The Phantom Transgender of Old London Town (Part 1)
By Paul1954
and Darkside
East End of London July 20th 1888
?Surely Dr Soames, I just don?t know what you means!? the young girl said,
feigning surprise as the tall dark man gently kneaded her breast with his
right hand, whilst his other fumbled with the ties that held her corset
tight.
?Don?t play your little games with me Polly, you know damn well what you do
to me, and how much it means. My wife, she just doesn?t seem to want what -
well, you know. I..if it wasn?t for you, then..?.
?Ssshhhh Dr Soames, now don?t you go getting yourself all in a lather, not
now. There are better ways of spending our time together, other than you
getting yourself all hot and bothered - at least that way. Now why don?t you
let Polly see's if she can make you forget all about your troubles and woes?
she said, reaching for the fastening on his trousers as her breasts spilled
out, free of the constriction of the now loosened corset.
Samuel Soames eyes took in the sight of her bounteous beauty and wiped his
hand across his mouth, feeling himself salivate at the thoughts of where
this would lead. He felt the sudden chill of the air touch his suddenly
freed manhood, the room feeling cool from the unseasonable chilly air, and
then found himself enveloped in the petticoat and underpinnings that the
object of his lust was wearing.
?Oh Dr Soames, I don?t think I?ve known you so pleased to see me before?
Polly murmured as she lay back and spread herself for him.
He merely grunted a reply, his ardour now completely ruling his head as he
virtually threw himself upon her. Their bodies locked together as the room
filled to their sounds of animalistic coupling until finally, all became
silent apart from the sound of heavy breathing, slowing down until it became
normal again.
A few minutes later Dr Soames lifted himself from the warm body of his beau
and started dressing, suddenly shy now that the deed had been completed.
Once dressed he fumbled inside his jacket pocket and took out a small purse
from which he extracted a single coin that he threw to the supine girl.
?Here, please - buy yourself something, a little gift, or whatever?!
Polly smiled as she reached out for the coin and saw that it was a florin.
A handsome reward, indeed. More than six times the amount she usually
received from those of her own station. She smiled again, to herself this
time, amused that the men of breeding that she serviced occasionally felt
the need to describe her fee in such a way. It was as if they preferred to
view their liaisons as a form of relationship rather than the business
transaction that it really was. She should worry though. Ever since escaping
from her husband Will, she had started to establish a regular clientele
amongst what she termed the ruling classes. It was far better than walking
the streets, which she still sometimes had to do, but less often nowadays.
Now, if only she could manage to save some of this booty then she would be
able to get out of the room in the doss house that she shared with three
other women like herself, and spend more time in establishments such as
this room in the inn that she rented, just for clients like the Doctor.
She watched Dr Soames fasten his black cloak around his shoulders and pick
up his cane before walking to the door. Just before turning the handle he
looked back at her and smiled.
?Same time the day after next?? he asked her.
She nodded and returned his smile.
?I?ll look forward to it Doctor?.
As soon as he had left the room she lifted herself from the bed and went to
the small washbasin standing in the corner and proceeded to remove as much
evidence of the good Doctor?s passion as she could manage. There was only
forty minutes left until her next visitor arrived.
She screwed up her face as she thought of what she knew would be expected of
her. She really didn?t enjoy his taste in passion, she was often sore for
days after, and him a Lord of the realm as well! Still, business was
business.
* * * * * * *
Baker Street, London July 20th 1888
The young woman rubbed her eyes and sighed to herself, suddenly weary from
the hours she had spent studying the manuscripts that had been sent by her
friend Dr Livingston. She couldn?t stop herself smiling as she thought of
him, brave and intrepid as he explored uncharted territories across the dark
mysterious continent of Africa, such a contrast from her husband, Samuel.
She unpinned her deep chestnut coloured hair from where she had swept it
back and let it fall around her shoulders. She then leant back, annoyed with
herself for letting the thoughts of him intrude upon her work as it so often
did. Oh, how different it might have been if only she had followed her
inclinations and married Dr Livingston when he had asked her, ignoring her
families wishes. Such was the lot of women in this modern society though,
maybe someday it will change if others thought such as her.
