Vampire's Breath

14.

The tunnel empties into a large, dark basement.

Gwendolyn pulled a flaming torch from the wall and

carry him high in front of him to light our way.

"Follow me" he whispered. "Rurry." The twinkling torch emitted a narrow light into the basement. I can't see anything on either side of us. Total darkness.

Gwendolyn led us deeper into the darkness. Smells damp and sour down here. Somewhere in the distance I heard water dripping.

Cara and I huddled close together, trying to stay under the torchlight. I squeezed the bottle of Vampire Breath tightly in my hand.

Gwendolyn stopped so suddenly, we almost hit her.

He turned slowly. The torchlight revealed a

a smile on his face. "Are we here?" Demanding way. "Where's the door?"

"Yes. We are here" Gwendolyn replied in a whisper. "We're alone here."

"Huh?" I cried. I don't understand.

"I have you all to myself here" continued Gwendolyn. His smile is getting wider. His eyes were half closed. "We won't be bothered by Count Nightwing or the others." "But where did we escape?" i demand. Gwendolyn did not answer

"Why are we stopping here?" Crying way. "I'm so thirsty....Gwendolyn. "Very thirsty

As he lowered the torch, I saw a long, pointed look

fangs glide on his chin. "I'm so thirsty ...." He sighed. "Very awful

thirstier... He gripped my shoulder. And I felt a scratch of his fangs in my throat.No-!" my yelling.

I grabbed her arm and pushed her away from me. "No! Just go! Get away from me!" i howl. His eyes flashed with excitement. Saliva dripped from his pointed fangs. "So thirsty." she's.

"Go! Go!" i'm begging. "You want to escape, don't you?" she flirts. This is the only way to escape!"

He threw his head back and opened it

"Imust be!" I cried. I ducked. She's long. curly hair slapped me in the face. I staggered back. Capturing my balance.

He was ready to attack again. "Freddy-Peel Vampire!" Crying way. "Use the Vampire's Breath! Maybe it'll lead us into the future!"

"Huh?" I forgot I had it in my hand. "Very thirsty .." murmured Gwendolyn, licking her dry lips. "Very thirsty ..."

I held up the Vampire Breath high. The blue glass bottle captures the light from the torch. Gwendolyn flinched and retreated in fear. I grabbed the top. And start pulling.

"No, help!" Gwendolyn. "Lay that! Don't open! Please don't open it!" I squeezed the top of the glass-and opened the bottle. Nothing happened.

The three of us stared at the open blue bottle in my hand.

"It takes a few seconds" I said to Cara. My voice sounded high and vibrated. "Remember? Back in my basement, it took a few seconds. Then there was a whizzing sound coming out."

Gwendolyn's eyes popped open, locked onto the bottle.

We stared in a tense silence. A few seconds passed. Then a few more seconds.

Gwendolyn broke the silence with a happy laugh. "It's empty!" he declared through his laughter. "The castle is full of emptiness! There's a whole room in there." He pointed to the darkness.

I lifted the bottle to my face and squinted my eyes inside. It's too dark to see anything. But Gwendolyn was right. It must be empty. Let him fall to the floor.

Gwendolyn's grin was so evil in the dim light of the torch. I'm trying to back off. But I hit a stone pole. Stuck up.

As he grinned so hungry at me, Gwendolyn's fangs shone in a pale light. "Well thirsty .. she whispered. "Freddy don't run. Helpme. I'm so thirsty...." "I'm thirsty too!" a voice blared from behind

i'm. I turned around to see a flash of orange torch light. The light bounced towards us. And inside, I saw Count Nightwing's angry face. He floated towards us, his eyes narrowing towards Gwendolyn.

Mouth open. He raised both hands in front of him, as if to protect himself. "Gwendolyn-what are you doing here with my prisoners?" Count Nightwing demanded furiously.

He gave her no chance to answer. He floated off the floor, hovering above it. His robe floated like a bat's wing. His silvery eyes locked onto his. And he opened his mouth with an angry hiss. Gwendolyn's fangs glistened wetly exposed to torch light. He wags his blonde curls and, still protecting himself with both hands, he,

hiss on that old vampire. Oh wow! I figured. They will fight!