Light in the Dark (Young Dracula) 1

Ch. 7: A matter of life and chess

It was parent's evening. The day that every kid dreads, some more than others. Anna brought her mom and dad and didn't want them finding out about her lack of participation in phys. Ed. Robin's parents both came and he knew the behavior reports wouldn't be good. Ingrid and Vlad were bringing the Count in the hearse. They both know it's going to be a disaster.

"Anna is my best student." Her maths teacher told her parents. 

"She's always studying." Her mom said. 

"Yes, and it shows." The teacher replied and then they all felt a cold breeze blow through the room. "Did you feel that?" The teacher asked. 

"Must be a draft." Anna's dad guessed. Then the doors swung open and the lights began to flicker. Lightning went off outside though it wasn't forecasted to rain. Ingrid, Vlad, and The Count stood at the door. The Count was dressed in all black with a leather trench coat that went to the floor and he wore sunglasses. It was all precaution for the sun but he looked like he belonged to a rock band. Oh no, what about Van Helsing, Anna thought.

There was a long line to speak with the headmistress. "Oh really, Vladimir, Dracula's don't cue." The Count said and pushed his way through the line. 

"Mr Count, please, these people are-were in a cue." The headmistress said. 

"I say, what a delicious-looking neck you have." The Count said and took off his sunglasses.

 "Pardon?" She asked and raised her hand to her neck. 

"Necklace." Vlad corrected. 

"He meant to say necklace." Ingrid added. 

"And you smell so, so fresh." The Count continued and took her hand, kissing it. The headmistress actually giggled. 

"Well, I suppose I could see you now. I have a whole list of Ingrid's offenses to discuss with you." She said.

"Do you hear this Vlad? Ingrid is causing misery and mayhem wherever she goes. Now that is how a true Dracula should behave. I'm very disappointed in you." The Count said as they walked of from the table. Ingrid was proud and kindly gave her brother a finger 'L'.

The Draculas ended up in a classroom while The Count was on his way to speak to Mr Van Helsing. "Can we please go, see him? I've been waiting all night to bite some sense into him." He said as he walked to the door. 

"What?!" Vlad exclaimed and then the lights went out. "Quick, dad, get down!" Vlad exclaimed and he and Ingrid pulled the Count to the floor and covered him. Mr. Van Helsing ran in with a UV flashlight. They had suspected an attack from him all night. A skeleton stood in the far corner of the room which caught him by surprise. He screamed, dropping the light, and ran out. Johno stood there to pick the light up. 

"Get off of me!" The Count exclaimed and the kids did just that. "Honestly, it's pathetic to be afraid of the dark at your age." He said as they all got up. Then they noticed Johno. 

"Hi guys... Bye guys." He said and walked away. The Count looked away and saw Vlad glaring at him. 

"What?" He asked. 

"I thought you came here to support me. But all the time you were planning to bite Mr Van Helsing." Vlad said in disappointment. 

"Vladimir, he insulted the family name." The Count said. 

"You don't care about us at all do you?" Vlad asked. 

"That is not true." The Count replied.

"I still can't believe dad only came to parent's evening to get his revenge on Mr Van Helsing." Vlad said to Ingrid once they were back home. 

"Stop whinging. At least he didn't find out he was a slayer." Ingrid said. 

"I suppose I've got to accept it. Our family's just not normal." Vlad said. 

"Who'd want to be normal? I mean, look at him." Ingrid said and looked over to Robin who was playing against the Count in chess. 

"Checkmate! Who's the loser? Who's the loser? Go me, go me, go me." Robin stood excitedly and did a little victory dance. Vlad chuckled. 

"Fair point." He said and they smiled.