Renfield
A prequel to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Renfield’s back story
Diary of R.M Renfield
Solicitor, Canvey Island, Essex
8th April 1895
An esteemed Transylvanian noblemen named Dracula has written to my small practice asking for my professional advice in establishing the legal process to purchase some English property.
To this effect I have agreed to travel to his home, a castle in Central Europe to discuss the legal system and to facilitate the purchase of properties for which he has shown an interest.
Letter to Miss Violet Chalmers 8th April
Legal Clerk to R.M Renfield, Canvey Island
Dear Miss Chalmers,
I am very much indebted to you, for your kind and efficient service looking after the practice in my absence.
This journey will reap great rewards for our small business and I will compensate you accordingly on my return.
The SS Amsterdam leaves in one hour for Hoek of Holland and although I am loathe to leave you, after the death of your father, my business partner and friend dear Albert, I fear I must, for the business to survive.
You did assure me that you are more than capable, and I will try not to be away for too long.
I board the continental train in the morrow, via Cologne and Frankfurt, to Munich from where I connect to the Orient Express, kindly franked in advance by our client the Count.
Once I disembark at Klausenburg I will write again.
In Haste,
R.M Renfield
Diary of R.M Renfield 9th April.
The continental train journey through the Low Countries and the German Empire was long but relatively uneventful, the train staff and passengers were polite and helpful as I travelled through these neighbour nations.
I have a small knowledge of the local languages and managed with a Bedankt or a Bitte as the kind folks were effusive in their help.
We travelled through flat picturesque villages and towns with canals and windmills. In the German Empire we witnessed beautiful architecture with castles reaching up into the clouds a not uncommon sight.
On arrival at Munich I will board the Orient Express, of which I have read much.
Letter to Miss Chalmers 11th April
Dear Miss Chalmers,
I have thus far endured an arduous journey and hope the next stage will be swift.
The Orient Express was beautifully appointed with much comfort for the weary traveller, the conversation was varied and interesting.
Once boarded at Munich I was sat opposite a most distinguished gentleman, by the name of Professor Wolond, a much traveled and erudite individual!
He knew of our client and commended him to me, assuring me he will be quite the gentleman, and suggesting I may not wish to leave!
I was sad to disembark at Klausenburg, and I must say the locals appear to be less enlightened than those that I had met up until now. They are a superstitious group and tried to put me off further travel with talk of spirits and mythical creatures, perhaps they wished the money from a further night in their establishment. However I must press on as I have agreed to meet the Count’s carriage late tomorrow evening.
I trust all is well in the practice, I will write again soon, once I have received initial instructions from The Count.
Yours Faithfully
R.M Renfield
Diary of R.M Renfield 14th April.
I feel I have lost a day or two through my illness. I will try and detail as much as I can remember.
From Klausenburg I took a local train to Bistritz, where the people appear to have only a vague sense of time. The journey was not as scheduled and seemed to float endlessly though valleys and mountains. I arrived at what appeared to be noon, and found my way to the mail coach. Again I was recounted with talk of otherworldly creatures and superstitions. The driver initially refused to take me, but I ensured he was paid comfortably and he threw his hands in the air in dismay.
In the coach, after what appeared to be several hours, I looked down to see a scorpion in my lap. I made to flick it away. I was bitten and started to feel nauseous immediately, at some point I saw a light shining up ahead and the sound of wolves. I felt the coach stop and heard a heated exchange, then I was carried into a different coach. The journey becomes bumpier and felt faster and wilder, in my ear was the buzz of an insect. I must have fallen asleep. When I awoke, I was in my pyjamas in a strange bed. I wandered from my chambers and found a firelit room with an elderly gentleman sitting reading. The gentleman looked up and exclaimed “Mr Renfield ! I am very pleased to see you, I’m afraid you suffered a scorpion bite, however I have given you an antidote, a tincture of my own making, and you appear to be much improved. “
He stood and extended his hand to introduce himself.
“I am Dracula, we have corresponded Mr Renfield. Thank you for traveling to my abode. I wished to ensure the legalities were in place before I made the journey to your country.“
I studied his face, it was of quite an elderly man but he jumped from his seat like an athlete. There was something else, his eyes, they penetrated my very being, and his words echoed around my head.
“Mr Renfield, are you quite alright?”
He smiled a quite unpleasant smile and asked
“Would you like something to eat?”
Finally got around to this Greg! Loved it… now for part 2! ✨
Omg I need more!