Hello all, and Happy Easter

 Pardon me, readers. Life took on some battering of recent dyas.....work, stress, and more works......

But, as my mind still works, I am still writing. I was doing some read up, and found a couple of older unfinished tales back to 2021, and dragged them out and read them, and then re-write some. An excerpt here, may subject to more editing in the final draft.

Heroes Return IV.

“Holmes, I placed the shoes there because the rugs looked clean, and Mrs. Hudson gets all clammy when she must pick up the ashes of your tobacco. I was relaxed and fell asleep seated here; it is my old chair. And I came here because I was in London to pick up supplies… for my patients too.” Watson looked at Sherlock. “Shelly, you are getting……. Complacent if I may diagnose.”

Shelly was the nickname of Sherlock from Mycroft.

“And more to that, I came because Mrs. Hudson asked me to come up. I do pay my share of the rent here. The……"

“A convenient mode. I told Mrs. Hudson to do it for me.” Sherlock took the credit from Mrs. Hudson. “She may be a…"“So, she is now you, a part of the Baker’s Boys, or rather lady.” Watson smiled.

"Boys, or rather, I will call you, darnedest of the males. Both of you are the au pair in this world." It was the fortunate timing of the housekeeper, who had arrived with the tray of tea and scones. She had changed from her formal attire of the dark suit and boots into the drabby white frock and apron with the deep pockets.

“Mrs. Hudson, you are a delightful sight.” Watson quipped up. “And thank you for the tea.”

Watson took the tea offered and saw Sherlock had not moved from his seat despite the cup of tea served onto his side table. It was typical behavior of Sherlock when he was in sleuth mode.

Watson then decided on the matter, but Sherlock read his mind.

“An hour ago, the minister of the Exchequer country retreat was intruded on, and the household with the guards was killed; all six of them in a ghastly mode, but the personal assistant, Mindy Kewala, was not found. Perhaps kidnapped or, at worse, killed somewhere else. They are still looking after her. Do you know her?” Sherlock held the telegram he held.

-----

It was to the end of Commercial Road before the duo stopped their running. Charlie Song found his pace to do the run despite his middle-age limitations. He leaned on the wall by the corner of the shop offering daily catch seafood.

“Nayland Smith, what on earth provoked you to meet there? We could have done it at Piccadilly or at Shaftesbury.” Charlie heaved in deep breaths. “Simplicity is difficult to achieve?”

“Nay, Charlie. I wanted to be in the depth of the place. Fu Manchu is a devious man. “I never believed him to be dead. He's cruel, callous, brilliant, and the most evil and dangerous man in the world."

“Famous words of yours there, Nayland Smith, and yet you are screwing his daughter.” Charlie smiled. “He is technically your father-in-law.”

“Fa Loh Suee is…. We eloped, and technically, we are not screwing each other. We make love, and for info, she is in America to see some friends. You can call it sabbatical leave period.” Nayland explained.

“Call it what you may want, Nayland Smith. We were fucked just now.” Charlie leaned out to see if they were pursued by any. 

“I thought you were comfortable there.” Nayland Smith smiled. “I was. I do miss the mainland.”

Nayland Smith was an operative of the Foreign Ministry assigned to the Far East for some years. His role there was to do clandestine tasks on the criminals there, where he met the daughter of the Mandarin crime lord, Fu Manchu. He had a few run-ins with the man and barely escaped with his life. He did, however, win the heart of the daughter and, at his request, gave her sanctuary in London, but his works were still in the Far East.

“After dinner, who cares about the spoon?" Charlie mocked the other on having gotten the daughter; why bother with the father?

“In your society, or rather in my mind, the extended family still matters.” Nayland smiled. “Even though my father-in-law would like to serve me to his tigers.”

-------

Yes, it is one of my fav here; involving at least seven heroes, if I may term them as such, and blend them into the long tale.....hopefully long, and see the result. I am a fav of Holmes, and my own version of Watson..... 

The HEROES RETURN Series had run on three tales, and this is the fourth. In my directory, there are six of it, of which two more are unfinished. 

Why SHELLY? I am a fan of SHERLOCK HOLMES. Read (and re-read) every book I could find.

Like EASTER, you never know what the Easter eggs may have inside. Mine is turning up wonderful.

Oh, I will be away this week, and please read on.

Tally Ho.

=

Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 20

 

20.

Victor stepped towards the generator looking at it outside the lab. It was covered with the wrap there. He had not looked inside but stood there.

“The great interest in electricity as well as the effects of electricity on bodies—whether electricity might be the ‘spark of being’ that animates life.”  Victor was told by numerous mentors of the works. “We need to explore it more. The electricity currents work like our blood flows; it animates other workings.”

“Mary?” Victor mumbled to himself. He then shook his head. He felt himself drawn to the creation. He had called it his creation before; no name was given. It was Henry who named it. Henry loved it.

Henry, his aide, who was a simpleton and yet displayed more humanity in his works.

“Was I ……. The innate being here? I had life brought to it.” Victor asked himself. He was trying to do God’s work, and yet he was distancing himself from the real purpose of the work. Life was created by God, and yet with life, God did not forego its creation. It gave it life, and with life, the purpose of living it, with the mind to decide its action.

