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Rue Morgue
Chapter 2: The Hunt
In Paris, they were satisfied To nab the beastly Edward Hyde
-Alan Moore
~~~~~
The sky was still gray with the coming dawn as Dr. Jekyll awoke. He didn't dare to move nor open his eyes, too afraid to see more blood on his hands. It was remarkable that whenever Hyde had done something truly awful Jekyll would change back into himself quietly in his sleep, unlike the usually painful transformations that occurred when Hyde fought for dominance. Now, he slept, his lust for violence sated as Jekyll clenched his eyes shut tightly, not wanting to wake up and remember. But even so, awareness crept upon him like the morning light that stole into his room, chasing the shadows from his brain.
Another girl, her body in the dirty gutter, her neck at an odd angle, bone protruding from the bruised skin of her slender neck...
Hyde.
As nausea quickly swept over him, Jekyll sprung from his bed in an attempt to reach his bathroom. In his rush, his foot became entangled in the bedding and he tumbled quite ungracefully, and quite painfully, to the hard floor. But still the nightmarish, and by God he wished that they were only so, images assaulted him. Thus, unable to reach the bathroom and his nerves near at the end of their tolerance, he retched, the horror of what had transpired last night taking its toll on him.
There was nothing left in his stomach but still heaves shook him, trying to purge his body of something distasteful, but guilt still lay like lead upon his heart. Waking with blood on his hands was far from a new occurrence to Jekyll. This was the fifth time in two months this had happened. But instead of getting used to it, Jekyll was growing more and more disgusted by the monster inside him.
Tears sprung up in his red-rimmed eyes and he slowly collected himself. He muttered a short prayer, for himself or for the deceased girl, he wasn't sure. But when Hyde began his mocking laugh, Jekyll found his anger.
/Get over it, Henry./
"Hyde, you bastard! We had a deal! You promised you wouldn't! If I let you out, you promised!" Jekyll shouted, his voice hoarse.
Again came that laughter /And you believed me?/
Jekyll sighed, "I should have liked very much to..." Still talking to himself, he muttered, "I couldn't take it. You, in my head, badgering me all day."
/Perhaps, you'll grow to enjoy it then, Henry. You never seemed to mind so much at first. As I recall, you found the anonymity quite liberating./
"Anonymity only lasts when one keeps a low profile," Jekyll answered hotly, "It does not last when someone does something idiotic like kill a member of parliament or an increasing number of whores who live on the same street! People eventually put the pieces together. We'll have to leave if you keep on this way."
/Ah, but if you leave and the murders stop... Well, that would seem rather peculiar to some, wouldn't it?/
Again Jekyll sighed, resigned. He couldn't argue that Hyde was wrong in that. He brushed himself off and stood to fetch something to clean up the mess he'd made.
~~~~~
The Nautilus had just submerged far off the coast of England and was headed to France. On board, the gathered members of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen were in Nemo's state room, preparing for the recruitment of their last member.
"It seems to me," said Skinner, "we have the rough outline of this trip, our where and why, and all we need now is the who to complete the portrait."
Scarcely was the last word out of Skinner's mouth before Dorian abruptly cleared his throat and tapped his cane on the floor. Skinner tried his best to look apologetic around the smirk on his face, "No offense meant, Dorian..."
"Indeed," remarked Dorian before turning to face Alan, "How much do we know about whoever it is we're looking for?"
"All we have to go on is the small amount of information M has given us." Alan replied, handing Dorian a folder. Inside it was everything they knew about the mysterious and violent Mr. Hyde.
Dorian quickly glanced at its contents before handing it back to Alan, "Mr. Edward Hyde? I remember something about him from the papers, quite a sensational story. I thought he was dead."
"M suspects that he faked his death and fled the country," Nemo interjected. "You may recall that after his death it was discovered that he had connections to a Mr. Henry Jekyll, a doctor who has been missing for twelve years. M has found that there is a doctor of the same name living in Paris where, not coincidentally, there has recently been a string of murders."
