A month later, we're sitting at dinner with Agatha when the doorbell rings. I stand up immediately.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡif8yRN4XuF
"I got it."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6kWVgEFo9
Agatha gives me a worried look and I smile reassuringly. I go to the back door because I'm sure that's where the visitor is at. I get to the door and I peek through the blind. It's not who I expected. I unlock the door and open it.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08LaTKWcA1
"Samual. What are you doing here?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0da0blsGfO
He smiles sympathetically and I realize immediately.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTx6GthSC6
"What? What is it?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFp2rpA2rj2
"It's—He … " He sighs. "People are after him. They want to kill him. I spotted some of them on my way here. I heard them saying they were going to force him to tell them where you are. Then they said they were going to kill him, get rid of his body, and come after you. I hope it's not too late."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLxcoWaKJt
"Okay. I'll get my things ready. I was going to visit him really soon anyway. I think I might stay with him from now on. I'll be right back." I sigh. "Um. Stay here."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM70Ph29JQ
I rush to my bedroom and gather a bunch of things. I go and kiss mom on the cheek, say goodbye, and rush to the back door.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84q0XC9IHf
"Okay. I'm ready."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjmFTmwvrq
"Come on. We've got to go."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKFgJ8zJQx
We get into his car and speed down the road. 266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlnjXTLpVp
"What time is it?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9pyFDEkHF
"Um." I look around. I pull out my phone and check the time. "It's 5:49 in the afternoon."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwppmZtIei
"We're about halfway there, so we should get there by 8:30 at night."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qbbLe7ZnJ
"I hope so."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiDLbPD72e
About three and a half hours later, we finally arrive at Castle Dracula. Right as soon as we stop and the doors unlock, I grab my things and jump out. I rush up to the doors and run inside. I throw my things to the side and run up the steps as fast as I can. I rush down the hallway and frantically look around. I don't see anyone. I run down another hallway and see an open door leading to outside. I go to the door and look out. I go out the door and realize I'm on the balcony. I look to my left and see Dracula holding someone against the side of the castle. Just as he starts pushing them over the side of the balcony, he yells out. He lets go and grabs something. He stumbles backwards and the guy gets up. The guy moves towards Dracula as he falls on his knees. And that's when I see it. The tip of a shiny silver blade sticking out Dracula's back. I look around frantically and find a pole. I grab it and try to hold it. Dang, it's heavy.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCS8MFpTWB
"Well, Dracula, guess you aren't as powerful as you thought," the guy yells over the wind and the howling wolves. "Time for you to make up what you've done over the years. I will find your child eventually. Born or not. If it's not born yet and I have to kill the mother in order to kill it, I will. I have no sympathy." He smiles. "I had better go now. I'll just leave you here to die."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRPyfb3qAp
I finally manage to pick up the pole. I round the corner just as the guy walks forward to Dracula. He starts to reach out. I decide to get rid of the pole and drop it. It rolls towards him and he half trips. He looks up and sees me. He smiles.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg47CliBjM
"Nikki Van Helsing. The descendant of Agatha Van Helsing. What is it? Ah, yes. You are the great, great, great granddaughter of Agatha. On your father's side. Interesting information that I'm sure you didn't let someone know." He smiles.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kgEjeZZKy
"Identity doesn't matter in a relationship. It's love and respect. That's all that matters. And equal responsibility. And my name is not Nikki Van Helsing. My name is Nikki Rose Dracula. End of discussion."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QLO0IzsM3
He growls and approaches me. I pick up the pole and hold it horizontally. I push against him and he pushes right back.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBa0EPz4jqm
"You might as well forget it," he shouts. "You're no match for me. And he'll be dead by then, anyway." He clears his throat. "And you don't have enough strength. Also, you've got extra weight on you. You won't make it."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrxuAs3qY5
I can feel my face flush with heat from anger. I gasp. That's it. Just let him make me angry and … That's perfect! I push against the pole. Against him. He grunts in effort. I push harder. He stumbles backwards. Next thing you know, I have him leaning halfway over the side of the balcony.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV1SH5RQ9Q
"You'll regret this, you know," he shouts.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EOCQWuomy
"No I won't," I shout back.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy8KN15U8c
He struggles and I stumble to the ground. He pulls out a knife and kicks the pole away. He approaches me.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q9oy2cyRI
"Face it. You are no match for me. You should just give up. The world cannot have peace and settle back until this monster and his child are dead. That means I'm going to have to kill you also."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKnpyhG7XZ
