Let's talk about this strange and wonderful little prelude. 'Dracula's Guest' was originally the opening chapter of Bram Stoker's iconic novel, but it was cut before publication, likely for length. It was published after his death, and reading it feels like discovering a deleted scene from your favorite horror movie.

The Story

The tale is simple but incredibly effective. An English traveler is in Munich, en route to Transylvania. Against the urgent pleas of his local driver, he decides to explore a forbidden road on Walpurgis Night. The weather turns monstrous, with a blizzard appearing out of nowhere. Lost and freezing, he finds shelter in the courtyard of a long-deserted village. His refuge? A marble tomb, inscribed with German and Latin warnings. In a moment of delirium from the cold, he opens it. What happens next is a whirlwind of supernatural terror—a figure rising from the tomb, a sudden rescue by a mysterious stranger, and the haunting feeling that he has brushed against something ancient and evil. The story ends with a cryptic note that ties it directly to the main events of Dracula.

Why You Should Read It

This story is a masterclass in atmosphere. Stoker doesn't need hundreds of pages to make you feel the icy cold, the isolation, and the mounting panic. The unnamed protagonist's stubborn curiosity is something we can all relate to, which makes his terror our own. It’s fascinating to see the seeds of the novel's themes here: the danger of ignoring local folklore, the clash between modern rationality and ancient superstition, and the lurking presence of the Count himself, even before we officially meet him. It’s less about blood and fangs, and more about psychological dread and the fear of the unknown.

Final Verdict

This is a must-read for classic horror fans and anyone who loved Dracula. It’s also perfect if you're curious about Stoker's work but don't want to commit to a long novel. Think of it as the perfect, chilling short story to read on a stormy night. You'll finish it in one sitting, but the eerie feeling it leaves behind will stick with you much longer. It proves that sometimes, the scariest things are what you imagine in the shadows, not what you see in the light.