DRACULAS (A Novel of Terror)

DRACULAS

a novel of terror by

Blake Crouch

Jack Kilborn

Jeff Strand

F. Paul Wilson

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction by J.A. Konrath

Dedication

Draculas — A Novel of Terror

Bonus Material

Interview with Crouch, Konrath, Strand and Wilson

“Cub Scout Gore Feast” by Konrath and Strand

“Serial” by Crouch and Kilborn

“A Sound of Blunder” by Konrath and Wilson

Draculas Deleted and Alternate Scenes

Excerpt of Crouch’s Desert Places

Excerpt of Strand’s Dweller

Excerpt of Wilson’s The Keep

Excerpt of Konrath’s Shaken

Biographies of Crouch, Konrath, Strand and Wilson

Bibliographies of Crouch, Konrath, Strand and Wilson

Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Making of Draculas

Acknowledgments

Coming in 2011

INTRODUCTION

I grew up reading books where vampires were scary.

This novel is an attempt to make them scary again.

When I thought of the premise that became DRACULAS, I knew it needed to be a group project. Take four well-known horror authors, let them each create their own unique characters, and have them fight for their lives during a vampire outbreak at a secluded, rural hospital.

This is NOT a collection of short stories. It’s a single, complete novel.

And it’s going to freak you out.

If you’re easily disturbed, have a weak stomach, or are prone to nightmares, stop reading right now. There are no sexy teen heartthrobs herein.

You have been warned.

Joe Konrath

October, 2010

For Bram Stoker, with deepest apologies

DRACULAS

DRACULA’S SKULL UNEARTHED IN TRANSYLVANIA! A Romanian farmer discovered a skull with unusual properties while plowing his field near the town of Brasov. The relic, which appears to be ancient and human, has thirty-two elongated, razor-sharp teeth.

—NATIONAL TATTLER

VAMPIRE SKULL A HOAX? Discovered in Transylvania, the humanoid skull with sharp fangs is considered by many to be a fake. Fueling this speculation is the owner’s refusal to let scientists analyze the discovery, claiming it embodies an ancient curse.

—THE INQUISITOR STAR

MILLIONAIRE BUYS DRAC’S HEAD! Eccentric recluse Mortimer Moorecook of Durango, Colorado, has apparently purchased the so-called “Dracula skull” for an undisclosed sum, from the Transylvanian farmer who unearthed it a week ago. It isn’t known what Moorecook, who made his fortune on Wall Street during the late 80s, plans to do with the skull, though many are hoping it will be turned over to scientists for study. Moorecook, who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, couldn’t be reached for comment.

—THE DRUDGE REPORT

Moorecook

MORTIMER Moorecook opened the massive oak door of his hilltop mansion just as the FedEx deliveryman was reaching for the doorbell.

“Hi, Mr. Moorecook, I have—”

“You have my package.”

“Yeah. Must be special. Only thing on my truck. Never been called out on a Sunday evening before.”

Mortimer looked at the cardboard box, covered in FRAGILE HANDLE WITH CARE stickers and some Romanian customs scrawl. His mouth went dry, and his already bowed knees threatened to stop supporting him.

Finally.

“Mr. Moorecook?”

The old man glanced up at the buff FedEx driver, thinking how he’d once been that young and vital. Never could’ve imagined how quickly and completely that sense of immortality deserts you. So much taken for granted.

“What?”

“Just need you to sign for it so I can keep my job.”

Taking the pen in his trembling grasp, Mortimer scribbled in the window of the electronic tracker. Then the box was in his hands. It barely weighed three pounds, but the magnitude of its contents made his arms shake.

“Shanna! It’s here! It’s here!”

Mortimer limped through the atrium as quickly as his thin, frail legs could manage, breathless by the time he reached the study. He set the box down on the coffee table in front of the hearth and eased back onto the leather