Tom, who had been standing apart from the others, near the door, now entered the conversation, "murders?"
Nemo nodded but Alan elaborated, "Yes. The first one was a little over two months ago, the murder of Madame L'Espanaye and her daughter. And just last week, a woman named Anna Coupeau was found with her neck snapped. There've been six victims and so far, all of them have been prostitutes."
"Someone killing off bangtails, eh? Have any witnesses seen the Ripper about?" Skinner said, then took a sip of his whiskey.
"Actually," said Alan, "all the eye-witness descriptions from the murders have one thing in common; a large ape-like creature fleeing the scene of the crime"
Sawyer looked terribly confused, "We're after a monkey?"
Dorian smirked, "So it seems we're not only a league but a menagerie as well."
Mina quirked an eyebrow, "And you think this ape has a connection to the missing doctor?"
Alan offered her a forced smile, "Something like that."
"Well, that just leaves us with one problem," Tom said, "How do we find him?"
"We could draw him out," Mina suggested. "If all his victims have been unfortunates, I might pass myself off as a demi-mondain and wait for him to come to us."
"Wouldn't mind seeing that." Skinner smirked, some of the paint on his face coming off as he stroked his chin thoughtfully. Mina leveled a cold stare at him.
"Seems awful risky, don't it?" Tom asked.
Mina redirected her gaze to Tom. "Mr. Sawyer, I think I have quite proven that I'm more than capable of handling myself."
"Tom's right," Alan said, "We're dealing with a brutal murderer. Captain Nemo and myself have come up with a plan to capture him but we have no idea how he may react when cornered. This hunt's too dangerous for a woman, even one such as you. Leave it to me."
Mina looked very affronted and spoke shortly, "If I can be of no further use then I can at least withdraw. I have some experiments that need my attention. Good day."
Dorian's eyes followed her as she stormed out. "I'll see to her." He said, standing quickly. Then, after a brief nod good-bye, he followed her.
Alan sighed, "women... "
"So," said Tom, trying to break the awkward silence that surrounded them, "Who else is coming? Skinner? Nemo?"
"No, thanks mate. I'm a thief not a hunter. If you need something stolen, then I'm your man." And with that Skinner finished his drink.
Nemo spoke, "The french authorities believe that I've been dead since the 'mysterious island' incident. It is better if I remain aboard the ship and let them go on believing it."
Alan turned to Tom, "Well then, Sawyer. Let us prepare for the hunt."
~~~~~
Jekyll spent much time pouring over old texts and his own journals, trying to find a way to undo what he had done to himself. So far all his work hadn't gotten him any closer to reversing his condition. He closed the volume he'd been reading and rubbed his temples.
/Still trying to kick me out, Henry?/
"Be quiet," Jekyll responded, though not with much energy. He looked over his cluttered desk and his eyes fell upon a small pile of newspaper clippings, reports of Hyde's handiwork and all of them mentioning something about a giant ape spotted near the scene or fleeing it.
"I used to be quite a bit bigger than you, at least before we came to Paris." Jekyll thought aloud, the thought striking him as if for the first time. Perhaps it had something to do with his body's metabolism, maybe the formula was more dangerous than he had first perceived.
Something even more horrible occurred to him. Perhaps the reason Hyde was getting bigger was because he'd been allowed so much free range. And with each murder or other despicable deed he committed, the evil side of him became that much bigger to keep the taint of Hyde's sins from becoming Jekyll's.
A knock at his door startled him out of his thoughts, so much so that upon hearing it, he'd stood from his chair. He tried to calm his nerves as he crossed the room to the door and called out "Qui est la?"
He was surprised to be answered by someone with an American accent. "I don't speak french. But we're looking for a doctor Jekyll. We were told at the morgue that we could find you here."
