Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 23

 

23           The fog lifted.

 

Doctor Jekyll kept his silence on the revelation made by the Count. In brief, he feared the events that the count was to know. 

“Doctor, I have been getting reports on your work on blood for some years. I have many associates who worked for me, and some are in this city.” The count was seated across the table from the doctor. “I made an effort to see you, but you have declined me several times.”

“Count Vlad, I...” The doctor was cut off.

“I know. Your works are not to be published. My affliction is the same, though rumoured to be in the making of a monster.” Count Vlad looked to Rosa, who was standing at the end of the table. “The Quasi family has been my steadfast supporter for many generations. They do not believe in the monster part.”

“Count, I was to...” The doctor was cut off once more.

“As I was to say, I had to get the influence of someone higher in the ranks to assist me.” Count Vlad smiled. “Most unfortunately, but an understanding among royalties. The princess was most accommodating. Was she a study maté of yours?”

“Yes, she was. We studied in the same faculty, but we parted ways when she was called back to her family for other duties.” Doctor Jekyll explained.

“Were you and her...” Rosa was trying to make herself the words.

“No, we were friends. Good friends” The doctor smiled. “We remained as one.”

“Yes, it was the Lord Dennis himself who told me to look for you. He knew of my ailments. He knew of your studies with his daughter and felt you were the one I should consult.”

“Daisy……… I meant Princess Daisy died a few years ago from an uncurable disease. A blood disorder.” Doctor Jekyll looked to the count. “I was there...”

“And tried to cure her. Blood conditions were your expertise.” Count Vlad smiled. “I am coming to that issue. Her father, the Lord somehow...”

“I was in the debts of his Lordship, and his request to aid you was a challenge. I was...” Doctor Jekyll looked towards Rosa. “Interest me then.”

“Yes, he told me he was also financing your work. He was very keen on the blood experiments.” Count Vlad did not miss the exchange of looks between the two persons. “And my contributions were adequate?”

“Yes, they were. I am... I am still fine.” Doctor Jekyll looked to the Count. “I offered to treat you, for your blood is unique.”

“You are developing the Super Warrior serum. Did my blood give you any results?”

“How did you know, Count? Of course, his Lordship told you. It was a cover, or rather, my focus for the government, while I still do my own to find the cause of the blood disorder. I must admit the tests lead me to more of the focus than a medical cure.”

“And I came in conveniently?” Count Vlad smiled.

“It was a... Deciding factor, yes. I had read the reports from your adversaries and the rumors. It was a possible pathway to the solution I need.”

“And for that, you accepted my request.” Count Vlad smiled. It was then Rosa interrupted.

“Master, I think we have to leave.” Rosa glared at the doctor.

“I can sense your anger there, Rosa, but we will stay. The doctor has his personal reasons, and I am fine with that. I do...”

“I think we... You are not a test subject but a patient here.” Rosa looked to the count. “We will find another with a more sincere approach.”

“Thank you, Rosa. But I... " The count tried to pacify the lady, and it was the doctor who intervened then.

“Rosa, I will find... Try to find one for the count. I can...”

“You are lying. I think we shall leave.” Rosa walked to her chamber and slammed the door. The count looked at the doctor with a smile.

“The young lady likes you. She felt you did not tell...”

“Enough of myself? Perhaps…. Or was it I need to? I am treating you as my patient, and I...”

“Your denial or failure to admit is a sign of your ego here. She obviously likes you, but there are so many things about you that she does not know. When I spoke of the princess, she was... She envies that.”

“I …… I am at a loss for words. I have stayed with my works since... Daisy’s death. It affected me to find a cure and was diverted to the serum. I guess I am a failure at the affairs of the heart. I seem to wander off on tangents.”

“Do not despair there. A great mind will focus on the more major issues. I did with mine for the people of my land and ignored the love of my life. Elisabeta took her own life, and I was... left alone. It built my anger towards my adversaries, and as a result, I was branded a monster. It was not myself but the acts of mine. I impaled them all.”

“Daisy’ death makes me a recluse, and with my experiments, I was ostracized until his Lordship saw me through it. I guess, in some similarity, we are monsters.” Doctor Jekyll smiled.

“Monster we are, but let us undo the myth.” Count Vlad nodded. “Tell me what was the difference in the vial you took.”

“I do not know. The ones I developed were to give me stimulus to quell my anger. My previous experiments had me... showing some results. I had it tested on some volunteers, but they displayed various signs of aggression and had to be... put down. It was soon after I decided to test it on myself with controlled conditions like the restraints. I had to know the effect on the body from my own. I felt the adrenaline push and the pulsating blood; it almost killed me then when my heart was about to explode. I managed to settle back and found myself when agitated; I will feel my blood roar like before. Thereafter, I controlled myself, but with added controls, I developed a serum to slow my heart. That was the vial I was to inject, but I took yours by mistake.”

“I felt my body reacting and then blackness.” Doctor Jekyll sighed. “What happened?”

“I heard your banging and screams. I then rushed to your chamber, but your door was locked. I pulled at it with Rosa’s help, but it was not moving much. We shouted towards you, and the banging was then on the door. It could have unhinged the door and then slammed open. There you were, or rather, he who looks like you but doubles the dimension.” The count related the incident.

“Doctor Jekyll!” The count called.

“I am not the doctor. I am Hyde. Call me Mr. Hyde.” The huge frame occupied the doorway. He was bare-chested, and the biceps were huge. He looked at the lady and frowned.

“Daisy? Are you here?” The other said. “It is me, Hyde. I am back.”

Rosa stood behind the count for protection. Mr. Hyde approached the lady, but the count held out his arms to stop the other.

“Whoever you are, you must not come near her.” The count had stood there.

“Imbecile!” Mr. Hyde swung his fist at the count. “No one stops Hyde.”

The count dove with his right arm upwards to block the punch. He pulled back in pain when the arm of his was hit. He then rushed at Mr. Hyde with a body slam. It was able to push the other off his feet and towards the doorway. He was grabbed by the other and tossed across the hall.

Count Vlad stood up from his fall and felt his own adrenaline rushing inside. He was into his rage then; the blood in his body reacting to the threat made him what he was to be known as a monster. He rushed back at Mr. Hyde with new strength and pulled the other by the right arm to swing him across the room. Mr. Hyde, despite his huge strength, fell against the dining table.

“You fight me?” Mr. Hyde turned to look at the count.

“To protect my people, I will do so.” Count Vlad snarled at the other, displaying the fanged teeth on his mouth. “I am Count Dracula when I am threatened.”

“Stop! Stop please….” Rosa had stood in between the two men. “Stop the fighting.”

“Daisy …...” Doctor Jekyll looked at the lady. “My dear...”