*** Disclaimer in Part one ***
Previous Parts can be found at: www.autumnpenguins.com
The events in this chapter, as the ones before it are historically
accurate. More detailed notes can be found at the bottom of the story.
Many thanks: to Karen for the superb beta. ***************
Victor's Lab:
Present Day Logan had spent the entire night contemplating several things. His past, present, future, and how it all tied together. Victor had been able to give him what nobody had before which was his past. But now that he'd seen some of it, he honestly couldn't say if it was better left unsaid, or out in the open. He thanked God, Zeus, and Allah collectively for sending him Marie. Without her support, it would be impossible to undergo this journey. Turning his thoughts to Marie, he wondered how she saw him exactly. He envisioned himself getting down on one knee, popping the question, marrying her and having a couple of rug rats, but if she didn't feel the same, obviously it wouldn't work. Sure, it was early in the game for those thoughts, but just that fact he thought them had to account for something right? Too tired to think anymore he pulled her closer and enjoyed her soothing presence before drifting into a light sleep. Tomorrow would bring more shadows and darkness. He needed to conserve his strength for the coming mental anguish. Upon exiting the back room, Logan and Marie found Victor pacing restlessly, a frown creasing his brow and a worried look in his wild eyes. Marie lightly cleared her throat as not to startle him. Instead of the usual small talk, he simply gestured towards the bed and turned to prepare the serum. An exchanged glance proved both found Victor's behaviour to be indicative as to what was to come. Logan closed his eyes and mentally braced himself before Victor came to his side. Soon enough he was unconscious and Victor fidgeted before taking his place across the table from Marie. "This one's real bad" was all he stated before diving into the memory, obviously eager to get this memory over with. "This one took place in 1892, after Nic-Logan and I had moved to the New World. You've probably read about it." Fall River, Massachusetts
August 1892 Nicolas Logan and Victor Creed had done well for themselves since arriving in America two and a half years earlier. Nicolas had grown into a broad shouldered young man and at 13 Victor was now a rather intimidating lad of 6'4". He'd begun to grow a great deal of body hair at a young age earning him the nickname of 'Sabertooth.' He was also rumoured to have the temperament of the ancient cat bearing the same name. Nicolas had grown out of childhood when they'd arrived on American soil and had committed to making his brother's life turn out well. He'd originally taken a job working in a shirtwaist factory in the middle of New York City. Unable to keep up production with men twice his age, a supervisor, who'd taken a liking to him, found him a new job working as a farmhand in a small town in Massachusetts. Nicolas had seized the opportunity and after years of hard work, he had managed to buy his own modest farm outside of Fall River. During this time, Nicolas had struggled with being both a brother and a father to Victor. The teen hadn't taken kindly to that. Despite his brother's protests Victor had dropped out of school and spent all his time outside of the home with the kids Nicolas referred to as the 'River Rats. After a hard day labouring in the fields Nicolas didn't have the strength to argue with his brother. Not having experienced a true childhood himself, Nicolas didn't understand teenage rebellion when confronted with it. Though still in his teens himself, he was years beyond his teen counterparts. They two never talked about what happened their final night in England. Nicolas shut it away and tried to move forward each day. Victor seemed to always feel the rage that he had displayed two years ago. He loved his brother, but didn't understand how he could so easily forget the past. It drove a wedge between the two that neither knew how to repair. Victor felt he owed his brother a debt of gratitude and felt the urge to pay him back for all the years he'd broken his back labouring in deplorable conditions. Even now, it wasn't uncommon for Nicolas to work fourteen-hour days in the fields. Even though they were his own fields, Victor felt there had to be an easier and better way of living. As luck would have it, the opportunity arose for such an occasion. An offer Victor couldn't refuse. A woman named Emma Borden sent for Victor and Jarod, an acquaintance that Nicolas didn't approve of. She and her younger sister Elizabeth were both thirty-something spinsters who lived at home with their father Andrew and stepmother Abby. Emma wasn't particularly known for her outgoing personality, so a summons from her was highly unusual. Victor had some misgivings about the meeting, but his gut told him money would somehow be involved, and that took the decision out of his hands. Swanson's Gulch, Massachusetts
2.5 miles East of Fall River Victor and Jarod tied the coach to the hitch in front of Watson's Saloon. Though technically neither was old enough to rightly enter the establishment, it was highly unlikely that anyone would care. Swanson's Gulch was a rough town, crime ridden and corrupt. Two underage boys in a bar were not terribly concerning to anyone. The boys entered the saloon and scanned the place, looking for anyone out of the ordinary. Emma Borden in her crisp blue afternoon dress in the dusty, bar certainly qualified as that. "Madame." Jarod tipped his hat before taking the seat across from the woman.
