Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 40

 

40                Whatever means needed 

 

Mary Reid stood at the window looking outside, with her nude body she presented quite a view to any who may look up at the window on the third level. She was not entirely nude; she had on the shirt worn by Jon Roxton. It was the scent of the sweat that attracted her to it.

Mary saw the man who sneaked onto the coach and left something on the bottom of it at the rear on the street. She had seen the works of it during the war when a more needed message was to be delivered. She saw the man retreated, and knew she not much time. She turned to her discarded clothes, and found her gun belt. She grabbed the gun there, and cocked the trigger.

“Wow! Did I do a bad task? I am sore from it.” Jon was lying on the bedding with the cover discreetly covering his groin.

Mary ignored him and approached the window. She aimed the gun at the coach. She needed the fast action there. She fired and saw the bullet impacted on the street. It was the noise that caused the horse pulling the coach bolted off.

The horse neighed and then pulled the away. The driver was thrown off by the horse’s action, and the occupants inside the coach was startled.

“Whoo!” Mycroft almost fell off the seating, while Doctor Watson was lying on the side.

“The horse has bolted from the noise of the shot!” Holmes called out. “Driver!”

There was no response form the driver. Holmes looked out and saw their coach was without a driver. The runaway coach slammed into some carts on the side, but maintained it speed approaching the end of the street.

At the end of it was the junction and before it was the park.

“Jump!” Holmes was the first to open the coach door and did just that. Mycroft followed on and Doctor Watson hesitated when he felt the coach was lifted, he did the same.

The coach lifted onto its wheels when the horse swerved to the left to proceed on but the coach had slammed into the fence at the park. It went down sideways and dragged the horse along with it.

The three passengers had landed on the street; bruised but alive.

“By George, we are alive.” Mycroft exclaimed. “What the ……”

It was then the noise of an explosion sounded from the spot where the coach was earlier parked.

“Is that an explosion? What has happened to the city nowadays?” Mycroft looked down the street. “It used to peaceful.”

“It is an explosion.” Doctor Watson said. He was used to that noise from his days in the military when the shells from the three-inch guns exploded on the ground. “Whoever bolted the horse saved our bacons.”

“Apparently.” Holmes had pushed himself. “It is obvious the works of a military person.”

“It cannot be.” Mycroft was on his feet and rubbed his back. “I have no enemy capable of that here. Unless the Boers are in the city.”

“Mycroft, the Boers are down south past the sea. I doubt they will explode your butt here.” Doctor Watson said  to the other. “Bloody oaf!”

“Watson, you are crossing the line there.” Mycroft took offence to the swearing.

“Settle down, men. It is not every other week, we get exploded, but let us check on our guest first.”

Colonel Moran saw the failed attempt from across the street, two buildings from the brothel. He was disappointed at that. He had wanted to eradicate the threat to Mary Reid; she was the niece to the Doctor. It was a wild decision of his, but felt the explosion would have damaged the coach and hurt the occupant but the explosive was on the street. If he had intended to kill them, Tommy would have left the bomb in the rear of the coach.

“Sorry, Sire. I did as what you told me.” Tommy Hill was a explosive expert who had laid the three sticks of dynamites with the lighted wick there.

“You done right, Tommy. Someone caused the horse to bolt. Nevertheless, the message was conveyed.” Colonel Moran stepped away from the window.

“Maintain surveillance on the lady.”

“Aye, Sir.” Tommy stepped away.

The Colonel saw the lady and her man companion stepped out to the street joining the gathered there. The lady was dressed in the oversized shirt and donned a pair of pants with the boots. She held the long coat over the right arm, concealing the gun there. The man was shirtless but wore his pants and boots.

“What an explosion.” Jon commented. “Do you know who did it?”

“Young man! What do you take us here for? The jungle?” The prudish older lady with the umbrella glared at Jon. “Get a shirt on for Pete’s sake.”

“Il peut avoir le mien à tout moment. » (Translated from French; He can have mine any time.) The lady nearby commented.

“Let us move on, George.” The older lady pulled her companion by the sleeve of his coat.

The companion who was an older gentleman was gaping at the ladies who were gathered there. It was not every other moment he gets to watch so many ladies covered in only camisoles. He wished he was still in his teens then.

“Stop looking or I will gorge your eyes out.” The lady forcefully pulled Geroge away.

“I cannot say George was distracted.” Mycroft had reached the spot then. Holmes ignored his brother and examined the blast area. He picked up some of the debris there.

“Part of the blasting cap, and clay.” Holmes looked at the collected bits. “It was a dynamite.”

“Nasty way of sending anyone to the other side.” Doctor Watson said. He had seen the effects of the explosion at the Frontiers. The lucky ones are the dead ones, while maimed may return to Blighty without part of their limbs. It was a sad wound to have when you are getting older.

“Interesting.” Holmes was into his thoughts. “It is unlike the works of Professor Moriarty; killing is within his expertise but to do it in this manner is beyond him unless his had become more vicious.”

“Holmes, Colonel Moran was in the military, and we used explosives there.” Doctor Watson reminded Holmes.

“A possibility….” Holmes frowned on his expression. He saw then the arrival of Mary Reid and Jon Roxton.

“Mary.” Mycroft was the first to greet them. He held the pained expression when he saw the shirt on the lady.

“Jon!” Doctor Watson smiled at the man. “When did you returned? And what happened to your shirt?”

“Elementary, Watson.” Mycroft borrowed the expression from his brother towards the doctor.

“We shall meet inside.” Holmes motioned to Mary. “It may be safer.”

Holmes was looking at the windows for any protruding barrel.

At that moment, Colonel Moran took his leave of the unit and exited by the rear to the awaiting coach. He was given the message to meet Lord Dennis. He was to leave when the other message arrived.

