Dracula (adapted), Bram Stoker
Dracula (adapted)
Bram Stoker
Category: Novels
Genres: Horror,Thriller,Mystery
Level 4.52:56 h81.1 mb
Dracula is one of the most famous vampires in the world, but how does his story begin? A young man named Jonathan Harker travels to Count Dracula’s castle in Transylvania, where he soon realizes that his strange host is hiding a dark secret. After Dracula leaves for England, frightening things begin to happen... This is an adapted version of the story, simplified to A2-B1 level.

Dracula

[adapted]

by
Bram Stoker

Dracula (adapted)

Chapter 1

Jonathan Harker’s Journal

3 May, Bistritz. — I left Munich on 1 May and traveled east by train. After a stop in Vienna, I continued through Hungary and into Transylvania. The land became wilder as I traveled farther east.

Before leaving London, I studied books and maps about Transylvania. I wanted to learn about the country because I was going there on business with Count Dracula. I learned that his home was somewhere in the Carpathian Mountains, near the borders of Transylvania, Moldavia, and Bukovina. I could not find the exact place of Castle Dracula.

I spent a night in Klausenburgh and ate local food with red pepper. The people spoke German, which helped me during my journey. The next day I traveled through mountains and villages. I saw many different groups of people. I remembered reading that the Carpathian region was full of old beliefs and superstitions. I planned to ask Count Dracula about them.

That evening I arrived in Bistritz and went to the Golden Krone Hotel. The owner seemed to be expecting me. An older man gave me a letter from Count Dracula.

My Friend,

Welcome to the Carpathians. I am waiting for you. Sleep well tonight. Tomorrow at three o’clock the coach will leave for Bukovina. A seat has been reserved for you. At the Borgo Pass, my carriage will meet you and bring you to my castle.

Your friend,
Dracula

4 May. — The hotel owner had received instructions from Count Dracula to arrange my journey. When I asked him about the Count and his castle, he and his wife became afraid. They would not answer my questions.

Just before I left, the old woman from the hotel came to my room. She was very upset. “Must you go?” she asked. “Do you know what day it is?” I told her it was 4 May. “It is the eve of St. George’s Day,” she said. “Tonight, at midnight, evil things will be free in the world. Do you know where you are going?”

She begged me not to continue my journey. When I refused, she put a crucifix around my neck. “For your mother’s sake,” she said.

I felt uncomfortable. I did not believe her fears, but her words stayed in my mind. If this journal ever reaches Mina before I do, let it be my goodbye.

5 May, Castle Dracula. — The coach left Bistritz in the morning. Before we started, I noticed that the driver, the hotel owner, and the local people were speaking about me. I heard several words and looked them up in my dictionary. They meant: Satan, hell, witch, werewolf, and vampire. The people made signs of protection and crossed themselves when they looked at me. Some gave me small gifts for safety. They seemed kind, but also deeply worried.

We traveled through beautiful mountains and forests. As evening came, the road entered the Borgo Pass. The passengers became nervous. They watched the darkness outside and urged the driver to move faster.

When we reached the meeting place, there was no sign of Count Dracula’s carriage. The driver suggested that I continue to Bukovina and return another day. Suddenly the horses became frightened. A black carriage appeared out of the darkness.

Its driver was a tall man with bright eyes. He spoke to the coach driver as if he already knew what had happened. His voice was calm, but it carried authority. The passengers crossed themselves in fear.

The stranger took my luggage and helped me into his carriage. His hand was incredibly strong. As we entered the darkness of the pass, he placed a cloak over my shoulders. “The night is cold,” he said. “My master wishes me to take good care of you.”

We traveled deeper into the mountains. Near midnight, dogs began to howl. Soon wolves answered from every direction. The horses trembled with fear, but the driver controlled them easily.

Several times the driver stopped when strange blue flames appeared in the darkness. He walked to the flames and arranged stones on the ground before returning to the carriage. I did not understand what he was doing.

Later, the wolves gathered around us. In the moonlight I saw a circle of them surrounding the carriage. Their eyes and teeth shone in the dark. I was terrified. The driver stepped forward and raised his arms. At once the wolves moved back and disappeared into the night.

We continued climbing through the mountains. At last the carriage entered the courtyard of a huge ruined castle. Its windows were dark. Its walls rose high against the night sky. I had arrived at Castle Dracula.

Chapter 2

Jonathan Harker’s Journal (Continued)

5 May. — The carriage stopped inside the courtyard of a large, dark castle. The driver helped me down. His hand was so strong that it felt like iron. After he left, I waited alone outside the castle door. At last I heard chains, locks, and heavy bolts moving. The door opened.

A tall old man stood there. He wore black clothes and carried a silver lamp. “Welcome to my house,” he said in excellent English. “Enter freely and of your own will.”