“I did that?” Victor pondered his thoughts. “When I created …… Mary, did I create life? Or was it a machine to be handled with the power on and off function? God… I am a monster if it was.”

“Mary was not the creation. It is not a machine. It was the work of … God through me.” Victor was shuddering in his mind. “I was given the opportunity to do it, and yet I did not see it.”

“God, I am …… God, am I mad? I am doing what is yours. I am truly the ………. monster here. It may be why I was unable to do it again.”

“God, I am sorry. Please accept me back into your fold.” Victor fell to his knees then. “I am a ……. Monster.”

“Master Victor, what is wrong?” It was Sven who saw him his knees there. “I heard you call out. Are you alright?”

“No, Sven. I betrayed God. I was …….” Victor looked at the man who had served his father for years. “I am a …….”

The scream echoed then, and Sven looked towards the mansion.

“The girl! She may be in trouble.” Sven rushed off to the mansion, leaving Victor still on his knees.

“Wait for me, Sven. I am coming too.”  Victor pushed himself up and followed Sven. They ran into the mansion and heard the eerie shrieks. It from the chamber upstairs. They rushed up and saw a dark figure floating out in a hurry. The duo made their way into the chamber and saw Rudolf standing there holding the young lady. Sven saw the man crouched there picking up what looked like a mass of flesh. He was without his rifle, but his part training taught him to charge forth.

Sven caught hold of Abel who was crouched there by the back of the neck and swung the other across the chamber. He was elderly, but his strength was still very much in him.

“Bastard!” Sven rushed after the fallen younger man when Rudolf stepped in between them.

“Sven! He is a friend.” Rudolf called out while he restrained the man. “He saved our lives.”

Sven stopped in his tracks and looked at Rudolf.

“What happened here?” Sven asked. “Are you okay, Sir?”

Brown stood there by the trees and watched the mansion. He heard the scream and then saw the two men running to the mansion. Part of him wanted to rush there, his constabulary training told him, but he stayed back. He stood there and saw another figure had rushed out from a distance. He recognized the figure as one of the constables.

“You are well trained, Sir,” Brown hollered out. Allen, who was the one seen by Brown, stopped there. He then approached Brown.

“Who are you? Wait, I know you. You were with the ……” Allen had stepped too close towards Brown and did not have any chance to avoid the other from grabbing him at the throat. Brown, with his enhanced strength, was to crush the windpipe of the other before any sound could be called out.

Allen fought free of the hold. He stumbled back and crouched there.

“Not so fast, Enforcer. I am a witch too.” Allen looked at the other. “I am not easily defeated.”

“Pardon me. Impudent pup.” Brown kicked at Allen at the face. “Marcos, grab him. Put a spell on him.”

“Huh?” Marcos called on the one spell he recalled. “Со врските на Тора, запрете го човекот. (By the binds of Thora, stop the man.)

Allen felt the muscles in his body tighten and was unable to counter the spell when Brown stomped on his face. The stomp broke his jaw and then his air passage.

“No incantations, witch man.” Brown pressed down on his feet. Allen slumped on his frame, and then Brown dragged him into the woods. Brown felt good then. The kill gave him an elated feeling.

“Was it needed, Enforcer?” Marcos asked when he saw the other dragged the body into the woods.

“Do not question my work, Novice.” Brown cautioned the other. “I knew of your spells. Do not try to hit me from the back. I know how to counter them all. We will meet now with Jae.”

When Brown arrived at the spot where Jae was last seen, he felt the uneasiness in his mind. He smelled blood there, and looked around. He saw the specks of blood and flesh. He looked at the oak tree and sensed it.

“Jae…” Marcos called out.

“Dispose of the body here. He is not one with us.” Brown turned toward Marcos. “There is danger here.”

“How?” Marcos asked.

“The woods are haunted.” Brown had used the term that others have said. He was not like any other. He was a witch man too. The witches worked with the spirits of the woods. He looked to the oak tree.

“Pardon us, golden tree. We have tasks to do.” Brown turned to look at Marcos.

“Used your skills again, Novice.” Brown told the other. “Or covered it with the leaves. The creatures here will devour the body. The task had become……. Hazardous.”

At that moment, Elizabeth stood at the corner, watching the others chain the constable to the clamps at the wall. Lilith had done her task as required.

“Constable, I think I saw a lady hurt there.” Lilith had approached Jeeves. “Please hurry.”

“I……” Jeeves was reluctant, but his call of duty made him follow her. His training as a witch was still the learning stages. Their walk was long but soon arrived at the alley. Jeeves was getting impatient and stopped the lady.

“Where are we going? Do I know you form somewhere?” Jeeves asked. He had tried to read the lady, but something was blocking him. He was a witch by training, and much he had to learn from the Warlock.

“We are there.” Lilith turned towards the constable. “You knew me before.”

Jeeves felt the hand on the back of his neck. The pressure there caused him to black out. Next thing when he was aware, he was chained to the wall. The place was damp and smelled of blood.

