Hotel Transylvania: The Aftermath

chapter 13

Reunited

The light had gone outside. The world he had been shown kept going round and round in the Count's head. It had all felt so real. The pain, both physical and emotional were there, yet something didn't seem right to him. When the creature had arrived, the world felt empty. He had thought it was its power to begin with, but as the vision continued he felt less and less a part of it. He let the creature kill him, not just from grief, but from uncertainty. The feeling of that voice, it was just like Eustice's poison. He knew he had to fight it, and now he was free.

At least, his mind was. He was still locked away below Eustice's factory. He had lost all sense of time. He didn't even know what day it was. Had everyone seen the rage he had felt in the dining hall? What about the secret of Kathleen? For the first time, everything was a mystery to him. It began to eat him up. He could understand now how Mavis had felt after being left with so many questions and no answers.

"If I could take it all back... If I could tell her the truth..." he said alone in the dark.

From beneath the door, the floor started to reflect with blue light. It attracted his attention. It became obvious that this light had something more extraordinary about it. As it approached him, it reformed into the shape of the fallen witch.

"You?" Dracula asked.

There is little time for me now. Dracula, you have a chance. I wanted you to run, but I know now that there is still hope.

"Who for? Look at me... look at you. What's happened to you?" Dracula asked but he had already half guessed.

Eustice wanted my power to see the best course of action for his plan. I was his first, but his spells were not ready.

Dracula could see her right hand beginning to disappear.

My grip on this realm is fading. Don't let them become like me, Dracula. Their souls deserve peace. Eustice does not know it, but he condemns their souls to suffering in this world. Dark magic should never be manipulated.

"Who's souls?"

Everyone's.

The door began to rattle.

You're strength arrives. Tell her the truth.

The spectre passed on, leaving Dracula and whoever was on the other side of the door. He heard the lock click. With a creek, the door was slowly pushed open. At first, no one appeared, that was until Dracula saw a familiar pair of glasses.

"I told you I knew how to pick locks. Don't tell me you wouldn't learn if you were invisible!"

"Griffin!? You have no idea how glad I am to... well, know you're there!"

"You have some explaining to do, Drac." Frank joked as he squeezed through the doorway.

"Frank! How do you find me?" Dracula was so relieved.

"Well... we had some help."

He referred to the spirit.

"There's someone here that you've scared to no end." Frank pointed to his side.

Mavis Dracula entered the room. A tear ran down Dracula's face.