Dark Collection ✅

Monsters

The dark halls were covered in blackness. The shuffling of leather upon stone could be heard. He left the narrow corridor and planted his arms upon into the sleeves of his coat. His voice gruff and low, a low guttural murmur escaping his unseen lips. The fire flickered the only light in the room. The heat burned away the smell of death and decay.

"You not quite the person I was hoping to see." spoke the tall, thin man in the white coat, a pipe clenched firmly between his teeth.

"Turn around, you won't see me anyways." spoke the man, or lack there of.

The ash flew up from the mantle. The doctor rubbed his narrow brow.

"How or why did I trust in you?" the doctor grumbled, his voice barely audible.

"I expected you to say that." spoke the invisible man.

The doctor shifted and stumbled around. His tight grip squeezed the handle of his cane. His right pant leg torn, as if he had been attacked by a creature, possibly a rabid dog.

"That is quite the injury." said the smart-mouthed man, removing the bandages sheltering his left hand.

"Did you come to gloat? What did you need?" asked the doctor, agitatedly.

The doctor's left hand wrapped firmly around the small of a wine glass sitting on the table separating him and the invisible detective. He drank the final drop and placed the glass gently on the wooden surface.

"I just want to know what is happening. What exactly am I getting myself into? And will it pay enough?"

The doctor hated leaving his work in the hands of others, but being injured hindered him, rendering him barely movable. The doctor reached into his left coat pocket. Out of it he revealed a folded letter. A letter from an old... friend... a family member actually.

"I received this yesterday."

The doctor placed the paper, unfolded on the table. The Invisible man picked it up and read it through his glasses.

"What do you aim to do?" asked the Invisible man, after reading the letter placed before him.

A long, quiet sigh escaped the doctor's lips. The stumbled towards the burgundy curtain to the right of the room. His drunkenness causing the room to spiral.

"A night like tonight. I was out searching for him. I should have forgotten. I should have left well enough alone, but my heart was yearning to find my creation, like a mother who loses her precious child. On one hand the beast I gave life to ruined my life, but on the other... I, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, created a life. For once I felt... I succeeded. Accomplished something... even though that SOMETHING was a monster. I needed to find him... I needed him to return to me. I needed to have hope that he could change. Unfortunately I was bitten... by some... creature. On a night like this, of all nights, I look up at the sky. The same monster I created... I realize too that I am no different."

The click of a gun. A pistol cocked. The Invisible Man held Victor hostage. The gun pointing at his back, at his heart.

"I have faced many a monster Frankenstein. I have killed most. Please don't be another casualty. I would hate to lose my best employer."

Victor peeked up. Through the curtain he could see the full moon. It shined a luminous light. Eerie, yet beautiful. Victor smiled as the Invisible Man shuffled backwards, catching himself from falling with his heel. Before him a horrid transformation. Tufts of sprouted from the doctor's back like bush. His face contorted, his teeth grew, his lips curled. Throwing down the cane, the beastly doctor grabbed the invisible throat of the detective. He lifted him off of his feet. It was as if he strength of ten strong... no twenty. The Invisible Man gasped for air. He felt the claws ripping the bandages around his neck. The light in the room grew more powerful. It was as if the gates of Hell were opened and surrounding them both.

"You see now?" growled the wolf-like doctor "We are all monsters inside... deep... down... inside."

A chill swept the room. It was as if they weren't alone. The Invisible Man's body hit the wooden floor, his head bouncing off the oak.

"Victor. Victor. Victor."

The Wolf Man turned around swiftly and standing before him was a man whose skin was as white as pure snow. His hair brushed back. His clothes made of fine silk dark purple fabric.

"I am surprised at you Victor. These outrageous outbursts can't be good for your health." the man mocked.

"Dracula..." moaned the wolf doctor "What do you want?"

"I request your aid. I am searching for answers on the whereabouts of one such as I. His name is Count Orlok. He holds secrets of which I am seeking to know."

"What is in it for me?" snarled Victor, his teeth gritted.

"I help you find your monster."

Victor paused for a minute, he knew that if he helped Dracula he would be helping the devil himself, but he needed desperately to find his creation and teach it the ways of good.

"I shall help you." answered Victor "On one condition."

Victor pointed at the Invisible Man laying upon the floor. Dracula smirked, knowing good and well what Victor was asking for. After all, Victor couldn't risk losing the business of this man. He needed the mission carried through. Dracula slipped the ring from his left ring finger and placed it in Victor's hand.

The night grew darker as the stench of death wavered outside on a hill. Piercing red eyes stared down at the mansion below. A large hand slid down the back of a black grizzly bear. They turned away from the scene and walked back home, away from civilization. Away from the monsters.