Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 15

 15.

 

 “I am weakened.” Annabelle floated back to the mansion. She had been defending the mansion with her shields, but the onslaught of the demons was relentless.

“Stay with me, sister.” Carmilla pulled her sister to the side. “I will hold them back. I have some other enchantments that I could use.”

“Hephaestus, I bid your flame to disperse the demons.” Carmilla held out her arms to the shield that was cracking under the intense barrage of the demons.

“Go povikuvam ognot na Hefest. Zapali go suštestvoto pred mene.” (I call on the fire of Hephaestus. Burn the creature before me.” Carmilla spoke of the spell of yellow fire, and the flame appeared in a narrow circle, and then the flames flared out as streaks of flame that lashed out like a fiery whip on the shields.  The shields, strengthened by the flame, repel the demons.

“It worked, Carmilla.” Annabelle smiled at the other and saw Carmilla had fallen to her knees.

“I am ……. depleted.” Carmilla whispered out. “The spell was strong, and it weakened me.”

“Stay strong, Carmilla. I could work on the shield once more. The flames gave me time.” Annabelle looked at the shields that were then held together by the flames.

“Hold your strength, Annabelle. If we push it too fast, we will be defeated by the demons. We must have Lissa back. Our only hope is her daughter, Lauren.” Carmilla sat there on her haunches. “If only……”

“We cannot make known our predicament towards her. She is not ready.” Annabelle rose to the shields and poured her strength onto them. She knew that the shields would hold for some time, but soon they would collapse to the demon’s attack. They need Lauren then.

Outside of the shields, the demons retreated and then gathered at a distance. They numbered at the count of ten, but one stood out as their leader.

“They are weakened.” The demon leader looked at the others. “That flaming spell will drain their strength.”

“Drained, Tareek? I doubt …….” The demon who challenged found itself slammed to a distance away.

“Challenge me again, Bifor. And it will be your soul damned to Hades.” Tareek the Leader snarled at the demons there. “I represent the leadership of Beelzebub. Fear not me but our master.”

“Bifor is right. We have laid siege here for a decade……” Another demon voiced out. “Before……”

“Bifor is a fool. What is time for us? We hold no regard to the length of time. We are the ……. immortals,” Tareek cut in. “We will bide our time to shatter the shields. How is the other witch?”

“She is fine.” Tareek smiled while his right hand reached for the mark on his forehead. It was a nasty cut by a nastier weapon; the cursed iron arrow with the witches’ spell had burned into the flesh of the demon. When it fell onto the tracks of the horses, being trampled was nothing compared to the pain of the iron arrow.

“Her soul is captured by us. She will not escape.” Tareek looked at the others. “I have imitated her call to reach the daughter. The younger lady is outside the shield, and I can reach out.”

“I also know how to find her.” Tareek looked at Bifor. “Are you with me on this?”

At that moment, Lauren screamed. Her father, who was in the adjacent chamber looking for the stones, rushed to the daughter. He saw her standing there staring at the window.

“What happened?” Rudolf asked her.

“It was Mother. She called for me,” Lauren whispered. “I have to……”

“Soon, my dear. We must find the runes.” Rudolf hugged her. “Your …… sisters said that you are still not done. If you go now, you will be… taken too.”

“We must ……. No, I need to rest. I can do better if I am rested.” Lauren pulled away and looked at the chamber. It was a mess, and much work may be needed to do there.

“We can stay at the tavern in the town.” Rudolf turned to leave. “I will make arrangements. I will let Sven know where to find us.”

“No, we will stay here….” Lauren hesitated. “I can clean the chamber.”

“No, we will stay…….” Rudolf was insistent.

“No, Father. We need to stay here. I need to draw on the power of the runes. I can feel it but needed time.” Lauren looked at the other. “Perhaps, we can stay at the ……. Sven’s place. For a night or two. Please ask him.”

At that moment, Inspector Watson was called away on an urgent matter. He was summoned not by his constables but by the members of his coven. He met the constable across the street from the tavern.

“They just arrived.” Constable O’Toole leaned over to whisper at the Inspector’s ears while standing by the Merry Men’s tavern. The newly arrived came in two broughams, and numbered six of them. There were four men and two ladies, one rather elderly. The coachmen unloaded their belongings. Howard the tavernkeeper stepped out to greet the newly arrived and offered them to step into the tavern. That was the most unusual flow of guests to the tavern in a long time. The last time the tavern was fully occupied was during the euphoria of the creature.

“You ask us to tell you, Warlock.” Constable O’Toole continued to look at the newly arrived. “The……”

“Silence. Proceed on your patrol. I will watch them.” Inspector Watson studied the guests; the elderly lady caught his eyes. He had seen her before but could not place it in his mind. As a warlock, he could sense the aura of the person, but that time he failed.

“I ……” Inspector Watson sighed.

“My guests arrived.” Elizabeth Muriel stood by the Inspector’s left. “I see you are looking at them.”

“Liz…… I was …… Your guests? Who are they?” Inspector Watson continued his glare at the elderly lady who had stepped into the tavern.

“My guests are from the city. They are here to attend the annual gathering of the Society. It will be a huge gathering… the 10th Anniversary, to be exact.”

“Who are they?” Inspector Watson asked.

“My guests. They will be that, and please be respectful. No ……. Witch hunting, please.” Liz smiled and took to approaching the tavern when Inspector Watson stopped her.

“Victor Frankenstein stays there.” Inspector Watson told her.

“Oh…… Most untimely. I will then meet my guests later at the house.” Elizabeth took to her way towards the house.

At the tavern, Howard attended to the guests. Their stay was on the Society’s, and with them staying there, the tavern was fully occupied.

“Where is Mr. Frankenstein’s chamber?” Howard was pushed that question by the elderly lady. “I want the chamber adjacent to it.”