It had taken her years of study to reach where she had gotten today, her
position being that of assistant to her own husband, whilst her own
knowledge was so much greater than his. It was certainly an injustice, the
way that he had used his connections to obtain the title of Doctor, whilst
her lowly position was the only reward for her own labours.
She jumped with a start as she heard the door handle to their study turning,
and opened her eyes to see her husband standing in the doorway, his face
bearing his familiar guilty and hangdog expression.
?Really Margery, you are spending far too long in here. It?s rare to see you
anywhere else nowadays?!
As if caught in the act of doing something wrong, she swept her hair back
behind her head and retrieving her pins, proceeded to fasten it in the same
manner she had worn it previously, before her husband had walked in.
?Well someone has to do the work Samuel. Maybe if you spent more time in
here yourself then I would be able to devote more of my time to other
matters?.
Samuel closed the door behind him and turned up the gaslight before striding
across to her desk and picking up one of the papers she had been perusing.
?Hah? he exclaimed, ?you call this work! This is no work that I recognise,
rather it is the mindless ramblings of that fool Livingston, the ?great?
explorer, as he likes to call himself. I thought I had forbidden you to
correspond with him. He is nothing but a charlatan and a fraud?.
?I doubt Samuel, my dear husband, that there is any kind of work that you
would recognise, not even if it leapt up and...?.
?Enough woman - hold your tongue. Stop before you go too far. I do not know
what has gotten into you recently. If you spent more time performing your
wifely duties other than down here in this .. this dark place then we would
probably both be happier. Now burn this nonsense and come to bed. It is late
and I have a busy day tomorrow?.
She managed to bury her anger as he stormed out the door after tossing Dr
Livingston?s manuscripts on the floor, but as soon as he had left she
thumped the table in attempt to release the emotion that had been building
deep within her. He was such a hypocrite. Wifely duties in deed! Why, it was
only her efforts that kept this practice viable, and she was surely entitled
to spend some time on her own studies!
Moreover, she was sure that Samuel had found someone else to perform the
?wifely duties? that he seemed to crave for her. He had that aroma of cheap
perfume lingering about him and this was not the first time she had smelt
it. She felt her eyes start to water and allowed herself to indulge in the
luxury of tears for a minute or two as she re-arranged the papers she had
retrieved. It was such a damnable situation for her, she was effectively
trapped. Her family would disown her if she left Samuel and heaven knows how
she could survive without her husbands patronage. There was only her friend,
Dr Livingston, to whom she could turn to, and he was too far away to be of
any help for some time to come.
She extinguished the light and walked upstairs, hoping that Samuel had
fallen asleep by now. She had no intention of gracing him with her favours,
but knew that if he demanded them then she would have no choice but to
comply. With him being so much stronger than her, he could demand it of her
if he so wanted. It would not be the first time.
* * * * * * *
Baker Street, London July 22nd 1888
Whether it was due to her barbs from the previous night, or whether it was
purely co-incidence, Margery was not sure, but whatever the reason Samuel
had put in a full day at the practise, leaving her behind the scenes
preparing the ointments and potions that he prescribed. Despite his close
proximity she had not seen much of him all day and when he went out to his
'Gentlemen's' club later that afternoon, she breathed a sigh of relief.
She knew that she now had a few hours to devote to finish reading through
Doctor Livingston's notes and then maybe even trying one or two of the
experiments so long as she had the ingredients to hand.
Two hours later she had finished and had put the manuscript back in a leaf
beneath the desk where she had hidden it last night. She was amazed. The
Doctor's writings had described his latest journey into the Congo region of
central Africa, and some of the staggering sights that he had beheld.
This hadn't been the part that had caught her attention though, for he later
on described the tribes of natives he had encountered, with most of them
being tolerant of his presence having never encountered a Caucasian before.
Some of them had even gone further than that and had shared remedies which
were more akin to spells rather anything that he recognised from a medical
textbook. One witch doctor in particular however, seemed to have a greater
knowledge than most and had, for the most part, only been prepared to
demonstrate rather than share his secrets.
