After his encounter with the Bat, the mouse quickly ran away from the cottage and the clearing, and headed back into the woods, praying he wouldn’t get lost again. But, as if by some miracle, the mouse had only wandered for an hour before he found his way out of the woods, and by nightfall he was back home at the little tool shed. The old mouse paused before going inside, wondering what he would tell his children, but before he could decide all six of them rushed out to greet him with hugs and kisses.

The old mouse gladly greeted his children in return, but could not help but frown sadly. By the next full moon he would have to leave them forever to face the Bat’s wrath. That was when his gaze fell upon Millie, who gave him the brightest smile of all. “Here you are, Millie,” he said, and gave her the rose seed. “I have found you the gift for which you asked… if only you knew what they have cost your poor father.” And, after they had gone inside the shed, the old mouse told them of his trip and how they had not found their new home after all. Then, he told them of his encounter with the terrible vampire bat, and the terms upon which the Bat let him go.

All six of the old mouse’s children were shocked at his tale, and the eldest daughters began to cry and sob. “Our poor father,” they cried, “what an awful fate to befall him, and all because of that wretched Millie.” Millie, despite the insults, neither cried nor acknowledged her sisters. “You should be ashamed of yourself,” her sisters continued. “You have sent our father to his death, all for a stupid seed, and you don’t even shed a tear!”

“I don’t need to cry,” Millie replied, matter-of-factly, “because Father won’t die. I’ll go to the Bat’s home in his stead.” Immediately, the old mouse and Millie’s brothers objected to this, but she paid them little heed. “I must,” she explained, “because it is my fault that Father cut down the Bat’s rose and enraged him so. I should be the one to pay for it, not Father.”

“No,” the old mouse shouted, “I will not give my youngest child to that monster! I am old, and have lived my life. By the next full moon I will go by myself to the Bat’s home, and hand myself over to him.”

“Father, I will not allow you to go alone,” Millie said sternly. “I will follow you to the Bat’s home, no matter what you say, and nothing will stop me.” The old mouse and his sons continued to try and reason with her, the brothers even considered going to kill the Bat and save them all, but the mouse knew they would surely meet defeat against such a creature. No matter what, Millie would not be deterred. Her sisters, of course, had no problem with her going to become the Bat’s prisoner, and so did nothing to persuade her otherwise. So finally, the old mouse gave in and agreed to take Millie to the Bat’s cottage at the next full moon.

So distraught was the old mouse at the thought of giving up his youngest daughter that he had completely forgotten the Bat’s promise to send his family gifts until the next day when he and his sons wandered out of the shed and found a pile of seeds, fruits, trinkets and feathers waiting for them. There was every gift the sisters had asked for and more, and enough food to last the mouse family an entire month, or maybe even more! It was more than any of them could have ever wished for. The sisters reveled in their new wealth, and the brothers were delighted not to have to scavenge for food for the next month.

Millie, meanwhile, was happy for them all, even her sisters who she loved no matter how cruel that acted towards her. She was happy even to go to the Bat’s cottage, if it meant saving her father’s life. Perhaps, she thought to herself, this Bat is not as terrible as he seems. Father did say that the Bat promised not to harm whichever of his daughters would come. It was with these optimistic thoughts that Millie kept herself cheerful, and ignored her father’s pleas for her to reconsider. Still, she could not deny in the following days that she felt a terrible fear deep in her heart. But, if it was her father, she would just have to face that fear.

Finally, the day of the full moon came. Millie prepared for her journey, and, after kissing her brothers and sisters goodbye one last time, she set off with her father into the woods. As they walked the sun set, and the rays of the full moon illuminated the woods with a silvery light, as if it was purposefully lighting the way to the Bat’s cottage. In no time at all, the mouse found the familiar break in the trees, and beyond it was the cottage.