“Where am I?” Jeeves asked. He saw then the lady before him. She was Ms. Muriel.  “Ms. Muriel? Let me loose, please.”

“I cannot,” Elizabeth said.

“I will ……” Jeeves tried to contact the Warlock. “I……”

Jeeves was to call on the spell to break free but nothing happened. His voice was soundless.

“Your spell, witch man? I am afraid that is not possible. The Wiccan have placed a binding spell here in the basement. You are …… all alone.”

“Why, Ms. Muriel? I am not a threat to you.” Jeeves pleaded. “The Warlock will find me. He can reward you. Please release me.”

“Where is the lady I met?” Jeeves recalled meeting the other witch.

“She is not here. And I disliked witches. And especially the Warlock, well... I do not dislike you now. Maybe soon, then it will be hell to pay then.” Elizabeth smiled. “I wondered, where is my demon?”

“Beezer!” Elizabeth called out. “Where are you?”

“Here, Mistress. I am here.” Beezer appeared with the ragged look. “The creature got me, but I have not perished yet. Not yet…”

Beezer then collapsed on the flooring.

Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 19

 

19. 

 

Brown stopped in his track to the mansion. He looked at the trail that he once took, leading to the creek, and there were the girls. It was a long time ago, and lust took over his needs. What he saw then was a group of nymphs; he called them that. He knew who they were but failed his duty then as the constable and indulged in the coven’s fun. He remembered not of the ritual but it was fun. The next thing he recalled was then shots and then being discovered by the others. He could not speak nor react. He saw them kill the girls and then leave him there to die. He was saved by the Wiccan, and made as a member of the new coven.

“Brown, your life is mine now. Serve me, and you will continue living. Leave me and you will die painfully in days.” Brown was told when the lady tended to his wounds. “I have restored your health but with a spell that binds you to me. Without me, you will be dead as in ……. dead.”

“I ……. I will not.” Brown recalled then struggling to sit up, but his body was not responding.

“Do not be stupid, Brown. You intrude upon my coven and lusted after them.” The lady told him.

“You were to be sacrificed but the others intervened. My girls killed and yet you were left for the same, but I was in time to save you.”

“The forest nymphs brought you here; my personal enclave in the woods.” The lady laughed. “Why you? You may ask and I shall tell.”

“Brown, I am not a fool. Your life is …… shall be mine to save. You will serve me well.” The lady smiled. “I sensed other threats in this town. These threats are not ……. Not all could I counter. One is a ...… creation not of man, but a monster. For you, I will create mine inside you. You will not be any man but a creation of strength. An Enforcer of mine. You will match the creation of that monster, yet you will look alive.”

“However, you cannot exist without me. I hold your essence and that will be mine to renew daily.” The lady smiled. “I am the better choice for you. I am the witch of Eastwick and soon to be the Wiccan.”

Brown touched his chest; there were no heart beats, but the feel was alike. He was kept alive by the spell that the Wiccan knew; renewed daily with the incantations, and his task was to serve the Wiccan. He practiced no spells as a member of the coven.

Brown saw Sven there with the one named Rudolf. Brown recalled his brief moments with the two, and then memories of them shooting the girls. He saw them argue, and then Sven left. It was then he saw the arrival of Victor Frankenstein.

“Rudolf, may I address you by that name? Mr. Spielsdorf is ….” Victor smiled.

“I am older but so are you. Yes, you may address me as Rudolf.” The older man smiled. “You do resemble your father. He calls me Red, but stay with Rudolf, please.”

“Are you back to look for ……” Victor asked.

“Yes, we are. And Lauren wanted to stay here so we have more time to search.” Rudolf smiled. “Why are you here?”

“I was to restore the mansion but …… have not met anyone yet. I was to ask Sven to assist.”

“Victor, is Mary with you here? You called for me just now.” Rudolf looked around.

“Mary? No…… She is still at the tavern. I came looking for Sven.” Victor smiled. He then moved the subject matter. “Rudolf, do you recall the ……. Creature then? Could it be still around?”

“Creature? I have not seen it. Why do you ask?” Rudolf looked at the other.

“I ……. It was just a thought. I will see to Sven now.” Victor walked towards the cottage. He found himself walking to the grave, and saw Sven there standing by it.

“Hello, Sven.”

“Oh, Master Victor.” Sven turned to look. Victor saw the tears that was on the cheeks of the elderly man. “I was not expecting you.”

“Is that Henry’s ……” Victor approached the grave. “I never seen it till now.”

“Yes, it is Henry’s.” Sven stepped aside for the other. Victor approached the grave, and noted the stones there.

“It is pretty, the stones. Was it your idea?” Victor asked.

“Huh? Yes. I wanted …… Henry likes the stones.” Sven was unsure of the words to say. He then looked at Victor. “Are we to …….”

“What is with the glass jar?” Victor leaned forward to inspect the jar in the ground. “Is that Henry I see there?’

“Yes, it is.” Sven looked at the grave once more. “I had it placed there to see him,”

“He looked so peaceful.” Victor smiled. “After …… ten years, and still …….”

“God is kind to him.” Sven smiled. “Victor……”

Sven addressed the other directly.

