DRACULA : THE AWAKENING
Chapter 1 : Happy Birthday, Kaan
Dedicated to Altair, who likes vampires 3
Mother. Mother is a person, not everyone treats right. There are plenty of things I wish I told my mother before she died. On my 18th birthday, I was .. practically alone. I wish she was there to see me. To see what man have I become. Hi, I'm Kaan. And this is probably the weirdest story you will ever hear. I am 30 years old, and if I you are reading this, it means I am probably dead. I have nobody whom I can talk about my life. So.. Writing in a diary works too. Now, let's start from my 18th birthday that I mentioned earlier. It was 12.10.2024. I woke up in the morning, looking at my ceiling. Thinking about mom. My dad.. I would day dream. But then I would eventually just snap out of it and world would return to black and white. I finally decided to get up from my bed, brushed my teeth and opened my window, that was looking straight to the beautiful Javuz Sultan Selim bridge in Istanbul. Yes.. Istanbul. My birth place. I was looking through the window, listening to the birds singing their orchestra. It was all so.. peaceful. The sun was shining right into my face. I couldn't hold it anymore, so I went down stairs to eat the breakfast.
I saw my aunt Asli, my mom's sister, making breakfast.
„Good morning." – I told her.
„Good morning, Kaan! And happy birthday! Who's turned 18 today, huh?" – She smiled at me, pinching my cheeks.
„Awh c'mon. I'm not a child anymore. And thank you, auntie, I really appreciate it."
„Well, you will always be a little boy for me, Kaan. You know that, right?"
She stopped preparing the meal, and grabbed something from her purse. A rectangular box, wrapped.
„And this, is for my big boy! C'mon! Open it!" – She said, handing it to me.
„Asli.. You really didn't have to buy me anything. It's enough that you feed me and keep me safe."
„Ohh, stop the bullshit." – She said. „I wouldn't be a cool aunt if I didn't buy you anything. Right?" – She said.
„Oh, is that why are you acting so weird lately? You wanted to get into the Gen Z?" – I started laughing.
„Oh c'mon. Don't make me get mad on your birthday." – She chuckled.
I opened the present, only to see the newest Iphone 15. I looked up at her.
„Hey, thank you so much for the present, but.. please return it. It is too expensive. I don't need you to waste this much money on me."
„Oh nonsense." – She said. „When was money problem to me, hahaha."
„I'm serious.. I can't take this."
She walked up to me.
„Your mother told me to take good care of you, Kaan. To treat you.. like she would. She told me once she wanted to buy you that phone, but it was too expensive. Listen.. I know that she would want you to have it. If you don't want to use it for me.. Atleast use it for her. Let it be something that can remind you of her."
A tear shed down my cheeks. I looked at her again. „Alright. I will take it. Just.. Don't mention her again."
Her face suddenly drops, as she felt the guilt. „Kaan, I'm sorry..."
She tried to touch me.
„Don't..." – I backed off. „Just don't."
I tried to to stop thinking about her death, but I just couldn't. My birthday didn't even feel like it.
„Where's uncle?" – I asked.
„Uh-he left early for work. Why do you ask?" – Asli replied.
„I needed him to get me to the store, to buy some snacks. My friends are throwing me a party tonight but.. Nevermind, I guess."
Asli got an idea.
„Well.. why don't you walk? It's not too far away." – She said.
„And carry all the bags?" – I replied.
„Well..I can help you with it."
The truth is.. I never wanted this party. I was just not in the mood for it, but I decided to throw it anyway. I told my friends that I'm fine. So, I had to pass the vibe check.
„Alright, I guess. Just turn off the TV and we can go."
We went outside, locked the door, and started going. On my way to the store, I saw my friend Ahmet all frightened. I walked up to him.
„Hey, man. Are you okay? You seem...scared."
„DON'T ASK!" – Ahmet said. „Fucking dogs, man..."
„Dogs?" – I said, confused.
„Yes. Dogs. Pitbull, to be specific. A Pitbull Terrier."
He started breathing heavily.
„Hey, hey. Calm down, man. Tell me what happened."
He said : „I was.. getting the tickets, you know, at my uncle's, when I was.. coming back, there was this house with a sign 'beware of dog'. I never really found it serious. Until, he attacked me. So.. I was walking right past that house, and just I thought everything's gonna be fine.. I see this BIG PITBULL coming right at me. All showing his fangs. Dude, he was an inch close to biting me."
„Oh, thank God you're okay now. But.. How did you escape?" – I said.
„I don't know man.. It was like a miracle. A dog stopped by himself after some time." – He said.
„Werid.. Anyway, what tickets?"
„Oh, just..Nevermind. Tickets for a concert me and my girl are going to. Tomorrow."
„Oh. So..Are you coming to the party tonight anyway?" – I asked him.
„I mean obviously. I'm the one who's organizing it. Happy Birthday man.
