Preys and Predator Part II; the monster and witches' Chapter 19

 

19.

Its learning on the movement of its limbs was getting to be more fluid; clumsy but able to move better. It was a toddler learning to walk, but it learned faster than them. Hency gave it some of his old clothes, the loose shirt, and baggy pants with a set of shoes. He was dressing it to cover the nakedness that was disturbing him.

“Why do I need to have these? It asked Victor.

“Well, you looked like us then. We want you to be comfortable.” Victor lied then. He was equally uncomfortable with the creation parading naked. The earlier frock was disposed of when it was found to be cumbersome. They could not see the progress of motion by the creation.

“Is it what you call me?” It asked Victor. Those were the forthcoming queries from the creation.

“It. That is your name. I am Master, and he is Henry.” Victor explained.

“He knows now. He has that there. I do not.” The creation looked at Victor.

“Do you have one too?”

“I …” Victor found himself at a loss for words. He directed the creation to learn more on its movement. He had seen the creation was able to lift the chair with one arm, the left arm. Its’ right arm was less muscular. He attributed it to the original person not being that athletic.

“Master Victor, I have taken it for walks in the forests.” Henry looked like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

“You what?” Victor was furious. He had only spent time with the learning. He had rested there while Henry took over the works.

“When?”

“When you were resting. It was looking out of the window and asked me questions.” Henry was not the smarter one. “I took her out. We went into the forests. Far from the mansion. To the creek.”

The walk to the creek was about an hour. “

Are you mad? What if someone sees ... it?” Victor shouted.

“No one did. We were very careful.”

“Yes, we were careful. He took me there to wash me. He made me feel good. Clean.” It said to Victor. “I washed him too.”

“Washed?” Victor looked at Henry. The latter nodded and looked away.

“I was angry. I have no friends. Only you and it. I wanted to feel differently. Doctor Mitchell told it was against the act of God with the sheep, or the dogs.” 

“Oh my God!” Victor sighed. He had known Henry was lonely, but he did not expect that. He knew of the sheep. Everyone in the village knew. They called him the monster. That was why Sven kept him at the mansion. He was forbidden to go anywhere near the village.

“That was what Doctor Mitchell said too. Later, he told me God will help.” Henry smiled. “God helps monsters.”

“Well, no more. I forbid you of that, Henry. It stays with me or remains locked here. No more walks.” Victor told the other. Somehow, it became agitated. It flung its limbs and shook its head.

“No! No!” Victor rushed to hold the creation. Stay calm. Henry, help me here.”

Both calmed down the creation and got it to sit on the chair.

“It must behave. You could damage the joints.” Victor removed the frock and examined the lacerations. It was almost healed, but the sudden movement caused parts of it to tear.

“I need to suture them back.” Victor told Henry. “Bring me the surgical case.”

But Henry was staring at the bosom.

“Henry, pull yourself together. I need help here.” Victor shouted.

Henry, shaken out of his stupor, then moved to get the case. Victor took over from there while Henry stepped to the far end of the lab.

“Henry is hurt. He likes to stare at me.” It told Victor.

“It will not move when he washes me.”

“Stop it.” Victor forced himself to focus on replacing the damaged sutures. It has been half a season, and the joints are well into formation, but it still has some weakness. He could not avoid looking at the naked torso. It was beautiful there.

“Are you …?” It asked of him. He looked to his groin and saw the telling sign.

“No, I am not. Let me finish the work here.” Victor shifted his body to hide his embarrassment.

There were moments in life when he felt embarrassment, and one of those moments was for Elizabeth.

“Stop it, William!” Elizabeth pushed the other off her. They were in the living area of Elizabeth’s home. She was back, and William came over. They were alone in the living area when William could not help himself but leapt at the lady. After she pushed him over, she got up and walked to the door. Her aunt was in the kitchen then.

“William Frankenstein, please behave yourself. This is my home…”

“I miss you very much.” William stepped up to the lady. “I was lonely, and now that you are back…”

“I am, but I am not to be trampled or mauled by you.” Elizabeth cautioned the other. “Please restrain yourself.”

“Liz, it has been weeks. I feel the need to …”

“And you are mad. This is my home, and….”

“Our home soon. We will be engaged. I mean to say it will be one of the homes we can stay at.” William smiled.