"Let's get to it. Whada ya want?" Vic asked in his typical no- nonsense manner.
" I can see there's no use in lollygagging with you two." Emma stated, clearly amused by the youngster's bluster.
"I need your help. My father has made a dreadful mistake. He's an old man and I fear he's become senile. He changed his will recently and left everything to my awful stepmother in the event of his death. I want you to make sure that doesn't happen."
"How much?" Victor asked nonplused by the inference.
"I can pay each of you $500."
"One grand or nothin'" Jarod stated.
"$750." Emma stated. "Deal."
"I'll meet you here tomorrow night and show you the plans to the house. I want you to do it three days from now, in the morning. My sister will be gone for the morning, and our maid has the day off. It is imperative you not get yourselves caught. You must be out of the house by noon. Is there anything else you require?"
"Bring the cash first. No cash, no deal." Vic insisted.
Emma nodded and rose to leave. "Good evening, gentleman." The two boys sat there half in disbelieve and half in shock of what had just occurred. Neither had undertaken such a contract, and the fact they both took it so easily spoke volumes. In silence the two unhitched the horses and climbed onto the coach. Not a word was spoken until Jarod turned to Vic to inform him he'd pick him up tomorrow at the same time. Vic just nodded and strode to the house of his brother. "Where've you been Vic?" Nicolas asked.
"Out with Jarod. I know you don't like him, but he's a fair chap" he lied.
"You could still go back to school."
"I know. I'm going to bed." Victor finished. August 4th, 1892
9: 55 AM Vic and Jarod entered the house from the unlocked window in the basement water closet. Given the time frame, they'd opted to each take a victim. Jarod followed Abby upstairs while Victor waited for the return of Andrew. Emma had mentioned that he occasionally returned home early from work. Hopefully, this would prove to be one of those days. Sure enough, Victor soon heard the heavy wooden door creak open, and footsteps lead into what he assumed was the living room. Growing impatient, Victor opened the cellar door and crept up into the main block of the house. From the corner of his eye he could see a form slumped on the sofa. His target in site, Victor attacked. One blow to the head was all it took. He was dead. The other thirteen were unnecessary, and could only be chalked up to brutality. Afterwards Victor returned to the cellar to wait for Jarod. Just as the other boy was descending the stairwell, the door was once again opened. A loud shriek pierced the air followed by a frantic cry of "Someone killed father!" The girl ran out the door, and Jarod hightailed it to the cellar and the two boys made their escape. Jarod and Victor took their coach to Swanson's Gulch. Again it was a silent journey, though this would be their final moments together, neither felt capable of uttering anything. As had been previously requested, Jarod dropped Victor off at the post office, and he himself continued on upstate. After sending a letter, Victor boarded a westbound train, and left Fall River behind him for good. Two days later, a letter arrived for Nicolas. In it was $300 dollars in cash, and a note. Nic, Can't stay, got into a scrape of trouble. I'm sorry. Love,
VC That was the last Nicolas heard from his brother. Heartbroken, he sold the farm and headed out to start a new life. Alone.
Historical Notes: Lizzy Borden was charged with the murder of her father Andrew and stepmother Abby in August of 1892. Her trial took place in the spring of 1893. The prosecution argued that Lizzy had plenty of motives for murdering them. In the event of their deaths, Lizzy and her sister Emma would inherit her father's impressive estate. Lizzy was also known to have a keen dislike and jealousy of Abby. Though her father doted on her, she was also said to have harbored feelings of ill will toward her father, and referred to her home as `an unbearable prison.'