„Thanks man. You're the best." – I pat him on the shoulder. „I'm actually on my way to buy some snacks. Auntie Asli is over there. Waiting for me.
„Oh my God, how did I no- ASLI! HEY!" – He waved at her.
Alsi really loved Ahmet. Ever since I introduced them two. They are like friends.
„OHH! HEY!" – She smiled and waved at him.
„Flirting with my aunt?" – I laughed.
„Shut up, man. She's happily married. I'll see you tonight. Deal?"
„Sure man. See you later. And be careful, okay?"
„Yeah, yeah. I know.."
I went back to Asli.
„Was that Ahmet?" – She said.
„Hm, yeah. He said a dog attacked him. Luckily he got a way."
„Oh..my..God. I was once attacked by dog when I was your age. To this day I can't get his fangs out of my head. Thank GOD he's okay! Anyway, let's go."
I was about to pass the road. But it's like out of nowhere, a truck came by.
„WATCH OUT!" – Asli yelled and pulled me back just in time.
The truck kept going and I almost pissed my pants.
„Are you okay?? Nothing hurts??" – She asked.
„Except butt, no. Thank you.. You just saved my life."
She hugged me. „I was so worried oh my God. C'mon. Let's continue.
We went to the store and bought snacks for the party. It was 6pm and friends started joining slowly. First it was Ahmet, obviously.
„Hey! Come in, man. Make yourself like at home!" – I smiled.
„Thanks man. Happy Birthday!
He handed me a gift.
„Awh c'mon man. You didn't have to bring me anything."
„Shh! I don't wanna hea- HEYY ASLI!"
„Ohh! Hi! Thank you for coming!" – she said.
„Ofcourse! Heey, you look nice!"
I looked at Ahmet. „Dude..I'm gonna be sick. Just don't. Let's go upstairs.
We went upstairs and later, 3 more friend came to my party. Defne, Zeynep and Emre!
„Okay guys, thank you so much for coming today! It means a lot to me! Really."
„Ofcourse!" – Zeynep said. „That's what friends are for. So, are we watching a movie or something?"
„Oh yeah!" – I said. „I ranted a movie Nosferatu from 1922. It's the black and white movie starring Dracula."
„Really? Couldn't you find something a little bit scarier?" – Emre said.
„I mean this is classic!" – I looked at him.
„Oh shut up, Emre! Just..Put on the movie." – Ahmet replied.
The movie started and we were having fun. Well..not all of us. I noticed something weird about Defne. She almost didn't say a word, and she looked..sad. I knew that there was definitely something off about it. I stood up.
„Dude, where are you going? It's almost Dracula's reveal." – Emre asked.
„Uh.. Defne? Can I have you for a moment?"
She looked at me confused. „Yeah..I guess."
We went to the other room. As soon as I closed to door, „Are you okay?" – I asked her.
„You seem sad.."
„I'm fine.. It's nothing. „ – Defne said.
„Don't..lie to me. There is something going on. You were anxious all the time. What is it?"
She looked through the window to make sure no one was outside.
„I am being stalked." – She said. „When I was on my way here, someone followed me. I even started going faster. So did they. Kaan I am SO scared to go home."
„Oh my God, that's horrible.." – I hugged her but she backed off.
„Can we join them for that movie? Please.."
„Yeah..Yeah. I'm sorry.
We went back in and they were all looking at me.
„So.. ." – Ahmet said. „We have one more present for you. All together. Small, nothing much."
„Guys..You didn't have to bring me anything! Seriously!" – I said.
„Ohh, this is not just about you. This is about all of us."
I was so confused. Ahmet showed me the tickets.
„Your tickets for a concert for you and your girl...?"
„Look closer" – Ahmet said.
„They're tickets to Romania." – Emre added.
„The what..?" – I asked?
„A tickets to Romania." – Dafne said. „It was all Ahmet's idea. We wanted to surprise you for your 18th birthday, and since..you know, Ahmet is royal, we decided all to go together with you on a trip to Romania. You know.. Have fun a little bit. I heard they have this DELICIOUS ice cream that I have always wanted to try!
„WHAT!? But- I can't go to Romania! I.."
„Yes, you can. Your auntie and uncle are into this. They just kept it secret from you. You have no job, we're all 18 and above, we have our ID'S, my dad is going to check up on us on the way.. Literally no reason why not to go." – Ahmet said.
„I'm just.. still not over mom's death.. I'm sorry guys. You go. I'll stay here.."
„Awh c'mon man." – Ahmet replied „We already bought you a tickets."
„Defne held my hand." – Do it for me.
Everyone looked at us, waiting for my answer. But I was looking at Defne's beautiful brown eyes.
„I'll go." – I said.
I could see the joy on Ahmet's face as he handed me my ticket.
„Happy Birthday, Kaan."