30 June, evening. – After writing my last journal, I crawled out the window into Dracula’s bedroom for a third time. On this expedition, however, I brought a small coin bag that I filled with various currencies from the dusty heap in the corner of the room. Thus equipped with money, I set out through the window once more. I had but a few necessary possessions: the bag of money, attached to my belt; this journal, safely hidden in a pocket; and the crucifix the dear lady from the hotel had given me. Although I could not explain why, its presence seemed to calm me and bring about a slight elevation of confidence. I climbed along the castle wall horizontally, finding that I could find small hand holds and footholds indented into the decaying wall. I climbed in this manner for quite a while, making very slow progress. It was difficult and very frightening to be climbing in such a precarious fashion; I felt as though the wind could have loosened my grip, leaving me to fall to my death. Not once did I allow myself to look below towards the ground. Presently I came to a part of the castle with which I was unfamiliar. This part of the castle seemed to be in ruins, for there were large boulders laying this way and that, with a slight indication that they had once been attached. How fortunate! I grew excited at this discovery, for I found that I could crawl prostrate along the boulders, and go much faster than before.
As I was crawling along happily, descending at a very good pace, I suddenly heard a terrible scream. I froze in my tracks. Had the Count woken, and discovered my attempt to escape?! I stayed frozen for what seemed like an eternity, so frightened out of my wits that I barely dared to breathe. Eventually, I gained the courage to lift my head above the rocks I had been hiding behind. I didn’t see or hear any other living souls around me. Perhaps I had imagined the scream, or perhaps it had been a particularly loud screech of the wind. I continued on my way. Finally, I became very near the ground. I nearly shouted with joy in my first glimpse of the earth; I was nearly free! I hurried my pace and was ready to make a short jump to the ground when I heard another scream. This time, though, I was very much aware of the source. A young woman, a Slovak by the looks of her clothes, was backing up slowly with a terrified look on her face. A wolf with yellow eyes was creeping up on her with a look of hunger. Making use of the stones around me, I took a particularly sharp-edged one and threw it with all my might at the wolf. The stone struck the wolf square on the back, and caused it to nearly fall over before scampering away, whimpering. I jumped down from the last ledge of the castle ruins and made my way towards the young woman. She seemed a little startled, but her look of confusion quickly turned to gratitude when she realized I had saved her. She took my hands in hers and spoke words I didn’t understand. She seemed to be wondering how to thank me, so I asked, in hesitant German, if she knew of a carriage I could take back to the village. Fortunately, she appeared to understand my intention. She gestured towards a point in the distance, and I noticed the stage coach that didn’t seem too far away. I thanked her, and went along my way. Now I am in this carriage heading back to the village, writing this journal. I am still very nervous that the Count will become aware of my escape; every sudden noise, every sharp jolt of the carriage, makes me flinch and set my heart beating faster. I am afraid to sleep, for fear this is all a dream. Yet I am so awfully drowsy. Perhaps I shall allow myself to rest a while…
-- Jonathan Harker
im watching you
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