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Chapter 26

The Journal of Andrew Wright -

13th March, 1920

Buda, Hungary

This morning I stood on the bank of the Danube River staring into the tranquil waters in a futile attempt to salve my tortured thoughts. Last night was emotionally wrenching for me and I felt completely spent afterward. It had been difficult to let Glynis leave with that dark and intimidating man. Over and over again last night, I had held my sister’s hand and asked her if she was happy. Every time, she had responded “yes. ” Even though her words sounded heartfelt, I felt ill at ease with her answers.

The night was so tiring that I had immediately fallen into a deep sleep upon returning to my room. I had yet to speak with Emil about Glynis. My friend seemed disturbed after the medical examination and excused himself early to his chambers soon after returning with my sister.

As I brooded over these thoughts, I knelt down and ran my fingers through the cool water, sighing heavily. I know something is amiss in this place. It is more than my sister being scarred and my family being dead. Even in the bright light of the day there is a foreboding presence that hides in the shadows of the trees. I feel it to the depths of my being. An evil force is in this city. Last night, when I had gazed into the green eyes of Count Dracula, I had been convinced that it emanated from that man .

“Andrew, dear boy, there you are!”

I turned around to see Emil hurrying across the lush green lawn to join me at the river’s edge.

“I have been looking for you, Andrew. I came down late to breakfast and you were not there. I assumed you had already eaten. And here you are,” Emil said breathlessly, a huge smile on his friendly face.

“I was up rather early,” I responded blandly.

Emil looked over the sparkling waters, the lush greenery, and the blue sky above. “It is quite beautiful here, is it not?”

“I suppose,” I answered in a troubled voice.

“Your sister must love it here. Plenty of fresh air to help her regain her strength and bright sunlight to cheer her up. ”

“How bad is it?” I asked. As the words issued forth from my lips, I felt fearful of his response.

Emil’s smile immediately vanished. He hesitated, rubbing his mustache while looking pensive. Finally, he said, “It is horrible, Andrew. I do not wish to upset you, but it is quite horrible. The sister you remember is the one I wish for you to hold dear to your heart. You do not wish to see what she has become. ”

I took a deep breath and wiped away the single tear that fell down my cheek. “I need to know, doctor. ”

He sighed then said, “She is nearly blind, Andrew. Her mouth is quite twisted. And her nose, well, it must have been partially ripped away. It is a terrible sight. I could barely look upon her face. Remember her as she was, Andrew, and do not press her to lift the veil. ”

I moaned as I struggled to contain my emotions.

“Andrew, she is lucky to have found a good man like Count Dracula to care for her. He must have a good heart to marry a woman who is so terribly disfigured. ”

“I do not trust him,” I declared in a fierce voice.

“Andrew, this man is taking wonderful care of your sister and she loves him. He is a good man to love her and protect her. ”

“There is something about him that I just do not like,” I insisted. “I sense that something is amiss. ”

“He is a darkly handsome man, who is quite imposing, true enough. But he is a good man to love Glynis in her condition. You have to see that he has nothing to gain by taking her in. It is the act of a good and kind heart despite his dark appearance and intimidating manner. ”

I rubbed my brow, nodding dismally. “He must be a good man to do this for her. ”

“Just give him a chance to prove himself,” Emil urged me. “Give him a chance to show you what sort of man he truly is. ”

I drew in a weary breath and rested a hand on Emil’s shoulder. “I shall trust your judgment, my dear friend, and do as you say. I will see what I can do to help them as I will try to accept what has to be. ” I was consumed by my thoughts for a long moment, then I said, “But right now, I need to see her again. I cannot help but feel that all is not as it appears to be. ”

“Andrew, you must accept what has happened,” my friend insisted. “That he is a good man to take her in. To love her. ”

“Yes, yes,” I said dismissively. I was getting rather tired of his assertion of my sister’s new husband’s virtue. I set my jaw with determination, and said, “I definitely need to see my sister again. I am going to speak with Maria about securing a ride over to the Dracula estate. ”

“If it will make you feel better, Andrew, do what you must. But, I am positive that your sister is in the care of a good man,” he persisted.