Jekyll cursed himself. He should have changed his name, used an alias. Hopefully these people were just looking for someone to talk to about a dead relative or this would be difficult to get out of. He opened the door just enough to see who was calling upon him. There was a young blonde haired man and a older man with him. "I'm Jekyll," he said, perhaps a bit quieter than he'd meant to, "Who, may I inquire, might you be?"
"Tom Sawyer," replied the young American "of the American secret service."
The older man stepped forward, "We'd be more than happy to explain this inside. If you'd be so kind."
Jekyll eyed them warily. Why would an amercian secret service agent and an old brit be looking for him? A part of him felt he should turn them away but the sensible part of himself realized how odd that would seem... especially if they already knew about Hyde. Henry opened the door all the way and stepped aside to let them in.
He led them to a small seating area, containing more of Jekyll's notes and texts scattered about. "Please excuse the mess, I haven't needed to do any entertaining in some time. Can I offer you tea or-?"
The older man cut him off. "No, thank you. We're hoping to make this a short visit, doctor. We just want to know how we can find Mr. Hyde."
Jekyll stiffened at the sound of the name and felt the blood drain from his face, despite how his heart pounded. It's all over for me, he thought. They know. Frozen in fear, he hadn't realized he'd said the name aloud. "Hyde?"
"Yes," piped up Tom. "Do you know him?"
Jekyll nodded absently "I do."
The brit seemed to be studying Henry but then he spoke. "From my understanding, he caused quite some trouble for you in the past. But if you help us find him, he won't bother you any more."
Jekyll let a shudder of fear run through him... This is the end. Jekyll had the horrible image in his mind of himself hanging from the gallows.
/I can help us escape, Henry. It's the only way./
"yes," he said aloud, his eyes not really focused on his guests. "Please excuse me for a moment."
Not waiting for a response, Henry walked hurriedly into his darkened bedroom, careful to shut the door behind him. He didn't need the light for what he was about to do. He found his way effortlessly to his case, the case that held all his remaining bottles of formula... and drank
Sawyer and Quartermain had thought the doctor was odd, to say the least. He acted so strangely, even more so once they'd mentioned who they were after. But both of them looked to the door of the room Jekyll had entered once they heard what sounded like muffled screams coming from inside.
Alan wished now he hadn't left Matilda in Nemo's automobile. Tom drew one of the pistols from his holster and both men headed for the door. Alan called out to the doctor but he received no response. He nodded to Tom who leveled the gun at the door. Alan slowly opened the door. Suddenly, it was thrust open and something struck Quartermain on the head and he fell. The shadow in the open doorway made no further move, but Tom couldn't get closer to Alan without risking danger. "Dr. Jekyll?"
A harsh voice answered him. "Jekyll's not home. I'm Edward Hyde." The figure from the doorway stepped forward. Tom wasn't sure what to think. The man was huge, he looked like a giant ape. He brandished the cane he was holding and the blood on it glistened in the candlelight. He made as if to charge at Tom and Tom let off a wild shot. The sound of the gun stopped the creature in its tracks. The giant looked down at his right leg and Tom followed his gaze, blood was rapidly staining Hyde's dark trousers. But the beast didn't seem to feel pain, just anger and his face contorted in rage. "You little shit!"
He stepped forward, the cane raised like a club, but Alan had recovered from his knock on the head and he jumped on Hyde's back in an attempt to hold him back. Hyde bellowed. "Let GO of me! Let GO of me, I say! I'll eat your head! I'll tear your stomach out, you little maggot!" He thrashed about trying to get Quartermain off and Tom watched waiting for a clear shot. Hyde managed to throw Alan from his back into the opposite wall and flee out the open window. Tom ran to the window in time to see Hyde climb to the rooftops.
Tom quickly turned back to Quartermain, "He's headed for the roof."
Alan got up as quickly as he could. "It'll be easier to follow him from the streets. Come on!" And with that, Alan and Tom ran out the front door and back onto the street in hot pursuit.
Rue Morgue
Chapter 2: The Hunt
In Paris, they were satisfied To nab the beastly Edward Hyde
-Alan Moore
~~~~~
The sky was still gray with the coming dawn as Dr. Jekyll awoke. He didn't dare to move nor open his eyes, too afraid to see more blood on his hands. It was remarkable that whenever Hyde had done something truly awful Jekyll would change back into himself quietly in his sleep, unlike the usually painful transformations that occurred when Hyde fought for dominance. Now, he slept, his lust for violence sated as Jekyll clenched his eyes shut tightly, not wanting to wake up and remember. But even so, awareness crept upon him like the morning light that stole into his room, chasing the shadows from his brain.
Another girl, her body in the dirty gutter, her neck at an odd angle, bone protruding from the bruised skin of her slender neck...
Hyde.
As nausea quickly swept over him, Jekyll sprung from his bed in an attempt to reach his bathroom. In his rush, his foot became entangled in the bedding and he tumbled quite ungracefully, and quite painfully, to the hard floor. But still the nightmarish, and by God he wished that they were only so, images assaulted him. Thus, unable to reach the bathroom and his nerves near at the end of their tolerance, he retched, the horror of what had transpired last night taking its toll on him.
There was nothing left in his stomach but still heaves shook him, trying to purge his body of something distasteful, but guilt still lay like lead upon his heart. Waking with blood on his hands was far from a new occurrence to Jekyll. This was the fifth time in two months this had happened. But instead of getting used to it, Jekyll was growing more and more disgusted by the monster inside him.
Tears sprung up in his red-rimmed eyes and he slowly collected himself. He muttered a short prayer, for himself or for the deceased girl, he wasn't sure. But when Hyde began his mocking laugh, Jekyll found his anger.
/Get over it, Henry./
"Hyde, you bastard! We had a deal! You promised you wouldn't! If I let you out, you promised!" Jekyll shouted, his voice hoarse.
Again came that laughter /And you believed me?/
Jekyll sighed, "I should have liked very much to..." Still talking to himself, he muttered, "I couldn't take it. You, in my head, badgering me all day."
/Perhaps, you'll grow to enjoy it then, Henry. You never seemed to mind so much at first. As I recall, you found the anonymity quite liberating./
"Anonymity only lasts when one keeps a low profile," Jekyll answered hotly, "It does not last when someone does something idiotic like kill a member of parliament or an increasing number of whores who live on the same street! People eventually put the pieces together. We'll have to leave if you keep on this way."
/Ah, but if you leave and the murders stop... Well, that would seem rather peculiar to some, wouldn't it?/
Again Jekyll sighed, resigned. He couldn't argue that Hyde was wrong in that. He brushed himself off and stood to fetch something to clean up the mess he'd made.
~~~~~
The Nautilus had just submerged far off the coast of England and was headed to France. On board, the gathered members of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen were in Nemo's state room, preparing for the recruitment of their last member.
"It seems to me," said Skinner, "we have the rough outline of this trip, our where and why, and all we need now is the who to complete the portrait."
Scarcely was the last word out of Skinner's mouth before Dorian abruptly cleared his throat and tapped his cane on the floor. Skinner tried his best to look apologetic around the smirk on his face, "No offense meant, Dorian..."
"Indeed," remarked Dorian before turning to face Alan, "How much do we know about whoever it is we're looking for?"
"All we have to go on is the small amount of information M has given us." Alan replied, handing Dorian a folder. Inside it was everything they knew about the mysterious and violent Mr. Hyde.
Dorian quickly glanced at its contents before handing it back to Alan, "Mr. Edward Hyde? I remember something about him from the papers, quite a sensational story. I thought he was dead."
"M suspects that he faked his death and fled the country," Nemo interjected. "You may recall that after his death it was discovered that he had connections to a Mr. Henry Jekyll, a doctor who has been missing for twelve years. M has found that there is a doctor of the same name living in Paris where, not coincidentally, there has recently been a string of murders."
