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The Hoax by F. A. Dincorn
Robbie MacBride
was in his last year at Mount Allison University. He didn't have any real
friends as most students considered him a 'nerd'. Each week he would receive a
long newsy letter from his mother, Rose. Robbie, and Rose, and his cousin
Elizabeth were all that was left of the family. His mother had been in a
wheelchair for five years now, the result of Muscular Dystrophy, but she
remained cheerful, and her letters were full of news of Elizabeth. Apparently
she had met a man in the library, and she was crazy about him. Rob looked
forward to the holidays when he could go home for a visit. Elizabeth didn't
consider him a 'nerd', to her he was always prince charming, and he loved her
for it. He read the letter again, and then went back to
his studies. He was studying Business Management. Rob intended to go into
business for himself one day. It would have something to do with music, but he
hadn't decided on exactly which branch it would be. Rob's
brown hair was shoulder length, and he had grey eyes. He wasn't what you would
call good looking, but he was attractive. He could play a guitar, and sing
reasonably well, but he wasn't going to be a musician. He enjoyed business too
much for that, and that is what he would do. Back home in
Saint John things were changing, and Robbie didn't realize that they would
never be the same again. The mysterious new man in Elizabeth's life would
change all their lives for ever. Rose MacBride smiled at
her niece as she came through the door. "Elizabeth, your glowing," she said.
Elizabeth's blue eyes sparkled, and she ran a hand through her thick dark
hair. "Now, Aunt Rose," she said, "you know I'm always
smiling, and happy." Rose was in her wheel chair. She had
short brown hair, and grey eyes like Robbie. The chair didn't make her a bitter
person, as she was always cheerful, and full of jokes. She teased Elizabeth
about the new man in her life, one that Rose hadn't met as yet.
"When are you going to introduce me to this mysterious
guy," Rose chided. "Is there something wrong with him?" "No, Aunt Rose, he's
perfect," Elizabeth said. "Just perfect." Elizabeth met
Victor Drake in the library over a week ago. She had never seen him in the
daytime, as he was out of town during the day on buying trips. Ever since they
met they were attracted to one another, and Elizabeth was falling in love with
him. She knew he, and his butler, Hugo, lived in the old Corbet mansion, and he
was never married. victor bought the run down house two weeks before, and was
planning to renovate it in the future. Elizabeth hadn't been there yet, but he
was going to take her to the mansion soon. "Why don't you
bring him over for dinner soon, so I can meet him?" Rose asked her. "I like to
know who you are seeing. Are you sure you know enough about
him?" "I know all I need to know, Aunt Rose." "He's
single, and I'm crazy about him." "That I can see, but
where does he come from?" Rose enquired. "He said he
lived in England for awhile, and before that Germany." "His job takes him all
over the country, but he's decided to settle here." "I
see. Would you have anything to do with that? Rose asked.
"No, he decided that before I met him. That's why he bought the Corbet
mansion. "Have your supper now, and we'll talk later,"
said Rose. "Are you going out tonight?" "I'm meeting
Victor at seven," Liz answered. "You don't mind being alone, do
you?" "No, you have a good time, but invite him to dinner
soon." Elizabeth hurried down the street after supper.
She couldn't wait to meet Victor. She had a feeling that he would be waiting
for her outside the library, and when she got there he was. Victor stepped out
of the shadows, and opened his arms, and Elizabeth went into them. He held her
that way for a few minutes, not speaking, just enjoying her warmth. "I knew
you'd come," he finally said. "What shall we do tonight,"
she said. "Do you want to do anything special?" "I
thought maybe you would like to see my house." Victor looked down at her, and
waited. "I would love to see your house. Do you have a
car with you, or should I get mine?" "I have my car over
there." He pointed across the street to a black Ford Thunderbird.
Victor took her arm and they walked across to the
Thunderbird. He opened the door and got her comfortable. Then he got behind the
wheel, and started the car. "It's only ten miles to the
house," he said. "It won't take long, and I told Hugo to put a fire in the
fireplace to take the chill off." "These fall nights get
chilly," Elizabeth smiled at him to let him know that she appreciated the
gesture. When they arrived at the Corbet mansion Hugo
was at the door. He must have heard the car pull up. He came out and opened the
door for Elizabeth as Victor introduced them. "This is Hugo, Victor said, a
very important person around here. He looks after me, the house, and the car."
"Hello Hugo, Elizabeth said, I'm glad Victor has someone
so handy to look after him." Hugo just nodded, and he
walked back to the house with them. "The fire has been started Sir", he told
him as they entered into the spacious entrance. The house
was very run down, and damp as it hadn't been lived in for many years. It still
showed some of the splendor it once had. The ceilings were twelve feet high,
and great dirty chandeliers hung in the hall, and the setting room where Victor
asked her to sit down by the fire. Elizabeth sat on the old-fashioned settee,
and held her hands toward the fire. "Hugo is making a
late lunch for us tonight," Victor said, "I know you ate supper at home
earlier." "In the meanwhile we could have a glass of wine - you do drink wine
don't you?" "Yes, wine would be lovely," Elizabeth
answered. "I don't think I could eat anything though."
