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.”

 

 

 

Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 9

 

9.

 

Inspector Watson stood outside Muriel’s home. He was looking at the charms that he had placed around the house. It was ironic for him to care about the lady, but she is still his daughter.

Their reunion was not exactly family friendly. The Warlock had little choice but to search for his own kin, and the only link was the Muriel’s. He recalled his escape with the mother then.

“William, I am too tired to continue the run anymore.” Kathleen had taken the rest at the abandoned house in the woods. “We have to consider……”

“My dear, we are still in pursuit by them.” The man told the other. “Carmilla will not be merciful towards us. She and her sisters will terminate my existence.”

Inspector John Robert Watson, aka William Katt, sighed at the thought. The covens were battling each other over supremacy in their arts, and one of the coveted arts was the Power of Three. It was a powerful spell that will give the coven much power. He had battled the sisters for it and was defeated. He fled the scene but returned to get his love.

“Katheleen, it is safe for you to be here. Please leave with me.” William pleaded with his lover. He met her at the Muriel house.

“What happened there, William?” Kathleen asked. She knew of his battle with the sisters. She loved him but will not be part of his coven. It was a usual arrangement, but the path of the hearts ruled over the coven’s rules.

“I battled them and hurt Carmilla badly. Her sisters, Annabelle and Lissa, were not there when we battled last. The other sisters were with their own families, and Carmilla was to hold the coven by herself. She was hurt by me, and her life essence was taken by me. She will pursue me to get it back, but the delay will weaken her.”

“Return the life essence then.” Kathleen looked at the man she loved. “We can call a truce over the war.”

“I want to, but I lost it. It was at the mansion when the army intruded on our battle. I escaped with barely my life. I did see the officer there retrieve the jewel that contained the essence. He had kept it then. I am without the essence now. He was the lover of Annabelle.”

“Carmilla took hibernation to recover and was offered the mansion with Annabelle, where she can be protected. She cannot get the jewel to herself, for her physical form was damaged by me. She needs another to hold it.” William smiled. “Till then, the power of Three will not be acted on for now, but the other sisters are still formidable.”

“I could not pursue the sisters, for I was weakened. I had come back for you.” William looked at the love of his life. “I could not leave you here alone for fear the sisters threatened you.”

“I am with my family now.” Kathleen told the man. “I……”

“My love, they cannot protect you. I may be able to do so, but give me time. I need to rebuild my strength and power. Meantime, we take refuge with my friends. Other covens I knew of.”

It was a hard decision then for Katheleen. She finally gave in. Three years of travel to the faraway lands and holding shelter with other covens. They were in no danger from the sisters, but it was William who created conflicts with some of them; hence, they had to leave.

The moment when Katheleen told the lover that she was with a child.

“Katheleen, I cannot abandon my search for the ……” William had tried to explain his tasks. “It will be our salvation.”

“Your salvation, not mine. I must find a home for our child. I cannot be forever on the run. The sisters are no longer targeting you.” Kathleen looked at the man she loved. “You can pursue on, but I am going back. Let them come after me if they are to…….”

“I cannot, my love,” William confessed. “I need the power. I will be the Supreme Warlock.”

“Then leave me, William.” Kathleen looked at the man she loved. “Leave us be. Our child will be with me.”

“Why do you place such a choice towards me?” William sighed. “I love you.”

“I know you do, but your desire to be the supreme warlock is our obstacle. Let me go back home, and you go on. When you are ready to come…home, do it, whether physically or with your soul alone.”

William was unsure of his action. She held out the amulet towards him.

“Hold this amulet. It contained my love for you.” Kathleen smiled. “I……”

“No, you keep it, as our love. That amulet is our love, and if it is destroyed, I will… cease to exist. Hand it to our child. It can be my life essence. I will protect the one who holds it.”

William left Katheleen at Muriel’s home and took on his own journey. His learning was incomplete, and while sheltering with the other covens, he had not stopped his pursuit of learning. That earned him their ire upon his intrusion, and they evicted him. He was wandering the lands to look for new shelters or new covens. In that journey, he was able to secure new spells and arts that made him a formidable warlock. He used his acquired power to challenge the other covens and won most of the battles. Whenever he was defeated, he would flee the area and resume his quest.

Finally, he came across a coven that was formed by a single witch. There were also words that a living creature was there; unliving yet living, as it was alive, and due to the nature of its creation, it was undetected by the witches or demons. He had to see it to learn from it. It was at the town where he left Kathleen years ago. It had been over ten years when he did return there. He could not find himself to see Katheleen or his child; he knew not of her fate. Soon he was to know that his lover was dead, and her child lives with the aunt.