“William Frankenstein, do behave, or you will leave now.”

“I … I want you.” William unbuttoned his breeches. “He wants you.”

“Oh my God!” That was not from Elizabeth but the aunt who had returned to the living area. “It is not as I expected.”

“Aunt Muriel! I can …” Elizabeth in turn looked towards William. He had turned his back to button his breeches. The young lady turned to look at her aunt.

“I am …….  can explain.” Elizabeth her embarrassment.

“No necessity. He does have that, but it was not my first scene.” The aunt was blunt with her expressions. “You better catch him. He is leaving at the front door.”

Elizabeth did not chase after William, for she was upset then. William was too when he exited at the street. He took to the nearby tavern and had his drink there. It was early in the day, and the place was empty of patrons. He took his eye, and then looked at the maids.

“Fancy a dipper, huh?” The maid walked up to him. She was not exactly what he wanted, but the need to release was on.

“I am, but do you have any friends?” William asked. “I could pay.”

The coin purse was shown then. The maid smiled and then said, “I do not think you lack any of either. Me too. I can call up Mary. She was without any dipping of late.”

It was agreed, and the room at the next level was taken on. It was past an hour when William was still humping before he turned over

“Sire, are you tired? I could. ride you.” Emily looked to the young man who was having trouble releasing his pent-up desire.

“No. I am done.” William got up to dress. He paid his dues and left. His waning performance was not because of the ladies, but his mind was on another.

Justine.

“Madness!” William shook his head. He found himself desiring the lady. “I am a monster to desire her.”

“Is there any monster there?” Spielsdorf watched the constable giving him an update on the death of Doctor Mitchell. They met at the library in Frankenstein’s mansion at the request of the host.

“Monster was the speculation told to me by Chief Constable Lestrade. I say no, we do not have any. As I am telling you now, we do not have any monster. Mr. Spielsdorf, please do not embarrass me with that. Chief Constable Lestrade had me there.”

“I have reported to Chief Constable Lestrade, and without any new evidence, I am at a loss here. I have visited Mrs. Hudson’s house and found no Ms. Katherine as reported by you. The neighbours did say that there was a lady there, but soon after—or was it before the death of Mrs. Hudson? —the lady was not seen.”

“I had searched the village and the forests, but there was no trace of the lady. It may be circumstantial to assume the worst for the lady, but honestly, there is no relevance of her to your case, the death of Doctor Mitchell.”

“Constable Brown, I spoke to Mrs. Hudson on the lady, and to my suspicion, she may be linked to the death of Mrs. Hudson and also Doctor Mitchell.” Spielsdorf made his opinion known to the constable.

“She …”

“The only conclusion is about you. You met Mrs. Hudson prior to her death; you also were with Doctor Mitchell prior to his death. You were found at the side of the doctor….”

“Unconscious, Constable.” Spielsdorf reminded the constable. “I was … I am unsure, hit from behind or how. I was hit.”

“An obvious conclusion, but by whom, and why?” Constable Brown looked at the other. “Chief Constable Lestrade held the same questions.”

“I will not know. I was …”

“Unconscious then. I have that in the report. You were not hurt, but the doctor was with bruises. You had none. So, probably you were… clubbed, and then the attacker punished Doctor Mitchell, hence the bruises. The doctor probably died of those injuries.” Constable Brown looked over. “That is my conjecture of the event. You are a lucky man, sir.”

“But…” Spielsdorf was dissatisfied, but the host intervened.

“Thank you, Constable. I trust you will find the killers. Mr. Spielsdorf will, however, stay for me till further notice. The meeting ended, and Constable Brown left.

“Do not …” Spielsdorf was upset.

“Embarrassed you? I was saving you. The constable cleared your involvement.”

“No, Общий. It has to do with the lady I met. She is …”

“Stop your witch hunt, Rudolph.” The Общий used his stern voice as the commanding officer. “I was to … say that we will not involve the authorities in the hunt. We will do so ourselves.”

“You believe me then?”

“I do, Rudolf. We are the few who can be trusted. The others are imbeciles or ... monsters.” The Общий then got up to approach the cabinet nearby. He retrieved two cases there.

