Once Upon a Time Traveler
Chapter Five
"You are mad, sir.", Nemo interjected, his hand at the ready, should Mina need his assistance.
"Heh, heh, heh.", Edward continued to leer. "You think I'd allow that half-man to completely control me? Never."
"I warn you, sir!", Nemo insisted.
But, Mina placed a delicate hand upon the rich cyan blue sleeve, "I understand you Edward, but, you are not needed at this time."
"Heh?", the giant within Jekyll grunted his question.
"Sleep now. Sleep.", Mina made full eye contact with Hyde and being that Jekyll hadn't imbibed the potion to facilitate Hyde's complete transformation, Edward was left with only one choice. To obey the vampiress' order.
The reddened lids closed, and became Henry's again. Within a heartbeat, a light moan escaped his full lips, as his tortured body finally seemed to relax.
Mina composed herself and glanced her appreciation to Nemo in a wordless smile.
Mina guided Nemo away from the reposed form Henry, "What do you think he meant?", Mina asked.
Nemo scowled towards Henry, just over Mina's shoulder, "How can one unravel the ravings of a mad man?"
"He didn't seem mad. It was as though he was certain of some – ", Mina searched for the appropriate words, but none would come. Nemo provided, "Future event?"
"How could it be?", Mina's mind was already awhirl trying to sort out the different possibilities.
"We must remain ever vigilant. If Hyde is feeling kinship with this interloper, then, it could be treachery, at best."
"A presence will be set amongst you –", Mina repeated the prediction, as if in a daze.
"A female from the sound of it.", Nemo reminded her.
In the chair, Henry stirred. He began to awaken, on his own. Mina hastened to see to him.
"Are you well, Henry?", Mina appeared every centimeter the supportive friend again.
Jekyll looked up and smiled shakily, "I heard what he said."
"Did you now?", Nemo queried.
Jeykll shrugged, "There's not much that I'm left out of – it's his way of punishing me."
"I see.", Mina observed coolly. "So, you've been having these – these – visitations, as well?"
"I don't know what you'd call them. I simply know that several evenings ago, I became aware of an odd – presence – in my – sleep.", Henry confessed with an awkward askance.
Mina appeared alarmed, but, cautious, "Is this presence here, now, Henry?"
"No.", he shook his head, and focused on a bright color in the lavish oriental carpet.
"When will she arrive?", Nemo inquired.
"I don't know.", Henry's voice edged with his frustration.
"That's alright, Henry.", Mina had to admit defeat. "Go rest up. Dinner will be in a few hours."
Shakily,Henry stood and reached for his jacket, as he practicallywhispered his apology, "If I knew anything more than I do, I'd tell you."
He met Mina's eyes for an instant before feeling the blood rush to his face. Looking down again, he softly said, "You know that, don't you?"
"Yes, Henry, I do.", Mina reassured him.
Henry sheepishly looked to Nemo, who still appeared to have questions of his own. "Thank you – for – well; thank you." He bobbed his head once, and made a bee-line for the door.
Mina looked to Nemo with a smothering sense of what was to "be".
The air was rife with dread hanging between them. Unspoken thoughts, worries and anxieties would only gather strength in their utterance, so each kept quiet, for the time being.
To the untrained eye, it would have seemed that Henry hadn't experienced much in the way of physical exertion during his hypnotic interview with Mina. However, it was also true that Edward Hyde had made something of an
unprecedented appearance without the doctor downing any of his formula. That was unnerving enough, yet, he doubted that any would know of the Herculean strength he had to muster to keep Hyde from actually taking him over. He didn't want them to know.
The less they had to fear, the less chance that it would come true. Discretion being the better part of valor, he was content to have them think that Hyde had been controlled by Mina. That evening, at dinner, he was surprised to see them all assembled. He'd thought he would make an appearance of his own, to show that there were no ill effects from that afternoon's event'. He was a bit embarrassed that Mina should have seated herself next to him. It was both an honor and a discomfort to have the lovely vampire so close to him.