“Holmes with the lady.”  

 

 

Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 39

 

39                Bloody Choices Count

 

Vlad crouched into a ball like behind the divan to protect himself from the sunlight. It was his weakness then.

‘Every curse comes with a deadlier curse to it.” The old lady told him. “One that will inflict more pain to you.”

It was when Count Vlad attacked Ottoman territory, massacring tens of thousands of Turks and Muslim Bulgarians. Sultan Mehmed launched a campaign against Wallachia to replace Vlad with Vlad's younger brother, Radu. Vlad attempted to capture the sultan but failed. Worried for his safety, the advisers convinced the ruler to leave Wallachia. When the local Wallachian army saw the Sultan departure, they deserted to Radu.

It was a loss situation for Vlad, and he went to Transylvania to seek assistance from the King of Hungary but was imprisoned instead. There he met the gypsies who were to share his cell.

“I vow to fight for your people, and a land for yours to keep.” Count Vlad told the inmates of his cell.

“We harbour no land, Count, but the safe passage on your land. We do not encroach onto settlements and villages, but will take our stay at the fringe for trade. We do not steal but offer a fair bargain for our wares. All we ask is no persecution of us there. We are travellers of the land, and shall remain so.” The leader of the group spoke on their behalf.

“The nobleman perceived as rascals and reported us to the King. We pleaded out case, but the noble man held influence. He forgotten his ancestors were once like us; they were named Magyars; nomadic tribes like us.”

“I will give you the passage.” Count Vlad affirmed his intention. He then reeled from the pain on his chest. The leader called upon the healer to attend to him. The healer checked the Count’s vitals and then spoke.

“You suffered much and your injuries are internal. You may cease to breathe soon.” The healer was an old lady dressed in rags and held many vials on belts on her frame.

“I must think of a cure for you. Either you can wait for die waiting.” That was the healer’s words towards the Count. There were bouts of pain for the Count, and finally the healer spoke.

“I may hold a cure for you but it is with a price to you. A costly price but the reward of it is immortality.” The healer told him.

“Healer, immortality is craved by all since the start of the living, but it remains a fallacy to all. We will live to the time we have to die. I am to do so with my injuries.”

“True, Count. Immortality eludes us except our memories to the ones who may choose to tell it or lose it forever.” The healer smiled displaying the missing tooths. “But immortality allows you the extra time to kill your enemies or their generations to die too, would it be worthy of yourself. And the injuries healed.”

Count Vlad was baffled. He was given the choice of a new life. He nodded to the healer.

“A cure that is a curse within another.” The healer looked at him. “Does blood distaste in you?”

“Blood? I am a warrior. I have killed many others, and while their blood may have not stopped flowing, another would had been killed by me.” Count Vlad hardened by his early years as a hostage of the Turks, was punished hard with sessions of cuts and blows that left his body bloodied.

“And you have impaled the enemies and hold their blood in the pots below.” The healer reminded the Count.

“Blood is the elixir of life. It held the nutrients of every living creature. It is the same shade and flows throughout their body. A predator kills its prey by severing the flow of the blood. It will feed on the parts that held the blood.” The healer points to the bats that hung by the ceiling with their fangs hooked on the narrow crevasses.

“The night creature is one that does not kill but takes what is needed to survive. They fed on the preys’ blood. It gives them nutrients.”

“Bats? I …...” Count Vlad looked at the hanging creatures that will hunt at night.

“I do not eat them.”

“Eat? I did not say eat, Count Vlad. I was to say prey like them. Can you drink blood?” It was the curse he had to carry to cure his injuries and made him a monster.

“Master, are you alright?” Rosa appeared at his sight. She was dressed in the plain frock and without shoes. “Your wounds are healing. Here, please do take into my blood.”

Rosa offered her right wrist to the Count. She had offered him before but on many occasions, the Count had declined. He knew the lady understood his sufferings but she suffered from the captors. They have her ravished before his eyes. Monsters they were and Rosa fought hard. She was beaten with sticks and tortured but she never gave up on her master. Her churi knives were confiscated.

“I am fine, Rosa. You need to rest.” Count Vlad looked away. His urge was there but he saw the pin in Rosa.

“You must feed, Master. If you are not well, you cannot avenge for me.” Rosa had tears on her eyes. “I am your servant.”

“I will not die until I avenge your pains, Rosa.” Count Vlad looked to the heavy chains on his limbs. “I will break free soon and they will suffer for it.”

“How is the doctor?” Count Vlad asked.

“I have seen twice. He is chained like you but heavier chains than yours. He is alive.”

“Hyde or Jekyll?” The Count asked.

“Both.” Rosa said. “He is in pain when he sees me. He became the other but the chains are too thick for him to breakthrough. They also got the other monsters to fight him. He is in pain.”

Count Vlad tears flowed from his eyes. He could feel the pain then. The door to the room opened and a figure came in.

“Hello, Vlad.” The voice spoke to the Count.

“Radu, you animal.”

“Emotions, brother.” The newly arrived approached the Count. He was holding the cloak on his arms. “I am here to see you. Leave us, servant.”

“She stays with me, Radu. Why are you here?” Count Vlad looked to his brother. “I saw you before and never once you help me. Or Rosa.”

“We met and I cannot help you. If you must know now, I am the leader here. I own the Syndicate.” Radu the brother of Vlad said. “I am known to them as the Professor. To you, I am Radu Tepes. Thank you for saving my life.”

Radu was held hostage with Vlad at young but he remained there at the Sultan’s court. After the Sultan first defeat of Vlad, the Sultan opted to reward Radu's ongoing loyalty by setting him on the throne of Wallachia in Vlad's place. He was also later made the head of the Janissary. The war against his brother, Vlad was still on. When the forces of the Sultan approached Târgoviște, they encountered over 20,000 of their kind impaled by the forces of Vlad III, creating a "forest" of dead or dying bodies on stakes. This atrocious, gut-wrenching sight was too much even for them to bear therefore they had to retreat to regroup.

