hurt or even kill any of the people she loves an cares about. That means you too.
Dracula thought about this. He would have to be more carful when helping her.
Johnny continued." Then if she doesn't snap out of it, she go into stage two which is extreme and excessive love with a strong sense of possessiveness."
"meaning?" Dracula questioned.
"Meaning if she's with me and you try to talk to me or her, she would immediately go into super possessive mode and would probably hurt you"
Johnny clarified
Dracula put his face into his hands." Is there any stage that doesn't include the possibility of someone getting hurt?"
"I'm afraid not" Johnny replied gravely. "all the rest of the stages depend on Mavis and her conflicting emotions on the inside."
Dracula lifted his face out of his hands and looked at Johnny questioningly."how did you survive with her then?"
"Johnny's eyes opened wider." Ahh yes glad you mentioned that cause that is also important." he again started to pace. "well in the book it says that besides the stages of mood there is also stages of intensity. The first stage is that she could hurt people she loved but she could never kill them. There was still a chance that she could just accept you and just beat you up instead of kill you when she reached stage two.
Dracula couldn't really see an upside to that.
"After I read this I rushed to Mavis to try to get on her good side even if it was a long and painful process."
"But you don't look that bad" Dracula replied.
Johnny lifted his shirt which horrified Dracula. He had deep claw marks and gashes all over his torso. Most of them looked like they needed stitches and all of them would scar.
"Oh my god Johnny we need to get you to the infirmary" Dracula demanded.
"No, I'm fine" Johnny insisted pulling his shirt back down and wincing a little when the fabric rubbed against the wounds. He continued. "That stage ended in India on the flight home. Now she'll kill anyone except me without a second thought."
There was a long pause before Dracula broke the silence between them."how long does this disease last" asked Dracula.
Johnny's eyes fell to the floor."the book was not very specific" he explained. It said anywhere from two weeks to ..." Johnny mumbled the last part of the sentence.
"I'm sorry but even with my vampire hearing I couldn't hear what you said. Dracula complained.
Johnny looked up straight into Dracula's eyes and repeated what he said clearly."I said anywhere from two weeks to, well, forever.
Another long moment passed except this time Johnny was the one to break the silence." Drac you have to so me a favor that besides promising me you won't tell anyone about this, you also won't try to intervene.
Dracula was shocked at what he was hearing. "What?.. No... Of course I'm going to try to help her she's my only child I would do anything for her." He persisted
Johnny responded." I know I know but I can't see anyone get hurt because of her. You don't understand she won't just beat you up like she will to me, she will kill you. I can't let that happen so promise me."
Dracula just stood there watching Johnny's pleading features and deciding. "Ok" he finally said in defeat.
"Thank you," Johnny sighed before walking towards the room
"Johnny" Dracula stopped him when he was half way there,
He looked over his shoulder
Dracula took the hint and continued. "I want you to keep me updated on her condition ok?"
Johnny nodded then entered Mavis's room.
A/N: sorry about all the talking, I just had to set up some background information. The next chapter will have less talking.