AN- As always I thank you for your patience, but updates for this story should be a little more regular than before- cheers for all who have reviewed in the past, you make this all worth while and I enjoy my story all the more to know that you have too.
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The Captain rose from his chair finally and towered over the two Wonder Landers, his gaze dark and hard, focused on them as they bickered over Sawyers dismantled revolver and ignored everything else. The Indian's anger he found, was more directed at Agent Sawyer for losing his control and providing creatures with obviously warped minds to get hold of a dangerous weapon.
Get out.'' He said coldly, his tone sharp and directed at the remaining League members. Skinner slipped out of his chair rather quickly and disappeared through the gate closely followed by the remaining member of the crew. His heart was pounding terribly and it was only now that he realised it, with a cold feeling right in the pit of his stomach.
They had shot a man without even acknowledging it…how could their minds be so out of it to do such a thing…?
Sawyer was frozen to the spot and unable to speak, staring at the dismantled colt as the Hatter poured tea upon it. He jolted as something suddenly landed upon his shoulder- reaching instinctively to grab hold of it, he found he had grabbed Nemo's wrist.
''Up, Sawyer.'' He said sternly, the cold gaze remaining as the Spy slowly rose out of the chair. He was half marched to the gate by the Captain who ignored the Hatters shout of:
''It's very rude to leave the table without asking to be excused!''
Once they were out of the garden, Nemo rounded on Sawyer angrily.
''By Shiva, what were you thinking, boy!?'' he demanded, waving a hand as he spoke to emphasize his point though he did not realise he was doing so- he was too infuriated to care if he was talking with his hands. His eyes were alight with that anger as he questioned the Spy that now leaned against a nearby tree.
''I…I was just doing what I had to…'' The younger answered weakly. He had needed a straight answer, just one, was that too much to ask? In a place like this it appeared to be so.
''Because of your foolish actions one of my men is dead!'' The Captain said icily, one hand now resting on his hip and the other being thrust at Sawyer. He had every right to be furious- as Captain he led his men and it was his responsibility that they returned safe and unharmed from their expeditions. And now because of this brash American he had lost another.
''I needed answers, damn it!'' Tom shouted back, gripping the bark of the tree behind him as he looked to the accusing face, a burst of his usual cocky, talk back attitude coming through as he tried to justify his actions. ''What was I supposed to do!?''
''Not provide an evidently unstable person with a firearm-''
''I didn't know he would take it! I didn't th-''
''You did not think, that is correct. It is something you should do more carefully in a situation like this, Agent Sawyer. Normal rules do not apply! You cannot act so brashly in a place like this when the consequences are unknown to you.''
The Captain turned and ordered the remaining crew man to follow him down the path in Hindu, leaving the American and the Englishman behind. Skinner was thoroughly dumbstruck by this argument, even if Nemo did have a point.
That Indian was bloody terrifying when he was angry… the Invisible man turned to Sawyer, who was staring into the space ahead of him blankly, and placed a reassuring hand upon his shoulder.
''You didn't mean for this to happen, mate. Nemo's lost a crew man, so…you know, he's going to be angry…'' He said lamely trying to make him feel better.
''I… didn't mean it… but it I my fault. He's right.'' Sawyer replied quietly, shaking his blonde head.
''Oh no, don't say that-'' Skinner began, but Tom gave him a sharp look that caused the older man to fall silent again.
''I can accept responsibility, Skinner. I'm not a little kid anymore who hides away from blame… I didn't mean for this to happen but it did, because of me.'' He replied before pushing himself off the tree and stalking after Nemo down the pathway.
Rodney Skinner followed after a brief moment of pause, hearing the sound of breaking china coming from the garden as well as some more bickering between the Mad Hatter- who had proved himself worthy of the title- and the March Hare. This 'wonderland' was getting to all of them, steadily.