“It was my strategy to deter the bigger army of the Sultan.” Vlad had defended the killings. “It worked then.”

“It did and your infamous night attack on the Sultan’s army was the deciding factor in the war.” Radu told his brother. “But it drove the boyars to side with me. And the earlier enemy, the Saxons resented you. You were deemed a monster.”

“You pursued me far and long, Radu.” Count Vlad eventually was chased out of the land by Radu. “Yet….”

“Yet, you saved my life when I was fatally wounded. You gave me your blood when I was dying.” Radu looked at the other. He was wounded fatally, and Count Vlad came to his rescue. Soon after that, Count Vlad went into hiding and soon retired to the valley, while his enemy thought he was dead.

“Your tarnished blood that soon made immortal but with the curse.” Radu lived on and one day was declared dead, but he went also went into hiding. “Bound by blood, we are brothers and also as the monsters.”

“You cursed me, brother. I had to stay away like you did, but I took my time to build another empire called the Syndicate. It took a long time, and with careful planning, I avoided the authorities and our enemies. Thanks to you, and your blood, I will restore our kingdom.”

Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 38

 

38                More needed 

 

Mary Reid was not complaining of her accommodation; the bed was plush and the covers were of fine cotton. The bed even held the four bed posts; Mary had some fancy thoughts then, but she bit her lips then. If was not that she disliked the thoughts but her wild imagination gave her lucid images of the actions that may had taken there. It was too detailed in her mind.

“I am sure Loretta will cringe my thoughts.” Mary smiled on her face. She knew Loretta who was from Missouri and was a Rebel spy during the war. They had met the infamous Belle Boyd, but they worked on their own missions.

Loretta trained Mary in the arts of espionage and where to shoot at a man. Most times, Mary knew that; “they do not have many hangings parts I can think of.”

“They grabbed you from the front, and you take them off at the lower front too.:” Loretta told her then.

Mary had not seen Wayne since she arrived, but for her own safety, the Madame told her to remain hidden in the room.

“There are many clients of mine that will come in any time of the day or night; just ignore the noise while we will serve your meals in the room. The bucket will be cleared daily by the housekeeper. She will also scent your room with …. What was that you used, Sue? Lilac? Yes, she will do that.”

Mary had stayed there for two days, and nights, with her idle time perusing the cupboard there. It does hold an assortment of exotic items, from the whips to the paddles, and the tight corsets with the knee-high boots. There were also the face masks; some were in dark shades, and some were flashy designs. The most interesting items were the literature there. Mary had read “The Memoirs of Dolly Morton” in one long read, which left her embarrassed and at certain moments having wild fantasies. She thought she had known it all from the farm, and the travels but it was only at the fringe of her imagination. She had read on another book; The Phoenix of Sodom, written by Robert Holloway; admittedly she closed the book several times, but her curiosity got her going back.

“Darn, its dawn.” Mary had cursed at the sunlight that seeped through the drawn curtains. “Now I know why Tweedledamn was not in the book. It will be a riot then.”

On the evening of the second day, she was visited by her protector, Colonel Moran. “Missy, I know you are probably uncomfortable here, but it is a safe place. Most of the ladies are ours and some of them are trained in firearms and self-defences.”

The Colonel had arrived after supper. “I got men posted outside to give additional cover.”

“Any news on who attacked me? And where is my uncle?”

“We know that the ones who attacked you were from the Syndicate. They are a rival gang of ours. Why are they doing it is still being investigated?” The Colonel explained.

“As for the Doctor, he was advised and had not advise us of his return as yet.”

“I have no idea who is the Syndicate?” Mary shook her head. “I have since my visit here, some friends and …. there was Sherlock Holmes.”

“Holmes? When did you meet him?” “A few days ago, and we spoke of the murders……He thinks I am from the prints.”

“Unlikely, Sherlock Holmes will have checked your background. I need to check if he is in any involvement in the shootout. Please stay here for the time.”

“I am fine with that. I have been reading.” Mary looked away.

The Colonel left the lady there, and proceeded to the Adventurers’ Club. He met Jon Roxton there.

“We had to turn back due to the weather there. The rain brought the floods there and the expedition was called off.” Jon was there to take a drink and looked for other expeditions to take part. And, the whereabout of Mary Reid. Jon was told to find Colonel Moran if she was not around.

“I was at Mary’s unit and saw it sealed off. I was told there was a gunfight. Here in the city? I told them unlikely. The coppers here do not even carry guns.”

“Yes, there was a gunfight. She was not there. She is in a safe house.” Colonel Moran said. “She saw me and took her to a friend’s place for the stay.” “Can I see her please?” Jon was asking as if he was facing the recalcitrant potential brother by law.

Colonel Moran told him.

“By Golly, that’s a ……” Jon held his tongue. He knew it by reputation, but had not patronize there. He much prefers his ladies demurer, in a manner of speech. He left in a hurry to avoid any confrontation. His arrival at the brothel was met by inspiring ladies.

“Guapa, mira a mi manera.” (In English from Spanish; Handsome, look my way). One of the ladies called out.

“Ez du nirea bezalakoa.” ((In English from Spanish; She does not have like mine.). Another leaned forth to display her cleavage.

Jon was past the wants of others. He knocked on the room door.

“Come back later. Privy moment.” The reply came through. It was Mary Reid. “It is me, Jon. Jon Roxton.” The man replied and the door was opened in a hurry. He was dragged in to the room, and met with a deep kiss on the lips. His arms reached around her waist and held her.