They sat and sipped their wine, and chatted about the house, but Elizabeth knew
that there was something on Victor's mind. She suspected that it had something
to do with her, and she was right. "Elizabeth, he said, I
think I'm falling in love with you." "I'd like to know how you feel about me,
is it too soon?" "No, it's too late, I'm already in love
with you." "I was hoping you felt the same way." Victor
took her in his arms, and kissed her lips, and eyes, and neck. He lingered at
the curve of her neck and felt the warm pulse. He had to tell her now. He had
to trust her. "There's something I have to tell you," he
said, but Hugo came in just then, and asked to see Victor in the kitchen. "I'll
just be a minute," he said as he got up to go with Hugo.
In the kitchen Hugo asked Victor if it was wise to tell Elizabeth anything yet.
He had only known her a week, and maybe he should wait until he was sure.
Victor decided he could wait another week or so, and he went back into the
room. She sat there looking into the fire. She was so beautiful to him in the
firelight that he almost regretted his decision to wait, but his life was on
the line and he decided it was best to wait a little
longer. "So, Elizabeth said, what is it you were going to
tell me?" "You seemed pretty mysterious." "It was
nothing, it was just that I will be away for awhile, and won't be able to see
you for a few days." "Oh", said Elizabeth, "I will miss
you terribly." "It must be very important." "I have to
tie up some loose ends in the business, as I won't be doing as much as I used
to." Then I can devote more time to you." "In that case,
I forgive you," she smiled. "Please don't take too long." "By the way you have
to come to dinner before you go. Aunt Rose will hound me if I don't bring you
home so that she can meet you." "In that case, I accept,
but it will have to be tomorrow night after seven, okay?"
It was after midnight when Victor and Elizabeth kissed good night. She went
into the house feeling happy, but there was something in the back of her mind.
She didn't think the trip was what Victor wanted to tell her about, it was
something else. He would tell her in time. She went into the bedroom and found
Rose sleeping peacefully in her bed. She would tell her the good news in the
morning. Rose was very excited about Victor coming to
dinner. She cooked all day, and cleaned the house with the help of Elizabeth.
Rose was very capable around the house in spite of her wheelchair. The only
thing she needed help with was reaching the higher shelves. They had a girl who
came in once a week to help with the heavy work. Linda was just sixteen, but
she was a big girl, healthy and strong. Linda came in on Fridays, and that was
two days away so Rose and Elizabeth did the work
themselves. At promptly seven o'clock, Victor knocked on
the door. Elizabeth ran to open it, and greeted Victor with a smile. "I'm so
glad your here, aunt Rose has been looking forward to meeting you all day." She
ushered him in like royalty. "Aunt Rose meet Victor Drake." "Victor, this is my
only Aunt Rose." "You now have met two-thirds of my family." Victor took Rose's
offered hand, and smiled at her. "I see the family resemblance, but how is it
you have the same last name?" "My Father and Rose are
brother and sister," Elizabeth replied. "Aunt Rose never married, although
she's Robbie's mother, her fiancé died in the war, and never even knew
that Robbie was born." "What a pity," Victor said, it
must be hard to bring up a boy all by yourself? How long have you been in a
wheelchair, if I may ask?" I don't mind at all, and yes it was hard, but
Elizebeth was always there to help me, and I had her father when he was alive."
Rose looked sad for a minute, then she said, "let's go in now and
eat." "I hear you are a buyer, what is it you buy," Rose
asked Victor half way through the meal. "I buy antiques
for a large chain, they collect antiques from all over the world, and sell them
in their stores in New York, and other large centers, but that is about to
stop. This is my last trip away. I'm retiring. That is why I bought the Corbet
house." "You must come and see it when I get back from London." "It's a cold,
dismal place right now, but maybe you and Elizabeth can give me some
pointers." "Are you old enough to retire?" Aunt Rose
laughed, "you must be older than you look." "Well, I'm
thirty-six, but I never had to work, it was just a way to make use of my time."
"I've decided there are better ways to spend time." He looked at Elizabeth, and
she blushed. Rose noticed it, and knew Elizabeth would do anything for this
man. He was tall, dark, and handsome, as they say, and wealthy too. Rose
herself was taken with him, and even though there was an age difference of
fourteen years, it didn't seem to matter. Rose would give her, and Victor her
blessings when the time came. The rest of the evening flew
by, and Victor had to leave. He was going to London early in the morning he
said, so he went home at eleven, giving Rose a hug, and a long good-night kiss
to Elizabeth. He told her he would be back in a week, and that he would
hurry. When Victor got home he spent the rest of the night
in front of the fire. Hugo offered him something to drink, but he declined. He
felt very alone. He would have a week to plan how he would tell Elizabeth his
secret, but how would she react? Would he lose her for ever? How could a young
beautiful woman live a life of solitude? Maybe her love for him was strong
enough, but it was a chance he knew he had to take. In
the morning just before daybreak, Victor got up off his chair, and went to his
room in the basement. A hateful place where he was condemned to spend his days.