He understood perfectly why Nemo was furious but Sawyer… even with his usual mode of working, he had never seen the lad pull a gun on someone so quickly and harshly…it had just seemed a little extreme on his part, considering he could keep his temper in check most of the time. Perhaps there was just a much more mature and…possibly darker side to Agent Sawyer…
Or perhaps this place was simply bringing it more and more out of him.
4th September, 1899
Iping, Sussex
Noon
It was very casually that Dorian Gray sauntered along the lane towards Wilhelmina Harker and Dr. Jekyll, whom were still waiting for the immortals return. He gave them a brief and cordial smile as he came to a stop before them both.
''Well, what a pleasant walk.'' He said dryly, rubbing his nose.
''Did you find anything? Any traces of where he is sleeping?'' Mina pressed, wishing more and more to get this assignment over and done with for what it had caused them to realise about Skinner and his potential problem…
''Nothing of where he is sleeping, but I did discover Griffins grave site.'' Gray informed her.
''Do you wish for us to search more extensively for him..?'' Henry asked her, seeing that she was steadily becoming lost in thought again. They had no luck with Gray as he had said they wouldn't and so it was time for the keener senses to intervene.
''In light of everything so far… I think that would be the best option. The people here are edgy with us as much him for asking so many questions- they expect capture death.'' She replied, nodding slowly to show her agreement. It was well and good promising these people order to follow with their co-operation, but they expected some results….in a case like this they should be provided as quickly as possible.
''This man must be stopped and I have another suggestion to put forward to you both. If we are lucky enough, Mr. and Mrs. Hall may be able to show us Griffins belonging- this man got a hold of his formula somehow, after all- there could be samples remaining.''
''There may even be notes as well- yes, if he was continuing his research here and bringing all of his chemicals to a quiet village…'' The Doctor said, suddenly becoming filled with a desire to see any of these notes for himself. After his own scientific investigations with the Hyde formula, this work of chemical 'genius' as it might be called- similarly it could be called madness- was something he wished to understand.
If he did then it may help administer some better help to Rodney Skinner before it was too late.
Mina nodded her approval of this and then suddenly froze, her blue eyes narrowed suspiciously. Somewhere to the left of the lane there was a presence- it was human, but unseen and thinking it had gone unnoticed…. She felt a dark flare from Jekyll suddenly as Hyde also picked up on him. As the Doctor went to turn his head in that direction she caught hold of his shoulder so suddenly that he started.
''Forgive me.'' She said quickly, flashing him a brief smile and an imploring look for him to act as though he had realised nothing of the Invisible mans appearance. ''But would you set to work on looking for those notes back at the Inn? See what has become of his belongings?''
For a moment the Doctor did not understand this sudden request, but he caught on quickly. Obviously she had picked up on him first, although Edward was highly displeased with allowing this man to continue to skulk unseen and listen to them, even if they were aware.
''What the ruddy hell is she doing?'' Edward growled; his instinctive anger taking over before sense caught up with him. They both had his scent now, which meant that they would know what to look for when it came down to it.
''Yes, alright. I shall go and see if there is anything to be found back at the Inn- the notes would be incredibly useful, if I can understand them…but, what are you to do?'' Henry replied curiously.
''We will return to the grave site- I wish to see it for myself and we will look again more extensively for where he is sleeping at night.'' She replied. The Doctor would be much safer to stay in Iping now- of course he had Edward as a defence but only on command and they were both only mortal when it came right down to it. This Invisible man was violent and if they came across him, they would have the element of surprise in being stronger than met the eye and invulnerable to harm.
''Then I wish you both luck. I shall see you later.'' Jekyll said with a polite inclination of the head before he turned and went along the pathway back towards the village of Iping.
Dorian raised an eyebrow at the vampiress, silently asking her if they were yet alone. She made no reply as she gestured for her companion to follow, passing the culprit by as he waited for them to leave. He had some stealth, she admitted and after about five minutes walking she looked to Gray.
''Do lead on now, Dorian. You know where this grave can be found.''