“Gawd! I need you.” Mary pulled him to the beddings. Jon saw the lady was nude below the shirt, and she does sport an impressive bottom. She pushed the books and the other items she found in the cupboard off the bedding. She laid back on the bedding on her back.

“Interesting read….” Jon picked up the book and saw the cover.

“More interesting.” Jon held the wooden phallic design with his left hand. It was glistening.

“Jon Roxton, if you do not come in. I am impaling you with that.” The lady had her intentions made known. Jon did not hesitate then though he may need a seamstress to mend his pants later.

“I know that man.” Mycroft leaned forth when he saw the man entered the brothel. “I never thought of him patronizing here.”

“He may not be but visiting Mary Reid, I presume.” Holmes was seated next to Mycroft. Doctor Watson was opposite them; he reckoned the brothers need to be next other like twins. Of course, medically he may be wrong at times.

“How would he know? Jon is not a part of the Doctor’s circle.” Doctor Watson who knew Jon Roxton defended the man.

“Jon is not, but he knew Colonel Moran. And if Colonel Moran brought Mary here, I will presume he told Jon that.” Holmes made his assumption.

“And you presume Mary Reid knew Jon. No, it was told to me by the Irregulars. They had retraced Mary’s movements and had the butler told them of a gentleman who visited her. Jon Roxton was the person.” Holmes was proud of his selection of boys in the irregular.

“Shall we go in?” Mycroft was protective of the lady, presumably.

“I am sure he is in.” Doctor Watson added. “We can wait. Patience is a virtue.”

“The sluice gate is open.” Mycroft mumbled. Unaware by the trio, Colonel Moran was told by his men of the coach there.

“I think it is time I complete task.” Colonel Moran looked at the stationery coach. “Get Tommy here.”  

 

Busy busy like a BEE

 I am caught up with work (As most of us are) and was doing a new tale as a follow up to the one I was posting. It was interminent in the writes....between cursing at the vendors .... and feigning smiles at the clients.... going Daiblo with the staff.... and retiring to my armchair at home with a "WHAT IF" and in between those takes, I was punching the keyboard....

As my lap top will said it better; ists a miscerable life.

Then on Feb 25th I got a spike up my... we will civilized here.... I was reading an article on FRANKENSTEIN... and it went on... I did have a version of one of my clients as that persona, but we shall be... civilized. 

Then I came across another tale, CARMILLA by Frau .....pardon me, it was Sheridan Le Fanu (1872). In case you are to read the tale, its an erotic tale with a difference.

And then I slept. 

I dreamed. 

It was to do with the new blender I bought. 

And on the 25th Feb, I woke up.... no bites on my neck, nor was it anywhere else, and I started wrtiting with reference to Para One here, and in two days I reached 12,000 words, and FRANKIE is still in the womb. 

And will be soon. 

You may call it EROTISM HORROR or HORNY-FLYING EROTIC.... whatever, I have not decided just what but my bed was wet the last two nights. I knew I should had let the dog out before I got to bed.

Cheers

Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 37

 37           The wonders of deduction

 

Holmes leaned back on his seat and reached for his pipe after reading the telegram. He did not light the pipe but looked to his guests and companion with the gleam in his eyes.

“Gentlemen, our hunt may have sprung some new discoveries.” Holmes handed out the first telegraph he received.

The worldwide communication network was established some years ago when telegraph cables were laid across oceans. On land, cables could be run uninsulated, suspended from poles. Underwater, a good insulator that was both flexible and capable of resisting the ingress of seawater was required. A solution presented itself with gutta-percha, a natural rubber from the Palaquium gutta tree, after William Montgomerie sent samples to London from Singapore in 1843. The new material was tested by Michael Faraday, and in 1845, it was used on the cable planned between Dover and Calais by John Watkins Brett. The idea was proved viable when the South Eastern Railway company successfully tested a three-kilometer (two-mile) gutta-percha insulated cable with telegraph messages to a ship off the coast of Folkestone. The cable to France was laid in 1850 but was almost immediately severed by a French fishing vessel. It was re-laid the next year, and connections to Ireland and the Low Countries soon followed.

“It was a reply from Belgium's finest on the whereabouts of Professor Freud. He is not here nor traveling but in his home in Belgium. He is recovering from a bout of flu and was resting there.”

“Boorish!” Mycroft exclaimed. “It cannot be we were duped. He had the credentials and... He was the one who told me of Mary Pleaste's whereabouts... more so after her death.”

“He was giving you bait, and you chewed on it. His credentials here are... Papers can be faked.” Holmes looked to his brother. “If not for the speedy messaging, we will be duped further.”

“Then who did I meet?” Doctor Watson asked.

“An ingenious personality that rivalled Professor Moriarty.” Holmes said. “His name is unknown but known as the Doctor and of late the Professor. There were tales that he adopted his name from a dead friend; a brother in arms to be exact but unproven. Proven fact is that he is from the Syndicate. No one knew of his face, for he wore disguises and imitated others.”

“Disguises and... Why, that is you, Holmes.” Mycroft burst out. “You could have fooled us most times.”

“All the time, Mycroft.” Doctor Watson added. “Disguises gives us access most times.”

“No one knows who leads the Syndicate.” Mycroft added. “They are a shadow organization.”

“Professor Moriarty is not linked to any criminal groups, but we know of its existence, and the leader is the Doctor.” Doctor Watson said. “I am sure the doctor and the organization may be linked. Could this Professor be the leader?”

“Inconclusive, Watson. I have been monitoring the Syndicate’s works, and they are rivals, but the Syndicate's works were more on smuggling and maybe killings.” Holmes gave his view. “They are more focused on that than Professor Moriarty, who is on building his crime network here.”

“Would Professor Moriarty and the Professor be the same person?” Mycroft asked.

“I checked with Glasgow. Professor Moriarty is there and leaving for the Baltics.” Holmes replied. “And more to it, the Doctor does not use disguises.”