True to form, the curious Skinner was the first to speak up, glancing at the two of them seated together he asked, wholesale, "So, wha's it lik'? She put you go into a dream world wif' her powers, lik' they' say? "
Surprisingly, before either Henry or Mina could answer, young Sawyer spoke up, breaking the awkward silence, "I'd reckon it's more like a sleep walk'. My cousin Sid used to do that. Drove my Aunt Polly to fury somethin' fierce."
"Must've been quite exciting.", Quatermaine observed wryly, cutting into his thick filet of dilled bass.
"Naw," Tom began, piercing a fork full of sautéed sea kelp, "Nothin' more'n he got into the chicken coop thinkin' he was climbin back inta his own bed."
"Sounds lik' it must've been excitiin' for the chickens.", Skinner jibed.
"Yep,", the youth swallowed heartily. "I'll allow it must'a been from the squawkin' we heard comin' from the hen house!"
Most of the table eased with good-natured laughter at the thought of a young boy frightening the chickens with his somnambulistic presence, to disenfranchise a hen or two from her nest, "'S how he came to notice he wasn't in the house. They about scared the life outta him worse'n any prank I ever got ta play on him!", Tom grinned mischievously at the memory of Sid Sawyer's frightened pudgy face as the boy made a hasty retreat to the house from the attack made by the territorial roosters guarding their harem of hens. "My Aunt Polly reckoned she was gonna rename each and every one of those three ornery roosters.", he pronounced decisively.
"Oh?", Quatermaine knew what was coming, but, he was having far too much fun in Sawyer's recounting of it to stop him.
"Yessir. In one night they went from bein' known as Leopold, General Grant, and Mr. Lincoln to bein' just plain ol' Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner!", Sawyer basked in the enjoyment of the moment. Again, polite chuckles were heard up and down the table, save for poor Dorian, who'd already been ignored enough, by the statuesqueMrs. Harker, for his liking.
Even Henry was able to modestly enjoy the joke. Now, Dorian moved to say something that he hoped would spark a sour response from Sawyer, "I've heard that you Americans are inordinately attached to your livestock."
Mina now spoke up to hopefully heal any sting Sawyer may have felt from this king of the debauchers' passing judgment on him!
"Dorian, you of all people.", Mina smirked. "I'm surprised – you're hardly the one qualified to cast dispersions."
"At least I have the good taste to keep my – dalliances – within the same species.", Dorian drawled.
"Do you?", Mina let her fangs peek out again from under her unnaturally red lipped smile, wondering if it would cause too much of a stir for her to transform into a wolf or an entire swarm of bats to illustrate her query.
Dorian quickly cleared his throat, and reached for his wine glass, pretending thirst.
Mina comforted any wounds that Tom's ego may have endured with a suggestion, "One day, you must write down an accounting of your life for us."
Tom nodded in agreement. "Yes'm there was this fella – goes by the name of Clemens."
Sawyer shook his head attempting to recall the first name. "Yeah – Sam, that's it. He was wantin' to have me tell him some of my stories. Said it'd make for right good readin'. That's if the tales weren't too tall."
But, Mina pooh-poohed this idea, "Nonsense, no one could tell your life's story better than you!"
She stifled another giggle as Dorian now simply rolled his eyes in disgust.
"'Ow abou' my story, Mina?", Skinner had deigned to dress' for dinner, such as it was. White paint covered his hands, neck and face. Thankfully, clothing covered the rest. His beard showed through the paint, and only the lips could be seen to smile, as there was nothing' visible in his mouth! The voice, however, was as lascivious as always, "Care to hear it? It's a real bodice ripper, it is."
"I'm afraid I have much work that awaits my attention, Mr. Skinner, but, I'm sure that you'll find an eager audience awaits you, should you ever put pen to paper.", she tried to gracefully sidestep the issue.
Skinner raised his wine glass to her with a cocked head in a silent toast as a gesture of thanks for her suggestion. He was almost desperate to learn what it would take to attract her. He was, indeed, not above putting on any form of act necessary to receive the faintest hint of a smile. Truth was, he was nearly as irritated as Gray was, that Sawyer had lucked out this evening. And, a bit jealous that Jekyll had been allowed to gaze into her twin pools. Ah, yes, and her eyes weren't bad' either! He smirked a bit as he raised the glass to his whitened lips.
