Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 25

25.

 

“Ride hard, Doctor.” Victor called out to the other, who was holding the reins to the chaise. The chaise sped down the road past the woods. They were headed to the mansion when they were attacked by the demons.

Victor had seen his daughter facing his daughter. He told the doctor who was riding with him to wait at the tavern. He approached his daughter and then led her away. He was upset at her meeting the mother and had her kept at the chamber. She told Howard that she was to put on the next coach back to the city. He then rejoined the doctor and said that they will return to the mansion.

“The mansion? Why?” Doctor Helsing asked.

“We have work to do. We might as well start tonight.” Victor replied. They rode on in silence, and near the mansion, they were attacked.

“What are they?” Victor called out. The demons numbered three; one of them flew by the chaise and startled the horse, which took off in a gallop. The doctor held onto the reins to manage the mount, but it was frightful of the flying dark figures.

“Demons, Victor. I see them before.” The doctor replied. “I am without a weapon.”

“I have none. Let us ride for Sven’s place. He will have guns.” Victor called out. They rode on feverishly and took the turns sharply.

“We are almost there.” Victor called out when he saw the familiar sights. It was then the axle of the chaise gave way, and it went sideways. The chaise was overturned, and the horse was on its side with its legs flaring to get upright. A demon flew at the horse's neck and stabbed it there with the right fist. The horse neighed in pain while blood spurted out.

“Climb out, Victor. We need to make a run to the mansion.” Doctor Helsing climbed out and then pulled the dazed man from the overturned chaise. “Let us run now.”

Victor, despite the pain in his legs, took to running and was behind the doctor. He then felt himself lifted and struggled to get free. He looked up and the demon had grabbed him by the lapels of his coat. He reached up and pulled at the left lapel of his coat.

Then a shot rang out.

Victor was falling and landed on his back. He saw the demon flying away holding the left side of its head.

“Come on up, younger man. We are almost there.” Doctor Helsing pulled the man up. More shots rang out, and they reached Sven’s cottage. They saw Sven there with the younger man, with their rifles levelled at the demons who were fleeing away.

“Thank you….” Victor struggled to the cottage. Inside he met Rudolf and the dear lady named Lauren. “Thank you.”

“What are those?” Victor asked.

“Demons,” Lauren said. “They are here for… me.”

“Lauren, do not say that,” Rudolf cut in. He then looked at the young Frankenstein. “How are you doing?”

“Fine. I may have sprained my left leg, but I am still fine.” Victor replied. Abel had then approached his father.

“Father, I saw the chaise overturned.” Abel said. “We stepped out to help.”

“Fine task there, son.” Doctor Helsing smiled. “Now I need a drink.”

In the town, Inspector Watson stood there holding the glass of wine before the remaining key members of his coven. He was without Jeeves and Allen, but he still has Allie, Carly, and Dean Joseph Haller with Gertrude Miller. They were in the university library.

“Seven we were, but now down to five.” The inspector said. “Five it will be, as the fifth occurrences this year. It is a rarity, but it does happen, but the more significant part of this one is it will be over this town. Maybe the five of us were meant to be.”

“Joseph, are the artifacts ready?’ Inspector Watson asked.

“Yes, Warlock. We have been accumulating the artifacts over the years. The Uni held its unique position to acquire the items with the name of the establishment. And more to it, our faculties of learning on the subject drew sponsorship and contribution.”

“I am aware. Your latest guest affirms it.” The warlock nodded. “Earth, air, fire, and water are the foundational building blocks of our world, which form the core corner blocks, and by extension, of ourselves; we are the fifth block. We formed the pinnacle of the blocks, and through us the core energy will be directed towards the moon.” The warlock explained. “It is our moment of true form. The new form will surpass all others, whether they are warlocks or Wiccans.”

“Hail the Grand Warlock!” Gertrude called out and was echoed by the others.

“Beware, my coven. The others are here. They will convene on us then and snatch our form. Summon the others to be prepared for war.” The Warlock called out. “Unveil their presence and be alerted.”

“What of the Helsing?” The dean asked.

“He will be taken care of. His concern is Frankenstein. We will look to him after the event.”