"Could it be a first time?” Doctor Watson cut in.

“It may not be so. His aide, Colonel Moran, is well suited to manage for him. As reported to me.” Holmes handed the second message. “Colonel Moran was the one at Mary’s unit. He coordinated her escape and had the shootout with the intruders there. He may have been in a rush and left a spent casing. It carried his marking. The Colonel has his bullets from the armorer I befriended.”

“The criminal in cahoots with you?” Mycroft asked.

“No, he knew me as the duck hunter from Sussex. One of my many identities.” Holmes smiled.

“Holmes, I did not know you shoot ducks." Doctor Watson asked.

“I do not, but I can be convincing as a shooter.” Holmes explained. “Now back to the Syndicate. We do not know why they target Mary Reid. Was it because of her association with the doctor? And how killed Mary Pleaste and friends? Are they related to Mary Reid’s attempt? The more crucial query is, why were not the victims removed of their organs? Was it the timing of the kill? And why the rooftop?”

“Perhaps you want a drink to move those thoughts?” Mrs. Hudson had returned from the kitchen with the pot of tea and scones.

“Tha e na fhactar neo-àbhaisteach.” (Translated from Gaelic Scottish) It is the uncommon factor.) Holmes called out.

The gathered were stunned by his outburst.

“Mary Pleaste murders were by the monsters, but the organs were not touched. Her death and the others may be an execution to warn others. Their bodies were displayed on the rooftop to signify public display. You cannot hide from me. Like the Count Vlad did to the ones he impaled for all to see. He also did the infamous Dark Attack which terrorise the Turks.”

“Mary Reid’s attack was however not by the monster. She was a vampire hunter. So, where is the common factor?” Holmes looked at Mycroft.

“You mentioned to me that Doctor Jekyll has a guest...” Holmes tried to recall the name.

“Count Vlad Tepes.” Mycroft said. “He sought treatment there.” “The Count is well known as...”

Holmes looked towards the doctor.

“Count Dracula.” Doctor Watson mentioned the name.

“Do you know why I was asking on Doctor Jekyll? He remains a subject of mine, for I knew him then in the chemistry fraternity. We did not attend the same classes, but his works were uncommon.”

“The Am bàillidh neo-àbhaisteach; it meant in Gaelic Scottish for the uncommon factor. One of my tutors, who speaks Gaelic Scottish when he gets excited and teaches Henry Jekyll, told me of the other tests. He said Henry was fixated on the properties of the blood. He was also close to one named Daisy, who was the daughter of Lord Dennis.”

“Hmm…” Mycroft frowned at his expression. “Daisy was not known to me, but I was told that she was frail. She would not have been allowed to attend classes for her condition, but her father held great influence over the faculty. She did not complete her studies while Henry went on to get the honours. It was later when the news came to me of Daisy’s death. I looked up Henry out of concern and heard that he was on his own. I had wanted to consult Henry on matters regarding blood, but my letters were never replied.”

“It was much later than I was to know that Henry was involved in the secret tasks of the government." Holmes looked at Mycroft.

“You knew? I never told you anything.”

“No, you need not. I have my means to know.” Holmes then moved on the matter.

“Now that you mentioned Count Vlad, then there may be a link to Mary Reid. She was protected by Professor Moriarty and is a vampire hunter. She did enquire about the murders. She in her words to us then was it linked to vampires.”

“Yes, she did mention that.” “Doctor Watson affirmed that.

“The question is when and how this can be connected." Holmes pondered in his mind.

“Mycroft, how did you know of Mary Reid?”

“From my section. It was James Cambier who gave me the dossier.”

“And Professor Freud was the same?” Holmes asked. The other nodded.

“Mary had a little lamb; its fleece was white as snow; and everywhere that Mary went, the lamb was sure to go.” Mrs. Hudson hummed to herself.  

Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 36

 

36. Mary Pleaste

 

“Before that, let me brief on the matter regarding Mary Pleaste.” The professor looked at the other two. They were associated with the lady, for she frequents their homes and, most times, worked with them on the syndicate works. She was also introduced to their circle of friends, of which the other victims were.

“Mary Pleaste had her own agenda here. She was building a cartel of funders and influencing members to start her own group. She began with the ones she knew would benefit from her work and be installing them as founder members; they were secured of the leadership. She organized the unit where they were killed—not one but a few addresses to hold their meetings.”

“Mary was good at it, being in the syndicate for very long, and before that she was a great organizer. She made one mistake. She told you.” The professor looked at the admiral.

The admiral leaned back on the seat. He was approached by Mary Pleaste but did not make any decision then. He then confided in someone who leaked the news to the professor. It prompted the professor to visit the city.

“I thank you, Admiral. It was admirable of you to tell me.” The professor looked towards Lord Dennis. “Now, I did come unannounced and was in my other disguise, as the Professor. I needed the cover to avoid Mary’s detection.”

“The murders were a distraction, and my so-called lectures—hurried and unplanned—kept me busy. I switched my notes towards the topic of criminals and was surprised that the intelligence section took a bite off my time. I was introduced to Doctor John Watson, whom I was kind enough to accommodate, then the immaculate Mycroft Holmes. I am honoured to meet them, although my real identity had eluded their scrutiny.”

“Professor, why was Mary Pleaste not dissected like the other murders?” Lord Dennis asked. “The warriors are capable of it.”

“I had to leave the bodies intact, for I do not want to link the murders together.” The professor explained. “And more to it, Mary Pleaste and associates had contributed to our cause and deserved a decent burial. Their execution was a warning to the others. Or you preferred them impaled.”

“I understand now.” Lord Dennis nodded.

