Two years ago: September 5th 1898
As Mina Murray strolled leisurely along London's shipping docks, she felt free to let her mind wander. If she were alone, she would have perhaps skipped along like a frivolous schoolgirl or splashed in the rain puddles and muddied her boots and the hem of her dress, The sun was quite hot that day, and beat down mercilessly upon her and her fiancé, Jonathan. Seagulls flew across the enamel blue sky, and white puffy clouds carelessly floated by.
Mina tugged the brim of her hat down further so that it would provide more shade for her face. She took in the sights and sounds of the busy morning, and the delicious smells of the fresh fruit and spices sold in the open air market. "Oh, Jonathan, I forgot." She began. "I'm all out of barley. I'll just go and buy some; I'll only be a minute." She said and hurried off to the stall where a wizened old woman sat. Jonathan leaned on the dock railing and watched the sunlight play off the water of the Thames.
The woman smiled at her as she paid for her barley. Mina thanked the woman and started back to Jonathan. But not before the old woman stopped her. "Miss, Please wait." She said in a kind voice. Mina turned around. "Yes?" She asked. "I was merely wondering if you wished to buy some of my fresh garlic bulbs." The woman pointed a gnarled finger at some garlic cloves hanging right next to Mina. Mina shook her head. "No, but thank you anyway for the offer." The old woman's smile faltered slightly. "Are you quite certain Miss? Garlic can be very useful when one needs protection lurking evil forces." She said persuasively.
The woman suddenly turned extremely serious. Her voice lowered to little more above a whisper, so only Mina could hear. A couple strolled by the stall talking and laughing rather loudly, so she waited until they passed to begin. "My child, you are in grave danger. I have seen your future. A demon is after you, hunting for you. Your betrothed is in danger as well. Please take the garlic, for his sake and yours. I speak the truth, and think it wise you make haste to protect yourself. I know not when this demon will come, only that you should be vigilant and watchful and take precautions to keep him at bay."
"I am certain. Just the barley will do." Mina said firmly, ignoring the little chill that went down her spine at the word "demon". Mina put the sprigs in her basket and closed the lid. The old woman did not quite relent. Instead her voice grew more frantic and her eyes wider with fear. "At the very least, would you please accept this?" She quickly pressed a beautifully beaded rosary into Mina's palm. Mina nodded, deciding to just humor the woman. "Thank you. And good day to you." She said. "May God be with you, my child." The woman replied. When Mina's back was turned, she made the sign of the cross over her.
Mina returned to Jonathan and told him of the woman's strange behavior, but left out her ominous prediction. No need to have her betrothed thinking she was senile. "Protection from lurking evil forces? Seems like a rather ridiculous load of poppycock to me." Jonathan commented as they strolled down the dock arm in arm. Mina nodded, still feeling ill at ease. "When I said I didn't need any garlic, the woman was persistent. Then she gave me this." She handed Jonathan the rosary. "Beautiful craftsmanship on this rosary. It must have taken the crafter a long time to make it." Jonathan commented, turning the rosary about in his fingers.
"Yes, I found that very interesting. She must have been serious if she were giving something of that value away. Well, she at least sounded very serious." Mina mused. Jonathan handed her the rosary and she put it in her basket along with the barley, Jonathan put his arm around Mina's waist. "I would not worry about it if I were you. The woman is probably not right in the head. I remember going to a gypsy fortune teller when I was a boy, and her telling me that I needed protection from evil forces as well."
Mina managed a small smile for Jonathan. 'You're right, why let her spoil this lovely day?" She said, trying to forget what she had just heard. Already, she could feel raw dread settling in her stomach like a lead weight. Unfortunately, the feeling followed her the whole day, as they strolled in the park, and even felt an ominous chill when the two of them went boating out on the water, then afterwards dined together in a lovely restaurant. Only when she returned to her apartment had the dread lifted some, because now she could do something about it.
Mina already had some garlic left over from her dinner party she had hosted a few days ago. She quickly dug it up and was about to hang it when she stopped herself. "Why am I doing this?" She asked herself aloud. As soon as Mina heard her maid's light footsteps coming down the stairs, and quickly put the garlic back. "Is everything alright Miss Murray?" Jenny asked politely, looking around. "I heard some shuffling down here when I was upstairs collecting up the wash." Mina nodded. "You may return to your duties Jenny. Everything is fine here." Jenny curtsied and headed off to busy herself with her chores.
Mina took a few deep breaths and settled herself down in her favorite armchair. She took up her knitting, and worked on the scarf she had been making for Jonathan. His birthday was coming up soon, and she knew how much he loved her handmade gifts.
About an hour later, Jenny brought her evening chamomile tea. Mina drank it and then went to bed. As she brushed her hair, she looked in the mirror of her vanity at the reflection of her bedroom window, practically expecting something frightening to come swooping in. Thankfully nothing came; Mina climbed into bed and tried to think of what a wonderful day she'd had, and not to let it be sullied by some crazy old woman's nonsensical prediction. Her last thought she remembered thinking before falling asleep was, "What did she mean by demon? I am a Catholic woman and take my faith very seriously. What business would a hell creature have with me?"
The next morning, Jonathan announced that he would be leaving on a business trip to negotiate a piece of property with a Romanian Count. Mina's heart sank, "I will miss you terribly Jonathan." She told him. "I will miss you too, my dearest Mina. I shall try to hurry home as quickly as I can, and do my best to seal the deal in a timely manner." Jonathan assured her, as she walked him outside to his carriage. "I promise I'll write you every day." He added.
Mina had remembered the rosary earlier this morning and slipped it in her pocket before she went to Jonathan's apartment for their customary afternoon tea, and this time to say goodbye. Mina placed the rosary in his palm. "Take this; it will remind you of me." She said with a sad smile. Jonathan returned her smile and tucked the rosary into his jacket pocket. The two kissed goodbye and Jonathan climbed into the carriage. The drive r cracked the reins and they were off. "Have a safe trip!" Mina called. "I will!" Jonathan called and waved to Mina, and Mina waved back until the carriage turned the corner of the street.
Mina walked back to her own apartment, as the two were in very close proximity. The day was gray and overcast: the complete opposite of the day before. It started to pour just as Mina went inside. She heaved a heavy sigh as she took up her knitting again. In about an hour or so, if the rain had abated, she would go and visit one of her friends.
Even if she did, she still would have no one to tell about the haunting prediction. Her friends would all think she was crazy, and Jonathan would probably ship her off to some asylum somewhere. The only thing she could do was sit on pins and needles about it, and pray Jonathan would be okay during his journey. What did she have to worry about? She would most likely receive a plethora of letters from him regardless. Mina lay her knitting aside and went to make herself a cup of tea.