“Well, there is no chamber there. I can give you one after it.” Howard saw the glare from the lady. “Yes, it is. Please have a comfortable stay here.”

“The place holds a smell.” The elderly lady continued her stares at the surrounding. “I cannot place it……”

“The cat died yesterday, and the rats must be back. Do come this way, please.” Howard led the way. The elderly lady took to the stairs and bumped into the other guest there.

“Good day, my lady.” Doctor Helsing stepped to the side to accommodate the lady going up. He stood there letting the other five take it to the next level. He then approached the tavern owner.

“More guests?”

“Yes, they are the guests of the Society.” Howard replied.

“What society?” Doctor Abraham asked.

“The Theology Society, helmed by Ms. Elizabeth Muriel.” Howard smiled. “Are you here for that too?”

“Me? No, I am ……” Doctor Abraham saw the arrival of his sons. “I am waiting on my sons. They are here now.”

“Father, I am to tell you……” Abel stormed in and saw his father. The younger of the twins approached the father, holding the bag that contained his tools.

“Abel was to tell you he missed you.” Kane smiled and stepped towards their father. He looked at the surroundings. “Do we get to rest on the soft mattress here?”

“Absolutely. I find the town……. thriving for an adventure.” Doctor Abraham smiled. “Boys, we are going to need some rest for now. Pies, anyone?”

 

Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 14

 

14.

 

Mary Annabelle Frankenstein pushed the plate and looked at her father. They were seated at the chamber with their table facing the town view.

“Father, I am not hungry.” Mary looked at the other. Her father had not eaten any food but took his drink from the wine bottle he had brought with him.

“Will we get to meet Mother?” Mary asked. “Maybe just see her from……”

“We will meet her. She left you when you were one year old. She may not …… recognize you, but both of you should meet.”

“Why did Mother leave us?” Mary looked at the town from her view. “The town is …… It does not match the cities we were in.”

“Your mother grew here. She loved the town.” Victor smiled. “I was too.”

“Yet, both of you left.” Mary sighed. “I wondered why… but you will not tell.”

“We left because…” Victor paused then. “We left because we needed a new life.”

“And she left us after two years.” Mary sighed. “And she did not take us. Father, tell me of the creature.”

“Creature? Where …… Who …… How did you know?” Victor was stunned by her daughter’s statement.

“I was… there were words then at the Uni’s where you were. They whispered of your… creation. You created a… a creature from the dead. They did not tell me directly, but there were some who told me later. Friends I thought I had then.”

“Mary, I am a scientist… and yes, I did experiments on dead… anatomies, but the creature was a…” Myth that they all hold onto me. I did not create any creatures. It is impossible to relive a dead body.”

“Father, I read your notes.” Mary stared at the man. “I did not understand it, but the words appeared to……”

Victor was shocked. Mary, his child, was blessed at an early age, but she could read more than many others her age. He had kept his notes in the huge case, latched most times, unless he was to access it.

“Ignore what you read. It is all …… failed works.” Victor regretted not destroying the notes. “You may want to rest now. We will talk tomorrow or meet your mother.”

Mary nodded and prepared for bed. Victor remained seated there, and his thoughts were on the past.

Judith.

William.

Ernest.

And finally, Elizabeth. She was full of glee when they left the town, and the days were gay with fun, while he found his first acceptance at the university there in the city. It was all a new life, and with Elizabeth and their child, he thought all was a new life. Upon the birth of Mary, Elizabeth went into a recluse. She would not tell him why but kept herself in the chamber. She even ignored Mary as a mother. He had consulted the medical experts, and they diagnosed it as a post-natal condition. He was advised to move to a new university and did that, but Elizabeth was to recover. Soon, she left them, with a letter stating that she was leaving them.

Victor was to search for her, but Mary came down with an illness that required her to rest. He juggled his work and taking care of the young baby, and it took a year before Mary was able to talk. He kept at his commitments and ignored the whereabouts of Elizabeth. After some years, he heard of her as the chairman of the Theology Society, and despite his letters to her, none was replied to.

His thoughts went back to the creature.

It was never found; it was hunted by many, but all failed. The euphoria soon faded while he was immersed in his works, but the faculties reminded him to share his works. He did not and was soon removed, and he needed to find new Unis. The acceptance by other universities soon depleted, and finally, after a decade of work, he was forced to return to the mansion. He was expecting the place to be in a better state than what he saw that day. He was thankful the mansion structure still stands, and Sven was there. The lab and the generator still stood. He sighed, for he did not visit Henry’s grave. It stirred in him the painful memory.

A part of him urged the notion that the creature was there.

Mary was what she called herself. She looked like a female; the anatomies were mostly female, and yet she was not a gender like the living ones. Henry liked and named her, but he had rejected it. It was still a creation.

“How did ……” Victor was muttering to himself. Till that day, he was unsure what he did. He knew his fixation on electricity; it was a new tool, and many experiments were built around it, but nothing told him it created life for the creature. In 1818, Scottish chemist Andrew Ure held two metallic rods charged by a 270-plate voltaic battery to various nerves and watched in delight. The dead corpse convulsed, writhed, and shuddered in a grotesque dance of death.

That experiment flirted with the concept that electricity could revive life creations. Italian anatomy professor Luigi Galvani and later his nephew, physicist Giovanni Aldini, all tested on these experiments that grew morbid. More came on board the works, including the Galvani’s nephew, physicist Giovanni Aldini.

The experiments were given a new avenue with the Company of Surgeons in England carrying out such tests. In 1751, England passed the Murder Act, which allowed the bodies of executed murderers to be used for experimentation.

“The reasons the Murder Act came about were twofold: there were not enough bodies for anatomists, and it was seen as a further punishment for the murderer. It was considered additional punishment to have your body dissected.”

Further punishment or justice for a life taken? Ironic as Victor’s thoughts flirted. “Yet their works will have the dead once again arise.”

