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Do not be lost in a shadow in your own reflection"--The Angel Ariel
Nine o'clock...Henry had been asleep for almost ten hours. The room in which he rested was dark and cool. Dr. Slusar had left the window open just enough to let the breeze in. He also had removed the restraints from his dear friend's wrists in the process. He didn't want him to awaken to find himself still tied down. Dr. Slusar entered the room occasionally to check in on his condition. A few times, he had found Henry in a rather uneasy sleep...mumbling incoherent ramblings and the others, his body drenched with sweat apparently as a result of some horrible nightmare he was incapable of escaping. He wrote each of these occurances in his journal which he kept as a log of his progression...or regression...whichever were to occur during his stay there. At ten of nine, Dr. Slusar took up occupancy of the vacant chair beside HenryÕs bed. He would wait there in hopes that he would awaken and perhaps be able to enlighten him further on the incident which had occurred between them earlier in the afternoon...as well as the phenominon which was his father. He thought of ways he could perhaps convince the governors to let Henry spend a small amount of time with his father each day. It was only fair. True, he needed to be taken care of himself, but visiting his father, in Dr. Slusar's eyes, was part of the treatment.
He sat in the same place for over a half an hour, and he eventually began to doze off himself. But just as he was about to fall over in his chair, he felt a hand grip his shoulder. He sat up quickly and saw the face of Sir Danvers...
"How is our patient doing?" he spoke quietly...
"He's been sleeping for over ten hours. I'm shocked it's lasted this long."
"You are looking at the body of a tormented and exhausted man. I'm not shocked at all."
"What brings you here this evening? It's rather late. I'm surprised they let you in."
"Well, Christopher, I can assure that my entry was not accomplished without some argument on my part. I told them that I had crucial information regarding Dr. Jekyll and after ten minutes of utter aggravation and threats regarding a few occupations in specific, a guard personally escorted me down here." Christopher examined Sir Danver's face, "I do have news, however. Emma gave birth to their child but a few hours ago." Dr. Slusar's eyes widened...
"Dear God...why didn't you bring her to the hospital?"
"She went into labor and within minutes, she had a baby lying in her arms. Had I attempted to bring her here, the child's first vision would've been the inside of my carriage." the statement brought a chuckle from both, "I wanted to let Henry know he has a son."
"A son..." Henry had been awake the whole time, eavesdropping on the conversation. When he heard Danvers say the word "son", his heart skipped a beat...
"Henry...I--" He sat up and stared at him...
"I'd best get back to my other patients. You both should talk with one another, anyhow." Dr. Slusar rose from the chair and left Sir Danvers and Henry alone...
"Sir Danvers, is Emma in the hospital?"
"No, Henry, she's at home with your son."
"Why isn't she here? She may need sutures...and if she doesn't heal properly, it could--"
"I assure you, she's fine. Don't get too worked up, son." He raised himself up in the bed and swung his legs over the side...staring down at the floor...
"How is the baby?"
"He's doing well..."
"There are no signs of deformity..."
"Why would there be deformity? Both of his parents are--" He cut himself off...
"What were you going to say? That both of us are perfectly healthy? Well, we both know that's a lie. His father is a lunatic."
"You're not a lunatic, Henry...you're just..."
"I know, an addict. A man addicted to both his work and a drug." He refrained himself from going into another heated frenzy on how Edward Hyde was technically the father of this child for he knew no one, including the man standing before him...who had once been one of the only few people who believed in him...would hear any more of it. "Tell me what he looks like."
"Well, he looks...he looks exactly like you."
"What did Emma say when she saw him for the first time..."
"It wasn't a surprise, Henry...I had told her you were the father only minutes before she went into labor."
"You did what??"
"I ask you, what was I supposed to do?? Exactly what would I have told her when she looked down upon this child's face and saw you?" Henry was now in tears yet again, "Crying will not accomplish anything, you must try to remain calm..." He rose his voice and stood before him...
"How am I supposed to remain calm when all that I ever had is now completely lost? How the hell am I supposed to sit here and act like nothing's wrong? Will I ever even see my beloved again??"
