๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ข๐
abaeile: Rouse to anger, provoke.
๐๐. ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ (๐งช)
"Oliver, you could simply sip from the bowl!" I laughed as I watched the boy try sipping the soup the cooks made as fast as he could with a silver spoon, spilling a little on his new, more decent clothing that I offered him. It has been a week since I got stuck in this realm, this story. I tried finding clues of how I could escape every night while everyone was sleeping but to no avail. No book, no prayer, no anything could help me. I'm trapped here, hopefully until the story ends, as Jekyll and Hyde isn't a long book. Even so, this dream is quite nice. Nothing bad happened in the past week. No news about any deaths or even fights happening between the citizens, which left my only task to be taking care of Oliver.
The boy listened to me and used his unharmed hand to sip from the bowl slowly. He let out a suspire of delight as if he was drinking pure ambrosia from Mount Olympus. I smiled at him. Ever since I took him under my wing, he hasn't been shy anymore, quite the contrary. He became a joyful and sociable child, always asking me to go on walks with him and to play games with him in the backyard, like hide and seek, or even simply passing a ball at one another.
"Master Utterson!" I heard a butler say as he brought me the daily newspaper. "Thank you, Morris." I smiled at him as I took the newspaper.
I looked through the newspaper, not finding much, until I looked at the entry in the corner. "An unpleasant man causes disturbance at the local pub" I didn't even have to read the article, as I already guessed who it was. It of course was Mr Hyde. Who else would try to ruin a Sunday morning for me other than him?
I groaned and put my hand on my forehead as I read through the article to see more details. "What happened?" I heard Oliver ask curiously, seeming a little worried. I put the newspaper on the table and looked at him with a melancholic smile. "Just bad things. You shouldn't worry your little head about such things."
He just nodded, and began fumbling with his fingers. "Just go upstairs, Oliver. You can go to my private library near my room, and read a book! Weren't you reading "Treasure Island" just the other day? How about you finish it while I go out for a bit, alright?" I walked up to him and smiled. In response, he hugged my torso. "I'll miss you..."
"I'll miss you too, but don't worry, I'll come back as fast as possible! And then, you can tell me all about Jim's adventures in the book!" I playfully ruffled his hair. Oliver began giggling and bowed to me before he ran upstairs.
I took a dark blue coat this time, as the one I wore a week prior was still torn at the end from having to use it as gauze to wrap it around Oliver's arm. Speaking about his arm, he started recovering slowly. Even if he was unable to use that arm for some time, Oliver remained strong.
As I got outside, I called a passing carriage by signalling to it. The wooden wheels rattled against the cobblestones as the vehicle drew to a stop before me. The driver tipped his hat in acknowledgement.
"To Soho, please," I instructed, the urgency in my voice unmistakable. The driver nodded in silent understanding, and I climbed into the carriage, the door creaking softly as it closed behind me.
Disembarking from the rickety carriage, I finally arrived in Soho. The air was heavy with a sense of foreboding, casting a shadow over the now vibrant and lively part of London. A cacophony of voices filled the air as a pedestrian, his voice strained with anger, berated a police officer. The shuffle of feet and murmurs of onlookers trying to pacify the agitated man added to the chaotic atmosphere.
"Please, sir, try to calm yourself. Could you describe the appearance of the man you encountered?" the officer implored, his voice laced with patience. The man's response was a vehement outburst, declaring the man he encountered to be a creation of Satan, designed to terrorize the innocent. The crowd, now worked into a frenzy, echoed his sentiments, their cries blending into an indistinguishable chorus of anguish. Testimonies of monstrous acts and unprovoked attacks filled the air, painting a grim picture of the havoc wreaked by this Hyde.
I paid little attention to their ramblings, my ears already attuned to the expected tales of horror. As I ventured further into the dimly lit streets of Soho, a shiver ran down my spine at the sight of the wounded and traumatized victims of Hyde's brutality. Some bore visible bruises, while others carried the invisible scars of their harrowing encounters. Their pain was noticeable, and I couldn't help but empathize with their plight. If I were in their shoes, I too would be forever haunted by the memory of such a terrifying presence.