“Now that is cleared, I must commend on the works of Lord Dennis and yourself, Admiral. Both your efforts and your resoluteness to work on the Super-Warrior project yielded great results. They did a great task on the murders and obeyed orders.”

“It is a grim task, Professor, but the soldiers are efficient in the kill and retrieval.” The admiral smiled. “We have almost perfected the Super Warrior design.”

“A noble task if not the breakout of loyalty by Mary Pleaste and her friends.” The professor added. “Some of us worked with the ego that they were superior to others. They are perceived to be bold, but boldness also comes with a cost. Their lives paid for it.”

“How did you get them to work?” The professor looked at Lord Dennis.

“It was the genius works of Doctor Manfred, who had made the discovery, but there are some setbacks. The warriors are short-lived, for the serum could kill them in days, breaking down the working of the organs. They are termed those who are to die. The doctor is working feverishly to prevent that and thus may assist my own daughter.” Lord Dennis explained.

“How long and many of these warriors do we have?” The professor asked.

“A dozen active ones, and another dozen on the waiting list. We have lost over fifty men since we began." The Admiral gave the numbers.

“Collateral damages.” The professor said.

“Professor, may I say something?” Lord Dennis looked at the other. “Doctor Jekyll is a guest of my castle. He was brought there by the count, who had courted the doctor on my recommendation. They came to my castle upon the attack by the admiral’s men.”

“It was to remove the doctor whom I felt was unneeded with the advances made by Doctor Manfred.” The Admiral cut in.

“An action of your ego.” The professor snapped at the admiral. “You have acted hastily once too often. Your attack on the doctor may be premature.”

“Doctor Jekyll's work still holds some unknowns to Doctor Manfred.” Lord Dennis sighed. “When he arrived at the castle, he was surprised that I knew the Count, but he forgot it was my referral. He has these lapses of memory. Anyway, I told him of Doctor Manfred and the works; he was furious. He wanted to report me, and I had to imprison him. He became deranged, and then the shock of seeing him in the new monster look.”

“Monster?” The professor was stunned.

“Yes, he transformed into the huge monster, and if not for the Super Warriors, we would not have restrained him. He was chained and imprisoned. Soon, I checked on his condition. He was back to his normal self. Doctor Manfred wanted to do some tests on him.” Lord Dennis told them.

“Interesting development. I must see to him. How is the Count?”

“The Count is recovering from his wounds. I had asked him to convince the doctor to work with us, but he refused. I had him tortured in the room with the sunlight on him. He suffers from the unknown ailment that exposure to the sunlight will burn his skin. He is last I saw, cowering at the corner in pain.”

“So, Count Vlad needs his elixir of life.” The professor smiled. “It is a secret of the valley. He needs blood to restore his immunity.”

“He would not get it if he did not cooperate.” Lord Dennis said.

“It would seem that events have some developments that we can work on.” The professor smiled. “I must see Doctor Jekyll.”

“And Admiral, why did you want to kill Mary Reid?’

“She was with Holmes and asking a lot of questions on the murders. And …… her dossier was presented to Mycroft. She may be a threat to us.”

“And you acted in accordance to that.” The Professor looked at the Admiral. “For a man of military experiences, you seem to lack the finer qualities.”

“She knew of Doctor Jekyll or rather his guest.” The Admiral added. “My informant is absolute.”

“The chap you have working for Mycroft?”

“Yes, Professor. James Cambier.”

“Have him removed. He is a loose connection to us and soon. Mycroft will know of it. Or rather his brother will do so.” The Professor told the Admiral. “Your hastiness to act on the lady may have created a conflict between us and Moriarty.”

“Lord Dennis, see to the task. Convince Colonel Moran that we are …… to be left alone. I do not want to fight another warfront.” The Professor then added.

“Set our men to trail the Holmes including Mycroft. They may lead us to some news.”

 

 

The WINDOW (adult themed)

 I submitted the title for a contest I was hosting at another blog. I was also drawn to the title, the idea for it which is listed below as part of the contest requirements. 

So here goes, my take on it. 

Room with a View; the novel by E.M. Forster, was a tale about a young woman, engaged then, met another man when she was on holiday. She was unsure of her journey of love thereafter.

Rear Window an Alfred Hitchcock classic movie based on the short story It Had to Be Murder by Cornell Woolrich. It was remake by Christopher Reeve. He was the Quadriplegic who then uses a wheelchair, relieves the boredom of his daily existence by engaging in voyeurism.

Two different stories, and the only common link is the view of it. The former a love affair. The latter a criminal tale. The challenge is to make it more interesting but blend the two tales into one. Any length, any content and have fun.

Add in new directions/hints/ideas.

P.S. I may add my own version of it in the comments section when I am more available to write this weekend. Writing is an expression of our thoughts that could be inspired by what we saw, hear, or read. The story will form in our mind may be in fragments, but it will us who will construct the whole story. To me, writing is a form of therapy for my stress.

 ACTION>>>>>>

Text:

I see you, Jimmy. You are there at the window. Are you watching me? Do not lie, Jimmy. You always do that ever since I was thirteen. Yes, you were a bad boy even there. Ten years old you were, and you liked to watched. You peeked with the lights off but you pulled the curtains apart. I could not see you but the shadows told me you are there. If you ever knew the shadows followed you wherever you are. The streetlight does not reach mine, but it does on yours. You told me when we were younger that the demons came to your room from the window. They creep in at night with the long creeping arms, and then stood there watching you. You told me to watch so that I can tell the others about it. I did for I was your friend, and I saw the shadows. I thought it was the demons but the demon was you. Yes, yourself lying on the bedding, and your hands were busy. You were disgusting then and always will be. I hate you.

I knew it well, Jimmy. You made me watched while you watched me. I did wonder what did you see then. It was not silly of me to know later. Your sister betrayed you. She sneaked out the magazines from under your bedding. You were watching me like them. You were bad but I grew too. The pictures were of me too. I saw myself in them. I begin to like it. I could not do it to anyone but you. Why? I guess you wanted to see me grow.

