Two Bats in the Night

Murder

Just then the chinking chunking of an old machine caught their ears, followed by some nonsensical humming. Rage quickly consumed Emma as she realized who this tiny robot man must be, and terror flooded Van Helsing as he saw his once thought dead Great-Grandvampire standing before him.

"Oh, uh, this is awkward," Van Helsing began to retreat back towards the elevator. The last thing he wanted to see, among all these disgusting monsters, was a ghost of a long-dead enemy.

Dracula quickly worked to hold off Emma while Ericka grabbed Van Helsing, trying to persuade him to join their conversation. She needed to hear his side of the story, though she recognized he was notorious for lying, conniving, and sneaking to get his own way.

"You deserve to be lit on fire," Emma snarled towards Van Helsing. "You are a terrible man who will be remembered as a sociopathic murderer."

Dracula held her back but said no words in Van Helsing's defense. From years and years of experience, he knew that Van Helsing's heart was cold and black. Dracula had no doubt that Van Helsing would have killed even his own wife if he found out she was a vampire since he nearly killed Ericka simply for loving one.

Yet, Van Helsing himself was quick to defend his honor and the thought of being remembered as anything besides a hero ground his gears - quite literally. He puffed passed Ericka until he was face to face with Emma. His stupid bravery obviously larger than his common sense or need for self preservation.

"I am a Van Helsing!" He spat at her with contempt, "you were the murderous invader that caused tragedy to our family!"

Emma, without letting go of her rage, filled with tears as his words sunk in. He was wrong; he was lying. Yet, he told the truth at the same time.

"It's not true," she hissed through her teeth, "you killed everyone just because you found out I was a vampire. Don't lie!"

"I only did what I had to," Van Helsing motioned towards Ericka, "I sacrificed everything to save her - to save the legacy!"

"Wh-What do you mean, Grandpa?" The shudder of realization that he hadn't denied the accusation but rather defended his actions hit Ericka to the bridge of fainting. Yet, she held on. She held on so she could know the truth, "what did you do to protect me?"

"I already said it," Van Helsing glared at Ericka, in an attempt to put her under his control as he did throughout her entire life, "I only did what I had to in order to protect the legacy."

"Well," Dracula left Emma, unwilling to hold her back no matter what she wanted to do. Instead, he knew he needed to support the bewildered Ericka. Standing beside her, he placed his arm around her waist, "honey bat, do you want to hear from Emma what happened since your Grandfather seems unwilling to speak?"

As Ericka slowly nodded her head, Van Helsing yelled that this was all nonsense then darted off towards his room. Emma fought the urge to hunt him down, knowing it was more important for Ericka to know the truth of what happened than for vengeance to be gained in that moment.

"How about we all sit down somewhere private," Dracula offered as he nudged Ericka for an answer. Again, a small nod was all she could manage but it was enough. Dracula grabbed a key to the King Suite and led them to the small living room within.

Emma placed herself in a chair across from the couch Dracula and Ericka sat themselves on. She took several breaths in and out, steadying and readying herself to finally reveal the complete truth to her sister.

"Are you ready to know, Ericka?" Emma spoke softly.

"I'm ready to hear what you have to say," Ericka raised her eye brow and did her best to remain calm. Yet, she was very anxious about Emma as well as what her Grandfather was doing at the moment. Dracula had asked Johnny to keep an eye on him since he'd been here. So far he hasn't caused much trouble but his behavior today may cause a change. So many worries filled her head as she listened to Emma.

"When Van Helsing learned I was a vampire - when I was nearly three years old - he called our parents telling them that he knew," Emma began deciding that the truth was better said straight forward than beating around the bush, "he told them that he was going to have a family dinner in order to celebrate. But, it was all just a trap. Our parents knew it, so they asked our grandparents and Great-Grandmother for help."

"Our Great-Grandmother and grandparents hid in the basement with the goal of grabbing you and I while our parents escaped from Van Helsing, but they underestimated his hate."

Emma began to cry as she remembered and recounted the story, "He set fire to the hallway leading to the basement, trapping all of those down there. When our parents tried to rescue them, he shot them both through the heart with wooden stakes."

"I was barely able to get us out of the door, when he shot at me as well," Emma lowered the collar of her shirt to reveal a large, puffed up scar, "he grabbed you - as you didn't have any fangs - and left me bleeding in the yard. He must have thought he shot me in the heart, but he barely missed."