“I had these prepared and kept here.” The Общий displayed the contents. It was a pair of Webley pistols with two boxes of cartridges. “They were made by an expert I consulted. He is an expert in the design of the pistol and is an avid hunter of the occult. He suggested I use silver-tipped cartridges. Silver was claimed to hurt the vampires and witches. You can hold one set and do not embarrass me by shooting yourself in the toe.”

“That was a long time ago, Общий.” Both men laughed. “And I miss. Toes are still there.” 

Preys and Predator Part II; the monster and witches' Chapter 18

 

18.

The elderly lady stood there by the tree trunk, using the shadow there to conceal herself from the prying eyes. She had failed not once but several times for the mistress. She feared for herself if she was to fail once more.

“You are early, my servant.” The voice came from above, an elderly lady high up on the branches. “Do not look up.”

“I am here, mistress.” The elderly lady's voice was quivering. “I did not know there were others.”

“You are getting careless. I have lived my existence in the shadows. When Vlad knew me, she knew me as the countess with a hidden past. He knew of my family's past but was unsure. My lineage of fore kept our existence within the family only. He has suspected that I am a witch, but our coven was family-knitted. We did not invite outsiders.”

“Vlad’s widow, Justina, was his second wife, but he took her for his primary love. He had married Corvinus’s half-sister, but he truly loved Justina. She told me herself when we met then. She was so much in love with him, and it hurt me. It still does, for I was in love with Justina since we were young girls.”

“Justina was my first love. Soon after Justina married Vlad, my family moved away to a safer place. The wars with the Turks have ravaged our homes. I lost touch with Justina, but the events were to unfold when I was to meet Vlad once again. He was estranged from his wife and became a martyr to the cause. People flocked to his side, and foes fled for fear of death.”

“Undead death was the curse.”

“I was not his foe, but an ally. An ally that needed his protection. He approached me and declared his protection over me, but there was a condition. I was to be his. He had needed brides, but I declined. I am who I am, and no one shall own me. I told him no, but he was not giving up. He then offered me an alternative.”

“Be with me with the gift of immortality. I offered you that, and you will stand beside me as an ally. I then confessed to him about my heritage, and he nodded.”

“I know. He said to me. I have battled witches, sorcerers, and what else. They opposed me, for I am a deviant. I am not. He was just like them with the knowledge or skills of something new. He detested them, but he felt that if he could not be a part of the coven, he would join with mine.”

“It was unspoken in my coven. I deferred my ply, but the hunts on us were wide and far. I lost many of the coven. I approached him for protection, and he offered me one last chance.”

“I was to be one like him, but as his ally and not a bride.”

“I agreed. I was a fool. I was not to know that with his gift, I was beholden to him. It was not an ally, but a seduction of my innocence. He had me for his lust. He wanted a child to carry his name. His brides were barren, and I was the chosen one.”

“Due to my lineage, I held on to the challenges to his seduction. I was weakened but without any resistance. His seeds were expunged by me through my blood. He found himself at a loss and confronted me. I told him of the spells to repudiate the seeds of his inside me. He was furious, and we fought. I expelled him from my life and began to live my own. I was to become the vampire witch and form new covens.”

“I turned a curse into a cure, but I was restrained by my affliction. I found my need for blood was ravenous. Vlad found me at the mansion, and we went at each other’s jugular. He was the king, but I was still the mistress in my realm. It was unforeseen that we had the audience of two mortals. Vlad got me on the acts, and I fled.”

“Fleeing was to return, but Vlad caught my essence then. I was to flee without my soul but my heart beats remains.  I had the mirrors to escape, but it was not total. I have been looking for my heart since then.”

“My mistress …” The elderly lady meekly voiced out.

“Silence, Servant. I had you among others to assist me. Our journey may be ending. I found my heart. I will get it back, but you are a loss now. A loss of trust, and your worthy ends now. Return to myself.”

The elderly lady felt her soul drawn from her vessel. It was pulled out by the mistress, and the vessel shell fell to the ground. The mistress lowered herself to the ground.

“Vlad had his way, but we have ours. The coven knew the spell to pull the soul. I will store the soul in me till a worthy one can be found.” The mistress was in the form of one named Carmilla.

Carmilla looked at the discarded vessel, survived by the dead skin cells.

“You were loyal, Stephanie. Rest well for now. Go back to the mansion. I am to end my quest soon.”

