Natsu, Juvia, and Happy slept and although they were able to regain their strength they still felt awful about what had happened to Lucy and Gray. Awful and afraid, afraid of what would happen to them if they didn't save them in time.
"I know what you all are going through." Sam told them upon seeing their faces filled with intense fear. "I suffered through this same agony fifty years ago. Two people who I loved very much were taken by that same vampire."
"But it didn't end well for you did it?" Natsu said.
"The ending was bittersweet. I saved one person I loved but I failed to save the other."
Fifty years earlier...
After Charlotte had collapsed, James sent for Samuel while Elizabeth tended to her. As the days went on her health started declining and she was getting worse. Samuel and Charlotte's family both paid for all the doctors in Nightshade to look over her, try to help her, and figure out what was wrong with her. But none of the doctors could find a single diagnosis for what Charlotte's condition.
"How are you feeling Charlotte?" Samuel asked her as she lay in bed.
"I don't know." She said. "Help me Samuel, I don't know what's happening to me. I'm changing, I can feel it. I can hear everything. The servants whispering in the kitchen, the mice in the attic stomping around like elephants. But I'm having horrible nightmares about a man."
"What man?"
"I don't know, but his eyes haunt me in my dreams. Oh Samuel I'm so frightened. Please don't leave me! Don't leave me like this!" She pleaded.
He embraced his fiance and kissed her, assuring her that he would not dare leave her.
"I promise you Charlotte I will be at your side through this entire process. Everything will be alright."
"Samuel." James said. "I have taken the liberty of calling for Dr. Archibald Utterson to come here and assist us. A metaphysician philosopher."
"Sounds like a damn witch doctor to me James." Samuel said.
"He knows more about obscure diseases than any man in the world. He cured my nephew when he was stricken with a foreign virus. If anyone can find out what's wrong with Charlotte it's him."
"Are you sure he can help her?"
"Positive."
"Alright. Call him, do anything that will ensure that she gets better."
Dr. Utterson was very much like how Samuel was in present time. Old and crabby but wise and helpful. He made his way toward the Harris household as soon as he received the message from James.
"Dr. Utterson, good of you to come." The young solicitor greeted him at the door.
"I always come to the aid of my friends when they call me." He said. "How are you James? Your family? Your nephew?"
"They're all doing well, as for me I'm just trying to make my fortune before my wedding."
"You're engaged? Congratulations my boy. And who is the lucky girl."
"Dr. Utterson I'd like you to meet my fiance Elizabeth Carew." James introduce.
"How do you do sir? James says that you're a brilliant doctor." She said with a polite smile.
"My goodness what a beautiful bride you have James. I pray she's not the unfortunate young lady I'll be examining."
"No sir that's my friend Charlotte." Elizabeth said. "She's so very ill and we don't know what's wrong with her."
"Show me the patient."
He followed them into Charlotte's bedroom. The poor woman was so sickly pale and she seemed to be having a difficult time breathing. Dr. Utterson pulled out his tools, beginning his examination of the ill young woman.
"I don't know if we should trust this man." Samuel told James.
"I don't blame you for being skeptical but he knows what he's doing." James said. "The man is a genius."
"He looks and acts crazy."
"None of the other doctors have been able to figure out what's wrong with her. He's basically our only hope."
All through the night the three friends waited for the doctor to finish his examination. At long last their patience was rewarded and Dr. Utterson came from the room.
"Well?" Samuel asked.
"I know what's wrong with your fiance." He sighed in a melancholic voice. "I'm afraid that she has become a victim of nosferatu."
"What?"
"The vampire." He said. "A vampire has bitten your sweet Charlotte."
"Dr. Utterson that's nonsense." James said. "There's no such creature."
"Vampires do exist I assure you. I've been hunting and exterminating them for years. There aren't many around anymore but they still wander the earth."
"So what does this all mean for Charlotte?" Elizabeth asked.
"It means that by the week's end if we haven't found a cure she'll become a vampire herself. A willing recurit, a devoted disciple, the devil's concubine! If that happens I will have to slay her."
"Slay her?! You mean kill her?!" Elizabeth gasped in horror.
"It's the best way to end her suffering and to prevent her from infecting anyone else."
"Doctor this is a human being not some rabid dog!" James said.
"Whatever humanity this poor woman has will be lost when the week is over and she'll feed on hundreds, thousands of innocent lives."
"There must be some other way!" Samuel said. "I won't allow you to kill my fiance!"
"Mr. Warren she's already as good as dead."
"Doctor please, can't you at least try some other method that ends with her still living?" James asked.
"I love her Dr. Utterson." Samuel said desperately. "I love her too much to put her out of her misery like a lame horse! Please! Don't make me do this!"
Archibald sighed as he thought for a moment.
"Her only chance of coming out of this alive while retaining her humanity is to find the vampire who turned her and destroy him before a week has passed." He said.
"Fine! We'll do that!" Samuel said.
"That is easier said than done. Vampires are very hard to track and we are pressed for time. Not to mention he may come back for Charlotte while you men are absent from her side."
"I'll stay with her." Elizabeth said. "I won't leave the room for one second."
"Elizabeth I can't allow you to stay here alone." James said. "Especially with this monster on the loose."
"Worry not James." Dr. Utterson said. "If you're blushing bride does exactly as I say both she and Miss Harris should be safe."
"I don't know. Maybe I should stay behind."
"The more men who join us on the search, the better chance we have at finding the creature."
"James please. Charlotte is my sister, she's the only family I've ever known since my the demise of my dear parents." Elizabeth said. "You must do whatever it takes to save her! Please!"
"Very well my darling but promise me that you will do exactly what Mr. Utterson tells you to do."
"I promise."
Dr. Utterson hung garlic and wolf's babe on each door and window of the household. He then gave Elizabeth a crucifix necklace to wear, telling her not to take it off no matter what. He also had himself, Samuel, James, and Elizabeth each give a pint of blood which they would use to make a transfusion for Charlotte. It wouldn't cure her but it would delay the transformation. Dr. Utterson also taught Elizabeth how to perform a transfusion.
"Once we leave let no one in this house Miss Carew." The good doctor instructed her. "For your own sake and for that of Miss Harris."
"Yes sir."
"And do you remember what I told you about doing a blood transfusion?"
"Yes and you said that she needs one every three hours?"
"Yes. Good."
Before leaving, Samuel wanted to speak with Charlotte and reassure her that things would be well.
"Don't leave me Samuel." She said weakly.
"I have to Charlotte. It's the only way I can save you but I promise you that as soon as I get back we'll get married. We won't wait til Autumn, we'll do it right away."
"Oh Samuel do you mean it?"
"Yes Charlotte. So just hold on until then."
"I will. I love you Samuel."
"I love you too Charlotte."
He gave her his most loving and gentle kiss then he reluctantly left the woman he loved to find and destroy the monstrosity that had done this evil act to them.