“Could you ……. restore Henry?” Sven asked. “You did for the …….”

“I do not know, Sven. I have done so many experiments then and thereafter, but I have no …… conclusive results. The creation ……. Mary was my first, and since then, none.” Victor sighed. “I knew not what, but it was all done at the lab. And now, it is …….”

“Master Victor, if I could restore the generator, would it help?”

“I do not know, Sven. Maybe but you told the parts are taken away or damaged.” Victor sighed. “I do not have the funds to do that and also the mansion.”

“Master Victor, I ……. I have the parts …… hidden. We could restore the power.” Sven looked at the man. “Please try to restore Henry.”

Victor was confused.

“Mary asked me to tell you. She is lonely and needed Henry back.” Sven said. “Please try, Master Victor. Give her back her love. Her life.”

“Mary……is not a human. She is a creation.” Victor sighed. “I am not sure how I can do it again.”

“Just try, Master Victor. She needs the union. We all do.” Sven stepped away. It was then when Rudolf joined the daughter in the mansion and was told that she could not find the runes.

“It has to be somewhere.” Lauren sighed. “I can feel it, but it is not here.”

“We are.” Lauren looked towards the voice. There were two demons perched on the window rails. “I am Tareek, and that is …… what is your name, minion?”Bifor.”

Rudolf rushed to his daughter and held her behind him. He had left the cross bow at the corridor but he held his gun at the belt. It was his service revolver: the Colt Navy Revolver with the iron cartridges.

“Come any closer and I will kill you.” Rudolf warned the demons. “Leave now.”

“Kill? I doubt we can be killed.” Tareek smiled. “You tried at the road, and here I am now. The last attempt …… well, it left me with an itch on my face but I can bear with it.”

“You……. You were at the road. I saw you …….” Rudolf drew out his gun.

“Got trampled? Run over? Whatever… I am here now.” Tareek smiled. “It is not that difficult to …… kill us, but many have tried and failed.”

“Die, demon.” Rudolf levelled the gun and fired at the demon. The bullet impacted the face, leaving a hole there, but the demon was laughing.

“You cured my itch. Thank you. Shall I redo your face now?” Tareek charged at the man. Lauren screamed and held out her right hand at the demon.

“Силата на Артемида, направи ја мојата цел вистина. (The strength of Artemis, do make my aim true.),” Lauren called on the ancient spell from the books. The form of an arrow was seen, and it was hurled then at the demon. The magic arrow pierced the demon in the chest and exited from the rear before it pierced the other demon and then dissipated into nothing.

“Arghh….” Both demons cried out and retreated to the ceiling.

“Lauren!” Rudolf called out and then held his daughter. “You …….”

“It was …… I am unsure. I just did it.” Lauren cried out. “I am unsure.”

“Do nothing. I will take care of these demons.” The voice came from across the chamber. It was Abel who had arrived and had his crossbow levelled at the demons.

“Perish in Hell, demon.” Abel released the iron arrow at the demon. It was aimed at Tareek but the demon pulled Bifor onto its path. The arrow pierced the demon in the chest, and it fell to the flooring. Tareek then fled the chamber leaving Bifor writhing in pain on the flooring. Abel stepped towards the demo, and with his other arrow, he pierced the demon in both eyes.

“You need to blind it or it will hunt you again,” Abel said. “To send it back to Hell, you need to remove its soul.”

Abel proceeded to stab the arrow in the chest cavity and tore out the heart inside. He then stomped on the heart, and the demon went still on the flooring.

“Yuck!” Lauren called out.”

“I am sorry there. It is the only way.” Abel shielded the demon carcass from the lady. “I will clean it up.”   

Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 18

 

18. 

 

Inspector John Watson called for a gathering of the coven the next day. The gathered was numbered six of them, and with himself, the number added to seven. They met at the Inspector’s office. The coven consists of two of his constables, Jeeves, and Allen; novice witches. The others are the admin staff, Allie, the town morgue’s administrator, Carly, the Uni’s Dean Joseph Haller, Ms. Gertrude Miller, their trusted member to get the needed information from the town folks. The number seven for the warlock signifies power, perfection, and spiritual completeness, often used in spells for success, manifestation, and aligning the physical and spiritual realms. They will meet every full moon to commit to their coven tasks.

“My near accident was unexpected.” The Warlock looked at Allen. “What did you find out?”

“I checked. The coachman said he was not aware the horse bolted. It seems that he was …….”

“Stunned or lost in his thoughts? I am now more intrigued.” The Warlock looked away. “Only some witches could do that. Let it be for now, Allen. I will take care of it.”

The warlock then looked at Gertrude. She was dressed for riding; the tailored jacket with a long skirt to match. She had on a small hat with veil half covering her face.

“It was a fine task you did, Gertrude. I was intrigued by the arrival of Doctor Helsing, and you did a fine task of reading his mind.” The warlock smiled for the lady held taste to her dressing.

“Elementary, my Warlock.” Getrude smiled form behind the veil. “He was fulfilling. When he was asleep, I did what was needed, but there is much I have yet to get from him. He …….”

