Preys and Predator Part II; the monster and witches' Chapter 45

 

45.

The household staff of the mansion was leaving, and there was nothing that Sven could do to stop them. The kitchen staff was reduced to one lady, Mrs. Beatrice, who professed that she was too scared to be outside. Elaine took her bags and walked out, patting her belly, which everyone attributed to her diet, but her tears were real. She was consoled by the stable hand, John Irving, who had stood in for William and kept the nights busy, missing the part that what was given would be burdened to him. The others who did not stay on had found employment with the other houses.

Sven looked at the empty hall and sighed, “Well, at least we do not have any house guests…… new ones.”

Spielberg and Lauren were leaving soon.

Victor was recovering in his chamber; while there were others confined to the chambers and most of the households were absent, the mansion was silent. The soldiers remained at their posts and were generously served by the new cook, a lady by the name of Hubbard.

It was the same at the village; the hunt was halted, the woodcutters were keeping themselves to the taverns, and they resorted to fishing by the river near the river. They had read in the book, with Matthew 4:19, “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  It would have worked, but the river was narrow, and lined up on the village side were the men with their rods; a paltry dinner may be served with the catch.

The families were mourning their departed members at the church, and even Muriel’s home was silent. Their prayers, led by one of the most devoted of the church in the absence of the priest, had one verse repeatedly voiced: “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 62:8 (NLT).

Some added the phrase monster to replace mortals.

Elizabeth Muriel kept her distance from her aunt, having her own meals alone in the room and never leaving the house. For the last few evenings, she had her conversation with God for guidance. While Anne Muriel kept her own solace that if the niece was to tell her, it would be soon.

“Deliverance is to be mine soon.” Mrs. Muriel ends her waking hours with that last line daily.

Sergeant O’Reilly had his men marching the paths at the village to avoid boredom and to impress the ladies there, but he got not an invite to their homes; their parents were not keen on a Protestant to say grace at supper. It was a conflict that dated back to when King Henry VIII decided to separate the entire country of England from the Roman Catholic Church.  The Pope had no more authority over the people of England; this parting of ways allowed for Protestantism to enter the country.

Well, things changed soon enough, less than a week after the end of the hunt.

“Chief Constable, sir. I got news for the sergeant.” Constable Watson burst into the chamber behind the altar at the church. The former was holding his own prayers that every wire he received from the city was a recall one, but none of it was that. It was more of asking, Was the investigation done?

“Speak up, constable. I am not having any better news of late.” Chief Constable Lestrade sighed. “Probably another concerned father on the sergeant's display of prowess.”

“Sir, the sergeant told me that his regiment is sending over a company of men to assist in the search for the monster.” Constable Watson beamed the smile. “A hundred good soldiers to be led by one Lieutenant Shape, Randolph Sharp.”

“Bloody time to do so.” Chief Constable Lestrade, in turn, beamed a smile. “Make sure there are no Ducos or Hakeswills among them. They are monsters in their own image.” (A borrowed line from Sharpe’s series of quotes.)

“Pardon me, Chief Constable. I do not get you.”

“Bloody runny nose bleeds for you, Son.” The Chief Constable, Lestrade, dismissed the constable. He looked to the ones praying there.

“Closure soon.”

Spielberg and Lauren bid their farewell. Sven offered them the carriage for their journey. He noticed the former holding the bejewelled cane that was once the Общий.

“I am borrowing it, Sven. There is a need for some protection on the road.” Spielberg saw the look on the other. “I also borrowed his revolver.”

“Yes, Общий. It is all in order. I will let Master Victor know of this. He will approve of it too.”

“I am fine with that.” Victor appeared to wish the guest a good trip. He was dressed in the dressing gown. He was in the personal chamber resting.

“Master Victor, you should be resting.” Sven rushed to the side of the surviving Frankenstein member. “I have deferred to the Chief Constable to see you the last few days.”

“I am okay, Sven. I am to say goodbye to …… Mr. Spielsdorf and Lauren.” Victor looked towards the frail lady. “We never met, and now we are saying goodbye.”

“Another day and time, sir.” Lauren said. Spielberg then approached Victor and took him a distance away.

“Victor, you must adhere to the version I told the Chief…….”

“Do not worry, sir. I know what it is to be told.” Victor assured the man. “Please be on your way. I am to go to my lab. I have work to do there.”

“Obviously.” Spielsdorf said, and the younger man walked to the lab. “Sven, take care of the young master.”

“Sir, may I offer you some food for the trip?” It was the new cook. “I had it done this morning. Fresh from the oven.”

The cook handed over the basket containing the meals and some fresh apples.

“Fresh red apples, sir. Good for the lady. An apple a day keeps the …… hunger away.” The cook smiled. “I got a small bottle of rum in there for you too.”

Spielberg thanked the lady. He was then asked where he was headed.

“Up North, northeast to be exact. Long ride ahead.”

“Aye, be careful. The roads are filled with highwaymen and …… But do take care. God with you, Sir, and to the lady.” The cook smiled. “I must be going. I have a pot cooking there.”

Without looking back, Victor had not seen the cook speaking to the guest. He was to unlock the lab door and went inside. The bloodstains were not there. He knew the bodies are in the cold chamber. It was all done by Sven. He approached the worktable covered by his working notes. He was to pack them for the so-called trip with Henry, but he did not. He had carried his revolver then.

“Master, I am back.” Victor heard the voice. He turned towards it. Momentarily, he saw it was Henry.

“Henry? You are dead. I shot you.” Victor uttered it out.

“No, Master. It is I.” Victor, out of his shock, saw then the creation dressed in Henry’s clothes. “I am back.”

“How…… when did you arrive? I locked the door.” Victor looked to the doorway.

“Henry told me of the trapdoor in the basement behind the shelves.” The creation said. “He showed me the place.”

The lab had a basement where Victor kept the unused equipment. Like the old smugglers, they had their secret doorway to escape any raids.

“I came in from there. I stayed in the cold chamber as before.” The creation was explained.

“The forest…… Did you hurt those men?”

“Hurt? I did terminate them. They tried to hurt me. They tried to do to me what Henry said no one was to do. They took my clothes, and I ……... terminated them. Like those small creatures who come to the lab during nighttime.”

They were rodents, and with the creation, that rodent issue was resolved. Henry used to toss the rodents into the furnace when he saw them dead on the flooring.

“Did they…?” Victor was confused.

“Yes, I step on them and remove the hands. Bad hands.” The creation is explained. “Master, where is Henry?”

“I do…… I do not know. I did not see him.”

“Henry walked with you that day. He did not return. I tried to find him.” The creature looked at its master. “I miss Henry.”

“He …… He may return one day.” Victor looked towards his notes. “I have work to do.”

“Where did you get Henry’s clothes?” 

“I took it off him.” The creation said. “He was dead. His body is not moving. It was scarred. I had to bury him.”

“Dead? Did you find Henry? You just said you could not find him.” Victor looked towards the creation.

“I found his body. He was not there. I called, but he did not reply. I took his clothes as they were his.”

“What did you do to the body?”

“I buried him in the ground. He told me when a body dies, the soul leaves it. I was to find his soul and then have it return to his body.” It explained. “His body has holes in it.”

“Where did you bury Henry?”

“At the creek. Under the grass where we slept.” It said to the master. “I only buried his body, not his soul. Henry will return……... I want to see him again. I want to see him back with his body. Not only in my dreams.”

“Do you dream?” Victor asked.