"I don't know..."
"What do you mean you don't know??"
"I mean exactly that, Henry, God...can't you at least try understand what that woman is going through? The only thing in this world that meant something to her has hurt her...and now she doesn't know what to do. She's confused...she's hurt...and resents you for it."
"Are you sure you don't mean 'hates' me for it?"
"She could never hate you. No matter what you do, she loves you."
"Then why--"
"But she is, however, furious that you allowed this to happen. You promised her that you would never let your work destroy what the two of you had together...and yet, you broke that promise. I honestly don't know what she's planning on doing with you as of now. All you can do is give her time....and that is the one thing you have plenty of." Silence...Henry then whispered...
"I know you have lost respect for me as a human being and the last thing you want to do right now is help me, but--"
"Henry, I-"
"Please, let me finish. There is one thing in this world right now that I need...one thing that I know is the first step in fixing this entire mess...I need to see them, Sir Danvers...I need to hold them both and know that I have something to live for."
"I don't know what to tell you, doctor."
"You have to at least try to convince her to come here and have one visit with me. I must explain myself to her...please, I'm begging you."
"I suppose I could try. But I'm not going to promise you anything. If she should decide against it, don't be too hurt."
"She wouldn't do that, Sir Danvers, I know her too well."
"Things are different now, Henry. She has changed...she isn't the naive young girl you once knew. This entire ordeal has her very oldered."
"But the heart remains the same." He waited a moment...and then turned the subject away from Emma...he couldn't bring himself to tell him any more...
"I should tell you, John may come in to speak with you early tomorrow morning. He has a few things he needs to discuss with you regarding your home."
"It all belongs to my father..."
"Well, your father is unable to handle such a large estate given his current condition."
"He'll be out of this wretched hole later in the month." Sir Danvers seemed confused...
"What?"
"He's been cured."
"How did this happen??"
"The formula, Sir Danvers. As it turns out, it was good for something." He still remained unbelieving...
"But when I left...after waiting for fifteen minutes, he was still--"
"He awoke within minutes of your departure. Dr. Slusar and myself witnessed it. It was amazing...truly...even I couldn't believe what I was seeing. He's behaving like nothing had happened. His diction is impeccable...he's eager to get up and about, however, his muscles are too weak to carry him. He's the same as he was before he had fallen ill...the strong minded genius. Sir Danvers, please...tell Emma of this. Let her know that all this while I was working for something...and finally, my dream...that she had made hers, as well...let her know that finally the dream has come true."
"This may save you yet, Jekyll. I will tell her of this...and I will do my best to get her here with your son. But now, I'm sorry, I must be getting back."
"Do me one last favor."
"What is that?"
"Send them both my love...and pray for me."
"You are forever my prayers, Henry. Goodnight..." with that, he was gone. Moments later...
"Well, well, well doctor...here we are...alone...again." Henry crashed to the floor, pushing the bed across the floor with the weight of his body falling against it...
"Oh God, not now...you've put me through enough..."
"Henry, really!! Why do you insist on putting all the blame on me? You make me out to be this animal...all I want is to live life to the fullest. Unfortunately, there are those who hinder my joys...and they've discovered my anger the hard way, now haven't they?"
"Rape and murder doesn't solve a thing you disgusting, repellant--"
"Speaking of rape...and...it's consequences...I believe I heard dear Sir Danvers mention something about our son."
"There's nothing you can do now, you son of a bitch...we're in here...they're out there..."
"Oh Henry, you realize that Emma, will, in fact, bring herself and the little one here to see you...and who's to say that I won't be able to--"
"No...you will do nothing..."
"My sweet fellow...he is my son...or have you forgotten that one miniscule fact?"
"You ignorant bastard...we are the same man, he is mine as much as he is yours..."
"OH!! At last, the great Dr. Jekyll admits that I am a part of him..."
"I've always--"
"You've admitted it to others, Henry, but you've never truly accepted me...as a severe 'personality flaw', so to speak...well, well...I suppose this means I have larger reign than before, now doesn't it?"
"Go to hell..."
"Hahaha...I am in hell...I'll see you here soon, however. Sweet dreams, princess."
