Fright Night 1985

Twist of Fate

Chapter Thirteen

by

~GaGa4FrightNight~

~Vendehla~

The morning sun woke the Dandridge manor. All parties involved in the prior evening's event gathered to investigate first the chamber Yolanda was last seen. The circle candles remained and within it's center the blood was more vibrant the cast of daylight.

Aiden took responsibility to investigate the circle and blood for he was the only physician. Yet, there wasn't much to truly study, it was apparent it was blood within the circle but was it Yolanda's. As he took initiative to focus on the mysterious and suspicious circle, Charley and Tayte did their own throughout the room. Yolanda's belongings were brought out into the sunlight and Charley and Tayte started to thoroughly and tediously go through the trunks.

Jerry and Thea hadn't yet arrived as part of the investigation group. Jerry had taken upon himself to send out the male staff to scourer the estate in search for Yolanda.

Charley sat on his legs before one of the few trunks. The trunk lid was opened and he carefully removed each item which mostly were item of clothing; gown bodices and skirts. Tayte sat nearby and invaded another trunk, removed what also were clothing items which were mainly undergarments. Aiden stood with his eyes focused on that peculiar circle made from an array of candles.

"I wish I knew what we be looking for." Tayte commented as she removed the final piece of clothing.

Aiden lifted his hand but didn't turn his eyes from the circle and said, "Anything of any peculiarity, unlikely to be in a woman's possession. Oddities of some type."

"And what oddities that be?" Tayte asked as she looked to Aiden, "That woman be an oddity herself."

"Please, continue to search her belongings." Aiden urged as he lowered down onto one knee focused now on the blood coating the floor. His expressive eyes frowned then squinted. Through that coating of blood he could make out a detail of some type. He lifted his hand and requested, "Tayte, find something of use to wipe away this blood, please."

Tayte huffed then rose up off the floor. Her eyes glanced around then looked to the pile of undergarments. Her shoulders shrugged then she crouched and grabbed one of the frilly pantaloons. She guessed Lady Yolanda quite possibly would have no need for her clothing. She walked to Aiden and placed the undergarment in his hand.

Aiden's eyes shifted, he grimaced then looked up at Tayte questioning what she had given him.

"Aye, use it." Tayte said then turned and went to the third trunk.

Aiden continued to grimace, awkward about handling a woman's pantaloons. He set aside the awkwardness then brought the undergarment to the floor within the circle. Very carefully he smeared back the thick substance as his eyes focused in wait to what might be revealed. His eyes shifted as further he smeared the blood. Bit by bit something was being revealed, something drawn onto the floor. Symbols of some type were being unveiled the further he smeared the blood back. He curiously studied those symbols, his mind desperately tried to process and determined if they were recognizable from any text he had read.

Charley groaned, nothing peculiar in that trunk. He rose up off the floor and glanced around. Obviously Yolanda hadn't unpacked anything so if there was anything of importance it had to be inside the trunks or anything she brought with her. He marched over near Tayte and focused on small chest but upon attempting to open the chest it was found locked. "Hmm," he hummed, "There has to be a key for this somewhere in here."

"Aye," Aiden spoke up, "Everything must be thoroughly checked for there be something, I just know, that could decipher the meanings of these symbols."

"Symbols," Charley said then quickly walked over to Aiden, "What sorta symbols? Like devil worship stuff?" He stepped beside Aiden and peered down at what was revealed. His eyes frowned, the symbols looked nothing like what he's seen in multitudes of horror films.

"I know not their meanings," Aiden stated then rose up, "But they be of significance, for if not they would not be there."

"Yeah, obviously." Charley nodded, "But you have no clue what they might mean."

Aiden shook his head, his eyes still focused on the symbols.

"Well, we need to get that open," Charley stated then turned and pointed at the chest, "It's locked for a reason, so maybe something in there can tell us something."

Aiden nodded, "Quite possibly, aye."

"Okay, lets find this damned key." Charley huffed then stepped to Tayte to assist digging inside the open trunk.

Aiden joined to assist Tayte and Charley with the rummaging thoroughly through the remaining trunks. Working together they cleared the trunks with no success in finding the key to the locked chest. Yolanda's belongings were scattered about the floor surrounding all the trunks, a huge mess and nothing to truly show for it.

Charley huffed in frustration, knew there had to be something inside that chest that could possibly explain the situation. He stood with his arms crossed over his chest while his eyes stared and studied the chest. The chest was obviously made of wood with brass fixtures. Perhaps, he thought, they could simply break it apart. He gave a sharp nod, attempting to break it was their only option. So, he snatched up the chest then lifted high above his head. "Hope this works." he commented then with a powerful downward thrust he crashed the chest to the floor.

