"It's been a long day's night and I've been workin' like a dog. ..." Sung Paul McCarthy from my earplugs, obivously listening to Beatles while heading home by tram in the evening. Like the song I've worked a lot and hard today. The minuets were like hours and the hours never ending, especially the afternoon. So many containers to organize for the Swiss customs and further customers asking for a price for their special car or oldtimer to transport. All in all interesting but today was a living hell.
I sighed deeply to loosen the tention from my shoulders while letting the music take me over. Soon the station arrived where I needed to get out. Standing patiently at the doors, waiting until the tram halts and the doors open. At the windows of the doors I noticed fine drops of rain pearling its way down. Finally the tram halted and the doors swung open.
Once outside a gust of cool wind brushed my face and my shoulder long hair were quickly tangled. Luckily the short hair cut makes it impossible but it appears messy nonetheless. Peacefully in my leisurely pace I walked through the park that lies on my way home. Many people rushed past with a coat or umbrella to find shelter from the weather. I didn't let it bother me with my rain coat and folded hood. Due to the rain the sky was darker than per usual and hence the park was lit but it still had many dark corners.743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EMpq9kkq4
Suddenly I walked into something cold and soft. Quick-witted I took few steps back and gave a short apology in Swiss-German. Stranger's eyes and mine met. A cold shudder went down my spine and my inner voice told me to run for my life. They were cold, hard grey eyes as the sky. What a unique colour? He wore a long black duffle coat without a hood and his dark hair was wet from the weather. He was few centimeters taller than me and without a doubt a man.743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZObrZGfzQd
"Sorry sir. Didn't see you there with the dark clothes." I apologized friendly with a grin as I recollected myself.743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr0sDvsGsZ
"It's alright." He grinned shortly in German with a thin accent I couldn't recognize.
Although I've just met him now the first time, his face is somehow familiar. Like from a picture... A portrait! But from where and which portrait?
"Are you alright, Miss?" He asked concerned.
I blinked amazed. Others would have walked on at this point. Why is he still standing before me? "I am, thank you. Pardon me but your face appears very familiar."
"We've never met." He assured with a raised eyebrow, perceiving what an odd person I am. To that thought my cheeks and ears grew warm.
Suddenly like lightening I recognized the accent, it's Romanian. Immediately followed a matching face in my mind. Vlad Dracula. A shiver went down my spine as the name popped in my head and fear took hold of my entire body. I gasped. Only this man before me is clean shaven around the mouth and yaw, has grey eyes, pale complexion and short dark hair yet the rest remains the same. "You're. Him. Dracula." Were the only words I could think and say with widened eyes. I'm not only terrified of 'what' he is but of what he is capable of besides the 'vampire powers'. I've done many researches about him historically, convinced it to be history. Some history. Now he stands before me in the flesh. Out of all chances he and I walked into each other here in Basel, Switzerland.743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ602XztzHHO
"You're quick to notice." He blinked and began to smirk. "You're petrified of the knowledge. That's alright but don't you have the urge to run?"
From the beginning I wanted to run far away from him but did not know why. Now I see it as clear as day but I'm petrified from the knowledge; frozen on the spot and speechless.
He sniggered. "Your courage is admiring."
"Cour- courage?" Slowly beginning to thaw from my icy fear. "I'm petrified. Awestruck. Out of all possibilities this is really happening. Are- are you going to kill me?" Once the words rolled out I realized they sounded similar as that of Megan from my vampire story "Blood & Fire" where Dracula appears in too. Oh, no. Don't tell me he has met her already and hence exists too?743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5Uj9jZJfY
He raised an eyebrow. "Why should I kill you?"