Life was the work of God, involving the living beings and the cohesion of the cells expended by the two genders, and from there, another living being was to be created. That was the proven science.

“Yet…” Victor muttered. He defied God’s work. He had built the creature from the female anatomies; he was of the view that the female may birth a child, so it drove his creation. He had used the anatomies to build the full female body, but the works did not work. He had Silvus give him new parts when others failed. He thought that his creation must be created and not taken from God’s. He could not grow one from the cells; that will take years. He needed a faster creation. 

And the creature was matched up.

When he thought it was a failed experiment, it came…alive.

“Henry, you idiot.” Victor felt that when Henry crossed the boundary from science to social needs.

“I love her.”

“It is not a her. It is a creation of mine.” Victor defended his definition for the creation. The trusted assistant to him was clearly naïve, simple in terms to describe Henry’s character, but loyal. If only he remained at that, but he had to cross the threshold that outlined his social needs upon the creature. It shattered the experiment then.

That was not the only expectation.

Ernest was an unexpected development. The imbecile cripple dabbled into the mystic. Victor knew his mother was into it. He heard the arguments between the parents, but Tata was unable to stop it. However, his mother agreed not to teach the children. Ernest was her favourite, and somehow, he got himself immersed in it. And paid the price. It brought in unwanted attention from the authorities and jeopardized the work on the creation. He recalled the demon that threatened him then at the lab. It was the creation that saved him then.

Demons and witchcraft.

Ernest paid for his life. Judith died from the works of it.

“Bastards!” Victor cursed. “I was one too.”

How could he have fallen for Elizabeth? She was never his; she was William’s girl. His was Judith, but she died, supposedly killed by William. Not to be known by others.

Oh God. I cross the boundary of my own.

He had taken to Elizabeth and took her away till the day she returned here. As he did. He glanced at his; no, it was their daughter. Mary Annabelle Frankenstein was their creation, the way God had set the conditions. He had named her Mary after the creature, a grim reminder of his creation, and Annabelle after his mother. Elizabeth did not offer any names.

Mary?

Somewhere in him, the creature lived in him.

Mary was its name.

Victor was back to restore the mansion, but his main concern was the lab. He knew that creature would return there, and from it, he would resume his work to find the real cause of it living.

 

Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 13

 

13.

 

 Rudolf Spielsdorf looked for his daughter, making his way past the rubbish and what is not in the corridors. She was then seen in the chamber where she rested then.

“Lauren, have you ……” The father asked.

“No, it is not there. I searched everywhere, but it was missing.’ Lauren was in a state of panic. “I am sure I placed it there.”

The chamber was a mess, with the bedding structure damaged and the other furniture all strewn about. The draperies were torn off the railing. Lauren was crouched near the bedding structure.

“I feel ……. Their presences. They were here.” Lauren looked up to her father. “Carmilla said I cannot use my……”

“Say no more, Lauren.” The father reached for the gun on his waist belt. “I will protect you.”

“No, Father. They are not here to harm me. Something else …… is protecting the mansion. I do not know what, but it is ……. The witches could not hurt it.”

“Come to me, child.” Rudolf motioned to his daughter. “We will……”

It was then that Rudolf looked at the lab that was next to the mansion. He felt a presence was there behind the trees, watching him, and yet it was hiding. Lauren approached the father and looked outside.

“Do you see it?’ Rudolf asked.

“I ……. I do not ……” Lauren looked to the father. “What am I to see?”

“Probably nothing.” Rudolf held onto his daughter. He knew he saw something that was from his memory. The creature then before. It was there.

“Father, I need to find the runes.” Lauren insisted. “I have to……”

“Not today, my dear. We will stay the night in the town. Tomorrow, we will resume with the help of … the staff.” Rudolf held his daughter tight. “It was a long ride, and we need to rest.”

At that moment, Sven had taken to his own home at the edge of the forest. He was uneasy with the return of the young master and the so-called restoration of the mansion. He stepped in and placed the rifle above the fireplace. He stood there and looked outside from the window towards the resting place of his raised son, Henry. He found Henry in the forest and adopted him. He also buried the lad.

A fine lad till his untimely death.

“Are you well, Sven?” The old man heard the voice and turned towards it.

“How long have you been here, Inspector Watson?” Sven looked at the figure standing there.

“I just arrived.” The inspector walked towards the dining table in the cottage. “I was passing by and saw the chaise there. A guest, perhaps?”

“Oh, that was an old…… guest. They stopped over to pay their respects to the masters. Will you be staying long?” Sven did not like Inspector.

“Not long. Just passing by.” Inspector Watson smiled. He had a glance towards the grave of Henry seen outside. There was a headstone there bearing the name Henry Ducard. “You tend to the grave well.”

“Graves?” Sven was surprised. The Frankenstein burial site was a distance away, and it was unkempt. Only Henry’s grave was tended to. Maybe it was nearer to Sven’s cottage.

“Your son, Henry.” Inspector Watson motioned to the grave out there.

“Yes, I do. Henry is my son.” Sven nodded. He did not tend to the grave; it was done by someone else. “Are you done, Inspector? I am tired and needed to rest.”

“Yes, I am. I will be seeing you ……. Another day.” Inspector Watson nodded and walked to the door. Sven ignored the man and took the back door to the grave of his son. He stood there and watched the growing lilac flowers there. There were pebbles placed around the grave, giving it a border to the burial site. It was a garden that was well taken care of. He proceeded to look at the glass vase that he placed over the face of Henry. It was an unusual thing for him to do then, but he reckoned Henry would like to look out too if he was buried there. He looked down at the narrow glass vase and looked at his son.

“Henry…” Sven muttered. The expression on Henry’s face was still very much the same as when he was alive. Somehow, something had preserved his flesh there. He was surprised that despite the decade-long period, Henry had not deteriorated much in the flesh.