The Wiccan was not taking it low. She had gathered her coven and looked at them.

“We lost Jae today, but we also inflicted on them. One is dead, and the other interned.” The Wiccan looked to the gathered. “They are down to five but still formidable. We must split our own to battle them. We are in their domain.”

“Brown, you have done well. You will be our foremost member to hold the others. They will surface and stop us. I will attack the event tomorrow. Marcos, you will back Brown in the task. Do not despair me.” The Wiccan looked then to Lilith. “My granddaughter may be in danger.”

“She is……” Lilith was cut off.

“She is alone. Vulnerable but needs to be protected.” The Wiccan glared at Lilith. “You had been my recruit but untested. Do me well, and I will have you as a full witch.”

“Yes, Wiccan.” Lilith bowed to the elderly lady.

Back at the cottage, Abel took to his watch duty outside the cottage. He spotted no demons but kept his vigil.

“Are you in need of anything, Abel?” Abel turned to look and saw it was Lauren. He loosens his grip on the rifle, a weapon he had trained on but was more familiar with the crossbow. He smiled at the lady.

“No, I am fine. You should go in.” Abel motioned to the lady. “They are still here.”

“I am fine. Father and Sven are busy discussing the works here, while Master Frankenstein is checking the components of the machine. I am bored and stepped out.” Lauren stood by Abel.

“Well, stay close to me.” Abel turned his focus on the trees.

“Tell me about yourself, Abel,” Lauren asked.

“Well, I am who I am.” Abel smiled. “Pardon me. I meant to say I am Abel Helsing, the younger of the two. I have been with my father; my mother passed on years ago, and we trained to hunt the demons and others. We……”

“Witches too?” Lauren asked.

“Yes, we do. Our tasks are assigned by the High Council.” Abel nodded.

“Have you… hunted any?” Lauren asked.

“Yes, but I have not killed any. Vampires I have.” Abel smiled. “They are evil. But killing is ugly.”

“So, what is evil, Abel?” Lauren’s voice took on the serious tone.

“Well, evil comes from their action. They ……”

“Are all actions evil, Abel?” Lauren cut in. “Maybe a witch may do good, like protecting the others.”

“I would not know. I have not met any.” Abel smiled sheepishly. “My father could tell you more. He has seen more.”

“What is that?” Lauren suddenly asked. She was motioning to the grave.

“What… I cannot see anything.” Abel looked at the grave. All he could see then were the flowers and laid stones.

“No, it is glowing… the stones.” Lauren walked towards it. “It may be ……. It is calling me.”

Abel watched the lady walk to the grave, and before he could stop her, he saw the moving shadows.

“Demons!” Abel called out and aimed his rifle at the trees. “Come back, Lauren.”

Lauren was mesmerized by the stones and walked towards them. She stopped there and looked at the grave. She did not see the demon that was approaching her from the tree branch. Abel fired the rifle but missed the demon. It landed on the ground next to Lauren and snarled at the lady. Lauren screamed out, and when the demon leapt at her, she stepped back.

The demon did not make it towards Lauren. It did jump towards the lady but felt the blow to its left ribs. The demon was flung to the side. It crouched up and looked at the attacker.

“Who…. What are you?” The demon shrieked. It was met by a kick in the face and was flung back several feet. Lauren looked at her saviour and screamed. It was the creature there; all covered in dirt. Her scream drove the others from the cottage.

“Lauren!” Rudolf called out and levelled the rifle he was holding. He pulled the trigger, but the rifle was pushed to the side by Sven.

“Do not shoot!” Sven called out. “It is Mary.”

The shot fired by Rudolf missed the creature but hit Abel in the left thigh. He went down in pain, and the doctor rushed to his side. Mary, meanwhile, had disappeared into the woods.

“Why did you ……” Rudolf was furious. “It could have hurt Lauren.”

“No, it was Mary. She was to protect your daughter.” Sven defended his action. “The demon……. Where is the demon?”

The demon had escaped during the chaos.

“Abel, are you able to move your leg?” The doctor looked at the wound. “I cannot tell from here. Let us move you inside.”

All of them moved inside except for Victor, who was staring at the woods.

“Mary…” Victor mumbled. “Please return.”