Both Miss McCauley and Mrs. Cotton were still shaken by Adam's behaviour, but had put it behind them and were continuing the school inspection. They could hear children singing ten green bottles in another room. Both found the music quite lovely.

"That'll be year eight." Miss McCauley pointed out. Mrs. Cotton sighed happily and started to walk towards the singing voices.

At that moment, McCauley stumbled upon Jamie, the cookery teacher. She excused herself and suggested to Mrs. Cotton "Why don't you go ahead."

"Of course." She replied and they both separated and entered neighbouring doors.

Miss McCauley could be heard very vaguely, discussing Adam with Jamie. Both teachers were finding it difficult to get him off the premises.

As they discussed the frustrating situation, Mrs. Cotton called from the other room, the disbelief distinct in her voice. She rushed into the room the other two were in. Her face was a ghostly shade of white as she explained the horrific scene.

The children were stuck to the ceiling… And they were singing.

—

The Count had let Adam have his fun, but now that Miss McCauley was bothered by him… He just had to put an end to it, even if he found Adam's antics amusing. The Count thought it best to put things right… For once.

The Count took his chance as the inspector left the room that Adam had masterfully pinned the children to the ceiling. If he wasn't in a rush, he might've stopped to admire his son's work. Nevertheless, the Count had the children all brought down, unscathed.

As he heard the others approach, he quickly hypnotised them all to stand in a choir formation as he pretended to conduct them.

No later than the third swoosh of the baton that he was waving around cluelessly, the inspector and Miss McCauley entered the room. The inspector, who the Count had heard referred to as Mrs. Cotton, had a baffled look on her face. Miss McCauley on the other hand, evidently clueless to Adam's more supernatural antics, didn't think that anything was out of the ordinary.

Miss McCauley struck up conversation with the students who also didn't think anything was out of the ordinary. Meanwhile the Count led Mrs Cotton out of the room for a 'talk'.

—

The stern conversation had turned to anger, and had turned to violence. Now Adam and his reflection were fighting each other, or rather Adam was trying to fight off his reflection.

"What are you gonna do? Fight me off forever!" His reflection yelled over the loud crackling of the scorching energy they were pushing on each other. The original Adam had managed to muster just enough energy in the palms of his hands so he wouldn't be blasted into oblivion by his reflection. He had no clue how it happened, but he was glad it did.

"No," He breathlessly replied "no I'm not." tired from the continuous fighting.

They pushed the strange beam of energy harder and harder towards each other until Adam miraculously overpowered his reflection. "I'm the one in control." He told his reflection full of anger and determination. That anger was fuelled by bullshit, of course. In truth he still didn't have any grasp on what was going on. But he had to seem like he knew what was happening. It was quite literally un-life or death.

"Oh, you're not strong enough." His reflection smiled as he replied. He knew that the real Adam's uncertainty gave him weakness. If he knew the extent of his power-

Before the reflection had a chance to string two thoughts together, Adam widened his arms almost impulsively, pulling his reflection in.

His reflection was dumbfounded… Did he really think this was how he was going to win?

"Bad idea." his reflection snarled, laughing a little at Adam's supposed idiocy.

Adam braced himself as his reflection charged towards him at full force.

His reflection was right. It was a terrible idea fueled by terrible instincts. It was the only thing his instincts told him to do! What else could he do?

He wasn't about to stay down there forever in some mouldy old basement, fighting himself with electricity or plasma or whatever that stuff was? Wishing he never ventured down in the first place? But whatever was happening, Adam was determined he'd stay in control, so he set his mind to it. 'I am in control' he repeated to himself like a mantra.

As his reflection's body made contact with his, the combined pain of every reflection that had merged with him in the mirror attacked his body. His limbs ached. His mind couldn't focus. He couldn't do anything but feel the pain as a white light engulfed the room.