“A mind block? Most interesting. He was a surprised to come here.” The Warlock looked to the Dean. “How did …… he get invited?”

“I did not invite him. He came with a letter of introduction from the Dean of Steinback University and requested I allow him a session. I was declining but the letters came on regardless; notable names and institutions, and then came the hefty contribution to the …….”

“A huge bait for you with the Uni’s, low on funding with the town’s attraction having died.” The warlock smiled. “The Theology Society have their own sources of contributions but trickles of it was to yours.”

“Yes, Warlock. We are low in funds.” The Dean sighed. “I had to …… consent.”

“And Gertrude was to assist you.” The Warlock smiled. “She was ……. Should I say alluring to the Doctor?”

“I am a woman … a very persuasive woman.” Gertrude smiled. “I did what I could, but as I mentioned, there were many parts of him that I was unable to see.”

“Most intriguing this Doctor.” The Warlock looked to the others. “I had tried to read him myself, but like Getrude, he had barred me from some memories. Dean, do a more thorough check on his background.”

“Warlock, I was informed that the doctor was joined by two others, claimed to be his sons.” Jeeves reported in. “I am monitoring them.”

“The reason I called all of you in was the arrival of a group of strangers. An elderly lady and her five companions. I could not make out their visit, but ………”

“I tailed the lady to the home of Ms. Muriel.” Jeeves cut in and it was then the Warlock glared at him. Jeeves felt the tightening on his throat. He gasped to breathe.

“Novice witch man, do not …… ever intrude on my words, I am still the Warlock.” The leader warned Jeeves. “Now back to my words. I am concerned on their visit here.”

“Getrude, do your part on the Helsing. Jeeves, and Allen. I want them always to tail the group.” The warlock then looked away. “I will see to Doctor Helsing.”

“Warlock, what about ……” Jeeves was to ask.

“Leave Ms. Muriel alone.” The Warlock cut in. “She is my concern.”

At the tavern, the doctor was with his sons enjoying their breakfast. Kane was tasting the new baked pie and complained that it was not as tasty.

“Maybe the dog died this time.” Doctor Helsing smiled.

“Huh? What has that to do with …….” Abel was to say but then choose to push away the plate of pie. “I will take my tea…… plain.”

“Back to our reason here.” Doctor Helsing looked up from his cup of tea and viewed the area. They were the only patrons there, and the tavern keeper was at the back of the café.

“I think we are in the right place. My opportunity at the Uni was fulfilling. There is something here.” Doctor Abraham smiled, recalling his stay with the lady. She was enterprising with her approach, and when he was at rest, he felt her probing his mind. It was his works on hypnosis that allowed him to block his selected memories. A task he learned from a witch some time ago. He let her see what was unimportant.
“Father, please explain the reason we are ……” Abel asked.

“This town held a history of unusual events. The High Council have been monitoring the town, and its ripe for another visit.”

“The creature? I thought it died……. Went missing years ago.” Kane looked at the father. “Maybe the High Council have erred.”

“Never question the High Council, Kane. We are all sworn to serve the High Council. Your greats and us now. Both of you knew of the creature that was here, but there were other unreported events, like the witches. Yes, it was ten years ago, and I was told to investigate the possible new events,” Doctor Helsing explained. “The return of the prodigal son, the Spielsdorf, and the ……. Witches. Something is brewing here.”

“And it’s all going to happen soon.” Doctor Helsing sighed. “We need to be ready.”

“Let us move on, Father. We were also briefed on the events. For an update, we trailed the father and daughter to the mansion, as requested,” Kane said. “We should ……”

“Visit them,” Abel cut in. “I can go alone.”

“Yes, please do.” Doctor Abraham nodded, and thus cutting off Kane’s intention to object. “Kane, I need you to keep an eye on one named Victor Frankenstein. He is staying here at the tavern. I will do my own exploration.”

Their focus was then moved onto the group of guests who walked into the café. It was the two ladies with the four men. The elderly lady stopped their approach, and decided to leave the café.

“They are not eating here?” Kane asked.

“Probably the pie was not tasty.” Abel smiled and then excused himself to leave. The doctor took the same leaving Kane seated there alone. Somehow then, his appetite for the pie waned.

Outside the tavern, Wiccan Agathe gave her orders.

“Brown, take Jae and Marcos. Watch the mansion, and if you see Victor Frankenstein, keep tab on him.” Wiccan Agathe said. “Lilith, do follow me with Stefan. We will visit the Muriel’s. There is preparation to do.”

The group split up, and then Wiccan Agathe sensed her group was followed by the other from the café. She was unsure of who he was and could not sense their mind, which was why she took the group out of the café. The smell lingered in her.

The Wiccan proceeded to walk to the nearby café and took her breakfast there. While there, she saw the two constables standing nearby. One took off after Brown’s.

“Lilith, lure the other constable to the woods. We will need to question him. Bring him near Muriel’s house.”

“Would that be a risk?” Lilith asked. “He may know me. Or he may be witch like me. He may detect me then.”

