LITTLE BOYS AND VAMPIRE DREAMS
Disclaimer : The Mummy and The Mummy Returns are not mine, I know that, you know that so lets get down to the story at hand
Note: In my town we have a theater which shows older films, and one they are showing this month is the first adaptation of Drucula, Nosferatu, which came out in 1921. So without further to do...here we go
Little Boys and Vampire Dreams
It was another rainy day, and four year old Alex sat in the Parlor by the big Window watching outside, wishing he could go out and play. However, daddy had said it was too chilly, and that since he had gotten another ear infection, he had to stay put. He sighed, and leaned his head against the cool glass. He wanted to go out and stomp in the puddles, or go up to the barn and play with the kittens, anything but be stuck inside all day long. Rick came out of his office at that time, and frowned when he saw his little boy looking so sad.
“Hey Alex, why don’t we play a game of checkers?” he asked enthusiastically. He heard a sigh, then Alex turned to face him.
“Daddy why do my ears get so mean?” he asked. The look of sadness on his face was enough to make Rick want to cancel his meetings for the day, but Jonathan had agreed to look out for Alex, and was getting good about being responsible with him, and these meetings were something Rick could not avoid. He walked over, and lifted Alex into his arms. Alex sighed and laid his head against his father’s shoulder.
“I’m not sure buddy. Sometimes people have problems like getting ear infections, but Dr. Brown said that you should start to outgrow them,” Rick reassured, as he sat down on the couch with him.
“Why can’t I go out. If I put my coat, and warm cap on I will be good,” he said, thinking that made perfect sense. Rick smiled and settled him on his lap in a way that they could look at one another.
“I know it’s no fun being sick, but when you have an ear infection, its important to stay in where it’s warm and dry, so that it won’t get any worse,” Rick tried to explain. Alex was about to ask something else when Jonathan walked in.
“Hey there Partner, what would you like to do today?” he asked.
“Not have a stupid ear fection,” came his nephew’s reply. Jonathan looked at Rick, who looked pretty miserable himself, for having to deny his son the chance to go romp in the puddles, then came up with an idea.
“Why don’t you go up and get some books and we will camp out down here for some story time,” Jonathan suggested. Once Alex was gone Jonathan told Rick his plan.
“I think you should let me take him to the theater,” Jonathan said. The look he got from Rick told him he would have to do some convincing.
“Oh come on the poor lad is miserable, and it is indoors, and dry and warm, meets all the criteria, and it is a change of pace,” Jonathan pointed out. The expression on his brother-in-laws face lightened a little.
“All right, you can take him, but bundle him up, and if he starts to complain about his ears any at all bring him straight back here, and call Evie or me,” Rick instructed. At that Jonathan left calling out to Alex to get ready for some fun.
When they arrived at the theater, not much was playing in the way of things Alex could see, and Jonathan was looked at the different titles, and came upon one called ‘Nosferatu’
“Uncle John I want to have some candy,” Alex said. He still had his hat on, and Jonathan turned to him.
“All right,” he said and took the cap off and his coat, then took Alex’s hand and they went to the Concessions counter, and got some sweets. After getting the sweets, they went in to the theater, finding seats near the front. This was Alex’s first time to the Picture show, and he wasn’t sure what it was all about. The two talked about Peter Pan, Alex’s hero, and other things, then the theater darkened and an organ began to play. The Picture began, and the pair were transported into the land of the movie. The music playing was sort of jolly at first, and everything in the land of the movie seemed fairly normal. Then things started to get a little less normal, and the music a little less jolly. Alex got out of his seat and settled in his Uncles lap, and Jonathan knew when he saw the main character he should leave, but he was wrapped up in the movie, and didn’t really consider what a film such as the one they were seeing would do to his young nephew. Alex kept his face covered through most of it, and finally it was over.
“There now, that wasn’t so bad was it,” He asked Alex as he started to lift him away.
“He sucked their necks,” Alex said, totally terrified.
“Oh, that was just playing, pretending like you and I do with Peterpan, come lets see what else is playing,” Jonathan said. The next piece was Frankenstein, and had sound aside from the organ. Half way through Alex was upset enough, that they had to take their leave.
Once Jonathan got him home, Alex was exhausted, and after giving him his antibiotic, he put Alex down for a nap. He had just walked out of his room when Evelyn came up the stairs.
“How was the picture show?” Evelyn asked.
“Oh I enjoyed it, though I think Alex got warn out from the experience,” he said then decided that staying at the casino might be a good idea, because if, and when Alex told them what he had seen, Jonathan was sure he would get a good swift kick in his butt by Rick, and possible his baby sister. Evelyn was home for the day, and after getting into more comfortable clothing, she went quietly into her baby’s room. It was dark, with the shutters pulled, and the warm fire made it cozy. At his bed, she watched him sleep and reached out to move a stray strand of his hair from his face. At that moment Alex opened his eyes and screamed.
