@Aisling "I suppose it was either the Turks or the same guy who murdered Mihnea and Toma's mother," Dracula's father answered. "There's one guy who just wants to see us suffer for political reasons... heads of states have got the most dangerous jobs."
Mystique sat down in a chair. She didn't know what to say. "I guess that I will close my eyes and rest for a while. I am a bit cold and wish that I brought an extra sweater to wear."
@Aisling A doctor came out. "Dr. Dracul?" The father stood up. "We've successfully removed the bullet," the doctor said. "You can see your son now. He's in room 120 at the ICU."
@Aisling They all went to Dracula's room. When they entered it, Dracula was still unconscious. His father sat down next to him and pet his hair. "My poor little boy... what have they done to you..."
Mystique was tired but she just had to see the Count Dracula. He was not awake but she stood by him on the other side. As she was standing there her hand reached for his hand. "Hi Count Dracula. All of us are here except Mihnea who is at the Castle."
@Aisling "I hope he'll make it," the father said. "I'm not sad because he might die... I've accepted death as a part of life. I'm sad because I feel so sorry for him... having to leave his family would break his heart..."
@CountDracula "I thought that death didn't hurt...If he dies I would be very sad. I don't know what to do.... All I want is for him to live and Mihnea to find who did this. Whoever did this who suffer like Count Dracula is."
@Aisling "Dying doesn't hurt..." the father said. "But I believe that there's an afterlife. If there wasn't something like that, we all wouldn't be here. We are clinically dead, but yet, we exist. Biologically, this isn't possible because organs die when they don't get enough oxygen..."
@CountDracula "So if we die again, there is like a new world. Has anyone told a person in this world what it is like in the next? Toma almost completely ded and saw his momma and she spoke to him...."
@Aisling "It is said that some ghosts - those who can communicate with us - have stayed in this world, either because they wanted to or because they need something to get done... others go to the light, and nobody knows what comes after that," Toma answered.
"It would be interesting if a ghost would be able and willing to talk to us. You need to stay alive, Count Dracula. After all you said that you teach me all about being a vampire and that it was your responsibility to teach me. I have ever so many questions to ask." Mystique squeeze his hand gently as if it was a hug.
@Aisling "My mommy and my brother have talked to me," Toma said. He looked out of the window and noticed that it was a clear, starry night. "Look, Ioan: The stars have come out!"
@Aisling "They're still in our world," Toma answered. "And they've told me the things that I've already told you... that they're always with me, and that I don't have to be afraid. Death doesn't hurt."