Title: Shades of Blood and Gray
Genre: Adventure/Drama
Character Focus: Dorian Gray and Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde, pure hatred
Rating: T for coarse language and violence
Summary: Dorian returns from the dead and he wants revenge. He kidnaps Mina's son to exchange for his portrait. With nothing to lose and no outside connections, Jekyll takes on the mission, even if it means sacrificing himself.
Disclaimer: LXG is copyright to 20th Century Fox, based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neil. All characters of literature are copyright to their own creators. Only some characters are made from my imagination.
Chapter 10: Bargain with the Devil
The House of Dorian Gray
Dorian Gray watched Henry Jekyll nervously glance around the library before taking the chair across from the one Dorian occupied. When Henry took his seat, he remained sitting up straight as he placed the wrapped painting on the floor and propped against the side table. It amused Dorian that Henry seemed rather uncomfortable, perhaps it would be easy to make persuasions on the normally shy man.
"Dr. Henry Jekyll," said Dorian calmly, "did Mina send you to come and discuss the exchange?"
"I volunteered," replied Henry. A short answer, but Dorian could see in Henry's blue-grey eyes that the doctor had indeed intended to come in Mina's place.
"Ah, so you willingly came." Dorian set the book he was reading aside on the table next to his chair and intertwined his fingers together in front of him. "Did you really think that you would set that monster upon me?"
"No," Henry shook his coppery head, "I came to bring your painting back and perhaps ask that you release the children to their parents."
"Was there something else you wanted to tell me?" Dorian arched one of his slender brows at the nervous doctor.
"Yes," Henry replied as his pale hands clenched into fists over his knees, "I want to tell you something that you should know. I saw you take Mrs. Harker's blood that night, I was standing outside of the door. Even though I didn't know that you were just collecting bits of us at the time, I saw how you cut her hand, you l-lied to her!" Dorian observed how the tears were building up in Henry's eyes.
"Oh dry your tears," Dorian said mockingly, "they are worthless to me." He pulled a handkerchief out of his dressing robe and tossed it onto Henry's lap. "So you were spying on Mina and myself, were you? You, a timid shell who couldn't find the courage to speak with a woman for yourself, resorted to lingering outside of a woman's bedroom and watch as she is swept into the charms of another. Was that what you were up to that night?" Dorian could not hold back his smile as he saw Henry's usually ashen cheeks flush nearly as red as his hair.
"Is that why you volunteered?" Dorian asked when Henry could not speak. "Thought that taking on a task of saving Mina's son would win you some recognition from her, didn't you?"
"T-that's not true," answered Henry, not even bothering to wipe the tears from his cheeks. "I volunteered because... I don't have anyone outside of the League who would care if something happened to me. N-no family nor friends who would be affected by whatever happens to me." Henry glanced at the flames dancing in the fire place before turning his eyes back to Dorian. "I brought you the painting, if that's not enough for you, then I'll do whatever else you want. Please, let the children go."
"How brave of you," Dorian laughed slightly, "that you would do whatever I asked. I did not act alone when the children were taken, I made an agreement with a former colleague of M's, his benefit would be samples from you, Mina, and Skinner. You already handed over my painting and a vial of your potion."
"S-so you only just need Mina's b-blood and a piece of Skinner's skin?" asked Henry. The doctor seemed more anxious about what would possibly be asked of him.
"Just a piece of Skinner's skin," answered Dorian, "the blood was already taken care of."
"What?" Henry's blue-grey eyes widened.
"The boy," said Dorian, taking pleasure of Henry's anxiety, "he has his mother's blood in his veins. Oh don't worry, young Harker wasn't harmed when the blood sample was taken, it was only a small prick in his arm."
"If it's just a piece of skin from Skinner that is just required," said Henry, glancing nervously into the fireplace, "then you can get it from him at the museum where the rest of the League will be waiting. Mrs. Harker suggested that the exchange would be finished at the museum where M had first gathered the League."
"Really?" Dorian was even more amused that Henry had made things even more easier. "Then the children shall be brought to the museum to finish the exchange. Do you have your word that Skinner will offer a piece of his skin?"
"If it means getting the children back," said Henry, "he will do it."
"You seem like you have more to say."
"Yes," Henry bowed his head, "I would like to see the children myself, to make sure that they are unharmed."
"Very well," said Dorian, "I'll take you to the children, then the exchange shall be completed at the museum."
The sun was setting when they had reached the museum, it felt like only yesterday when Mina, Nemo and Skinner had first met at the location. Even though he had never been inside the building, Tom had stood across the street and watched the entrance on that fateful day. They went inside the same room where M had gathered them, which hadn't changed since that meeting, the paintings, lanterns, the long table and chairs centered in the room, the engraved Mason symbols on the door were all still there.
