PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook
Johnny absconded with Joey a week earlier. When their parents passed, the two were placed in separate foster homes in Bucharest. Johnny’s foster father tried to touch him inappropriately so he ran away. He wasn’t leaving Joey behind.
Johnny’s dad had always talked about his great uncle, Vlad Tepes, who lived in Sighisoara in a castle on a hill. Johnny was sure there would be room for them there.
Getting off of the train, only fate could say whether or not they would be seen by the officer standing on the other side of the platform.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the host of Friday Fictioneers. She makes the most creative banners!
Tao Talk 
Oh Vlad. Right. Doesn’t look good for the kids
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Thank you for reading, Neil.
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I don’t know if I would want to spend any time with “Uncle” Vlad. if he thought the foster dad touched him inappropriately, wheat will he say if he is impaled? Oh well, once bitten…
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lol, thanks for reading and commenting, Trent.
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Poor kids, seems they really can’t catch a break!
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Thanks Iain, no they can’t.
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A fate hanging in limbo.
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Thanks for thinking of me, Teresa!
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As if being in Bucharest isn’t bad enough, they have to go live with uncle Vlad.
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In this case, I hope the po-po sees them.
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Dear Lisa,
It doesn’t sound like Uncle Vlad is the person they want to live with. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, thank you for reading and I think you are right.
Shalom,
Lisa
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they risked their necks running away. would they be crying uncle this time around?
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Because that uncle is none other than Count Dracula :)
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Even if they make it to the castle, there’s no guarantee Uncle Vlad will be at all interested in taking in a couple of kids…
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Uncle Vlad is Count Dracula. I am guessing he will be interested…
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Suspense through and through. Even if they avoid the long arm of the law, the future isn’t looking too secure.
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Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Sandra.
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The like button won’t present itself today… gotta love tech. So, consider your story liked. Enjoyed the read.
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Thank you, Bear. Yes, WP is fickle, that’s for sure.
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It might be more of the fact that hub still needs to tweek the new operating system he installed for me last night. Got just the basics up and running… but, hey, it’s running. I can’t complain because as hubby put it “You did it good this time, dear. Gonna take hours. MAYBE, if you’re lucky, I can save your files….”… He did, save my files, that is.
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:) Ah, love those times with over overlords (computers are gods now). Glad hub was able to save your files. The overlords are pleased ;)
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Tweeked, and running beautiful, now. ‘Bout time, Hubby says, you’ve had this OS for four years… it needed upgraded. hehe, Okay, so I’m slow to change.
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A really touching piece! I love it! <3
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Thank you, Carol Anne.
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It seems they can’t win either way.
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Exactly :( It’s a rough place for them in this world.
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Oh dear. I hope they hear about Uncle Vlad before they reach his castle…or that they’re picked up by the police…or almost anything really, rather than end up in his clutches.
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I also think they will see something is amiss when they see the castle is in ruins. Hoping the police officer sees them and takes them into custody.
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What a great write, Lisa!
I dunno what would be worse…I like to think the police are the better choice!
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Thank you very much, Dale. Glad you enjoyed the story.
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running away for whatever reason is not easy, but too a castle that is brilliant.
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Thank you James :)
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I was hoping the kids weren’t spotted before they reached the castle and Uncle Vlad. Then the penny dropped – and the title. Very good.
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Margaret, thank you so much. So many kids in the foster care system (called permanent wards) find themselves in such situations.
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If Johnny has managed to come this far, certainly he will be able to bypass the officer.
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Right into the clutches of Count Dracula!
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I didn’t realize Uncle Vlad was Count Dracula until I read the comments! Those poor kids are in quite the dilemma. A suspenseful story that begs for a sequel.
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Thank you, Magarisa. I looked up “home of Count Dracula” and wiki gave me the name and location. Yes, the kids will have to be creative to get out of this situation.
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You’re welcome, Li.
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So much going on here…seems like it might be a wonderful short story…even a novel. You def spiked my interest!
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Thanks Dawn!
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Oh no, not that Vlad. Creepy. Good story and well written, Jade. :) — Suzanne
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Suzanne, thanks for reading and commenting :)
Sincerely,
Lisa/Jade
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I so want everything to work out for them. Very well-written.
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Thanks, Lisa. I do too.
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oooooo that is not going to be a good adventure I fear. Great take on the prompt… a lot of questions.
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Thanks Laurie :)
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