A peek into my mind.... the new tale

 I duly apologize for the late postings. I was busy with many other matters and when I was not, I was typing...... not my letter of resignation... at my age, it does not work....I was swarm with ideas on my developing tale.

An excerpt here.

In Greek mythology, Prometheus is best known for defying the Olympian gods by taking fire from them and giving it to humanity in the form of technology, knowledge and, more generally, civilization. Others spoke of him of creation of humanity from clay. For his punishment of stealing fire, Prometheus was bound to a rock, and an eagle was sent to eat his liver (in ancient Greece, the liver was thought to be the seat of human emotions). His liver would then grow back overnight, only to be eaten again the next day in an ongoing cycle. Another myth was Prometheus establishes the form of animal sacrifice. To some, Prometheus became a figure who represented human striving in the quest for scientific knowledge, to the extent of unintended consequences. Mary Shelley gave alternate title of the Modern Prometheus to her novel Frankenstein (1818). 

Do vampires exist? Current findings or none, explained (not believed) that vampires do not exists. The myth of vampires was popular with the tale of Dracula, but history tells us that Vlad Dracula may had induced in bloody executions, but there was no evidence that he drank blood. They may be some who may have ingested human blood as part of the ritual that they are feeding off the energy or soul of their enemy. There again, unproven but the myth remains there.

The key words to me are knowledge; fire yet HELL was abounded with it, and blood; made inside as the vitality of life. And fear; the boundary of our soul not to be crossed.

But there is also love; the unbound affection we showered out, and vengeance; the pain of ours displayed.

The creation; all of the above are ours.

Let me explore this to create my monster here.

Or that of another living soul that we deemed as a monster.

Deuteronomy 23:2 ESV; No one born of a forbidden union may enter the assembly of the Lord. Even to the tenth generation, none of his descendants may enter the assembly of the Lord.

 

This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents in this book are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Sound the klaxon now .......

1.

“What is a monster? The word monster may be used widely, literally, and in-depth as an entity that is huge, hideous, murderous, or threatening. In a closer view, an undesirable entity. Is a monster as depicted above truly the above? We have read descriptions of the above, but singular in context may not fill up all the definitions. A hideous figure may not be murderous unless provoked, and a huge entity may not be threatening. Or a threatening entity may not be hideous or huge.”

“And Frankie here is not a monster?” The drunken figure had his left arm over my left shoulder. “Och, he is just Frankie the monster.”

“Come on, William.” Frankie, or his full family name, Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein, leaned forth to avoid the arm grabbing his neck. “And William, do not …”

William is the elder brother of Victor ‘Frankie’ Frankenstein.

“The recalcitrant serpent tangled its body over the neck.” William Frankenstein wormed his body at Frankie, with both arms then encircling the other.

“Frankie will be dead soon.” William laughed. He studied biology, majoring in serpents, at the university. The elder brother mimics the strangulation of the serpent at his brother. Victor tried to pull away, but William was also the university star at bodybuilding.

“Give him a break, William.” That was Justine Moritz, the co-student with Victor at the Department of Science. They were both doing postgraduate studies in advanced biology. They were in the group doing studies on re-engineering the workings of the nerves in the severed limbs.

“Oh, okay. I think I got his neck severed. Justine, do the honour of suturing the nerves. I think he is going to go into a zombie manifestation.” William released his brother and took his seat across from the former. He then had his arms around his friend, Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Muriel.

“Here …. Oops, I forgot our drinks. I knew….” William got up again and staggered towards the bar once more.

“He is such …” Liz sighed. She wondered why she put up with that drunken fool.

“A drunk?” Justine was not one to munch on niceties. “Ever since I knew him, he was and will be. He may be the star of the Uni at the spots, but he is a dumb when it comes to the social circles.”

“His pick-up lines are Hi, I am William. Want to peek at my Winkle? He made the name such a bore. If I am to wank his Winkle, I will have it attached to the rubber hose and pour acid there. That will give him the needed feel.” Justine was plain in her words.

“Be nice, Justine.” Victor looked at the lady.

“I can understand.” Elizabeth laughed.

“And yet you put out with him.”: Justine looked at her best friend.

“Put out, I can attest to that. We have drinks and walks, but put in, may not be the current ‘événement de notre relation’ (event of our relationship in English).

“Je suis belge et je parle néerlandais, français et allemand. Je préfère largement l'anglais avec ces idiots. (I am Belgium, and speaks Dutch, French and German. I much prefer English when witth these idiots.)” Justine looked at the other lady. 

“Les idiots sont peut-être adorables, la plupart du temps. (Idiots, they can be but lovable ones most times.) Elizabeth smile at their switch of the language taken to add credits to their Uni requirements.

“Je maîtrise également la langue française. (I am versed in French language too.)” Victor cut in. 

Another excerpt20.