There was minimal damage to the chest, the lid hadn't opened. Charley again snatched it up then, once again, thrust it crashed onto the floor. Splintered pieces of wood scattered but still the lid hadn't broken open. He gritted his teeth then, again, grabbed the damned chest and, again, crashed it down against the floor but this time he held onto it. Over and over he beat the chest against the floor filled with determination and desperation.

Aiden and Tayte stood back and silently watched Charley's brutality of the chest. Each smash caused both to startle a little. They watched Charley repeatedly slam and beat the chest against the floor. Each determined blow sent fragments of wood splintered away. Each beat against the floor sounded loud cracks. Over and over they watched Charley violently beat the chest again and again against the floor with his face twisted with desperation. Soon Charley was grunting with each blow against the floor, almost like a fueled rage being taken out on that chest.

"You're gonna open up, you son of a bitch!" Charley shouted with a loud grumble as he continued to plummet the chest, "You gotta open up dammit! My life depends on it!" he continued to curse the stubborn chest, "OPEN UP, DAMN YOU!" Then with another harsh blow against the floor the brass hinges snapped as the lid was nearly disfigured and chipped and splintered beyond recognition.

Charley panted, his heart pounded and chest heaved. He grinned as he stared down at the broken mess of a chest and from the disjointed lid poke out the corner of what looked like a book. "Damn straight!" he gleefully shouted and pointed at the chest.

Aiden finally blinked then looked to the chest. Quickly he reached down and grabbed the book's corner and with a little tug it was pulled from the battered chest. He lifted it before his eyes and read gold embossed letters that stated Yolanda's full name. Instantly he realized they had come upon, possibly, Yolanda's journal. He swiftly opened the leather bound book then frowned. "It be in Hungarian." he announced then looked to Charley and Tayte, "It be her journal."

"Well," Charley spoke up, "Don't we have Hungarians in this very house who can translate it?"

Tayte nodded, "Aye, both Lord Dandridge and Lady Regine, also Lord Kristof."

"Well," Charley looked at both Aiden and Tayte, "Let's bring it to them and see who's willing to translate it."

Jerry paced the floor, his sister and her husband sat on the sofa. He paced with his hands tucked behind his back. For hours the staff had searched the estate and there was not one sign of Yolanda or any explanation where she had vanished and why. Yet, another disturbing incident had occurred.

Seated by Regine, her husband Kristof seemed in a daze. The man's face was void of expression, his eyes were glazed and vacant as if he were in a hypnotic state of some kind. Regine sat with her arm around her husband, desperate to coax him from whatever seemed to have him strangely entranced. "I know not what be wrong." she said with concern, "He be this way since we woke. He has not spoken a word and does not move without guidance." she looked to her pacing brother, "What might have done this?"

Jerry paused in his pacing and looked to the worried expression of his sister's face. He slowly shook his head then said, "I know not," he hated not having the answers but something inside him laid blame of Kristof's condition towards Yolanda, "But, aye, I have suspicions this be Yolanda's doing."

Regine grimaced with confusion then inquired, "And what reasons she have to do this to her very brother? And how?"

"I know not," Jerry huffed with frustration, "But as of last night, there be a many thing that have no explanation of any logical means." he turned and faced his sister, "We know Yolanda vanished leaving just a minimal trace but without explanation. And now," his eyes shifted and looked to the entranced Kristof, "And now him and his condition." his eyes again looked to Regine, "There be but only what can be said as more illogical explanations with all this."

"We just might have these explanations." Aiden spoke up as he and Tayte and Charley entered the parlor. He continued forward with the journal clenched in his hand.

Jerry turned his head and looked to the three. His eyes shifted to the book Aiden held. "What be that?" he questioned.

Aiden approached the Lord and stated, "This be Lady Yolanda's journal, My Lord." his arm reached out prepared to hand the journal to the Lord, "And we suspect the needed information be in this journal but the conflict, it be in your native tongue, My Lord."

Jerry slipped one hand from behind his back then reached for the offered journal.

Kristof blinked then his eyes darted the moment Aiden neared the journal to Jerry. "No!" he shouted, the first word he had spoken since the previous night. He shove Regine back then darted up and snatched the journal. Protectively he hugged the journal against his chest, his eyes darted back and forth from Jerry to Aiden. "No!" he again shouted, "You shall not! These be my sister's words, her thoughts, and her secrets and you shall not know them!"

"Kristof," Jerry sternly spoke, "Hand the journal over."

