Fade to Black

Chapter One

Jefferson's POV

I was a blood sucker for as long as I could remember. What was I? 200, 300, 100 years old? Who the hell knew any more. I stopped counting the years long ago. It was Dracula's fault that I was still here. I've attempted to out myself multiple times during my stay here at his castle. But he forbid it. He had chains locking the doors wherever it was possible that I could escape. It was a terrible thing, to be locked away like I was some damsel in captivity. 

I hated it.

One early morning however,  while I was cooking supper for the both of us, he had surprised me with good news.

"Jefferson," he sighed out as I laid out his soup in front of him. "I've been thinking..."

"Sir?" I quirked a brow as I sat opposite him.

"You've been a good sport with me, a good apprentice," he started slowly, still not touching his bowl.

I nodded as I broke a piece of stale bread and dipped it into the bowl and brought it to my lips.

"I've been thinking a lot," he sat back in his chair, eyeing me curiously.

"Sir?" I repeated. I didn't know whether to be curious and ask or silent as he contemplated what he wanted to say to me next.

"I think I'm going to break the chains from the castle." He announced finally, the smallest hint of a smile clasped on his thin lips.

I knew I should be elated. Hell, it's what I had wanted for years, to be able to walk about in town as a free man- even though I had to be careful with the rays of sun. However, curiosity got the best of me. "What caused this sudden announcement?"

"You've been a good lad to me, boy," he leaned over and rested his palm against the back of my hand, clasping it gently in appreciation before taking it away and leaning back in the chair once more. "You deserve your freedom."

"You trust me to come back?" I quizzed.

He nodded, finally dipping a piece of bread into the sloppy mixture. "You've given me no reason not to give my trust in you, Jefferson."

"Sir, how can I thank you?"

He smiled. "Don't get caught in sunlight, stay in the safety of the shadows, you hear?"

I nodded vigorously. "Yes, sir, anything!"

He chuckled and finished his soup in quiet. It was a comforting silence. I was excited to see the village again. I missed the folklore and festival music. Occasionally, it would travel through the wind and echo against the open windows of the castle. But I haven't heard the village play music in decades.  It saddened me quite too much.

I finished our meal quickly and stood up, reaching across the table to gather up our dishes. "Would you like any ingredients while I travel down to the village, sir?"

He shook his head as I busied myself with washing down the table. "You remind me of a child, Jefferson. You have such an excitement about you right now; I've missed it."

"Sir?" I asked curiously. "I don't know what you mean."

"I know I am the cause of your family's deaths, Jefferson. I was the cause of my own, many, many years ago as well. It's been what, nearly five centuries and still, you remain so full of human life. How?"

I stalled at his sad staring. "Sir, forgive me for my boldness, but I forgive you. I've grown to love this place. It's beautiful here. Yes, I wish things had been different, and my family were still alive. But you've only been good to me, ever since you've turned me. I don't regret any of this, sir."