Emma's whereabouts at the time of the murder were unknown. She was said to be staying at an aunt's house east of Fall River. Lizzy was acquitted in 1893, and to this day the case is unsolved.
Many thanks: to Karen for the superb beta. ***************
Victor's Lab:
Present Day Logan had spent the entire night contemplating several things. His past, present, future, and how it all tied together. Victor had been able to give him what nobody had before which was his past. But now that he'd seen some of it, he honestly couldn't say if it was better left unsaid, or out in the open. He thanked God, Zeus, and Allah collectively for sending him Marie. Without her support, it would be impossible to undergo this journey. Turning his thoughts to Marie, he wondered how she saw him exactly. He envisioned himself getting down on one knee, popping the question, marrying her and having a couple of rug rats, but if she didn't feel the same, obviously it wouldn't work. Sure, it was early in the game for those thoughts, but just that fact he thought them had to account for something right? Too tired to think anymore he pulled her closer and enjoyed her soothing presence before drifting into a light sleep. Tomorrow would bring more shadows and darkness. He needed to conserve his strength for the coming mental anguish. Upon exiting the back room, Logan and Marie found Victor pacing restlessly, a frown creasing his brow and a worried look in his wild eyes. Marie lightly cleared her throat as not to startle him. Instead of the usual small talk, he simply gestured towards the bed and turned to prepare the serum. An exchanged glance proved both found Victor's behaviour to be indicative as to what was to come. Logan closed his eyes and mentally braced himself before Victor came to his side. Soon enough he was unconscious and Victor fidgeted before taking his place across the table from Marie. "This one's real bad" was all he stated before diving into the memory, obviously eager to get this memory over with. "This one took place in 1892, after Nic-Logan and I had moved to the New World. You've probably read about it." Fall River, Massachusetts
August 1892 Nicolas Logan and Victor Creed had done well for themselves since arriving in America two and a half years earlier. Nicolas had grown into a broad shouldered young man and at 13 Victor was now a rather intimidating lad of 6'4". He'd begun to grow a great deal of body hair at a young age earning him the nickname of 'Sabertooth.' He was also rumoured to have the temperament of the ancient cat bearing the same name. Nicolas had grown out of childhood when they'd arrived on American soil and had committed to making his brother's life turn out well. He'd originally taken a job working in a shirtwaist factory in the middle of New York City. Unable to keep up production with men twice his age, a supervisor, who'd taken a liking to him, found him a new job working as a farmhand in a small town in Massachusetts. Nicolas had seized the opportunity and after years of hard work, he had managed to buy his own modest farm outside of Fall River. During this time, Nicolas had struggled with being both a brother and a father to Victor. The teen hadn't taken kindly to that. Despite his brother's protests Victor had dropped out of school and spent all his time outside of the home with the kids Nicolas referred to as the 'River Rats. After a hard day labouring in the fields Nicolas didn't have the strength to argue with his brother. Not having experienced a true childhood himself, Nicolas didn't understand teenage rebellion when confronted with it. Though still in his teens himself, he was years beyond his teen counterparts. They two never talked about what happened their final night in England. Nicolas shut it away and tried to move forward each day. Victor seemed to always feel the rage that he had displayed two years ago. He loved his brother, but didn't understand how he could so easily forget the past. It drove a wedge between the two that neither knew how to repair. Victor felt he owed his brother a debt of gratitude and felt the urge to pay him back for all the years he'd broken his back labouring in deplorable conditions. Even now, it wasn't uncommon for Nicolas to work fourteen-hour days in the fields. Even though they were his own fields, Victor felt there had to be an easier and better way of living. As luck would have it, the opportunity arose for such an occasion. An offer Victor couldn't refuse. A woman named Emma Borden sent for Victor and Jarod, an acquaintance that Nicolas didn't approve of. She and her younger sister Elizabeth were both thirty-something spinsters who lived at home with their father Andrew and stepmother Abby. Emma wasn't particularly known for her outgoing personality, so a summons from her was highly unusual. Victor had some misgivings about the meeting, but his gut told him money would somehow be involved, and that took the decision out of his hands. Swanson's Gulch, Massachusetts
2.5 miles East of Fall River Victor and Jarod tied the coach to the hitch in front of Watson's Saloon. Though technically neither was old enough to rightly enter the establishment, it was highly unlikely that anyone would care. Swanson's Gulch was a rough town, crime ridden and corrupt. Two underage boys in a bar were not terribly concerning to anyone. The boys entered the saloon and scanned the place, looking for anyone out of the ordinary. Emma Borden in her crisp blue afternoon dress in the dusty, bar certainly qualified as that. "Madame." Jarod tipped his hat before taking the seat across from the woman.