"Erm- well- you see-" My cheeks grew warm to the knowledge what I am about to say. Shortly glancing to the ground and then to him while kneeding my hands nervously. "I'm a leisure writer and am writing a vampire story where you are the main character. Presented in a different light and close connected to historical facts rather than the myths and rumors. Hence I've done a detailed research about you including psychological influence, guessing how you are in character." I paused to swallow. "One thing remains open to me, are you going to kill me?"743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGr7FivEZV0
"If you've done a thorough research about me then you should know the answer." His smirk vanished, he looked at me with slightly narrowed eyebrows. He's serious about this. He won't kill me? "You mentioned that you've done researches about me. Tell me what you know."743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8o2vriaeZM
I blinked speechless at him. I did not expect that from him.743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkw5EagoGh
After a long moment of silence and staring, Dracula began to chuckle. "What is it, cat got your tongue?"743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF8fvgx7Yt
I gapped until I found my words. "N-no. Just damn surprised. It's difficult for me to believe that you do exist as a vampire and my guessings show mostly correct." A grin of pride curved at my lips for a short moment. My fear began to evaporate at this moment. Dracula may appear merciless and has the power to cause such cruel things but he has grown wiser and gentle. Oh dear, this all sounds like I would be the reincarnation of his beloved. Only because I see him different than others do? I do believe in reincarnation but not like this; too much Hollywood in reality. Quickly I drew out my mobile from my pocket and showed him my vampire story "Blood & Fire".
Vividly I explained in fullest detail and enthusiasm of my story and what I learned while at times wiping away the small rain drops on my mobile screen. Dracula listened carefully and did not interrupt me with a single question. After half way through explaining I realized how odd and yet comforting it feels. Someone with interest but from all of those people it is Dracula himself.743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XRC62tvUh
"Is something wrong?" Asked Dracula concerned.
I blinked. I've stopped explaining while thinking of that odd and comfort mixture. "Nothing." I quickly waited until the woman with her umbrella passed us. Her strong sugar sweet perfume stung my nose. Before I knew I sneezed.
"Shouldn't you and I go some place to dry and warm our bones?" Dracula suggested with a smirk.
"Oh no, I only sneezed because the woman who passed recently had a strong perfume."
"Strong is mildly put from where I stand."
"More like a rotten corpse?" Rolled out of me. Quick-witted covered my mouth.
Dracula laughed. "Does it seem that your research has had an impact on your personailty?"743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2IrcYMBAA
"I do know who I am!" I spat at him angered. "That's a part of my sarcasm and macabre thoughts. Not only you can have them. When writing a story with a hero the writer needs to feel both sides, the hero and the villian."743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGpIdLqhoB
"Oh, and you believe you understand me? Even after 600 years, you think you know how I am?"
"As I've mentioned before, I can only guess. The rest can be shared by you now or actions themselves will speak louder than words."
Dracula scoffed amused. "You're no vampire-hunter I've ever met."743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVPiIzJeq6
"What? You thought I was a vampire-hunter? Never or not that I know of. All I know from my family's past is French and German knighthood, stern executioners in Germany and Switzerland, a German dyke reeve and otherwise mere farmers or doctors."743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkrFjRqKQc
"You know well your families past." He sniggered. "Executioner you say? Now I see where that macabre thought comes from. Were they feared in their time?"
"So I've heard, yes."743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s7cb82CI2
"That explains much. But one thing puzzles me, why did you do research about me. Why of all other historical characters connected to other myths and legends did you choose me?"743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48yysDT0gV
"Well, about seven years ago I was a vampire fan and hence read multiple vampire books, especially Anne Rice, Twilight and Bram Stoker's. From there I learned that there is the historical figure but only enshrouded in myths. Strangely I had this feeling that there is more to it and the truth lies else where. So I started to research and here I am, writing my own vampire novel and all in all my first novel."743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKoWpx7L7o
"In other words you knew or rather felt there was more to it than just the myth?"743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuZHsCOB18
I nodded. I was for a brief moment at a loss of words. This really sounds like I am the reincarnation. I hope he does not have the similar impression and above all am not what I think it is. A shiver shook my entire body to the thought.743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspMJwxjzhR
"Is everything alright?" Wondered Dracula concerned, taking a step closer to me.743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwbKlqU9xe
"Just a thought really but it frightens me to think of it. It just can't be. Although I believe in reincarnation but not like this. Not like this. It can't be and I don't want to."743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHfSg0F330
Dracula sighed. "As long you are yourself nothing can go wrong. I agree you see similar things like my beloved did but rest assured you are not her."743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUZaU3bM8A
"How do you know that I am not her?" His response was comforting but I had to ask to be absolutely sure.743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5miK5abllW
"I believe. She waits for me at the other side. A long and dreary wait. Once I'll meet her and she complains, I understand. Otherwise I would know when I see it."743Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WYfGVEWYw
