A Fate Worse Than Death

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Friday October 1, 1886

Clara woke up to see Vlad kneeling over her. "Don't move." he whispered. She wasn't sure what to think. She looked over at the clock and saw it was four in the morning.

"Vlad what.." Just then she heard footsteps outside the door moving slowly back and forth. She looked up terrified as he held a finger up to his lips.

He grabbed a wooden stake out of his bedside table slowly. He leaned in close and whispered, "No matter what you hear or see don't leave this bed. Got it?" Clara nodded and he pressed his lips to hers firmly.

Vlad got out of bed hardly making a sound. He walked to the door and opened it silently as Clara saw him vanish into the hall.

After a few minutes, Clara heard a terrible screeching and banging. She sat up suddenly but remembered his warning. Soon the noise quieted down and Vlad slowly walked into the room.

"Get.. get Ben," he said as he fell over. Clara rushed out of the room and pounded on Benedict's door. He answered sleepily rubbing his eyes.

"Clara? What are you doing here?"

"It's Vlad, he's hurt." she said hurriedly. Benedict's eyes widened and he ran to Vlads room.

"Damn it Vlad what happened?" he asked as he lifted him onto the bed. Vlad coughed as he sat down.

"He wasn't alone. There's more than one on the train Ben."

Benedict grabbed a pitcher of water and a few towels. He quickly gave them to Clara "Clean him up. I'll be back soon I need to get things from my room." he said as he ran out.

Clara sat on the bed next to Vlad with tears in her eyes. As she was cleaning the blood off of him, he held her hand.

"Thank you for helping," he said through labored breaths. She smiled down at him and leaned in kissing him softly as he put his hands on her waist.

Clara heard a deliberate cough come from Benedict at the door. She sat up quickly and blushed.

"Sorry I would have let you continue if he wasn't hurt so badly," Ben said smiling. "Vlad were you bitten?" Vladamire shook his head. "Only scratched."

Benedict got out many bottles some with plants, some with liquids, and others with rocks and things Clara had never seen before.

Benedict poured the contents of some of the bottles into a bowl and mixed them together. Clara looked down at Vlad and held his hand kissing it softly. He smiled up at her.

"Don't worry Clara, this happens all the time."

Clara rolled her eyes "That's supposed to make me feel better?"

"Alright it's ready," Benedict said as he handed the bowl to Vladamire. He sat up slowly and took the bowl. He drank from it and then set it down. Almost immediately his wounds started to heal.

"Well that was quicker than my powers could ever heal me." Vlad said cheerfully. He smiled at Benedict "Thanks Benny."

He then turned to Clara "And thank you." He said quietly as he pulled her closer. Clara blushed and giggled as she tried to pull away from him.

"Well I'll leave you two alone," Ben said as he walked out of the room.

Vlad laughed and sat Clara on his lap kissing her. He cuddled her closely and kissed her chest. "Thank you again for your help," he said quietly as he moved his hand down her leg slowly. "I would love to show you my appreciation but I'm exhausted."