Hugo would usually take the car away each morning, and bring it back each
night, but this morning he would take the car and leave it in a private garage
for the week. If anyone came by, it would look like Victor had been away.
Everything had to be planned ahead. It was the only safe thing to do. Victor
went down the stairs, and opened his coffin. At least he didn't have to think
when he was sleeping. "Good-night, Elizabeth, he thought, I hope it isn't
good-bye." Hugo went out and climbed in the car, and
started it up. He would take it two miles up the road, and store it in a garage
that he had rented months before. He had been with Victor Drake for many years,
and he felt sorry for the cold, lonely existence he had, but not sorry enough
to let a woman come between them. Hugo had control of Victor's assets, and did
everything for him. A woman would only complicate things. After all he had done
too much planning to let a woman spoil it now. Robbie was
very disappointed, he couldn't go home for Thanksgiving as he was failing an
important exam, and he had to spend the time studying. He received another long
letter from his mother telling him that Victor Drake came to dinner, and she
was as taken with him as Elizabeth was. Rose would be disappointed also, but
his studies came first. Robbie began a letter to his mother explaining his
absence, and assuring her he would be home for Christmas.
Elizabeth tried to fill the long week the best she could. She went shopping for
a new dress, but ended up with a beautiful white nightgown. She blushed when
she realized it was more for Victor than herself. Then she wondered if he would
ever see it. Victor sat by the fire every night of the
week he was supposed to be away. He was putting the story together in his mind.
The more he thought about it, the more depressed he became. Finally he went to
find Hugo. "I'm going to tell Elizabeth the truth on Monday night," he was
saying to Hugo. The look on Hugo's face made him stop talking. "What is it?" he
asked. "Sir, your making a terrible mistake, no woman
would understand about you, and no woman would live like you,
knowingly." "Your wrong, Hugo, Elizabeth is different,
she loves me, and that will help her to understand it wasn't my fault that I'm
the way I am." "Well, it was my duty to warn you, and of
course I will serve her as I serve you." "Thank you Hugo,
I'll say good-night.", Victor went back to the fire, and sat down. He felt
better now that he made up his mind. Then he pictured Elizabeth beside him in
the cold dark cellar, and he panicked. My God, how can I do this to her? But he
knew in his heart he would. When Monday night came Victor
sent his car for Elizabeth, but she told Hugo she would drive her own out to
the house. It would be more convenient for him, as he wouldn't have to be on
call all evening. Hugo figured she would probably need her car after the story
she was going to hear, and he laughed out loud at the thought of it. People
were really stupid he thought to himself. One born every minute. He drove back
to the mansion alone. Maybe Victor would give him the night off so he could be
alone with his soon to be x-girlfriend. Elizabeth arrived
at seven-thirty, and hurried up to the door where Victor was waiting. He was so
handsome she thought, and she had missed him a lot during the time he was away.
"I'm so glad your back, she said as she reached him, next time take me with
you." Victor ushered her in, and told Hugo he could have
the night off. He wanted to be alone when he told Elizabeth his story. "Can I
get you anything?" he asked her when she was comfortably sitting in the setting
room. "No, darling, just you." "Please come and sit down with me, and tell me
about your trip." Victor sat on a chair across from
Elizabeth. He didn't want to be too close when he told her his story.
"Elizabeth, he began, I have something to tell you, and I want you to listen."
"There is something I've been keeping from you that could make a difference in
how you feel about me." "Victor, there is nothing that
could change my feelings for you, I love you." "Maybe you
should hear my story first, then decide." "All right,"
Elizabeth said as she settled back on the cushion, and relaxed. "Go ahead, tell
me your story." It all happened fourteen years ago when I
first met Hugo. My father and I lived in London, England then. My mother had
been dead for ten years, and father and I traveled around together a lot. One
night father and I decided to see some of the colorful sights of London itself.
We walked along the streets, and even entered one of the most famous bars,
called the Vampire's Nest. All the people there dressed in costumes, and drank
colorful drinks, such as 'Bloody Marys's', pretending it to be blood. We had
one drink each, and then left. When we reached the corner of the street we
realized that someone was following us. Father turned around too late, he was
hit by a large man in a black cape, and flung against a wall. There were two
men, and the other one did the same to me. He then bent over me and bit my
neck. I passed out from hitting the wall, and never came to until four days
later. When I woke up I was in a shack, the windows were
boarded up, and a man was sitting by my bed. It was Hugo. He asked me how I was
feeling, and I told him I was ill. My head ached, and I was very thirsty. He
told me that was understandable, as I had been dead for three day. I thought he
meant dead to the world, but he meant literally dead. He told me his name was
Hugo Gruber, and be found me and my father in the alley near the Vampires Nest.