A quest it was for Elizabeth. She took it with her aunt to visit some faraway lands, but to her it was a quest to get away. She used the trip to search within herself for her soul. It was ironic that she, a trained psychologist, needed therapy. She was, after all, a living person.

According to psychology, "love" is a complex emotion characterized by strong affection, intimacy, commitment, and passion, often involving a deep connection with another person, where feelings of care, trust, and desire are present, with the brain releasing chemicals like dopamine that contribute to feelings of pleasure and reward when experiencing love.

Was it love when she was with William? She felt herself able to utter the words, I love you, but did it carry her feelings? Was love mere words? She knew that during then, many marriages were arranged by convenience or paternal callings. Princes and princesses were betrothed by their kings and queens. The solemn vow of ‘I do’ was merely words, or to some, brave words to say then. The solemn vow is a serious promise made to someone or something, often in prayers or towards God, and most times in a formal setting.  It can be made to oneself or to others. That was followed by the consummation of the couple, which was feared by Elizabeth.

“I do not fear sex.” The lady whispered to herself. “I can … enjoy it.”

There were some boys before William, but she never went all the way. It was kisses and some touching, but she stopped them if they went further down. It was the same with William, but okay, he did explore further. As she did, but they were grownups then, but she did not yield her chastity. She knew it hurt William, and he had a bigger ego than his tool, but she was adamant about being chaste to the last day.

Elizabeth did once confer with Justine; a girl’s talk. She mentioned that she was unsure of William and whether he will be faithful like Victor.

“Victor? I think you got it wrong. Victor is devoted to only himself. He held no other feelings at all.” Justine had laughed.

“He must have. For you, for instance. He seems close towards you.” Elizabeth hit the point forth.

“No, we are friends. Working colleagues, but lovers, I will say nay. If we do have sex, he will measure, weigh my body parts, and complain if they are not perfect.”

The ladies laughed, but Elizabeth pressed on.

“He could be your mate.”

“Nay, I am also in love with my works.” Justine smiled.

“Were you ever in love?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yes, once. I was in love with ……. Swear it will never be mentioned this ever again.” Justine looked hard at Elizabeth, who nodded.

“It was a boy when I was in Belgium. We were younger then, but we went apart.”Justine lied.

The boy died then, mysteriously, and she was packed to the uni. She never knew why he died.

“Okay, I will not tell Victor.” Elizabeth laughed. “I may let it out as flatulence. Am I a monster to say that?”

“I do not think so. If you are one, you are a lovely monster.” Justine mimics the monster. That was also how Elizabeth felt about her feelings towards William. Her thoughts shifted to Victor.

“Nice……” Elizabeth smiled. He was flattering when he was not at his work, but he was a total gentleman when it was towards the ladies. She may have another choice after all. He was not a monster. 

Preys and Predator Part II; the monster and witches' Chapter 17

 

17.

William met Justine at the Uni and inquired from her about her well-being.

“I did not know you moved out till the next day. The maids were all silent on it.” William invited her to the café to have a drink.

“I had told Sven to keep it quiet. Your father knew, and I had my goodbyes with him.” Justine sipped at her tea.

“Did you tell Victor about this?” William asked.

“Yes, I did. He met just when I was packing. I was to tell Ernest, but he did not reply to my knocks.”

“So, you told everyone but me. What am I to you? A stranger? You lived in my mansion and did not have the courtesy to tell me.” William raised his voice. The others seated nearby looked over.

“It was not your mansion. It was your father’s. I told him, and Victor happened to walk by my chamber. I…”

“Justine Moritz, we offered you a shelter, and you took to stay there for how long? Almost two years, and you left on a sudden note. The mansion belongs to the Frankenstein’s. I am one. You are not. And never will be.”

“What is it with you? I have found my board here. It was part of the grant.” Justine looked at the ones who were staring at them.

“I offered fees for my board at the mansion, and your father said no. I bought food for the kitchen. I was paying for my stay. Have you done any?”

It was brewing to an argument.

“I am his son. I am also the benefactor of his estate. How will I be dispersed on the estate, and if I do, it is none of your business.” William got off on the wrong footing. “And I was not fucking my way through the back door.”

“Fucking? Whoever gave you that idea?” Justine was upset then.

“Oh, that day when you saw with Victor. He was in pain, and I held him. That was it. I have ... and will not be fucking you. Or even Ernest the cripple.”

