Collected Stories (45 page)

Instead, I began to wonder who prepared the wonderful meals that were served up on a wooden tray and came to the conclusion it must be Rudolph. A gifted family and, when necessary, domesticated. After all, the original count cooked excellent meals for Jonathan Harker and made his bed into the bargain. Yes, he actually gave me Dracula to read.

Then came the morning when he kissed me on the lips and as always my legs turned to jelly and you would never believe how young and beautiful he looked.

My luggage stood in the hall, but I couldn’t really believe I’d have a use for it—not now. The young bitch opened the door and I ignored her impudent grin, but I will confess I’d go to my end more happily after an hour alone with her, just supposing she was tied down or something.

“Goodbye,” Rudolph whispered. “There’s plenty of money in your handbag. More than you’ll ever need.”

A taxi stood waiting and someone—Rudolph I suppose—carried my luggage out and piled it at my feet. Then I was away and again knew nothing until the cab drew up outside a rather dingy hotel. The driver spoke over one shoulder.

“The Imperial, ma’am. That was where I was told to bring you.”

I must have blacked out or maybe time-jumped forward a few hours, for I remember nothing more until finding myself lying on a double bed looking up at a cracked ceiling.

And you want to hear something really weird? I was homesick for that awful old house and Rudolph and the young bitch. I think I must have passed around three days eating and sleeping, and quite possibly have remained in that hotel until my money ran out, if I had not seen them from my window.

It must have been early evening for the street was silver-gold with lamplight and I could easily see the black car standing opposite with three or four figures leaning against it, staring up at my window. Dressed entirely in black, with long dog-like faces; jutting mouths, black lips, flattened noses, tapering ears and gleaming red-tinted eyes. I breathed two words:

“The pack!”

I’d forgotten them.

I sat by the window and watched them all night. So far as I could see not one moved until the first streak of dawn lit the grey roofs. Then they all piled into the car and drove away.

I left the hotel ten minutes later and have been more or less on the move ever since. But the pack have never really been far behind and I’ve no doubt are somewhere in this vicinity now. I’ve seen them several times, but they keep their distance, because I suppose I’m not quite ready for the kill yet. When I leave, sir, it might be well if, for your own sake, you waited for a while before leaving. Don’t let them think you’re at all interested in me. But you may be safe enough, for Rudolph said I could tell my story, but it’s best not to take risks.

Well I’ll be on my way. Thank you for being such a good listener—and, yes, buying me that drink after that silly fainting spell. They’ll be calling time soon, so you can go out with the crowd. Lovely full moon tonight... wolf moon I’ve heard it called. Good luck, sir... good luck...