“Father….” Sven heard the calling.

“You shall stay away……. The Inspector is here.” Sven did not turn to look but continued staring at the vase.

“He left.” The voice said. “I saw him leave. He ……. They cannot see me.”

“How are you, Mary?” Sven asked without looking. “I left a change of clothes for you.”

“I have changed into it. I could tell it was Henry’s. I can feel him on me. I buried the old ones. Do you like the flowers?”

“Yes, it is beautiful.” Sven looked to the flowers there at the grave. “You……”

“Henry is mine. I loved him. He will like it.”

“Mary, you must know. Victor… Your master is back here.” Sven said. “He returned to……”

“Master is back? I am glad. Maybe he ……”

“He is back with his ……. Daughter. I think she is …….”

“Elizabeth’s? I hate her. She will destroy his life.”

“Mary, Elizabeth has left Victor. She returned here eight years ago… alone,” Sven said. “Now, Victor returned with his child.”

“His child? My master has a child. I am glad.”

“Yes, her name is Mary Annabelle… Frankenstein.”

“He named her …… Mary. That is my name. Henry gave me that name.”

“Mary……. You must not see your master. He may …… will be in danger if you do.” Sven sighed. “They will ….”

“I …… I must. Master Frankenstein will….”

“No, Mary. You must not. The …… others will hunt you if you are seen.” Sven turned to look. What he saw was a figure dressed in the shirt with the cropped sleeves and pants from his son, Henry. Mary was her name, and she looked the same when he first saw her. Her hair was still cropped short, and her face was when he saw her then. She was still wearing the same shoes, for Henry had not had extra shoes when he died. He looked at the figure, expressionless, staring back at him.

“Mary, you……”

“Father,” Mary called the man her father, as that was how Henry had called the old man. “I will not wish harm upon my master, but I have some requests to ask of him.”

“What is it … that you want?” Sven sighed.

“I want him to bring back Henry to me.” Mary said. “I am lonely.”

“Henry is dead.” Sven sighed.

“So was I. I was dead, but now… I live.” Mary took a step towards Sven. Despite all the times they met, Mary had stood a distance away.  “I want Henry to live too.”

“Mary… Henry is dead.” Sven’s eyes teared up. “Please do not torment me. He will not live… again.”

“No, Father,” Mary said. “He lies there waiting for me ……. For my master to revive him.”

Sven looked at the grave. He was unable to explain it. When he looked at Henry, it was as if he was sleeping there. He may not be dead after all, but what preserved his body was the confusing part.

“You read to me about the princess that was asleep a long time. Maybe Henry is the same.” Mary looked at the grave. “My master could revive him.”

“Why? Whatever for?” Sven was getting agitated.

“So, we can be together. And maybe have a child. If it is a boy, I will call him Victor. If it is ……”

“Stop! You are ……” Sven bit his tongue from saying on. “Henry is dead. He will remain dead.”

“I must go, Father. I will come back soon.” Mary took off into the forest.

“Heavenly Father, please spare me this moment that I am to relive my nightmares. Let ……bygones be bygones.” Sven fell to his knees and offered prayer.

 

 

 

Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 12

 

12.

 

The elderly Helsing looked out from the window from his table by the corner, smelled the old wooden décor, and saw the drawings of the infamous Robin Hood, although Sherwood Forest was far from there. A wooden sign hung over the bar counter situated to the left of the entrance; “Hail the Merry Me, we all are” was etched on it, along with the tavern keeper’s name, Howard “Merry” Mann.

Doctor Abraham was a man of habit to sit with his back to a firm backdrop like a wall. He also liked the vantage view of the surroundings, and from the window, he has the external view of the street. There were few pedestrians out there on the hot summer day, and they saw the brougham parked there. He turned his attention to the interior there. The place was cooler there and well-lit by the gas lamps. The area where he was seated was converted into a café during the day and a drinking bar in the evening, not necessarily in that order. It housed three round tables and was situated on the ground level of the tavern. There were a few patrons there that afternoon, two of whom were at the bar counter, enjoying the ale there.

“The best pie is here at the Merry Men. It will go well with your cup of tea.” The tavern owner, who had on the apron over his bartending wear, set the plate down then. The man was served with the slice of meat pie strongly recommended by the owner; it was stale in its crust, as noticed by Doctor Abraham.

Doctor Abraham was unreserved on his meal. He was famished from his noon workout; the lady was a contortionist with the vixen appetite, and he had obliged her. He left there holding his walk supported by the walking stick he found at the doorway.

“How was the pie, sir?” Doctor Abraham was interrupted in his thoughts when he set the plate aside and settled for the cup of tea.

“Howard, was it?” Doctor Abraham looked at the tavern keeper and the pie. “Oh, I am still eating it.”

Doctor Abraham smiled. It was then he saw the gentleman walk in towards the bar counter. The gentleman was dressed in the dark three-piece suit and held a top hat.

“Pardon me, Sir. I got a guest checking in.” The tavern keeper strode off to meet the newly arrived gentleman who walked up to the counter.

“Victor Frankenstein.” The gentleman introduces himself. “I believed……”

“Frankenstein … Indeed.” The tavern keeper frowned on his expression. The others at the tables and counter all looked over at the gentleman. That moment then was tense.

“Sir, if my coins are not good for you, I can stay elsewhere.” The gentleman was agitated by the attitude of the other. “I will get my daughter and leave now.”

“None at all, guvnor. The other taverns are all occupied as I was told, but The Merry Men had never turned down any guests. I will even offer my personal chamber if need be. The tavern keeper placed on a weak smile. “I welcome your return, Mr. Frankenstein. Chamber at the top right. Best view of the town.”

“I shall be here a night or two. Have some food sent to my daughter there.” The gentleman turned to go to the stairs when he was faced by a gentleman.