Kristof shook his head, his eyes wild and erratic in their movements. He refused, "No!"

Regine quickly rose up and moved to attempt to calm her husband.

"No!" Kristof shouted then swung his arm and violently backhanded his wife, sent Regine tumbling back against the sofa. His wide and hysteric eyes stared down at his stunned wife.

Jerry's jaw clenched. He darted forward and snatched Kristof by the frilly collar. He jerked the panicked man forward then reared back his fist. Swiftly he thrust his fist forward and struck Kristof against the side of the head which quickly dropped the troubled man unconscious to the floor. He bent down and snatched the journal from Kristof's limp grasp. His eyes looked to his shocked sister then inquired, "You be alright?"

Regine could only nod, her wide and teary eyes focused on her unconscious husband.

Jerry looked to Aiden then said, "I shall translate this," he lifted the journal, "As I do this, Doctor, I wish you to keep my sister's husband well sedated until we be able to determine he shall be of no harm to anyone."

Aiden quickly nodded, somewhat dumbfounded by all the violence and almost insanity that had taken over the household in such a short period of time.

"Very good," Jerry commented, "I shall go to the privacy of the study and once I have finished the translation I shall request all of you to return here, the parlor." he scanned the faces around him, "Is this understood?" he watched all the heads nod in agreement, "Good, please excuse me." He gave a gracious bow then departed from the parlor uncertain what secrets the journal will reveal to him.

Jerry began reading the journal seated behind the desk but the further he delved into the Hungarian written words of Yolanda's the more uneasy he became. Page after page, strange and disturbing thoughts were read, all obsessively pertained to him. He eventually rose from his desk, stepped about the large study with his eyes focused and diligently read each word thoroughly. The furrow about his brow tensed as he continued to read into a world that was beyond dark and disturbed. Every sentence, each paragraph praised something she proclaimed the Darkness or Shadow.

The true madness of her journal confessions became more within the center of the journal. Obviously that particular journal was written much later after he had her evicted from the premises. There became nearly insane written rambles concerned towards her desire to search out this Darkness. Her search began with her approach to a Countess, Countess Bathory of Hungary. From that point she continued her search into the reaches of Romanian, followed the lead of local lore and written accounts. The Darkness became written as often as his name.

He stood before the fireplace, his brow frozen in a concerned furrow. The passed year Yolanda had spent a great deal of her time in Romania. Her written accounts became nearly unbelievable. She sought every means to source that Darkness with the belief that when it was finally found she would be given the means to succeed in entrapping him. She exclaimed plenty that she would do whatever it took to make him, Jerry Dandridge, hers completely. The confession of giving her soul was prominent. Yet, there was no definition of what that Darkness truly was. And, then he read the moment she finally came face to face with that hounded entity. Yes, it had to be an entity by the many descriptions she had written and particularly the final description.

He read the deal, the bargain she seemingly made with a devil. No, it was apparent it wasn't the devil but a type of counterpart. And a sense of dread filled his every sense, for it seemed the bargain was finalized the previous evening.

His eyes lifted from the final page, written days before her arrival. That final sentence instilled the power of pure dread. And it read: and so be it my soul that shall be willingly sacrificed for the purpose of embracing my beloved Jeremiah for a full eternity.

He closed the journal, had read enough to give the greatest of dread filled chills over his entire body and internally within his very soul. Perhaps, he thought, the boy Charley had spoke the truth. Was there truly a possibility that what evil Yolanda had embraced would in turn embrace him? Was his very soul and life in dire danger because of unsettled woman's ideals of love towards him?

His eyes shifted and stared blankly into the dancing flames of the fireplace. His face lost all expression, the tense furrow relaxed. Within his dark brown eyes reflected the brilliant flames as they filled and expressed that heavy growth of pure dread. What type of monster had Charley spoke of that he became?

His thoughts turned to the lore of his mother land; the fabled legend towards the once great Warlord Vlad Tepes. He remembered, as a boy in Hungary, how the name Tepes was praised but some also spoke it with fear. It was told that the warlord gave his soul to become an unstoppable immortal being, to live passed death. Had Yolanda's madness led her in the direction of the lore surrounding Tepes? Was Tepes, the fabled Vlad the Impaler the possible Darkness she sought out or was it possible the Darkness was Tepes' source for immortality? How could any of it be real?

He turned from the fireplace and moved towards the desk. He remembered the young boy Charley's frantic search for a cross. He tossed the journal atop the desk then stepped behind it and opened the far bottom drawer. His hand reached inside then clutched around a holy image of Jesus crucified and pulled from the drawer strung black rosary beads. If there was a God and good and holiness then there had to be a Devil and evil and unholiness.

