Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Zenovia

I didn’t have the heart to turn down my brother after all. I went to Bran Castle with him, Maksimillian and my father, with an extra person. Marisha.

There was a long line of tourists at the ticket booth, near the gate. A few steps from there, a souvenir shop was set up. Shirts, mugs, bags, key holders and other stuff with a vampire’s face or simply “Bran Castle” with the picture of it was printed on them. A group of people, young and old, took pictures with someone who was dressed as Dracula, with that signature cape of black colour on the outside and red on the inside. He had a makeup on and fake fangs as well. It was quite fun to watch.

After Maksimillian paid for our tickets, he took my hand, and we started to get in line at the concreted slope area, where the tourists waited to get into the castle. Meanwhile, the vast courtyard in front just below had been taken care of. Its well-cut green grass was beautiful. There were at least two paths I could see that would take to a park where there were a few benches that tourists could sit and enjoy having snacks and the other led to the pond. The pond had water lilies floating. Their pink flowers were just amazing! The place just simply looked perfect as if in a picture.

We explored the interior of the castle, where I feel goosebumps for some reason, somewhere in the living room. There was a bear fur splayed on the floor. Weapons and other stuff were also displayed on a wall. Some were in a display glass box. The old unlit chandeliers were hanging on the ceiling, and I could feel the old atmosphere like I was in the past.

I noticed a narrow passage, which led downwards. It was off-limits, and I thought it was going to the dungeon.

Maksimillian and I exchanged glances. He looked ready to explore it, but I firmly shook my head. He just rolled his eyes that made me giggle.

Meanwhile, my father was busy looking at some other stuff with Mihai and Marisha. I just tried to ignore him.

We moved on to the interior courtyard where there was a well. And the wall some meters away from it had some bars and torture instruments. I could just imagine the number of people crying in agony in this area. It must have been so horrible at the time.

***

For some reason, we lost Marisha, my father and Mihai. Maybe it took some time for them to check out some souvenirs in the shop near the courtyard. So, Maksimillian and I decided to walk towards the pond and took some pictures with us there. I could see him happy for being with me, and it moved my heart. Still, I didn’t want to linger on this feeling.

I realised we explored the vicinity for about three hours, and it was quite an experience.

“Come on, let’s go check where they are,” I urged him.

“You can call Mihai on the phone and ask him where they are. You can also tell him that we’ll wait for them here,” he answered, pulling me back.

We were pulling each other while giggling when a crack sounded in the air, and I saw one of the leaves of floating water lilies had a hole, making my eyes grow bigger.

Maksimillian let out a Russian cuss and ducked, pulling me down with him. “Get down!”

Screaming and running ensued. We were searching where the gunshot came from in the midst of panicking people.

Oh, Doamne ferește! Are we going to die here now?

I tried to think if I was ready to die with Maksimillian beside me. Maybe it wasn’t so bad. But what if he died?

My mind was in a riot, and my breathing was fast and shallow. My heart ached just thinking about him dead right before me. No! I couldn’t take it for sure. God forbid and knock on wood. I just couldn’t find the wood right now though, as more gunshots sounded.

We were actually in the open, but maybe it was because of panicking people that the shooter couldn’t take me or Maksimillian down. In fact, one was shot in the shoulder as he passed by us, while we were crouched near a bench. It wasn’t really safe there, but we had no choice at the moment rather than just stand there and let the bullets hit us.

And then, I realised that the one who was shot was not only a passing person but Maksimillian’s bodyguard in civilian clothing. That meant casual wear, not in a three-piece suit. More of them came to cover us and retaliated.

I suppressed a scream when another bodyguard fell down, hit in the chest. Oh, God! I believed he was dead!

My body shook, hands and body grew cold and heart seemed ready to burst in my rib cage as it pumped violently. Never had my life been threatened like this. It was terrifying!

Local police officers came to our rescue, shooting at Maksimillian’s enemies. I just covered my ears and closed my eyes, afraid to see anything. But at least, he was there to assure me I wasn’t alone and that he’d protect me. I had just noticed he had covered my body with his bigger one.

I heard the policemen hit the shooter in the shoulder, and they were after him. It seemed that he was working alone.

The chase went through the courtyard and past the gates, where the people stayed out of their way. A couple of bodyguards went to follow as well.

With a shaking hand, I dialled 112 for emergency, since it seemed that no one cared or knew what to do out of panic.

***

My father and Mihai hugged me, while Marisha ran her hand up and down Maksimillian’s arm. She mumbled something in Russian, so I had no idea what she was saying. But I could just deduce it was about Maksimillian’s life being threatened, and that they would do their best to find the culprit.

We went to the police station and gave our statements. I was trying hard not to be afraid anymore, although it was traumatic. I found myself breathing in and out slowly to calm my nerves, with Maksimillian holding my hand to assure me that everything was fine now.

His bodyguards needed to be hospitalised. At least, the one hit in the chest had an emergency surgery and would recuperate. I was so relieved he wasn’t dead as I had initially thought. It would be terrible for his family if he died then. I could just imagine how hard it would be for them. Thank God he was fine.

Antonia called when she saw what happened on the news. I hadn’t expected it was released immediately. Well, social media was the first to cover it actually because some people uploaded videos that showed what happened. But thankfully, my face was not on the news, as she said. But she knew we were in Bran Castle at the time.

Mămică also called, but she had no idea I was at Dracula’s Castle when it happened. I just didn’t want her to worry and demand that I cut my vacation short and be safe in Iași. I already rolled my eyes at this possibility. I wouldn’t cut my vacation when it was almost finished anyway. Besides, it wouldn’t happen anymore, would it?

Or it was just my wishful thinking…