“Carmilla, is that you?” Lauren sat up on the bedding and whispered. The chamber may be lighted or darkened but to her, it was all the same. Her sights were failing, and with her ailing condition, she was bed ridden most days or nights, it does not matter at all. She got her meals served; taken but not tasted …… “Father, it feeds me, but I am not a fussy person on food.”

Her father had returned, and visited her often. She assumed it was morning, for the heat of the sunlight was in her skin. She will sit up and greet him. A peck on the cheeks was his way of saying I love you. Funny, that was how her mother told her then.

“Your father is a busy man. He has one lover, but many loves for his men. He cares for them more than me. He gives them orders and then the handshakes, but I get the kiss on the cheek and the hugs.”

“Are you here?” Lauren asked.

“Yes, I am. I am seated by the chair next to you.” The other lady, Carmilla replied.

“I can hear you. I ……” Lauren smiled.

“Can I sleep next you?” Carmilla asked. Lauren nodded. Carmilla climbed on the bedding and snuggled next to her.

“You are cold.” Lauren snuggled close to the other. She was comfortable with the other person; the last person who slept next to her was her mother. Father will not do so, but held her hands.

Lauren felt Carmilla’s left hand touched her bosom. She had felt uncomfortable initially, but gotten used to that. It was Carmilla’s request.

“I want to feel your heartbeats.” Carmilla told her.

The new tale is an adaption / re-write /  blend of FRANKENSTEIN and CARMILLA. It will be (still writing at it) a tale of EROTIC HORROR, and only for ADULTS please (rated SX18) or non-allowed PG. I will be honest to say that what started off as a trivial reading on the Internet (it was a boring evening, and the gals were behind closed curtains ) struck me initially as a new read and then got intri-fucking news (pardon the pun here.) and I begin on the 25th March, and now at 40K words and each page stirred up more than ...... excuse me..... horrifying thoughts inside me. You may never look at FRANKIE as FREAKY or CARMILLA (please read the original tale; LGBT mid 1800's era.) as EERIE, I will do my best to make this one of my best. 

Till Sherlock gets laid, I am here.

Till then, let me freak out here. 

Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 43

 

43                Associates and Relations 

 

Colonel Moran rushed to the club just at that moment, Lord Dennis was exiting the place. He was to meet the Colonel two hours ago, but the Colonel was delayed.

“I was delayed, Lord Dennis.” Colonel Moran spoke to the Lord at the steps to the club. “It was an urgent matter.”

“We will discuss in the coach. I am to rush back ……” The Lord corrected his words. “I have another meeting but I can spare you a few minutes.”

Both men climbed into the coach and sat opposite each other. The driver was told to drive round the block.

“Colonel, when will you expect the Doctor?

“Untold yet. He will return when he does.” Colonel Moran looked at the Lord. The other was not a part of the criminal group, but his generous contributions were valued.

“I was advised that the Syndicate was involved in the gunfight here in the city.” Lord Dennis came forth with his words. “The Syndicate is …….”

“Not in any altercation with us. We are worlds apart, in a manner of speech.” Colonel Moran picked his words carefully. “They are in their own territory most times/”

“Noted. The Government will not tolerate an open warfare in the city.” Lord Dennis gave his advice. “Tell your men to back away. Whoever was involved there may not be our concern. The Government have their own plans there.”

“Noted, my Lordship.” The coach came to the stop outside the club. “I must leave now. I am already delayed.”

Lord Dennis waved farewell. Colonel Moran stood there and then another coach pulled up.

“Get in, Colonel.”

It was a familiar voice and not one to ignore. The Colonel got in to meet the occupant.

“I am glad you took care of Mary for me earlier.”

“It is my honour, Doctor. How was it we were not informed of your return?” Colonel Moran smiled at the leader of the criminal group.

Soon, Professor Moriarty had appeared at the discussion to the surprise of all.

“Hello, Holmes.” Professor Moriarty stepped into the library then. “Please do not stand at all. My shooters are nervous and will shoot if any of you stands up.”

“Professor Moriarty.” Holme greeted the newly arrived. He saw the Doctor was dressed in the smart tailored three-pieces suit, and held the fedora hat in his hands. He was a fine dresser with a keen eye on the tailor’s cuts and sewing.

“A formality, Holmes. Call me Moriarty will do. Oh, hello, Mary. I trust you are fine.” Professor Moriarty smiled at his niece. He then looked at Jon Roxton.

“You are missing a button. In my world, that is a missing element in the equation that will distort the result.”

Jon was embarrassed and adjusted his shirt.

“Conclusively, Holmes. We are not to meet but the threat to the city is our concern.” Professor Moriarty looked at Mycroft. “We never really met, Mycroft. That may go into my dossier if there are any.”

“Moriarty……” Holmes moved to the subject.