Continuing my journey through the labyrinthine streets, I stumbled upon a pub, its warm glow beckoning to me. It seemed to be the very establishment where Hyde's presence might have lingered, leaving behind an unsettling atmosphere. A man stood watch outside the pub, giving the impression of being paranoid. He looked like a guard. Maybe I could ask him what happened.
"Good morning, kind sir!" I tipped my top hat towards the man, as the man dittoed my action.
"Good morning to you too, kind gentleman/lady. The pub is currently closed after an occurrence that happened last night. We apologize." The man sighed.
"I read the newspaper this morning and heard about what happened last night. I'm terribly sorry for what happened to this once lively pub. Out of curiousity, may I look inside to see what happened? I promise to tip you for the pub's reforming either if you let me take a look or not." I told the man.
"That's very kind of you, sir/ma'am/mx. The pub is currently under view by the officers, but I'm sure that you can look from outside."
I nodded as the man opened the door. The acrid scent of burnt wood lingered in the air. The remnants of bar stools and tables, twisted and contorted, bore witness to the violence that had shattered the pub's convivial spirit.
It honestly made me sick looking at what happened to this place. It was as if a bunch of wild hyenas entered the pub and destroyed everything in their way.
"Ah...this looks awful. And it was only done by one man's hand?" I asked. The man just nodded with a nonchalant expression.
I spent a few more minutes looking at the backdrop before me, still in shock at what kind of actions Mr Hyde's done. Not being able to look at the scene anymore, I gave the man ยฃ100, which wasn't enough to solve all the muck that Mr. Hyde caused, but it was enough to at least help the place a bit.
The man thanked me and I started going on my own way. I couldn't help but think of Mr Hyde. I'll try confronting him probably tomorrow. But where would I even find him?
"Oh, Utterson, is that you?" I heard a voice ask from the opposite road I was walking on. It was a much older man, around his fifties. If I was Utterson, I would've probably remembered who it was, but I'm just (Y/N). Were there any other characters in Jekyll and Hyde...Oh yeah, Dr Lanyon and Sir Danvers Carew. But which one would this man be? I'll just have to use my luck.
"Dr Lanyon! Pleasure seeing you again!" I laughed awkwardly, hoping I picked the right name. The man smiled at me and took off my top hat to ruffle my hair, the same way a father would. It seemed like I picked the right name.
"How has your life as a lawyer been, younker?" He asked. Younker? What does that mean?
"It's been quite swell actually. Even if I may be a lawyer, my schedule hasn't been hectic as of lately." I didn't know what to say next. This would be very awkward. But wait, isn't he a doctor? I should probably ask him about Jekyll. But I can't just bring up the subject immediately, I need to start with a simple question first. "How are things at the hospital as of recently?"
"They've been quite well, though last night something happened here in Soho. You see, some of my patients have come beaten and bruised, and they described to me that this terrible man of shorter stature had come to the local pub and caused a ruckus. That's the reason why I'm here, and I guess that's the reason why you are here too." Lanyon said.
"Sadly so," I responded. "...I know you've been friends with Dr Jekyll for a very long time. Would you mind if I ask you about his whereabouts?"
"Now that you mention him, I haven't seen him in a long time," Lanyon responded, seeming a little bitter at the mention of Jekyll.
"How so? I thought since you two are in the same academic field that you would often meet for studious discussions." I said
"We used to. But for several years he has been rambling about believing in the supernatural. A man of science believing in supernaturalism? What folly. Don't get me wrong, I still see him as a friend, but his nonsensical babbling has kept us distanced from one another." He sighed in frustration.
I nodded in understanding. I'm not sure if he knows about Edward Hyde, but might as well add more fuel to the fire. "Have you heard anything about the young man he has been looking after? Edward Hyde?"
Lanyon looked at me confused. "Edward Hyde...I'm afraid not."
"He's around my and my cousin, Enfield's, age from what I remember," I said. Lanyon began trying to think. "Please don't try to strain yourself if you haven't met him." I smiled melancholically at him.
"Alright then. Well, I have to go now. Have a swell day!" He tipped his hat. I bowed/curtsied at him as he began walking away.
Maybe I should try to catch Edward later so that I could interrogate him. I really should.
(A/N): Hello Dearie! Sorry for how long this update took, I was busy with school and drawing assignments. Hope you're having a swell day!~Luce