Oh, Jimmy. It was fun. It was making me feel like them. I want to be like them too. I could had been but I wanted myself to be only for you. Peter; you knew him too. He once told me if I showed him mine, he would do the same. I said agreeable but he was to do it first. He did and I saw, and then I ran. He chased me but I could run faster than anyone of the boys. I ran home, locked the door, and laughed. Peter stood outside my window, and called me out. You knew as you were at the window. You threw the shoes at Peter for disturbing me. He threw it back at your window. That was funny.

The fun was always there. It was soon I became you first. I guess it was to be. I was too then. We were more than friends. I could not describe your expression then but it was funny. You kept on asking me to take it off, but it was our first time. I told you no, and you ran out. You went back to your window. You stood there, and removed your clothes. I did the same, and we stared at each other. We love each other.

I am sorry, it never lasted.

Replied:

Bitch, you lied to me. I loved you. I adored you. I would have given you more …… Well, I did. It was my promise to you to make you happy. I did not foresee the incident that left me like this. We had arguments but it was never bad. We made up and moved on. I was not be blamed. It was Rita; she was at the window. I looked then. She was just there. I knew it was your room, but Rita stood there like you did many times. It was only once but you kicked me out of your room. I will be honest, I could not feel anything here at my heart, and yes, it was all there at Rita. She was like the ones I had kept below the bedding. They were in my head; my window to my other self. They are not real. I could not be seen with them but only you. I knew of that ever since I saw you but that was not good enough for you. You had Peter moved into you. He took my sloppy seconds. He took you where I had been; your final frontier. You knew I will be watching. You had to do it by the window. You had to leave the curtain open for me. You must show me your expression. You never cared for me. You just moved on. I was just ……the one who peeked. Why Peter? He was a misfit. He never loved you but the way he gabbed at you, the squeeze, the force. He was violating you, and you let him do it.

Where is the fuck in it? I was your best. You said to me. I am the best. I am into you. Joanie, you must forgive me. I tossed out Rita, Jolene and who else but you. Please come back to me. I will keep the window open for you. I am always yours. We love each other.

I am sorry, it never lasted.

Text:

Do not be hard, Jimmy. I do apologies here. Please remain hard. It was never meant to last. You never did for long and it will be our little secret. I would not tell to anyone.

Jimmy, you were my window to move on. I needed to know the full feeling, and you were there. Somehow, it was not the same without you. Kinky, yes. It was fun to watch you there watching. I knew you watched at Rita, Jolene, and the who else was there but they were not real. I was the real window you needed. And you were the window I needed. I saw my own there. It was not Peter but you. You made me complete. You were always the one I needed to watch for. We needed the window to see ourselves. Be ourselves. You, me and the window.

Do not close the curtains, Jimmy. The window is our tunnel of love. It will always be ours.

Replied.

WATCHING.

PRINT>>>>>>

A new awakening in me....

Warning: It can be distressing to read anything before bedtime, or you may not wake up sane. 

Here is the brief on it.

Room with a View, the novel by E.M. Forster, was a tale about a young woman, engaged then, who met another man when she was on holiday. She was unsure of her journey of love thereafter.

Rear Window is an Alfred Hitchcock classic movie based on the short story It Had to Be Murder by Cornell Woolrich. It was remade by Christopher Reeve. He was the quadriplegic who, then using a wheelchair, relieved the boredom of his daily existence by engaging in voyeurism.

Two different stories, and the only common link is the view of it. The former is a love affair. The latter is a criminal tale. The challenge is to make it more interesting but blend the two tales into one. Any length, any content, but its to have fun.

I may add my own version of it in the comments section when I am more available to write this weekend. Writing is an expression of our thoughts that could be inspired by what we saw, heard, or read. The story that may form in our minds may be in fragments, but it will be us who will construct the whole story. 

To me, writing is a form of therapy for my stress, or was it to avoid madness creeping in? (Hahahaha. I could picture the JOKER impression here. I should stop watching serial killer series and stick to HARVEY PORTER; who? Trust me, you do not want to meet him just yet. He will place you in the pottery with the others.)

Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 35

 

35           The new revelation

 

“Mankind held dear to their ego.” The man seated at the simple cottage on the outskirt of the city spoke. He was met by distinguished guests, and in his humble abode, the host had served tea to the guests.  It was simple furnishings there, with many books on the shelves and floor. The host spends his idle time reading them; the knowledge was his best tool. One of the notable books there were Book of the Marvels of the World (Italian: Il Milione, lit. 'The Million', possibly derived from Polo's nickname "Emilione"), a 13th-century travelogue written down by Rustichello da Pisa from stories told by Italian explorer Marco Polo. It describes Polo's travels through Asia between 1271 and 1295, and his experiences at the court of Kublai Khan.

“My forefather, Marco Polo was more than a trader but an adventurer. He travels far to the Far East, and was marvelled by the greatness of the Mongols there.” The host always tells the exploits of his ancestor. “The empire then and previous one, the Roman Empire; they all expired over time as would the current Queen’s empire.”

“It was not the vastness but the control of the leaders assigned to manage the outer lands.” The host smiled.

“The tea you are drinking did not come from the Far East but grown in India. The origin of tea was from the Far East, but the seeds of it was brought to India and even to Africa, and planted. It resulted in more tea variations. Alike to the empires, they did not collapse as said by many historians, but evolved into many cliches of it. All of it were driven by mankind’s ego to do their own. Some failed to restore it but an empire of sort was formed; we called them countries today.”

