The Watchtower Affair - Now You See It, Now You Don't
Bridgette's Diary
13 February, 1925 (cont...)
We called
it a night at around 2 am. My computations and thoughts had been carefully copied
from the blackboard into my journal. I thought I had the necessary formula to
create a willpower elixir. But first, we all needed sleep. Even the wonder of
Coke Cola wore off eventually and there was only so much you could do when that
exhausted. It had been a VERY long day.
Someone –
Belle?- had arranged for hotel rooms for the three of us. I remember spending
the ride back into the heart of the city absently rubbing my hand and thinking
of the man who had somehow marked me. I still wondered what it was he wanted
and I was a bit disconcerted over the feelings he had awakened in me. Given the
circumstances of our encounter, could I even trust my reaction to him? Weren’t
vampires supposed to be able to use some mesmeric ability to seduce their
victims? If memory served correctly, that was what happened in Dracula.
And Labana had certainly looked more than capable of seducing pretty much
anyone she wanted. And, given Pathos’s reaction to the news of her death, had
they been lovers? They must have been close in some capacity for that strong of
a reaction. Such were the questions swimming around and around in my mind as I
struggled to stay awake until the hotel.
Really it didn’t take that long to
drive, which was nice. One of the last things I remember was Belle bundling me
into bed. I think I managed to get my shoes off before my head hit the pillow
and my eyes closed in slumber.
Dear diary,
you can probably guess what I dreamt about. Only the dream didn’t relive the
day’s events, even in the warped manner dreams can take. Instead, I found
myself taking a walk to my favorite part of the Cambridge countryside with him,
out near the pool at Byrn Forth Manor. We talked of inconsequential things. At
some point his arm was around me and later on, after walking back arm-in-arm to
sit on my back patio, he kissed me ever so gently. Awakening at 6 am, I found
myself feeling bereft at the loss of his presence. Once more, my left hand
found my right to reassuringly rub at the two small punctures there. And then I
was fully awake and focused on the task at hand. Today I needed to try compounding
my elixir and I was actually looking forward to the hours in the lab that the
task would demand. Perhaps the necessary focus would help clear my mind of the
silly fantasies which seemed to have invaded me.
I found my
way there without the other two women this time. Letting them sleep in seemed
the best thing to do and it would better let me order my thoughts as to what
needed done first, second and so on. I knew they’d find me at the lab later and
at least they would be better rested. And it felt wonderful making my way to
the campus and letting myself into a lab once more. Really, part of me had
missed this greatly. I do some lab work with my archaeological research, but it
really isn’t the same. I love being in the field, but part of me also misses
the more scientific calling that I once answered. And yesterday, seeing to Mr.
Long’s shooting injury, I discovered that a part of me missed the practice of
medicine as well. Perhaps I’ve distanced myself from my former life for long
enough and the wound of the war have healed a bit. It’s something to ponder
when I have the time.
I’m taking
time to write in here in fits and starts as various parts of the elixir brew
and process. It’s a nice way to pass the time. Perhaps one day, someone will
look back on my notes with amazement, and probably disbelief, at our
adventures.
Belle arrived at the lab about two
hours after I did, and she brought breakfast with her. I’d forgotten to even
think about eating in my haste to get back to work. I’ve no idea where she
found the biscuits, bacon, and eggs that seem to be such a major part of the
traditional American breakfast, but I was grateful for them, as well as the
coffee and toast.
While I
worked, we had a chance to talk more. Finally I know what drives her so, as
well as why she hates the metallic vampires with such passion. Apparently there
is a mechanic, who is also a close friend – almost an adopted big brother from
the sounds of it. And he is missing after having been infected with – something
- having to do with the metallic vampires. They aren’t entirely sure what had
happened. Charlie, that’s his name, was handcuffed to the lavatory sink in a
small local hospital in one of the more southern states. They knew he’d been
infected and were trying to figure out what to do about it to keep the
transformation from progressing. It must have hit a crucial stage, at which
point he simply broke free and took off. Belle hasn’t seen him since, although
she is very determined to locate him and transform him back into a normal
human, one way or another. She’s been traveling around with Mr. Smith and Mr.
Wilde in an attempt to track down Charlie, as well as stop the other metallic
vampires roaming around out there. She’s also been searching for a cure, some
means to transform her friend back into the man he once was. Several things in
her story were deeply touching, including her deep loyalty to her friend, as
well as just how determined this “Southern Belle” could be over something she
felt deeply about. I vowed to help her in any way I could, aside from trying to
hand over Pathos on a platter. Needless to say, I did not mention the full
details of my encounter with him, although I did share most of the encounter
with both of them. For some reason, I’m finding myself feeling a little
protective of the vampire who can certainly more than take care of himself.
As the day
progressed, we three became even closer friends as we chatted and talked about
our lives. I was correct in assuming Belle came from money. Apparently she
comes from quite a bit of money, although she doesn’t flaunt it around. Keira
shared me details of her life in the Irish village, telling us of some of the
funnier stories involving her patients. Things really aren’t that different
from some of my stories and I suspect Belle has a few that would seem similar
as well. People are people wherever they are, making the same mistakes,
assumptions, and decisions.
Early in
the afternoon Belle left to go find some lunch. Keira decided to go with her as
well and get some fresh air. While I enjoyed their company immensely but I
really felt the need for some time alone as well. I wanted to double check a
couple of calculations before proceeding and I also needed time to check on a
titration that was processing. Even with
the distraction the other two ladies provided, I still felt the most peculiar
sensation every hour like I had the day before. And they seemed to grow
slightly in intensity as the passage of a full day approached. Still nothing
fully prepared me for what happened as I hit that point in the afternoon
marking 24 hours since Pathos had bitten the back of my hand. My entire body
throbbed as if with a life of its own. The entire series of sensations started
at the site of the bite on the back of my right hand. I completely stopped what
I was doing as my mind went to the day before and the feelings that had raced
through my body at his kiss. My entire body was alive, much as it had been the
day before, as though an electric shock has raced through me. Every cell of my
being felt alive and full of wonder. When I came back to myself, I was staring
absently out the window, caressing the bite and feeling a little, well, hot and
bothered would probably be the best way to describe it. I kept trying to
refocus on what I was doing, but only really managed to snap out of it when
Keira and Belle returned with our lunch. They had brought several more bottles
of that delightful soda, which I knew would help wake my brain back up and
hopefully get me back in focus instead of partly lost on thoughts of someone I
couldn’t have. Someone who was obviously messing with my mind for some purpose
I couldn’t yet grasp.
I ate lunch
while working, as this next bit of the process required far more attention for
a longer period of time. We also ate dinner in the lab, although I tried to
encourage the other two to get eat a proper dinner somewhere. There was no need
for them to do without just because I was working. There were having none of
it, however, and insisted on staying with me, just in case there was anything
they could do.
Belle
managed to procure a snack for us sometime around 11 pm. I would think that
most places would be closed for business at that time, but she seems to know
her way around the city. I was most grateful, as my ability to focus was fading
quickly at that point.
I think I shall have to continue
this tomorrow, as the elixir is going to take most of my attention from here on
out. Hopefully the outcome of our planning will be successful and I will be
able to tell you all about it soon.