Dr. Slusar appeared in the doorway. He had heard his voice but didn't understand just who the doctor would've been speaking with for Sir Danvers had already gone. He saw Henry on his knees next to the bed with his forehead pressed against the mattress. Instead of going to him to make sure he wasn't ill, he remained in his place..fearing another outburst like the one earlier that day...
"Henry? Are you alright?" He didn't answer, "Dr. Jekyll?" Again, no verbal response...he merely raised his hand as though to signal his desire to be left alone. "Henry, who were you speaking to just a moment ago?"
"No one, just leave me."
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Henry."
"This is ludicrous...you speak to me as though I'm a child. I am a grown man who can manage fine without your assistance."
"If that's what you want to believe, so be it." he heard his muffled cries and his concern for his friendÕs well being steadily grew stronger, "What's wrong Henry? You've always been able to confide in me and I truly hope your trust has not vanished."
"No, it has not, Christopher. But I should think your trust in me has."
"Never."
"Even after what happened this morning..." His tone of voice was more bitter than usual...
"Henry, what is it.."
"I'm frustrated by this whole mess. I'll be locked up in here for God only knows how long...my fiancee refuses to bring our son here...hell, I don't even know if Emma herself will agree to see me. No one wants to believe a single word I say about my condition or my father's...even after father spoke to him, that horse's ass still wouldn't ease up. There is absolutely no way that I can get anything accomplished while laying in this cell day and night. And, if I hear one more time that I need help...I will truly lose my mind. These people that are in here now, Christopher, they weren't all gone when they arrived here!! It's this place that made them the way they are. Listen to them screaming!! It's frustration...pure and simple...they don't know what to do with themselves," he lowered his voice and regained his composure at that second, speaking practically in a whisper...he stared up at the small open window... "everywhere they turn, they are imprisoned by the confining walls...and themselves...they can't escape. I know...you spend so much time alone and it begins to take it's toll on you." ...the only difference is my problem stems from the idiotic misconception that I could conduct this experiment on myself and succeed...for once... "Christopher, I fear you will never understand fully what I've been through over the past year of my life...this past year which has proven to be one long, hellish nightmare."
"First of all Henry, those people you hear are mad...were mad...and show no signs of being otherwise. Secondly, stop torturing yourself for what's happened. It's all in the past now...you're here and we'll--"
"Christopher, don't you see? It's not in the past!! It's still within me now at this very moment..."
"You're actions are in the past, Henry...."
"Yet the evil still festers deep within my soul."
"There is no evil, Dr. Jekyll."
"Trust me, Dr. Slusar, there is evil. I can hear his voice in my mind..."
"Not this again. Henry, the more you insist upon this so called 'voice' in your head and continue to act out his aggressions, the longer it will take to get you out of this place. You have to stop this nonsense! Face this problem like the courageous man you once were..."
"Oh, but I do face this problem...everytime I encounter my reflection in a Goddamn mirror."
"I don't know what to do with you right now. I suppose you're still shaken up from the occurances of the past few days. All I can do is pray that you realize what you're doing to yourself and, somehow, manage to pull together enough strength to fight it....or you'll be in here for the rest of your life."
"I'm trying, Christopher. God only knows how hard I try..."
"I'll leave you now...you need time alone. Oh, I think it would be wise if you were to get back in the bed...rather than kneeling beside it."
"I'm fine where I am."
"Well, if you feel the need to stay on the floor..." he started towards the door, then turned around and said, "Henry, I care about you...I care about what happens to you. And you have so much waiting in the years lying ahead...you can make things change...you just have to want it. Don't waste away the rest of your life in here. Goodnight." Within seconds, the door slammed behind him and Henry heard the clunky bolt lock in place.
"You'd think that now, after all this chaos, you'd learn that being honest will never get you anywhere."
"What the hell do you know..."
"Obviously a lot more than you, my sweet."