“I am working with some of them, and one day, I will have it all consolidated into one huge empire.” The host laughed and pointed to the world ma over the fireplace. It held many pins with the strings attached to it from the Far East to the continents on both sides and below. It all meet at a small country named Belgium.

“Belgium is a small country, with a smaller nation of people but we held the best minds in the world. We can be marked to be Kings, and it will be.” The host smiled. The room was dimly lit and the curtains drawn shut.

“Professor, you are extraordinary in your thoughts.” The Admiral smiled. “A super …...”

“A person with the ability to use the Super-Ego inside of me? I am flattered.” The host laughed. “Professor Freud advocated the implant in his research and I have derived it qualities here.”

“You do bear an uncanny …….” The Lord of Exchequer was to comment.

“An uncanny resemblance to the man, but perhaps a more designed mindset than him.” The host smiled. “I have been mistakenly taken to be him, and I do take his role with me. I also have a deep understanding in his works. I also studied Carl Jung’s works, and well versed with many others. Psychology is a matter of utmost interest.”

“This year, at the other continent, William James published The Principles of Psychology. Probably the first publication in medical science on the subject matter. In his words, Psychology is the Science of Mental Life, both of its phenomena and of their conditions but the treatment within asylums were barbaric and often caused physical harm to the patient with little to no relief of their symptoms.”

“You are very passionate on the subject matter, Professor.” Lord Dennis remarked.

“As much as my other disguise, Professor Freud, but he held an affinity to the matter of sexual feelings.” The self-declared medical expert smiled. “I do not. Disguise is a way for us to look like another to replace that persona.”

“Portia disguised as a male to attend the magistrate court to defend her lover from her own father, in the Merchant of Venice. Disguise is not new but an art that has been carried through the ages.” The host laughed. “The man called Sherlock Holmes, uses it in his some of his acts.”

“Being in disguise was a great part of entertainment for the Elizabethan aristocracy. To take part in Masquerade in the Elizabethan court was a great opportunity how to become someone or something else without being recognized.” (Extract from https://is.muni.cz/th/yvhcn/Bakalarska_prace_-_The_Concept_of_Disguise_in_Tragedy_Hamlet__Prince_of_Denmark-_definitely_final.pdf)

“If I were set on the glasses and set my beard, I am the esteemed Professor of Psychology.”  The host smiled. “Deception is a way of how our ego will work.”

“Puikus ten darbas!” (In English from Lithuanian; Splendid work there.)

“Thank you, Admiral.” The host claimed to be from the Republic of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Respublika is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. 

“How do you avoid meeting the real Professor in public?” Lord Dennis was ever curious. “I am of the usual plush Lord’s appearance.”

Lord Dennis was previously described as the gentleman was with a thick Walrus moustache—a thick and bushy bold one sized up his rounded face with the thick sideburns to complement—reclining headline with the hair trimmed short. Like his face, his body frame was rounded, more to the obese dimensions, but his manners were royal.

“I have my men shadowing his movements. At this moment, he is still in Belgium with his lectures. If he leaves Belgium, I will be advised then I will slip into my other disguises. Perhaps Wild Bill Hickok.”

The gathered there laughed, although the Admiral was unsure who that was. He spent most of his time at sea or in the House of Commons to argue matters.

“Now to the matter on hand.” The host brought the issue out.

“Tell me on the matter of Doctor Jekyll.”

“Professor, Doctor Jekyll’s work has been checked and re-tested at the lab I made. His works are remarkable, and with them, we may have made a breakthrough but not refined. Our own researcher, Doctor Schmidt Manfred, had made some discoveries." Lord Dennis added. “Undisclosed to Doctor Jekyll.”

“Doctor Manfred is a good friend of mine. He had pioneered the works on the blood at his own laboratory, but of course, he was unrefined than that of Doctor Henry Jekyll.” The professor explained. “I have always admired both men in their works.”

“I know of your intention to secure Doctor Jekyll for your own experiments, which I hoped were developing.”

“We are working on that. Daisy’s condition has remained... fragile. Even with the organ’s replacement, her vitals are still weak.” Lord Dennis has secured the expertise of Doctor Manfred to assist in his daughter’s cure. To the outside world, his daughter is dead, buried in the family plot at the estate, but the deceit of the father has secretly kept the daughter in the castle. He had requested Doctor Henry Jekyll to save his daughter, but he was not able to. He could not find the cure for her, and Lord Dennis faked her death but not his request to Henry.

“You will work on the cure, not for Daisy but for others.” Lord Dennis told the doctor. “I will give you the needed funding.”

It was the effort of Doctor Manfred who suggested replacing the organs on Daisy that kept her alive, although in the state of comatose. Unfortunately, not all the organs worked at times, with complications seen in days, so the need to replace the correct ones was the urgency. Hence, the murder cases with the organs removed.

However, due to government pressure, Doctor Jekyll was asked to do other works on the Super Warrior properties.

“Professor, Doctor Jekyll’s work has been checked and re-tested at the lab I made. His works are remarkable, and with them, we may have made a breakthrough. Doctor Schmidt Manfred had made some discovery.” Lord Dennis added. “Undisclosed to Doctor Jekyll.”

“Doctor Manfred is a good friend of mine. He had pioneered the works on the blood at his own laboratory, but of course, he was unrefined than that of Doctor Henry Jekyll.” The professor explained. “I have always admired both men in their works.”

“Doctor Manfred is a good friend of mine. He had pioneered the works on the blood at his own laboratory, but of course, he was unrefined than that of Doctor Henry Jekyll.” The professor explained. “I have always admired both men in their works.”

“Professor,” the admiral set the tone. “We intervened on Doctor Jekyll. Unfortunately, he escaped. How? We are unsure.”

“Drive the ego, and you get the works.” It worked, and Doctor Jekyll was on the program. He felt an obligation towards Lord Dennis for his failure to save the daughter.