When he shook my hand, it was very cold and extremely strong. I realized that this man was Count Dracula. He carried my luggage himself and led me through long passages to a comfortable room. A warm supper was waiting for me.

The Count did not eat. He said he had already dined. While I ate, we talked about my journey. As I watched him, I noticed many strange things. His face was very pale. His teeth were sharp. His hands were strong and unusual. When he leaned close to me, I felt uneasy.

As dawn approached, wolves howled far below the castle. The Count listened carefully. “Listen to them,” he said. “The children of the night. What music they make!”

Soon he left, and I went to bed. Although he had treated me politely, I could not stop feeling afraid.

7 May. — I slept late and found breakfast waiting for me. There was a note from the Count:

I have to be absent for a while. Do not wait for me.
D.

I noticed something strange. The castle seemed rich and beautiful, but I could find no servants. I had not seen a single person except the Count. I also noticed that there were no mirrors anywhere.

Later I found a library filled with English books, newspapers, and magazines. The Count entered and told me he had spent years studying England. He said he planned to move to London and wanted to speak English perfectly so nobody would think he was a foreigner.

He gave me permission to go anywhere in the castle except through locked doors. “You will find many strange things here,” he said.

We spoke about the blue flames I had seen during my journey. The Count explained that people believed they marked places where treasure was buried. Later we discussed the house he had bought in England. The estate was called Carfax. It was old, large, surrounded by high walls, and stood near a private asylum. The Count seemed very pleased with it.

“I am glad it is old,” he said. “I do not like new houses.”

While he was away for a short time, I looked at an atlas. I noticed circles marked around three places: London, Exeter, and Whitby. That night we talked for many hours. The Count seemed deeply interested in England. When morning came, he suddenly left.

8 May. — My worry continued to grow. I felt as if something was wrong in the castle. After only a few hours of sleep, I got up and began to shave. Suddenly the Count appeared behind me. I was shocked because I had not heard him enter.

Then I noticed something terrible. I could see the Count standing behind me, but there was no reflection of him in the mirror. Only my own reflection appeared. At that moment I cut myself. A little blood ran down my chin.

When the Count saw the blood, his eyes changed. He looked wild and reached toward my neck. Then his hand touched the crucifix. Immediately he pulled back.

“Take care,” he said. “It is dangerous to cut yourself here.” Then he grabbed the mirror and threw it out of the window. It shattered far below in the courtyard. Afterward he left without another word.

I ate breakfast alone. Again, I did not see the Count eat or drink anything. Later I explored the castle. From a high room I saw that the castle stood on the edge of a huge cliff. The view was beautiful, but it brought me no comfort.

I continued searching the building. Every door was locked. Every possible exit was closed. At last I understood the truth. The castle was a prison. And I was the prisoner.

Chapter 3

Jonathan Harker’s Journal (Continued)

8 May, later. — After I learned that I was a prisoner, I ran through the castle and tried every door. Soon I understood that escape was impossible. I decided to stay calm and watch carefully. I could not trust Count Dracula. He knew I was trapped.

That evening I saw something strange. The Count was making my bed and preparing the table himself. There were no servants in the castle. Then I understood something else. The driver who brought me to the castle must have been the Count himself. This frightened me. The driver had controlled the wolves. The people in Bistritz had feared for me. I thought again about the crucifix the old woman had given me. It gave me comfort.

That night I spoke with the Count about the history of Transylvania. He became excited and proud. He talked about old wars and famous leaders. He spoke as if he had seen those events himself. Again and again he spoke about the Dracula family and their victories. He seemed very proud of his blood and his family name. We talked until morning.

12 May. — The Count spent the evening asking questions about English business and law. He wanted to know how people bought houses, moved money, and sent goods around the country. He understood everything very quickly. Then he asked if I had written any letters. I told him I had not.

“Then write now,” he said. “Tell your friends that you will stay here for one month.”

I did not want to stay, but I had no choice. The Count gave me paper and envelopes. He also told me not to write about anything except business and my good health. I understood his meaning. He planned to read my letters.

I wrote short letters, but I decided to send secret messages to Mina whenever possible. Later I looked at some letters the Count had written. They were addressed to people in London, Whitby, Varna, and Budapest. Before I could read more, the Count returned. Before leaving for the night, he gave me a warning.

“Do not sleep anywhere except your own room,” he said. “This castle is old. Bad things can happen to people who sleep in the wrong place.” His words frightened me.

Later. — After the Count left, I went upstairs and looked out into the night. Then I saw something terrible. A window below mine opened. Count Dracula came out of it. He climbed down the outside wall of the castle. His head pointed down, and his cloak spread around him like wings. He moved like a lizard across the stone. I watched until he disappeared into the darkness below. Fear filled me. What kind of man could do such a thing?