“Pardon me, Mr…. Frankenstein. I am ….” The gentleman held forth his right hand.

“I am not interested in commenting to any local tabloids on my……” Victor ignored the extended hand.

“My apologies, Mr. Frankenstein. I met you two years ago at the Steinbeck Uni’s…” The gentleman put on a smile. “Dr. Abraham Helsing. We ……”

“My apologies, Dr. Helsing. I ……. Did not recognize you.” Victor Frankenstein held out his right hand. “I had just arrived.”

“Da …. I was inconsiderate.” Dr. Helsing smiled. “Perhaps……”

“Let me attend to my daughter, Sir.” Victor turned to leave. He then turned back. “Have the meat pie. I shall be down shortly.”

It was not long before the two gentlemen sat down over the pot of tea and untouched meat pies.

“My apologies again, Dr. Helsing…” Victor looked at the man whom he had met before and spent hours discussing the subjects that involved them.

“None required, Herr Professor.” Doctor Abraham smiled. “You had apologies twice already.”

“Associate Professor, Doctor. I was not given the recognition.” Victor smiled. “I had the honour to be in the faculty that studied……”

“Galvanizing and the resurrection of…” Doctor Abraham stopped in his tone. “We have to be subtle on the subject here.”

“Resurrection, alas, yes.” Victor laughed when he saw the owner eyeing him. “The town is still living with the notion of it, although its local faculties ignored the subject matter.”

“Taboo?” Doctor Abraham picked the word.

“Indeed. As if incest was committed. And they do here in this town.” Victor had his voice raised. He saw then the frowns on the other patrons there.

“Let us move onto our subject matter. You studied under the Uni’s…” Doctor Abraham directed to move the subject matter.

“I was an associate professor at several universities; my ……. words reached them before I was to apply.  Academics discussed …… Grant provided and utilized sooner than expected. I had to move on. The ……”

“Gossip…my venerable term for it. The difference was … their …. Perhaps bickering was to … pioneer the subject after they ditched you.” Doctor Abraham smiled. “Trust me. They are worse than bitches in the marketplace.”

“Obviously, Doctor. Abraham. Our previous discussion persists.” Victor laughed. “I left this town with a heavy burden of suspicion that I was experimenting with the dead. I am a man of science. I do experiments to unravel mysteries, and mine was the reanimation.”

“Oh, pardon me there, Herr Victor.” Doctor Abraham smiled. “In my pursuit of ……. Life studies—I have had fortunate encounters with reanimations.”

“Your articles on that subject were dismissed like the bogeymen in the cupboard.” Victor laughed.

“They do, but not in the cupboard. They could climb out from under the bed. Nocturnal creatures, they were claimed to…….” Doctor Abraham took on a serious tone.

“These so-named creatures were never proven to exist. But metaphysically, they may exist. Or what they claimed was of my doing.” Victor had his voice raised. A few of the patrons there shuffled their seating.

“The realm of …… supernatural intrigued the ……” Doctor Abraham moved the subject matter then. “Were you not to study the works of Luigi Galvani, the experiment with frogs' legs twitching with electric current …… the theory of "animal electricity" in nerves, suggesting life itself was electrical.”

“Yes, among the many others, I was, but all my experiments were inconclusive. I then moved to other subjects, and last was to study abiogenesis; the works of …….”

“The works of Andrew Crosse; poof… the rabbit from the hat. Was it life created using electricity, though viewed as dangerous blasphemy by the clerics?” Doctor Abraham smiled. “If it was a serpent from the hat, then the works of the magician will ……. Exorcised.”

Both men laughed.

“Was it theatrics or science? But what Crosse did was ……” Doctor Abraham was cut off in his words. “Promethean Spark?”

“Promethean Spark? It was not that we discussed. Galvanizing was what we were discussing then two years ago.” Victor moved the subject. “It was inconclusive. Why are you here, Doctor Abraham?”

Victor looked at the other. It was a sharp question aimed at the other.

“I was invited to speak on metaphysics in the philosophical approach. Perhaps the analogy that examines the basic structure of reality. Well, to some of us, we questioned the approach towards it.”

“The demented mind thinks otherwise,” Victor added. “Or are we the sane, the demented ones?”

“Call it opening the mind or rather the study of mind-independent features of understanding the world, but some will say it is an inquiry into the conceptual framework of human understanding.” Doctor Abraham smiled. “Sigmund Freud may …… Pardon me, I am no psychoanalyst. I will profess to support Aristotle, though, bless his mind, who designated metaphysics as the first in philosophy to suggest that it is more fundamental than other forms of philosophical inquiry.”

“You mean more bullshit.” Victor cut in.

“In my line of studies, I am theatrically saying …. May I use that term, the "self" or "soul"? Perhaps a detectable spark, a metaphysical idea that challenged traditional views by suggesting consciousness could be physically generated or restored. If embedding galvanism may breathe life into the inanimate, maybe the ……”

“You are driving your philosophy into my works, which claimed then from the gossips that it was my work on the creature.” Victor leaned towards the other. “Did they also say that witches were here then? In your line of studies, witches do exist. I suggest you work on those assumptions too, or you may be wasting your time here, Doctor. I must be returning to my daughter.”

Victor got up from the seat. Dr. Abraham watched the man take to the stairs. He then looked to the tavern keeper.

“A chamber for me, please. I can pay.”

“Another lunatic? My dead wife always says, “Never turn down a paying guest, even a lunatic.” The tavern keeper said. “Even you will find it with a cupboard without doors. The last lunatic broke it down, saying the devil was hiding there.”

“Devilish, I can sleep in there.” Doctor Abraham smiled. “Metaphysical terms.”

Howard the tavern keeper swore under his breath with his eyes watching the newly registered guest take to the stairs. He saw the unfinished pies left there on the table.

“Martha Sally, my dear. I must replace the meat pies soon. Your recipe is downright unappealing.” Howard turned his attention to his washing of the beer goblets.

