Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 13

 

13.

 

 Rudolf Spielsdorf looked for his daughter, making his way past the rubbish and what is not in the corridors. She was then seen in the chamber where she rested then.

“Lauren, have you ……” The father asked.

“No, it is not there. I searched everywhere, but it was missing.’ Lauren was in a state of panic. “I am sure I placed it there.”

The chamber was a mess, with the bedding structure damaged and the other furniture all strewn about. The draperies were torn off the railing. Lauren was crouched near the bedding structure.

“I feel ……. Their presences. They were here.” Lauren looked up to her father. “Carmilla said I cannot use my……”

“Say no more, Lauren.” The father reached for the gun on his waist belt. “I will protect you.”

“No, Father. They are not here to harm me. Something else …… is protecting the mansion. I do not know what, but it is ……. The witches could not hurt it.”

“Come to me, child.” Rudolf motioned to his daughter. “We will……”

It was then that Rudolf looked at the lab that was next to the mansion. He felt a presence was there behind the trees, watching him, and yet it was hiding. Lauren approached the father and looked outside.

“Do you see it?’ Rudolf asked.

“I ……. I do not ……” Lauren looked to the father. “What am I to see?”

“Probably nothing.” Rudolf held onto his daughter. He knew he saw something that was from his memory. The creature then before. It was there.

“Father, I need to find the runes.” Lauren insisted. “I have to……”

“Not today, my dear. We will stay the night in the town. Tomorrow, we will resume with the help of … the staff.” Rudolf held his daughter tight. “It was a long ride, and we need to rest.”

At that moment, Sven had taken to his own home at the edge of the forest. He was uneasy with the return of the young master and the so-called restoration of the mansion. He stepped in and placed the rifle above the fireplace. He stood there and looked outside from the window towards the resting place of his raised son, Henry. He found Henry in the forest and adopted him. He also buried the lad.

A fine lad till his untimely death.

“Are you well, Sven?” The old man heard the voice and turned towards it.

“How long have you been here, Inspector Watson?” Sven looked at the figure standing there.

“I just arrived.” The inspector walked towards the dining table in the cottage. “I was passing by and saw the chaise there. A guest, perhaps?”

“Oh, that was an old…… guest. They stopped over to pay their respects to the masters. Will you be staying long?” Sven did not like Inspector.

“Not long. Just passing by.” Inspector Watson smiled. He had a glance towards the grave of Henry seen outside. There was a headstone there bearing the name Henry Ducard. “You tend to the grave well.”

“Graves?” Sven was surprised. The Frankenstein burial site was a distance away, and it was unkempt. Only Henry’s grave was tended to. Maybe it was nearer to Sven’s cottage.

“Your son, Henry.” Inspector Watson motioned to the grave out there.

“Yes, I do. Henry is my son.” Sven nodded. He did not tend to the grave; it was done by someone else. “Are you done, Inspector? I am tired and needed to rest.”

“Yes, I am. I will be seeing you ……. Another day.” Inspector Watson nodded and walked to the door. Sven ignored the man and took the back door to the grave of his son. He stood there and watched the growing lilac flowers there. There were pebbles placed around the grave, giving it a border to the burial site. It was a garden that was well taken care of. He proceeded to look at the glass vase that he placed over the face of Henry. It was an unusual thing for him to do then, but he reckoned Henry would like to look out too if he was buried there. He looked down at the narrow glass vase and looked at his son.

“Henry…” Sven muttered. The expression on Henry’s face was still very much the same as when he was alive. Somehow, something had preserved his flesh there. He was surprised that despite the decade-long period, Henry had not deteriorated much in the flesh.

“Father….” Sven heard the calling.

“You shall stay away……. The Inspector is here.” Sven did not turn to look but continued staring at the vase.

“He left.” The voice said. “I saw him leave. He ……. They cannot see me.”

“How are you, Mary?” Sven asked without looking. “I left a change of clothes for you.”

“I have changed into it. I could tell it was Henry’s. I can feel him on me. I buried the old ones. Do you like the flowers?”

“Yes, it is beautiful.” Sven looked to the flowers there at the grave. “You……”

“Henry is mine. I loved him. He will like it.”

“Mary, you must know. Victor… Your master is back here.” Sven said. “He returned to……”

“Master is back? I am glad. Maybe he ……”

“He is back with his ……. Daughter. I think she is …….”

“Elizabeth’s? I hate her. She will destroy his life.”

“Mary, Elizabeth has left Victor. She returned here eight years ago… alone,” Sven said. “Now, Victor returned with his child.”

“His child? My master has a child. I am glad.”

“Yes, her name is Mary Annabelle… Frankenstein.”

“He named her …… Mary. That is my name. Henry gave me that name.”

“Mary……. You must not see your master. He may …… will be in danger if you do.” Sven sighed. “They will ….”

“I …… I must. Master Frankenstein will….”

“No, Mary. You must not. The …… others will hunt you if you are seen.” Sven turned to look. What he saw was a figure dressed in the shirt with the cropped sleeves and pants from his son, Henry. Mary was her name, and she looked the same when he first saw her. Her hair was still cropped short, and her face was when he saw her then. She was still wearing the same shoes, for Henry had not had extra shoes when he died. He looked at the figure, expressionless, staring back at him.

“Mary, you……”

“Father,” Mary called the man her father, as that was how Henry had called the old man. “I will not wish harm upon my master, but I have some requests to ask of him.”

“What is it … that you want?” Sven sighed.

“I want him to bring back Henry to me.” Mary said. “I am lonely.”

“Henry is dead.” Sven sighed.

“So was I. I was dead, but now… I live.” Mary took a step towards Sven. Despite all the times they met, Mary had stood a distance away.  “I want Henry to live too.”

“Mary… Henry is dead.” Sven’s eyes teared up. “Please do not torment me. He will not live… again.”

“No, Father,” Mary said. “He lies there waiting for me ……. For my master to revive him.”

Sven looked at the grave. He was unable to explain it. When he looked at Henry, it was as if he was sleeping there. He may not be dead after all, but what preserved his body was the confusing part.

“You read to me about the princess that was asleep a long time. Maybe Henry is the same.” Mary looked at the grave. “My master could revive him.”

“Why? Whatever for?” Sven was getting agitated.

“So, we can be together. And maybe have a child. If it is a boy, I will call him Victor. If it is ……”

“Stop! You are ……” Sven bit his tongue from saying on. “Henry is dead. He will remain dead.”

“I must go, Father. I will come back soon.” Mary took off into the forest.

“Heavenly Father, please spare me this moment that I am to relive my nightmares. Let ……bygones be bygones.” Sven fell to his knees and offered prayer.