My father was dead, and buried, but he saved me because he knew I would be all
right in three, or four days. I was in shock at the news
of my father's death, and I asked him for a drink. He gave me a glass of red
liquid, and told me from now on I would have to drink this if I was to stay
alive. I didn't understand what he meant, so he told me. The men who attacked
me were real vampires, not the pretend ones. The one who attacked me made me
drink his blood, and I was now one of them. I actually
laughed at him, but he was serious. He pointed at the windows, they are boarded
up to keep the daylight off of you. You must never see the sun again, or you
will die. I drank the drink he gave me, and I felt much stronger. I began to
wonder if he was right. He then told me that he would help me, and get me to a
safe place out of the country. My father had holdings in
Canada, and Hugo thought that was a perfect place to hide. It was necessary to
be away from people who knew me, as they would become suspicious when I was no
longer available in the daylight hours. So I let him take charge of my life. I
no longer cared if I lived or died. Hugo made all the arrangements for me, and
himself, using my father's passport, to come here to New Brunswick. The story
about being a buyer is just a cover story Hugo made up. He told me I would
never have to prowl for victims, as he would see to my nourishment, and my
safety. When Victor was finished, Elizabeth sat for a
minute, and then she laughed out loud, "My darling Victor, that is the worst
story I have ever heard, and I don't believe a word of it. If you wanted to get
rid of me, just say so." Victor got up off his chair, and
took her hand, "come with me," he said. "Come see what's in the cellar, and
maybe then you'll believe." Elizabeth, still smiling,
went along with Victor to the cellar. They went down the darkened stairs
together. There in the corner was a long black coffin. Victor pointed at it,
"that's where I sleep each morning." She went over to the
coffin and lifted the lid, there inside was earth laid along its beautiful
white satin lining. "Oh my God, Victor, is it really
true? Victor went to Elizabeth, and took her by the arm,
"Let's go back upstairs where its warmer." "Are you afraid of me
now?" "No, your still Victor, the man I love. Lets just
go up and talk about this." Elizabeth and Victor talked
for hours. He sat close to her on the settee, and she laid her head on his
shoulder. I don't see how I can live without you, she told him. So I guess
we'll have to work around it some how. Oh my darling, Elizabeth, I love you so
much. I want to marry you. Do you think you could live with my terrible
secret? "Yes, Victor, I will marry you, but I must become
like you. What do I have to do?" "Oh my God, never."
Victor looked at her shocked. "It doesn't have to be that way for
you." "Not right away, but after we are married, I want
to be as you are." Elizabeth put her arms around his neck. III think after
fourteen years, that you have waited long enough, can we go
upstairs?" Victor stood up and pulled her to him, "are
you sure your ready?" he asked, and when she nodded he picked her up in his
arms, and carried her up the wide staircase, and into the master bedroom, where
he had never slept. The room was spacious, and it was kept
clean. Victor had Hugo get it ready just in case Elizabeth stayed over. He
stood in the door way with Elizabeth in his arms. "Are you
sure?" "Yes, I'm sure, but will you get my overnight bag
out of the car? I want this to be perfect." Victor hated
to leave her even for a minute, but he went. He got the bag out of her car, a
little red Golf. He couldn't believe his good fortune - she actually loved him
enough to sleep with him. He carried the bag up the stairs and found her there
sitting on the bed. "It's a lovely room isn't it?" she said.
Victor gave her the bag, and bent over and kissed her,
"please hurry, I can't wait much longer now that I know your
mine." Elizabeth put on her new nightgown that she bought
in anticipation of this night. She had a lot to think about, but not tonight,
tonight would be for Victor, and herself. She went back into the bedroom, and
Victor walked up to her, "Your so beautiful," he said, as he led her to the
bed. "I love you with all my heart." The night was magic.
They made love over, and over again, until they fell
asleep. Elizabeth screaming, "Victor, Victor, wake up, the
sun, the sun", awakened Victor. Victor sat bolt upright in
the bed, the sun's warm rays lay on his left arm and shoulder, it was coming
through the East window. He looked down at his arm in wonder. It didn't burn
him. It felt wonderful. He got up out of bed, and went to the window. He stood
there letting the warm sunshine lay on his body like a comforter. Then he began
to cry. Elizabeth, seeing his shoulders shake, ran to him, and put her arms
around him. "What does this mean?" she asked him. When
Victor could speak he said, "I think this means I have been had." "I'm going to
kill Hugo." "Are you sure this means your not a Vampire?"
"Why would Hugo do such a thing." She looked up at him hopefully waiting for
his answer. Victor led her back to the bed, he had to
sit down as his legs felt weak. "I didn't tell you everything," he said, "Hugo
was wanted by the police when I met him." "That's why he was hiding in that
shack, he was wanted for murder, and he said it wasn't his fault, but the
police wanted him anyway." "I didn't care after what he had told me about
myself, and I needed him, so I just forgot about it." "He used my father's
passport to get himself out of the country, and I was just the patsy he needed
to help him. I think that was his motive, what else could it
be?"