There was one demonstration in particular, which had enthuse the good
Doctor. It sounded preposterous, but Doctor Livingston had sworn that he had
seen one young native boy who had been ridden with consumption cured in two
days. He knew then that he just had to have the witch doctor's secrets, for
the good of medical science if nothing else, but it had taken threats of
bloody murder to extort them from the old man, and he had finally had to
flee for his own life once the witch doctor's tribesmen discovered what he'd
done.
Margery considered that this sounded most unlike the man she had known, but
her excitement at having the secrets he had described, right here in her own
basement helped her to push aside any misgivings that she might have felt,
aside.
She picked up the paper where she had been making copious notes and re-read
them, becoming lost once more in the items described by the Doctor that were
required to concoct the remedy for Consumption. This held a particular
interest for her because her younger brother Theodore had recently been
stricken by the disease, and she feared that it would claim him before much
longer unless helped by some divine form on intervention. Could this indeed
be it?
"Now let me see" she said to herself," I have some of these ingredients
already but others will be more difficult to find. How am I going to find
snake venom in the quantity needed to make this formula effective".
She put down her papers and poured herself a glass of water before standing,
and then cursed the impracticality of her female garb as her long skirts
caught underneath her shoes. Oh, how so much easier it must be to be a man,
she mused once again.
She continued her pacing for a few moments, her brothers condition adding
urgency to her thoughts, and then suddenly, her face brightened as an idea
came to her.
"Of course, cousin Rupert. He might be able to help me" she almost shouted
and sat down, impatient that she would have to wait until tomorrow to pursue
her idea, but satisfied that a possible answer was nearby to hand.
It would have been unseemly for a Lady of breeding, as she considered
herself, to venture out unaccompanied at this hour, yet another example of
how modern society constricted the fairer sex. She could have come and gone
with impunity had she been born otherwise.
* * * * * * *
It was late afternoon when she had returned from her visit to the zoological
gardens that her cousin Rupert was attempting to establish. She had
remembered him telling her once, at a family affair they had both been
present at, of how his staff regularly 'milked' the venomous reptiles in his
care, both as a safety precaution, and also due to the medicinal properties
the poison contained, at least in small doses. It had been proven to thin
the blood in certain circumstances, although its use was still in its
infancy.
He had willingly agreed to provide her with a vial of the liquid once she
had informed him of its purpose in her research and she fully intended to
make up a batch of Doctor Livingston's formula tonight, ready for testing
first thing tomorrow. Without pausing for refreshment she went back into the
study where Samuel and her equipment lay and removed her coat before going
straight to her notes. She was about to open them when she spied a sheet of
paper with her name on it and recognised the writing as her husband's.
'Margery,
I have promised an old friend that I would meet up with them later and will
go straight there from the club. Don't wait up for me, I will be late.
Samuel'
She put down the note and grimaced. It was short and to the point,
containing no words of affection or even a pleasantry. It merely illustrated
the disregard and contempt that he must hold for her. Well, she could assure
him. The feeling was mutual!
She snorted as she crumpled up the note and threw it back onto the desk. An
old friend indeed! An old friend of the female variety, no doubt. One who
wears cheap perfume and who might be more inclined to provide him with the
wifely duties he seemed to crave.
She decided to set about her task of preparing the formula as a way of
forgetting about her husband's indiscretions for whether she held any love
for him or not, it was still humiliating for her to be cheated on in this
way. Why, she would wager that this was the talk of the Gentlemen's club he
frequented, only served to add to her shame.
An hour later all thoughts of Samuel had gone as she ground the herbs needed
for the potion in a mortar and pestle, until they were a fine powder. To
this she added the modern pharmaceuticals that she intended to use as a
replacement for the more esoteric variety that Doctor Livingston had
described. She was sure that they were a close match and that they were
certainly worth trying if it meant her research might continue that much
quicker.
To this she added two pints of drinking water that she boiled for another
hour until the concentrated solution had been distilled and captured in a
medium sized beaker. Whilst this was progressing she made herself something
to eat and reviewed Doctor Livingston's notes again. She was sure that she
had followed the instructions correctly. Now all she had to do was to dilute
the solution in another two pints of water and then add the snake venom,
before allowing it to cool.
She walked over to her workbench and measured out the required amount of
water and then placed that and the distilled liquid into a larger vessel.
