Aphelion Issue 292, Volume 28
March 2024
 
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Dracula's Guest

by Ron Larson
From a story by Bram Stoker


A young English businessman is to meet Count
Dracula at an inn near Munich, Germany.
The two men have decided to meet on account
Of a large amount of disputed property.

The young man is early, so he decides to explore
The summer countryside, not too far from the inn.
Soon black clouds roll in, and it begins to pour.
Lightning causes his horse to shy, and he's thrown.

He's unharmed but alarmed that his horse is gone.
Too, the booming thunder enhances his fears.
Thru the blinding rain, he struggles to move on.
He finds a stone shelter that's been eroded by years.

He's on the porch of an ancient mausoleum
And out of breath; his weight opens its door.
A lightning flash reveals its interior to him.
The young man is struck with absolute horror.

He sees an animal—a wolf, yet not a wolf—
And a woman—yet not a woman—at all.
Both have fangs, terrifying eyes, and cloven hoofs.
As the young man tries to run, he trips and falls.

The hideous things are on him in an instant.
They look with pleasure at their hopeless prey.
But they don't strike; they fall back, meek and silent.
Dracula, their master, has arrived to save the day.


© 2016 Ron Larson

Ron Larson is a retired community college professor (Ph.D.), and one of his hobbies is writing all kinds of poetry. The above story is from his book, “66 Classic Horror Stories Outlined in Rhyme.” The book is available online. His website is: ronlarsonclassic.com. His email address is: patronlarson@gmail.com.

Find more by Ron Larson in the Author Index.

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