"You are the reason I'm stuck in here. Not because I am an honest--"
"Are you really that stupid? Please, tell me that you're fooling me. Henry, it's so unbelievably clear that these people in here..including the gentlemen you thought were your 'friends'...or whatever the hell it is you call them...could give a rat's behind about your little 'alter-ego' stories. You and I...John...sweet, sweet Emma...and Lucy for that matter are the only ones that know the truth for we can see it with our own eyes. You don't stand a chance." his voice ceased for only a moment before continuing his torment, "Oh, Henry...what about Miss Lucy?? Hmm? What ever happened to that tasty dish..."
"Lucy..."
"Yes, you remember her, don't you? That lovely young mistress you had devoured not too long ago...without my help, might I add...I was very proud of you. I can sense the hostility at even the sound of Miss Lucy Harris's name...does it burn you, Jekyll? Does it burn you to know that you are capable of lusting after a woman other than your precious little flower girl? That you are capable of acting upon that lust...and enjoying each and every moment of it..."
"I was...I was...we--"
"Weak...I'm well aware of that...it's a shame you only realized it now."
"Please, just leave me alone..." Henry was sprawled out on the hard, cold floor...blinded by his own overwhelming emotions and a flood of tears...
"Where would you like me to go, Dr. Jekyll? If I'm not mistaken, I am you...so where ever it is that you go, I go as well..."
"Just leave me be...stop torturing me..."
"Is it really me who does the torturing, Henry? I've been thinking
about that for a while...I don't think you should blame me so much...as
you should
blame yourself. After all, it was you who started this, now wasn't
it? Just suck it in and shut up for once, Jekyll...and be the courageous
man you once
were." said the voice, blantantly mocking Dr. Slusar...
"I still have the courage and the strength...and God help me, I will not let you win this game..."
"I wish you the best of luck, Henry...but I doubt you'll last much
longer..." Hyde was gone for the time being...and Henry was left alone
once more.
He crawled to the farthest and darkest corner of the room, fell asleep
once more and remained crouched in a ball, trembling throughout the remainder
of
the night...and that's where he'd lie sleeping until late in the afternoon
the next day...
He stood in the doorway of a large room...white walls, white draperies...even
white linens covered the bed where she rested...An angel...
Henry thought as he laid his eyes upon Emma for the first time in
months...her golden hair draped softly around her shoulders...her blue
eyes gleaming
like the stars in the midnight sky. A breeze gently touched his
skin and soothed his overhearted body...she turned to him...in her arms
was a
baby...sleeping quietly in the comfort of his mother's embrace...
"Emma..." he whispered...
"Come here and see him, darling...hold him...come hold our son...you've
waited much too long..." He approached the bed slowly with tears
streaming and shook nervously as he took the child in his arms...he
cradled him close to his heart and examined every feature...his tiny hands...his
soft
little rosebud mouth...his jet black hair...and his ivory skin,
as white as the surrounding room...
But then...his eyes met his son's for a moment...
"Emma, his eyes...there is something wrong...he's only a--"
"What are you saying, Edward? There is nothing wrong..."
Edward?"
"Please...Edward, don't touch the baby...no, don't harm him, he's
a helpless child, he has done nothing wrong!! Please, I beg you..." she
wept as
Henry stared on terrified and confused at her hysterical fit...
"Why are you calling me Edward?!? I am not Edward...I am your Henry...Emma...look in my eyes, it's me...I won't hurt you or our child..."
"Just leave the baby...you can have me instead...I beg you, please...just leave him..."
"But I've already had you..." What the hell is going on? His
voice...the fire is burning...not now...oh God...please...let this be
a dream...
He was back in the doorway...watching the scene re-enacted before
his very eyes...only it was not himself who Henry was watching...Mr. Hyde
stood
over mother and child teasing and tormenting them...he could hear
his son's cries ringing throughout the room, showing his fright from the
lunatic
hovering above him...Emma whimpered and moaned in disgust as Mr.
Hyde grabbed the infant with one hand and lifted him into the air high
above the
bed where his mother lay sobbing. Henry tried to run to them, but
his legs were like led...he tried to scream, but his voice was nonexistant...he
could
do nothing but watch himself prepare for an attack upon the prey.
Soon enough, Hyde turned to him...still with the child in one hand...