Carrot Juice and Changes

By: Wilona Riva

Chapter One: Discovery

Disclaimer: Count Duckula belongs to someone other than me. I just own the story plot.

Screams were heard coming from Castle Duckula in the village below. The villagers all glanced up, identified the source of the screams, and went about their merry way. It was just another typical Monday in Transylvania.

Count Duckula ran up and down the hallway screaming. "Igor! Igor!"

"You screamed, milord?" the butler's sepulchral voice intoned, an instant before he rounded the corner.

The green vampire duck stopped pacing and glared at his butler. "Yes, I did. I opened the refrigerator door this morning and do you know what I found?"

Igor gulped. He didn't find the bottle of Transylvanian #5 missing, did he? Preposterous, since I took it and spiked the... Oh, yes...the carrot juice. He grinned evilly, to himself.

Outward, Igor showed no emotion. "No, milord. What did you find this morning in Nanny's kitchen?"

Duckula groaned. Sometimes his butler could be a bit dense. "A new brand of carrot juice, that's what! I didn't know they made in such a thick consistency. Juice is not supposed to be that thick."

"Indeed not, milord. Perhaps it is a new brand the grocer gave us by mistake. I will take it back, at once," the vulture butler replied.

"A new brand, you say? It's time for a change around here," Duckula said, a new light shining in his eyes. "Nanny, where's my oatmeal? And I need a juice glass." He sat down at the dining room table and tucked his napkin into his tuxedo collar.

"Coming, Duckyboos!" Nanny's voice said, as she crashed through the wall. "Here you are, sir."

"Better order another door and a stonemason to fix that wall," Duckula muttered in an aside to Igor. He filled the glass with the carrot juice and swallowed.

"Right, milord," Igor said, rubbing his hands with glee. Soon, very soon.

Count Duckula smacked his lips thoughtfully, as he stared at the strangely colored juice. "There's something strange about this juice, Igor. It fills me somehow. I don't think I even need to eat my oatmeal this morning." Jumping up, he headed for the library with the bottle of carrot juice.

Igor chuckled evilly, as he replaced the half-empty of blood on the shelf. Master Duckula is a vampire vegetarian who does not realize he must drink blood in order to survive. The symptoms have begun showing themselves. And now he has begun the change...

(meanwhile in the library)

Duckula stared at his non-existent reflection in the mirror. His gums were tingling strangely; it was as if he were cutting teeth. He took another swig from the bottle; he was developing a strange thirst deep inside of him.

Changes were indeed occurring inside Castle Duckula this not-so-typical Monday morning.

Good night out there, whatever you are!