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When Emma arrived home later in the evening, she was feeling quite sick. It was due to a combination of a lack of rest on her part after her painful labor as well as the excitement which had taken place at the hospital. She ascended the stairs leading to the front door as slow as she could, gripping onto the banister for support as the dizziness she'd been feeling steadily grew worse. Sir Danvers, who had heard the carriage approach, opened the door to greet her.
"Well, Emma, how was your...Emma? Darling?" His tone changed once he saw her appearance. "What's the matter? Emma?"
"I'm not feeling...well...at all...I must lie down."
"What is it, love?" he said, meeting her halfway and taking her in his arms.
"I can't...Henry...I saw him...we said goodbye and then...I saw her, and she said...she would help him....he was going to hurt me...but then Henry stopped it and now...I feel sick...please, get me inside, daddy, I--"
"Alright my love. Come now." He managed to lift her into his arms and
carry her up the stairs. He nudged the door open with his foot when he
reached the landing and called inside for Veronica. "Veronica?? Please,
come quickly. Emma isn't feeling well...I need your help."
Back at St. Jude's, Henry lie in his bed in a deep sleep. Dr. Slusar had placed restraints around his wrists and ankles in the event he were to wake up and experience yet another transformation into his other personality. Earlier in the evening, when they had first carried him back to his room, they had found Lucy lying on the floor curled up into a ball. After a thorough examination, Dr. Slusar assured her that the ache in her belly would eventually subside and that no serious injury had been inflicted, and so he was sent back to her little flat with a young nurse who would sit with her through the remainder of the night with her just in case she began to feel worse. Of course, Lucy had a rough time pulling herself away from the hospital once she saw Henry's fragile state after his struggle. It took much convincing from John to get her to agree to leave.
"Miss Harris, you've been hurt, child. This is no place for you right now."
"But what about 'enry? I don't feel right leavin' without sayin' goodbye to 'im."
"There is no telling when Henry will awaken...nor is there telling that he'll be himself."
"I don't care 'bout that, I never seen anyone look so sick. I'm scared for 'im. I just need to know that he'll be ok. He will, won't he?"
"I hope so, miss. You must do something for us...the doctor and myself."
"Anythin'...what is it you want me to do?"
"Dr. Jekyll is a sick man, dear. A very sick man. God only knows what he's done to you and what he might do to you if his condition worsens. I only tell you this now because I'm truly concerned for your safety."
"Everyone's always asking me to go away. First Henry asked me to leave with Emma and the baby, but I see that won't be happenin' now, will it?"
"Henry asked you to leave? When?"
"Before Emma had the baby. I was supposed to take 'em away with me somewhere's."
"I didn't know of this." "Why on earth would he tell you to leave with them?"
"To keep 'em safe." John didn't respond, "Like you, right John?"
"Pardon me?"
"You want me to go 'cause I'll be safe."
"Oh, yes. I'm just--"
"Surprised?"
"Well, no, not surprised, just..." he was silent for a moment, "Henry does trust you, doesn't he..."
"I'd like to think so."
"You must understand my reasons then, miss. It would be best if you were to keep your distance from Henry for a while, just until this passes."
"But what if this neva' passes? That's what I'm scared of." John took hold of her hands.
"Oh, it will, Lucy. It will. But right now, miss, he needs to escape anything that will remind him of that horrible creature....he sees your face, and the beast within is aroused. He can't control it. He'll only end up harming you, I know you understand this, my dear. Why would you want to put your life in danger?"
"John, when he's Henry, and Mr. Hyde is gone, he's so different."
"I know he is. But it's going to be a while before Hyde is gone for good and we can't risk provoking him right now."
"This is all my fault then, that's what you're saying."
"Not at all, my darling, I just want you to be safe. You weren't the one who did this...Henry did it to himself."
"But you say I make it worse, that's just as bad..."
"Lucy, I'm sorry if you've misunderstood me. I didn't mean for it to sound as though I'm blaming you for this mess....but Hyde lusts after you. He needs you, his desire is so strong that it goes beyond any sexual behavior and the only way he can ease this thirst for you is through violence. I don't want to see this happen anymore, and neither does Henry. You have my word, miss, when all is well and the doctor is cured of this problem, we will send for you."
"I appreciate your concern, Mr. Utterson, but if I leave now, I don't think I'll ever be able to come back 'ere to look in those eyes of his knowing I'll only see Emma there. She's come back to 'im, and I know that's the way it was meant to be. I just can't see it, that's all. It 'urts too much..right here, it's like my heart is empty without 'im."
"But I'm sure Dr. Jekyll would want to see you again...I'm positive, in fact."
"No, if I leave now, it'll have to be for good. Maybe it's better this way, ya' know? Maybe it's good that I won't be able to touch him, or see that face...before I walk away forever. Mr. Utterson, just...would you just thank 'im for me? Tell him I said thank you for being the only man to ever show me what real love felt like...that's all I want...." she trailed off, as she pulled herself together and ran quickly to the door, stopping once before leaving, "Don't forget to tell him, promise me, okay?"
"I promise, Miss Harris." She hesitated for a moment, tried to smile,
and then left as fast as she could before he was able to see her cry.
Dr. Slusar scribbled down a brief note into Henry's file and then left his room for the evening. He had another Jekyll to deal with, Albert Jekyll. It'd been days since he was last able to speak with the man. He was anxious to see his progression...and dreading having to confess the truth about Henry. He could only hope that with John there for support, the task would be a bit easier to complete. He knocked lightly on the door, at first, there came no answer. He knocked once more, and that time, Albert responded.
"I'm awake, come in." Dr. Slusar pushed the door open and greeted his old friend with a smile. "Christopher, how have you been?"
"The question is, how have you been?"
"Bored out of my mind. I've been sitting in this chair thinking for the past three days straight and I'm about to lose my mind. Tell me I can leave this place someday soon."
"With luck, you'll be home in less than a week."
"Six and a half years spent lying in that bed, yet you are determined to milk me for another week. What is this world coming to?" he teased.
"Well Dr. Jekyll? How are you feeling? I do need an answer."
"Aside from frustration, I feel perfectly fine. True, my legs are a bit weak, but that's understandable taking my disability into consideration, no?"
"Right, it's perfectly normal, Albert. What else have you been experiencing? Are you able to remember much? Any dizziness or headaches?"
"Nothing like that, my friend. My head is fine, as is my sense of balance, and I remember everything that's ever happened to me from the time I was a child as clear as day. I've been visited by so many nurses and other doctors who've asked me the same questions. This is so rehearsed, can't you tell?"
"Yes, well, they were only obeying my orders."
"How many people have you told to come check up on me? It'll only be a matter of time before the attendants and guards come in asking for blood."
"No, no...hahah...you don't have to worry about them."
"You've been busy, I can see the exhaustion in your eyes."
"Busy? I'm not quite sure if I'd put it that way."
"Dare I ask? Or are you afraid that the fragile old doctor can't handle it?"
"I've been asking myself that same question." A knock came at the door, it was John. Christopher opened the door and extended a hand to him. Then John locked eyes with Albert, and was almost brought to tears.
"My God, Dr. Albert Jekyll. God bless you, you certainly are a miracle..."
"John, John...how are you, my boy? Have you been making sure my Henry stays out of trouble?" he said, smiling. John's smile soon faded one he remembered what he'd been brought there to do.
"He's what we've come to see you about, Albert."
"Good Lord, I knew this sense of peace I've been feeling was too good to be true. What is it you need to say?" He said, rubbing his eyes, sighing heavily, and preparing himself for whatever they were about to tell him.
"He's sick, Albert."
"What?"
"This doesn't come as a surprise to us, though."
"Well, it's a surprise to me, Henry has always been such a healthy boy! Do you know what the problem is? Will he be alright?"
"Shh, Albert," Dr. Slusar said, trying to comfort him, "You have to let us explain. Try to stay calm."
"I'm sorry, please...go on."