"It is so wonderful that your not a Vampire, but
that was despicable of Hugo. He should be punished, but not by you, let the
authorities take him. I want you safe with me not in jail for
murder." "I guess your right," Victor said, "It is
wonderful, after fourteen years just to see the sun." He went back to the
window. "Can you get me a cellular phone?" he asked, "so I can call Scotland
Yard in London, they are the ones who were looking for him." "I'll send him to
London on some pretext, and have them waiting at the airport." "Whatever they
do won't be enough, but it will have to do." "I want you
to leave now, Elizabeth, before Hugo gets back." "Come back this evening, and
don't let him see the phone." "I'll talk to him about going to London, he won't
like it, but I'll be firm about it. Then I'll call ahead and tell them when his
plane gets in. That should do it." "I hate leaving you
like this," she said to him, "Are you sure you will be okay here with
him? "Don't worry, I'm going down into the cellar, and
await his return just as if nothing has changed, but first I think I'll check
and see what it is he has been giving me to drink all these years." "You had
better leave now before he gets back." Victor hugged, and kissed her good-bye.
He waited for her car to pull away, and then he went into the kitchen to find
out what it was he had been drinking. It didn't take long as the cupboards were
filled with tomato juice, and the fridge was full of bottles already made up
with whatever he had been putting in it. Victor took out two bottles, and
poured them down the drain rinsed the sink, and headed for the
cellar. When Elizabeth got home she was very excited, she
went to her aunt and asked to borrow her cellular phone. Rose knew that
something had changed, and asked her what was going on. Elizabeth told her she
would tell her everything later. "Victor asked me to marry
him, and I said yes." "He told me quite a story about his past, but he found
out that it wasn't true, and he's going to fix it." "I'll fill you in
tomorrow." Elizabeth was walking around, checking the phone, and placing it in
her club bag. Rose looked at her, "are you going to tell
me why you didn't come home last night? Or should I ask?"
Elizabeth blushed, "You shouldn't ask, but I'll tell you anyway we talked half
the night then I spent the rest of it in the guest room." "With Victor." "After
all we are going to be married." "What do you need the
phone for? Doesn't Victor have a phone? "No, he doesn't,"
Elizabeth replied. "He has to make a call to London, but he will pay you for
it." "I wasn't worried about the cost," Rose said. "I was
just curious about why he needed it." "Like I said, I'll
tell you everything tomorrow, please don't worry." Elizabeth kissed her aunt.
"I'm going back to the mansion at seven, and I may not be home until tomorrow,
but don't worry I'm in safe hands with Victor."
Elizabeth helped her aunt get lunch ready, and they made small talk. She asked
Rose how Robbie was getting along. "I received a letter
from Robbie, and he isn't coming home for thanksgiving, but he will be home for
Christmas." "You can't get married before he gets home."
"I wouldn't think of it," Elizabeth said, "after all he's the one that has to
give me away." "I'd wait for whatever time it took."
"I'm going to write him right away, and tell him the news right after you tell
me the rest of it." "That will have to wait until
tomorrow, Aunt Rose, but I will tell you everything." At
one o'clock Hugo arrived at the Corbet mansion. He walked in and noticed that
nothing was out of place. She must have gone home. Probably scared to death if
Victor told her the story. He went into the kitchen and checked the
refrigerator. Two bottles of his special blend were gone. That meant that
Victor was in the cellar. Hugo then went up stairs to check the bedroom. He
found the bed had been slept in, probably Elizabeth stayed the night. Alone he
hoped. It was puzzling that she would still stay after Victor told her his
story. Maybe she didn't believe him. He then went into the cellar. Better make
sure he thought. He lifted the coffin lid, and Victor was right there where he
should be. Hugo signed with relief. He then went about the business of cleaning
the house up, and preparing more of his famous blood. At
nightfall Victor opened the cellar door, and asked Hugo for a drink. He said,
"Hugo I have a favor to ask of you, when you bring in my tonic, I'd like to
talk to you." "Anything you ask, Mr. Drake," Hugo smiled
at Victor. He went into the kitchen to get the blood, and then returned and
handed it to Victor. "Please sit down," Victor said, "I want you to take a trip
for me." "Elizabeth has consented to be my wife, and I want you to get my
mother's wedding dress from our house in London." "Do you think you can do that
without anyone finding out?" Hugo was shocked, he couldn't
believe she was actually going to marry Victor. He looked at Victor with his
mouth open for a minute. Then he said the only thing he could.
