Ripper's Revenge
A large sailing ship rocked gently on the waves as it left the Port of London. The crew scrambled to make ready for the three-week voyage to the Americas. Unknown to the deckhands below, an unholy beast clung to the aft mast, watching the activity and waiting to make a move.
The beast was dark and hid amongst the rigging and furled sails. Blood dripped from the beast’s haunches. In severe pain, the creature took long, ragged breaths while struggling to maintain its precarious perch.
Only moments before, the beast had engaged in a battle with its most hated foe. It had fought well, but its enemy was an expert with blades, and managed to do major damage to the beast’s lower body before the beast dropped him far from shore.
A light rain began to fall, and the beast shivered as the cold rain coated its leathery wings. It heard the deckhand’s voices and the captain shouting orders while he maneuvered the ship toward the North Sea.
When a harsh wind began to blow, the beast wrapped its wings around itself and closed its eyes against the freezing, stinging rain. Even with an extremely weak and damaged body, its mind was sharp. Hatred filled its thoughts, and it took a moment to relish in it. It drew power from that hatred. A few moments passed and the beast realized it no longer heard voices. Evil, red eyes slowly opened and gazed upon the deck.
The captain, dressed in a heavy coat and hat, stood at the helm, attempting to shield himself from the rain. Nearby, his First Mate watched several other deckhands busy themselves on the foredeck, ready to hoist sails.
The beast desperately wanted to climb down from where it hid, but it could not afford to be observed by the human crew. They would surely attack, and in its weakened state, it could not defend itself.
The beast decided to wait, and during that time, it reached out with its mind, searching for its consorts. It detected their presence, and knew they were frantic with worry. Above all, it sensed Jenny, her fevered thoughts coming to him strongly. It also sensed two others, yet there should have been a third, rendering one missing. Had its foe killed more than the lovely Mary Jane on this night?
The beast silently cursed the human known to him as “Jack the Ripper,” and it hoped the countless, nasty creatures dwelling on the bottom of the Thames River was now devouring him. It served him right; the Ripper was truly the foulest, most heartless human the beast had ever encountered.
For now, the beast had to ensure his own survival, so he moved down toward the private berth. He scanned the decks again and realized the captain had left the helm to the First Mate. The captain had likely retired to his quarters for the night. The beast knew that could be a problem, for his berth was adjacent to the captain’s quarters, and he could not risk being seen.
Too weak to continue waiting, it decided to take a chance. It silently crept down the mast, using its sensitive hearing to follow the humans whereabouts. It heard voices on the foredeck, but not a footstep could be heard any closer. The beast dropped to the quarterdeck and quickly moved into the shadows near the stairs that lead down to its berth. Cautiously, it moved down the stairs and ducked behind a crate that was secured to the deck. From this vantage point, the beast had a clear look at the lighted hallway leading to the captain’s quarters. It stopped for just a few seconds, and again reached out to Jenny with its mind. It sensed she was near and needed her aid.
* * *
Across the hall from the captain’s quarters, Jenny sat with her two close friends, Agnes and Deborah. The three huddled around the coal-fired stove, which kept the berth reasonably warm. There were two beds, as well as a kitchen table, four chairs and a small private room with a chamber pot. Large windows at the rear offered a view of the ocean, but now there was darkness beyond the glass. On the port side, lay an ornate casket. Jenny told the captain she was transporting the remains of her dead uncle back to the land he loved–the Americas. But in truth, the casket lay empty, awaiting her love, William Carpenter.
Suddenly, Jenny sprang from her seat and put her hands to her temples. Agnes and Deborah looked at her in fright, thinking she had a sudden pain.
“Jenny, are you all right, dear?” Agnes asked.
Jenny shushed her and held a finger to her lips. “He’s here,” she said. “I told you he would…” Abruptly, she fell silent and held her fingers to her temples in deep concentration. She walked to the double-doors leading into the hall. Jenny opened them wide and peered out.
The other girls watched Jenny back away from the door. A dark shadow fell over the hallway as something moved past the oil-lamp sconce. The beast entered the room, and the ladies gasped in fright as he closed the door. Blood dripped on the worn floorboards, leaving a mark that quickly turned to ash.
Seeing this frightening visage, Agnes crumpled to the floor with a swooning gasp. Lucky for her, William’s monstrous form was too much for her to bear.
Blinded by an insatiable hunger, William leapt upon Deborah as she cowered near the rear window. The beast bared his fangs and plunged them deeply into her flesh. He ripped his way into her veins, letting loose her lifeblood. He felt Deborah’s body tense and then go limp. Her sudden shock sounded in a short cry of pain, followed by a sigh mixed with fear and pleasure.
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