It took them about forty minutes to reach the collection of trees where Gray had found the site where the first Invisible man had been buried. As the immortal man realised that Mina was not paying attention to him or it, he noticed she was looking back the way which they had just come from. The look on her face was much like that of a cat that had spied some movement that a human could not, her eyes focused and sharp.
''You do lead him on, you know.'' Dorian stated casually, seeing that would get her attention. He smiled lightly as he proved to be correct and met her questioning blue gaze as it settled upon him. ''You should set the Doctor straight. It is cruel to play such games- such as I would not have expected from you, Mina.''
''What are you talking about? I do not toy with peoples emotions- do not delude yourself into thinking that I am anything like you other than in being unable to die.'' She replied coolly, stepping carefully around the grave and holding her skirts accordingly for freer movement. She crouched down and inspected the grave, the decaying foliage that had been used to cover it and the remaining foot prints from long ago when the burial had been done.
Gray smirked, his thin lips twitching at the corners caused by her reply.
''Come now, I have seen the looks that you give him- if you are not interested, you should not provide him with false hope- it is terribly pathetic-''
''And how do you know I am not interested?'' She replied smoothly, raising an eyebrow at him as she returned to standing, being satisfied that nothing was amiss.
''Because I know you.''
''You do not know me, Dorian.'' She scoffed, giving him an incredulous look for even daring to think it. ''Do not pretend that you know me just because we were lovers. That is over and your jealousy is petty and childish- then again, you have always been such…''
''Now you pretend to know me. No, no, I know Mina, that you would not wish to love another mortal man because you know what it would require of you to be with him.'' Dorian rebutted quietly, watching her dust off her pale hands. She glanced up at him, her face impassive for a moment and unreadable.
''I can, if I loved him intensely enough. And an immortal should try to live out the course of one lifetime every so often…'' she replied, her tone low and thoughtful.
''You will not love him when is old and grey and unable to satisfy any longer, while you remain the same, perfect, young…'' Dorian pointed out, receiving a sharp glare from her quite suddenly.
''There is so much more to a relationship than that, but you- you would never understand that.'' She said icily, brushing past him and walking along the path with a swift stride towards Iping.
Gray stared after her silently for a moment. Of course he knew that. His own dealings with love had been foolish and over before they began because of some horrible incident in which the person he loved had taken her own life…he had only been a boy. Now he knew better.
''Hurry up.'' She snapped at him. ''We were not followed as I suspected we might be.''
The Coach and Horses Inn
Iping
Sussex
It was so cold and repressive within the cellar- but this was where the multitude of Hawley Griffins belongings had been stored away after his rampage and then his death. Packed up in boxes which had become rather dusty after so many months of being locked away down here and gladly forgotten by the residents. But Jekyll was observant enough to see that they had gone undisturbed all this time.
The books and remaining bottles of varying shapes and size, phials and beakers- some cracked from being packed away so hastily. It was all untouched until he had opened them just this afternoon…. How had this man been able to get at a sample of the formula, then, if that was the case?
Henry had leafed through the few books and journals- notes written in cipher and Greek, which he understood minimally, but not enough to warrant him to be able to translate them all and read through the private notes easily.
''Jekyll!'' Hyde growled rather suddenly in warning, but the Doctor already felt the cool of something sharp at his throat in the gloom of the cellar.
''Alright- let's be having you…who are you?'' A voice hissed in his ear, well spoken and unfamiliar to him.
''It's him, it's bloody him!'' Hyde said gruffly. The Invisible man had gotten into the Coach and Horses- but how? The Halls were so cautious to allow entry and exit to the Inn and always made sure to check that the culprit wasn't hiding anywhere- ''No you prat- it's him.''
''Who are you?'' Jekyll replied, repeating the question asked of him and trying to keep his voice steady as he did so. He could feel an invisible hand gripping his shoulder tightly- what was Edward getting at now?
The scent- the scent of him- it matched the one that lingered in all of the books, on every bottle… the hand that had written all of these notes was the one that held his shoulder fast…
''You...''
''Good. I am glad to see a man about here who is not a complete imbecile…''
To Be Continued...