Quatermaine and Nemo stood nearby, enjoying a brandy together, as the conversation had dwindled at the table.
Seeing Mina preparing to stand, Henry stood also, and held her chair for her. It would be a comfortable, and genteel way to segue to a hasty retreat. Henry now took this break in the conversation to quietly say, to Mina primarily, "I think I'll retire for the evening."
Nemo overheard this and glanced to Mina significantly. The doctor's dream state had taken on new meaning with the event of Edward's startling revelation. The drawn face of Jekyll caused her to soften, "Certainly," she smiled, "You're mind will be most refreshed in the morning. Then, perhaps we can sort out any further – questions that have been left wanting answers."
Henry now hesitantly offered his elbow to Mina, and she, smiled and accepted the escort. The usually tormented doctor made his hasty escape as only a cultured and refined gentleman of the time could. By offering his arm of escort to a woman.
Mina had kindly enough granted him sanctuary from any further speculation or dinner conversation, and asked no further intrusion on his mind. When, her door carefully closed, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Hastily, he made his way to his own accommodation. Gratefully, he grasped the doorknob to his cabin. He was amazed he'd made it this far without fainting or transforming. He closed the door behind him and locked it, murmuring a prayer of thanks to be alone – well – as alone as he got – or could be. His hand flew to the knot in his tie and his other hand began tugging at the buttons on his waistcoat.
"What's it to be tonight, Henry?", Hyde slurred. "Wenches and wine? Or, perhaps a proper pillage?"
Edward Hyde routinely replayed choice exploits for Henry as the doctor fitfully slept. Keeping Henry weak was what kept Edward strong.
"Nothing tonight, but, sleep!", Henry declared as he now sat on the side of the bed, his right boot coming off as his left boot already sat under the bed.
"Aw, Henry, that's no fun. I've spent all this time thinking about what I could show you.", removing his best linen dress shirt, he uncharacteristically tossed it onto the back of a nearby chair. Then, he reached for the top button of his trousers.
"Or, do you fancy a visit from her'?", Edward's voice positively hummed in his ear. He could hear Hyde salivating in anticipation, "I wonder if she's out there, now – "
Henry halted abruptly. He said nothing to confirm or deny his desire to see her in his dreams that night. He simply continued his frenzied preparation for bed, and sleep.
Edward chuckled suggestively, "Ah, yes, I'm suddenly quite eager to be abed myself."
Henry moved to turn out his bedside lamp, and hissed a whispered order to the brutish giant. "Go to sleep!"
Edward gutturally chuckled as Henry slid beneath the fresh sheets.
Quatermaine and Nemo relaxed with a chess game in the parlor after Tom, Skinner and Dorian had retired to their cabins as well. Allan attempted to decipher the inscrutable expression of Nemo. He tested each avenue open to him, but, try as he may, no response was given to any of his three tactics.
"Damn it, man, how can I play you if you don't participate?", Quatermaine finally growled.
Nemo was unmoved. "I beg your pardon, Mr. Quatermaine. It was my understanding that it is considered the mark of an amateur to grant others the courtesy of an expressive response to moves."
Not that the elder hunter could have exactly told just what' expression the turbaned Pirate cum Captain was wearing under all his facial hair.
"Agh!", Quatermaine exclaimed disgustedly, laying down his black king. It wasn't any fun playing against an opponent who would refused to be deposed.
Then, Quatermaine saw something else that caused him to inwardly seethe. Nemo smiled. His dark eyes narrowing as his white teeth blazed next to his dark full beard.
"You rascal! You tricked me!", Quatermaine didn't know whether to laugh or be insulted that he'd been had' so easily.
"My dear Quatermaine. You forget the first rule of battle.", Nemo chided him. "Never let your opponent know what you're thinking."
Uncharacteristically, a deep chuckle came from the Rouge Prince.
"Well, you've got me there.", Quatermaine conceded, as he sat back apparently pondering the board, thus far. However, Nemo could see that the board wasn't the only thing the Adventurer was pondering.
"Ah,", Quatermaine attempted to approach the subject, "What can you tell me about Jekyll's – ah –", he didn't know how to refer to the hypnosis session Mina administered that afternoon.
