Preys and Predator Part II; the monster and witches' Chapter 10

 

10.

The procedure where amputated body parts are reattached to the body was unknown then. It was not like mending a bone. To do one such intricate surgery, the surgeons often repair injured bony structures as well as tendons, blood vessels, nerves, and skin. That was difficult by itself, with all the connectivity to do, but to animate it in the next stage requires the restoration of blood supply to the amputated part. If that could be done, the final approach was to return the amputated limb to its original appearance and location and restore functional activity. If all that was done, the last stage to resolve was the immune system of the person; the part restored could be rejected when the transplanted tissue was perceived as foreign.

The above was the textbook reading.

In the case of where Victor was approaching, it was a complete amputation, the removal of all structures (including the bone), unlike a partial amputation; if the distal part of the limb is sufficiently supplied with blood, blood vessels do not need to be reattached. The blood is necessary to reattach the vessels, or revascularization as medically termed. It was still under study, and if ever performed, it was deemed revolutionary.

The closing part of the works was the skin closure of some kind. This was done by suturing, as opposed to staples or surgical glues. The closure is a means of primary repair of skin and deeper layers (the subcutaneous tissue, fascia, etc.) to promote wound healing. Ancient medical history has evidence of that done with eyed needles, sometimes made of bone, passing a suture through wounds. The suture materials were crude and may include hemp, flax, hair, linen, pig bristles, grass, reeds, and other plants. The material carried through the ages was silk or catgut, made from the twisted intestines of sheep or horses to suture severed tendons.

Then came the revolutionary findings of surgeon Sir Joseph Lister, who helped introduce the concept of antiseptic surgery. The surgeon directed the use of carbolic acid spray as the antiseptic for surgical operations, circa 1865.

It worked. Lives were saved.

Victor sighed. He was trying to restore life from dead body parts. He looked at the body that he had created, the form from the head to the toes. It lacked hair, for those were removed during the medical examination, but his creation was unmoving.

It was still dead.

The jointed parts, painstakingly selected to match the joint parts, were lacerated with sutures, and there were gaps in the wounds. He had tried to go skin grafting. The most current findings then were the ‘pinch graft’ harvested epidermal small bits from the arm of the patient and fixed them into the middle of the wound with a diachylon bandage. Another process was tested then by another surgeon named Georg David Pollock, who transplanted two small pieces from the abdomen to the middle of the lower part of the defect. And subsequently, a second series was transplanted into the wound. The grafts grew well and divided the defect into two parts. More grafts were done, and it was a success.

His grafting did not heal.

“Dead!” Victor cried out. The years of research and work yield no result.

“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Daniel 12:2 ESV.

Victor was devastated with his works.

“Maybe it was best to lay to rest the dead than to resurrect them.” Victor groaned in pain. He had questioned his action. Why was the work there? He could have done much research that was worthwhile or rewarding.

“Rest now, Victor.” The comforting hand on the other’s shoulder was warm and comforting. Suddenly, Victor grabbed the hand and pushed it on the table with his right hand. He had in his left hand the scalpel that made the incision. He held up the scalpel over the wrist of the hand held there.

“Victor, it is me. Do not do it!” The voice pleaded. “It …”

“It is a live part. It holds blood and all the connectivity to …” Victor sighed. “I have never worked on a live specimen. Only the dead.”

“Victor, please. It is me, Justine. I cannot …” Justine looked at her hand held down by Victor with the scalpel just above the flesh.

“You have two hands. You could do without one.” Victor called out. “I may have the answer and restore your hand.”

“Please do not. I am …” Justine could not visualize the loss of her hand. “I need it.”

“Why? Why? Tell me why.” Victor jabbed the scalpel onto the tabletop. He then released his hold on Justine’s hand. She pulled away and stepped back. She nursed her wrist, which had then recovered Carmilla’s grip. She saw the dejection in Victor. She stepped forth and cuddled him with her arms over his. He went limp in her arms, and then tears fell from his eyes.

“I wanted to be different. I wanted to be Victor Frankenstein, the extraordinaire. I want to …”

“Hush, Victor. You are. Nothing great can be rushed.” Justine's lips sought the man’s head, and she kissed him as if any loving mother would comfort her own child.

“I am …” Victor released his tears. “I am a failure.”

“No, you are not. You are a genius. You need time and … more time to figure it out. It will work.” Justine held him tighter. “I believe in you.”