"Congratulations, Victor. Of course I would be glad to go back to London for
you." "When do you want me to leave?" "There's a plane
leaving for London tomorrow night, I hope you can make it, as I am anxious to
get the dress." "I want you to go into town, and make sure there's a plane
leaving, make a reservation, and come back and let me know. I'll tell you how
to get into the house, and what I will need." "Very well, I'll leave first
thing in the morning, and come back and pack." Hugo resigned himself to going,
and then he started to look forward to it. He might have some time to spend
with his friends at the Vampire's Nest. He used to hang out there with his
friends when he was hiding from the law. The police never came near the place
as long as nobody complained. And usually no one
did. Victor thought everything was going smoothly, and
anxiously awaited Elizabeth's return. He couldn't wait for her to arrive, and
he hoped she could spend the night again. He didn't think he would ever be this
happy again, but he was very careful not to show it to Hugo. He made plans in
his head. He would call Scotland Yard, and alert them to his arrival time. They
would pick him up, and hopefully he would get what he deserved. It was all
Victor could do to keep from choking him to death, but he didn't let Hugo see
his anger. He wouldn't call London until Hugo's reservation was
confirmed. Elizabeth arrived at seven-thirty with her
over night bag. She threw her arms around Victor, and whispered in his ear," I
got the phone." Victor held her tight, and said
"thank-you, I knew you could get one." "Come in and sit down." When they were
settled he told her Hugo was going to London on the following evening, and he
was going to get his reservation in the morning. "I hope he can get a seat on
such short notice," he said, "I want everything over and done with as soon as
possible." Hugo came into the room and congratulated
Elizabeth on her upcoming marriage. He asked if he could get her anything, and
would she like a fire in the master bedroom, if she was staying
overnight. "Yes, that would be wonderful. I was a little
chilly last night there by myself," she said. A glass of wine would be nice we
could have a toast.', "You can have the rest of the night off," Victor said to
Hugo, "after you light the fire, and get the wine, we will be fine." "Just make
sure you get to the travel agency in the morning I can't wait to show Elizabeth
my surprise." After Hugo left for the night, Elizabeth
said to Victor, "I've never been to London, it must be nice there, do you
suppose we could go after we are married?" "Oh course we
can," Victor answered, "we can go anywhere you want to go." "Thanks to you I
now can go out into the beautiful sunlight." "Only one more day in that dreaded
coffin, and I'm free." "We could live in my London house if you want to, it's a
beautiful place." "I'd like to see it anyway. It must be
really nice." "Do you think you can trust Hugo to go to London with the police
looking for him?" "He has my father's passport, and can
travel around freely." I think the only reason he stays with me is the money."
"I will have to make sure he can't touch any more of it. I'll call my lawyer
tonight." Victor and Elizabeth went upstairs. They spent
most of the night together, but Victor made sure he was in the cellar when Hugo
returned. He didn't want anything to go wrong now, and if Hugo found out what
was happening he may try to kill them both. Elizabeth
came down stairs in the morning fully dressed and ready to go home. She
encountered Hugo coming out of the kitchen. "Did you sleep well," he asked
her. "Yes, the fire made it cozy, and warm, but I must
get back to my aunt now. Have a nice trip to London."
"Miss. MacBride, if I may say so, you are taking a great risk in marrying
Victor. After what he told you, do you think its wise?"
"I love Victor, Hugo, and he's worth any risk I have to take." "So, please
don't worry, it will all work out." Elizabeth went out,
and got into her car. She had given the phone to Victor, and he took it to the
basement with him. By tomorrow everything would be over. She
hoped. When Hugo got off the plane in London, he knew
right away that there was something wrong. He could see men standing around
looking unnatural to him. He was used to seeing men from Scotland Yard, and he
was sure they were some of the Yard's idiots. He went into the men's washroom
and stayed there for awhile. Then he slipped out and edged along a wall,
watching carefully to see if anyone was looking in his direction. There was a
woman heading for the door, and he fell into step beside her, and acted like he
was with her. No one noticed him at all. He just walked out and up the street.
Then he ran. He figured that Victor had set him up, and probably by now Victor
knew he wasn't a vampire. He headed for the Vampire's Nest.
Hugo sat in the back of the Vampire's Nest drinking heavily.
He had been there several hours thinking of what he could do. He didn't have a
safe place to hide, and he only knew a few people that hung out in the Nest.
His luck was with him when a man walked up to him and said, "Well, if it isn't
Hugo, my friend, where have you been hiding all this
time?" Hugo looked up to see who was taking to him, and
it was Carl, his friend for many years. He only knew Carl from the bar, but
they hung out together there. Carl was usually a private person, and never met
anyone outside the Vampire's Nest. He was dressed in costume, a black cape, and
his sharp teeth. It was quite ridiculous the way some of these guys dressed.
Who did they think they were kidding anyway? Hugo said to
Carl, "Just the man I wanted to see." "I'm looking for a safe place to hide,
can you help me?" Carl sat down across from Hugo, "where
have you been for the last fourteen years? "I've been in
Canada, with a friend, but I can't go back again, as the friend got my number,
if you know what I mean?" "Well, I guess you could stay
with me for a short time, until you can find your own way." "Come along, I'll
show you where I live." Hugo staggered along after Carl,
and up the street, and into an alley. There was a basement apartment door at
the foot of some steps. "This is where I live with my friends," said Carl.
"Come in and join us." When Hugo stepped through the door
he was attacked by four people. They jumped on him and bit into his neck,
fighting over him. He knew his mistake, and with disbelief written on his face,
he died. Robbie got a long letter from Rose. She told him
about Elizabeth getting married at Christmas, and how she wanted him to be
there to give her away. He thought how ordinary everything was at home. His
life was so full of books, and classes, and teachers. He felt sorry for the
humdrum existence Elizabeth would lead in the old run down house. Rose said she
would tell him everything that happened after he got home, and that he wouldn't
believe it. Robbie knew there was nothing that could surprise him. But he was
looking forward to going home anyway. Rose, and
Elizabeth, and Victor sat around Victor's fireplace, talking about the events
that happened. Rose was really shocked to think that Victor could live like
that for fourteen years. They worried about Hugo. The police called and said
they lost him. Victor didn't think he would come back to Canada, as it would
probably occur to Hugo that Victor set him up. Elizabeth
asked Rose to take charge of redecorating the house while she, and Victor were
on their honeymoon. They were going to hire full time help to stay with Rose,
and do the running for her. Rose was happy for them. The
phone that Victor had installed since Hugo left rang. When Victor picked it up,
it was Scotland Yard. They told him Hugo had been found, he was quite dead,
drained of blood, and someone had claimed the body. Victor sighed with relief.