Mina was too anxious to sit down, she paced gracefully in front of one of the few paintings, twisting her scarf around her fingers. Tom, who still kept on his hat and duster, leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, his Winchester strapped over his right shoulder and a frown on his strong features. John and Helen Seward were seated side by side, still wearing their coats as if to ward off a chill that lingered indoors. Near the door, Nemo stood straight, one hand covered the sword on his belt. Skinner stood opposite of Nemo, gloved hands buried in his coat pockets and Skinner's painted face showed little expression.
No words were exchanged, everyone had similar thoughts and feelings. With the tension building up, they were all waiting for Dorian to respond to Jekyll's visit. If Jekyll did bring the painting to Dorian, perhaps something would happen, the children might be brought to the location, or at least some word from Jekyll that Dorian agreed to release the children.
The House of Emil Crowe
Quincey Harker huddled on the floor next to the same crate from where he saw that large man attempt to touch Mary's hair. When Mary asked why he had been sitting far from her, he said that he didn't want to hurt her so she should keep distant. Mary didn't understand why, but she kept far from him while staying within sight. The two of them had lost time for how long they had been trapped in the attic, they were scared and only had each other for comfort, so one kept watch over the other.
"Quincey," said Mary, "I hear them coming back to the attic." She stood up from where she was sitting and went near the wall far from the attic entrance.
"Don't worry," said Quincey, "I won't let them hurt you." He stood up and watched the entrance. The door opened and emerging was Dorian Gray, Quincey recognized Gray's pinstripe outfit and mass of black hair. Behind Dorian was a man Quincey did not recognize, the man wore mostly black, had pale skin, copper red hair, and a sad look in his grey eyes.
"Be quick," Dorian told the new man.
"Are you Quincey Harker?" asked the new man. His voice sounded meek but gentle, Quincey nodded.
"My name is Dr. Jekyll," the red haired man said, "I'm a friend of your mother's. I came to see that you and Miss Seward are safely returned." Dr. Jekyll removed the pocket watch from his waistcoat and held it out at Quincey's reach. "I have something for you, I understand that you have been through much, so your mother asked me to give this to you as a token of reassurance."
"Th-thank you," said Quincey as he accepted the pocket watch. He opened the watch and saw the photo from his room in the lid. "Is my mother looking for me?"
"Y-yes, she's very worried about you. I told Mr. Gray that your mother is waiting for you at a place in London, I came to see that you are returned."
"But for a price," said Gray coldly, "Dr. Jekyll has willingly surrendered himself so that you and Miss Seward are brought back."
"Quincey," said Dr. Jekyll, "I don't want you to worry about me, you and Miss Seward must go with Mr. Gray, he'll take you to your mother and Dr. Seward."
"I understand," said Quincey. As he and Mary Seward followed Dorian out of the attic, Quincey glanced back to see Dr. Jekyll watching sadly.
Skinner was growing bored of waiting for so long, it felt like he had been cooped up in the meeting room for hours. Not only was he becoming bored, Skinner was also concerned for his friend, Henry Jekyll, and the two children who were in the clutches of Dorian Gray.
Weary of standing still, Skinner removed his gloved hands from his pockets and took a few steps around the room. Rodney Skinner examined the paintings on the walls of previous "Leagues" from history, probably all fictional since he and his friends had been set up by M.
"Hey," said Tom's voice, breaking the silence, "there's a coach approaching the steps at the front. It's probably Dorian." The spy had gone upstairs during the long wait to look out for any approach.
Skinner watched Tom waiting at the open door, Mina nearly jumped up from where she sat, Dr. Seward nearly toppled over his own chair, Helen anxiously followed her husband, Nemo only gave a curt nod. It was then that Rodney found himself following everyone upstairs to the entrance hall.
As they all gathered upstairs, Skinner took mind of his surroundings, the hall was dimly lit by the small lanterns, the ceiling arched high, a few paintings decorated the walls, and the marble floor was cold beneath his bare feet. Skinner tilted back his hat to allow more light to pass his glasses, he wanted to see for himself that Dorian was alive.
The first person to pass through the doors was indeed Dorian Gray, looking the same as he did when they first met, pinstripe outfit, black hair, pale yet well featured face, and those dark eyes. Following him were two men in dark and plain looking clothes, each man had been holding onto a child. The first man was husky, nearly bald, and was holding an auburn haired boy by the arm. The second man was lanky and dark haired, he was half-carrying and half-dragging a small blonde girl. The children, Skinner guessed had to be Quincey and Mary, appeared alright but wore night clothes that were smudged with dust.