Tom, who had been standing apart from the others, near the door, now entered the conversation, "murders?"
Nemo nodded but Alan elaborated, "Yes. The first one was a little over two months ago, the murder of Madame L'Espanaye and her daughter. And just last week, a woman named Anna Coupeau was found with her neck snapped. There've been six victims and so far, all of them have been prostitutes."
"Someone killing off bangtails, eh? Have any witnesses seen the Ripper about?" Skinner said, then took a sip of his whiskey.
"Actually," said Alan, "all the eye-witness descriptions from the murders have one thing in common; a large ape-like creature fleeing the scene of the crime"
Sawyer looked terribly confused, "We're after a monkey?"
Dorian smirked, "So it seems we're not only a league but a menagerie as well."
Mina quirked an eyebrow, "And you think this ape has a connection to the missing doctor?"
Alan offered her a forced smile, "Something like that."
"Well, that just leaves us with one problem," Tom said, "How do we find him?"
"We could draw him out," Mina suggested. "If all his victims have been unfortunates, I might pass myself off as a demi-mondain and wait for him to come to us."
"Wouldn't mind seeing that." Skinner smirked, some of the paint on his face coming off as he stroked his chin thoughtfully. Mina leveled a cold stare at him.
"Seems awful risky, don't it?" Tom asked.
Mina redirected her gaze to Tom. "Mr. Sawyer, I think I have quite proven that I'm more than capable of handling myself."
"Tom's right," Alan said, "We're dealing with a brutal murderer. Captain Nemo and myself have come up with a plan to capture him but we have no idea how he may react when cornered. This hunt's too dangerous for a woman, even one such as you. Leave it to me."
Mina looked very affronted and spoke shortly, "If I can be of no further use then I can at least withdraw. I have some experiments that need my attention. Good day."
Dorian's eyes followed her as she stormed out. "I'll see to her." He said, standing quickly. Then, after a brief nod good-bye, he followed her.
Alan sighed, "women... "
"So," said Tom, trying to break the awkward silence that surrounded them, "Who else is coming? Skinner? Nemo?"
"No, thanks mate. I'm a thief not a hunter. If you need something stolen, then I'm your man." And with that Skinner finished his drink.
Nemo spoke, "The french authorities believe that I've been dead since the 'mysterious island' incident. It is better if I remain aboard the ship and let them go on believing it."
Alan turned to Tom, "Well then, Sawyer. Let us prepare for the hunt."
~~~~~
Jekyll spent much time pouring over old texts and his own journals, trying to find a way to undo what he had done to himself. So far all his work hadn't gotten him any closer to reversing his condition. He closed the volume he'd been reading and rubbed his temples.
/Still trying to kick me out, Henry?/
"Be quiet," Jekyll responded, though not with much energy. He looked over his cluttered desk and his eyes fell upon a small pile of newspaper clippings, reports of Hyde's handiwork and all of them mentioning something about a giant ape spotted near the scene or fleeing it.
"I used to be quite a bit bigger than you, at least before we came to Paris." Jekyll thought aloud, the thought striking him as if for the first time. Perhaps it had something to do with his body's metabolism, maybe the formula was more dangerous than he had first perceived.
Something even more horrible occurred to him. Perhaps the reason Hyde was getting bigger was because he'd been allowed so much free range. And with each murder or other despicable deed he committed, the evil side of him became that much bigger to keep the taint of Hyde's sins from becoming Jekyll's.
A knock at his door startled him out of his thoughts, so much so that upon hearing it, he'd stood from his chair. He tried to calm his nerves as he crossed the room to the door and called out "Qui est la?"
He was surprised to be answered by someone with an American accent. "I don't speak french. But we're looking for a doctor Jekyll. We were told at the morgue that we could find you here."
