Bella Notte (19 page)

“
Okay, but I
still want to see them. So whatcha got?” I raised my eyebrow.

“
So, here
goes- how about we watch old monster movies all day in the movie
room?” He breathed at me.

“
Movie room?”
I could hardly imagine.

“
It has a full
wall that is a screen and the other walls are covered in DVDs and
posters. I think you'll love it. It even has its own popcorn machine,
like in the old days. It's kinda like a viewing room from the old
movie lots. Do you like my idea?” He smiled.

“
Dude, what
better to do on a rainy day than watch monster movies?” I felt
a little bit of the panic of being in a place where I knew nothing
fade with something so familiar.

It was awesome to
sit around in my sweats and enjoy the simple pleasure of doing
nothing really. Dominic told me that I was working on
il
bet far
niente
-
the beauty of doing nothing. It felt strange to do something that I
did almost every weekend with Mike, here on vacation. The day passed
in a swirl of vampires, werewolves, and mummies- not all in English,
but I managed. Dominic and I sat on this red velvet couch in front of
a huge screen and ate popcorn. We threw it at the screen when
necessary to ward off the monster from escaping from the films or, of
course, taking us with them into their black and white dimensions. We
talked animatedly about each film before starting another, and I
found out that Dominic knew as much as I did about these films, if
not more.
Mike
didn't know as much, I think he just watches these to hang out with
me.

I made little notes
in my head for future reference in my search to understand what was
going on, and I enjoyed myself more than most days. We ate meals that
were brought to us like royalty and everything felt right- perfect. I
suddenly felt a lot of guilt for enjoying myself so much with
Dominic. When it was after midnight, we parted ways and Dominic
suggested that we go to the caves and catacombs the following day, I
agreed readily.

When I got to my
room I retrieved my laptop from one of my bags. I had brought it so I
could email Mike, but this was the first time I had pulled it out. I
dug through my purse and found my camera and then I uploaded the
pictures I had taken so far. I thought I would attach them so Mike
could see some of the stuff I had seen.

Dear Mike,

How are you? I miss
you so much. Sorry I haven't called a lot, I still haven't figured
out the time difference thing well. So I am staying in a freaking
castle, can you believe it? Every room that is downstairs has some
theme to it as well. Like their library looks like an ancient part of
Rome, they have a room with the bottom part of the Eiffel Tower
constructed so that you look up into the top … it's awesome
and way overwhelming! I've only done a little sightseeing; I went to
Castiglione
della
Pescaia
and walked about the little town. It was absolutely beautiful.

Life is different
here, and all the people that I've bumped into are very friendly,
even though I speak no Italian and stammer things out in English.
Thanksgiving was interesting; it was like my birthday but bigger. I
didn't even know there were so many people on this island and around
Europe that we knew, but it was fun.

Dominic has been
pleasant to me and tried to show me around since my family is busy
doing other things, but hey, he isn't you.

How was your
Thanksgiving? Did your family come? I'm attaching some pics of some
of the stuff I've seen so you can see it too. Anyways, I am way
tired, so I'm going to bed. Email me back if you have time.

With lots of Love,

Em

I sent the email and
felt a twinge of guilt for not telling Mike how I had spent the
entire time with Dom, and how we'd made everyone feel like we were
together. But I had sent it, and that was that. I needed to stop
worrying about what other people felt and start trying to make sense
of my own chaos. I started to lie down on the bed and found an old
copy of
Dracula
waiting for me with a note from Grandpa.

Emma,

Grandma and I found this while we
were out today. It made me think of you. I hope you like it; it is a
signed first edition. Sorry we haven't had much time together, but
your grandma has demanded that she get to have some vacation time
with me. You know how hard it is to refuse her. I love you, honey,
and I hope you are enjoying yourself.

Love,

Grandpa.

I held the small
book in my hand, flipped it open and saw that it was signed by Bram
Stoker.
Oh
my God! It must have cost them a small fortune for this!

I traced the ink
with my finger and greatly enjoyed feeling the ridges and crevices
that the penmanship had forever carved into the first page. The book
was the perfect distraction for my mind.

I lay in bed and
read the words that the Irish author had placed upon the pages so
many years ago.

As I fell asleep, I
could feel Dracula,
himself
,
speaking to me of a prophecy that I was to fulfill.

My night was rough
and filled with dreams of bats and dark shadows with white glinting
fangs.

When I finally awoke
for good, it was the result of my normal dream being flooded by new
sensations and feelings.
My
dream never changed, what is going on?
I had a feeling it was a result of what Dominic had told me. I
sighed.

The sky was gray,
but it wasn't raining and I hadn't heard any rain most of the night,
so I was positive we would go into the catacombs today. I dressed in
my worn jeans and comfy shirt, with a thick sweatshirt thrown on top.
I met Dominic on the stairs as I was heading to find him. He was
dressed similarly.

“
So, you have
two options,
mia
bella
.
The first is that we can head into the catacombs and come out the
caves, and the second is that we can head in through the caves and
come out of the catacombs. Your choice.” His uneven smile was
very attracting.