I look up at him. Then, I remember something. I have a pet bat that can hear me from over a hundred miles away. I whistle. Ten minutes pass and nothing appears. I go to whistle again when I see something coming in the distance. Straight at him. He spots the bat but doesn't move in time. The bat dives at him and he stumbles backwards. He drops the knife and falls over the balcony. He shouts in horror and grabs the edge of the balcony. I get up and walk over to him. He looks up at me with a plea on his face.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Iqmoo8yXK
"If you know what's good for you, you won't do this," he shouts. "Let me live, please. I promise I won't harm you or the child. Ever."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmWZAT6u96
"No." I grab his hand and push it off of the balcony. He yells as he falls. I watch as he falls all the way down and hits the water. I turn around and go to Dracula. He’s lying on the ground now. Hands around the knife handle. But he doesn't have enough strength. I know he doesn't. I kneel down and gently touch his cheek. I lean down and kiss his lips.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO2NpRFhhj
"Please," he sputters. "Just … g-go. Take ……. care …. of ….." He coughs.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQHTV3Hu6X
Tears stream down my face. "No," I sob. "I'm not leaving. Please. D-d-don't leave me." I gasp. I grab the knife handle and yank it out. He yells out in pain. I throw the knife aside and look at his face sympathetically. He smiles weakly. I grab his bloody hand and place it on my cheek. He takes a deep breath. "No, no. Please." I snuggle close to him and kiss his lips. "Please don't go." He exhales wheezily and goes still. "No! Please!" I rest my head on his chest and sob silently.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGt3fN2YIf
Ten minutes pass, and nothing happens. Three hours pass and I start to lose hope. Finally, after fifteen more minutes, I start to get up and I see his hand twitch. I look up at his face. His eyes fly open and he gasps.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkaZAVwZN6
"Dracula!" I put my hands on each side of his face and kiss him. "I was beginning to think you were gone."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygXEj8XL5p
He starts to sit up and I get up. He pats his lap and I sit down. He pulls me close and kisses me. I kiss him back.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnbNRWzXlu
"Are you really related to Sister Agatha?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJmnHBNxWg
"Through my father? Yes, I am. By blood, though. His last name isn't on my birth certificate. He disappeared before I was born. Or, at least, that’s what I was told."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ8HtTaQ3Q
"Do you have a photo of him?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWu9BSYzfd
"I always carry around a photo of him. For remembrance." I put my hand in my pocket and pull out a folded piece of paper. I unfold it and show it to him.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7k6B3GSqMz
He gasps and grabs the paper.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYWmWtFNo3
"What? What is it?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBAXFi9vfS
"I know this man. I met him before. In 2026. He said he had a wife and a little girl that he was looking for."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhs0rE9RMiJ
"Wait. Was he right here in Transylvania?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyqnL4Jbbv
"Yes. He stayed at my castle for a few weeks. That's the last I saw of him, though."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx48tc7mfT
"Do you know where he went?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90DlCzw5Rf
"No, I don't. But I can help you find him."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvQ9SgVUFr
"Could you really?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq9d1u1ssB
"Yes, I could."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0B3Xr5mcA
I squeal and hug him.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwlLTSv8li
"Oh, gosh."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRzhaWbwWO
I push away a little bit. "Oh. Um. Can I ask you something?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4lVofvx7W
"Sure. Go for it."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rmPBCPuuR
"Could I stay here and give birth? And live with you? And the child? Please?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK3USKPWuI
"Are you sure you want to?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOvr8kEvkE
"Yes, I'm sure."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7hKELEaB7
"So you want your child to be born in a cursed place like this? With someone like me being the only one to help you give birth?" He sighs. "You've lost your mind."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqzj4h1EIs
"How have I lost my mind? It's your child too. You deserve to see your child grow up and progress in life."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEew6eEd0X
"No. That child does not deserve a father like me. And you know that."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrdm1sGm4w
"But she needs a father figure in her life. And I have a feeling that she's going to be a daddy's girl."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLs7BcoP5U
"No. I can't. Okay? I can't." He gently pushes me aside and gets up. He goes back into the castle.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l18HfiLyC
I get up and follow him. "Dracula! Please!" 266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59UvTng79k
He just continues walking away. He doesn't seem to care. I stop. He's not going to listen to me. I give up and go downstairs. I grab my things and go upstairs. Once upstairs, I go to the nearest bedroom and shut the door. I throw my things to the side and lean against the door. I slide down the door and put my hands on my face as I sob silently.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgtZtR40vB
Dracula's point of view266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESrgnRC9GS
I walk up to the door of the bedroom I saw her enter. I stand in front of it and put my hand on it. I sigh. I turn around and lean against the door. I slide down the door and just sit there as the first tear I've shed in years streams down my cheek.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVgRnCJjIG
