Screaming Dead 12

1942

The Seward Asylum was used to strange happenings. Amira looked over at the young woman sitting across from her. The visitor was pretty in the modern way, with a dark bob cut that had been all the rage some years ago.

Anabelle West, formerly of America, sat in the leather chair. "Ms. Seward, thank you for seeing me."

"Not at all Ms. West, but what exactly can we do for you? Your telegram was a bit vague."

"I need my head examined." West shrugged. "I thought my message was clear."

"True, but I was hoping for more of a 'why'. Surely there are doctors in America? Why travel all the way to England?"

"You may think me silly, but all of this has to do with my Uncle Cyrus. He passed away some time ago, you see, and his will stipulated clearly that his entire estate is to be awarded to his most distant relative exactly twenty years after his passing. That anniversary is fast approaching and while I'm the most distant relative, I have to be judged to be of sound mind before I can take over the estate."

"Take over?"

"Yes, Uncle Cyrus ordered his estate to be managed in the meantime by a doctor named Niemann. He's an odd sort. He's let the entire estate go to ruin, but my uncle put him in charge until my time came."

"That name does sound familiar, but again, why come here?"

"Niemann said he wouldn't accept anyone else. I think he ordered me here to keep me out of the country. I…I think I'm being followed as well." Before Amira could speak, Anabelle raised her hand. "I'm not dreaming or hysterical. In Lisbon someone broke into my hotel room and slashed up my pillow. On the boat ride over I kept finding evidence that someone was entering my room, but I couldn't convince anyone. Can you please help me?"

"Ms. West, we have some of the finest psychiatrists in Europe. We'll prove your story, and we'll even send someone to accompany you home."

The younger woman almost wept. "Oh, thank you!"

-X

"What do we have on this Dr. Niemann?" Amira walked through the massive library. The Girl grunted and slipped off towards the indexes. She returned later with a slim file.

Spreading it out on the table, the papers inside told a grim tale. "Some time ago Gustav Niemann was chased out of Europe for conducting illegal experiments. He was a follower of the late Heinreich Frankenstein and was trying to swap the brain of a man with that of a dog." Kitty explained as the papers turned by themselves. "The creature escaped and Niemann was exposed. He was followed by a hunchbacked thief named Daniel."

"So the doctor was taken in by Mr. West? Curious, although I doubt Anabelle is going to let him have continued freedom of the estate." Amira picked up the only known photo of the doctor. He was a tall and grim looking specimen, with sunken in cheeks and gray stringy hair. "Kitty, have Anabelle stay here. Call Dr. Garth, see if he can get here tomorrow and give her a look over. I think we need to pay a visit to the West estate and see if this Dr. Niemann is up to anything."

-X

Charlie Adler thought he was nice. He rarely discussed religion or politics, he followed popular sports and entertainment, knew the popular dances, and in a pinch could even tell jokes. He had also committed half dozen acts of murder.

He didn't particularly want to do it, although he felt nothing for the slain. They stood in his way and they had to go, with all the grace and care one might use to throw out the trash. Charlie Adler hadn't killed them, no, but rather the Cat. A simple disguise and a spiked glove were all that he used. Whereas other thieves would feel the need to use a calling card or only steal certain objects, the Cat took everything from everywhere. The police only had vague clues, but they didn't suspect it was one person.

He did intend to settle down though. His uncle Cyrus was as rich as he was hateful and as his nephew he was certain he would inherit the fortune…at least until he discovered he had a cousin. He was sure Anabelle was nice, perhaps even pleasant, but as it was she stood between him and a few million dollars. She might share it, but there was too much at stake for a might. With her gone or crazy he would get everything.

The main problem was her. He had been stalking her like a mouse through her trip from America to England. She was close to a crackup, he was sure, but she had checked into a nuthouse in the country. While thematically appropriate, she was sure to be found sane if she stayed there, but he couldn't risk breaking inside.

He was mulling over this problem during a freak thunderstorm. His car had been stuck in the mud, giving him time to think. He was so engrossed in his problem that he almost failed to notice the man knocking on his window. "Do you need a lift?"

"Ah, yes, thanks ever so much!" Charlie stepped out into the rain as the older man led him a painted wagon. 'Professor Lampini's House of Horrors' was painted on the side in garish colors.

Once inside, Charles sat back on the hard bench as the old man brewed some tea. "Lucky I was passing by; I doubt there's another village for quite a few miles." Lampini mused.

"I should say so. Dashed terrible turn, I was out here to visit my cousin and got turned around on these country roads. I don't suppose you know of a mechanic?"

"I'm a stranger in these parts myself. I used to be part of a circus, at least until our trapeze artist had a horrible accident, strongman too. The local folks stopped coming to see the freaks so I had to move into something else."

"I saw the sign. You mean like wax figures?"

Lampini snorted in disgust. "Phonies! My boy you happen to be in the wagon of the only genuine house of horrors in all of Europe. Nothing fake here, no chicken bones or wax props. All real and deadly." He gestured wildly towards the back. Charles noticed a covered box.

"So what would you have?" Charles wasn't a believer in such things, but remembering tales of haunted caves and crawling things from his youth gave him pause.

"How about a vampire?"

Charles tried not to laugh. "You mean a blood sucking fiend?"

Lampini grew serious. "I mean a real deal servant of Dracula. I was performing on the continent before the war when I heard reports of monsters. I rushed to a ruined castle that once belonged to the infamous Count Dracula. There I found, amid the burning rubble, the severed head of a vampire. A stake had been shoved through her back. Gathering her remains I reassembled them. I even dragged a coffin for her out of the wreckage. The top was ruined but a tarp works just as well."

His curiosity growing, Charles worked his way to the back. "May I see it?"

Lampini beamed. "Of course." He yanked the tarp off with a flourish. Under it was an ornate coffin, the lid missing as he said. On a bed of dirt lay a skeleton. The skull and a hand were wired to the rest of the body while a simply stake poked out through the ribcage. "Normally I charge two shillings for such a privilege."

"I remember reading about these creatures when I was boy. If you remove the stake, don't they come back to life?"

"In legends yes, but I wouldn't recommend it. The mere idea is enough to scare the simple villagers out of their wits."

Charles glanced at the skeleton. It was unlikely, but this might be the very thing he needed. After all, who could suspect a vampire as a killer? As Lampini turned around and lectured, Charles bent over and tore the stake free.

The skeleton shook. Charles dismissed it as the vibrations from the road, but the white bones grew red as withered veins began to writhe and grow. Muscles formed from the very air and organs pulsated to life. The wires and bolts were pushed aside by the reforming flesh. Pale white flesh was suddenly clothed in a stylish if outdated dress. The woman in the box gasped in surprise. "I live!"

Lampini dropped his cup. "What have you done?"

The woman rose from the box. Before Charles could blink her lips were at the older man's throat. Lampini had no chance to scream as his throat was ripped open by her jagged teeth. Moving from the already dead man, she plucked the screaming driver into the wagon and feasted on his life blood; thus leaving Charles alone with two corpses and a vampire. After she lapped up the driver's blood, she dropped the body and turned to him.

"I suppose I should thank you." Her voice was breathy and with a posh English accent. "I was quite hungry though, and while it's nothing personal I am going to kill you."

Charles picked up a small axe and with the stake made a makeshift cross. She recoiled and hissed. "I understand about not wanting to leave witnesses, but how about a deal?"

"Or I could wait until you fall asleep and drain you like a bottle of port."

"Lovely, but you'd be trapped in this wagon. You think someone wouldn't spot it in the daytime? You think they'd leave your coffin unopened?"

She stopped. She had the look of someone who knew what he said was right but didn't want to admit it. "What is your deal?"

"I take your coffin with me and protect it during the day. In exchange for this little service all I need you to do is drive a young woman crazy. Or kill her, whichever is easier for you."

Her eyes bore into him. At length she smiled; which somehow made her expression worse, and stuck out her hand out. "Lucy Westenra, at your service."

-X

The estate of Cyrus West was as crooked as West himself. An impossible sprawling manor, it seemed to be less built and more stabbed into the earth. It was as dark and unwelcoming as Cyrus West was in life, and in his death the home seemed to take on a life. There were only two living inhabitants within a hundred miles of the dreary New England estate. Dr. Gustav Niemann was hoping to change that last part.

"Daniel!" The older scientist shouted. His cry echoed down the hall. The younger man, his back bent to a deformed degree, hobbled down the poorly lit hallway.

"Yes doctor?"

Niemann gestured to a shroud covered body. "Finish hooking up the electrodes. If Frankenstein's notes are accurate, a good electrical storm will finish the work for us!" He carefully rubbed the open book on the table. "Are you sure no one saw you?"

Daniel shook his head. "Positive master. Did I do good?"

"Very good Daniel, very good indeed." Niemann wasn't looking at him, but rather the shroud covered form on the table. "One good storm and you will live again old friend…"

-X

Amira almost gagged when another car pulled up to the asylum's door and the fur decked woman strolled out of the backseat. "Baroness Elsa Frankenstein to see Dr. Seward," she curtly told the orderly.

"I'm Seward. How can I help you?" Amira rushed to the front and tried to present a calm and hopefully professional appearance.

"Do you have some where we can talk?"

-X

In a private sitting room, Elsa sank into the old couch. She turned down the offer for tea. "Ms. Seward, what I'm about to tell you cannot leave this room."

"I'm used to confidential information." Amira strained her ears to make sure Kitty wasn't lurking about.

"My last name is Frankenstein. I'm sure you're aware of my family's reputation."

"It has come up."

"Some days ago a book belonging to my grandfather was stolen from my home. Several interested parties have tried to approach me for recreating my ancestor's work, but I've rejected all of them. Then someone broke into my library and stole my grandfather's journal. My grandfather was a sick man, but I believed he discovered my ancestor's secrets."

"Why come to me? Surely the police in your own country…" Elsa shook her head.

"You mean a one-armed constable? A group of frightened vineyard workers? No, I need someone who has been touched by horror. You also have a reputation for handling this type of work quietly."

"Have you any leads?" Amira desperately tried to change the subject.

"I only caught a glimpse of the man. He was twisted, like his back had been broken. He smashed his way inside, blasted the safe and smashed his way back out."

"Twisted you say, like a hunchback?" Amira suddenly remembered the file on Niemann.

"Why…yes." Elsa was shocked. "I suppose he could have been one. Why do you ask?"

"Merely trying to work out a theory." Amira moved towards the door. "Leave your number at the front and we'll contact you if anything should happen."

-X

"So, you think this Daniel is the same one who works for Niemann?" Kitty studied the pictures.

"It makes sense. If Niemann was trying to continue Frankenstein's work, why not have the man's notes?"

"What about Ms. West?" The Girl wrote out on a chalkboard.

"She's been given a clean bill of health and going out on the first flight tomorrow. I think I can arrange for a few extra passengers to tag along, just in case."

-X

Charles swore with a most uncouth tongue. He had thought to simply unleash his new vampire partner on the madhouse and let her kill Anabelle, but for some reason the place was a fortress. Garlic hung from every window. Bars formed crosses across every pane. The place was patrolled from sunset to rise by men and dogs. He'd seen prisons with laxer security.

"Alright, judging by the luggage tags they're going to the states. We'll simply follow them and strike when they get to the old homestead."

Lucy glared at him. She had been eating, although he never thought to ask where or how. She wiped a white hand across her red mouth. "So far servant, I'm not impressed. Those fools on the inside managed to slay me once and now you want to fight them again?"

"Not necessary fight, but my dear cousin has to leave to claim the inheritance. If we leave now, we could beat them to America. Once we're at the house we can dispose of her at any time."

"Not the best idea servant, but I'll accept it for the time being." Lucy reclined in her coffin. "I trust you know how to ship something?"

"Very well Ms. Westenra. Just lie back and think of England." Charles slammed the coffin lid down. He wiped his brow as he tried to rethink his plan of attack. "So far that bloodsucker's been happy with what she catches. What if she decides to end our arrangement early?" He glanced at a broken timber. "She's weak in the day, but I still need her. The police would believe me if I could point them in the direction of a mad killer." He turned away from the stakes and set out booking the trip to America.

-X

Elsa had agreed to stay at the asylum. Amira, Kitty, and the Girl were leaving with Anabelle that afternoon. The four of them were sharing a taxi as the car raced along the country roads. "So, why were you so fixed on that Frankenstein chick staying behind?" Kitty, wrapped in bandages and passed off as a patient, nudged Amira.

Amira leaned in closer. Anabelle was chatting with the driver, leaving the three of them to squeeze in the back. "Because I murdered her father. If she saw me change she would know I'm the monster that ruined her life."

Kitty grew silent. "Wow…yeah I can see that being a problem."

"I believe we can wrap this case up and be back before the next full moon, but I've learned to prepare for the worst."

-X

"You're sure this will work?" Daniel backed away from the table. He had been uneasy ever since bringing the body back from the crypt.

"Cyrus's body has been preserved, thanks in part to my genius." Niemann ripped the shroud away. The older man on the table looked like he was sleeping. "Once I decipher the secret of Frankenstein, Cyrus West will live again!"

"But master, what about his will?" Daniel eyed the corpse carefully, have expecting it to move on its own.

His words made the doctor pause. "That blasted will. The deadline is approaching, isn't it? Well, we'll simply have to move quickly, won't we?"

-X

Charlie wasn't used to sleeping in a cargo hold, but he felt better if he could watch over Lucy's coffin. He was less protective and more making sure she didn't try to weasel out of her promise. "Once this is over I'll stake that crazy dame and burn the ashes."

The ship was bumpy, having hit an unexpected storm. The crew was also disappearing. Charlie didn't care so much about them, but three men in a week was something that couldn't be ignored. "They might say we have the plague, or worse call the cops." Charlie eyed a discarded crowbar. "Not too late to walk out. I can take care of dear Anabelle in my own way…" He picked up the metal shaft. A cold hand on his back made him drop it.

"Thinking about severing our partnership early?" Lucy smiled with her fangs prominent.

Charlie stared at the still unopened coffin. "How?"

"Silly boy, don't you know that vampires can become as mist?" She spun around, seemingly floating. "I hunger. Watch my coffin."

"Wait!" Charlie gripped her forearm. Lucy glared him silently until he slowly released her. "The crew is getting nervous. If anymore men disappear they may report us. I may not be able to get to my uncle's estate."

"So? Would you have me dine on rats? Maybe the ship's cat then?" Lucy sneered.

"We only have a few more days. Surely you can stop" Charlie's words died as Lucy clamped an icy hand around his throat.

"Don't presume to lecture me mortal. I've been ordered enough." She threw him down without effort.

"If anymore of crew disappears, what do you think they're going to do?" Charlie gasped. "The authorities are going to search the ship top to bottom. If they think it's a disease, you honestly think they would let some box with dirt enter the country? They'd toss that thing overboard and burn the box!"

Lucy stopped. He could have been bluffing, but with her only safe place to sleep at stake she played it cool. "Very well. I shall refrain from dinning on any more crew. I do, however, expect a full meal once we've landed."

-X

Amira, Kitty, and Anabelle arrived at the small airport. It was already dark and the terminal stood almost empty as an older man walked towards them. "Miss West!" The man was dressed in an expensive black suit. His neatly cropped salt and pepper hair was slicked back, giving him a professional air.

"Mr. Crosby!" Anabelle rushed to meet him. "I'm so glad you made it!"

"I'm glad to see you too." Crosby smiled, although Amira noticed his thin lips only moved slightly. "Are these the experts you consulted?" He looked at the two of them suspiciously.

"More like put her in touch with an extremely qualified professional." Amira had a sealed copy of Dr. Garth's examination. "We were curious about her case and wished to accompany her."

"Hmm, well, it is far too late to send you back. I suppose we can find room for you at the house." Crosby gestured towards a black car parked outside. "The reading of the will shall be conducted tomorrow."

"Is Dr. Niemann still living there?" Anabelle put her bags in the car.

Crosby paused. "He is, alongside that twisted assistant of his. I suspect they may not be happy with the will's results."

"Then it's a good thing we're coming with you." Kitty remarked. Crosby eyed her bandages. "Small lab accident." Kitty tapped the gauze that wrapped her face. He seemed satisfied with the answer and they drove into the night in relative silence.

-X

The driveway up to the manor was as decayed looking as the house. The front gate was a massive wrought iron affair with grinning gargoyles standing sentry over the crumbling wall. Crosby opened the padlock with a heavy key set and slipped back into the car as rain started to fall.

The drive up to the house was as silent as the rest of the ride, but the car seemed filled with an unseen tension. Crosby tightened his grip on the steering wheel until his knuckles were white. The car finally lurched to a stop at the utterly dark front. "Were they expecting us?" Anabelle glanced at the totally silent house. Blackened windows looked back.

"I sent them several telegrams." Crosby got his briefcase from the trunk.

"Telegrams? Why not call them?" Amira looked above at the moonless night. Heavy clouds blanketed the sky.

"Because there is no telephone." Crosby knocked on the door. "West hated modern things."

The door suddenly swung open. A gnarled figure peered at them from the doorway. "What do you want?"

"Daniel, is it? I'm Mr. Crosby" he was interrupted.

"The lawyer?" Daniel seemed to panic at his presence. He looked around carefully before stepping back. "Yes, the doctor said you would be arriving. Come in, come in." He seemed more resigned to their being there than welcoming. He lit a cobweb covered candelabra and gestured. "This way, please."

Amira moved closer to Anabelle. "That man is the hunchback Daniel, I'm sure of it."

Anabelle looked casual as she eyed the musty and darkened house. "Niemann didn't put any effort into the upkeep, did he?"

Daniel stopped and glared at her. "The doctor is a very busy man." He brusquely spat.

Anabelle didn't waver. "I'm sure, but since this manor was given to his care, I assumed someone would have made sure it wasn't falling apart."

Daniel opened his mouth to retort, but stopped. "It's a big house and there is only the two of us."

"Yes, that reminds me Daniel," Crosby fished around in his bag for a flashlight he was sure he packed, "I'm afraid I'll need you both to be in the den within the hour. I'll be reading the wills and need the witnesses."

Daniel grunted in response. "Wills? There's more than one?" Kitty picked up a piece of silverware that had been left alone for so long it was solid gray.

"Yes, two. One original and one copy; Cyrus West wrote the first one out and sealed it in the safe while I was given the copy."

X

"Are you sure this plan will work?" Charles wheezed as he slid the coffin into the old smokehouse at the edge of the estate.

"I can't enter a home unless I'm invited. You don't live here." Lucy shrugged.

"Fine, fine…I'll show up and let you in. Just do your spook show outside the window or something."

"Fair enough." Lucy stretched and climbed into the coffin.

-X

The group was assembled in the den. A roaring fire was the only source of light and heat. Dr. Niemann, cadaverous in appearance, glared at the newcomers. "Get on with it."

Crosby cleared his throat. "Ah, yes. As you're all aware, we're here to read the last will and testament of Cyrus West." Crosby moved to a large painting of a scowling old man. The painting moved on rusting hinges, revealing a safe embedded in the wall. "I will now produce the original copy." Crosby opened the safe and pulled out a sealed envelope, but the lawyer stopped suddenly. "The wax seal has been broken!"

"What?" Anabelle cried. "Are you sure?"

"Positive!" Crosby flung the document onto the table. "Look, there's a crack right through the center." Tearing it open, Crosby shook his head. "Someone has tampered with it. The will has been changed!"

"How so?" Amira glanced over the legal words. She didn't see anything amiss, but then again her legal knowledge was somewhat lacking.

"Someone has added an additional page" Crosby picked up a newer piece of paper. He paled as he read it.

"Well, for Heaven's sake, what is it?" Anabelle cried.

"A very sick joke. " Crosby composed himself. "You are still named as sole heir, but there is an addition. If Mr. West returns within twenty-four hours all claims are void and the property is to revert back to him."

"What? But that's impossible!" Anabelle grew angry. "My uncle is dead and buried!"

"I know, but someone added that." Crosby was becoming increasingly flustered.

"Surely you don't expect that to be binding, do you? I mean, when someone is buried, that's usually the end of the story, isn't it?" Kitty tried to joke. Amira was silent on the matter.

"Of course not, but the fact that someone went to so much trouble..." Crosby shot a glance at the grinning death's head of Dr. Niemann.

"Are you implying something?" Niemann stood up. Despite his thinness, there was a malignant vitality in him.

"Yes, but I won't repeat ' Not that it matters, as I have a copy of the original in my office." Niemann glared at the lawyer.

"Are you sure? Perhaps that was what Mr. West truly wanted?"

The arriving Daniel put a temporary stop to the argument. "Master, there is another guest!"

"Send them away!" Niemann spat, but the twisted little man shook his head.

"He says he's a relative of Mister West!"

"What?" Anabelle jumped to her feet. "Who?"

"Charles something" Daniel was halfway through explaining when the younger woman bolted from the room. Rushing through darkened corridors, she flung open the front door.

"Charley!" She threw her arms around the younger man. "I'm so glad you came!"

"Well, I was in the neighborhood…" he smiled as he stepped inside and whistled. "I see the place hasn't changed a bit since Uncle Cyrus died."

"Charles, I'm so glad that some family is here. Is your mother in town?"

Charles shook his head. "I'm afraid mother and company are sitting this little adventure out. She knew she wasn't mentioned in Uncle Cyrus's will, so she didn't see the point in wasting a trip."

"But…you're not in the will either?"

Charles looked hurt. "And that would be the only reason I need to see my cousin? I'm hurt Anabelle."

She blushed slightly. "I'm sorry. The last few weeks have been awful. Come, we're in the den. Mister Crosby is reading the will right now in fact."

-X

"May we continue?" Crosby shot an annoyed look at the returning woman.

"Sorry, but let me introduce my cousin Charles Adler." The young man did a mock bow. Amira studied him in the pale light of the den. He was handsome, in a boyish way. There was something off though. In owing to her partial wolf nature, she noticed a faint odor about him, like he had been around something foul. He cast a reflection and didn't react to any of the cross or cross shaped items in the room, so it was safe to say he was alive.

"Charmed, I'm sure. The doctor I'm aware of, but who are these lovely ladies?" Charles turned his attention to them.

"Amira Steward, and this is my associate Kitty Carroll. We're here professionally for Anabelle."

"Doctors? But surely my cousin is in the pink?" Charles started, but Anabelle put a hand on his arm.

"For my mind yes, but while I've been given a clean bill of health I'm having them accompany me. Just to make sure any claims I make this weekend are backed up by impartial witnesses."

Crosby continued to read the will. "To my niece Anabelle, if found of sound mind, will inherit my entire fortune and estates" He paused. "However, should my friend Dr. Niemann succeed in his experiments the entire fortune shall be turned over to…" Crosby picked up the copy and started to read, but stopped halfway. "What nonsense is this?" He pointed to a page that was whiter than the rest of the aged documents.

"I can explain." Niemann stepped forward. "Shortly before his death, Cyrus had a change of heart and redrew his will to reflect it. I believe he said his estate was to go to a son."

"What?" Crosby spat. "I knew Cyrus West for twenty years. If he had a son he would have mentioned it!"

"True, but Cyrus himself wasn't aware until a few days before his demise. If my work succeeds I believe I can bring him to the estate within a few days."

X

Charles paced back and forth in his room. "A son? Impossible! That old quack must have changed the will! But there's only two copies…and if one would disappear…" He slipped out into the hall and made his way outside.

-X

"So are we staying?" Kitty reclined in the easy chair before the fire, the old leather creaking under her weight.

"Until we get this straightened out." Amira checked her calendar. "We should be good for a day at least. Kitty, I'm going to need you to search for that missing page."

"Running around this old tomb starkers isn't my idea of a good time."

"No, but you can look places where I or Anabelle can't without attracting anyone."

"Don't I know it." Kitty fumed as the chair's cushion suddenly returned to normal. The Girl entered the room.

"Well, late to the party is still better than nothing," Kitty joked as the Girl hurriedly wrote a note. Amira took the paper and paled. "What is it?"

"Elsa Frankenstein's here."

-X

Elsa Frankenstein stood before the doors of the West estate. She had tracked the thief far, but she knew her father's work was here. The others at the asylum had traveled here, and she knew of Dr. Niemann's presence, but mostly she wanted her family's notes out of anyone else's hands.

A hunchbacked man opened the door. "Yes?"

"I'm here to see Dr. Niemann." She pushed past the man and entered the hall.

"What?" Daniel sputtered. "No one can see the doctor, no one!"

"Tell him the Baroness Frankenstein is here and demands an audience."

The color drained from the man's face. "I'll…tell him. Wait here please."

-X

"She's who?" Niemann raged.

"Master, I don't know how she got here! She didn't recognize me, I swear!"

"I suppose we should thankful then. This changes everything. There is to be an electrical storm tomorrow. Begin the prep work at once. I don't think we'll have much time."

-X

Crosby poured over the papers in the library. "I don't understand it. How could Cyrus have a child?" He spread documents dating back fifty years over the old oak.

Behind him a mist began to seep into the room. Unseen by the lawyer, the mist reformed into a human shape. "You're not who I was looking for, but you'll do." Lucy grinned.

Crosby snapped up. "What? How did you get in here?" He looked around as the pale woman moved, no, glided over the carpet towards him. "Now see here…" he tried to argue, but his throat closed up.

"Shush. You wouldn't deny a starving woman a meal, would you?" She wrapped her arms around him. Her flesh was cold to the touch. Crosby didn't even fight as he felt something sharp across his throat.

He felt cold then, but there was strange warmth as she held him closer. He grew tired, his hand knocking his papers to the floor as the woman vanished.

-X

"He was like that when I went in to check on him!" Daniel almost stomped his foot in anger. The entire household, minus Kitty, was assembled in the library. Crosby's body was on the desk, covered with his jacket.

"No one is accusing you Daniel," Amira pulled back the jacket and looked over the body. "We just need to know the whole story."

While he talked about routines she examined the corpse. The body was already stiff, but the flesh was pale. Looking at the neck made her pause. "Two bite marks!" She glanced around the room. Everyone was in the daylight or by the large mirror that hung over the fireplace, so she could sort them out. "Then who? Dracula's dead and gone." She placed the jacket back. "I think we need to send for the police."

"Out of the question!" Niemann thundered. "My work has reached a critical stage. If the police arrive, they could ruin everything."

"Funny you would take that stance." Charlie snorted. "A man is dead, but you seem awfully calm about this."

"People die all the time." Niemann shook his head. "Tomorrow, after my experiments are finished, you may call whoever you wish."

"What exactly is this experiment?" Elsa asked. "I would be interested in seeing your notes."

"Nothing that would interest you, I'm sure." Niemann tried to back out of the room, but the younger Frankenstein pressed.

"Oh, I don't know about that. I've been doing a great deal of research from my father and grandfather's papers, although some of them were recently stolen."

"Tragic." Niemann quickly exited the room.

"Well, that wasn't suspicious at all." Charlie whistled. "I don't suppose it would do any good to call the police ourselves?"

"I checked this morning. There isn't a phone and the nearest village is five miles by car." Anabelle slumped into a nearby chair. "And poor Mr. Crosby's car is out of gas."

-X

It was decided that everyone would stay. Amira wished to investigate the slaying of Crosby, Charlie wanted to talk with Lucy (although he didn't tell anyone that) and Elsa wished to continue searching for her grandfather's papers. The official reasons given were all vague, but no one was convinced.

Niemann paced back and forth in the lab. "That blasted fool couldn't have stayed alive for another twenty-four hours, could he?"

"Master, how did he die? Those puncture wounds on his neck…" Daniel nervously looked at the windows.

"What, a vampire killed him? Don't be stupid. Peasant superstition and rot is all it is. One of those freeloaders killed him, that's for sure."

"Why?" Daniel tried to piece the puzzle together in his mind.

"Because…" Niemann walked over to a small desk and unlocked it. "I changed the original will some time ago. Not that it matters," he pulled out a small folded piece of paper, "when Cyrus West returns from the grave it won't matter what the will says."

-X

That night, Lucy was prowling the grounds once more. "That foolish mortal thinks I'm a dog to command at will? I may just slay the entire household and take over." She glided up as mist as she spied the hunched back form of Daniel working on the roof.

The younger man effortlessly twisted and connected wires to some kind of machine perched on the roof. Wires raced down from its connectors to a large slab below. Kites were blowing in the evening air as dark storm clouds rumbled overhead. "It would be so easy to push him over, but I am curious. I might even spare this one." She drifted away. Daniel turned around, feeling uncomfortably that he had been in the presence of something cold.

Returning to the ground, she spied Charlie walking the grounds near a large out building. She was by his side in an instance. "Looking for someone?"

To his credit he didn't scream. "No, something. I knew Uncle Cyrus hide treasures across the estate, but damned if I can remember."

"That mad doctor seems to be doing something in that laboratory." Lucy confided. "Shall I dispose of him?"

"Like you did the lawyer? No, one corpse is hard enough to explain, much less two. I'm sure whatever that old fool is doing is of no importance." Thunder rumbled off in the distance as a heavy rain began to fall.

-X

Niemann paced back and forth as Daniel climbed back down. "The machine is ready master!"

"Wonderful!" the older man slipped a pair of goggles on as he pulled various levers, sending the body skyward. "When this is successful, I'll see about putting your brain into a new body, maybe into that fool nephew of his."

Daniel grinned as lighting struck the slab, bombarding the corpse with strange rays and powerful current. Niemann threw a switch, bringing the body back down. Pushing Daniel out of the way, Niemann carefully checked the body's vitals. His grin grew manic. "He's alive…alive!"

"Then you'll keep your promise master?" Daniel cowered. Niemann lashed out with a closed fist.

"Fool, I've no time for your pathetic whining! All that matters now is bringing West back to life."

A low moan from under the sheet stopped the argument. Tearing the gauze away, Niemann stared into the animate eyes of a dead man. "Are you aware? Do you know who I am?"

"Gustav…" Cyrus West weakly coughed.

Meanwhile, high above and unnoticed by the trio below, Lucy watched the unfolding drama intently. It took the snapping of a branch to draw her attention away. Glancing down into the courtyard she saw footprints appearing in the grass. A feminine outline walked through the rolling fog, but there was no body. "Curious" Lucy changed into a thick cloud and floated down, blanketing the grass.

She quickly centered in on the figure. Who, thanks to the fog, was as visible as if she was wearing a bright orange raincoat. "Who are you? Another ghost haunting this dreadful place?" Lucy stepped out of the fog. The figure fell backwards with a strangled choke, leaving a wonderful outline in the wet grass.

"Who are you?" Kitty scrambled to her feet. The stranger seemed to follow her every movement.

"Lucy…I hope you don't mind my being so forward, but seeing as to how you're walking around stark naked I didn't see the point in being formal."

"I'm not naked…I'm a ghost!" Kitty tried to keep the fear out of her voice. She failed.

Lucy smiled, and Kitty caught the sharpness of her teeth in the pale light. "I can assure you, I've lost what little fear I had of ghosts some time ago." She stared into Kitty's face and the invisible woman felt her will slowly fading. "You might be of some use to me. Come with me to my coffin and we'll keep you a surprise…"

-X

"What?" Charlie gaged on his coffee.

"I told you what I saw." Lucy reclined in her coffin. "It seems your dear uncle has rejoined the living." Kitty stood silently in the corner. She didn't feel the need to share her new toy just yet.

"Oh no, the grave held Cyrus West once and it will continue that tradition!" Charles picked up the bladed glove. "As far as the state is concerned, my uncle is dead. Who am I to argue?"

"It's almost morning. I take it you wish to move your plans along tomorrow night?" Lucy lay back in the cool dirt covering the rotten silk.

"Yes, I think it's time to end this caper." Charles looked at the house. "Sorry cousin, but it's you or me, and I intend to be rich."

- X

"So what was this announcement?" Amira looked at Dr. Niemann as the scientist leaned back in the overstuffed easy chair. Everyone was assembled in the den, all save Kitty. The invisible woman hadn't been seen since she left on her errand.

The doctor glanced around the room. "Ms. Frankenstein, I do wish to thank you first. Your grandfather's research was my inspiration. Indeed, I was only able to reach the heavens thanks to standing on his shoulders."

"You did steal my grandfather's papers, didn't you?" Elsa rushed towards the older man, but Daniel stepped between them, a pistol in his hands.

"Indeed, but it was for a noble reason." A panel opened silently and a figure stepped out from a secret passage next to the fireplace.

"Uncle Cyrus!" Charlie and Anabelle cried out.

The older man, his skin horribly pale, grinned. "Alive and well. I cheated death once again, thanks to my dear friend here," he gestured towards the beaming Niemann, "and with your help nephew, I'll continue to live."

Charlie felt his insides grow cold. "What do you mean?"

"Legally speaking I'm dead. How would it look if Cyrus West came staggering out? No nephew, I'm afraid I'll need your body. Bringing me back was only the first step. You can have this old shell, for however long it lasts."

Daniel turned towards the pair. "Master, you promised! You promised you'd give me a healthy body, his!" He pointed towards Charlie. "Why should this old fool get more life?"

Cyrus backhanded him. "Quiet you twisted little freak! I deserve it because I earned it!"

Daniel glared at the pair but said nothing. "Daniel, don't sulk. Take our guests to the lab and we'll start to work right away."

Amira glanced at the window. "The moon will be up in an hour. How can I get away?"

-X

The women were locked up in small cells. Charlie had been strapped to a large table while Daniel sulked over in the corner. Amira gestured towards him. "Daniel, why are you helping them?"

"B-because Niemann promised to fix me, give me a new body!"

"But he hasn't, has he? If he says he'll do it next time, there won't be a next time."

"Maybe…, no, you're just trying to confuse me!" Daniel shook his head. Amira could feel the sun going down.

"Listen to me, if I don't get out of here right now people are going to die!"

Daniel smirked. "People will die even if you stay locked up."

With a sudden frenzied burst of strength, Amira shoved her arm through the bars and grabbed onto Daniel. Her iron grip held as she slammed him against the bars. With a free hand she tore his keys free and unlocked the door. She barreled past him, tossing the keys into Anabelle's cage.

"Wait, come back!" Elsa shouted. Blood was rushing into Amira's ears as her vision blurred. Daniel drew down and fired, the bullet tearing through her midsection. She didn't even stop as she felt her muscles harden.

"Have to get free!" Amira slipped free of her shoes as she climbed a nearby table and smashed a nearby window. She recoiled as she stared into the rising moon. Hair, already growing across her swelling frame, erupted across her back as her muscles shifted. She fell free from the window and landed in a heap outside.

"Well, isn't this a surprise? A mongrel in its natural place." Lucy appeared out of the mist.

"Not…possible!" Amira cried as her nails sharpened and her hands reformed into claws.

"Regretfully I've no silver, but fire works on your kind just as well." Lucy tore a torch free from the stone and held it overhead.

Amira's screams turned into howls as bones shattered and healed into new shapes. Her tattered dress fell away as the Wolf glared at its enemy. It could smell two, but could only see one. Ignoring the unseen one, the Wolf lunged at the vampire.

Lucy brought the torch down across the Wolf's head. The blow would have crushed a mortal's skull, but the Wolf staggered back. "All of my foes in one location? Perhaps I don't need to work as hard as I thought." Lucy handed the torch off to Kitty. "Be a dear and set fire to that lab." Lucy was changing into mist when the Wolf leapt, passing through her harmlessly.

Kitty nodded mutely and walked into the lab, torch in hand. The Wolf snarled in rage as the vampire floated away. "That's right you stupid beast, follow me…"Lucy drifted into the lab, the Wolf snarling behind.

-X

"Hurry!" Cyrus wheezed as Neimann strapped him to the operating table.

"Patience old friend. Your brain will live again in a new body…"Niemann's voice trailed off as he saw a torch floating in the air. "What's the meaning of this? Daniel, take care of that!"

Daniel hobbled over, but as he approached the floating torch, the door burst open. Fog flooded the room, followed by a snarling werewolf. Daniel drew his gun, but the beast was too fast for him. Claws ripped through him like sharpened knives through a cheap steak.