But then it stopped. Nothing felt awfully different…

But one round of pain on his body wasn't enough. All of a sudden the pain restarted in his mind, creeping down his spine and spreading in his nervous system. He could remember all sorts of things. Things his reflection had done. He'd absorbed his reflection's memories. He knew how he'd been horrendously rude to Becky, how he'd nearly bitten Erin four times! Then less recent memories. He wasn't sure if they were actually memories at all. It was him, significantly older with some odd looking crown on his head and an admittedly cool looking cape. But then another flash of him, older again, but sat in the sun this time… and he was with Erin. Then other things… Unlikely things… Information… Ingrid was actually his sister. His father was the owner of the school… The owner of the school was a Count? His mind urged him to label him as a Count, not 'Mr Count'. All his life he thought his father was 'Salem Smith', although gothic, it wasn't an un-ordinary name, let alone aristocratic.

As the 'memories' flooded his mind, familiar names appeared. Ones he'd seen when he was thirteen in that strange set of dreams. 'Dracula' and the 'Chosen One'.

By this point, Adam had come to the conclusion he must be dreaming. He'd been unwell at his grandmother's. Maybe he'd collapsed, or fallen into some sort of coma and this was all just a hallucination. A very detailed, unusually normally paced hallucination. There was no other way it could be explained! He loved vampires, he really did, but them existing in real life was impossible! He was obsessed, not delusional.

He was only brought out of this flow of memories when he heard his mother's voice call his name. Adam was laying haphazardly on the coarse floor, made softer by the dust and dirt that had collected on it. He wasn't at his grandmother's, the hospital or at home. He was still in the basement, by the mirror. This was actually happening… This couldn't actually be happening.

"Oh Adam!" She exclaimed as she caught a glimpse of him sprawled on the disgusting floor. Sally dropped down on her knees and hugged Adam as he slowly sat up.

"Hi mum..." He groaned as his mother tightened her embrace.

"Adam, you look horrendous." Sally said. She was clearly worried, so Adam shrugged the words off. "What happened?"

As those words fell out of his mother's mouth, Adam realised something. How had she gotten into the basement? Or more importantly, how the hell was she relatively calm?! Considering all that had happened, it didn't make sense. But she had to know something really weird was going on, didn't she? Surely she did! First of all, she'd seen him rip himself out of himself. Certainly something you don't forget easily. Then he had been thrown by himself against a wall and after that disappeared without any explanation. Why wasn't she questioning it? Why wasn't she panicking or calling the police, an exorcist or pest control?!

But then he realised, someone must have hypnotised her. It was a pretty standard vampire trick…

Even though he knew what happened, or rather suspected he knew what happened, Adam still had to check.

"So, you remember seeing me earlier?" Adam asked as if it were a casual question.

Sally's mind had clearly gone blank for a second, "Odd question there, darling." but then she said "No I don't. Are you okay? Did you hit your head?" Sally reached to feel her son's head, but he dodged her as he got up on his feet.

"Right." Adam declared "I'm off to find the owner, Mr. Count, right?"

"Yes, Mr. Count..." Sally started off, confused, also getting up. "And, hold on, no you're not. You were suspended. I'm not letting you out of my sight. How did you even get susp- Oi! Adam, come back here!"

Adam had made a run for the stairs. As his mother yelled, he turned around to look at her from half way down the corridor, merely to smile at her, then left in a flash.

Sally chased after him for a split second but Adam was long gone. She was awfully confused, but brushed it off as her eyes playing tricks on her.

—

Adam appeared in the dining room, and instantly increased the tension in the room. Erin was sitting with Ingrid by the table, their backs turned towards Adam as he walked by.

"Did you hypnotise my mum?" Adam asked as he walked right up, face to face, with the man who was supposedly his father.

"Oh relax, will you? I just made her forget that you're a vampire… And that I'm here… And everything strange that has happened… And will happen…" This Mr Count listed, initially cockily but became progressively concerned as he listed all the alterations he had made to Sally's mind. He snapped out of it quickly though, and winked at Adam. He sat back on his throne, smug once again.