Millie, while amazed at the beauty of the structure before her, was also filled with dread at the very sight of it. In each of the darkened windows she could imagine the Bat lurking around, spying on her as if awaiting impatiently for his meal. The thought sent a shudder through her body, but she continued bravely onward, ignoring as her father once again begged her to return home.

They came upon the same hole in the wall the old mouse had used before, and entered the kitchen. With a sigh of relief, the mouse noted that there was no sign of the bat, yet. Millie smelled the aroma of fresh bread and fruit, and realized from her growling stomach that she was famished. Her father, also hungry, led her up the table leg, and they found a banquet laid out, just as it had been the first time the old mouse visited.

“Still no sign of the Bat,” Millie sighed. “But it looks like he’s prepared for our visit.” Her father nodded in agreement, though he wore a sad frown on his face. Despite her fear, Millie gave her father a warm smile, and the two began to eat. Once they had had their fill, Millie saw a light in the next room, and knew someone had lit a fire.

“He must be waiting,” the old mouse said with a tremble.

Millie could tell how frightened her father was, and kissed his cheek. “Go home now, Father,” she said. “I’ll face the Bat alone.”

But the old mouse refused. “I cannot just leave you, Millie,” he said.

“There’s nothing more you can do, Father,” Millie assured him, and kissed his cheek once more. “Please, I don’t want our last goodbye to be made in fear of the Bat.”

The old mouse hesitated a moment more, but finally nodded in agreement and kissed her once more before slowly departing for the hole in the wall.

Millie watched him go, and stared at the hole for a moment after he was gone. Perhaps she half hoped he would come back in again. But, he didn’t, and Millie laughed at herself. Of course he wouldn’t, and she was glad they didn’t have to prolong their goodbye. Taking a deep breath, Millie climbed down from the table and entered the next room.

There, as her father had described, Millie saw the fireplace, and the soft, cozy quilt laid out before it. At first, there was no sign of the Bat, but then she spotted him hanging upside-down from the hearth. He looked down at her, and his gaze sent chill up her spine.

“Welcome,” the Bat said at last, and Millie had to try very hard not to tremble at the sound of his voice. “Have you come of your own free will?” Millie swallowed a lump in her throat and nodded, and the Bat opened his enormous wings and flew down to stand before her. He was twice as big as she was, and his wings seemed large enough to cover her entire family, and then some. She could see why she had not noticed him before, as his dark fur seemed to blend perfectly with the shadows. His terrible talons, perfectly built to hold him as he hung upside-down, also seemed capable of tearing an animal apart. But most frightening of all was his face; his ears were large and pointed, and his nose was like the snout of a pig. His razor sharp fangs stuck out of his mouth, as if ready for the kill, and his eyes seemed to glow with a blood-red light.

Millie felt like running away, but she knew she could never escape his creature, and instead bowed respectfully. “I am Millie,” she said, trying not to let her voice tremble.

The Bat also bowed a little, which surprised the little mouse girl. “And I am the Bat,” he said. “You will call me such, if you please.” Millie nodded. It occurred to her that if this bat had any intention of sucking her blood, it would not have made introductions. At least, that’s what she hoped. “This is your home now,” the Bat continued, “you are free to look about as you please, and consider this cabin your own. You may go outside into the clearing, if you wish, but do not try to go beyond the trees. You will stay in the room next to this, as I believe it shall suit you very well. I hope you will come to feel at home here, Millie.”

Millie nodded. “Thank you,” he said. “But, if you please… why must I stay here? I will stay gladly if it means saving my father’s life, but why must you punish him so over one rose?”

The Bat frowned, and for a moment Millie feared she had angered him. But he was calm, and replied, “The roses which grow here are a great comfort to me. When your father cut one of the blossoms down, it was as though he had killed a dear friend. However, I would not have killed him, had you not come.”

“What?” Millie gasped. “Then I came for nothing?”

