Cat and Mouse – Varna Standoff and a New Tack
Van Helsing: “He’s not at Varna—ship’s delayed, he’s turned inland.” Mina: “I see mountains, a castle—east still.” Jonathan: “He’s dodging us—we’ll cut him off by land. Time’s ticking.”
The hunt twists on Kaeltripton! Last time, the team chased Dracula to Varna—now they wait in tense anticipation, only to learn he’s outsmarted them, forcing Van Helsing to pivot with Mina’s cursed insight. We’re serving this free slice of Dracula with a teaser excerpt below, followed by the full text from roughly pages 342 to 358—covering the Varna stalemate and a daring regroup. We’re dishing out Dracula in chunks—keep checking back for more, or grab a $5 subscription to unlock the whole saga now, plus my takes on its cunning turns. Ready for the game to shift? Let’s play his move!
Dr Seward’s Diary (Continued)
19 October.—We’re in Varna—been here days, watching the port like hawks. The Czarina Catherine’s due, with Dracula’s last box. Van Helsing’s kept us sharp—crosses, stakes, guns ready. Mina’s our guide; each night he hypnotizes her: ‘Water still—moving east.’ We wait, nerves frayed—Arthur’s restless, Quincey paces, Jonathan’s a coiled spring. To-day, a telegram—ship delayed off Galatz, weather foul. Van Helsing cursed: ‘He’s playing us—knows we’re here.’
20 October.—Mina’s trance shifted—she murmured, ‘No water now—land, mountains, a dark castle.’ Van Helsing’s eyes lit up: ‘He’s off the ship—Galatz, then inland to his lair!’ We checked—ship docked there yesterday, box unloaded fast. ‘He’s turned,’ Van Helsing said. ‘Overland now—we must race him.’ Jonathan slammed the table: ‘He’s dodging us—I’ll cut him off.’ We’re shifting—train to Galatz to-night, then horses. Time’s against us—Mina’s paler, quieter.
Mina Harker’s Journal
20 October.—The waiting’s torture—Varna’s a cage. Last night, under Van Helsing’s spell, I felt Dracula’s path change—no sea, just stone and wind. ‘East still,’ I said, waking cold. They’re frantic now—Jonathan’s planning routes, Arthur’s securing transport. I’m their compass, but the cost grows—I flinched from holy water to-day, burned. ‘He’s pulling me,’ I told Van Helsing. He hugged me: ‘Hold fast, child—we’ll win.’ I pray so.
21 October.—On the train—rattling toward Galatz. Van Helsing’s grim but sure: ‘He’s rushing home—one box left. We beat him there, he’s done.’ Jonathan’s beside me, knife sharp—‘Time’s ticking,’ he mutters. I feel the Count—closer, stronger. We’re the hunters, but he’s no easy prey.