“
Well, what is
the difference?” I couldn't understand what the big difference
would be.

“
Going down to
the caves is less tiresome than climbing back up from the caves, but
coming up from the catacombs means many steps. It is a choice between
an end result of walking up steps or climbing up a steep cliff.”
His voice was very matter of fact.

“
Let's see, a
cliff or steps? Hmm. I think that I would much rather walk up steps
in the end when I am tired than climb a bloody mountain.” I
laughed at him.

He laughed and we
walked outside into the cool morning air. I followed Dominic down to
the edge of the paved area and saw what he meant by cliff.
It
is a freaking mountain!
I gulped for air.

“
Eh, Dom, do
you, eh, really think we can, eh, get down that?” My face
mirrored the horror I felt inside.
I
really don't want to die falling down a mountain side.

“
Emma, it is
not as bad as it looks, follow me. I would carry you but then we'd
both be unstable, and might fall. You will do fine.” His voice
was very confident.

He walked to the
edge and jumped down. I muffled a small scream as he did it. I inched
closer to the edge and he was at the bottom already.
How
the devil did he do that?
I was really scared now. Was I supposed to close my eyes and jump off
a freaking cliff? I
so
wasn't going to. I didn't want to see the caves that bad.

“
Emma. I will
catch you. Just jump. It is much easier than climbing back up it.
Now, please. On the count of three. One... two... t.” That was
as far as he got before I was barreling through the sky and falling
toward him. “What happened to three?” he asked as he
caught me effortlessly.

“
I got nervous
and couldn't wait for the rest of three. Sorry. It was then or never.
Aren't you happy I didn't choose never?” I hyperventilated at
him.

“
I suppose I
am.” He unclasped my arms from around his neck and set me
gently on the ground.

I took a few moments
to breathe.

I followed Dominic
down a soft beach. I wanted to take my boots off and run barefoot
through the light tan cushions, but I knew I wouldn't be able to do
everything I wanted to do today, so the beach would have to wait.
At
least I got to see it … let's not talk about how I got see it.
I hurried to catch up to Dominic as I fell behind a bit, daydreaming
about playing on the beach with him.

The entrance of the
cave was utterly frightening. It looked like a huge snarling mouth.
Part of me wanted to run in the other direction as soon as I saw it.
The stalagmites looked like teeth waiting for someone foolish enough
to walk in. Of course Dominic waltzed right in without even
flinching. I gripped my hands into fists and steadied myself as I
followed him in. Once I was passed the entry, I was amazed at the
beauty. There were crystals everywhere. The room seemed to have a
rainbow glowing through its very walls. I walked up to one of the
biggest ones I could find and I touched it. It felt warm to the
touch.

“
Isn't it
beautiful?” His voice was mesmerizing.

“
I've never
seen anything like it. Why is it warm?” I couldn't stop looking
at Dominic as the light reflected onto his face.

“
The warmth
comes from the underground water here. Everything you touch will feel
warm. You'll probably get quite hot in your sweatshirt because of
it,” he said as he walked away and further down the cave.

I wanted to stay
with the pretty crystals, but I didn't want to be alone either, so I
ran to catch up. We walked into a room that was completely dark
except for one light source that was hitting the wall completely
opposite us. On the wall was what looked like a small universe. The
wall was completely black except for the sparkling shine of what
could have been diamonds. They clustered tightly together in the
center and then exploded out and around. It was amazing.

“
It looks like
a cluster of vampire stars.” His voice came from behind me, but
I didn't turn.

“
What's a
vampire star?” I asked.

“
It is a
nickname for the stars that suck matter from other larger stars.”
He laughed at his description.

“
I don't care
what it's called. I love it.” I sighed and wished I had brought
my camera.

We walked further on
and the tunnels and rooms we walked through became humid and sticky
with steam. I was getting uncomfortable so I took my sweatshirt off
and tied it around my waist.

We trudged through
lots of dark places where Dominic had to take my hand so I could keep
up. I felt a slight tense of fear inside me, but I tried to be brave
enough to make it through here without crying.

We finally reached
the last room and it was the hot springs. But it too was lit with the
strange crystals from the first room. The water caught each color and
held it in place, and the entire surface became a painter's palette.
I did not see how we could get to the catacombs from here.

“
Now, we
swim,” he declared as though it was the most logical thing in
the world.

“
What?”
My brain clearly had missed something.

“
The catacombs
are on the other side of this wall. We must swim under it to get to
the other side.” It was such a simple explanation.

“
Um, why
didn't you mention this earlier? I could have dressed more
appropriately.” I sighed.

“
Do not worry.
See, you can go first if you are afraid that I might see something.
These clear balls you can use to put your clothes in to get to the
other side, they strap onto you so you can take your stuff with you.
It will keep it dry. And there should be towels over on the other
side waiting. Many of our guests enjoy the hot spring inside our
estate as well as the ones attached.” It sounded so logical.