Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 29

 29.

 

Lauren approached the grave and stood there looking at the stones that lined the grave. She was attracted to the gleaming stones there, basking in the moonlight. It was near dawn, and her father was asleep, seated there by the window. Doctor Abraham and Victor have taken off to the town, citing that they need to get some supplies. Abel was at the other side of the cottage, standing guard or sleeping, for he was still recovering from the wounds.

“Hello, Henry. That is your name, I was told,” Lauren said. In all her training, she was told that the dead have a soul, like their spirit, who may stay on near the body till it has released all its obligations. She figured that Henry may have his unsettled obligations.

“I am Lauren.” The young lady said.

“And I am Mary.” The voice was from the trees. “Please do not scream. I am not here to harm you.”

Lauren held back her fear and looked towards the voice by the tree. She saw then the appearance of the figure. It was the creation, dressed in the shabby shirt and pants, and the hair dishevelled by the appearance.

“I am Mary. I am Henry’s …… lover.” The creation approached Lauren. “I’ve seen you before, but……”

“I am Lauren. Lauren Spielsdorf,” Lauren said. “I have seen you too, but……”

“I am a monster, which is why you screamed.” Mary stopped before the lady. It stood at almost twice the height of Lauren. “They have called me a monster.”

“Monster? No, I was not ……. Prepared to meet you. I am now.” Lauren looked up the creation. Somehow, her courage shouldered up, and she was not afraid then. “I …… I was not used to your appearance.”

“Am I not ……. Pretty?” It looked at Lauren.

“No…… I meant to say, not that you are not. You are like many of us, perhaps larger than most of us. And… you look untidy.” Lauren bit her lips. “Pardon me, if I am……”

“No, Lauren. I hear you and am not upset. Henry once told me I am ……. Simple, and he likes it that way.” Mary proceeded to sweep her hair back from her ears.

“Let me help you. I have a comb.” Lauren rushed back to the cottage and emerged with a cloth and basin with the comb in the other hand. “Here, sit yourself by the side.”

Mary sat by the grave on the root of the tree there, while Lauren fetched water from the nearby well. Lauren then sat behind Mary and combed the hair. She combed the dirt and leaves or whatnot that was there.

“You may wash your face with the towel. Wet it first,” Lauren said. Mary did the task while Lauren straightened the hair. She moved the strands of hair at the back of the neck and saw the stitches there that attached the head to the neck.

“My master created me,” Mary said. “I am …… glad towards him.”

“Master Frankenstein created you……. But how?” Lauren asked.

“I do not know. All I could remember was waking up and then meeting Henry. He understood me well.” Mary lowered her head. She was emotionally sad, but tears were not seen in her eyes. “Henry likes me…… No, he loved me. I want him here.”

Mary held her hands to her chest.

“I told Master to get him back. I am lonely and want Henry,” Mary sighed. “Why did they take him away?”

“I would not know. I was……. Away. I came back to find something of my own. Did you place those stones here?” Lauren asked.

“Yes. I got them from the creek. Henry likes it there.” Mary looked at the grave. “I also took from the other places.”

“The mansion? My chamber?” Lauren asked.

“The… I do not know.” Mary said. “If it is pretty, I will place it here.”

It was then Lauren heard the loud voice.

“Stay away from my daughter!” Rudolf had awakened and stepped out to the rear of the cottage. “I will kill you, abomination.”

Rudolf levelled the rifle at the creation and pulled the trigger. Mary had moved to the left side and then crouched up to run. The man struggled with the loading of the rifle, and it was then Abel arrived. He was hobbling on his good leg towards the grave. He had his crossbow and released the arrow there at the creation. The arrow pierced the left forearm, but the creature managed to run into the woods.

“Stop it, Father. She was ……. Not hurting me.” Lauren rushed at the older man. “You could have……”

“It is not ……. It is a monster.” Rudolf reached out to his daughter, but she stepped away.

“I hate you. She was to…….” Lauren turned to the grave. “The stones……”

“Are you hurt, Lauren?” Abel approached the lady. “I……”

“You rushed in like the fool you are.” Lauren hit her hands on the younger man. “Why are you so ……”

“I am sorry.” Abel took her blows on his chest and then reached out to hold the lady. Lauren took to his arms and sobbed her tears. Rudolf stood there looking at them and did not say anything.

“Lauren, I……” Rudolf tried to say some good words.

“Rudolf, you have done your part.” Rudolf heard the voice and turned to look. What he saw was disbelieving then. There was Sven, and behind him were the two ladies he once met.

“She needed another to hold her.”

“Annabelle…… Is that you?” Rudolf said.

“Yes, Rudolf. I am with Carmilla. We are here now.” Annabelle approached the man. “Hello, Lauren.”

“Annabelle. Carmilla.” Lauren greeted the other two figures.

“You ……. Both of you are ……” Abel was lost for words. He saw the ladies were dressed in the white gown laced at the front.

“Dead? Yes, we are. We are here in our other form. Our physical is at the other mansion.” Carmilla approached Abel. “We are Lauren’s mistresses. We are here to protect her.”

“Stand back, Lauren.” Abel rushed forth with the branch he picked up on the ground. He swung the branch at Carmilla, but she had deflected it with the wave of her right hand. Abel maintained his charge at Carmilla when Annabelle impacted on Kane’s face with her magical blow, causing him to fall to the side.

“Stop it, Abel,” Lauren called out.

“Are you mad to… protect them? They are demons.” Abel stood up. “I will kill you.”

“No, they are not demons. They are witches and ……” It was Lauren who stood in between the brothers. “They are my mistresses. I am to be a witch like them.”