Fade to Black

Chapter Two

Jefferson's POV

The next sunlight

"How was your stroll into town, my son?" Dracula asked as I settled his plate of pork in front of him.

"It went well, sir," I answered, settling down in the seat across from him.

"Did you enjoy your time outside?" He asked, cutting the piece of meat into tender slices.

I nodded, debating on if I should speak up about the female.

"What's her name?" He asked, sly smirk fiddling against his lips.

"Clarissa," I sighed and sat back in the chair, rubbing at my face. "I-I crave for her, sir."

He had that mysterious smile pushing at the corners of his lips still. "Is she aware of your dilemma?"

"Sir?" I asked, momentarily confused. I licked at my lips before stopping, my eyes widening. "Sir, no! No, of course not. She would have told the town by now."

He nodded. "That's good, my dear boy"

I hesitated for a moment, playing with the tablecloth before speaking out again. "She wishes to meet tonight again."

"I grant my permission, son."

"Really?" My eyes widened. I wasn't expecting approval. "Are you sure you trust in me?"

He nodded. "I told you before, you earned your freedom from this place; you are not my prisoner any longer. I trust you to return."

I nodded eagerly. "Yes, sir."

"Heed my warnings, however, my son." He pursed his lips together slightly. "It's not wise to trust in humans. They're vile and cruel. If she catches glimpses of you, the real you, she won't act too kindly."

"But what if she's different?" I looked down at my plate of food as I mumbled the question, knowing I shouldn't press the matter; it wouldn't do much good for me. "What if- what if she's a kind human? An understanding person?"

Dracula shook his head. "You can't be for certain, Jefferson. Humans are naturally vile beings. They attack and hurt what they don't understand."

I nodded, still trying to think a convincing argument.

"I give my best wishes to you, however. You'll see in due time how awful and vile those beings can be, whether it's out of fear, anger, or pity. They don't take kindly to us. Why do you think I haven't stepped out of the castle in recent centuries?"

"I assumed it was because of me." I admitted quietly. "I thought you'd want to keep an eye on me so I didn't leave the castle and tattle on you for turning me."

"That was a big part of it, yes," he admitted, smiling softly. "But you should know this, before I had changed you, I had the gates opened. I had balls in my dance hall nearly every winter solstice. I held summer balls as well. Children used to run along my halls singing songs of joy. Parents would dance along, chasing their children. It was a wonderful sight."

"Why did you stop?"

"Humans began to fear me; children saw me for the monster I truly was. I could easy have killed their offspring with a single bite. I could easily break their bones with a pinch of my finger. They began to fear me as a monster. They told their children lies about who I was."

I felt sorry for my master. Where he normally looked confident, happy even, he sat in the high backed chair looking defeated.

"I can change their minds, sir," I told him. "If you'd just let me. Please."