“Whoop! Am I at the wrong time?” The voice of William resonated behind the couple. Victor pulled away and turned towards the other.

“Get out and stay away. This is my lab.” Victor called out. “I did not ...”

“Hey, the door was unlocked, and I am with a guest.” William stepped aside to show the guest. “Carmilla, please meet my eccentric brother, Victor. She said, I believed you met before.”

“Hello.” Carmilla greeted Victor. The latter wiped his tears and then said.

“Hello, I am Victor. William, you may leave now.” Victor was rude and unaccommodating then. “This is my lab.”

“Wow! Is that what you have been doing here?” William approached the table with the reconstructed body lying there. “What are you doing?”

“William, leave now.” Justine cut in.

“And you were helping him. What will it be? My new … no, my nephew. I could see that thing there. A wee bit small.”

“William, get out. I am busy and would like to get back to work.” Victor snapped out.

“Obviously, I saw you and her.” William laughed. “I knew it. It was a matter of …”

“William Frankenstein, my relationship with Victor is strictly … professional.’ Justin in turn snapped at the brother. “And why are you bringing her here?”

Carmilla glared at Justine.

“Well, she did not join us for our meals, and I was told she may be bored. So, I took her around the mansion. Huge place we have. I have never been to some of the chambers before.”

“Leave Mother’s chamber alone.” It was one rule in the mansion: no one goes into the chamber after her death. The father does not go there. Sven held the key to it.

“I did not. I also did not go to Ernest’s torture chamber. Nor yours… Well, it was not to be, but we happened to walk by, and the door was unlocked.” William turned towards Carmilla. “We will leave them to their … whatever. Let me show my collection of serpents.”

“Leave now!” Victor called out. William took hold of Carmilla’s hand, and it was then that Carmilla looked at Justine.

“I will be visiting you soon.” Carmilla looked at Justine. The latter felt a whiff of coldness on her wrists. She watched Carmilla leave the chamber before she rushed over to lock the door.

“Damn my carelessness. We must move the parts into the cold room, or they will decay.” Victor was all works then.

Justine assisted the other in pushing the table with the wheels attached towards the cold room. The whiff of the sterilized chamber assaulted the scent of the lady. She rushed out soon after the table was pushed in. Victor closed the chamber door and approached her.

“Are you okay?” Victor held out his right hand, but she nudged it away. She felt the same feelings when her wrist was to be cut then. Justine then moved to the coat rack and retrieved her’ own.

“I best be going. I am already late for my next appointment.”

“Justine, what …? I want to say thank you.”

“What are friends for? We stand up for each other.” Justine took her leave of the lab. Victor locked it after her leaving. He looked at the lab-created. It was laborious, and one day. Justine knew of it. How was she to know? He was unsure, but she asked him about the works. He was reluctant to tell her, but he had questions for her. Eventually, he caved in and told her. She did not discredit him but gave him her support. She assisted him in the testing and even got the notes that he wanted. It was all work and no play for them.

Victor thought it was then.

“Maybe I am wrong.” Victor sighed. He had regarded Justine as his aide, and not his partner. He felt then the warmth of her body over him at the table. They have never held hands but the occasional handshake on some breakthroughs. She was hardly at the dining table; she preferred to eat out and only return for the board. She offered to pay for her board, but it was refused by Father. Instead, she brought food to the kitchen for them to cook. It was all smooth sailing until that day.

“No…” Victor shook his head. He must focus on his work. The holiday was almost over.

The shock was not over yet.

“Justine, I am sure we can work out some other arrangement.” Victor stood outside the chamber of Justine. She was packing her items to move out.

“I can get William to apologize to you. He was mistaken about us.” There were rumors among the maids that Victor was involved with Justine then even before the event. Elizabeth was not around to say goodbye, for she was away with her aunt on a trip overseas. William was going to show up, citing he does not care.

“I could speak to Father …” Victor was cut off.

“I had spoken to Uncle.” Justine had called the host by the family relation rank. “He had given me his blessing.”

“I am sure he was ……”

“Victor, when I told you yesterday, I was having an appointment, I meant an associate from the Uni who offered me a fresh research fund to continue my work. I accepted it, but the new grant required me to be housed in the uni. I have found a new board there.”

“We could …”

“No more excuses. I will be fine. The new term starts soon.” With that, Justine moved out of the mansion.