Expiration Part 3

The butler had been instructed by Mr. Hamilton to perform the proper procedures on the body of the boy in preparation for the surgeon. The butler wasn't trained in science or medical treatment, he was only told what to do, but he aimed to do his tasks properly. The butler looked down at the tray before him, eyeing the needle filled with liquid. He took the needle in hand, this was the first thing he was instructed to do. The butler reached his ragged hand towards the little boy's neck, tracing a crooked finger down the cold, pale, flawless skin, searching for the right vein. Finding it, he lined up the sharp needle and inserted the metal shaft into the lifeless boy. The butler then squeezed the oddly colored liquid out of the needle, it's dark magenta color slowly disappearing from view. The needle then receded out of the pale surface, and the butler turned to prepare for the next task. The soft clinking of metal could be heard as the butler organized the tray of tools he would be using next. As the butler was organizing the tools, a soft shuffle could be heard from behind him. Thinking it was his master who had come to check on him, the butler turned to greet Mr. Hamilton. Before the butler could see anything, he was knocked to the ground, his head pounding and throbbing from a blow to the head. Darkness began to wash over him in waves. The last thing he saw before unconsciousness overtook him was a pair of cold, icy, glittering blue eyes.

*

Mr. Hamilton smiled as he put the delicate teacup to his lips, surveying the nervousness both of the boys were portraying. Bentley's eyes flicked across the room, looking this way and that at every detail in the dining hall; as for Hudson, his gaze was fixed upon the drink that was placed before him, never tasting it, only fiddling with his hands, hoping to be released so he could go home and sleep.

"So tell me," Mr. Hamilton said as he set down the fine china, "how did your endeavors go at the graveyard?"

Mr. Hamilton stared Hudson down as the young man was trying to find his words. Feeling a slight prick of annoyance, Mr. Hamilton asked another question, "I take it the vial I gave you came in handy? Otherwise, you wouldn't be here..."

Hudson's eyes jerked up at the question, the old gentleman finally getting a good look at Hudson's gleaming forest green eyes. Mr. Hamilton's lips curled as he gazed into the young man's eyes that had been avoiding him all night.

"Ah well... uh yes, it worked quite well." Hudson responded softly, "I threw the vial at the watchman's feet... and um he went down like a sack of bricks."

Mr. Hamilton hummed as he picked up the teacup once more, softly repeating the last few words Hudson mumbled, "Like a sack of bricks..."

Bentley sat, watching the conversation play out, and his questions only became more immense. Bentley thought back to his brother's warning, but the man in front of him was an enigma, yet here they were having tea as though they were proper guests and friends. Letting his burning curiosity get the best of him he decided to ask a question, "Um, what exactly was in that vial? I thought you were only a surgeon."

Mr. Hamilton's focus switched from Hudson to Bentley. Hudson slowly rotated his head, his wide eyes staring at his brother, pleading that Bentley wouldn't cause any more trouble.

"People can have more than one interest. Not only do I enjoy being a surgeon, but I also take pleasure in practicing other forms of science. That vial your brother used on that watchman was of my invention. I won't bore you with the complicated details since neither of you would understand it, but I will say that I make my own sort of chemicals for various purposes in furthering the advancement of science." Mr. Hamilton answered.

There was a moment of silence, Hudson calmed his nerves before speaking, "Well, thank you for your hospitality, but we really must get going."

Hudson and his brother then stood up and turned for the door.

Mr. Hamilton frowned and his brow furrowed, "Hmm, how rude."

Hudson whipped his head around to look at the surgeon. Seeing the look of confusion on both the brothers' faces, Mr. Hamilton continued, slowly standing from his chair as he did so, "I invited you both to have tea with me and yet you try to leave without even having a sip..." his anger started to burn and boil the blood that pumped in his veins, "And neither of you returned any real hospitality in return!"

Before either of the brothers could reply, double doors from across the hall burst open. In its doorway stood the butler, panting to try and catch his breath. Alarm bells were blaring in both the boys' heads as they saw a bruise forming on the butler's temple, accompanied by a trickle of blood.

"The boy he..." The old man wheezed.

"Words please!" Mr. Hamilton growled, annoyed by the interruption.

The butler took in a deep breath, "He's escaped."

"WHAT?!" Mr. Hamilton fumed.