Finally, she took the vial of snake venom and carefully held it over the
liquid before shaking the required three drops into the mixture. She was
just on the point of dripping the venom when she suddenly had the urge to
sneeze. She managed to stifle it but the effort of doing so caused her body
to shake, resulting in at least three times of the amount of venom to fall
into the solution than she had planned.
"Oh Heaven's, you silly woman!" she cursed to herself, knowing that she
would now have to go back to square one and start the experiment over again.
Even as she cursed however, events started to spiral rapidly out of control
as the larger amount of venom started to react unfavourably with the
distilled solution and frothed and bubbled, spilling out of the vessel and
over onto the workbench. It quickly formed a pool that threatened to spill
over the side of the workbench and onto the floor.
Margery gasped aloud, finding the stench of the liquid overpowering and
fearing that it would stain her meticulously clean floor. She looked around
for a cloth with which to mop it up but, unusually for her, there was
nothing to hand. Suddenly, she caught sight of her husbands cloak. He must
have left it there before heading off to his precious club, due to the fact
that today was far warmer than it had been of late.
Without further ado she grabbed his cloak, for the liquid seemed to have
increased to almost four times its volume already and it's rapid expansion
showed no signs of abating. She quickly threw it over the liquid and let it
absorb the fluid, knowing that she would have to arrange to have it cleaned
tomorrow. Hopefully, tomorrow might be warm again and Samuel might not need
it.
Finally, the liquids growth ceased and the effervescent froth settled back
into the vessel.
"Oh, thank Heaven's! I thought it would never end" she sighed to herself as
she dropped the now sodden cloak onto a tiled corner of the floor and sat
back down on the chair by the workbench.
She closed her eyes and gave thanks that at least Samuel wasn't here to see
what had happened, and what she had done to his precious cloak. As she
opened them again, she looked over to the vessel and once again, gasped.
"I don't believe it - it's not possible!" she exclaimed
She rose out of her seat and walking over to get a better look at it.
It was empty. There was no liquid inside at all, only the merest hint of a
residue which looked like a fine dusty powder. She turned the vessel upside
down and watched the powder leave the vessel cleanly and settle onto the
workbench. As she ran a finger through it she noticed that she was
displacing the powder and that none of it was sticking to her. Still
stunned, she looked back down at the cloak on the floor and walked back over
towards it. As she lifted it she noticed that it was also completely dry,
and that it too had a fine covering of the same powder that she had found
inside the vessel. As soon as she shook the cloak it floated towards the
floor, leaving no discernible mark on the cloak at all. If anything, it
seemed cleaner!
Never in her whole experience had she seen such a thing before, and she sat
down again, her mind reeling from her discovery. She reached across for
Doctor Livingston's notes and started reading through them once more, hoping
to find a clue as to why such an occurrence might have happened. She was so
engrossed in her reading that she only thought about the time when the last
of the natural light started to fade as the sun made its way past the north
east facing window.
"Goodness, how long have I been sitting here?" she said to herself as she
looked at the clock on the wall and saw that it must have been well over two
hours.
She shivered, more from tiredness rather than the cold, and picked up her
husbands cloak and draped it over her shoulders to comfort herself whilst
she finished the Doctor's manuscript. As she did so she had a sense of
something being not quite right and noticed a faint blue aura appear all
around her. Within seconds she felt a churning sensation from within her
stomach which she at first thought was hunger, but as it continued she knew
it was like no hunger that she had ever felt before. A deep cramping
sensation overwhelmed her and she fell out of the chair and onto the floor,
fearing for her very life. She passed out briefly as the cramping sensation
spread to other parts of her body and was thus spared the sight of the fine
hairs on her arms and hands thickening and lengthening, whilst her limbs
themselves started to grow.
She came to again just in time, as her tightly buttoned dress started to
asphyxiate her, and by instinct alone she ripped it away from her neck,
surprising herself with her own strength. She then noticed that the
tightness was coming from all over her body and ripped away the front of her
dress as her shoulders widened and her chest expanded in girth, at least.
She groaned aloud as she watched her breasts recede beneath her underclothes
and then pulled them away as well, just in time to see her nipples shrink to
child like proportions.
