Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.
Unwilling to postpone their travels any longer than necessary, Dracula is about to reveal something perhaps he shouldn't. See what's happening in this week's chapter of Dracula! Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!
Avram
jumped as a blue bolt of lightning flashed across the sky. Far too close for
comfort, it was followed about five seconds later by the requisite thunder.
This storm was practically upon them, the rain but a precursor to its fury.
Avram was torn between taking Andrei and seeking shelter in order to keep him
from seeing what was about to happen and witnessing that same event. While it
was true he’d seen Nico display his talents many times over the years, that was
a sight he never grew tired of.
The boat
began to rock upon the turbulent river like a drunken sailor. Avram still clung
to Dracula for balance on one side, Andrei on the other as the heavens showered
cold sheets of rain upon them.
“Andrei,
perhaps you should go below and make sure everything is fast,” he suggested. He
was not surprised when the smuggler made no reply and made no effort to move.
His attention was all for Dracula, who had shaken off Avram’s hand and
sauntered toward the rail as easily if he were taking a casual stroll in the
park.
Apparel
oft proclaims the man,
to quote the Bard.
Despite
the workman’s clothes he wore, now thoroughly drenched, Nicolai cut an imposing
figure, silhouetted against the angry sky. Sometimes Avram forgot just how
powerful the vampire really was, since there was little need for such display
in their everyday lives. But at moments such as these, Nico seemed to possess
an almost visible aura, a stark contrast to the almost somnolent attitude he
seemed to wear daily. As if life were too much effort for him, at least when
they were at home.
Arms
outstretched, he raised his hands, palms up, toward the sky. His eyes were
closed, as if in concentration.
Avram’s
attention was diverted to Andrei. The boatman grabbed his arm just as a gust of
wind threatened to topple them both. The boat precariously rode the swell but
made no effort to capsize, luckily. “What does he think he’s doing?”
Avram
shook his head. He had no words for what was about to happen. Andrei would see
for himself in just a moment.
Dracula’s
lips were moving, his sonorous voice undulating in unintelligible waves despite
the rising wind. Avram had no knowledge of what words were being spoken, or how
Nico had come to learn them. He wasn’t even aware of how he had become what he
was. But he knew whatever these words were, they possessed a power that emanated
from Dracula himself. And he was greatly in awe of that power.
The waves
slapped violently against the boat, both Avram and Andrei struggling to keep
their feet. But Dracula remained unshakeable, as if anchored to the spot where
he stood. He began to gesticulate with his hands, intricate gestures that
appeared to be aimed at the storm itself.
Avram
noticed the rain first. It began to lessen in intensity until it had entirely
ceased to pour upon them. And yet, glancing toward either shore, he could see
that rain continued to fall upon the land. As though sudden dispensation had
been granted to the river. The very waves had calmed, and the boat no longer
rocked. As if the boat had suddenly become a shelter from the storm that raged
about them. Not only that, but the sail puffed out with a gentled wind that
seemed to invite them to continue their journey.
Dracula
turned to face them, his expression unreadable. “Time to go,” he said before he
disappeared below deck. Avram wondered if he’d tired himself out with his
impressive display. He turned to Andrei, whose mouth gaped open, soundless. But
his eyes asked so much.
“He is
special,” is all that Avram said as he helped his friend to get the boat under
way once more.
to be continued
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