June 1898
Evening
"Driver, please stop here."
Mina Murray stepped out of the cab and looked towards Lucy's home at The Crescent. The grand house stood proudly amongst its impressive gardens. She could see the harbour below with the granite wall leading out to sea; the white lighthouse twinkled in the distance. Opposite her was the Parish Church and its vast graveyard- still to her mind the nicest spot in Whitby. She remembered sitting at one of the benches overlooking the Church whilst writing in her journal, probably something frivolous about Jonathan. Oh, how naïve she had once been. She looked towards the house again and sighed. Lucy, I miss you. Tears pooled in her eyes as memories assaulted her senses.
She shuddered with the cold. Lucy was nowhere in the house, so she found herself at the edge of the West Cliff looking down at the pier, her eyes searching for her sleepwalking friend. The moon, a bright beacon against the vast darkness, glimmered across the harbour illuminating sail after sail. The way they swayed eerily in the night breeze reminded Mina of spectres in the night, full of secrets.
Where are you, Lucy?
St Mary's church came into view as clouds shifted for the moonlit rays. Mina's gaze swept across to the churchyard. There, sat upon their favourite seat was a haunting figure dressed in white. Lucy. But what was that behind her? A shadow? A darkened statue? She was not sure.
Mina ran. She needed to get to her friend before anything terrible was to happen. Her breathing quickened and droplets of sweat formed on her brow- she must get to Lucy. As she reached the top step, Mina's body paused in shock as her eyes took in the horror before her. A darkness was enveloped over Lucy's half-reclined body. Shouting her dear friend's name in fright, she ran forwards towards the entrance of the churchyard.
Nearing the seat, she could see that it was not a darkness, nor a shadow. It was…something else. She must have let out an involuntary gasp, as it suddenly twisted its neck to stare at Mina.
Those eyes. Red, sharp and unforgiving. Time must have slowed down to a near complete halt for Mina felt lost in those eyes for what seemed like an eternity. She was shocked, yes, but much to her surprise, she was no longer frightened. Feeling entranced by this thing before her, she stepped forward towards it.
Mina grabbed the outside of the cab for support- it was all too overwhelming.
"Are you okay, Miss?" Mina noticed the concern in the driver's voice.
"Yes, thank you. I-I'm simply tired after my journey. I'm ready to continue on now." He opened the cab door for her once more and she stepped inside, eager to get to her lodgings.
It was getting late and darkness was falling across the landscape. Mina was exhausted. She had slept for most of the journey but she still felt fatigued, perhaps she had underestimated how emotionally draining coming back to Whitby would be. Still, she felt she had chosen the right decision. To feel exhausted was to feel alive.
She had checked in with no trouble, although she could sense the proprietor looking at her hand for a wedding ring. You will not find one there… it's on my dressing table back in London. Mina smiled at the thought. Yes, Jonathan would be livid when he finds out that she had escaped. No matter, most likely he'll be too drunk to notice that I'm not there tonight. I'll be safe for at least another day.
She sat on the window seat and stared outside towards the ruins of Whitby Abbey. That memory was so vivid earlier, it was like she was reliving it. Was she ever angry at Dracula for what he did to Lucy? Yes, she had been. She remembers being so angry she thought she would burst with rage. Did Dracula murder Lucy? No, he was not the one to blame for her death. Did it stop her from loving him? Mina looked at her reflection in the window and shook her head. Perhaps she was a monster too.
A flash of lightning interrupted her thoughts, bringing her back to her current dilemma. What was she going to do when Jonathan realises that she has gone? She had been so wrapped up in leaving London that she hadn't even thought of what to do next. Obviously, she was going to see Jack- that was part of the reason she had come back to Whitby. But…what was she going to tell him? The wind had picked up and raindrops began to hit the windowpane. Light sparked across the sky once more. Whenever lightning flashes, thunder is not far behind. 1100, 2100, 3100… Thunder rumbled in the darkness as she searched her mind for a solution to her problem.
She supposed that she would have to start thinking of how to move on with her life. Will Whitby be my new home? She wanted to divorce Jonathan, although the courts would only allow this if she could prove he was being unfaithful as well as being physically cruel to her. She didn't know if he had been unfaithful, she only knew he showed no interest in her whatsoever. Yes, he had neglected her and struck her, but it would not be enough. Mina was trapped in this marriage; in the eyes of the law she was Jonathan's property and there was nothing she could do about it. Her mind ached with the knowledge of this realisation. My freedom will not last long. He will come and take me back to London. The rain slammed harder against the window. Sighing in defeat, Mina knew that there was nothing for it; she would have to tell Jack everything. They were friends; he would understand and offer Mina support and guidance. Perhaps the two of them could come up with a plan of action? Yes, she would see Jack tomorrow and all would be well.
Mina drew the curtains and retrieved her writing materials from her case. There was much to record in her journal.