"Oh dear God, what is happening to me?" she cried, noticing her voice had
become deeper, as she then pulled at the ever tightening corsetry that was
by now crushing her very insides.
Within moments she had removed all of her clothing and was standing
completely naked, and running her hands up and down her muscled body before
they settled around the strange tube of flesh that now hung between her
legs. She started to examine her bodily changes , being far more fascinated
at the changes that had been wrought rather than shocked. That would come
later. Curious now for though, she moved her hands deeper between her legs
where her most intimate area, the one that had most strongly defined her
womanhood, had once resided. As she expected, she found a hairy and wrinkled
sac that she cupped in her hands and moved about. She then gave a cry of
pain as she pressed them together, a pain that was indescribable. As she
gripped the workbench for support,
she vowed that she would be far more careful in future if things remained
this way, and would treat them with proper respect.
As the pain gradually receded her mind finally accepted what had happened to
her. Somehow, incredible as it may seem, she was now a man! Something,
somehow, had changed her. She immediately knew, her instincts guiding her,
that it must have been something to with the concoction that she had
accidentally created, and then remembered the blue aura that had surrounded
her when she had put the cloak on.
She - he now, moved purposefully to where it had fallen from her, and draped
it over his shoulders again, to see if by some chance it might change him
back to how he had been. Somehow, he was not surprised when nothing
happened. Maybe it was just a one off occurrence and he was doomed to remain
this way forever! What on earth would his husband - how ridiculous that
sounded - think when he found out.
At the thought of Samuel a change seemed to come over the newly created man,
and a smile crept over his face. What would he think indeed! If he had been
here with his wife, instead of being away carousing with his cohorts, and
probably meeting up with his suspected mistress later, this might never have
happened.
Margery felt an anger build within him, an anger that contained a ferocity
beyond anything he had felt as a woman as the increase in testosterone
surged through his veins. He looked back down at his new body and was
reminded once again, that he was now a man. His body seemed a little larger
than the female body he had previously, and as he stretched he felt his
muscles tighten in a new way, sensing the power that just wanted to burst
forth.
His face broke into a smile as he pondered his future and started to view
his change from a slightly different perspective than that of a few moments
ago. Why had he considered that he was 'doomed' to remain a man? Why, this
might be the best thing that could possibly have happened. No more having to
be a second class citizen; no more being cautious at travelling alone; no
more spending half the morning getting dressed for the day and best of all -
no more 'wifely' duties. All of the frustrations that had dogged Margery's
adult life had now been miraculously resolved. Yes, maybe this was not such
a bad thing after all.
The thought of wifely duties sent his mind back to Samuel, and how he had
treated and cheated on Margery. Instead of the anger that he had felt
before, he now felt a quiet determination, a determination to put his 'ex'
husband in his place. Why, now he could even enter the gentlemen's club and
confront him there and then if he so desired. He would be able to enter the
hallowed halls where no woman had trod before. Then, another thought struck
him. No, why confront him there - he would more likely to be ejected, or
even overpowered by Samuel's friends or the staff. No, why not kill two
birds with one stone, so to speak. Why not follow him when he leaves the
club and then he could see just who this 'old friend' was. He would wager
anything that the old friend was female.
First things first though. He would see if he could fit his new body into
some of Samuel's clothes. How strange it would feel, just to be able to pull
on a shirt and trousers and be considered dressed!
* * * * * * *
Samuel swirled the last of his brandy around the bottom of the bowl shaped
glass and then brought it up to his lips, letting it trickle down his
throat, and then placed the glass back on the table.
"Another old man?" the young and whiskered gentleman opposite him asked and
snapped his fingers to attract the waiters attention.
"No, I've had enough I think Edwin. It's been pleasant but I've got to meet
someone now, and if I drink too much more I don't think I'll be able!" he
said, rising out of the leather chair.
"Able to what?" the man said with a puzzled look that quickly turned to one
of amusement as he caught his friends meaning.
"Ah yes, able indeed. I suppose you are meeting up with your 'special'
friend again. I warn you Samuel, one of these days you are going to catch
something from her. Her reputation precedes her".
"Nonsense, you are just jealous. She saves herself only for me" he said,
looking around for his cape and then remembering that he had left it at
home.