“Slow day, Howie?” The tavern keeper turned to look at who asked.

“Another day of another week, Inspector.” The tavern keeper took out a goblet for the officer. “When did you arrive?”

“A while ago.” Inspector Watson sat himself at the bar counter. As a warlock, he could move without being seen. “I can see you have two guests today.”

“There are many travellers of late. I heard the Peregrine and Lafayette; used to be the Frenchie that stayed there, but of late, taken up all the chambers. Must be the weather or we are good for a stopover.”

“Still peddling the pies? I ……” Inspector Watson moved the subject when he saw the leftover.

“It is Martha’s recipe. God bless her soul.” Howard muttered a prayer for his departed lover. “Well, the meat there was not tantalizing. The cat was scrawny at best. Someone knifed her two nights ago.”

“Cats? Pardon me, but I disliked them. Give me a hound any day.” The Inspector smiled. He knew that Martha took in the kitten some years back when she was still the bubbly kitchen cook. She kept the cat as it was to deter ghostly apparitions, and the Inspector disliked the cat when it hissed at him. Cats were to be the companions of the covens, but that cat disliked the Inspector.

“Do tell on the new guests?” Inspector Watson wasted no time.

“One is named Helsing, Doctor Abraham Helsing from …. He did not tell. The other is ……”

“Frankenstein. I remember the face… any day.” The inspector looked at the stairs leading to the next level. He knew the coven was on the lookout for them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 11

 

11.

 

Victor took to the rear of the mansion and saw the unkempt garden. He was not keen on that and took his walk to his sanctuary. He saw the building that was once his lab, the workplace of his when he experimented with the creation of life. He saw next to it the power generator building, the lifeline of his works. He took the slow stroll towards the lab.

“I kept guard on it.” Sven held his rifle cradled in his arms like that of a ground keeper, following behind the young master, voiced. “I guarded the generator and lab very carefully.”

Victor saw the barred windows, and the main door to the lab was barricaded. Huge pots were placed outside to deter the breaking down of the door. Some of the pots were broken there.

“I had the pots moved there. Huge ones, but the rascals still tried to break in. I had dogs posted there, but the rascals were merciless. They killed the dog.”

Victor remembered the dog that he brought back from the Uni’s. The dog had patrolled the mansion grounds, chasing or scaring off any intruders. He had experimented on the dog, using the work of Luigi Galvani, an Italian physician and physicist who investigated the nature and effects of what he conceived to be electricity in animal tissue.

It did not work, and the animal died.

Henry was displeased, and they placed the dead animal into the furnace at the lab. It was to serve that purpose of removing the dead experiments. It was one of his many failed experiments.

“Sven helped me move the pots.” Victor reached for the nearby pot.

“No need, young master. I have another doorway build.” Sven took him to the rear, and by the side of the generator building, he moved the bushes to reveal the waist-high doorway. It was latched with a heavy lock.

“We can go in from here.” Sven unlocked the door. Victor crouched down and went in. The first thing that caught his attention was the stench there, and later it was the silence at the lab. Without the generator operating, the lab looked abandoned with dust accumulated on the shelves and cabinets. The metal cases were pried open, and the contents were pillaged. The cabinet that pinned Ernest was still where it was last lifted aside to get the body out. The blood stains were dried there. The blood stains on the wall where Maple was staked on remained there.

“I left everything as it was then.” Sven looked at the cold chamber. The door was closed there.

“The authorities removed some items from here, and the generator was dismantled for parts for the Uni’s, but there were some break-ins too, but there was nothing left of value here. They were like scavengers.”

‘Not contented with the scavenging, they even started a fire there.” Sven pointed to the corner. Victor saw the burnt marks there. “It was a small fire, and no …… equipment was damaged. I managed to put out the fire.”

Sven had lied. It was not him who put out the fire but Mary, the creature that Victor created then. The creature feared the fire, but it took courage to put it out. It then killed the two boys who did the fire and took the bodies to the woods. The missing boys were never found by the authorities.

Mary had told Sven about the fire when it returned to Sven for a change of clothes.

“What did you do to the boys?” Sven asked when he treated the burnt marks. It was never said.

Victor opened the door to the cold chamber. He reeled backwards from the stench. With the power off, the chamber was removed of its content; it still held the stench of dead tissues. Sven helped to close back the door.

“It was unopened for years. I had no reason to open it.”

“Did you see the creature… again?” Victor asked. He was curious about the creature. It used to shelter there at the cold chamber.

“Creature? No…… I have not.” Sven lied again. He then moved to shift the subject matter. “I did see Ms. Muriel in the town. She came back some years ago.”

“Did you search for the creature?” Victor ignored the news of Elizabeth.

“No. The authorities spent some weeks on it, but I was ……. Not informed if they found it.” Sven looked at the young master. “I was not to get involved. I have just then buried Henry.”

“Please get someone to restore …… No, I just changed my mind. Just… just clean the mansion and lab. I will see to the generator myself. We will then sell the estate.  I will have the money sent to you for the cleanup. I will be in town for a while. I will stay at the Merry Men tavern.” Victor told the caretaker.

“As for you, Sven. I will……. That part of the land where your home is will be given to you.”

“Master Frankenstein, I have no need for the land. I am old and may soon move on.” Sven looked to the young master. “This is your home, Master Frankenstein. You should preserve it.”

“I…… I will do what is needed.” Victor then stepped out and walked to the main gate. The carriage was not there yet, but he saw then the approaching chaise. He recognized the driver of the chaise.

“Good day, Mr. Spielsdorf. Are you visiting?”

Their last meeting was uneventful, for the older man had helped him then. He then recalled himself taking Maple’s legs for Ernest, but his brother died. Was he becoming mad then? Victor never got the answer he wanted.

“No, Master Frankenstein. Are you back for good?” Rudolf interrupted the heir of Frankenstein.

“It looked ……” Rudolf shifted his look to the mansion.

“Pardon me, I just arrived today. I came back to collect some items.” Victor said. “Are you……”

“No, I am … I was passing by. This is Lauren. She stayed here before.” Rudolf was to introduce his daughter.

“Hello, Lauren. I am Victor Frankenstein. I believed we met before.” The lady just stared at him. She was unsure of how to address him. During her stay there, she was never met by the Frankenstein’s sons. She was their father’s guest but not theirs. She recalled the events that happened there, told to her by her father soon after they left the mansion. Her father had felt remorse for what happened to the senior officer, the Общий, and his family.

“Please excuse her. She is unused to strangers.” Rudolf spoke on behalf of the lady. “Since we are here, may I collect some personal items too from the mansion? I seem to have left some items behind.”

“Personal items? Yes, please do. I am unsure if anything of value is there. The place has been pillaged by many.” Victor turned to look at the mansion.

“In the same specifics as the gravedigger.” Rudolf smiled. He was unsure why he referenced that term.

“Pretty much, Sir.” Victor smiled. “Feel free to dig.”

“Ah, my carriage arrived.” Victor saw the approaching ride of his. “Good day to you, Sir. And to you, my young lady.”

“I forgot to mention. Sven is still here. Do give him the heads up before you go in.” Victor said before he climbed into the carriage. Rudolf looked at the departing carriage and did not notice his daughter had disembarked from the chaise. She was seen running into the mansion.

“Gracious me.” Rudolf dismounted and walked towards the mansion. He was distracted by the lab there. He stared at it. The place begins to invoke memories in him. Then he heard the scream.

“Lauren…” Rudolf took to running towards the mansion. He rushed in and saw Lauren standing there facing an armed man.

“Sven, it is me. Rudolf.” The elder man called out. “Put down the rifle. That is my daughter, Lauren.”

“Опусти оружие (Lower the weapon),” Rudolf spoke in Russian.

Sven lowered the rifle and turned towards the man. He recognized the officer. He was attired in the dark suit, loose shirt, and jacket with the matching pants. The boots were the giveaway of his identity. Officers issued; tall, black leather jackboots known as sapogi. These boots were designed for durability, featuring sturdy leather soles. It was polished well.

“Is she Lauren? The one I saved then.”

“Yes, Sven. We just… arrived.”

“Are you here to stay?” Sven asked. “Young Master Victor was just here.”

“We met outside at the gate.” Rudolf reached towards Lauren. “Come here, girl.”

“How are you, Sir?” Sven looked from the officer to the lady. “The mansion is …… The Общий will be displeased.”

“Run down? I can see that.” Rudolf smiled weakly. “Young Victor told me so. There are events that we cannot control. We will leave once we get the items needed.”

“Please let Lauren get her items.” Rudolf looked at the caretaker. The lady sprinted off to the level above.

“Please tell me, how did you fare?” Rudolf asked, but his eyes were focused on the lady up the stairs.

“Nothing unusual.” Sven was careful with his words. “Since the authorities wrapped up the investigation. Master Victor left soon after, and I locked up the mansion. The news went out.”

“News?” Rudolf asked.

“We were a smaller town then. The others came—all rascals with their notion that a monster exists here. They harassed me and intruded on the grounds. I am alone, but I tried to cover all the grounds.”

“Sven, did you not report to the authorities?” Rudolf asked.

“I did.” Sven nodded. “But they were not able to assist much.”

What Sven did not mention then was the Theology Society was all action on focusing towards the decadence in society, citing that abnormal practices were there. It prompted many from outside the town to converge there. The death of Anne Muriel was speculated to be the work of the devil. They came from all walks of life, and when the rumours died down, they left.

Some stayed on.

 

Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 10

 

10.

 

Rudolf did not approve of the brothers escorting them, but Lauren was insistent on that. He looked at his daughter and sighed. Obviously, she needed the company of the lads, while her last years were spent imprisoned at the mansion with only ghostly apparitions for company.

And of course, an old man who was her father.

Kane had convinced the elderly man of having extra protection.

“Sir, an extra …. Or two guards will give you that comfort.” Kane explained. “Abel and I… well, we are familiar with the demons.”

“Sir,” Abel cut in. “We are on the same route as you.”

“I did not state my direction to you.” Rudolf was not keen on having the lads with him. Lauren had tugged at the father’s right sleeve, but the elderly man ignored her.

“Sir, we are in the same direction as yourself. You were riding west, and so were we. I assumed you were going west.” Kane said, “Once you reach sight of yours, we will part ways.”

The discussion went between them, and finally Rudolf agreed. They took on the journey the next day, and Abel was told to follow at the rear, which he protested, but Kane made the call. There was no demon met on the ongoing journey, and Lauren was always leaning backwards to look at Abel.

“Father, why does Kane keep on telling his brother to do the tasks?”

“Well,” Rudolf looked at the riding lads ahead of the chaise. “Kane is the… elder, and naturally, he commands his brother.”

“You did that when you were in the army.” Lauren looked at the lads. “But some of them were older than you.”

“I was a senior officer. I held the rank that made me their superior officer, and they respected me.” Rudolf said. He had recalled those days when hundreds saluted him. It was the rank that marked the seniority.

“If only I had the brothers or sisters to instruct… or be told by them.” Lauren sighed. “I am all alone.”

“I am here. I am your father, and you must listen to me.” Rudolf looked towards her.

“Well, you are not my brother.” Lauren looked to the rear at Abel. “If you were my younger brother, I would not tell you how to do things.”

Rudolf looked on ahead. He knew what it was like when he was her age. It was all about meeting the other genders and having fun. Funny, he said to himself. Then at that age, it was all about getting the girls into the barn or the woods for the kisses and touches, but with Lauren at his side, he was all about judging what was right and wrong for her.

