LISA
You are SO not gonna believe this. Because I still don't.
Okay, where to start? We didn't have long before recruitment found three new guys. They call themselves Monsterologists. The Darks say this means they study monsters, their world, their culture, their society, and lore. And man oh man, I am a SUCKER for monster lore.
Thanks to all this, I've finally figured out what to do in life: If I can't be a detective, maybe I can take a job in Cryptozoology! I can picture it now…
WOAH! Almost got sidetracked there for a sec. Okay, let's backtrack to when we first met.
There's this scientist, his daughter, and his niece. They're all from Vermont and human, but have a curse that has them transform into monsters. Well, the girls, at least.
The daughter of Dr. Palmer, Marianna was bitten by some kind of forest creature when she was five. Judging by the traits and description of the beast, our best estimate is that she's become a werewolf. And she passed it onto her cousin, Heidi Davidson.
Palmer's been working on some special Stabilizer serums that, once injected, can help control your inner beast. Seems kind of useful, too. Some of us could have some. Marianna and Heidi have both been taking it, but they haven't fully controlled their forms yet. They still can't talk in those forms.
Well, with a bit of help, we might be able to mold them into pretty good Hunters! Too bad Cory's still looking into all that movie stuff for now.
Okay, so let me backup to the point where we learned Palmer and Marianna's last name. You might wanna brace yourself…
"My name is Dr. Palmer Jekyll."
My mind freezes. No way. Did I hear what I think I just heard?
"I'm sorry?" I ask. "D-Dr. Jekyll? L-Like Henry Jekyll?! From Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?!"
"That's just a story." Palmer says. "But yes. Henry was my ancestor. He studied human psychology. He believed that for there to be good in the average human being, there also must be an equal yet opposite evil to balance it. Think of the two wolves fighting within you, the victor being the one you feed."
My brain is on the fritz. The movies were based on true stories, too?! This changes everything! The monsters did mention Dracula as some kind of myth, but…could there be a chance that THAT myth is true too?!
Okay, that pretty much wraps it all up. But here's how the rest of it goes: Mari and Heidi soon get better control of their werewolf-like forms alongside Alison Moore, and the doc also helps out with his own monster knowledge! He probably won't believe me if I tell him about Henry's split-personality thing, but I can't tell for sure if it is in fact true.
Well, what better way to find out then by exploring the everchanging Dead House? And that's how I got here, having gone through the front door already. I continue down the creaky-floorboard hallway until I enter the kitchen. That's when I noticed something that wasn't there before.
"Huh?"
It's a staircase headed downwards. Into the basement! And I can see various things in the sink as well. Science stuff, like beakers and test tubes and potion bottles. And if I'm gonna get to the bottom of this…Ulp.
I'm having flashbacks to the Brewer basement. If I find another jungle ruins in there, clone and all, I'm totally fertilizer…
I aim my flashlight down the stairs and head down. Once at the bottom, I come across something: A lab. Like something a mad scientist would use!
There's Tesla Coils, potions, old panels and buttons, and…a journal. Man, this really is a strange case!
I took a closer look at the journal. It's covered in dust. I blow it off and end up coughing from the cloud that forms. I brush away more of the dust to reveal…
The Concept Of Good And Evil. -By Dr. Henry Jekyll.
Eureka! This'll convince the doc that the story was true! At least, I hope. Regardless, he's gonna want to take a look at this journal. Buuuuutttt….
I only sit down and begin reading, carefully as to not rip the yellowed pages. The night is young…
…
Entry 1:
For most of my life, the concept of good and evil has fascinated me. As a psychiatrist doctor here in London, I find it my calling to unravel this great mystery. I dare to ask myself: How thick or thin is the line between sane and insane? How much of God and the Devil do we have in ourselves?
Perhaps there is a way to tap into our inner goodness, and our inner darkness. After all, good and evil, I believe, are indeed not independent concepts that can exist without the other. Rather, they are like light and darkness. With no light, no shadow can be cast. Without one, the other cannot be, or will become too powerful and will grow beyond the comprehension of man! Thus, a balance is required. The scales must remain even, so that neither good nor evil grows too powerful. Two sides of the same coin. I believe that, in order to truly master ourselves and achieve complete and total tranquility over ourselves, it is crucial that we master and perfectly balance both the good and evil within us. But should the scales be tipped even IN THE SLIGHTEST in any direction, the psyche will shatter and we shall either be consumed by kindness or madness, too much for a mortal soul to handle.
They believe it to be impossible. To be both good and evil. To them, there is only one. Never the other. I dare to think differently. I dare to venture into a region no man has ever bothered to go. What limits, I wonder, do we have? How far is too far? What act done how many times can make one unforgivable in the eyes of man? I will push these boundaries in the name of science. For the human race has no known limits.
Entry 2:
As stated by Dr. Waldman of the University of Ingolstadt, where my dear grandfather Walter studied, there is a key difference between the normal brain of an average human being, and the abnormal brain of the typical criminal. Using them as examples between good and evil respectively, Waldman has stated that the criminal brain is scarce of convolutions on the frontal lobe, normally found on the ordinary brain. The middle frontal lobe is also distinctively degenerated on the criminal brain, thus adding to its deformed state of mind, quite literally in this case.
He lists various other characteristics of the criminal brain, none of which are found in the normal brain it is compared to. Which has left me to wonder: What is the missing link between the normal and abnormal mind? What is the midpoint of its evolution? And is there a way to reverse this evolution, to restore sanity to a broken mind?
Perhaps that answer lies simply in the fascinating realm of science. I have begun experimentation with various potions, drugs, and serums. By combining them, I may be able to create two new consumable substances: One to tap into one's inner good, the other to tap into one's inner evil. All while retaining the same state of mind and sanity.
They shall take two forms, and two names each: The red potion I shall name Formula J-3-K-Y-11, and shall be expected to bring out only kindness, generosity, politeness, and care. The green potion shall be identified as Formula H-Y-D-3, and will bring out nothing but hate, violence, aggression, and murderous intent.
I shall use myself as a test subject. Tomorrow, I shall begin the experiments and create these two formulas.
…
Entry 10:
Success! After many trials ending in failure, I finally came across a mysterious new drug from the local city underground. The people there call it "Moon Stone Dust", made from pulverized gemstones that seem to repair themselves by some unknown supernatural means.
I can ponder that question for another day. When added to the formula ingredients, the liquified powder proves itself as the key ingredient to complete these potions!
I have already tested Formula J-3-K-Y-11. Nothing seems to have happened. Perhaps my good self does not exist, or it is simply the form I am in right now! I have managed to make several bottles of both potions.
I will now attempt to test Formula H-Y-D-3 on myself. I expect it to taste rather awful. Yet still, J-3-K-Y-11 had no taste at all…
Entry 11:
I cannot fully recall what happened. The most recent thing I remember is coming back to my senses, seeing before me an empty bottle of Formula J-3-K-Y-11. Before my blackout, I remember losing consciousness shortly after taking Formula H-Y-D-3. My only guess is that the evil within me, now having given physical form, mistook the formula for blood and, surrendering to his murderous and sadistic ways, drank every last drop of it.
Yet when looking back at the clock, hours have seemed to pass. And the disturbances only continue. By reading today's paper, it has apparently been a full day since I took Formula H-Y-D-3. And the police constables are on a lookout for a highly dangerous murderer going by the name of Mr. Edward Hyde.
As of writing this entry, I have not been feeling so good. I hear a voice in my head constantly, screaming to be let back out again. Paranoia has driven me to take more and more of Formula J-3-K-Y-11. It seems to ward off this voice…but it is not enough to get rid of it.
Maybe some rest will help. Perhaps time will provide a cure.
…
Entry 15:
My God, it's getting worse! By each passing day, the voice in my head keeps getting louder and louder. And the more it gets more aggressive, the more Formula J-3-K-Y-11 fails to subdue it! The voice even speaks to me in the mirror, calling himself Mr. Edward Hyde, the very same murderer wanted at large!
I have found with me a broken cane, possibly a murder weapon used by Hyde! And looking at a police sketch of Mr. Hyde in the newspaper, I have come up to a horrifying conclusion: Mr. Hyde and myself are one in the same!
Hyde is the evil within me, growing stronger and stronger! His evil has begun eclipsing my good! The ingredients used for the formulas seem to be contaminated! They don't work anymore!
Even worse, should I show even the slightest sign of aggression, like anger or stress, Hyde emerges once again. At this rate, it is only a matter of time before I become Hyde permanently!
I remember a story about young Henry Frankenstein. How he made a monster he could not control. Oh cruel fate! Why must I be cursed so?! Is the name "Henry" synonymous only with the Devil?!
Every attempt I have made to contain and control Hyde has failed. There is only one option left to destroy the monster that I have created. But to burn away the darkness…I must also extinguish the light. Henry gave his life to kill the beast he made. And now, he shall do so again.
