The Spiders' Tale

2. Dr. Todd Winston's Log: Recovered by Bryant

September 29th 1866, 5:32 pm

Patient accepted my offer to help pregnancy along. Injected her with Marius’s blood at noon; didn’t seem to respond. At four o’clock pm, noticed her skin had paled, but vitals are still strong. She threw up dinner at five thirty. Expected of pregnancy.

September 30th 1866, 5:30 pm

Patient paled further, but vitals are still strong. Insists she is hungry, but vomits all she eats. Consented to drink blood under my supervision at nine o’clock. Color returned to skin immediately. Hasn’t vomited since. Requires a gallon in the morning and another in the evening - average new-vampire diet. 

Is she herself turned a vampire? If fetus has been successfully sired, it can in turn sire her. It feeds off her, leaving half the process complete. Has her body found a way to feed off it? Or has she fed off Marius’ blood when injected? Can’t risk testing now; all tests can prove fatal to fetus. If she has turned, chances of fetus being born alive are slim. But fangs have not yet come out, so luck may still be with us.

*In logs September 31st - October 14th, Diedre continues drinking blood twice a day. Vitals are strong.

October 16th 1866, 12:03 am

Was short on blood. Managed to fix Diedre with enough breakfast, but not for second meal. Ordered shipment previously, but arrived late. She wept for blood at approximately seven o’clock. Had none. Took pity; held her. Was a trap. She bit my neck and would not let go. Panicked. Gallon of blood is what human’s contain - she would’ve drained me dry. Bit her back. Rest is a blur. Her body died. Managed to revive her body- connected her to many machines - but soul had moved on. 

Parent still requires two gallons of blood per day delivered to stomach. Body is kept warm and blood is artificially circulated for fetus. Will find out later if fetus takes to new circumstances. Used magnets and sensitive metal to pick up any faint movements within body and attached it to stylus, which scratches movements’ vibrations onto weak paper. Ink bleeds out; used soot from oil lamp instead to record. Hence, can monitor fetus’ heart beats and kicks.

October 16th 1866, 5:30 pm

Necrosis has set in. Her body still functions, but wont for long. Fetus shows no sign of damage. 

Told Mr. Alexandru Dodrescu of Diedre’s passing, but did not reveal details of death. He grieved, but did not seem surprised. I also told him of child. If a girl, will name him after her mother; if a boy, Dragomir. Due for birth in a month, but can birth him two weeks early if necessary. 

Occurred to me now: I have been sired. Diedre and I exchanged blood. Afraid I may not be able to handle experiment next time things get gory. Haven’t eaten since Diedre’s death. Haven’t felt hunger or need to go outside. Unsure if grown into vampire traits or abilities yet. Have not seen or felt fangs.

October 17th 1866 5:30 pm

Fetus’ heartbeats are irregular. Appears fully developed and strong, but doesn’t make sense. Rate quickens at nine o’clock am, drops to average at noon, and beats without pattern from three o’clock till five o’clock. Will check if this continues.

Sprinkled rose ether over body to retard rotting. Hope it will work.

Still haven’t eaten. No sight of fangs.

October 18th 1866 5:30 pm

Fetus’ heartbeats were same as with yesterday’s for nine o’clock when I fed Diedre’s stomach more blood. Don’t believe there’s a connection - fetus’ heart rate alters at moments other than mealtimes, and for it’s (his - Dragomir’s) dinner meal at 5:15 pm, the heart remained average pace.

Retrieved shipment of blood at 3:28 pm. As it had done yesterday, fetus’ heart beat irregularly. Stepped out front door to retrieve shipment; got into conversation with woman. According to weak paper, rate was stable, but quick, throughout. When woman and I parted at around 4 o’clock, rate slowed. She came back to ask my name; rate quickened, she left; rate slowed. Coincidence? Maybe. Will continue to observe rate in relation to distance of woman.

Color is returning to body’s skin. Rose ether is working. Wish I had used this on first monster.

Tried eating stew from Staggering Lion Tavern. Couldn’t digest it; threw up when I got home. Considered drinking blood, but felt queasy at thought. No fangs yet.

October 19th 1866, 5:30 pm

Woman stopped by again to converse. I monitored my heart rate via touching my wrist to see if woman affected me as well, but she did not. Fetus’ heart beats consistently faster the closer she is to lab. But why? If she travels far enough, would fetus’ heart stop? Would this kill him? Too risky to test. 

Diedre looks as though she could be alive. Rose ether has body appear as though it might be sleeping. Checked her vitals; she’s still inanimate. Still no soul.

Drank blood at noon. Managed to get it down. Surprisingly easy. Haven’t vomited yet. No fangs yet.

October 20th 1866, 5:30 pm

Fetus’ heart rate remains consistently faster or slower in relation to distance of woman (Morgana VanDer). Woman is with child. Relevant data? Unless I find more pregnant women before November, will never know.

Body shows little risk in rotting again. Fetus is safe and warm and receiving appropriate nutrients. Heart irregularities seem not to interfere with chances of life. Hopefully all turns out how Marius expects.

Have fed on two gallons of blood today. Not experiencing bloodlust as new vampires (new borns) should. No fangs. Sunlight is not an issue. Should consult the Count. Feel mind slowly slipping.

October 21st 1866, 5:30 pm

Fetus’ vitals are consistent with yesterday’s.

Body is still warm and functioning. Have been sprinkling ether on it daily.

Consulted Marius. He’s happy with fetus, but stumped on matter of heart. Told him of woman (Morgana VanDer). He agreed to learn more on her while I work with fetus. On matter of self, said I was in transitional period. Unless fangs come out, will eventually rot away. Must feel like monster to become one. Meaning? Must get angry. Hate is the trigger. Until then, will use rose ether on self.

October 22nd 1866, 5:30 pm

Fetus’ vitals remain same. Growing healthily.

Body still warm and functioning.

No sign of self rotting. Used rose ether on self anyway.

Marius returned with news on Morgana VanDer. Through forced hypnosis, learned  she and family are witches. However, to her knowledge, no spell or charm has been placed on fetus. Does not know of vampires in this area. Force hypnotized her to forget conversation.

October 23rd 1866, 5:30 pm

Used last of ether. Ordered more at noon. Shipment may not arrive till next week. Fetus will be birthed by then. At 3:46 pm, noticed body (Diedre) paled. Effects of essence fade quickly.

Scratching of heart monitor infuriated me. Getting angered easily. Suspect fangs will soon follow. Afraid. Losing hair. Irises darkening. Muscles sore. Haven’t slept since October 21st.