Adam just stood there, arms crossed, eyebrows furrowed. That was a lot of mind altering. It couldn't be good for his mother.

"Renfield!" The man yelled, finding the silence rather awkward. A few seconds later a vile looking man appeared with a large leather bag. Adam had never seen him before, yet he seemed familiar. Probably another memory that he hadn't fully processed yet.

"Take it and shove it in a cold corner or something so it lasts longer." He said, then he snapped figuratively and literally at the other man, Renfield, and spoke to him in a loud and impatient whisper "Renfield, gi- gi-" The man gestured dramatically with his arms before sighing, resting his forehead on his palm for a moment before bellowing "give him the bag!"

Renfield did as he was told and handed the bag to Adam. He expected it to be heavy from how it looked, and it was, but it wasn't hard to hold. Pleasantly surprised at how strong he suddenly was, he slung the leather bag over his shoulder and tapped on the strap awkwardly with his fingers.

"Thanks…?" He said. Adam had no idea what was in the bag but he was grateful in a way. Although this man, his father, seemed rather selfish he did receive a present of some sort from him. It was only then he heard a faint whimper behind him.

"Oh, do be quiet, Ingrid! I'm trying to give my son a decent farewell and you're ruining the moment with your phoney whimpers." Mr. Count, no, his father told off his daughter… His sister… Adam cringed at his father's behaviour towards her. She was clearly upset, and it was his fault. Well, his reflection… Even still, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt.

"Back off!" Erin demanded under her breath, but it was loud enough that it reached the ears of the intended recipient.

"You dare defy the demands of the Prince of Darkness?" Mr. Count growled as he snarled his fangs in Erin's direction.

Adam found it odd how suddenly comfortable they were displaying their vampirism around him, along with the title his father had just given himself.

"Hold on… Prince of Darkness?" Adam asked, looking directly at him. "Who are you, Ozzy Osbourne?" He jested. But then it clicked, he didn't know how he didn't realise sooner! Vampires, Whitby, Renfield… Was it real? Was his father…?

"No you imbecile," His father said, quite full and proud of himself. "I'm Count Dracula."

Adam couldn't do anything, he stood frozen. He'd read the book and seen all the films he could get his hands on. It was impossible! Yet here he was, standing before Count bloody Dracula. He wouldn't believe it in any other circumstances, but after what he'd experienced today, how could it not be true?! His father was Count Dracula! He was actually a vampire! The things that he could do if he wanted! All Adam could do was hope this wasn't all a dream.

The Count took notice of Adam's surprisingly prideful reaction and disappeared with a grin on his face, quickly followed by Renfield scuttling behind the disturbance in the air his father had caused.

It was only him, Erin and Ingrid now. Ingrid's whimpers were on going, and all of a sudden they seemed louder and as his father had described them, phoney. How much attention did someone have to have just for being thrown in the sunlight. She'd survived hadn't she? Besides Adam wanted to know what his father had given him, presumably for his birthday.

He dumped the bag at his feet and rummaged around in it, only to find an assortment of around fifty blood bottles and bags, all different types. Ah yes, the blood. Adam was so consumed by the antics of the day he'd forgotten about bloodlust. Luckily it explained a lot of his own concerning behaviour. The same feeling he felt when he saw that poor painter fall overcame him. Hunger. He was just about to open a bag that read 'A positive', but Ingrid was still putting on an act like his father had said, and Adam had had enough.

"Will you stop that phoney whimpering? How much attention do you need?" He stated as he got up and turned to face them, blood bag in hand. It was just perfect. Now he had two sisters who loved to fake cry just for a little sympathy or attention.

"Adam..!" Erin said shakily, looking at Adam in utter disbelief. Her breath had been quite literally taken away from shock at Adam's sudden outburst of pointless rage. It wasn't like him.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Erin demanded. Adam shrugged, and his lack of reaction infuriated her. "You're the one who did this to her and you say she's faking it!?" Erin practically shrieked at Adam as he stood there looking at her like she was the maniac. In reality, Erin thought Ingrid deserved what she was getting. That's what she got for turning her brother. But the fact Adam was adding to the pain he had inflicted… There was no need to add insult to injury.