To any dear friends of mine who read this, I do hope that you will forgive me. I do not know if I will either be sent to Heaven for being a good man, or Hell for being an unforgivable murderer unfit for society.
I am sorry, my dearest beloved Muriel. But you must understand why I broke off our engagement. I may never know what horrible thing Hyde has done to you. But understand that he will no longer hurt you again.
Gabriel John Utterson, my old friend, I am sure you are able to solve the mystery I kept hidden from you. But I would rather judge myself than be executed for the crimes Hyde commited. The crimes that I commited. I will write you a letter soon explaining everything to you, if you ever wonder why I chose to end it all right here, right now. Understand that this suicide is a sacrifice. I have been a foolish man, tampering with a science that should have been left alone. Much like Frankenstein before me. And I fear that I will not be the last.
In either case, the end of this letter marks the end of my life.
I bring the life of that unhappy Henry Jekyll to an end.
…
JEKYLL
I only stare in shock at the book I hold. The one Mrs. Waldhorn had given me this afternoon. This…this was indeed my ancestor's journal.
I look and read through it again and again. Looking back, it seemed to be fate. I was trying to find a cure for my daughter the same way Henry sought to find a cure for himself. I tested formulas on myself much like he did, to see if they worked.
They indeed made my body react in monstrous ways, and to an extent, I had a nightmare where they made me transform into a humanoid creature. A monster.
But…now that I think about it…there must have been…ANOTHER cause for that nightmare…right?
So…you figured it out. Well…I guess it's time that I explained a few things.
I nearly let out a yell of surprise at that voice.
"W-WHO'S THERE?!"
Oh, I think you know, doc. You might not be the doc I knew, but at least you've got heart. Times change, though. Ain't the same guy I used to be when I was made. Now I don't think of myself as evil. More like…chaotic good.
I freeze. It…it can't be…
Hyde? I ask mentally. Is…is that really you?
Mr. Edward at your service. You must be wondering why I haven't laughed or acted insane or demanded to be let out or any of that crap. Here's the thing: When Henry pulled the plug, all he did was rob me of a physical form. See, good and evil are like concepts that can't truly die. Given I'm a concept of evil, that means I ain't goin' anywhere, see?
I don't understand! H-How did you survive all these years?!
See, Jekyll was an uncle, just like you. I got passed down to that kid like some kind of inherited trait thingie. I dunno, you're the brains. I'm just the brawn. Years went by, and when someone who had me died, I got passed down to the next guy like a torch. Some guys even ignored me and had to stop themselves from going insane. Ultimately I just shut up and made them believe I wasn't there. Cause you know what? The Jekyll bloodline taught me a thing or two.
W…What?
See, just because I'm "evil" doesn't mean I'm the bad guy. I'm a necessary evil, just like Henry said all those years ago. Sometimes evil guys can be redeemed. Their state of insanity is restored, their broken brain getting glued and taped back together and repaired like it wasn't even broken. And believe me, the path to my recovery's a super long one. I mean, I was basically born broken. But I ain't leaving anytime soon so…guess I might do something about it.
Really? L…Like what?
Okay, so remember what the guys told you? About the talking wooden doll and all the crooks he's got? Well, as an ex-villain, I know how the bad guy thinks. How he acts. I've got the abnormal criminal brain while you've got the normal human brain. And living in the mind of brainiacs has…kinda rubbed off on me. Consider this my way of implanting an idea into your head. We could cook up a special potion that brings me out when drunk, and vice versa. You do all the research and investigation work, all that guy-in-the-chair stuff. Meanwhile, I'll be the field guy, handling all that fighting brawling hunting stuff! It's been WAY too long since I've clobbered something anyway. Maybe we can…find a way to combine those good and bad formulas together. Oh, and I promise not to get your body TOO much hurt or damaged.
Well, you better not. I'm thinking about something that gives you a window. Remember, this is my body, so you're only allowed in it for a limited time. A formula that is only temporary. Given what we're up against, you'll need to fight like a monster too, as well as thinking and acting like one.
Woah! I like the way you're thinking, doc! I'm thinking superhuman strength, speed, and agility! Ooo, and high durability!
I'll keep those in mind. How about…Formula 533-K?
Uh…English, professor?
Normally, you're hiding in my mind. But once I drink the formula, you come out of your hiding place and become the seeker!
Oh, I get it! Like hide and seek! Classic! Fits, too! Who knows? I might make a pretty good hunter myself! You being the gatherer, of course.
What do you say? Do we have a deal…partner?
Oh yeah. We SO have a deal…