His friend shook his head, sorrowful at his friends stupidity, as Samuel
briefly considered stopping off on the way home to retrieve it, but he
changed his mind, not wanting to listen any more of his wife's nagging. He
bade his farewell and stepped out into the night air, looking for a cab. As
he waited he had the strangest sensation of being watched. He looked behind
him but could see nothing untoward. Just then two cabs appeared at once and
he hailed the first one.
"Thrawl street please, and hurry!" he said to the driver as he climbed into
the back.
The driver watched him get in an then turned to face forward again,
wondering what a gentleman like him could possibly want in that unsavoury
part of town. He smiled grimly to himself, knowing that he could only be up
to no good in that part of town, but it was no business of his, just so long
as he paid his fare.
* * * * * * *
Charles, as Margery had decided to call himself, moved back into the shadows
as he saw Samuel turn around. That had been a close call he considered, but
then laughed to himself. How would Samuel have recognised him anyway! He
watched as Samuel got into a cab and for a moment, he thought he was going
to lose him, but then saw another cab behind the one Samuel had boarded, and
quickly ran over to it.
"Follow that cab!" he called to the driver, and then sat back in the seat,
wondering where this journey would lead him.
As the cab bumped along over the cobbled streets, he took in all the sights
of night time London, feeling an incredible sense of freedom at being able
to do such a thing, and on his own as well. As Margery, he had never set
foot outside the house in the evening, at least unaccompanied. London at
night was no place for a woman on her own. He laughed to himself once more,
and savoured the moment. He felt liberated - free of the female chains that
had shackled him for so long.
Finally, the cab in front stopped outside of an Inn in a poor part of town
and Charles watched Samuel leave the cab and enter inside. Charles then left
his own cab and paid the driver before going inside himself. It was yet
another new experience for him as he entered into the noisy and smelly
atmosphere and watched as Samuel spoke to a man behind the bar. He suddenly
became aware that a few of the patrons were watching him and decided that
he'd try to appear as natural as possible so as not arouse their suspicion.
He went over to the only free table and sat down to wait for someone to take
his order, and a few moments later a large built woman approached him.
"And what can I get for you sir?" she asked him.
"Uh, an ale for me, please" he said, wanting to appear manly, and then
watched as the woman turned around and went back to the bar to fetch his
drink.
He looked for Samuel but couldn't see him. He must have gone somewhere, or
maybe he was hidden behind some of the crowd standing by the bar, he
thought. Just then, another woman approached him. She had large breasts that
threatened to spill out of their low cut dress she was wearing, and Charles
stared open mouthed, not believing how brazen she was acting.
"'ello then luv, would you like some company, just for the price of a
drink"?
"N..no, thank you. I..I am fine" Charles replied, hoping that she would go
away.
He was not in luck though, for she sat down beside him any, leaning forward
to make sure that he could not possibly miss her cleavage.
"Well then luv, 'ow about spending another penny or two then, and I'll give
you more than just company my dear"!
A strange feeling started to build within Charles as he tried, but failed,
to avert his eyes from her generously displayed bosom. He knew that he
shouldn't be feeling like this - not at all - but he couldn't deny that his
body was starting to respond to the girl's dubious charms. It was a
completely unexpected development and he shifted uncomfortably on the wooden
bench he was seated at, trying to disguise the hardness developing in his
trousers. He was still not used to his new equipment however, and managed to
trap part of it in his underthings, causing him to feel a sharp pain that
made him feel quite bilious for a moment.
Charles grimaced and quickly moved again to a more comfortable position. The
sudden pain had returned his senses to him and told the girl that he was not
interested,. He wanted to focus on Samuel now, and did not want to be
distracted. The girl looked annoyed at first, and it looked as if she was
about to make a scene, but Charles was saved any further embarrassment by
the barmaid bringing him his ale who then shooed the girl away, much to her
displeasure.
"'ow's a girl to make an 'onest living if you don't give 'er a chance, eh!"
she moaned, but moved on anyway.