“Hold your tongue, Justine Moritz. Those are my family.”

“They were mine once before but not anymore. Go and fuck Liz. It looks like you needed that.” Justine got up and then grabbed the cup of tea.

“Get a new life, William. Liz is not coming back to you.” Justine tossed the remaining tea at William.

“She told me she was fed up with your advances.”

“Fuck you!” William roared back.

“Never in this lifetime or any others.” It was a blatant reply, and she lied about Liz. She never said anything bad about William.

Justine walked off, leaving Victor embarrassed. It was hard for anyone to be insulted in public.

Or in private. Spielsdorf met the Общий for a private breakfast at the library. They sat before the fireplace.

“Rudolf,” The host greeted the old friend. The other knew that this was to be a personal discussion. He smiled and looked at the spread on the table.

“Black tea, and… blini? (Small, yeast-risen pancakes that originated in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.  They are a traditional Slavic dish. I have not had that for a long time.” The guest said.

“I know. I got Sven to prepare for us. No more tea and scones or eggs.” The host laughed.

“Thank you, Общий.”

“It is Alf now. Call me that. I have the same served to Lauren.” The host laughed. “She will like it.”

“She will. What about the boys?”

“William is back at the uni. Victor, as I was told, sleeps in the lab. Ernest, he is more local to the meals here.” The host smiled. “I want to see you in private to talk about your recent travel.”

“There is not much to tell. I had stopped by here and….”

“Leaving your daughter to my care. She looked frail. How long were you on the roads?”

“Long and longer.” Spielsdorf sighed. “We left our home three summers ago.”

Soon, Spielsdorf narrated the journey he had undertaken, including the accident, and then his personal trip soon after until he was hit from behind.

“Did you see anything?”

“No. I was blindsided, and next, I was here. I did not kill the doctor.” Spielsdorf sighed. “It could have been the …”

“Countess Carmilla Karnstein? It cannot be. She was defeated by the Count then.”

“Defeated? No, she was not. She escaped then. Count Dracula could not pursue her then.” Spielsdorf looked at his commanding officer. “She may be back. She had harassed my family for many years, caused the death of Lissa, and blinded Lauren.”

“Assumption, Spielsdorf. You have no proof. Count Dracula said that she may take a long time to be resurrected.”

“Not really in those words, but resurrected she will be, but how we were not told.” Spielsdorf looked at the portrait. “You were given the jewel. Her blood in it. You were told that it may be the thing to stop her.”

“Yes, but again not in many words. The Count did not say how, but it was to do it. And I have no idea how.” The host held out the cane. “If it will work for you, please take it.”

“No, Общий. The jewel was given to you by the count, and it shall be yours to hold. I have battled her, if I assumed it was her, and still survived. Let me be.”

“No, Rudolf. Your battles are mine too. We will destroy the countess together.”

Togetherness was what Victor was trying to create. He wanted to create not any entity but a creation of togetherness with the living. He had spent hours teaching the creation.

“You can walk now.” Victor was proud of creation.

It was taking small steps across the lab. He had dressed the creation in a simple frock to cover the anatomies. It was distracting then; the creation was not perfect. The left leg was slightly longer, and the right foot was bigger. The arms were fine; muscular in the forearm, but the hands were perfect. The torso was fine; it was the original part, and the head was too. The creation lacked hair, but that was not an issue. The laceration caused by the sutures was hardly seen. It was the nakedness that was distracting. The creation held a set of breasts that were perfect; perky and handful with the pouty lips on the mouth.

“Henry, stop staring.” Victor found his aide staring at her. He was but averted the gaze when he could.

“Can we name her?” Henry asked.

“Why her? It is a creation.”

“It is a woman. She got …”

“Stop the generalization. The creation had some attributes, but I could change that.” Victor was confident that his creation was his to change.

“I… am a woman?” The creation spoke.

“No, you are not a woman. You are mine. You are my creation. I created you.” Victor found himself explaining to the creation.

“I am a … creation.” The figure looked at Victor. “What is he?”

It was the first query raised by the creation. Victor was shocked by the query.

“He? He is Henry. He is… he is mine too.” Victor said.

“Am I?” Henry asked. Victor did not reply. Instead, he told the creation to learn on the walks.

Henry approached his master. He leaned over and asked. “Am I yours too?”