“I guess it is all about getting older.” Rudolf muttered to himself. He then saw the path that leads to the Frankenstein’s mansion before the creek. They took the turn and were approaching the creek where they had the last incident. He reached for the crossbow and made sure the iron peg was notched. The horse pulled at the reins, and Rudolf held taut at it.

“It is fine, my dear. We will ride through.” Rudolf reassured the horse and kept their direction on the path.

“Father, the creek,” Lauren called out.

“It is, but we are safe now.” Rudolf focused on the ride ahead. He spurred the horse to gallop on.

“Is that a man I saw there?” Lauren suddenly called out. “It was behind the tree.”

“Ignore it, Lauren,” Rudolf said. He was taken aback by his reference then. If Lauren said she saw a man, then his reply was to be him, but he said it. He had heard the rumours of the undead creature that roamed the woods. It was on the lips of the town dwellers and the woodsmen. He had dismissed it all as a fairy tale, and with his own encounters with the witches, he was not keen to be indulged in it.

“It may be a woodsman or hunter. They roam the woods for their works,” Rudolf added. “Please sit back and let us focus on the task ahead.”

It was then Abel rode towards Kane.

“I may be mistaken, but I think I saw someone in the woods. He is, I think, behind the trees.” Abel told his brother. “Shall I check?”

“No need. It may be a woodsman. Surely, you do not assume it was some forest nymphs there. They do congregate at the creek or streams.” Kane smiled.

“Hush your lewd thoughts, Kane. I am ……” Abel looked towards Lauren. “She could hear us.”

“Lauren? I doubt so.” Kane laughed. “The last nymph you met also made meat out of your heart.” Kane continued laughing.

“She is not one. I meant Lauren.” Abel snapped at his brother. “Anyway, I am going to check out that creek.”

Abel turned his horse to ride to the creek when Lauren called out to him.

“Do not go. I saw the …… woodsman. He is collecting… woods there.” Lauren told Abel. “Let us move on.”

“As you commanded, my lady.” Abel nodded to the lady and rode to the rear of the chaise.

“He addressed me as … a lady.” Lauren blushed. “I……”

“You are a lady now,” Rudolf said. He knew his daughter had grown to be a lovely lady.

Abel took to the rear, but curiosity got the better of him. He turned his horse and rode towards the creek. The natural, narrow stream fed water from the hills with its flow, characterized by the clear water, with the pebbled beds. The cool water has the small fishes there, with banks lined with vegetation like trees and wild plants; it gave the creek a tranquil, scenic environment for wildlife and reflection.

Abel led his horse to the stream and then dismounted. He squats next to the horse and washes his weary face with the water. He felt refreshed and then stood up. He looked across the stream and saw the figure there.

It was a lady, and yet she was un-ladylike.

Ugly may be the term to describe the lady.

The facial expression was a lady, but she was dressed in the men’s shirt and pants that reached below her knees and wore the worn-out boots. Her arms were not covered below the elbow, and there were scars on them.

She was not a nymph by the looks.

A witch, but they are, well, better looking or truly haggard.

“Who are you?” Abel asked.

The figure turned and ran into the woods. Abel was unsure of whether to pursue or remain there. He saw the figure disappear among the trees. He then heard his name called.

“What are you doing here?” It was Kane who rode towards Abel. “You’ve been missing for over an hour.”

“An hour? It cannot be. I just arrived here.” Abel looked at the trees. “I saw someone there. It was a lady. She ran just now.”

“Enough of your fantasy, Abel. The father and daughter have taken on their own route at the turning ahead. We are to meet Father on our own route. The town should be ahead.”

“Kane, I saw a lady there.” Abel wanted to explain himself. “She was alone.”

“Enough, Abel. You seem to me as though you were bewitched by …… the nymphs here.”

“There is no nymph here!” Abel said. “I saw……”

“We need to ride on.” Kane pulled his horse from the stream. “Did you drink from there?”

“Yes, I did.” Abel looked at Kane. “Surely you do not ……”

“Yes, you were bewitched. They could have placed a spell on the water, and you were intoxicated by it. You should know of this by now.”

“Do not taunt me, Kane. I was very much in my own state. I saw that I did, and it was not any nymph.” Abel argued back. “Let us ride. I will speak to Father on this.”

Further up ahead on the path after the turning, Rudolf let the horse take its own pace while he looked at the familiar surroundings. He had walked the grounds there many years ago.

“Father, why did Kane ride off?”

“Well, we are to take different paths. He was to go to the town, but Abel was missing. So, he backtracked to find his brother.”

“Abel missing? I did not…….”

“No, Lauren. You were looking at the woods. It looked familiar to you.” Rudolf changed the subject matter.

“No, Father. When I was here, I hardly looked out. I was too frail.” Lauren sighed. “If it was not for……”

“Your aunt, …… Carmilla was ……. helpful,” Rudolf said. He was reluctant to talk about that period. When he first heard of Carmilla, he was concerned about Lauren. The events slowly unfolded with Frankenstein, and then the battle with Dracula.

“We shall be there.” Rudolf sighed. He was still wondering why he even took the trip with Lauren. All he wanted was the recovery for Lauren, and he ended up losing her to the coven, of which his lover, Lissa, was one of its sisters. He had tried to protect Lauren, but it was all destined.

Lauren was to be a witch.

The supreme one with the power of three; Carmilla said it.

But she was not there yet. Ten years have lapsed, and her adaptation to the power was incomplete.

Rudolf knew that she could not protect herself until the power was in her. Or should he let her be one. Lissa was a witch against his wishes, and he lost her early. He looked at his own hands; the wrinkles were more prevalent there then. Ever since he left the mansion, his skin and body seemed to have aged. He was protected in the mansion then.

“We must hurry, Lauren. Find the runes, and then we will leave.”