The group sat patiently as possible in the parlor, even dined in the parlor as they waited for Jerry's return. They remained silent in their own thoughts and concerns. So much dark uncertainty weighed over the atmosphere within the room. So many ideals about uncertain outcomes plagued each individual including Thea.

The parlor doors slid open and Jerry stepped into the room.

All the individuals rose up, anxious to hear what the lord had translated from Yolanda's journal.

Jerry moved across the floor with his eyes focused on young Charley, in his hand clenched the rosary. He watched Charley immediately become uncomfortable and uneasy in response to his approach. He stepped passed Aiden and Tayte and came face to face with the boy. He lifted his fisted hand, "This shall replace what you had lost." he stated and opened his hand, the crucifix rested against his palm.

Charley nervously looked to Jerry's hand. He never thought he would see Jerry Dandridge actually hold such a holy symbol in his hand which defined the mortal man Jerry truly was. His eyes looked to Jerry's with question.

"Take it," Jerry urged, "I am not in doubt that there shall come a moment this shall be needed."

"You believe me?" Charley asked with surprise.

"Aye," Jerry gave a nod then stated, "From what I had just read, there be much more that I am now convinced and," he brought the offering closer, "By what you had confessed, you are far more knowledgeable than any one of us."

Charley lifted his hand, turned it and opened his palm to the rosary.

Jerry allowed the family holy relic to drop down into Charley's hand. "I but hope with your assistance that the monster you claim that I become shall not be." he stated then took a step back, "I wish not to become your monster, Charley Brewster, and we shall do whatever you say to prevent it as so."

Charley felt only minimal relief upon Jerry's acceptance of the truth. He felt the pressure of a whole other responsibility just build layered on his shoulders. His fingers embraced the rosary. He took a deep breath then stated, "First things first," he looked to everyone around him, "You have to now know that we're dealing with a vampire, Yolanda's likely gonna show up at dark as one nasty bitch." he took another breath, "Since she was already welcomed into this place, likely she'll be able to enter, happened with my friend Ed."

"Aye," Aiden spoke up remembering Charley's story of Edward Thompson, "The lad entered your home freely after having been turned, hence the attack on Peter Vincent."

Charley nodded then stated, "Likely that happened because he was already welcome before he was turned."

"So," Jerry focused on the boy, "There be nothing we can do to prevent her from entering?"

Charley reluctantly shook his head, "Yeah, we're pretty much screwed there but we can get stuff together to fight back." he again looked to all the focused faced, "We need every damned cross available. Gotta get a ton of holy water. Anything religious related we need. And," he paused to again scan the faces, "We gotta make some stakes and make sure we're ready for one hell of a fight."

Charley turned his attention to Jerry. "She's after you," he stated the obvious, "Wish means you gotta secure yourself somewhere."

"I shall not," Jerry protested, "This be my home and I shall not hide like a coward."

"Hey, I ain't calling a coward." Charley stated, "Just if we manage to keep her away from you then we have a better chance to destroying her." he focused on Jerry, "The worst thing, I found out the hard way, is you don't wanna go running around when you have a vampire on your ass. You," he paused with uncertainty, "Well, the you I dealt with had no problem tracking me and my girlfriend Amy down but we made the mistake of running all over the damned place in the open." he lifted his hand and gripped Jerry's arm, "Like you said, I know what I'm talking about and you gotta do as I say. Lock yourself up somewhere safe."

"Um," Aiden nervously spoke up, "So, likely we be doing this tonight, then?"

Charley glanced to Aiden and nodded, "Yeah, once it gets dark she'll be knocking on the door for sure."

"Oh dear," Aiden nervously swallowed then slowly sat back down on the sofa.

Charley again focused on Jerry and said, "Just do it, would ya?"

Thea stepped beside Jerry and swiftly grabbed his hand. "Aye, do it." she urged for she had no desire to have anything happen to him.

Jerry turned his head and looked down into Thea's worried eyes. He brought his hand over both of theirs. "Aye," he agreed then stated, "But with me you stay."

Thea forced a smile through her worry then nodded, "Aye, with you I stay, always."

"Alright," Charley chimed, "So, where the hell do we get holy water, huh?" He looked at everyone.

(Author)

Yeah, I know, not much! I know ya thinking I'm delaying the big bang but dammit, I gotta add some filler and insight! Be patient with me because it truly begins the next chapter! Shout out again to Vendehla! I hope you're find with the how I incorporated the rosary! :D

FRIGHT NIGHT FOREVA!