Preys and Predator Part II; the monster and witches' Chapter 26

 

26.

Spielsdorf looked at the man he once knew as the Общий, then was in pain. He lost his son, and there was no killer found. They were seated at the library without any clue as to what they should do next.

“Общий, it is time for me to leave. I will bring …”

“Do no such thing, Rudolf.” The Общий stopped his friend. He had called Spielsdorf by the nickname. “I need a friend now.”

“And Lauren is still not able to travel.” The Общий reminded his friend. He had inquired about the young lady’s health through Sven; she is frail but recovering.

“Lauren is a strong lady like her mother.” Spielsdorf smiled. “She will be fine.”

“Are you selfish, Spielsdorf? Maybe we all are. We devoted our lives to the military and forewent our loved ones. Many a time, I was on those bastards’ orders, and never once had Annabelle said no.”

“Well, she did once.” Общий sighed. “And Ernest was the result. A cripple for life.”

“You cannot blame yourself there, Общий. It was not your fault.”

“It was mine. I am the Общий, and I wanted it. I …” The Общий sighed. He had told Spielsdorf of his shame. After that day, he never touched her, and soon when she was with their child, he had prayed that he had done right, but the girl he wanted was to be a boy.

“Spielsdorf, we are monsters in our ways.” The Общий mind was slipping with age. He called his friend by the name then. “Please do not leave just yet. Let Lauren be here… I need to do something right.”

Spielsdorf hesitated there. He wants to continue the pursuit of Lissa’s murderer, and there was nothing to work on there at the village. The missing girls were deemed to be runaways, and Constable Brown was considered missing in action; rumours said that he was pursuing some robbers and could have been killed on duty. His body was never found. A new constable was in the process of being recruited, but no one had volunteered. The other village nearby provided the assistance of their constable on a weekly rotation.

“Общий, I need to. …” Spielsdorf changed his mind.

“You want to hunt Lissa’s murderer. I can tell that in you. I would if I were you. Maybe we will find the murderer and be done with it and then retire to die old.” The Общий roared out. “I am old, but I am still capable of killing. I cannot ride a horse, but a carriage will suffice. When do we leave?”

“Общий, I cannot ……”

“I am your commanding officer. I say we do it.” The Общий was slipping in his mind. He then leaned back on the seat. “Let me come, Rudolf. I am old and needed the last hurrah.”

“Yes, Общий. We will do it. Lauren will stay here. We will revisit the old mansion of the countess and start from there.”

“So be it. I will inform Sven that he is to hold fort here.” The Общий felt rejuvenated. He held up the cane and looked at the blood-red jewel. “If you are any good, show me then.”

A show of guilt was what was in the mind of Victor. He should have monitored Henry, for the latter was his servant.

His creation, as he many times had claimed.

Victor had encouraged Henry to be strong, not only in the mind but also in the body.

“Be strong, and no one will be able to bully you.” Victor had encouraged Henry since he was young. Sven had said that Henry was weak in the mind, but Victor knew otherwise. That was why he had Henry to assist him. They were menial tasks, but Henry was there. He could carry the parts to the table and back again. He was taught to remember which of the parts by name. He was told of the functions.

“That is funny, Master Victor. I cannot use that.” Victor had explained the genitals of the man and woman to Henry. “No one will want me.”

“You cannot say that, Henry. One day, you will find a mate. And she will want you. Both of you will produce a child.”

“I do not know. I am a monster. That is what Sven says I am not. William told me otherwise.” Henry laughed. “I am the better one if I am ever a monster, I think.”

Victor had explained to him that that was not true. When the news of Henry with the sheep erupted, Henry hid in the lab. He only met the priest for the sermons.

“Ephesians 5:33 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.” The priest made Henry recite that verse. “Amend your thoughts and you will be in HIS flock again.”

Henry will return there and cry at the corner. Victor had consoled him, and the pain in Henry was deep.

“I did not know. I saw the sheep do it. I tried, and it was… nice. I did it again and again until the woodcutters saw me. I was beaten and branded a monster.” Henry confessed. “I am a monster. No one wants to be my friend. The ladies all shunned me. I am … lonely.”

“No, Henry. You are not alone. You have me, William, and Justine. We all love you.” Victor assured the other.

