Pixie Dust

Bran Castle

With the riveting dream of the morning still running circles in her head, Baba prepares herself for the day. Her fluttering purple and pink skirt looks worn, matching the used-to-be white blouse.

A knock on the door rumbles through the cabin. It must be the inspector. The hagish witch hobbles to the door, hoping that she wouldn't have to leave so early.

Once again the door creaks open, revealing a gloomy inspector and his young companion standing on the cracked patio. The bags underneath his eyes telling the tale of an overworked man.

"Are you ready, yet?" He asks, even his voice wants to rest on a pillow.

"The sun is still up, Inspector. Why on earth would you think that a vampire would roam in this daylight?" A slight agitation ringing through her voice, slamming at the obliviousness of those who are supposed to know the supernatural habits.

"I was just thinking we could talk on the way there, bounce ideas off of each other, you know?" Confused at her coldness towards him.

"The walk is short. You know as much as I do at this point. Dracul will know more than us at this point." She lies, wanting to speak to Dracul first. In private. "Well there's no point in waiting then, I guess we should set out to Bran Castle."

With a whistle the small cauldron bobbles once a again. She climbs into the cauldron this time and sets her broom next to her. Constable Gruso watching in amazement at the little magic as it's been the first time he's ever witnessed it. Like a child seeing a magic trick, he gawks at this little pot, moving with Yaga inside, hovering itself just above the ground.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Baba flies off, not waiting for the mortals to come. If they want to see Bran Castle so early in the dusk, they would have to move with her and the wind alone.

Gruso looks at Covaci in panic as he could barely see the what he thought would be slow witch.

"Come." Covaci replies as he starts sprinting off, trying to keep up with the witch. Gruso follows, his younger body easily keeping up with his senior.

They eventually catch up to a wondering Baba, staring at an opening through the trees.

"Anything the matter?" Covaci asks concerned.

She jumps a little at the sound of his raspy voice pulling her out of her stare.

"Hmm?" Her head turns to face the inspector, still slightly dazed. "No, it's okay. I just thought I saw something. Come, let's go."

She glances at the clearing once more before going further on her journey with the two men following. Her pace just a little slower than before, as she didn't want to rush there before the sun sets.

After about an hour of hobbling through bushes, they finally arrive at the castle gates. Old stone brick walls hold a creaking drawbridge, as it opens for its guests. It hits the ground with a loud thump, opening a whole new view of Bran Castle. Tiki lights lead the way over a cobblestone path. Barren trees loom over, the cracks in their bodies almost smiling, their branches swaying slowly to the song of the cold winter wind.

"No wonder no humans ever come here. They'll have a heart attack before they reach the front door." Gruco mutters, hoping the witch won't notice.

A soft knowing smile hides away from the policemen, as the witch already knows the dangers of this castle. The undead are not to be trifled with if one wants to see the morrow sun.

The wind's song grows to it's climax as the heavy oak doors open to the castle. The small window lighting booms open to a warm flash. For night creatures, they sure do need a lot of lighting.