What a fitting ending for Hugo. He couldn't have thought of a better one
himself. A week later Victor was walking around the
grounds looking over his property, and enjoying the crisp evening air. He beard
a rustling noise in the near by bushes. "Who's there?" he
called. There was no answer, and Victor started to walk toward them. Suddenly,
from behind, a voice said, "That wasn't very nice of you Victor, setting me up
like that." Victor wheeled around, and there was Hugo,
alive. "I thought you were dead?" Victor said, in utter
surprise. "You can't get rid of me that easily," Hugo
snarled at him. "Now your going to pay." Hugo jumped on
Victor, and they wrestled to the ground. Hugo seemed more powerful than he ever
was. He had the strength of two men. Suddenly Hugo bared fangs that were white,
and sharp as razors. He tore into Victor's neck, and Victor was too overcome to
stop him. Hugo dragged Victor's limp, lifeless body to
the side entrance, and into the cellar. The black coffin hadn't been removed as
yet, so he dumped Victor in, and closed the lid. "When I say your a vampire,
your a vampire," he said, and he laughed quietly. "Now maybe your lady friend
will join you." Hugo stole quietly upstairs, remembering
his own demise, and miraculous recovery. Of course now he would live a life
like Victor had for all those years, but he would be in good company. Victor
and Elizabeth would have to do their own killing, but they wouldn't care once
the thirst came over them. Hugo went to search out
Elizabeth. Rose was in the dining room admiring the work
that had been started. The room had been cleaned thoroughly, and the
chandeliers were sparkling like diamonds. She didn't hear the man enter the
room behind her. Hugo was on her in seconds, and after
she was depleted of blood he dragged her into the basement, and left her on the
floor beside Victor's coffin. It was getting late so he locked the cellar door,
and remained inside with his two victims. Time enough tomorrow night to meet
Elizabeth. Elizabeth retired early as she had a long day
preparing for her wedding, and overseeing Aunt Rose's plans for the house. She
knew Victor would be up later, and he would wake her up when he did. So she
slept soundly, and in the morning when she arose, she found herself
alone. She called out to Victor, but there was no answer.
She then got dressed and went downstairs. There was nobody around. The car was
gone also. So Elizabeth thought maybe Victor had gone to town. She moved about
the house looking for Rose, but only discovered her wheel chair in the dining
room. "That's strange," she thought, Rose must have gone with
Victor. Elizabeth waited all day for Victor, and was
getting very worried. She phoned Rose's house, and received no answer. "I'm
going to shoot him," she said out loud. At nightfall
Elizabeth was upstairs looking out the window anxiously awaiting Victor's car.
A voice from behind her said, "Hello Elizabeth, waiting for your lover?"
She turned around, and looked into the red eyes of Hugo.
They were filled with hatred. "Hugo, it can't be you,
what have you done? Where is Victor?" "Victor is sleeping
with Rose in the basement, and soon you'll join them." Hugo moved closer as he
spoke. Elizabeth looked for a way out, but Hugo blocked
the door. She threw a lamp at him, and he just brushed it off, laughing.
"Feisty aren't we? he said, and laughed at her. When Elizabeth tried to run
past him, he grabbed her and threw her across the room. "All this is your
fault," he said. "All of it," Victor was in my control until you came along,
now he's in my control again. We'll be a big happy family." He reached out for
her. Elizabeth was dazed, and didn't struggle when he finally bit into her
neck. Robbie knocked on Rose's door, and when no one came
he looked for the spare key. He found it in a flower pot, and opened the door.
The house smelled of disuse, and neglect. He went through the rooms, and found
dust on everything. Where was she he thought. Then it hit him, she was out at
the Corbet mansion, staying there with Elizabeth and
Victor. It was late when his train got in, so he decided
to have a snack and go to bed. He would surprise them in the morning. Robbie
hadn't heard from his mother in three weeks, and that was unusual, because Rose
wrote every week faithfully. He opened the refrigerator,
and the smell of rotting food filled the air. He stepped back, and closed the
door again. This wasn't like his mother at all. Robbie
didn't get up until ten the next morning. He had a shower and dressed in clean
clothes before he left for the nearest restaurant. At one o'clock he pulled in
the driveway of the mansion. It was big, and old, and
badly in need of paint. it also looked as if no one was living there. Where was
everyone? He got out of the car that Rose had used. It had special equipment
built in so that Rose could drive it. That was another thing - Rose would never
go anywhere without her car. Robbie walked up to the door
and knocked. No answer. He knocked again, and called out, "anyone home?" Still
no answer. The door was locked. He went around to the side and found another
door, but it was locked also. He bent down and peered into the cellar window.