“No,” the Bat replied. “You came for the sake of your father. Had you not, then even if he lived you would have hated yourself for not giving your life for his.” Millie grew quiet at this. She knew it was probably true that she would have hated herself. No, she knew it was true. The Bat, seeing her grow silent, offered as close as he could come to a smile and bowed again. “Your heart is truly good and kind,” he said, “and I welcome you into my home.” With that, the Bat turned away and flew off. Where he flew, Millie did not see, for he stuck to the shadows. But, feeling very tired, Millie decided to find her room and rest for the night.

As the Bat had said, the next room seemed tailored to fit Millie’s tastes. There was a large bed, covered in a quilt twice as cozy looking as the first, and the room was lit by a bright, cheery fire. On a desk, right next to the bed, Millie found several books, laying out for her to open and read. She was filled with awe at the sight, but even more amazed to see a nearby bookshelf filled with books. “I don’t know how I’ll ever get them down,” she laughed to herself. But, considering how well the fires and candles kept themselves, and how well stocked the table kept itself, she decided the books would undoubtedly fly from the shelves on their own if she ever wanted them.

Climbing onto the bed, Millie found it was made of patches of fabric so soft and comfortable that it put her own fur to shame, and she curled up and fell into a deep sleep. When she awoke, the fire had been put out, and the room was filled with sunlight. Immediately, Millie got up to explore.

The cottage, she found, consisted of just four rooms, which must have been small by human standards. There was the kitchen, and it’s table which was always covered in foods whenever she was hungry, the living room where the fire always stayed lit, her room, and another room which also had a bed. This room also had a vanity, set against a wall opposite the bed, and on it sat a large mirror. Millie had never seen her reflection in anything but a pool of water before, so she spent a few moments in front of it. Next, she went outside and wandered around the cottage. There were, of course, four walls, covered in old ivy vines. Two walls, the front and back, had doors, and each wall had two windows except for the front wall, which had a third mirror high above the door. Millie had seen these windows except for the highest, and wondered if there was an attic in the closet. If so, that must be where the Bat lived. She wondered again if the Bat were watching her through the window and couldn’t help but shudder.

The wall which held the hole that served as her entrance and exit was also the wall against which the rose bush grew, and she paused a moment to admire their beauty. How sad that something so lovely had caused so much sadness, she thought, and she went back inside.

Once she had returned to her room, she climbed onto the desk and immediately opened one of the books. It had a large, brown cover, across which was written “FRANKENSTEIN by Mary W. Shelly.” She became immersed in its pages as she read the tale of a human man who sought to create another being, and how he was soon punished for his sin against nature, and before she knew it the sun had gone down again, and the fire once again roared to life.

Finally, a grumble from her stomach forced Millie to abandon her story just as Frankenstein had found his wife murdered by his monster, and she went to the kitchen. There, on the table, was yet another banquet laid out for her. But just as she was about to begin, she was startled by a noise and turned to see the Bat standing nearby.

“Forgive me,” he said, “I did not intend to frighten you.”

“It’s alright,” said Millie, though she had to work to keep her heart from pounding out of her chest. “I was just about to eat dinner.”

“May I join you?” the Bat asked. Millie, not daring to deny the bat anything, nodded and gave a pleasant smile.

Millie began to eat, and enjoyed a little of everything, but the Bat only nibbled on some bread, as though he weren’t hungry. Millie wondered what he ate at first, but decided it was probably best she didn’t guess. After a moment, the Bat began a conversation, asking Millie about her day. Millie, feeling a bit more at ease, eagerly related her exploration of the cottage. She told him how she had never seen a mirror before, and that the cottage was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. And when she excitedly told him about the book “Frankenstein,” he smiled and told her it was one of his favorites. He then suggested a book called “Dracula” by Bram Stoker, about a human vampire who rose from the grave to feed on the blood of the living. As uneasy as the thought of a vampire human made Millie, sitting next to a vampire bat, she smiled and thanked him, promising she would indeed read it next. Finally, Millie had eaten her fill, and asked the Bat to excuse her, because she was very tired.