Bentley and Hudson looked at each other, fear in both of their eyes. Bentley stood rooted to the spot, not fully sure of what to do or what to think, however, Hudson pulled his brother out of his daze. Hudson grabbed Bentley's arm with a grimy hand and dragged Bentley behind him, Bentley's feet tripped over the smooth wood floor before he was able to properly walk. They walked briskly towards the closed door on the other side of the hall, their hearts beating faster; blood rushing loudly past their ears. The brothers were nearing the door, but before Hudson could extend his arm for the handle, Bentley was yanked from his grip. A faint gasp escaped from Hudson's lips at the sudden feeling of loss. Bentley yelped from the sudden impact with the ground, landing on his back. Bentley attempted to get up, but as he was propping himself up, Mr. Hamilton plunged his right foot down onto Bentley's chest. Mr. Hamilton stepped over Bentley, leaving the boy gasping for air as he withered on the floor.

"Bentley!" Hudson yelled, attempting to run to his brother's side. As Hudson was about to run past Mr. Hamilton, the surgeon threw out his hand, firmly planting it on Hudson's chest and thrust him roughly against the nearby wall. Hudson grunted, stunned from the surprise. Using Hudson's momentary vulnerability, Mr. Hamilton further pinned Hudson to the wall he was pressed up against. Hudson struggled to push back against Mr. Hamilton's hold, squirming to try and get to Bentley. Suddenly a cold object was pressed to Hudson's neck, Mr. Hamilton had grabbed a knife from the table before storming after Hudson. Hudson's eyes widened, slowly focusing on Mr. Hamilton's features. The surgeon's eyes burned into Hudson's, his rage made more evident with the close proximity of his face and the wrinkles that amplified his expression. Hudson's mouth gaped open in an attempt to gather the courage to even make a sound, but didn't get the chance; "Don't think for a second that you're leaving without my say so." The surgeon growled.

Hudson's brow furrowed in confusion.

"That boy you brought in here, Colton McCoy, is somehow alive."

Shock flashed in Hudson's eyes, "Heh-How is th-that ev-ven possible?"

Mr. Hamilton narrowed his eyes, the corners of his lips curled to reveal a wide grin on his face, "Not sure, but that just makes him even more valuable." he said in between laughs. A crazy gleam glazed over his eyes, the knife being pressed harder against Hudson's neck. Hudson involuntarily gulped, Mr. Hamilton took notice, "I want you to find him and bring him back... alive, so to speak."

"B-but wa-ah-why d-do—"

"BECAUSE IT'S YOUR FAULT!" Mr. Hamilton shouted. The surgeon had raised the knife during his outburst, it's silver gleamed in the soft candlelight, glinting in Hudson's eyes. In a swift motion he swung down the knife, Hudson closed his eyes expecting a painful bloody fervor that would stain the dark wood beneath him even darker. The blade made a sickly deep thud, the noise sending shivers down Hudson's spine. Hudson slowly opened his eyes, looking to the left of his head. There embedded in the mahogany wall was the sharp glimmering knife that had come down like a guillotine. Mr. Hamilton leaned in close to Hudson, commanding every speck of Hudson's attention. Hudson looked fearfully up into Mr. Hamilton's brown eyes as he spoke, "You're the one who brought him here, and don't forget that we had an agreement, so this is your responsibility. If you don't find him by the time the sun rises," the surgeon leaned closer to Hudson's ear, "Don't expect to see your brother again."

Hudson's heart skipped a beat. He looked down at Bentley who withered on the ground on his side. Hudson's breath caught in his throat, "If I bring the little kid back here, then my brother and I can leave here unharmed?"

Mr. Hamilton laughed as he turned and strolled back over to Bentley. He bent over and hauled the young man to his feet, keeping Bentley upright with a vice-like grip upon both of Bentley's arms, "No, promises. So you better hurry."

Hudson's heartbeat furiously, raging with fear for his brother's life. Mr. Hamilton's gaze was unblinking, his eyes narrowed after a minute when Hudson still hadn't moved. Hudson needed to leave for the sake of his brother's life, and with that thought in mind, Hudson was finally able to move towards the door. Mr. Hamilton's eyes never left Hudson as Hudson gripped the door handle and finally left the dining room.

Once the door clicked shut, Mr. Hamilton spun both him and Bentley around to face the dining table. The surgeon let go of Bentley since his breathing returned to normal and he was able to stand on his own. Mr. Hamilton walked leisurely back to his seat and gently sat down; leaning back on the backrest, resting his elbows on the armrest, and joining his fingers together in front of him. The surgeon stared at Bentley and narrowed his eyes when Bentley reluctantly returned his gaze.

