What was keeping Carl and that damned doctor? Van Helsing was beginning to panic. It was a rather unknown emotion for him and he didn't like it one bit. Just then the door opened and a breathless Carl hurried in followed by an old man. Van Helsing looked at him and the man returned his glance. There was something in his eyes though. Gabriel thought he detected evil and malice but it was gone again a moment later and the Knight guessed it was just the stress playing on his mind.
Jekyll hurried to Arene's side, taking her pulse and shaking his head sadly.
"I will do what I can to help her but it does not look good," he said at last. "I think you should prepare yourself for the worst."
"No!" cried Van Helsing in anguish as Carl hung his head. "You have to save her!"
"It may not be within my power," the doctor answered quietly but once again there was a hint of something in his face, his voice.
"What is your name?" asked Van Helsing, suspicion growing within him.
"I am Dr Jekyll," the man said with a kindly smile, all hint of malice gone.
"Jekyll," repeated Gabriel in disbelief.
He looked at Carl who just shrugged. If he hadn't known that Henry Jekyll was dead we might almost have thought…no…that was stupid. It was just a coincidence.
"Please," the doctor continued," step outside for a moment while I see what I can do for the poor child."
Gabriel wasn't happy about this but, for Arene's sake, he decided to comply and, with a gesture to Carl, he got up. The two of them then left the room and the door shut quietly behind them.
Jekyll let out a silent laugh as he gazed down at Arene. All was going to plan. Now it was time to return to London. He pulled a sheet of parchment from his coat and left it by Arene's side on the bed then he moved to the doorway. He opened it slowly, checking no one was around then slipped out.
He walked quickly down the Vatican corridors till he reached the church area. With a scowl at the altar he moved down the aisle to the main door then exited into the street.
Van Helsing and Carl waited silently in their rooms, awaiting any news at all from the good doctor. Van Helsing could not help but feel as though he had left his daughter in the hands of an evil man...his daughter. Arene.... she was dying... he could feel it. No! She could be saved. She WOULD be saved. Nothing could change that.
"Carl." He whispered as softly as he could, "If she dies... I have nothing left. She's the world to me."
"And me, Gabriel," Carl said, hugging him, "But she is strong.. and this doctor will help her. We will not lose her."
Just then, the Cardinal came running into the room, his face flushed and filled with worry. The two men parted and looked at him.
"He's gone." He whispered, looking at Van Helsing, tears in his eyes.
"What?!?" Van Helsing could barely whisper.
"Dr. Jekyll..." the Cardinal breathed, "he is gone. Disappeared - left for London - no one can find him... and one of the horses is missing." He spoke with such sadness in his voice.
"He must have left when we left the room." Carl whispered. "Van Helsing, we need to.... Van Helsing?"