“Noooo don’t suck my neck,” he cried out, and pulled the cover over his head. It was very clear that he was quite afraid of something, and Evelyn quickly reassured him that it was her.
“Mummy Uncle John, and me saw a man suck necks, and he was scary, and he had long teeth, and then there was another man, and he was scary and he hurt a little girl so that she wasn’t around anymore,” he said then started to cry. He was still feeling bad. A combination of the scary movie, and being tired as well worked to upset him. Evelyn would get to the bottom of what all that meant later, right now she wanted to make her baby feel better, so picked him up carrying him to his rocking chair. Once they were settled, and Alex was safe in her arms, he calmed dowm.
“They were monsters mummy, scary monsters, like what Megan said, and they will come out at night and hurt me,” he told her resting his cheek against her chest as he lay cradled in her arms. Evie kissed him and felt he was slightly warm.
“No baby they won’t hurt you. Monsters are pretend, like in your Peter Pan book. The Picture show is just a bunch of people dressed up, its called acting, so none of that was true,” she told him.
“Really?” he asked. Again she kissed him.
“Really. Now close your eyes, and take a little rest,” she said, while she stroked his hair as she rocked him. Sleep soon claimed him, and once she had him safely tucked into bed she went to go find Jonathan, and give him a piece of her mind. Once she reached his room, she found him gone, and a note on his bed. She picked it up and read it. In the letter addressed to her, Jonathan said that he had decided he needed some fresh air,and would be at one of his Casino’s if she needed him.
“Coward,” she muttered, and for now left to see if Marie needed a hand with the house work.
It was a little before five when Rick arrived home from his meetings, and as he entered the house he smelled good smells coming from the kitchen. After he hung his coat on the Hall tree, he went into the parlor and found Evelyn there reading a book and Alex playing on the floor with his trucks and cars. When he walked in, both noticed him, and Alex ran to him. Rick knelt down and hugged his son feeling that he had a slight fever.
“Hey there pal, how was your picture show?” Rick asked. At that question, Rick got a shrug.
“That good hmm?” he asked and watched as Alex went over to his trucks and started to play again. Rick stood back up and went over to Evelyn and pulled her to her feet and into his arms.
“He has a fever,” he said softly. She nodded.
“I know. I called Doctor Brown, who said he would come by after dinner to see if his ear has gotten worse,” she said softly not wanting Alex to know. He did not like doctors visits, and it was best not to tell him until it was actually at hand.
“I asked him about the picture show, but he didn’t respond,” Rick said as the parted and settled on the couch.
“Jonathan took him to see to scary movies. One I think about a Vampire, and the other about Frankenstein.” Hearing that just about made Rick blow a fuse.
“He did what?” he asked, and managed to keep his voice down.
“Yes, and then he left us to handle our son,” she said. She loved Jonathan, but if he would think about things before he did them, then she would be happier. She was about to say more when Alex came to them and lay his head against her lap. She looked at Rick then lifted him into her arms.
“What is it baby?” she asked softly.
“I feel spinny,” he said keeping his eyes closed. That often meant his ear had gotten worse, so she took him upstairs to his room while Rick made a call to the doctor.
It was very late when Jonathan arrived home, and as he walked into the parlor he found Rick waiting for him, and was glad he was slightly drunk.
“What the hell were you thinking taking him to see movies like that?” he asked, and Jonathan could tell he was very unhappy, more so than Evie he guessed.
“I didn’t know it would be so scary, Generally they aren’t so bad,” he defended. Rick shook his head.
“Jonathan you need to think like Alex. He is four years old, not 34, and things like Vampires, and Frankenstein are going to scare the living crap out of him, like they have already,” he said. Jonathan sighed.
“So I’ll make it up to him, just leave it be,” he said frustrated for yet another lecture on how he needed to act.
“No I’m not leaving it be, this time. He has been up half the night already terrified that some monster is going to come kill him, and I’ll thank you for introducing him to death. What’s next? Are you going to start telling him about Imhotep and our adventures, how his mum brought back a walking dead guy?” he said his voice rising.
“Okay So I made a mistake, I’ll go up and sit with him,” he said, now worried because he had not seen Rick this mad, not in a long while.
“Big mistake. You know what you go on with your life Jonathan. Keep thinking of yourself, and I will take care of my family.” With that said he turned and went up the stairs leaving Jonathan alone.
Despite what Mummy and daddy said, and along with being sick, Alex’s dreams were terrifying to him. Now lost in the dream world, he was running in a Castle, down a dark drafty corridor with the Vampire hot on his tail wanting to make him a Vampire.
“Daddy daddy,” he yelled both in his dream and out loud. He tossed and turned so much he rolled off the bed and hit the floor with a thud which woke him up about the same time both parents came in.