“Yes, you are. I am your master.” Victor replied.

“Master, please hurry.” Elaine called out. She felt every thrust by the young master. He was getting tough in his acts. He wore the sheath made from the animal intestines, the sheep, or the calf. It was secured by the ribbon string at the base. He had insisted on wearing that, for he was afraid of the disease or being claimed as the father. It was Doctor Mitchell’s introduction, and he wore that only for the whores and unnamed ladies. He was more careful ever since he had sworn his faithfulness to Liz.

“Soon…” William grunted. He felt the dryness in the passage and then gave up. He pulled out and stepped back.

“Is it over, Master?” Elaine looked at the man and saw it was not.

William withdrew the sheath and lay back. Elaine knew her task ahead and enveloped him with her mouth. It did not work either.

“Stop!” William swung his legs off the bedding.

“Get dressed and leave.”

Elaine felt disgusted to be discarded then. She knew she had no option. She was, after all, the maid. She will take her dues in other means.

“Master William, can I have some coins, please?”

“Yes, take what you need but leave me some. I will collect later from Sven.”

William walked to the window. He heard the maid took her dues, and his ordeal was not over.

“Justine….” William's thoughts went to the lady.  

Preys and Predator Part II; the monster and witches' Chapter 16

 

16.

Spielsdorf was seated in the library and questioned by the constable while the host of the Frankenstein was in attendance.

“I can assure you, Constable, that my friend, Spielsdorf, had nothing to do with the death of Doctor Mitchell. They have not met before. More to it…”

“Dear Sir, Mr. Frankenstein. I am just trying to get any information to report to the main authorities. A Chief Constable will be over soon, and he will take over.” Constable Brown was peeved to have such a case in the village. He was already laden with trying to keep tabs on the single ladies in the village with the missing ones unaccounted for. The city promised to send over an officer, but if they are ever good with their advice, the Queen will have visited the village.

“Constable Brown, please accept my apologies, but could Mr. Spielsdorf be allowed to rest? He has some bruises, and with the doctor dead, we are without medical experts.” Mr. Frankenstein cut in. “I will take custody of him and be assured…”

“Mr. Frankenstein, sir. I will be glad to have Mr. Spielsdorf in your care. I am assured that you will always keep him here indoors until other instructions are provided.”

“Of course, Constable.” The host gave the assurance.

Spielsdorf was helped to his chamber. He did stop to visit his daughter before retiring. They were alone to talk.

“Lauren, I am back. How are you?” The father sat by the daughter’s side.

“I can hear you, Father.” Lauren smiled. She looked like her mother there. “How are you?”

“I am fine. Had a little fall, but recovering.”

“Fall? Where did you fall? Were you …?”

“I was not. I had travelled far and asked the needed questions. I found nothing that I can work on.” Spielsdorf sighed. “Those places were where the girls went missing.”

“Can we stop, Father? I want to go home.” Lauren looked to her father.

“Home?” Spielsdorf sighed. Home was where the grief of his love was buried. He had lived on for his daughter and moved to the army camp for security. He had felt none at his previous home; the nights when he guarded his daughter with cats he had adopted. It was claimed that the creature could sense the supernatural beings. He had sentries outside his house all day and night. He had the crosses and garlands of garlic affixed on every entrance from the doors to the windows. What he feared most was the ones who came to the camp seeking him, asking him to renounce his faith.

“Believe in God. Renounce your worship of the devil.” He had them stopped at the gate, but the influence reached his men. The juniors and conscript thought of him as the devil incarnate. He was having trouble depending on them, and eventually he retired. He left for his family home, but the issues plagued him there.

“Lissa is not a witch. She was like all of you: God-loving people.” The man defended the soul of his lover at the church. His words were taken by silence, and he knew even the church did not believe in him. Soon, he was told of the missing girls. He decided to find out the connection, if there was any. He could not leave Lauren alone and brought her with him. They had traveled far, and when Lauren got ill, he treated her, but the last bout was bad. He had to seek his only friend there.

“Father, do you think we will catch the one who killed Mother?” Lauren asked him.

“I do not know, my love, but I will not give up.” The man replied. He had not told the others of the accident that had taken Lissa’s life. Lauren was hurt, but she was awake. She told her father; a lady approached her and placed a hand over her eyes.

“Your sight will be the many retributions of mine, daughter of Spielsdorf.”