Jekyll cursed himself. He should have changed his name, used an alias. Hopefully these people were just looking for someone to talk to about a dead relative or this would be difficult to get out of. He opened the door just enough to see who was calling upon him. There was a young blonde haired man and a older man with him. "I'm Jekyll," he said, perhaps a bit quieter than he'd meant to, "Who, may I inquire, might you be?"
"Tom Sawyer," replied the young American "of the American secret service."
The older man stepped forward, "We'd be more than happy to explain this inside. If you'd be so kind."
Jekyll eyed them warily. Why would an amercian secret service agent and an old brit be looking for him? A part of him felt he should turn them away but the sensible part of himself realized how odd that would seem... especially if they already knew about Hyde. Henry opened the door all the way and stepped aside to let them in.
He led them to a small seating area, containing more of Jekyll's notes and texts scattered about. "Please excuse the mess, I haven't needed to do any entertaining in some time. Can I offer you tea or-?"
The older man cut him off. "No, thank you. We're hoping to make this a short visit, doctor. We just want to know how we can find Mr. Hyde."
Jekyll stiffened at the sound of the name and felt the blood drain from his face, despite how his heart pounded. It's all over for me, he thought. They know. Frozen in fear, he hadn't realized he'd said the name aloud. "Hyde?"
"Yes," piped up Tom. "Do you know him?"
Jekyll nodded absently "I do."
The brit seemed to be studying Henry but then he spoke. "From my understanding, he caused quite some trouble for you in the past. But if you help us find him, he won't bother you any more."
Jekyll let a shudder of fear run through him... This is the end. Jekyll had the horrible image in his mind of himself hanging from the gallows.
/I can help us escape, Henry. It's the only way./
"yes," he said aloud, his eyes not really focused on his guests. "Please excuse me for a moment."
Not waiting for a response, Henry walked hurriedly into his darkened bedroom, careful to shut the door behind him. He didn't need the light for what he was about to do. He found his way effortlessly to his case, the case that held all his remaining bottles of formula... and drank
Sawyer and Quartermain had thought the doctor was odd, to say the least. He acted so strangely, even more so once they'd mentioned who they were after. But both of them looked to the door of the room Jekyll had entered once they heard what sounded like muffled screams coming from inside.
Alan wished now he hadn't left Matilda in Nemo's automobile. Tom drew one of the pistols from his holster and both men headed for the door. Alan called out to the doctor but he received no response. He nodded to Tom who leveled the gun at the door. Alan slowly opened the door. Suddenly, it was thrust open and something struck Quartermain on the head and he fell. The shadow in the open doorway made no further move, but Tom couldn't get closer to Alan without risking danger. "Dr. Jekyll?"
A harsh voice answered him. "Jekyll's not home. I'm Edward Hyde." The figure from the doorway stepped forward. Tom wasn't sure what to think. The man was huge, he looked like a giant ape. He brandished the cane he was holding and the blood on it glistened in the candlelight. He made as if to charge at Tom and Tom let off a wild shot. The sound of the gun stopped the creature in its tracks. The giant looked down at his right leg and Tom followed his gaze, blood was rapidly staining Hyde's dark trousers. But the beast didn't seem to feel pain, just anger and his face contorted in rage. "You little shit!"
He stepped forward, the cane raised like a club, but Alan had recovered from his knock on the head and he jumped on Hyde's back in an attempt to hold him back. Hyde bellowed. "Let GO of me! Let GO of me, I say! I'll eat your head! I'll tear your stomach out, you little maggot!" He thrashed about trying to get Quartermain off and Tom watched waiting for a clear shot. Hyde managed to throw Alan from his back into the opposite wall and flee out the open window. Tom ran to the window in time to see Hyde climb to the rooftops.
Tom quickly turned back to Quartermain, "He's headed for the roof."
Alan got up as quickly as he could. "It'll be easier to follow him from the streets. Come on!" And with that, Alan and Tom ran out the front door and back onto the street in hot pursuit.