“William does not like me. He sneers at me behind your back. He said, I am a weeny monster.” Henry cried. “I am not. I am no different.”

“No…. I meant yes, Henry. You are the same with all of us.” That was one reason why Henry began to dislike William. He cannot hate Master William, for he was the master’s son.

Hatred is a pain that we all may hold.

“Carmilla, my father is going away. I am scared.” Lauren whispered to her friend on the bedding. It was late into the night. She knew then, for Carmilla was there.

“We used to travel together. We will ride far and wide and visit those villages. Some were nice, but others were not. We will house ourselves with some villagers, but most times, it was the church. The church does not turn you away. They do hate us.”

“Do you hate him for that?” Carmilla asked with her right hand caressing the bosom. She was holding onto the left breast to hear the heartbeats.

“No, we never did. Father said we must not. If we are invited to their home, we will be grateful. If not, we will thank them anyway. Not everyone can be charitable.” Lauren sniggered, “Do not press so hard. I feel funny.”

“I am not.” Carmilla squeezed harder. Lauren laughed and heaved her body upwards. She then leaned back and smiled.

“There were times I saw the boys. They were staring at me. I was not pretty, and with dirt on me, I must look haggard. Father will chase them off and bring me water to wash. I will do it behind the door while he stands outside. I will wash my dresses and then put on the fresh one. Sometimes, we send the dresses to the seamstress to mend.” Lauren smiled. “And we will pay them for their kindness.”

“Kindness? I doubt many will do that.” Carmilla sighed. “I have rarely seen it. The people I knew were bad. They will stab you in the back when you are unaware.”

“That must be painful.” Lauren turned towards Carmilla. “You never really tell me of your past.”

“My past is ever painful. I left with my… mother for a better life. Unfortunately, we were involved in an accident. And I ended up here.”

“How are your injuries?” Lauren asked.

“Still there. The wound may heal but not the pain.” Carmilla replied. It was then Lauren reached down and caressed Carmilla.

“Yes, that injury is still raw.” Carmilla moaned.

“You are being silly.” Lauren pulled her hand, but Carmilla grabbed it and pulled it towards there.

“You are hurting me.” Lauren called out. Carmilla released the hand and apologies.

“I am sorry. I cannot… I must remember that you have delicate skin.”

That ended their questions, and soon Lauren was asleep. Carmilla got out of the bed and looked at the lady there.

“Our friendship is valued, but I sensed the event to unfold at my mansion will require my purview.” Carmilla walked through the walls to her chamber. In her walk, she passed by Victor’s chamber. He was asleep then, his bed covers thrown back, and the man was in a dream state.

“Justine, do not do it.” Victor in his dream was looking at Justine holding the gun at William’s head. “He is my brother.”

The shot rang out, and William slumped to the ground. Victor rushed towards his brother. The bullet had penetrated the cranial bone. It was over for William.

“Why?” Victor looked up and saw it was Elizabeth holding the gun.

“He is a monster.” Elizabeth replied. “He must die. All monsters are to die. The purity of the breed must be maintained.”

“No!” Victor screamed out. He found himself alone on his bedding. He was staring at the ceiling. There was a specter on there. It was staring at him. It was a lady. He jumped out of the bedding and out of the chamber. He ran to the side doorway and out into the estate. He stopped at the lab, but he was not to go in. He ran past it into the forest. He ran and then, having rested at the creek. It was a long, tiring run.

“You are funny.” Victor heard the voice. He knew that voice.

“So are you.” Another voice was heard.

It was Henry and the creation. They were by the creek, naked and holding each other’s hands. Victor saw Henry kiss the creation. It was not humane; it was monstrous.

“I hate you.” Victor hissed in his breath, but he stood there watching from behind the bush.

“Yes, I like that.” Henry was humping at the creation from the rear. It felt like the sheep, but this was not one. It was a lady, in Henry’s view.

“I am there.” Henry voiced out before he slumped over the back of the creation. He rolled over onto his back.

“Did you feel it?” Henry asked. The creature shook its head.

“I cannot feel, but I am happy you did.” The creation looked at Henry. “I will talk to Master Victor to make me feel. Then we can feel it together.”

“I …” Henry hesitated in his words. “Master Victor …”

“He will not hate us for what you are feeling, Henry.” The creation smiled. “We must be getting back.”