“I am, Holmes. Even before Mary’s arrival here, I have been given news about the Syndicate to do more than their works. They are in the works to create a super army of warriors, which baffles me. Why would want one need an army when the criminal activities are to be in the dark unless you want to wage war. But against who?” “

“I had my men verified the news. It was true and involved several people including Doctor Jekyll. The visit by the Count was unknown. I am not an expert in the supernatural. Honestly, I detest the reading of the cards; I was foretold to avoid waters. Preposterous, I do not swim at all.”

“I cable my associates at the continent to lure Mary over.” Professor Moriarty smiled at his niece. “I did lure you here but also to offer you a holiday from the Pinkertons. They were on your trail after you gunned down the cattle baron.”

“The baron was a vampire.” Mary cut in. “I kill them undead.”

“Obviously, but he paid well for his protection. Anyway, you are here, and the vampire tale was a ruse …… then anyway. And with the murders, it was an inconvenience.”

“There are no vampires …… here in the city.” Doctor Watson cut in. “I bet you with a pint of my blood/”

“No pound of heart there, Doctor. I will not have yours for any pint unless it is over a bitter ale. Or a Bloody Mary.” Professor Moriarty smiled. “Anyway, I had to be away to let things happen.”

“Colonel Moran, Lord Dennis is not only our donor but also our enemy who works for the Syndicate.” Professor Moriarty looked at the officer. “His Lordship held a high position there, and with his influence, he was able to withhold any information that may deter the Syndicate.”

“So is James Cambier. He is an informant who work his way up the ranks to be your aide, Mycroft.” The other Holmes was given the stare.

“James Cambier edited the dossiers to feed what you need to know.”

“And Holmes, my adversary and challenger You have impeccable associates. I had to avoid twice your informants there to Glasgow and while there. I had to get my double to board the steamer to Kaliningrad, and took my way back here by coach. Most uncomfortable journey.”

“I do not do disguises like you, Holmes but have about ten doubles who are trained to be me.” Professor Moriarty smiled. “Circumstances required by my trade. In mathematics, it is a called deviations or trails, that may result in false or true outcomes or different results, but may be inconclusive.”

“Jon Roxton, you are one of the deviations. You bear no thrust to the end results…… perhaps none for me.” Professor Moriarty smiled. “Now back to the Syndicate, and the unresolved murders.”

“Mary Pleaste works for the Syndicate. Or rather was. She approached my associate to befriend us against the Syndicate. She told us of her friends, and how we can work together. I had my doubts but gave her some allowance on our operations. She set up the safe houses as you knew of one. That one was by my associate, and we had that unit watched day and night. One of the dead so named housekeepers is my people. She died there.” Professor Moriarty looked back at Holmes.

“The murders are the works of some monsters, conclusively said. The same monsters killed Mary Pleaste and friends but did not remove the organs. I had contemplated that new turn of event. Then my conclusion the murders were a warning to the others.”

“I had my men to observe the city at night and saw it, but will not report it. The prints were reservedly told to hold back some news or sensationalise some. It kept the city alive.”

“The monsters that killed Mary Pleaste and friends were trailed to their lair. Much thanks to the Adventurer Club members.” Professor Moriarty smiled at Jon.

“Professor Challenger and you have been a great help to introduce to us some great hunters. They are good trackers.”

“You knew?” Doctor Watson called out. “And yet, you did nothing. All of you here.”

“Yes, Doctor Watson. This is my city.” Professor Moriarty bowed to Holmes. “Our city to be shared. Respectfully. I need to know what is there and if needed correct it/ A removal of an errant person or persons but before I could do that, I need to know the source of the issue.”

“Symptoms are your trails, am I not right, Doctor? It may lead to the cause of the illness.” Professor Moriarty explained. “Every result has their elements that made it.”

“Cut the analogy, Moriarty. Tell us what we must know.” Doctor Watson was upset.

“I know who is involved, and where but how baffles me, and what can we do is the task here.” Professor Moriarty concluded his presentation. “And for your information, Professor Freud is not in the city. He is at home, recuperating from a bad cold. He sends his regards to all.”   

 

Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 42

 42                Brothers and Monsters 

 

Radu aka the Professor looked from the mezzanine level towards the laboratory below. The area was formerly the dungeon of the castle, but with its renovations, the lower levels were removed the flooring and converted to an open lab but there were significant addons. There were the cells of iron bars on all sides, on the left-hand side where the laboratory specimens are kept.

Doctor Jekyll was in one the five cells.  He was kept in solitary confinement. Towards the centre of the area, were the benches of equipment in used by the doctors and technicians. There were the steel beddings with the restraints on the victims. At the rear of the area was the incinerators where then carcasses were burnt.

“Impressive.” The Professor voiced out. He was with the Admiral there. Lord Dennis was away at the city on orders by the Professor. The floor he was on was dim lighted.