It looked like someone was down there. He tapped on the window, but nobody
answered. Robbie just stood there deciding what to do.
This was strange. He went to the garage. Elizabeth's Golf was there, and also a
large black Thunderbird. He was really concerned now, and decided to break
in. He walked to the side door and threw a shoulder
against it. It took four hard blows before it let go. When it did Robbie almost
went headlong down the steps. The door led to the basement. He went down into
the damp room below. When his eyes grew accustomed to the dark, he noticed that
there were four coffins in a row against the wall. He crept over to one, and
lifted the lid. A man was in it, sleeping. He wasn't dead, but there was blood
on his face, and his eye-teeth protruded from his mouth. He closed the lid, and
opened the next one. It was his mother. She had blood on her face and clothing,
and she too was sleeping. He put a hand on her face, and she opened her eyes
and hissed at him. He jumped back, and she went back to sleep. Robbie opened
the other two coffins and found Elizabeth and Victor. He was horrified. "What
the hell happened?" he said out loud. "They're all
vampires." He ran up the cellar steps and closed the
door. "What am I going to do, they're VAMPIRES," he repeated to
himself. Robbie drove home, as he had to think. Then he
decided to talk to the neighbours. Mrs. Billings answered
the door. She was surprised to see Robbie, and invited him in right away. "Your
back from Mt. Allison," she said. "How are you?" "I'm
fine, Mrs. Billings, but I'd like to ask you a few
questions." "Oh, is something wrong? she
asked. "I don't know for sure, but have you noticed
anything strange going on since I left?" "Well now that
you mention it, there have been a lot of killings lately. More than usual for a
city this size." "Who was killed?" Robbie asked
her.. "There were four people in one family murdered on
the same night. The police said that they had bled a lot, but not much blood
was found." "Doesn't that sound strange?" "Yes it does,"
said Robbie. "I hope you keep your doors locked at night, and don't answer if
anybody knocks." "My, what's the world coming to?" she
puckered up her fat face in concern. Mrs. Billings was seventy-five and a
widow. She was short and chubby, with reddish brown hair, mixed with grey. She
would be defenseless against monsters like those at the mansion.
Robbie thanked her for the information, and was about to
go when she said. "How is your mother these day?" I haven't seen her for three
weeks?" "Mom is away for awhile," Robbie answered.
"Visiting friends." "Oh, isn't that nice, she said, tell
her hello for me when you see her." "I will Mrs. Billings,
and don't forget to lock up." Robbie left the Billings
house and went straight home. He went down the driveway to the garage, and
opened the door. He found what he was looking for. A five gallon can of gas sat
in the corner under the work bench. He picked it up it was
full. Robbie looked at his watch, and it read four-thirty.
He had to hurry, as it grew dark early in the winter.
Robbie knew all about vampires, he heard the other students talking about a
girl getting bit by one, and how she became one herself. They said a stake
through the heart or fire was the only way to kill a vampire, and that's what
he was going to do burn the house down with them in it.
He thought of his mother, but that thing in the coffin was no longer his
mother. He had to do it. Robbie drove out to the old
Corbet mansion. He arrived as the sun was getting quite low in the West. He got
out and opened the trunk, and grabbed the gas can. Hurrying, he went to the
house, unscrewing the cap as he went. He started pouring gas on the front door,
and walking toward the cellar door, leaving a stream of strong smelling gas as
he went. After he circled the house as far as he could, he went back to the
cellar. The sun was almost down. He had to hurry, but he had to see his mother
one last time. Robbie went down the stairs, and opened the
lid of his mother's coffin. While he was looking at her, he heard the lid of
the coffin next to him start to open. Too late, he thought, I'm too
late. He ran upstairs, and reached in his pocket for a
match. He didn't have any. He ran to the car. His mother kept a gun in the
glove compartment, and when he opened it it wasn't there. Frantic now, he
looked around, and then he found a lighter in the back of the seat. He couldn't
believe his luck. Robbie ran back to the front door,
pulling paper out of his pocket as he ran, he lit the paper with the lighter,
and touched it to the gas at the front door. It burst into flames.
"Thank God", he said out loud, and ran to the corner of
the house to see if they were still inside, and he heard them shuffling around.
He didn't think of them as family any more, just
monsters. The fire took hold of the house, and roared
along it's perimeter. They were trapped before they knew what was happening to
them. Victor took Elizabeth in his arms. "Good-bye my love, this is for the
best," he said. Robbie knelt in the grass beside his car, and covered his ears.
The screams from the basement were almost more than he could
bear. The noise of the fire engines could be heard getting
closer, and closer, but Robbie didn't hear them. He was in a world of horror in
his own head. He sat and rocked with his hands over his
ears. A little later, someone said, "Take this guy to a
hospital, he's not responding." Robbie remained in a
catatonic state for days until he died of an aneurysm in his
brain. The firemen found only the bones of four people
near the cellar steps. Two had their arms wrapped around each other in a final
embrace.
THE END

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