Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 18

 

18           Services not needed

 

“Mr. Mycroft, my services to the Government does not entail an intrusion into my private affairs. May I remind you that …….” Doctor Jekyll voiced out in anger. He had exited from his personal lab to meet the visitor which was rare. Mycroft is from the Government Section that financed his works, or rather theirs’ with a generous payout but there was also a mutual understanding he was not be harassed and given the luxury of doing his experiments which may benefit the Government.

In simpler terms, he was given carte blanche.

“An obvious fact but we feared for your well-being. As we speak now, my men are guarding you here. We also know that you have a guest here. A certain foreign guest by the name of ……” Mycroft was in a confrontational mood.

“I have my own security.” The Doctor snapped out.

“Yes, I am aware. Reinforced doors and windows, with steel plates and bars. We have changed that for you on several occasions, but you would not tell us the cause of it.”

“Those are my designs, and I was not obliged to tell you anything.” Doctor Jekyll had the doorways also fixed with hardened locks.

“Not now, but soon. Your experiments are long overdue for any reasons.” Mycroft cautioned the other. “Do not spend time with your friends.”

“Count Vlad Tepes is here on my invite. He does not leave this unit without my permission. He had not done so and will be treated as my personal guest.”

“Count Dracula to be more precise. Is he here for treatment, Doctor? On what? His blood sucking desire?”

“I do not disclose my guest’s intention nor his reason for the stay.” Doctor Jekyll was in the state of rage. “Neither is my intention.”

“Your guest is a killer; not of a few but mass murderer. His reputation of being a ……” Mycroft outburst was interrupted by the arrival of a lady who admitted him.

“Count Tepes is not a vampire as many of them had said he was one. He is a King on my land, and should be accorded the same respect here.” Rosa who was had retired to her chamber marched out. “Your unfounded accusations are based on rumours and …….”

“Is your Count still alive after so many years? Do you attribute his longevity to good living and fresh air? My King holds that but he lived the life mortal. We all die before we reached the long age of hundred or even less when we are faced with death when it chose to appear.” Mycroft looked to the lady. “And who are you to address me?”

“I am Rosa Quasi ……” The lady spoke her name but stopped by Doctor Jekyll.

“You have over stayed here, Mycroft. Leave now.”

“I will do when I am ready. Meantime, your evening walk with this lady was reported to me. She had shown her killing moves which left two burly men injured.” Mycroft glared at the lady. “Please be advised the men died that night soon after the two of you left.”

“Dead? Impossible.” Rosa was stunned. “I merely stunned them then.”

“Yes, they were. The coppers found them later and that report came also to my attention.” Mycroft looked at the Doctor. “Both of you were seen leaving the park and was tailed by my men, leaving us not able to see how the men could had died, but gruesome will be the word. It was only later that I was advised. No one saw the murder but we suspect it was her.”

“She did not leave the unit.” Doctor Jekyll defended Rosa.

“Not with your knowledge. She had been seen climbing the walls by my men.” Mycroft said. “At night.”

“Obviously, your guests are very active at night.” Mycroft looked at her and then to the doctor. “I would not presume any other activities which we are not keen to know…… yet.”

“Leave now, Mycroft. I will terminate my services the Government immediately.” Doctor Jekyll raised his voice.

“Who will then pay the bills, Doctor?” Mycroft prodded the doctor. “She? Or her Count?”

“Get out, Mycroft.” Doctor Jekyll held out on his emotions.

“Remember this, Doctor Henry Jekyll. You cannot terminate the arrangement. Only we can. Good night, Doctor.” Mycroft took his leave then and Doctor Jekyll was furious. He felt his blood raging and excused himself to his own chamber.

“Rosa, you took a risk there.” Count Vlad appeared. “Our host has been a good one, but why must you scale the walls?”

“I am sorry, Master. I was curious and bored. I had to know if you were fine then.” Rosa lowered her head towards the count. “My family had pledged to serve you and only you.”

“The servitude of your family will be repaid by me when I am cured.” Count Vlad held out his arms to console the lady. “Once I am cured, I will destroy the castle and end the myth of Count Dracula. I am already controlling my appetite for blood, and hopefully Doctor Jekyll will find my cure.”

“Rosa, I desire to... die soon.” Count Vlad smiled. “Let us move on.”

In the chamber of Doctor Jekyll, the doctor retrieved the vials. He strapped himself to the specially designed chair with the iron clads for his limbs and his head. He had the vial attached to the contraption; he could operate with his right feet. The contraption was lowered to his exposed right arm, and the vial contents were injected into there through the syringe.

It was supposed to alter his body chemistry to make him counteract the rage of his inside. He needed that to ease the pain; it was the result of his previous attempts to create the super warrior. He was the patient, and his last tests had him losing his mind to another personality with immense strength. He had destroyed his lab during those rages. That accounted for the heavy reinforced doors and windows.

An experiment that went wrong.

He had fixed the antidote.

“The vial... It will calm me down. I must remain calm.” Doctor Jekyll told himself, but the rage in him was too strong.

“Rosa!” That was the last memory recalled by the doctor before he blacked out. It was sexual in the dream.