Spielsdorf need not know why and what he had done. His only salvation was to find the connection. He took leave of his daughter and proceeded to his chamber. He found the Общий there seated in the chamber. He was holding his cane in his hands.

“Общий, I would like to ……”

“Say no more, my good friend. We need to talk.” The host was into his serious Общий rank. “Was it the past we were to meet?”

Victor Frankenstein was past the concern of his class. He had sent the request for leave. He cited an old injury that had given him pain and requested that Doctor Eugene cover for him in the classes. Victor was troubled by two issues.

Justine.

Victor missed her. Soon after she moved out, he felt alone. It was not like he looked her up when she was in the mansion. He did when he needed some help, but those were at the uni. He double-dated and made the numbers when William asked to go out for a drink with Elizabeth. He had no feelings towards her then, but when she moved out, he felt lonely. He could tell that William was lonely too with Elizabeth away, but he was sure the brother of his would not be of the monk life very soon. He had known William was never short of friends for his libido. Ernest was always in his own world. Victor felt that he hardly knew the youngest. He was seen and hardly heard, but their father has left instructions that he was not to be wronged.

Wrong? Was it wrong to say that Ernest deserved his ailment? He caused the death of their mother.

“Bastard.” Victor cursed.

His other concern was the creation. It came alive suddenly; he doubted the electricity caused it to be ‘alive.’ There were tests done that electricity may have revived the dead; no, it was not those who were dying or immediate death but never one that was made from a cadaver. It was an undisputed fact, but that creation of his was there. Every other hour, it learned something. It had begun to move its head and its limbs and tried to sit up, but it felt no sensation from the pricking on the skin.

Is it alive or reanimated? Or was it a zombie?

The word zombie, Haitian by origin, was said to be a mythological undead entity, created through the reanimation of a corpse. The zombie was reanimated through various methods, most commonly magical practices in religions. Some claimed that it was individuals who have undergone a religious punishment called zombification for committing crimes such as rape or land theft. They are drugged, buried alive, exhumed, and then enslaved.

His creation was not of that, but Victor noted the creation was responsive to his commands. It was like a young child learning their basic acts.

Victor kept the creation in his lab, under lock, and initially it was fed, but it stopped when the food was thrown out by the creation. It was not able to digest the food. The skin grafting was healing, and most of the laceration was missing. He had earlier washed the creation but found it does not emit any smell at all. Nor could it smell any. Among its five senses were only sight and hearing, and yet to discover the voice.

“Master Victor, Ms. Moritz asked to see you.” It was Henry who was allowed into the lab.

“No, tell her I am sick. I cannot see her.” Victor told the other. “Lock the door when you leave.”

Constable Brown was not a relief when he was met by the inspector. The officer from the city arrived by the morning train, glanced at reports, and then hopped onto the afternoon train to go back.

“Constable, continue. I have other pressing cases to handle.” The young Chief Constable by the name of Lestrade waved back. Constable Brown looked at the pile of papers in his hands. He knew that he gave an elaborate report, but he was a constable in a small village of which half was devoid of names, and the other half held names that he could not spell correctly.

The three missing girls were local, and decided to investigate the migrants to the village; the rich and affluent, and those students in the Uni. Maybe they are criminals seeking a hideaway there. He had seen and heard their bawdy songs at the tavern, the way they treated the local ladies; it was putting to shame to the villagers.

And Spielsdorf. That was a foreign name, Prussian or Baltic. Whatever, it was difficult to name and write. Mitchell was a good man, a fierce priest with his fiery sermons, that even the unbelievable would not walk past the cross without asking for forgiveness. Well, Mitchell did correct Henry of his heinous desire.

Henry was an orphan adopted by Sven, another foreigner. He did wonder if Henry was a foreigner too. He knew not much. His father was the constable then, and God bless his soul, he died while on patrol. His bicycle was the father’s.

Well, he was on his way back to the station then; a humble hut converted to be the station. It was his family home, and the father was kind to give it away. His mother had no say in the matter; she was in love with the man and only knew one thing in life, yes darling, it was to everything.

“Fuck you, Inspector.” Constable Brown muttered. He smiled. He will say his penance to God on Sunday. There may not be a priest, but God remained there. It is the Lord’s home. 

And he has many sins to confess there.