“He is a witch, and more to that, your presence may attract him to follow you We are out of time. I cannot afford delays. More to it, I will give you a spell to expose your true self. He will follow you.” Wiccan Agathe handed the amulet to Lilith.

“As you commanded, Wiccan.”

“Do it. The Warlock suspects me, but he needs to be warned off, or we need to know more. He must not be allowed to stop us.” Wiccan Agathe said. “Lure him to the rear of the house.”

During that morning, Elizabeth approached the basement and saw the man she had incarcerated there. The demon stepped out of the darkness and approached the lady.

“Beezer, I have grown tired of him. Remove him from my sight.”

“Yes, mistress.” Beezer stepped towards the chained man. Doctor Edward saw the demon there.

“Free me of my pain, please.” The man pleaded. The demon held the jaws of the man with his right hand and shafted his left fist into the throat. There were no screams from the man; if there were, it was without any voice to call out. The man writhed in pain and then lost his ability to live on.

“Leave his body in the woods. Does it as if the creature got to him.”

“The creature? I thought ……” Beezer was puzzled.

“The creature lives on. It had remained hidden, but I could tell it is still here.” Elizabeth said. “Victor told me it never left the area. Its home is here.”

“Mistress, I cannot …….” Beezer was to explain its concern.

“No excuses. Just get it done.” Elizabeth left the basement. Beezer went to work on his task. He carried the body from the rear of the house, and with the spell of his own, he was not seen moving into the woods.

The spell work on the others but not onto the witches.

“Brown, look there.” Jae motioned to the other. He was looking at the trees, and saw the body dragged by the figure. “It looked like a …….”

“Demon,” Brown said. “That is a demon. Most unusual to see it here.”

“We will stay here for now.” Brown continued looking at the figure. He had seen that demon before; once when he was with the Wiccan. It was a long time ago, and the demon was snared by the Wiccan. It pleaded for be freed, citing that it was banished by the master. The Wiccan offered it freedom to serve another named Elizabeth Muriel.

“I could handle the demon.” Marcos took a step forward. He was a young novice in the arts like Jae but his over confidence tends to get him into binds.

“Not now, Marcos. Jae, watch the demon while I look at the mansion.” Brown motioned to the other member to follow him.

At the mansion, Sven and the Spielsdorf family took to explore the mansion for the runes. The father was with his crossbow while Sven was armed with the rifle. They went through the chambers and even the library.

“Lauren, do you recall …… could you detect the runes?” Rudolf looked at the lady. “It may ……”

“I cannot use my spells… yet,” Lauren reminded the father. “We need to do it this way.”

Rudolf nodded and continued his search there. Sven who was there saw the arrival of Victor Frankenstein. He excused himself and went to meet the young master.

“Master Victor, are you here to inspect the lab?” Sven asked. “I have not …….”

“No, I am not. I have also not gotten the people to repair the generator. I am here to ask if I can come over to stay at the …….” Victor looked to the mansion. “No, I want to stay with you. For a few days.”

“My place?” Sven was surprised. “It may ……”

“Sven, I will cut the chase here. My daughter, Mary Annabelle, is ……. Frightened, and she have dreams of the creation.” Victor sighed. “My creation… Mary. The one that Henry……”

“Please, Master Victor. Please do not mention Henry’s name. He ….” Sven lowered his head. “He lives on in me.” “I am sorry, Sven. Do you ……. I was thinking that the creation may …… Is she around?”

“Who? Oh, the creation.” Sven looked at Victor. “I do not ……”

“Do not deny me, Sven. I know that you knew of it. I need to find …… Mary.” Victor saw the movement in the mansion. “Who is in the mansion?”

“Spielsdorf, Rudolf Spielsdorf. He is here…with his daughter,” Sven replied. “They are here to pick up some left-behind items.”

“Rudolf?” Victor met the former yesterday. “What ……. Let them pick what they need. Sven, I need to meet the creation. Can you tell me where it is?”

“I …… I do not know. I have not seen the creation …… since.” Sven shook his head. He then looked hard at the young master. “Please leave her out. Mary is not… what you want now.”

“Mary? You called her Mary too. It was what Henry wanted to name …… it. Sven, I need to find Mary. She may be the link to my daughter’s …… dreams.”

“I do not know!” Sven lost his composure. “Please leave us alone.”

Sven stomped off in anger back to the cottage. Victor stood there watching the man leave. For a moment, his sight was averted to the trees nearby. He felt that he was being watched from there.

“Mary, see me. I am Master …… Victor. I am here to see you.” Victor called out loudly to the woods. He saw no movement and was then interrupted by Rudolf.

“Victor, can we talk?” Rudolf had approached the other.

In the woods, Jae was impatient, and upon seeing the departure of the enforcer Brown, he crept towards the demon location. Beezer, having carried the dead Doctor Edward there, dropped the corpse onto the root of the tree. The demon then looked at the tree.

“Golden Oak, I bid you to bury the mortal here.” The demon called on the spell that invokes the tree roots to uproot and then dragged the body into the ground.

“Do not be gentle, Golden Oak. Split it and sink it in.” The roots tore into the body, splitting it into portions, and then pushed it deep into the ground.