"Sit." Mr. Hamilton commanded. Bentley did as he was told, not wanting to take another hit. Bentley stiffly walked to the chair across from Mr. Hamilton, and slowly sat down.

"Drink."

Bentley looked at the untouched drink before him, and let out a shaky breath as he felt the scorching gaze of the surgeon across from him. Bentley lifted his hands out from under the table, reaching out his grimy fingers towards the delicate teacup. Bentley gently curled his fingers around the china and silently lifted the cup from the saucer. Bentley glanced back up at Mr. Hamilton but quickly looked away as the surgeon's eyes seemed to harden. Bentley raised the cup to his lips and took a sip of the soothing copper liquid.

***

Hudson had been wandering the mansion, praying to find a black-haired little boy. Finding nothing with his simple search, Hudson decided to go back to the lab where the boy was last seen. Entering the stark white scene, he found that there were some clear changes. On the floor were little drops of blood leading towards the door. Figuring the blood was from the butler, Hudson decided to follow the trail, hoping that it would lead him to a part of the mansion that he had yet to discover. Hudson followed the little droplets out the door and back towards the dining room. Coming back up to the large mahogany door, Hudson gently placed his ear to the wood, there wasn't a single sound emanating from inside and feeling disappointed he looked back down at the floor and the small drops of blood that led down the hallway. Hudson continued to follow the trail through the maze-like mansion until he came to another door. It's dark metal surface interrupted the smooth dark wood walls of the hallway, making the ominous door stand out. The door was cracked open an inch, letting a cold draft creep around Hudson's ankles. Hudson slowly moved towards the door, reaching his fingers in the dark entrance and slowly pulling the door open with a creak. A rush of cool, damp air swirled up and around Hudson as he looked down the winding stone steps that lead into darkness. Hudson was immediately filled with dread, and more than ever Hudson wished him and Bentley were safe back at home, as small as their place was. Panic was once again tightening in his chest until a loud clang rang out from the end of the hallway to Hudson's right. Hudson jumped and snapped his head in the direction of the noise, on full alert; he heard small footsteps running away from him around the corner. Hudson took off towards the source of the sound, knowing that it would lead him towards his target. Hudson was gaining his speed and began to see little parts of who he was chasing before they would run around another corner. Hudson rounded another corner and was finally able to have a look of who he was chasing: a little, pale, black-haired boy in a dark suit who was jiggling the handle to the greenhouse. Finally managing to open the greenhouse door, Colton burst through to the warm, small jungle that dwelled inside. Hudson quickly followed suit, doing a quick sweep of the greenhouse with his eyes, noticing that the only other door from the greenhouse was opposite of Hudson, and it was blocked by a wall of plants. Hudson was covering the only exit. Hudson took a large breath to calm his nerves and decided that his best option might be to talk to the kid, "Uh... Colton? Colton McCoy is that you?"

Silence. Hudson continued, "Look, I know this looks bad, but we cant figure it out if we don't talk."

Silence. Hudson was about to try and say something else until a small voice seemed to echo from the glass, "I heard you."

Hudson furrowed his brow in confusion.

"I heard you and that doctor in the dining hall."

"...Oh uh..." Hudson tried to find his words.

"Don't try to spin it as something else. You were fooled by him and so was I. And now you're racing to try and save your brother."

Hudson looked down at his feet, in doing so he shielded his face from Colton. From Colton's hiding place in the leaves, he saw Hudson's body language change, his shoulders were now slumped over and he hung his head. After a moment's pause Hudson spoke, and this time it sounded as though he bore the weight of the world, "What do you mean he tricked you?"

Colton sighed, "He treated me when I was sick. He had seemed like such a kind man. The next thing I know I'm waking up to an old man sticking a needle into my skin and I find out that I've been dead. Already buried. And this doctor had you dig me up and bring me to him."

Hudson laughed and his eyes turned cruel, "So you're saying it's my fault? No matter what I said or did the fact remains that you're meant to be dead. I did this to support my brother, this isn't some quick cash grab. I walked into this knowing full well what the consequences could be, however, I don't think anyone could've known this bullshit would've happened. And now my brother is alone with a man who I first believed to be a gentleman."

