Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 11

 

11.

 

Victor took to the rear of the mansion and saw the unkempt garden. He was not keen on that and took his walk to his sanctuary. He saw the building that was once his lab, the workplace of his when he experimented with the creation of life. He saw next to it the power generator building, the lifeline of his works. He took the slow stroll towards the lab.

“I kept guard on it.” Sven held his rifle cradled in his arms like that of a ground keeper, following behind the young master, voiced. “I guarded the generator and lab very carefully.”

Victor saw the barred windows, and the main door to the lab was barricaded. Huge pots were placed outside to deter the breaking down of the door. Some of the pots were broken there.

“I had the pots moved there. Huge ones, but the rascals still tried to break in. I had dogs posted there, but the rascals were merciless. They killed the dog.”

Victor remembered the dog that he brought back from the Uni’s. The dog had patrolled the mansion grounds, chasing or scaring off any intruders. He had experimented on the dog, using the work of Luigi Galvani, an Italian physician and physicist who investigated the nature and effects of what he conceived to be electricity in animal tissue.

It did not work, and the animal died.

Henry was displeased, and they placed the dead animal into the furnace at the lab. It was to serve that purpose of removing the dead experiments. It was one of his many failed experiments.

“Sven helped me move the pots.” Victor reached for the nearby pot.

“No need, young master. I have another doorway build.” Sven took him to the rear, and by the side of the generator building, he moved the bushes to reveal the waist-high doorway. It was latched with a heavy lock.

“We can go in from here.” Sven unlocked the door. Victor crouched down and went in. The first thing that caught his attention was the stench there, and later it was the silence at the lab. Without the generator operating, the lab looked abandoned with dust accumulated on the shelves and cabinets. The metal cases were pried open, and the contents were pillaged. The cabinet that pinned Ernest was still where it was last lifted aside to get the body out. The blood stains were dried there. The blood stains on the wall where Maple was staked on remained there.

“I left everything as it was then.” Sven looked at the cold chamber. The door was closed there.

“The authorities removed some items from here, and the generator was dismantled for parts for the Uni’s, but there were some break-ins too, but there was nothing left of value here. They were like scavengers.”

‘Not contented with the scavenging, they even started a fire there.” Sven pointed to the corner. Victor saw the burnt marks there. “It was a small fire, and no …… equipment was damaged. I managed to put out the fire.”

Sven had lied. It was not him who put out the fire but Mary, the creature that Victor created then. The creature feared the fire, but it took courage to put it out. It then killed the two boys who did the fire and took the bodies to the woods. The missing boys were never found by the authorities.

Mary had told Sven about the fire when it returned to Sven for a change of clothes.

“What did you do to the boys?” Sven asked when he treated the burnt marks. It was never said.

Victor opened the door to the cold chamber. He reeled backwards from the stench. With the power off, the chamber was removed of its content; it still held the stench of dead tissues. Sven helped to close back the door.

“It was unopened for years. I had no reason to open it.”

“Did you see the creature… again?” Victor asked. He was curious about the creature. It used to shelter there at the cold chamber.

“Creature? No…… I have not.” Sven lied again. He then moved to shift the subject matter. “I did see Ms. Muriel in the town. She came back some years ago.”

“Did you search for the creature?” Victor ignored the news of Elizabeth.

“No. The authorities spent some weeks on it, but I was ……. Not informed if they found it.” Sven looked at the young master. “I was not to get involved. I have just then buried Henry.”

“Please get someone to restore …… No, I just changed my mind. Just… just clean the mansion and lab. I will see to the generator myself. We will then sell the estate.  I will have the money sent to you for the cleanup. I will be in town for a while. I will stay at the Merry Men tavern.” Victor told the caretaker.

“As for you, Sven. I will……. That part of the land where your home is will be given to you.”

“Master Frankenstein, I have no need for the land. I am old and may soon move on.” Sven looked to the young master. “This is your home, Master Frankenstein. You should preserve it.”

“I…… I will do what is needed.” Victor then stepped out and walked to the main gate. The carriage was not there yet, but he saw then the approaching chaise. He recognized the driver of the chaise.

