MU With a ZING!

Chapter 02 - The first Step to A new Beginning

1958, Transylvania

It was a dark and dreary October with not a soul in sight on this very night and was close to that time of year when creatures were known to prowl and lurk about on that same eve, bringing fear and terror to those within the area of this particular location. For many a generation, while the world has continued to move on its axis and to see new and wondrous revolutionary ideas brought forward, seeking to bring humanity out of the stone age to the very present at hand. So many aspiring changes that have shocked many over the following years yet one thing was for sure as to this day, especially in the old country of Europe: the fear of the dark ones that reigned the territory, knowing that they were around and about.

Those who had been living in the area were some of those who still carried the superstition of the old ways since the age from their great-great-grandparents who told such vivid and terrifying tales of things that go bump in the night or had seen such beings over the years and have lived to tell the tale.

Normally, outsiders who had not been in their home country for as long as they had or understood the very nature of things that went about in their way of life. They would either find it rather amusing or merely scoffed at them, thinking those who told such were just the whimsical ramblings of people who didn't seem to get the gist. That these were all nonsense and fairy tales told to spook young children. Honestly, what kind of people still go about rambling of monsters or those that sucked blood - or were said to be undead?

They would make cracks at these and then continue on their way, heading for the mountainous area to pass through. While most would ignore their warnings, especially after the elusive rumors that seemed to surround the Carpathian Mountains for almost as long as anyone could remember, or even the handing of crosses or a ring of garlic to ward off evil spirits yet deflect them, believing there was no need for such. The people thought the locals were all fools to be putting much belief in such nonsense, that these stories held any grain of proof after the scientific improvements that had been coming about, disproving the old myths and legends that spoke of these things.

But those same locals went and tried to persuade the youths not to go and make their way through the spooky terrains, especially with a fog so thick, not even the brightest lamp could light the way. The villagers who all remained within the safety of their walls didn't wait as long before a bloodcurdling scream rendered the air, and then the sound of running footsteps approached. They would find those who have returned to their midst, face chalk-white and have looked like they'd seen a ghost while speaking in tongues, but then no one could understand what he was trying to say.

The only thing they knew was 'another poor fool had to dare try to get by the Devil's path...' but that was how it was in Romania.

But little did the villagers realize that beyond the smog and the overbearing clouds was a passable road led up that slippery slope which had an entrance being hollow through one of the mounts to give access to another route that was in the works of being laid out. Leading, further along, one could almost make out a looming structure that was being constructed by dozens of able-bodied people based on the blueprints and the count who was overseeing that everything go according to plan.

There was to be nothing amidst as he wanted every last detail, from the underground caverns to the secret tunnels leading directly to the hotel without any mishaps. Dracula knew that this was going to be an ongoing project to get underway as even the workers couldn't pick up the slacks thanks to their gangly undead limbs that tended to fall right into the mixture or have body parts flying which slowed production even more.

"It's looking quite promising now, don't you think so, sir?" The construction foreman whose name was Clyde and was a cousin of Mr. Hyde on his father's side but twice removed on the family line. The count had made the personal request for his assistance and Clyde taking the opportunity to draw out the plans, going over the exact dimension and structure as well as overlooking the territory which the count was insistent upon having plenty of acres of land.