"Ah, yes. The assistance Mrs. Harker administered was most illuminating indeed.", the turbaned Captain allowed.
"What happened?", Quatermaine turned his attention to his brandy as Nemo moved to answer.
"Edward Hyde came out and delivered what I would presume to be a dark warning of sorts.", he fixed Quatermaine with a warning look.
Quatermaine nearly coughed on his brandy. "What?", his voice boomed through his massive chest.
"Do not alarm yourself, my friend.", Nemo wanted no upset to alarm the fragile doctor.
"Don't alarm myself?", Quatermaine could not believe his ears. The swarthy savage may have gotten himself a ship of fair repute and learned many things, but, he doubted that Nemo could control a fully functioning Hyde should the situation warrant, "What should I do? Clap the man on the shoulder and say Well done?'", Allan challenged the regal warrior.
"I do not know how he is doing it, but, Jekyll is growing stronger in his control of the beast within himself. ", Nemo leaned forward as he made his point. "The afternoon, only Hyde's voice was allowed to surface. Nothing else."
"That's because he hadn't the formula in him.", Quatermaine reasoned.
Nemo moved to clarify the situation, "The legend of Edward Hyde is not new, sir. I have done extensive research, and from what I am able to deduce, once the formula has been administered, it is capable of transmuting the personage in question, only if they allow it!"
Quatermaine countered, "So – What? We're to dance around this man because he could' unleash this creature any time he chooses?"
"Not at all, sir. I am saying that he is attempting to control himself, and with that control shall come balance to his psyche, and thus his anatomy.", Nemo now knew that the Explorer was on the same page as he.
Quatermaine sat back and again pondered his brandy, "I hope you're right, Captain. We can't afford any missteps here."
"Would you care to know of the warning, or not?", Nemo attempted to draw Quatermaine's attention back to the moment.
"Well, what did the beast have to say?"
"It seems we are to be the host to a visitor who is neither of this time or place."
"Well, that's certainly clearly stated, isn't it?", the sarcastic remark did seem to hold more than a kernel of truth to it.
"Yes, I will admit to a certain amount of frustration as well.", Nemo allowed, "However, I put myself and my crew on warning that whomever shall arrive, however they arrive, they are not to be trusted. If Hyde knows of this person, then, in truth, it may bode ill for us, after all."
"Let the interloper come, Nemo, I'm not afraid of him.", Quatermaine gazed deeply into the golden brown depths of the brandy before him.
"I would not say that it was a masculine visitor we are to receive.", Nemo carefully spoke.
"What?", Quatermaine was astounded. "That Harker woman is enough female on board as far as I'm concerned!"
Nemo quickly moved to correct Quatermaine's view. "This is not an ordinary woman, my friend. She is, from all accounts – "
"Accounts given to us by a demented aspect of a hopeless addict, may I say!", Quatermaine wasn't tolerating the news very well. "From all accounts,", Nemo patiently continued, "She is far above any of the standard of the day."
"Hmmph! So says Hyde!", Quatermaine fairly spit the words.
Nemo stroked his beard in reflection. "He said, She is much like you Captain.' I'm most intrigued to know what he meant by that."
"Oh, so you think she may be a bearded sword carrying philosopher?"
"It would be most unwise to dismiss any information given to us by the only person who has intimate knowledge of necessary details!", Nemo warned with a glare in his dark eyes.
Quatermaine sighed, realizing that Nemo was, by far and away, correct, "I will not pretend to like it.", Quatermaine was adamant. "But, as there is nothing, apparently, that I can do about it, I must – ", he was loath to speak the words, "Accept it."
"You are most gracious.", Nemo bowed slightly, "Apology accepted."
Quatermaine shot a startled glance cum glare to the swarthy prince, who now smirked with ill hidden glee.
Inwardly Quatermaine had been recollecting the number of friends, compatriots, lovers and spouses, that had passed before his present day now'. Such was his longing to end his yearning, he was astounding himself that he would embrace any fight with an inner glee. Never to be allowed death.', he thought. Sadly, to him, it almost seemed a paradise out of reach. To be with those whom he'd loved and lost. Just to see them again. To finally rest'.
