Securing A Friend

 It reached a deathly late hour by the time Gray returned to Cavendish Square, the unconscious body of the now Henry Jekyll hanging from his side as the gentleman dragged him along the streets. He tried to keep a low profile, but when he couldn't, he simply laughed off the confused onlookers with the excuse that his mate had 'one too many drinks' and they reluctantly looked away. Dorian struggled to reach the doorstep of the good doctor, having to work with one hand; he remembered that they had locked behind them, as he tried the knob. And he grunted in frustration. He now was forced to lean the doctor against the wall and wiggle his fingers into his waistcoat pockets. It wasn't long before he found the key, but it was terribly embarrassing and inconvenient, and something he had to do quickly before anyone saw him. He then took hold of the doctor once more, unlocking and throwing open the door to the inside. He sidestepped to the safety of the house, Jekyll's body becoming all the more increasingly heavy. Gray wasn't without some muscle, but carrying his friend the great distance it took him, half of the time being when he was still under the possession of Hyde, a most strong and imposing figure, what little strength he had quickly ran out.

As soon as he shut the door and felt confident the two were safe, he released Jekyll's body upon the carpeted floor. His hand went for his forehead and he let out an exhausted groan as he fell against the wall. His eyes closed as his chest heaved up and down, trying to catch his breath. The good doctor laid before him, soundlessly awaiting Dorian's care. Something of which Dorian needed to do quickly. His business here was to be a short one before he went back out and dealt with the problem at hand.

Gray took a puff of air before opening his eyes and looking down at his friend who still remained unconscious. He sighed, then took hold of Jekyll's shoulders, lifting him back up to drag him forward. It took him a moment, but he reached the basement door, of which Jekyll had been using to supposedly contain Hyde. This time, of course, it was going to work.
He opened the door and wiggled himself to the front as took a step down the stairs. "Sorry if this jiggles your brain about, old boy. Desperate times, after all.."
He began the climb. This was even more of a task as Jekyll's body frequently started to slide out of Dorian's grasp. But he was quick enough to recover his hold and at last, reached the bottom. He adjusted his grip to under Henry's arms and slid him along the floor, to the chains that awaited him in the corner.

It was dark, but a patch of light from the doorway above allowed him to at least see silhouettes of the environment.
Not much was kept down here, except for the chains and a few pieces of old furniture. Gray could make out what seemed to be a table. Next to it appeared to be a box. He honed his sight on its contents..where he now saw it was filled with bottles and papers.
That was it. That was Jekyll's old research..his concoctions.
He hid his past down here the same as he was now hiding Edward. This was the prison he gave to them all.
Further proving that Jekyll was not cured from his affliction.
He was containing it.
The more Gray lingered there, the more thankful he was to himself for coming. If he had not arrived, Jekyll would never have been set free from this curse. A curse Gray was still needing to break.

The gentleman sat Jekyll down on the floor, and with a heavy heart, he placed the locks upon Henry's wrists.
The doctor, for once, looked peaceful. And this made Dorian feel guilty for having to chain his friend up. All because of that monster. But it needed to be done if he was to leave Henry on his own. He couldn't trust that Hyde wouldn't break out again and resume his pursuit of Sibyl. No, he needed to make sure both Jekyll and Hyde were staying put. Until he could return and release the good doctor from his bonds.
He took a deep breath as he looked at Henry's face. And laid a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. "I'll be back, friend. Just hold on a little while longer.."
With that, he arose and took hold of his cane that he had tucked between his hip and his belt and made his way back up the stairs, closing it-- and locking it-- behind him.

CONTINUE TO..
Matters Of The Heart