Dracula: A Retelling ✔️

From Darkness to Light (I)

The next morning I present myself at the university just as Professor Van Helsing requested and then I go and visit my father at the hospital. I barely see him nowadays as he is always busy with his patients. Sometimes, when he is in a good mood he even let's me help him with some of them.

Unlike most fathers he has been very generous trough me during my entire life, never once did he told me to stop prosecuting my dreams of becoming a physician, instead of a nurse, instead he encouraged me and even helped me study, explaining things to me in ways I would understand.

Today however I found him in his office looking in low spirit and a little bit stressed out.

"Father, is everything alright?" I ask concerned

"Just stressed out about the numbers my darling, nothing to worry about." he tells me organizing his papers.

"What seems to be the problem?" I ask "Perhaps I could help."

"I'm afraid the hospital might have to shut down one of it's wings" he confesses looking defeated "I tried everything I could, but there is simply not enough money, to keep so many patients here."

"But then where would they go?" I ask "There are no other hospitals for miles. Those people wouldn't be able to continuing to receive treatment."

"I don't know Mina" he says taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes. He had been clearly been around this for a while now. "I'm sure we can find a solution, give me some time to think about this alright?"

"If that is your wish." he says tired "I'll have to announce this to the board at the end of the week so if you have any solution by then, I would be very grateful."

"Don't worry father." I reassure him "We won't be sending patients to die at home, not if we can help it."

Automatically I found myself catching a carriage to drop me off at Carfax's Manor, Alexander Grayson's home. I have no idea why I decided to come here of all places, especially since I might run into Jonathan which was something I did not want, at least not yet, not after what happened yesterday, but I guess subconsciously I knew that I could count on Alexander Grayson to help me find a solution.

I knock at the door and Mr. Renfield was the one who opened the door.

"Miss Murray, what a surprise" he says kindly "If you are looking for Mr. Harker he is not here right now."

"No. I am actually here to speak with Mr. Grayson." I correct him "If he is not otherwise occupied, I could always return some other time."

"There's no need. Please come in" he invites allowing me to enter.

He leads me to a little foyer.

"Mr. Grayson his currently in a private meeting but you are welcome to wait here, he won't be long now." he informs me

"Thank you Mr. Renfield."

"Would you like a beverage while you wait, Miss Murray?"

"No, thank you. I'm quite alright."

He nods in acknowledgement and vacates the room. I look around the room and take in on the little details it had to present. It was a beautiful home he had here. From the corner of my eye I spot a piano. Intrigued I approach it, and for a moment it reminds me of the dream where I...I mean Ilona had found Vlad playing the piano during the night. Not for the first time I wonder if he ever got the chance to teach her.

I start humming the song he played that night, and unconsciously I start running my fingers trough it's keys. Feeling almost compelled to do it, I sit in it's bench and I play a key. I was never taught the piano, my mother died when I was only a small child and my father didn't see the point. I play another key, the sound drawing me in. I hum the song again, and I let my hands play trough the keys, there was something, almost like instinct guiding me trough the keys and soon after, the very same melody I was humming before started to take shape in the keys of the piano.