“Nooo don’t suck my neck I don’t want to be a Vampire,” he sobbed, then Rick held him.
“Shhh, its okay buddy, daddy and mummy are right here,” he said as he sat on the bed Rocking him.
“I want in your bed tonight daddy please?” Generally he was not aloud to sleep with them but given the fact that he was feeling less than great, and that he was convinced he was going to become a Vampire, Rick stood up and carried Alex back to their bed. Evelyn followed them after she got Alex’s Paddy bear and his bink, and once in bed Alex snuggled against his mum, and went to sleep.
“His fever is gone,” Evelyn whispered.
“I noticed, I guess that extra shot of Penicillin did the trick,” Rick said back to her. They soon followed him in sleep, but even in their bed his mind was working over time on scary scenes, and thoughts. His next dream was pretty vivid, he was walking into the house, and it was fairly dark.
“Mummy daddy?” he called out, and as he walked in the parlor they were both there, and when he looked they had long teeth. He ran as fast as he could, and in reality started to thrash about waking both parents. Gently Evelyn shook him and he sat up.
“Noo you can’t suck my neck mummy,” he sobbed.
“Alex shh, it’s all right now no more dreams,” He cuddled against her, and tried to sleep but was too afraid.
“I keep having bad dreams, and I don’t like them,” he said to his father.
“I know buddy, will you tell me what they are about?” Alex nodded and as he did that Evelyn got up to go down and make him some warm milk with a little sugar and cinnamon in it.
As she got to the bottom of the stairs she found her brother up, and he looked up at her looking pretty miserable.
“Jonathan?” she asked. He sighed and she came over to him.
“I’ve gone and done it again old mum,” he said.
“What have you done?” Though as she asked she had a feeling Rick had talked to him, and that it had not been a pleasant chat.
“Sometimes I forget, that Alex is so young, he acts older, and I enjoy my time with him, but I always seem to mess that up,” he said. She had settled next to him.
“I know he’s smart Jonathan, but he is a little boy, and I realize you enjoy your time with him, but do try to be more careful.” He nodded, and after he said goodnight to her, he went upstairs but not to his room to Rick and Evies, and knocked on the door. When Rick called for him to come in he entered
“Hey partner.” Alex and Rick were sharing a book.
“Hi Uncle John,” he responded.
“Listen Alex, I’m sorry about today, about scarring you like that,” he said. Alex crawled to the end of the bed and stood and Jonathan picked him up.
“It’s okay Uncle John, I always have fun with you, but then next time don’t take me to scary places, because I don’t like it when I have bad dreams,” he said. They hugged and Alex gave him a kiss.
“Well then no more scary dreams, and maybe tomorrow if your dad will let me you and I can go to the museum. He looked over at Rick who nodded, then he left. As he exited their room, Evelyn came in with a cup of warm milk. She settled in bed on her side and Alex settled back between them for his milk. While he sipped on that Evelyn told him about when she was a little girl living in their house, and how she had bad dreams.
“What did your mummy do?” he asked finished with his cup. Rick took it from him, and set it on his bedside table then they all reclined against the mattress.
“My mummy used to sit with me until I fell asleep, and she gave me my locket to have when I felt lonely. Evie thought a moment then got out of bed and went to their closet. It took her a few minutes but she came out with her fathers old pocked watch made of real gold.
“Alex this was your grandfather Carnahans and I’m sure he would love for you to have this, but it has to stay on your night-stand, and you must keep it there, can you do that for mummy?” he nodded his head and took the watch looking at it then crawled to the end of the bed.
“I want to see if it works,” he told them then left. Once he was gone, Rick pulled Evelyn into his arms and they waited to see if he would return.
In his room, Alex lay in his bed holding close to him, Paddy, and his new pocket watch. He hummed his mothers lullaby and felt safe for the moment and sleep found him fairly quickly. The dreams found their way to him, and once again he dreamed about the Vampire, and about the Frankenstein monster, and woke up. He reached for the pocket-watch and held it close thinking of his grandfather who he knew was a brave explorer, or had been, and in a few moments he felt better.
“It works,” He was so excited that he had to get up to tell them. After putting on his slippers her ran into their room.
“Mummy daddy it worked it worked,” he said waking them both up from a sound rest.
“I’m glad baby, do you need me to come sit with you?” Evelyn asked still half asleep.
“No way I’m great now,” he said and went back to his room.
A few weeks passed, and the last of the bad dreams left Alex. He had a new weapon, or that is how he saw it. The Watch he decided was magical, which was why he no longer had his bad dreams. Keeping his word to his mother, at least on this, he never let the watch leave his bed, and kept it under his pillow when he wasn’t home. Everything was back to normal for him, at least until the next adventure.
THE END