“We are to do some tests on Doctor Jekyll.” The Admiral told the Professor.

“We have placed the warriors on alert near the cell in case of any incident.”

“I counted five of the warriors. What happened to the others?” The Professor asked.

“Three died from organ failure and another three are in the Infirmary.  We will get them replaced soon.”

“Today, we will test the doctor on speed.” The Admiral looked to the doctor who was lying on the cot. He was shirtless, and appeared to be sleeping.

A pair of cheetahs was brought into the cell. They were a pair; one mal and the other female. The animals were hungered and saw the doctor as their next meal. The cheetahs moved in silence carefully towards the man. It was said that wild predators have instincts in them on their prey.

The doctor stirred on the cot; he turned to face the predators. Doctor Jekyll opened his eyes, and stared. He blinked his eyes, to understand the threat there. His body reaction was then accelerated with his fear impounded on his mind. His heart started beating rapidly, while his breathing was heavier.

He knew then he had to react.

For Rosa. It was his focus then. He had to survive.

Survival as he had done previously when he battled the gorilla, and before that the huge serpent.

“I must not die, Daisy.”

“I love you.”

There was confusion in him.

Whom does he love?

The cheetahs sensed the confusion and fear in the man. They snarled at him. Doctor knew the danger was upon him. He also sensed the metabolism changed in him.

Mr. Hyde had to come forth.

It was all over in seconds. The last cheetah to lived was the male. It was less ferocious compared to the female. The male was torn into two parts by Mr, Hyde. He tossed the upper body portion at the female cheetah. It retreated and hesitated to attack. Mr. Hyde was unforgiving and slammed the head of the male into the iron bars.

It was all over.

It was then the cheetah cubs were lowered into the cell near the cot. It was the pair’s cubs; the female acted on its motherly instinct to protect its cubs.

Mr. Hyde turned to look at the pair of cubs there stepping out of the betting on the floor. The young cubs wobbled on their limbs and meowed at the monster.

Mr. Hyde stood there looking at the cubs. It was a tense moment and then the monster retreated to the other corner. He sat there and covered his head with his hands.

“Kill the cubs,” Doctor Manfred told the handler.

Two shots were fired.

It was then Mr. Hyde charged at the iron bars toward the handler who shot the cubs. He slammed his body against the reinforced iron bars. The handler fell back in fear while the monster raged in the cell. He was slamming the iron bars looking for an opening. The opportunity arrived. The locks on the iron bars were not as sturdy then.

The monster continued to slam on the hinges and locks to loosen the securing.

Mr. Hyde sensed the door was getting loose and did some more slams on it. “He is escaping!’ Doctor Manfred called out. So did Doctor Manfred then.

“Get the warriors there.” The handlers to the six warriors gave the order.

The warriors dressed in the simple tunic and pants with shoes roared towards the cell holding Mr. Hyde. One of them raged against the metal bar door, yanking at it, while Mr. Hyde was doing the same. Both monsters were bearing on the door hinges and it was giving way then.

“Not the door!” One of the handlers called out but it was too late. The metal door came out its hinges then. Mr. Hyde grabbed the metal bars on the door and swung it open.

The monster warrior was thrown back by the impact. Mr. Hyde held the displaced door with both his hands as if he was holding a shield. He charged at the nearby two monster warrior using the gate to push them back against the laboratory table. He then swung the gate across to hit another monster warrior charging form the right.

There were left two other monster warriors was standing at the side, was in a state of rage, saw the opening and charged at Mr. Hyde. The latter charged at the two and they clashed. He held the gate against the other two and then used his strength to force the two monster warriors to the side. He tossed the gate across the other tables.

“Shoot him!” One of the doctors there called out. A technician had the rifle levelled at Mr. Hyde. He fired the shot but it went wide. Mr. Hyde saw the new threat and charged at the shooter. He grabbed the rifle by the barrel and swung it at the shooter. The shooter was sent reeling across the table.

“Run!” The doctors called out and they all went for the exits.

It was the opening that Mr. Hyde was looking for.

“He is escaping!” The Professor called out but the monster was out of the dungeon.

The Professor wanted to leap from the mezzanine level to the laboratory. It was a twenty feet high jump but with his enhanced strength, it was effortless but he held back.

It was too bright there.

The Professor saw Doctor Manfred attending to one of the monster warriors; it was the first one to challenge Mr. Hyde.

“He is dead. His heart burst. The fight caused his heart to explode.” Doctor Manfred cried out. “They are not ready for the big fight.”

“Imbeciles!” The Professor stepped away from the level. He felt the pain on his exposed hands.

Mr. Hyde made it to the outside with his rage still within. He had killed five armed guards on the ground level before he made it to the open garden. He looked at the treelines which was his freedom and then back to the castle interior.

Daisy was on his mind.

Mr. Hyde was between choices.