The last man to enter was someone Skinner did not expect to see, it was that strange limping man from the pub. Skinner recognized the gray hair, the long faded black duster, the cane, and the walk with the limp.
"Mina," said Dorian with that cool manner of his, "it's been a while since you killed me. I see that you haven't changed a bit, you look as lovely as ever."
"I have nothing to say to you, Dorian," Mina said coldly. The League stood perhaps several paces across from the doors where Dorian and his men held the children. Skinner could feel the hatred filling up the space between Dorian and Mina.
"Now, now," said Dorian, using that rather devilish smile, "I've brought young Master Harker and Miss Seward to you after your friend, Dr. Jekyll, willingly brought me my painting and a vial of his elixir." With his left hand, Dorian stroked Quincey's hair, the boy shrank back and Skinner swore he could see Mina's eyes flashing red at the sight.
"You give them over to us," said Tom. The American was going grab his Winchester, but was stopped when Nemo shook his head in disapproval.
"I will," said Dorian, "but I need one more thing from you, a piece of Skinner's skin."
"What?" Skinner asked. Dorian had stolen a bit of skin before, to help build M's tools of warfare. It angered Skinner that the lives of two children were being bargained for samples from the League, it was already horrible that Dorian had used lies and deceit before to collect bits of Skinner, Mina, and Jekyll. Skinner realized then that Jekyll was absent from the hall. Was he in the coach outside?
"Why are you doing this?" asked Mina.
"It's... complicated," replied Dorian, "but I'm not handing the children back unless Skinner comes and allows Crowe here to take a sample of skin." The limping man, whom Dorian identified as Crowe, had taken out a pair of tweezers and an empty bottle.
"Mother, Father," cried out the girl, attempting to flee from the man who restrained her.
"It's alright, Mary," said Dr. Seward calmly, "we'll take you home when this is all over." John was reaching out with one hand as if to take his daughter's hand, while the other hand clasped the hands of his frantic wife.
"Skinner," said Mina, "do you think you can escort the children back to us?"
"Well..." started Skinner, taking note of Nemo and Tom making stern nods, "yes, I'll get those kids."
Rodney Skinner marched with the confidence he knew that he had to where Dorian and Crowe were standing. When he came within arm's reach of them, Skinner rolled up his coat sleeve, revealing that his arm was transparent.
"Excellent," said Crowe dryly, he scraped some of Skinner's invisible skin. Skinner felt the prick, it was no different from what Dorian did. Crowe deposited the flakes of skin into the empty vial.
"I appreciate your cooperation," said Dorian, "now I leave the children in your hands."
Skinner saw the boy and girl shoved from their captors towards him. Holding out his arms, he quickly caught the children and steadied their balance. Quincey and Mary looked up at him with wide eyes.
"It's okay now," said Skinner, "you're safe with me." He walked backwards and gently towed the children with him. Skinner frowned at Dorian and those other foul men, the thief wanted to keep an eye on them should they try any tricks.
Once he regrouped with the League, Quincey and Mary broke off from Skinner and went into the waiting arms of Mina and the Sewards. Before Dorian's gang headed out to leave, Skinner suddenly remembered Jekyll was still absent.
"What about Jekyll?" demanded Skinner.
"Dr. Jekyll?" asked Dorian. "I believe that Crowe requires the good doctor's assistance. Don't worry, Crowe shall see to it that Dr. Jekyll is well taken care of." Then Dorian and his men left without another word.
Skinner clenched his fists, angered that Dorian would do such a thing to Jekyll. What did that Crowe character want Jekyll for? It probably had to do with the vial of Jekyll's elixir, only Jekyll knew the secrets of the dreaded potion.
"Mother," Quincey Harker said softly, "I missed you so much." The boy's eyes were full of tears as he embraced his mother. Skinner saw something in Quincey's hand, the invisible man recognized the object, it was Jekyll's pocket watch.
"What do we do now?" asked Tom, watching Mina's reunion with Quincey and the Sewards reunite with their daughter.
"We'll return to the Nautilus," said Nemo, "the children should be seen to after what they've been through."
"Then we go find Jekyll," said Skinner.
"Mr. Skinner is right," said Mina, who still held onto Quincey, "Dr. Jekyll had taken risks for us, we should do the same for him."
To be continued.
End Note: My apologies for the delay, I've been busy with new design projects thrown at me. I'm hoping that everyone has been enjoying this so far.