Elsa gasped. Memories of her father dying in blood soaked sands came rushing back. "You!" Her hands drifted to her boot…

-X

Charles struggled against his straps, freeing one hand. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the clawed glove of the Cat. Slicing himself free, he rolled off the table as the Wolf started to smash the lab equipment.

"Charlie! Stop that monster!" Cyrus cried from the table as Niemann tried to combat the growing blaze.

"Well Uncle Cyrus, I shall, but seeing as to how the state considers you dead already…" he slashed the bladed glove across his uncle's throat. Cyrus West died with a gurgle.

"No! You fool, don't you realize what you've done?" Niemann screamed in panic as the fire spread up the lab's walls.

"Saved myself you mean?" Charlie limped away.

"Wait, what about us?" Anabelle cried after her cousin.

"Ah, sorry about that dear cousin, but with you dead as well the estate goes to me. Sorry, but I'll make sure your funeral is nice."

A snarling werewolf in front of him made him change his mind. Shoving a burning table between him and the beast, Charlie looked around the burning lab. "Lucy, help me!"

Lucy reformed high above them, standing on a beam. "If I must"

She dropped down behind Niemann as the scientist tried to beat the flames back. With quick hands she broke the old man's neck and drained him of blood. The fire spread across the old stones as the Wolf grabbed the burning table and flung it away.

"Lucy, I meant help me!" Charlie swiped at the Wolf with his glove. The sharpened points may have imitated Amira, but the Wolf slashed back, nearly taking Charlie's hand off. Charlie didn't have much time to register the pain, as the Wolf savagely tore into him. Flesh ripped like paper under razor sharp teeth. Charlie, alias the Cat, died on the floor of a burning lab.

The prey now dead, the Wolf turned to the cages. "Tempting, but I'm afraid I'll have greater use of them then you." Lucy backhanded the Wolf. Bones crunched and the animal howled in pain.

-X

Kitty blinked. She remembered being outside, but she was warm now. "Holy smokes!" She wheezed as the smoke grew thicker. She saw Amira being backhanded by a familiar woman. She also saw the cages with Anabelle and the rest. "Hope fuzzy can handle herself for the moment" She tore the keys from Daniel's body and unlocked the cages. Anabelle didn't question how the doors swung open, and the Girl simply nodded. The two of them rushed out of the lab.

Elsa, however, took a different approach. Pushing past Kitty, she held a long thin silver dagger in her hands as she moved towards the brawling creatures. "That beast, it must be the one!" she muttered.

"Look, I'm not one to tell someone their business, but I think we need a change of scenery!" Kitty tried to grab the younger Frankenstein's arm, but the baroness turned on her.

"No! That monster killed my father! I can't rest until I've buried this knife in its heart!"

-X

Lucy was growing annoyed. No matter how many times she beat the monster, the Wolf refused to back off. She was punching the beast with blows that would have shattered the bones of any other creature. The Wolf snarled through broken teeth, but backed away. "Finally learning, are you?" Lucy smirked.

She was so pleased with herself that she never heard the faint footsteps on the stone floor. She did feel the broken chair leg as it slipped between her shoulders and pierced her heart. "What?" She wheezed as air rushed out of her ruined lungs. "Not possible, not again!" Lucy staggered and collapsed, her body rotting away to nothing.

Kitty sighed with relief, but it was short lived as she remembered the werewolf in front of her. Picking up one of Lucy's femurs, she held the bone like as a club as the Wolf silently regarded her and Elsa. A flaming timber broke free and fell between them. The Wolf jumped through the broken wall and headed out into the night.

Elsa made a lunge for the Wolf with her knife, but Kitty stopped her. "No!"

Elsa shrugged her hand away. "You let her escape! You knew this whole time!" Tears were flowing freely, although her voice was level.

"I…I didn't" Kitty tried to explain, but Elsa walked out of the burning lab without looking back. She pocketed her grandfather's notes without a word.

-X

The house was saved, mostly due to the lab not being directly connected to the main building. Lucy's remains were smashed and given a proper burial. Amira had been found, albeit naked and bloody, in a local farmer's chicken coop.

Elsa refused to talk to anyone. The Girl tried to write down an explanation, but the young Frankenstein ripped it to pieces. She was silent the whole drive to the airport. "She murdered my father. I don't care what you think, she's a monster." She explained finally.

"She did help me." Anabelle tried to act as a go between, but the car ride was mostly silent.

"That hardly washes the blood from her hands. If you were smart, stay away from her."

"Look, I've been silent on this enough." Kitty's voice came from the backseat. Anabelle jumped, but didn't lose control of the car. "Amira can't help what she did. She didn't kill your father on purpose."

Elsa shook her head. "She's a monster and needs to be destroyed."

"Says you lady. That 'monster' saved my life. As long as I'm around, I'll make sure she doesn't hurt anyone else."

Elsa laughed cruelly. "Then you're doing a pitiful job of it. People died last night."

"Then I'll stop her when I have to." The car came to a stop. The rear door opened and closed, leaving Elsa and Anabelle alone.

The end

Special thanks to Darci for the proofreading

Based on House of Frankenstein (1944) dir. Erle C. Kenton, Universal Pictures

The Cat and the Canary (1927) dir. Paul Leni, Universal Pictures