“Before you go,” the Bat said, “I have a question I must ask.”

“A question?” said Millie. “What is it?”

The Bat sighed and looked at her. Millie couldn’t deny that his gaze still frightened her, but she didn’t let her fear show. “Millie,” aid the Bat, “Will you marry me?”

At that, Millie’s heart sank, and she grew very afraid. “I… I don’t know how to answer,” she said softly.

“Answer yes or no,” the Bat replied, “do not be afraid to answer however you wish.”

Millie breathed a heavy sigh and looked away. “Then, I must say no.”

The Bat frowned. He was clearly upset, but never did he appear angry. Instead, he bowed to Millie and said, “then I bid you good night.” Having said that, the Bat flew off, again sticking to the shadows so that Millie could not see where he went.

Sighing again, Millie went to bed. But, as she slept, she dreamt of a strange figure. He looked almost mouse-like, but different somehow. Whoever he was, he appeared very sad, and Millie felt sorry for him. But, before he could see anymore, she awoke, and once again found herself bathed in light of the morning sun as it shone down through her window. How odd that the sun is so bright at this time of day, she thought, considering the fact that we’re surrounded by tall trees. But, she didn’t give it another thought, and instead went about her day.

Time passed, and each day was spent very much like the next, Millie explored, spent time outside, or among the roses, and read. Of course, she was never bored, because there were always new nooks and crannies throughout the cottage to explore, though she didn’t dare to enter the Bat’s domain in the attic. She never found the entrance, anyway. And as for the books, it was just as she had thought. Whenever she finished a book at night, the next day it would be back on the shelf, and on the desk would be a new book.

And, just like her days, her nights never seemed dull. Every evening, when she got hungry, she went to the kitchen and found dinner ready on the table. And, just like clockwork, the Bat would be there to eat with her. She had been wary of his presence at first, but they always had the most wonderful discussions about the books she read. They debated whether the experiments of Victor Frankenstein were an amazing discovery or a crime against God, they discussed the evil nature of Dracula and the undead, they reveled in the beautifully tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet, and laughed together as they quoted “Cyrano De Bergerac.”

After awhile, Millie began to lose her fear of the Bat, and grew to respect him. He knew so much about human literature, and was so well spoken she felt he could have outdone Shakespeare himself! Even his appearance, which had once caused her fear, had become a commonplace thing. She had grown so used to his company, that when one night he did not appear at dinner to discuss “Moby Dick” she became very lonely, and the next night she was sure to chastise him for his absence.

Millie had scolded him like a child, but the Bat just smiled at her. “I had no idea my absence would upset you so,” he said.

“Well, you were wrong,” Millie said with a frown.

The Bat’s smile widened. “Then I promise never to miss dinner with you again.” Millie smiled back and him, and told him she would hold him to that promise.

Indeed, the only thing that Millie dreaded about her life in the cottage now was the end of dinner every night when the Bat would ask “will you marry me?” She would always reply “no,” and both she and the Bat would leave unhappy. One night, after discussing “Pride and Prejudice,” the Bat asked his question again, and Millie sighed.

“Bat,” she said softly, “why must you ask me that every day? You know I will always answer the same, and it hurts me to see you upset when I give my answer.”

The Bat just frowned and turned away. “I have no choice but to ask,” he said in a grumbling voice, and gave Millie a gruff “good night” before he flew off.

Millie sighed sadly to herself and headed to her room. She climbed onto the bed, but found she couldn’t sleep. When she looked out the window, he noticed something flying about, and climbed up to the windowsill.

Outside, in the pale moonlight, she saw the Bat flying through the air. As he flew, he would open his mouth and catch moths and mosquitoes, snapping them between his jaws and swallowing him in mid-flight. Millie felt a little disgusted at the sight, but admitted it was far better than what she thought he ate. When he landed on a nearby tree branch, Millie finally returned to her bed and tried again to sleep.