‘Katheleen, I am sorry. I should have been there.” William stood over her grave. “I hold the spell to resurrect you.”

William was to call on the spell that he learned on how to resurrect the dead when he heard the voice.

“Warlock, I will not do that. Your lover is long dead, and her physical ……”

“Who’s there?” William called out.

“Only myself. I am Beezer, the servant, or rather one of Beelzebub. I..." The voice said.

“Show yourself, demon.” William took on the defensive stance to defend himself. He had his battles with demons during his journey.

“Here I am.” The demon appeared before the warlock. Beezer the demon was a minion of the powerful demon, Beelzebub. It held the form of a child's frame with a huge head, puffed cheeks, and a pointed nose.

“Are you…” William stared at the demon.

“Many have mistaken me for my distant cousin, Rumpelstikin, but we are distant… far apart. That dwarf or goblin or whatever was supposedly a blimp in our lineage.”

“Dwarf…. He was …. I met him,” William uttered.

“You did? I am not surprised. He turns up at the worst moments of bad times. What did he tell you? Get my name right? Spun the wool for the golden threads… He knew not any skills of the seamstress…. Or was it three wishes, my dear master, when you polished the oil lamp? I hope you did not rub the oil lamp…… That is part of his rump; hence, his name was Rump. He has bad manners.”

“No, I …… Never mind all that. Why… did you say I cannot resurrect her? William looked at the demon. His dealings with the demons were… adventurous at most times. When the covens refused him shelter, he sought the errant demons or other hosts.

“Well, she has been dead for over… ten years. Her physical form has … extinguished. Your spell works on the recently dead, and added to that, her soul had moved on,” the demon said. “You could try, but the spell will fail. I will suggest that you find your daughter. She is involved with the errant son of Frankenstein.”  

“My daughter?” William was surprised.

“Elizabeth Muriel. She lives with her aunt, Spenser Ann Muriel. They lived in the town.” Beezer then chooses to state his goodbye. “I have to go; I have to find the creature.”

“Creature? Tell me, where is it?” William was excited to hear of it.

“Warlock, if I knew of its whereabouts, would I be talking to you? The creature is not mortal, yet it exists as an abomination creation. I cannot detect its presence at all.” Beezer replied. “Find it yourself.”

William went to look for Elizabeth. He returned to the town and assumed a new name and role.

“Constable John Robert Watson, Sir.” William stepped up to the Chief Inspector.

“Watson, huh. Nice name.” Chief Inspector Lestrade looked at the constable standing there. “By Jove, I needed all the help I could get. Search the land for the creature.”

The constable did that and soon after stayed on to become the inspector. He took on the role as Warlock to build his new coven.

When Elizabeth returned, he followed her at a distance, but he was never to meet her. He was not ready for her. He did see her with one other later known as Victor Frankenstein. He left it there and pursued the creature but found another.

“Warlock, how dare you intrude on my domain?” William was to be confronted by an old witch that was recruiting there at the edge of the town. She had accumulated some young ladies to her coven. They were reported to be missing by the authorities.

“Witch, whom are you affiliated with?’ William asked.

“I am Agathe of Eastwick. I sensed your presence for some time. We finally meet.” The old witch faced William, dressed in the barmaid's clothing, with a sagging bosom and haggard facial expression. The old witch held a long staff to support her posture.

“Willian Katt, Warlock of Creek Circle,” William declared himself. “I am ….”

“Do not impress upon me, Warlock of Creek Circle. I knew of your reign, and you were defeated by the sisters. The war left both sides weakened, and you left on your own soul recovery. Your trail of betrayal and deceit prevailed from those among us. You were banished by them too.”

“I did what was needed.” William defended his choice. “A warlock needed to be powerful, and that came not from alliance or victory but from ever-consuming learning of new spells, even by deceit.”

“And what do you want from me, Warlock? My coven?” The old witch snarled. “I am old, but the wise ways still reside in me. I will not battle you.”

“Leave here. This is my domain now.” William told the old witch. “Your recruitment has driven the town to be wary of the coven’s presence, and soon it will be exposed. Leave now, and I will remove all trace of it. The coven will be placed in limbo till the situation is cleared.”

“And if I resist?” The old witch smiled, revealing the missing teeth.

“Termination. I will absorb your soul and powers.” William replied.

“As you wished, warlock. I will move on, but heed my words, your second defeat will soon come. Not by the mortals but by the creature.” The old witch smiled. “I hold the spell of seeing the future. Yours is marked there. I will be back.”

“You will not.” William called on the fire spell to burn the witch, but she had fled the scene.