Run.

The message was in his mind. Mr. Hyde ran towards the treelines.   

 

Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 41

 

41                Coincidence 

 

Madame De Palmae handed the group into a private room, which was lavishly furnished to resemble a mini library with the shelves of books and fireplace, and then comfortable armchairs. She had the kitchen served the pastries on the triple tiered serving tray.

“The top tier is the Belem pastries; served in Lisbon, but we do have the baking skills here. The second tier is the patisserie by our own French bakers; the Macarons, and Madeline. The bottom tier is the Highlands choices, the Dundee Cakes, the 'Cranachan'; layered with whipped cream, raspberries, honey, and toasted oatmeal, Cranachan is Scotland in a dessert glass.”

“Here at my establishment, we are third behind the Petit Trianon.” The madame smiled. Her heavily caked could still beamed a smile without cracking there.

“Any scones?” Mycroft asked of her. “I liked a set please.”

“Scones? Mign God!” (Translated form Dutch; Oh my gosh.). The madame stormed off, but just before the door was closed, another lady popped her head in.

“I got scones. Huge ones too. A pair of them.” The lady displayed her bosom to Mycroft. “Best in Dover, and now here.

Mycroft was red with embarrassment. He regretted stepping in but Holmes insisted. He had to admit the furnishing there was much better than his own club.

“Watson, do they use the library here?” Mycroft asked.

“Peculiarity requires the right décor and atmosphere.” Watson replied.

That statement caused Mycroft to move his butt forward to sit on the front of the armchair. He wondered what the stains were there from.

They were later joined by the younger couple; Mary and Jon. She had changed into her own shirt and Jon wore the one she did.

“I do not have any other shirt.” Jon apologies.

“Your shirt is missing a button at the midriff.” Holmes commented from his observation. That placed the others to smile.

Mycroft had then frowned on his expression and his thoughts were lewd to be told here.

“We came by to see to the lady.” Holmes finesse to be discreet was wonderfully missing.

“We had stopped outside, and there was a gunshot which bolted the horse which pulled the coach.”

“It was me. I shot to scare the horse. I saw the man placing the explosive at the rear of the coach.” Mary interjected.

“I did not expect the horse to bolt so far. Are you okay?”

“We are.” Doctor Watson smiled. “Some bruises but we will be fine.”

“Why are you here, Mary?” Holmes asked. The lady hesitated and looked towards Jon. The latter nodded and she spoke of the gunfight at her previous abode and was brought there by Colonel Moran.

“Colonel Sebastian Moran?” Mycroft asked.

“Yes, he is a friend of my uncle; Professor Moriarty. I am related to the doctor from my mother side.”

“I know the doctor. He is a good friend. He cares for Mary.” Jon Roxton spoke for the lady.

“Professor Moriarty is …….” Doctor Watson was hushed by Holmes.

“I hardly know him but his reputation may be to Watson. They are both doctors.”

“Uncle is a mathematician.” Mary smiled. “He does not like the sight of blood.”

“Obviously…… I meant to say as an academician, he may not be used to blood. He may need or used a proxy for it.” Mycroft was subtle in his words.

“Do you know who wants to …… hit on you?” Holmes asked.

“I will answer that.” It was Colonel Moran who stepped into the library.

“Mary, please let me handle the guests.” Mycroft jumped to his feet and realised he was unarmed. He left his gun at the club.

“Sit down, Mycroft. I am not here to shoot you.” The Colonel looked at Holmes. “Nor you.”

“Colonel, I want to stay.” Mary insisted. “I need to know what is happening here.”

“Colonel, I believed Mary have the right to know.” Holmes looked at the man who once attempted to take his life. “I am sure it will be for all our interest.”

“Very well. I will remain standing here for obvious reasons.” Colonel Moran looked at Mycroft. “Sit down, Mycroft.”

“Whoever is attempting on Mary are mercenaries hired by the Syndicate.” The Colonel looked at Holmes and then to Mycroft. “We got the words on the contract issued.”

“I am sure you knew. But the question to all of us was why? Why Mary? She is only a guest here.”

“Elementary, Colonel. She may know something we are not of.” Holmes looked at Mary.

“I …… I do not know.” Mary looked at Jon.

“Mary, at this juncture for us to protect you and maybe get the real killers in, we need to be honest.” Holmes said. “Jon cannot do it without us. The Syndicate are very powerful.”

“Okay, I will tell. I am here to hunt the Lord of the Vampires, Count Dracula. It was told to me that he is here, and residing with one doctor named Jekyll.” Mary admitted her reason. “I had contacted my uncle and told me of my call. Vampires killed my aunt and her family. I have been hunting them for years.”

“And ……” Holmes pressed on.

“I am curious on the recent murders for signs of any vampire attacks but there were none. The organs ….”