"Oh come on! You can't really believe she'd cry over that? Erin, she's faking it! Dad said so!" Adam impatiently argued as he started to open the blood bag.

"Dad? Really? DAD?! Adam, you've known the man was your father for less than a day and you're already referring to him as your father?" Erin called him out, in disbelief yet again. It was like Adam flicked a switch when he discovered that Mr. Count was actually Count Dracula… His bloody obsession taking over his reason. He was suddenly such an unempathetic person. He'd never been angelic, but he wasn't horrible. Not like this. She thought Adam had expelled his evil reflection in some sort of way, but it was clear now that whatever happened had changed Adam.

"Yes, dad, because right now he's the only one that's actually caring for me and knows what I need. You two are just annoying." Adam said with dismissal, letting on very bluntly that he was finding Erin's 'nonsense' and Ingrid's whimpers extremely frustrating. He slurped at the blood bag aggressively, emphasising his frustration even further.

"What about your mother, Adam? She cares for you! She's probably waiting in the car for you as we speak, wondering where you are!"

Adam smiled as he finished drinking and crumpled the empty plastic bag into his pocket with ease, and grabbed the leather bag. He headed straight for the door, decisively ignoring Erin's comments. But right before he left... "She tried to stake me, Erin. Ingrid tried to stake me. She had it coming. It wasn't like I'd let her get away with attempting on my unlife."

Erin stuttered, unable to find words.

Although everything else he'd said was vile, Adam was right in this instance. He had a right to protect himself. But everything else… It was as if the Count had possessed him. The words coming out if his mouth weren't his.

Even Adam started to suspect himself as he walked away. He might've been the one in the wrong. But, if his father had said Ingrid was faking, then he was probably right. After all, his father knew Ingrid better than him.

Adam used his super speed to arrive at the school's carpark a little faster. Erin was right. His mother was waiting for him in the car and would undoubtedly question him on where he'd been.

His mother had parked the far end of the school car park. The sun was still up, but was definitely less bright than it had been when Adam had collapsed on the basement floor. However he was awfully lucky she'd parked in the shade. He ran over as fast as he could, which was a split second, and patted himself down frantically once he reached the car. Maybe Ingrid wasn't looking for attention after all… The sunlight was very painful. More painful than he'd imagined. But he couldn't, and he wouldn't ponder. He'd end up feeling guilty.

Adam braced himself as he opened the back door of the car to chuck his new bag full of goods in the back seat. His mother instantly started asking him why he'd taken so long.

"Have you been smoking?! Is that what you were doing? Adam!" She asked as Adam sat down. "I can smell the smoke Adam! Look, it's still on you!"

"What- Mum- No." Adam started as he turned to face her as she froze at his gaze "Nothing happened, I just got in the car and we're going to drive home now, okay?"

Adam snapped his fingers as if it were a habit he'd had for years and Sally resumed motion. She started up the car like Adam had told her to. It had actually worked. He'd hypnotised her. Unfortunately his father's hypnosis didn't apply to teenagers and smoking.

Funny that he thought it was a big deal when his father had hypnotised her. It was actually really easy, and quite useful. It didn't even seem to have a negative impact on her! His mother didn't know he was a vampire and he was planning on keeping it that way

The car slowly pulled out of the shade and Adam slid down in the car seat as he tried to avoid what little sunlight was left. She'd been hypnotised to focus on a different task. The car left the school's car park and headed straight home as Adam had instructed.

He could certainly get used to this.

I'm running out of things to say along the lines of I haven't posted in a while, so here's a smiley face :)

There is a lot and I mean A LOT more to this fic, I promise, I'm just slow. Now I'll retreat into a cave and emerge in a year 3

-M