“Now bring me the intruder here.” The roots spread out and grabbed Jae, who was standing behind another tree. Jae had the tree roots entangled onto his limbs and then was dragged to the front of Beezer.

“Intruder, you are ……. Wait, you are a witch.” Beezer stood back. “A novice but still one with the arts.”

“Release me, demon. I will …… my Wiccan will hurt you.” Jae struggled with his bonds.

“Wiccan? I …… you mean there is one other in town. How was it I missed that?” Beezer smiled. “I thought the Warlock was the only one. The last few covens were defeated by him.”

“Wait, I can sense it now. You are with the Wiccan Agathe of Eastwick. She is here. I could not detect her earlier but the sniff of her presence lies in you.”

“Demon, if you knew of my Wiccan, then release me now. I will ……”

“Your Wiccan had me enslaved to one other. If I were still with Beelzebub, she would not dare to approach me. Anyway, I hold no alliance to either. However, you are here.” Beezer smiled. “You will do for me.”

“Perish this witch for me, Golden Oak.” Beezer called out. The roots tightened on Jae but he was strong.

“I am an Enforcer, demon.” Jae fought against the roots restraints but he was not a fully qualified Enforcer. His strength was still weak. The sound of bones cracked with the sight of blood spurting out.

“Argh……” Jae screamed out. The demon leapt at the witch man and shafted his right fist into the other. “I disliked loud throes of death.”

The fist reached in deep, and then stifled the witch man. The novice was split into portions and the ground parted to swallow it.

“Messy……Oops, a broken tooth.” Beezer pulled his right hand from the throat. His fingers were seen at the chest cavity, and he wriggled them before he pulled it out.

Beezer smiled and did not see the blow to its head. It fell forward onto the exposed roots. The rear of the head had cracked. It turned to look at who had hit it.

It was the creature.

Beezer then saw the right foot stamped onto its face.  

Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 17

 17. 

 

Rudolf approached Sven, and asked for their stay at his cottage. “I am …….” Sven was reluctant. “It is a small place.”

“I can pay, Sven,” Rudolf offered.

“No, sir. It is not the money. I ……. Okay, you may stay. I need to clean the chamber.” Sven relented. “It is ……”

“Do not worry, Sven. We can manage. She is use to staying at the barracks and campsites.” Rudolf smiled. “We all did then.”

It was past dusk when Lauren was brought there and offered the bedding laid there for her near the fireplace. It was a simple layout of basic furnishings, and the windows were without any drapes. Sven was busy clearing the flooring of discarded items while she sat down and looked at the picture frame on it. It was the picture of Henry.

“My son. You may not have met him.” Sven smiled when he saw Lauren looking. “He is ……”

“I never met him, but father told me he was killed by ……. Someone. I am so sorry.” Lauren looked at the elderly man. “I was ……”

“You were at the mansion, and he …… Henry hardly stepped over there. He was always with Master Victor at the lab. They work together, or rather he helped there most times. He was not a …...”

“He was buried at the rear there?” Lauren motioned to the rear of the cottage.

“Yes, not far, but yes, there. I wanted him to have a proper place. And not far from me.” Sven nodded. “Please rest here.”

“Sven, did you find any stone necklaces at the mansion? Anyone you saw taking it?” Lauren asked. “It was ……”

“Lauren, do not be rude. Sven …….” Rudolf cut in.

“No, it is fine. No, I did not find anything of such. There were ……. Break ins but I am not aware of what was taken.” Sven placed on a weak smile. Suddenly, Lauren screamed out.

“It is…” Lauren pointed with her right hand at the window. “I saw …….”

Rudolf rushed to the window and peek out. He saw nothing out there in the dark. Sven had rushed out of the cottage, and paced the front of the cottage.

“Was it ……” Rudolf joined the other. “Was it ……”

“No, Sir. I do not think it was the ……. Your daughter may have seen a shadow and overreacted.” Sven turned towards the other. “I will check the surroundings. Please step in.”

Sven walked off while Rudolf took to the cottage. The elderly man walked towards the grave and saw nothing was out of place. He then whispered out.

“Do not come here. I have some guests. She is young and easily frightened.” Sven continued looking at the woods. “I will …… see you tomorrow.”

Unseen by Sven, Mary was hiding behind the tree. She had leaned at the window to see the girl. The girl was young and looked pretty, more than she does now. She held her hands towards her face, and felt the facial there. She hardly looked at her reflection in the pool, or river. Henry did not mind her looks at all, but a lady needs to look pretty. She recalled that from her memory.

The scream caused Mary to run and hide. She heard the men took to search at the front of the house. She waited for them to leave and then made her way to the grave. She looked at Henry but in the dark, she could not make out his expression.

“Mary….” Mary heard the low whisper. “You need to ……. Hide. No… stay away. I have guests.”

Mary did not turn to look but she knew the voice. She stepped off towards the woods, without looking back. She knew when she was not wanted.

“Mary……” Sven whispered but the lady faded into the woods. He turned to leave and then saw the stones inlaid there by the side of the grave. He was without a lamp but was used to the surroundings. He stepped over and looked at the stones. It was like any stones and did not look like a necklace. He stood there looking and then turned to go back to the cottage.