"When Henry was first told of your illness, he set out to develop a cure. He didn't go into details as far as the chemicals he used were concerned, but he did create a formula which he believed would help you as well as others like you. Henry was denied permission from the Board of Governors when he asked to experiment this drug on an occupant of the asylum." John continued...
"They thought his idea was ludicrous--"
"Trying to save a father's life is ludicrous?? What is wrong with those people..."
"Your son claimed that this drug would be able to divide the good and evil within a person's soul and in due time, completely rid a person of all that is bad and impure. He became desperate as his attempts to receive the governor's backing failed miserably time and time again. He decided to use himself as his own subject. He did get results from this drug but this result was...well...."
"Well, what? Finish what you're saying John!!"
"Another side of him was unleashed and went completely wild. I'd like to think that his behavior was mainly due to the drug causing him to hallucenate, but after I'd experienced Hyde's wrath, I couldn't help but believe."
"My God..."
"He did succeed in separating the good and the evil, but, the evil was the stronger force and Henry has been losing the battle."
"Well, of course he's been losing the battle!!" Albert said quickly, "No, no, my son is not insane. There is a reason, John. There is a reason why this has happened to him."
"We know there's a reason. The darker side of him is just too--"
"It has nothing to do with the force being stronger, John. This drug he injected himself with must be so potent that his system couldn't handle it. Tell me, what is wrong with him now? Where is he?"
"He had a confrontation with this other being early this morning. I'm surprised he's still alive, Albert, the inner struggle he was having with himself was just too much for his body to handle. Without even realizing it, that drug has weakened his heart, he nearly died this afternoon, Albert."
"He's in a room down at the end of the hall right now and he'll have to stay there until the doctors can figure out a way to silence Edward Hyde."
"Who the hell is Edward Hyde??"
"His alternate personality."
"He's named it?"
"No, it named itself. I can understand how the drugs may be affecting his body and making him sick, but as for this darker side...I don't know Albert, I've never been so confused. It may seem perfectly clear to you, but to me, a simple doctor who's never been all too familiar with such odd chemical combinations, it's impossible to comprehend."
"I have to get out of here, Christopher."
"Now Albert, you know you're not well enough to leave yet."
"My son's life hangs in the balance and you're going to tell me that I'm unable to help him? I don't think so, my friend. I demand you release me, or else." he said in a threatening tone.
"But you can't, Jekyll!! You need time to regain your strength. We're afraid if you leave this soon you'll only make your recovery--" Albert stood up at the table where he'd been sitting, and walked towards them both.
"You listen to me. My son is sick, possibly even dying, and I'll be damned if I let that child rot in a cell because the staff here is 'afraid' that my legs might not be strong enough to carry me. I'm afraid for my son, Henry is afraid for himself. You have no reason to be concerned with my health anymore, be afraid for Henry. I'm fine, Christopher. Fine. I need to get back to my work immediately and find a way to help my son. He's put his life on the line for me in doing what he's done, and now it's my turn to do the same for him. I want you to sign the papers for my release. Do it tonight."
"You're insane, Albert."
"That may be true but I'm right and no one can tell me otherwise. Now let me the hell out of this place before I unleash_my_darker half." They stood for a moment staring at one another, until Dr. Slusar started for the door.
"John, you will be taking me back to my home." He said, making his way over to the chair, seeming out of breath.
"Dr. Jekyll, look at you, simply walking across the room tires you out."
"Stupid, pig-headed men enrage me, that's all."
"You should listen to Christopher, Albert. They'll be doing everything they can to help your son here. Give yourself time to heal before you try to save another life."
"Henry is your friend. You should be worried about saving him.
The only thing they'll do here is give him more and more medication until
he's drugged out of his mind, then they'll analyze, and they'll make connections,
and then they'll diagnose him with a disorder that he doesn't even have.
Listen to me, John they are the ones who have the final say on whether
he's healed or not and knowing the way things are run in this hospital
it's very rare that a person gets sent home well enough to stand on his
own two feet or even gets sent home at all. Understand this, John.
The problem he's suffering from goes way beyond every last one of them.
I am the only person who can save him now and I know I can do it, John.
Have faith in me."