Midnight Hype

Day Forty (Pt 8)

After a few more minutes of Ericka trying to put on her pants, she finally managed to wiggle into them before taking a second to rest, as slipping on the top part of the jumpsuit would be a lot easier, at least that's what she believed. Her short breather didn't last long as the ship dipped in the waves again, causing her to start shifting off of the mattress. She yelped in surprise and bumped against Drac as he was the only thing keeping her from sliding to the other side of the room. Due to him being a vampire, he didn't budge. She looked up slightly and made eye contact with him before softly giggling and wrapping her arms around his neck, nuzzling him. He chuckled in response and brushed noses with her.

As the boat leveled back out, she stayed sitting next to him rather than going back to sitting on the mattress,

"I haven't seen a storm this bad in a while, now that I think about it." Ericka commented, resting her head on Drac's shoulder and stroking the small amount of fuzz on Venus's head.

"Heh, you think this is bad? You should see the snow that we get back in Transylvania in the winter." He said in an almost boastful manner.

"Snow? I've heard of it but I've never seen it before..."

"Really? I thought you'd been all over the place."

"I have! I've lost count of all of the places I've visited- but I was usually forced to stay back on the ship...and when I was allowed to tag along, I wasn't able to do anything...-well there's no point in dwelling on the past...what's it like?"

"Snow? Oh uh...well you know what rain is, right?"

"Pff- duh."

"Well snow is just frozen rain, but it's much more peaceful."

"How so?" Ericka yawned, felt herself starting to become drowsy, his voice soothing her to sleep.

"Hmm...it's nice to watch, it coats everything it touches in a delicate white sheet, the air becomes still and silent...almost like the whole world has gone quiet...when you step in it, it crunches cleanly beneath your feet, like candy for your ears. The flakes fall thick and heavy, sticking to your clothes and brushing your face with an elegant touch before drifting to the ground-"

As he continued, Ericka felt herself drifting off, being too tired to try and stay awake any longer.

"Mhm...yeah..." She mumbled, finally falling asleep.

"-every flake is unique as they fall to the earth, never two having the same pattern. And as they fell you could swear that-"

He abruptly stopped when he heard her snore on his shoulder.

Oh- she's probably exhausted...

He bussed her on her cheek before snuggling up with her. He did best he could without jostling her and Venus around, as he didn't want to wake them.

Drac let his eyes shut, but didn't allow himself to fall asleep so he could keep on alert and to make sure he wouldn't accidentally drop Venus on her head.

I should probably get back to them.

The Stanley who had been helping them had left them alone in the room as he knew he couldn't stay there, the others would see him, and it would end very badly. He had run up to his quarters and was now hustling back, knowing that if he was caught, it would be over.

He crept up to the door, keeping his eye out for any of his coworkers, and Abraham. He glanced through the little window and saw them cuddling together, looking peaceful for the first time in a while.

I really don't want to separate them again...but if they get caught together...

He contemplated the outcomes in his head, knowing there weren't many options. He creaked the door open, making Drac shoot his head up.

"Gah! I thought you were sleeping!" Stanley confessed.

"Oh...it's just you- I was only resting my eyes."

"Well...I hope you got a good rest, then...but-"

"But?"

"...Y-You need to go back to your cell."

"WHAT? NO. I'M NOT LEAVING THEM! Not again..."

"I know you don't want to! But you have to! If you guys stay together much longer you could get caught...and be removed by force."

Drac looked back and forth between Ericka and Venus, and Stanley in the doorway, every glance looking to cause him to become more and more distraught.

"I...I'm sorry..."

He gently shifted Ericka's head off of his shoulder and rested her against the wall. He locked her arms together and placed Venus in her arms, praying she wouldn't drop her.

"I'll be back soon, I promise."

He pecked Ericka's cheek and kissed Venus's forehead before standing up, and trudging over to the door. Stanley shut it behind him as he walked out, him glancing back one last time before heading back to his cell.

"I...I know how hard this is for you-"

"No you don't."

Drac walked into his cell and faced the glass as Stanley shut the door. He rounded over to the glass side.

"...Fine, believe me or don't. But I want you to know something,"

Drac looked up at him.

"You, Ericka, and Venus will get off this ship. I'll do whatever it takes, even if it kills me."