"Let's get to it. Whada ya want?" Vic asked in his typical no- nonsense manner.
" I can see there's no use in lollygagging with you two." Emma stated, clearly amused by the youngster's bluster.
"I need your help. My father has made a dreadful mistake. He's an old man and I fear he's become senile. He changed his will recently and left everything to my awful stepmother in the event of his death. I want you to make sure that doesn't happen."
"How much?" Victor asked nonplused by the inference.
"I can pay each of you $500."
"One grand or nothin'" Jarod stated.
"$750." Emma stated. "Deal."
"I'll meet you here tomorrow night and show you the plans to the house. I want you to do it three days from now, in the morning. My sister will be gone for the morning, and our maid has the day off. It is imperative you not get yourselves caught. You must be out of the house by noon. Is there anything else you require?"
"Bring the cash first. No cash, no deal." Vic insisted.
Emma nodded and rose to leave. "Good evening, gentleman." The two boys sat there half in disbelieve and half in shock of what had just occurred. Neither had undertaken such a contract, and the fact they both took it so easily spoke volumes. In silence the two unhitched the horses and climbed onto the coach. Not a word was spoken until Jarod turned to Vic to inform him he'd pick him up tomorrow at the same time. Vic just nodded and strode to the house of his brother. "Where've you been Vic?" Nicolas asked.
"Out with Jarod. I know you don't like him, but he's a fair chap" he lied.
"You could still go back to school."
"I know. I'm going to bed." Victor finished. August 4th, 1892
9: 55 AM Vic and Jarod entered the house from the unlocked window in the basement water closet. Given the time frame, they'd opted to each take a victim. Jarod followed Abby upstairs while Victor waited for the return of Andrew. Emma had mentioned that he occasionally returned home early from work. Hopefully, this would prove to be one of those days. Sure enough, Victor soon heard the heavy wooden door creak open, and footsteps lead into what he assumed was the living room. Growing impatient, Victor opened the cellar door and crept up into the main block of the house. From the corner of his eye he could see a form slumped on the sofa. His target in site, Victor attacked. One blow to the head was all it took. He was dead. The other thirteen were unnecessary, and could only be chalked up to brutality. Afterwards Victor returned to the cellar to wait for Jarod. Just as the other boy was descending the stairwell, the door was once again opened. A loud shriek pierced the air followed by a frantic cry of "Someone killed father!" The girl ran out the door, and Jarod hightailed it to the cellar and the two boys made their escape. Jarod and Victor took their coach to Swanson's Gulch. Again it was a silent journey, though this would be their final moments together, neither felt capable of uttering anything. As had been previously requested, Jarod dropped Victor off at the post office, and he himself continued on upstate. After sending a letter, Victor boarded a westbound train, and left Fall River behind him for good. Two days later, a letter arrived for Nicolas. In it was $300 dollars in cash, and a note. Nic, Can't stay, got into a scrape of trouble. I'm sorry. Love,
VC That was the last Nicolas heard from his brother. Heartbroken, he sold the farm and headed out to start a new life. Alone.
Historical Notes: Lizzy Borden was charged with the murder of her father Andrew and stepmother Abby in August of 1892. Her trial took place in the spring of 1893. The prosecution argued that Lizzy had plenty of motives for murdering them. In the event of their deaths, Lizzy and her sister Emma would inherit her father's impressive estate. Lizzy was also known to have a keen dislike and jealousy of Abby. Though her father doted on her, she was also said to have harbored feelings of ill will toward her father, and referred to her home as `an unbearable prison.'
Emma's whereabouts at the time of the murder were unknown. She was said to be staying at an aunt's house east of Fall River. Lizzy was acquitted in 1893, and to this day the case is unsolved.