“There are no vampires here.” Holmes attested to the fact. “The organs were removed for another purpose. Possibly for organs transplant although it was never recorded or practiced in the medical circle but we cannot discount the illegal works on it.”

“You may be influenced by the works of Frankenstein.” Colonel Moran smiled. “If organs were possible, then many servicemen would have been saved. Am I not right, Doctor Watson?”

The good doctor could only nod his head.

“Conclusively, it is not done officially but what is possible can be by illegal means. The Government have been advocating for the Super Warrior serum.” Holmes said it out.

“Holmes, you are threading on some fine lines here.” Mycroft cautioned the other.

“I have seen it. I was with Challenger and we saw that. He took some of contents of it back here.”

“Elixir of life then.” Holmes moved the definition. “Every living creature wants to continue living, if not for the final call by death, they will gladly give their souls.”

“Avant-garde, Holmes.” Colonel Moran smiled.

“Mary Shelly did it, and they termed her works as horrors.” Holmes looked at Mary. “Now we have to find the common ground of all of this.”

Holmes in turn looked at each of them.

“Let me write it down here.”

“Count Vlad, Doctor Jekyll, Mary Reid, Syndicate, and myself.” Holmes looked toward Mycroft. “That also includes you.”

“London Tower, Holmes.” Mycroft reminded the brother. It was a grim reminder.   

“Hmmm… and Mary Pleaste death too. They are all linked.” Holmes was into his thoughts. “And Professor Freud. You discussed Mary Pleaste with him.”

 “London Tower, Holmes.” Mycroft reminded the brother.

“Lovely view but chilly at night.” Holmes said.

 

Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 40

 

40                Whatever means needed 

 

Mary Reid stood at the window looking outside, with her nude body she presented quite a view to any who may look up at the window on the third level. She was not entirely nude; she had on the shirt worn by Jon Roxton. It was the scent of the sweat that attracted her to it.

Mary saw the man who sneaked onto the coach and left something on the bottom of it at the rear on the street. She had seen the works of it during the war when a more needed message was to be delivered. She saw the man retreated, and knew she not much time. She turned to her discarded clothes, and found her gun belt. She grabbed the gun there, and cocked the trigger.

“Wow! Did I do a bad task? I am sore from it.” Jon was lying on the bedding with the cover discreetly covering his groin.

Mary ignored him and approached the window. She aimed the gun at the coach. She needed the fast action there. She fired and saw the bullet impacted on the street. It was the noise that caused the horse pulling the coach bolted off.

The horse neighed and then pulled the away. The driver was thrown off by the horse’s action, and the occupants inside the coach was startled.

“Whoo!” Mycroft almost fell off the seating, while Doctor Watson was lying on the side.

“The horse has bolted from the noise of the shot!” Holmes called out. “Driver!”

There was no response form the driver. Holmes looked out and saw their coach was without a driver. The runaway coach slammed into some carts on the side, but maintained it speed approaching the end of the street.

At the end of it was the junction and before it was the park.

“Jump!” Holmes was the first to open the coach door and did just that. Mycroft followed on and Doctor Watson hesitated when he felt the coach was lifted, he did the same.

The coach lifted onto its wheels when the horse swerved to the left to proceed on but the coach had slammed into the fence at the park. It went down sideways and dragged the horse along with it.

The three passengers had landed on the street; bruised but alive.

“By George, we are alive.” Mycroft exclaimed. “What the ……”

It was then the noise of an explosion sounded from the spot where the coach was earlier parked.

“Is that an explosion? What has happened to the city nowadays?” Mycroft looked down the street. “It used to peaceful.”

“It is an explosion.” Doctor Watson said. He was used to that noise from his days in the military when the shells from the three-inch guns exploded on the ground. “Whoever bolted the horse saved our bacons.”

“Apparently.” Holmes had pushed himself. “It is obvious the works of a military person.”

“It cannot be.” Mycroft was on his feet and rubbed his back. “I have no enemy capable of that here. Unless the Boers are in the city.”

“Mycroft, the Boers are down south past the sea. I doubt they will explode your butt here.” Doctor Watson said  to the other. “Bloody oaf!”

“Watson, you are crossing the line there.” Mycroft took offence to the swearing.

“Settle down, men. It is not every other week, we get exploded, but let us check on our guest first.”

Colonel Moran saw the failed attempt from across the street, two buildings from the brothel. He was disappointed at that. He had wanted to eradicate the threat to Mary Reid; she was the niece to the Doctor. It was a wild decision of his, but felt the explosion would have damaged the coach and hurt the occupant but the explosive was on the street. If he had intended to kill them, Tommy would have left the bomb in the rear of the coach.

“Sorry, Sire. I did as what you told me.” Tommy Hill was a explosive expert who had laid the three sticks of dynamites with the lighted wick there.

