The Renfield Syndrome by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 30

For as long as he sat in the woods, Caspian’s mind overflowed with hatred for Ava, the young woman who had unknowingly let loose the monster that had until now been safely locked up. Now, he struggled to maintain his self-control, with his only option being to immediately seek her out and kill her in the most gruesome manner imaginable. But this was not what he wanted. Caspian believed that she should suffer a similar humiliation along with a certain measure of pain. However, at a loss for anything imaginative, he walked back to the house and to his bedroom. Reuben sat in his favorite chair watching his expression as he passed, worried about whatever had happened at the concert.

Caspian settled in for the night while watching an old black-and-white movie. They seemed to hold the idea of how things might have been many years ago. However, when he felt the monster’s cage rattle, there was one movie he always felt drawn to— Dracula. The movie had no bearing on what might be thought of as yesteryear. It was the character that drew him in—glorious, dangerous, romantic. Certainly, Caspian could do without the romantic element. He had been through enough romance for one night. But something inside him was now awake, and no lullaby could calm it back into slumber. As difficult as life had been for Caspian, it was about to change into something he could not control.

The next day brought heavy clouds and a cacophony of rain, thunder, and lightning. For anyone else this would have been the beginning of a depressing day when time moves at a snail’s pace, but for Caspian it was a day for inspiration. The medication he was taking seemed to be working, but as nothing is perfect, on occasion the whispering voices would return. Getting out of bed, he walked to the painting he had sometimes perceived as being alive, but this time it didn’t speak to him; it simply conveyed a single thought. It was strong, visual and told Caspian exactly how to deal with Ava.