Preys and Predator Part II; the monster and witches' Chapter 17

 

17.

William met Justine at the Uni and inquired from her about her well-being.

“I did not know you moved out till the next day. The maids were all silent on it.” William invited her to the café to have a drink.

“I had told Sven to keep it quiet. Your father knew, and I had my goodbyes with him.” Justine sipped at her tea.

“Did you tell Victor about this?” William asked.

“Yes, I did. He met just when I was packing. I was to tell Ernest, but he did not reply to my knocks.”

“So, you told everyone but me. What am I to you? A stranger? You lived in my mansion and did not have the courtesy to tell me.” William raised his voice. The others seated nearby looked over.

“It was not your mansion. It was your father’s. I told him, and Victor happened to walk by my chamber. I…”

“Justine Moritz, we offered you a shelter, and you took to stay there for how long? Almost two years, and you left on a sudden note. The mansion belongs to the Frankenstein’s. I am one. You are not. And never will be.”

“What is it with you? I have found my board here. It was part of the grant.” Justine looked at the ones who were staring at them.

“I offered fees for my board at the mansion, and your father said no. I bought food for the kitchen. I was paying for my stay. Have you done any?”

It was brewing to an argument.

“I am his son. I am also the benefactor of his estate. How will I be dispersed on the estate, and if I do, it is none of your business.” William got off on the wrong footing. “And I was not fucking my way through the back door.”

“Fucking? Whoever gave you that idea?” Justine was upset then.

“Oh, that day when you saw with Victor. He was in pain, and I held him. That was it. I have ... and will not be fucking you. Or even Ernest the cripple.”

“Hold your tongue, Justine Moritz. Those are my family.”

“They were mine once before but not anymore. Go and fuck Liz. It looks like you needed that.” Justine got up and then grabbed the cup of tea.

“Get a new life, William. Liz is not coming back to you.” Justine tossed the remaining tea at William.

“She told me she was fed up with your advances.”

“Fuck you!” William roared back.

“Never in this lifetime or any others.” It was a blatant reply, and she lied about Liz. She never said anything bad about William.

Justine walked off, leaving Victor embarrassed. It was hard for anyone to be insulted in public.

Or in private. Spielsdorf met the Общий for a private breakfast at the library. They sat before the fireplace.

“Rudolf,” The host greeted the old friend. The other knew that this was to be a personal discussion. He smiled and looked at the spread on the table.

“Black tea, and… blini? (Small, yeast-risen pancakes that originated in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.  They are a traditional Slavic dish. I have not had that for a long time.” The guest said.

“I know. I got Sven to prepare for us. No more tea and scones or eggs.” The host laughed.

“Thank you, Общий.”

“It is Alf now. Call me that. I have the same served to Lauren.” The host laughed. “She will like it.”

“She will. What about the boys?”

“William is back at the uni. Victor, as I was told, sleeps in the lab. Ernest, he is more local to the meals here.” The host smiled. “I want to see you in private to talk about your recent travel.”

“There is not much to tell. I had stopped by here and….”

“Leaving your daughter to my care. She looked frail. How long were you on the roads?”

“Long and longer.” Spielsdorf sighed. “We left our home three summers ago.”

Soon, Spielsdorf narrated the journey he had undertaken, including the accident, and then his personal trip soon after until he was hit from behind.

“Did you see anything?”

“No. I was blindsided, and next, I was here. I did not kill the doctor.” Spielsdorf sighed. “It could have been the …”

“Countess Carmilla Karnstein? It cannot be. She was defeated by the Count then.”

“Defeated? No, she was not. She escaped then. Count Dracula could not pursue her then.” Spielsdorf looked at his commanding officer. “She may be back. She had harassed my family for many years, caused the death of Lissa, and blinded Lauren.”

“Assumption, Spielsdorf. You have no proof. Count Dracula said that she may take a long time to be resurrected.”

“Not really in those words, but resurrected she will be, but how we were not told.” Spielsdorf looked at the portrait. “You were given the jewel. Her blood in it. You were told that it may be the thing to stop her.”

“Yes, but again not in many words. The Count did not say how, but it was to do it. And I have no idea how.” The host held out the cane. “If it will work for you, please take it.”

“No, Общий. The jewel was given to you by the count, and it shall be yours to hold. I have battled her, if I assumed it was her, and still survived. Let me be.”

“No, Rudolf. Your battles are mine too. We will destroy the countess together.”

Togetherness was what Victor was trying to create. He wanted to create not any entity but a creation of togetherness with the living. He had spent hours teaching the creation.

“You can walk now.” Victor was proud of creation.

It was taking small steps across the lab. He had dressed the creation in a simple frock to cover the anatomies. It was distracting then; the creation was not perfect. The left leg was slightly longer, and the right foot was bigger. The arms were fine; muscular in the forearm, but the hands were perfect. The torso was fine; it was the original part, and the head was too. The creation lacked hair, but that was not an issue. The laceration caused by the sutures was hardly seen. It was the nakedness that was distracting. The creation held a set of breasts that were perfect; perky and handful with the pouty lips on the mouth.

“Henry, stop staring.” Victor found his aide staring at her. He was but averted the gaze when he could.

“Can we name her?” Henry asked.

“Why her? It is a creation.”

“It is a woman. She got …”

“Stop the generalization. The creation had some attributes, but I could change that.” Victor was confident that his creation was his to change.

“I… am a woman?” The creation spoke.

“No, you are not a woman. You are mine. You are my creation. I created you.” Victor found himself explaining to the creation.

“I am a … creation.” The figure looked at Victor. “What is he?”

It was the first query raised by the creation. Victor was shocked by the query.

“He? He is Henry. He is… he is mine too.” Victor said.

“Am I?” Henry asked. Victor did not reply. Instead, he told the creation to learn on the walks.

Henry approached his master. He leaned over and asked. “Am I yours too?”

“Yes, you are. I am your master.” Victor replied.

“Master, please hurry.” Elaine called out. She felt every thrust by the young master. He was getting tough in his acts. He wore the sheath made from the animal intestines, the sheep, or the calf. It was secured by the ribbon string at the base. He had insisted on wearing that, for he was afraid of the disease or being claimed as the father. It was Doctor Mitchell’s introduction, and he wore that only for the whores and unnamed ladies. He was more careful ever since he had sworn his faithfulness to Liz.

“Soon…” William grunted. He felt the dryness in the passage and then gave up. He pulled out and stepped back.

“Is it over, Master?” Elaine looked at the man and saw it was not.

William withdrew the sheath and lay back. Elaine knew her task ahead and enveloped him with her mouth. It did not work either.

“Stop!” William swung his legs off the bedding.

“Get dressed and leave.”

Elaine felt disgusted to be discarded then. She knew she had no option. She was, after all, the maid. She will take her dues in other means.

“Master William, can I have some coins, please?”

“Yes, take what you need but leave me some. I will collect later from Sven.”

William walked to the window. He heard the maid took her dues, and his ordeal was not over.

“Justine….” William's thoughts went to the lady.