“Anyone outside?” Sven asked.

“No. I checked the surroundings and saw nothing. Rest now, Sir. Tomorrow we will search the …… mansion.” Sven took to the kitchen. He had not prepared his supper.

“Would you like to join me for supper, sir?” Sven asked. Rudolf shook his head and then replied.

“We are fine. Please go ahead.” Rudolf looked towards Lauren who had remained seated. He approached her and sat down next to her.

“Lauren, I ……”

“Father, I saw a monster there. It was a lady …… monster.” Lauren looked at her father. “Is it the creature you mentioned?”

“Creature? I did not ……” Rudolf denies it.

“The others told me of it. The creature is not of us nor of the living. It is the creation of …… another and we cannot sense it. However, I saw it then. It was by the window,” Lauren said. “I did not sense it.”

“Lauren, you may be tired. Get some rest. Tomorrow, we will look for your runes.” Rudolf assured the young lady. “I will stand guard here next to you. I still have the iron pegs. And my gun. No creatures or demons will get at you.”

Guarding was the thing on the mind of Victor then at the tavern. He was tired and took to rest on the spare bedding at the chamber. Mary Annabelle, however, was awake and stared outside the window. She was curious to see if she could make out her mother walking there, who was supposedly in the town. She felt sad that her mother will not take care of her. It was, well initially fun to be with her father but when he was at work, she was at the attention of the nannies. She did not realize she was without a mother till she was six. She asked her father, and all he said was her mother was away. It took her another year before she raised the question again.

“Will Mother come back?” Mary Annabelle asked. “Kathy’s mother is with her now. She returned to take care of her.”

“Soon. I will tell her.” Victor said. “Why do you ask now?”

“I have …… dreams of her. I cannot tell how she looked …… I was a baby then, but she appeared to me as my mother.” The young lady said. “I have not seen Mother’s face.”

Victor and Elizabeth had none taken of their picture. It was Elizabeth who declined.

“Well, when she comes back, I will tell her.” Victor said. “Now, may I ……”

“Father, I have bad dreams.” The young lady looked at her father. “I was running away from bad people.”

“It was a dream, my dear. Do not worry about it.” Victor shrugged his shoulders. “I have it too sometimes.”

“Did you see the lady who stopped them?”

“What lady?” Victor asked.

“Huge lady……. Ugly looking ……” Mary Annabelle sniggered. “She was there to protect me.”

“Ugly?” Victor turned to look at her then. “Was she dressed in men’s shirt?”

“Yes, she was, and covered in dirt.” The lady replied. “She did not speak but fought fiercely against those who were chasing me. I liked her. She was in my dream.”

“Mary… please rest.” It was that moment Victor decided to return to the town. He was to find his creation.

At that moment, Carmilla approached her sister at the other mansion. Annabelle was watching the strength of her shields.

“It is holding. The attacks by the demons are reducing,” Annabelle told her sister. “How are you holding up?”

“I am better but more rest is required. However, that is not the more urgent matter.” Carmilla pressed on the issue on her mind. “I am concerned on Lauren. She is ……. Alone and unexperienced to act on any threats.”

“I know, but she needs to get the runes. Once that is done, she will be complete.” Annabella said. “It is a task she must undertake. It must be done soon.”

“I am aware, but while resting, I was able to check on …… the mansion. I was there for some time.”

“I placed you there.” Annabelle said. “Soon after you were ……”

“Yes, and even when you were not there, I stayed on. There was one other matter I need to tell you.” Carmilla looked at Annabelle. “The creature…… the one that Victor was working on. Well, it was not to be …… alive.”

“It was a pleasant surprise to me. I was not expecting ……. Did you have a hand in it?” Annabelle stared at the sister.

“Yes, I did. I was there, and with my spell, I animated it……. Yes, animated it. I brought it alive.” Carmilla sighed. “I was not sure why, but it was done.”

“You broke the rules. It was a sacred spell. We were not to ……” Annabella looked at the other. “Why?”

“I do not know. At one moment, I was with Lauren and then to the lab, and I did it. I do not know why, or what but I did. It was the sacred spell, and I used it. I knew it was not allowed…… but it was done.”

“The spell was reserved for the …….us when we are …… Resurrection was our last resort. It has its ……implications. What did you do?” Annabelle shook her head.

“I gave the ……. Creation a part of me. It became ……. animated and somehow, I could not sense it as I would of any other living creations. Its …… alive and yet not. I know it was still in the woods near the mansion, and no one had discovered it.”

“Why did you bring it up now? Was it Lauren …... is she in any danger?” Annabelle grabbed her sister’s arms.

“No, Lauren …… should be fine. I sensed the return of Victor to the mansion. He is there with his … daughter.”

“My granddaughter? I have one?”

“Yes, you do now. We have been busy defending the mansion and Lauren that we did not sense much of anything else. Yes, you have a granddaughter named Mary Annabelle Frankenstein.” Carmilla smiled. “Her mother is Elizabeth Muriel.”

“No…….” Annabelle cried out. “William Katt….”