He picked up the jug of ale and sipped it cautiously at first, but after a
taste or two decided that it wasn't too bad and then took a larger gulp. He
put the jug back down on the table and looked around the bar again, seeing
if he could spot Samuel. He was just about to curse his luck when a loud a
raucous girl's laugh from the far corner of the Inn caught Charles
attention. He had mixed feelings as he saw the girl in question, with her
arm wrapped around Samuel. He felt relief at having spotted his - her -
husband, but also anger at his betrayal. Somewhere from the back of his mind
he also felt another emotion, one of jealousy. This was maybe to be expected
in the current circumstances but the shocking thing for Charles was that he
actually felt jealous of Samuel, as the thought passed through his mind that
he wouldn't have minded spending some time in that girl's company, himself!
An unspoken battle for dominance took place where Margery's decent and
honourable thoughts fought against Charles more lascivious ones, and this
time hes won out. A shiver ran through him though, as he wondered what could
be affecting him so. He again returned to the task in hand at looked back at
Samuel, seeing him return the girl's hug and then lead her towards some
stairs that ran alongside. Charles picked up the jug and drained its
contents and then slammed it back on the table.
"T..that swine!" he spat, "I just knew he was up to no good. Why, I would
take him out and give him a damn good hiding if I was a ma..".
He had been about to say 'if I was a man' and then realised that he WAS a
man. A look of determination crossed over his face followed by a bitter
smile, as the barmaid came over and asked him whether he wanted another
drink. He was about refuse and then decided that maybe he would have
another, after all. If Charles was about to have a fling with that common
little trollop then he might as well give them time to get started, that way
he might catch them in the act! Besides, maybe he was wrong and there was
some completely innocent explanation for them leaving to go upstairs.
Of course, he knew that he was fooling himself, but he was still shocked at
having his suspicions confirmed, and was almost in state of self-denial. Ten
minutes later he had drained his second pint and stood up to go upstairs. He
walked up to the bar and was just about to climb up the stairway when a
large, moustachioed man barred his way.
"'cuse me a minute. Just where do you think you're going?" he said, easily
stopping Charles progress.
Despite his new found strength and stature, Charles knew that he would have
no chance against this bear of a man and decided to attempt persuasion as
opposed to force to get past him.
"I'm sorry, I should have asked you first. I am trying to contact Doctor
Soames. I believe that he has gone upstairs with..with someone".
"If Mr Soames is indeed upstairs 'sir' then I doubt that he'll want you
disturbing him" the man answered, standing his ground and continuing to look
intimidating.
Charles had to think fast, else his chance of exposing Samuel's treachery
would be gone.
"I have some urgent news for him. I am a close acquaintance of his and I
have just heard that his wife has found out what he has been doing here. She
may be sending someone round here at this very moment. I beg you sir, give
me a chance to warn him - now"!
"Ah, then I suppose that might be different then. I tell you what, you just
go and tell him what's what then. I don't want no trouble here" he said,
moving aside to let Charles past.
"Thank you, thank you indeed. He will have cause to remember you for acting
as you have done, you can be sure of that. Here.." Charles said,, reaching
into his coat pocket, "please, have a drink on me".
The barman caught the two pennies that Charles tossed him and tugged at this
hair.
"Thank you sir, thank you kindly" the barman replied, but Charles was
already on his way up the stairs and did not hear him.
As he reached the top he could see three doors, once his eyes had adjusted
to the dim light. Which one were they in? He approached the first door and
listened carefully but there was no sound. He looked around at the other two
doors but before he had a chance to investigate them he heard a light slap,
followed by the sound of a giggling woman. He crept up to the door and
listened once again.
"Oh sir, that is real naughty of you. Stop it at once" the same girl he had
just heard cried out, and this was then followed by another giggle.
That was then followed by a man's voice, telling her how beautiful the girl
was. A voice that she clearly recognised as being that of Samuel. A cold
anger possessed Charles as he reached inside the cloak and extracted a
medium sized carving knife and studied the blade, knowing that it would
penetrate flesh all the way through to the bone, and beyond.
His hand gripped the handle and turned it quietly as he opened the door and
crept into the room. There in front of him was a woman lying flat on her
back with her bodice pulled down exposing her breasts and on top of him,
moving into her body with a passion, was a posterior that he recognised as
being that of Samuel. They were so engrossed with each other that neither
had even noticed his presence.
Charles was shaking with fury as he watched their coupling and he lifted the
knife above his head, ready to strike in an instant.