“Good day, Mr. Spielsdorf. Are you visiting?”

Their last meeting was uneventful, for the older man had helped him then. He then recalled himself taking Maple’s legs for Ernest, but his brother died. Was he becoming mad then? Victor never got the answer he wanted.

“No, Master Frankenstein. Are you back for good?” Rudolf interrupted the heir of Frankenstein.

“It looked ……” Rudolf shifted his look to the mansion.

“Pardon me, I just arrived today. I came back to collect some items.” Victor said. “Are you……”

“No, I am … I was passing by. This is Lauren. She stayed here before.” Rudolf was to introduce his daughter.

“Hello, Lauren. I am Victor Frankenstein. I believed we met before.” The lady just stared at him. She was unsure of how to address him. During her stay there, she was never met by the Frankenstein’s sons. She was their father’s guest but not theirs. She recalled the events that happened there, told to her by her father soon after they left the mansion. Her father had felt remorse for what happened to the senior officer, the Общий, and his family.

“Please excuse her. She is unused to strangers.” Rudolf spoke on behalf of the lady. “Since we are here, may I collect some personal items too from the mansion? I seem to have left some items behind.”

“Personal items? Yes, please do. I am unsure if anything of value is there. The place has been pillaged by many.” Victor turned to look at the mansion.

“In the same specifics as the gravedigger.” Rudolf smiled. He was unsure why he referenced that term.

“Pretty much, Sir.” Victor smiled. “Feel free to dig.”

“Ah, my carriage arrived.” Victor saw the approaching ride of his. “Good day to you, Sir. And to you, my young lady.”

“I forgot to mention. Sven is still here. Do give him the heads up before you go in.” Victor said before he climbed into the carriage. Rudolf looked at the departing carriage and did not notice his daughter had disembarked from the chaise. She was seen running into the mansion.

“Gracious me.” Rudolf dismounted and walked towards the mansion. He was distracted by the lab there. He stared at it. The place begins to invoke memories in him. Then he heard the scream.

“Lauren…” Rudolf took to running towards the mansion. He rushed in and saw Lauren standing there facing an armed man.

“Sven, it is me. Rudolf.” The elder man called out. “Put down the rifle. That is my daughter, Lauren.”

“Опусти оружие (Lower the weapon),” Rudolf spoke in Russian.

Sven lowered the rifle and turned towards the man. He recognized the officer. He was attired in the dark suit, loose shirt, and jacket with the matching pants. The boots were the giveaway of his identity. Officers issued; tall, black leather jackboots known as sapogi. These boots were designed for durability, featuring sturdy leather soles. It was polished well.

“Is she Lauren? The one I saved then.”

“Yes, Sven. We just… arrived.”

“Are you here to stay?” Sven asked. “Young Master Victor was just here.”

“We met outside at the gate.” Rudolf reached towards Lauren. “Come here, girl.”

“How are you, Sir?” Sven looked from the officer to the lady. “The mansion is …… The Общий will be displeased.”

“Run down? I can see that.” Rudolf smiled weakly. “Young Victor told me so. There are events that we cannot control. We will leave once we get the items needed.”

“Please let Lauren get her items.” Rudolf looked at the caretaker. The lady sprinted off to the level above.

“Please tell me, how did you fare?” Rudolf asked, but his eyes were focused on the lady up the stairs.

“Nothing unusual.” Sven was careful with his words. “Since the authorities wrapped up the investigation. Master Victor left soon after, and I locked up the mansion. The news went out.”

“News?” Rudolf asked.

“We were a smaller town then. The others came—all rascals with their notion that a monster exists here. They harassed me and intruded on the grounds. I am alone, but I tried to cover all the grounds.”

“Sven, did you not report to the authorities?” Rudolf asked.

“I did.” Sven nodded. “But they were not able to assist much.”

What Sven did not mention then was the Theology Society was all action on focusing towards the decadence in society, citing that abnormal practices were there. It prompted many from outside the town to converge there. The death of Anne Muriel was speculated to be the work of the devil. They came from all walks of life, and when the rumours died down, they left.

Some stayed on.