He sighed and stood, his boots creaking with the movement, "I'm going on to bed.", he announced.
Nemo stood and offered his hand. "A game well played, sir. Very well played." Quatermaine smiled ruefully, "You're only saying that because you won!"
Nemo smiled and nodded, a twinkle sparkling in his eye. "Which time, sir?"
Henry's legs slid smoothly on the Egyptian Linens. The crisp smell enveloping him, comforted him, strangely. His eyes soon twitched in REM state, such was his exhaustion, and Edward, unheard by Jekyll, chuckled again.
"My sweet. Where are you?" Edward whispered.
Henry could feel strength returned to his body. His hands, longer than wide, flexed as he dreamt. His hands, Penn thought. How they looked to be made for caressing, and for being caressed by.
In her bed, the chrononaut slept, a smile beginning to form on her lips.
Mina had been certain to prove that any malfunctions could not be traced back to her. In fact, Olga herself, had mentioned that Frank Parker had never been subjected to the indignity of his dream state being monitored. Nate had countered that even Parker hadn't been as "unhinged" as "that female chimpanzee".
But, none of that mattered now. Not at this moment. She knew nothing of 'how' she arrived at their meeting place.
But, she was now well acquainted with the image of the man with the red rimmed eyes, furtive gaze and soft voice. Oh, yes. She'd heard him. Heard everything that he'd never allowed himself to say to any other. And, he didn't have to hear her voice to know what was in her heart.
Such was their connection, she moved as he did, when he did. He, in turn, held her, caressed her, and moved with her as if they were one. For what seemed hours; no – minutes – no; a blissful gone in a moment' eternity, they stood, swaying to unheard music. Music that came from their souls enraptured and entwining with each other.
His hands smoothed her hair and lifted her chin to him. He delved into her wide, dark eyes and found his own soul deep within her. The soul that he'd lost when his curiosity had spirited it away, and left in it's place a tortured shell that housed Hyde. Wordlessly, she put her head onto the highest part of his surprisingly well muscled chest. His heart pounded in her ear. It thrilled her to hear its rhythm, feel his breath cause it to rise and fall against her face. She turned her face towards the sound and smelled his linen shirt.
No tie bound his neck. And, the pearl buttons were undone just enough to smell his skin. It was as if he was free' of the constraints he placed upon himself in polite' society. It was frightful for him, to be without his bounds', but, thrilling to know that she was willing to follow where he would lead, and indeed, she would lead him where he'd always dreamt of treading. He breathed her in, and found the perfume of her hair and skin. Drinking her essence again, as though he'd been thirsting for her for years.
Henry's breathing deepened, became more intense as the breath from her nostrils tickled his skin. Looking up to see that her exploration was having the desired arousal, she opened his shirt ever so slightly, finding the spot between his pecs, she kissed him open mouthed and released her aroused moan onto his breast bone.
He felt himself rising – aching. Henry, in his luxuriant bedding moaned ever so lightly. "Yes, Henry, yes!" Edward encouraged his fleshly host to remain in the deepest slumber he'd allowed the doctor to have yet. "She wants you. She wants us!"
It surprised Edward that he was well satisfied to experience this sort of union in a secondary capacity. Yet, he knew that Penn was such a prize that no one man would do for her. However, they, Henry and Edward together, were the perfect man for such a woman!
Penn was melting into his body, finding arms that were stronger than her own holding onto her as if fearing she would be torn away from him, and eager to keep her in his embrace. She looked up at him, and he turned his face downwards to her. Again, they kissed. Deeply, longingly, and building gently, yet intensely, in their passion.
His mouth soon found her neck, his lips suckling the dimple of her collar bone, her body shivering in it's surprised acceptance of – Penn awoke bolt upright drenched in sweat! Red lights were strobing everywhere and the main alarm had been tripped! A contingent of soldiers thrumped' past her door and the building shook!
Deep within Henry, Edward raged a storm of fury! Henry, in turn, rolled over in his bed, pulled the pillow next to him over his face, and moaned in grief to have yet again lost that fragile connection that bound he and she' sweetly together. Inwardly his shame for his need of her caused his eyes to well with longing.
