That night, I'm not able to sleep and decide to go the docks. I get to the docks and watch the water while leaning on the railing. I lean forward more and more. Then, suddenly, I lose my footing and I slip. I'm almost completely over the railing when someone grabs me by my waist and pulls me back on the dock. I gasp and stumble backwards. That someone grabs my wrist before I fall backwards into the water. He or she holds me until I'm stable and lets go of my wrist. I look up to see who it is, but they're already walking down the dock. I follow them and this time, I slip and fall into the water. It's a good thing I can swim. But I can't get a grip on the dock and the water is cold. Then, a hand shoots down and grabs my wrist. I realize it's the same person that I was following and that had caught me twice.
"You're really strong," I manage to say and this time I'm able to look up at their face.
He smiles. "You alright?"
"Yeah, fine. I was just out watching the waves. I couldn't sleep."
"Well, I don't think a beautiful young lady like you should be out here alone."
I shiver. "It's chilly."
Next thing I know, a heavy cloak is draped over my shoulders and we're walking along a dock that's not so slippery.
"You look like someone I've met before," he says suddenly.
"Oh, really?"
"Yes." He smiles again, this time showing plenty of his teeth. "What's your name?"
"Nikkindra. Everyone calls me Nikki though."
"What's your full name?"
"I don't go around telling people my last name. Mostly because Mom told me not to. She said it needed to stay secret until absolutely necessary to let people know." I sigh. "But I usually go by Nikkindra Rosaline Hemlock." I stop and gaze up at him. "Who are you? I mean, no offense, but you don't look like you're from here."
"I'm from Romania. In the Carpathians." He glances at the water. "Do you believe in the supernatural?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Because most people I have met since coming here didn't believe."
"Oh. Most Americans aren't going to. The only supernatural beings that Americans really believe in is ghosts, spirits, evil entities, poltergeists... that kind of stuff. It's not very likely for you to come across an American that believes in mermaids and werewolves. And most especially not vampires."
He looks amused. "So you believe in vampires?"
"Yes. I mean, I also believe in all of the other supernatural beings, but vampires is second to ghosts and that stuff." I yawn. "And I also believe that it's more possible for vampires to exist than mermaids." I go to push up my glasses and notice they're gone. I gasp. "My glasses!"
"Are these it?" He pulls out something that glints in the moonlight. He hands it to me and I realize it is my glasses.
I put them on. "Thanks."
"No problem."
"Where were they?"
"They were on the deck where you fell in the water. I pocketed them before I helped you out of the water."
"Oh, why did you ask me if I believed in the supernatural?"
"I'm a vampire."
"Oh."
"My name is Mr. Balaur, before you ask."
"Count Dracula," I mutter.
He jerks his head in my direction.
I clear my throat. "Sorry. My thoughts were distant."
"Ah, no. No, no, no. You know who I really am, don't you? I heard what you said."
I turn away and notice that the sun is coming up. I slip the cloak off and hand it to him. I turn to leave, but he grabs my wrist.
"Please, I have to go. My mom's going to be wondering where I'm at. And plus, I'm only staying here. I don't live here." I look up into his eyes, pleading. "Please let go."
Instead, he pulls me close with his arm wrapped around me. He lifts my chin with his free hand.....and kisses me on the lips. Suddenly, I feel so warm and find myself wishing that he won't let go. But, to my dismay, he lets go. He puts his cloak on and disappears, leaving behind a colony of bats. I turn and head back to the hotel.
*****
For the next two days, I can't stop thinking about him, so, on the night of the eighteenth of July, I decide to act like I'm sleeping and end up getting up once everyone else is fast asleep. I pull on a black tank top, black leggings, a pair of black socks, and my black boots. Then, I grab my black leather jacket and put it on. I sneak out of the hotel room, leave the hotel, and go to the docks. I find him immediately and go over to him. He must not notice me, so I tap on his shoulder. He looks over and says,
"What on earth are you doing here?"
"I don't know. I..." I sigh. "I couldn't stop thinking about you, to be honest."
He just looks at me. After a while, he finally says,
"Are you insane?"
"No. I don't--"
He turns away. "I thought last night was going to be it. It's not a good idea for you to stay around me."
"Why not?"
"Are you seriously testing my patience? And risking your life?"
"I'm a Van Helsing," I say, without thinking.
He whirls around. "What did you just say?"
"I'm a Van Helsing." I try my best to stand confidently, even though I'm warring with the fear inside of me. "My real name is Agatha Zoe Van Helsing. My mother told me not to tell anyone, but--"
Before I can finish my sentence, a bang goes off and I'm in the water with his arms wrapped around me protectively.
I gasp for air. "I. Can't. Breathe."
"Shh. Stay still."
I can feel his body heat radiating around me. I stop moving and wrap my arms around his neck, so I don't slip through his arms and into the water.
I shiver. "I-hit's c-cold." I feel underneath the water and find out that he has his right leg wrapped around the dock pole under the water to stay afloat.
His arms tighten around me, pulling me closer to him. I look up at him and our eyes lock.
"It feels like your heart is trying to bust through your chest," he whispers. "It's beating so fast."
"C-c-cold."
"Your lips are turning blue." He breaks the gaze and looks around. Then, he looks back at me and our eyes lock again. Suddenly, he kisses me on my lips and I feel as he moves my hair and drapes it over my right shoulder. He pulls away and puts his mouth on the left side of my throat.
"Dracula, no. Please don't."
He comes back up and looks at me. "I have to. It's the only way I can get you out of the water without you dying of hypothermia."
"Well, why'd you even cause us to be in the water anyway?"
"A gun went off and you would have gotten a bullet in you if I hadn't." He sighs. "I don't have time to argue with you." He puts his mouth back on my throat and I feel his teeth sink into the sensitive skin.
I moan and go unconscious.
ns 15.158.61.5da2