“You done right, Tommy. Someone caused the horse to bolt. Nevertheless, the message was conveyed.” Colonel Moran stepped away from the window.

“Maintain surveillance on the lady.”

“Aye, Sir.” Tommy stepped away.

The Colonel saw the lady and her man companion stepped out to the street joining the gathered there. The lady was dressed in the oversized shirt and donned a pair of pants with the boots. She held the long coat over the right arm, concealing the gun there. The man was shirtless but wore his pants and boots.

“What an explosion.” Jon commented. “Do you know who did it?”

“Young man! What do you take us here for? The jungle?” The prudish older lady with the umbrella glared at Jon. “Get a shirt on for Pete’s sake.”

“Il peut avoir le mien à tout moment. » (Translated from French; He can have mine any time.) The lady nearby commented.

“Let us move on, George.” The older lady pulled her companion by the sleeve of his coat.

The companion who was an older gentleman was gaping at the ladies who were gathered there. It was not every other moment he gets to watch so many ladies covered in only camisoles. He wished he was still in his teens then.

“Stop looking or I will gorge your eyes out.” The lady forcefully pulled Geroge away.

“I cannot say George was distracted.” Mycroft had reached the spot then. Holmes ignored his brother and examined the blast area. He picked up some of the debris there.

“Part of the blasting cap, and clay.” Holmes looked at the collected bits. “It was a dynamite.”

“Nasty way of sending anyone to the other side.” Doctor Watson said. He had seen the effects of the explosion at the Frontiers. The lucky ones are the dead ones, while maimed may return to Blighty without part of their limbs. It was a sad wound to have when you are getting older.

“Interesting.” Holmes was into his thoughts. “It is unlike the works of Professor Moriarty; killing is within his expertise but to do it in this manner is beyond him unless his had become more vicious.”

“Holmes, Colonel Moran was in the military, and we used explosives there.” Doctor Watson reminded Holmes.

“A possibility….” Holmes frowned on his expression. He saw then the arrival of Mary Reid and Jon Roxton.

“Mary.” Mycroft was the first to greet them. He held the pained expression when he saw the shirt on the lady.

“Jon!” Doctor Watson smiled at the man. “When did you returned? And what happened to your shirt?”

“Elementary, Watson.” Mycroft borrowed the expression from his brother towards the doctor.

“We shall meet inside.” Holmes motioned to Mary. “It may be safer.”

Holmes was looking at the windows for any protruding barrel.

At that moment, Colonel Moran took his leave of the unit and exited by the rear to the awaiting coach. He was given the message to meet Lord Dennis. He was to leave when the other message arrived.

“Holmes with the lady.”  

 

 

Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 39

 

39                Bloody Choices Count

 

Vlad crouched into a ball like behind the divan to protect himself from the sunlight. It was his weakness then.

‘Every curse comes with a deadlier curse to it.” The old lady told him. “One that will inflict more pain to you.”

It was when Count Vlad attacked Ottoman territory, massacring tens of thousands of Turks and Muslim Bulgarians. Sultan Mehmed launched a campaign against Wallachia to replace Vlad with Vlad's younger brother, Radu. Vlad attempted to capture the sultan but failed. Worried for his safety, the advisers convinced the ruler to leave Wallachia. When the local Wallachian army saw the Sultan departure, they deserted to Radu.

It was a loss situation for Vlad, and he went to Transylvania to seek assistance from the King of Hungary but was imprisoned instead. There he met the gypsies who were to share his cell.

“I vow to fight for your people, and a land for yours to keep.” Count Vlad told the inmates of his cell.

“We harbour no land, Count, but the safe passage on your land. We do not encroach onto settlements and villages, but will take our stay at the fringe for trade. We do not steal but offer a fair bargain for our wares. All we ask is no persecution of us there. We are travellers of the land, and shall remain so.” The leader of the group spoke on their behalf.

“The nobleman perceived as rascals and reported us to the King. We pleaded out case, but the noble man held influence. He forgotten his ancestors were once like us; they were named Magyars; nomadic tribes like us.”

“I will give you the passage.” Count Vlad affirmed his intention. He then reeled from the pain on his chest. The leader called upon the healer to attend to him. The healer checked the Count’s vitals and then spoke.

“You suffered much and your injuries are internal. You may cease to breathe soon.” The healer was an old lady dressed in rags and held many vials on belts on her frame.

“I must think of a cure for you. Either you can wait for die waiting.” That was the healer’s words towards the Count. There were bouts of pain for the Count, and finally the healer spoke.

“I may hold a cure for you but it is with a price to you. A costly price but the reward of it is immortality.” The healer told him.

“Healer, immortality is craved by all since the start of the living, but it remains a fallacy to all. We will live to the time we have to die. I am to do so with my injuries.”