Colton glared at Hudson through the tropical leaves. Colton grabbed a pot the size of a jar and hurled it at Hudson. Hudson turned towards the source of the rustling of leaves and spotted the projectile flying towards him. Hudson began to back up so the pot would miss him, but as he did so, Hudson's heel snagged on the vines of a protruding plant. Hudson let out a startled yelp as he fell and landed on his back just as the pot came down and hit him in the chest. The terracotta shattered upon impact, its ruddy shards, and the dirt within it, splaying across the floor and Hudson's chest. Hudson grunted from the impact, breaths becoming strained with every aching wheeze. The pitter-patter of footsteps approached him; hearing this, Hudson attempted to sit up, but to no avail. Hudson looked over at the unconcealed Colton to see him bending over to pick up the plant that had once been in the now destroyed pot. The pitiful growths roots were exposed to the open air as Colton gently recovered it from the demolished rubble. Colton stepped over to Hudson and knelt next to the teenager, suspending the plant in front of him.

"Do you know what this is?" Colton asked, indicating the plant.

Hudson looked over the plant and stared at Colton curiously.

"It's a nightshade. And if you didn't already know it's deadly."

Hudson looked at the plant with widened eyes, "And you threw that shit at me?!" Hudson wheezed.

Colton rolled his eyes, "Don't be a baby, it's only if you eat the berries, and I'd prefer if you didn't speak so improperly."

Hudson gave a look that asked if Colton was serious. Colton replied with; "It's revolting. Now, as I was saying, this plant isn't the only odd one in the room. This greenhouse is filled with countless species that are more than questionable to possess."

Colton explained, looking around the greenhouse.

It took a moment for Hudson to respond, "So you're saying this surgeon is even madder than we make him out to be."

"Yes. I don't really know what's going on, but I think we should investigate."

"We?! Hell no! You threw a damn pot on me that contained some weird deadly plant! And on top of that, you're a freak of nature!" Hudson yelled as he slowly stood up, "Who's to stop me from just taking you and handing you over to that surgeon so I can have my brother back?!"

"You think I want to be alive?! To return to this torturing existence in a hell house?! So that a crazy man can cut me up while I'm fully conscious?!" Colton yelled on the verge of tears.

The words that rang out and echoed from the glass shot through Hudson's heart. Coltons tears welled and began to spill; even though Colton came from an upper-class family, he was still a child. Hudson was reminded of the days when both he and his brother were children. Hudson was always there when his brother cried, even when both of their parents died, Hudson had to stay strong for his brother when they were both left in grief. Hudson hated it when kids cried, and Colton crying only a couple of feet away from him caused him to have sympathy, thinking of how he would feel in Colton's shoes.

Hudson knelt on one knee beside Colton and looked him in the eyes, "I'm sorry. I just..." Hudson choked up at the thought of Bentley.

"Your brother?" Colton asked.

Hudson nodded. "I just wonder what he's doing now..." Hudson whispered.

*

Mr. Hamilton rested his cheek on his hand as he gazed at the boy across from him. Bentley was slouched in his chair, his eyes closed. Keeping his eyes on the sleeping boy, Mr. Hamilton rose from his chair and walked around the table to where Bentley slumped over. Mr. Hamilton leaned against the table, towering over Bentley as he reached a steady hand towards the young man's face. Mr. Hamilton rested his hand on the other side of Bentley's face and pulled Bentley's head towards him to have a better look.

Mr. Hamilton hummed in thought, "It would be utterly exquisite if I could just examine you right here and now... But it would be a shame to let a live specimen go to waste." Mr. Hamilton spoke softly.

Mr. Hamilton gently took his hand away from Bentley's face and turned Bentley's chair towards himself. Mr. Hamilton placed his hands under Bentley's arms and pulled Bentley up and out of the chair. Grabbing one of Bentley's arms, the surgeon threw it over his shoulders and bent down so that Bentley's stomach rested across Mr. Hamilton's shoulders. Unknown to the surgeon, as he moved Bentley, Bentley's newsboy cap slid off his head and onto the floor. Mr. Hamilton straightened back up so that Bentley was draped over his shoulders as he began to walk towards the dining rooms exit. The surgeon walked leisurely through his mansion until he came to a cold, thick metal door. Mr. Hamilton gently laid Bentley on the wood floor and approached the steel door to begin unlocking it. Finally getting the door unlocked, Mr. Hamilton left the door wide open as he went to pick up Bentley. With his arms under Bentley's back and knees, Mr. Hamilton lifted Bentley back up and walked into the churning darkness that engulfed the stone stairs that lead down. Mr. Hamilton reached out his foot and hooked it around the door to swing it close. As the door was swinging back, Mr. Hamilton slowly descended the stairs into the frigid, suffocating darkness, leaving the door slightly cracked.