“True, Count. Immortality eludes us except our memories to the ones who may choose to tell it or lose it forever.” The healer smiled displaying the missing tooths. “But immortality allows you the extra time to kill your enemies or their generations to die too, would it be worthy of yourself. And the injuries healed.”

Count Vlad was baffled. He was given the choice of a new life. He nodded to the healer.

“A cure that is a curse within another.” The healer looked at him. “Does blood distaste in you?”

“Blood? I am a warrior. I have killed many others, and while their blood may have not stopped flowing, another would had been killed by me.” Count Vlad hardened by his early years as a hostage of the Turks, was punished hard with sessions of cuts and blows that left his body bloodied.

“And you have impaled the enemies and hold their blood in the pots below.” The healer reminded the Count.

“Blood is the elixir of life. It held the nutrients of every living creature. It is the same shade and flows throughout their body. A predator kills its prey by severing the flow of the blood. It will feed on the parts that held the blood.” The healer points to the bats that hung by the ceiling with their fangs hooked on the narrow crevasses.

“The night creature is one that does not kill but takes what is needed to survive. They fed on the preys’ blood. It gives them nutrients.”

“Bats? I …...” Count Vlad looked at the hanging creatures that will hunt at night.

“I do not eat them.”

“Eat? I did not say eat, Count Vlad. I was to say prey like them. Can you drink blood?” It was the curse he had to carry to cure his injuries and made him a monster.

“Master, are you alright?” Rosa appeared at his sight. She was dressed in the plain frock and without shoes. “Your wounds are healing. Here, please do take into my blood.”

Rosa offered her right wrist to the Count. She had offered him before but on many occasions, the Count had declined. He knew the lady understood his sufferings but she suffered from the captors. They have her ravished before his eyes. Monsters they were and Rosa fought hard. She was beaten with sticks and tortured but she never gave up on her master. Her churi knives were confiscated.

“I am fine, Rosa. You need to rest.” Count Vlad looked away. His urge was there but he saw the pin in Rosa.

“You must feed, Master. If you are not well, you cannot avenge for me.” Rosa had tears on her eyes. “I am your servant.”

“I will not die until I avenge your pains, Rosa.” Count Vlad looked to the heavy chains on his limbs. “I will break free soon and they will suffer for it.”

“How is the doctor?” Count Vlad asked.

“I have seen twice. He is chained like you but heavier chains than yours. He is alive.”

“Hyde or Jekyll?” The Count asked.

“Both.” Rosa said. “He is in pain when he sees me. He became the other but the chains are too thick for him to breakthrough. They also got the other monsters to fight him. He is in pain.”

Count Vlad tears flowed from his eyes. He could feel the pain then. The door to the room opened and a figure came in.

“Hello, Vlad.” The voice spoke to the Count.

“Radu, you animal.”

“Emotions, brother.” The newly arrived approached the Count. He was holding the cloak on his arms. “I am here to see you. Leave us, servant.”

“She stays with me, Radu. Why are you here?” Count Vlad looked to his brother. “I saw you before and never once you help me. Or Rosa.”

“We met and I cannot help you. If you must know now, I am the leader here. I own the Syndicate.” Radu the brother of Vlad said. “I am known to them as the Professor. To you, I am Radu Tepes. Thank you for saving my life.”

Radu was held hostage with Vlad at young but he remained there at the Sultan’s court. After the Sultan first defeat of Vlad, the Sultan opted to reward Radu's ongoing loyalty by setting him on the throne of Wallachia in Vlad's place. He was also later made the head of the Janissary. The war against his brother, Vlad was still on. When the forces of the Sultan approached Târgoviște, they encountered over 20,000 of their kind impaled by the forces of Vlad III, creating a "forest" of dead or dying bodies on stakes. This atrocious, gut-wrenching sight was too much even for them to bear therefore they had to retreat to regroup.

“It was my strategy to deter the bigger army of the Sultan.” Vlad had defended the killings. “It worked then.”

“It did and your infamous night attack on the Sultan’s army was the deciding factor in the war.” Radu told his brother. “But it drove the boyars to side with me. And the earlier enemy, the Saxons resented you. You were deemed a monster.”

“You pursued me far and long, Radu.” Count Vlad eventually was chased out of the land by Radu. “Yet….”

“Yet, you saved my life when I was fatally wounded. You gave me your blood when I was dying.” Radu looked at the other. He was wounded fatally, and Count Vlad came to his rescue. Soon after that, Count Vlad went into hiding and soon retired to the valley, while his enemy thought he was dead.

“Your tarnished blood that soon made immortal but with the curse.” Radu lived on and one day was declared dead, but he went also went into hiding. “Bound by blood, we are brothers and also as the monsters.”

“You cursed me, brother. I had to stay away like you did, but I took my time to build another empire called the Syndicate. It took a long time, and with careful planning, I avoided the authorities and our enemies. Thanks to you, and your blood, I will restore our kingdom.”