"Y..you! Yes, you I say!" he cried out as Samuel turned to see him for the
first time.
"W..what the - who in God's name are you" Samuel called out and pulled out
of Polly, rolling alongside her.
Polly lay there, outraged at this interruption, with her nether regions on
display.
A wave of red mist started to descend over Charles at the sight of her sex,
and the aroma emanating from her hot and moist groin triggered something
primeval inside of him as he felt himself harden once more.
"You I said, what do you think you're doing barging in here like this?"
Samuel cried out, breaking the spell that Charles had been rapidly falling
into.
Regaining his senses, Charles stared coldly at Samuel.
"You sir, dare to challenge me as to my being here! Why, you are nothing but
a cheat and a liar. How could you cheat on your wife so"?
Samuel's face went pale for a moment, confused and worried. Was this someone
that Margery had sent after him - was she suspicious? He started to raise
himself whilst attempting to cover his lower parts, reaching for the cane
that he had left on a chair with his clothing. Charles was again momentarily
distracted by the 'charms' of the girl who still lay uncovered and only
noticed Samuel leaping at him at the last moment. With a strength that
surprised him however, he swept his arm across himself and caught Samuel on
his jaw, sending him sprawling backwards and unconscious on the floor.
He felt a deep satisfaction at the sight of his ... Margery's husband who
had finally gotten his due, but as he turned back to the girl he felt
something else. A smile crept over his face and he found himself moving
towards her, knowing that nothing was going to stop what would happen next,
nor did he want it to! As he approached closer, removing his clothing as he
did so, he saw the fear she had initially displayed turn to interest, as his
manhood became free.
"Oh lawks! I don't think I's ever seen one that big before" she exclaimed,
and then lay back as he took hold of her body.
He was like an animal as he spread her legs wider and she smiled as she
wrapped her arms around his strong back. Moments later, she lay spent and
bruised and looking at Charles in awe, his seed dripping from her insides.
She was speechless at first, as the man removed himself, and then saw a
puzzled expression on his face, which then turned to one of disgust.
"Wh..what have I done?" Charles said, suddenly horrified at his actions.
"Whatever you did, I's wouldn't mind some more!" Polly said, reaching out
towards him.
"No - NO! Get away from me" Charles pulled her away, as he looked around for
his clothes.
Just then he heard a groan and as he turned towards the sound, he saw Samuel
sit up again and rub his face. Charles started to dress quickly, wanting to
be out of this den of iniquity as soon as he could. He kept one eye on
Samuel as he buttoned his shirt and then saw some form of comprehension
start to return as he eyes settled on Charles. A hint of amusement passed
over Charles as he saw the look of fear in Samuel's eyes.
"Wh..who are you? Did my wife send you here?" Samuel said as he backed away
towards the wall.
A cold anger, once again, descended over Charles as he looked at this poor
excuse for a husband.
"It is not I who should be doing the explaining. I swear Samuel, I never
want to see you back inside my doors ever again. Oh, how could you? After
all those years together..".
Samuel was confused. He had never seen his assailant before and yet the way
he had just spoken - it was as if it was Margery talking, herself! That was
by the by though, surely, as soon as this fellow reported back to his wife
then he would be undone. The scandal of someone consorting with a common
whore or, more to the point, being caught with one, would make him a social
leper. There was yet one chance though.
"S..sir, I do not know who you are but surely, is there not some arrangement
we can come to, some compensation say, that might ensure your silence"?
Charles was stunned. Catching Samuel consorting with a such a trollop as the
one next to him, and his subsequent betrayal of his marriage vows, was bad
enough, but now - he was fully intending to compound his treachery by
attempting to buy his silence. Oh, if only he was aware that the man he was
attempting to bribe was actually his wife.
He was speechless beyond words for a moment, and reached for his cape,
intending to leave and seek some fresh air. As he did so he remembered the
knife that he had placed inside of it earlier, in case he had needed
protection. The pulled the knife from the pocket where he had left it and
looked at it, turning the blade in his hands.
As soon as Polly caught sight of what he was looking at she feared that he
meant to do away with Samuel, and possibly herself also. She ran across to
Samuel and threw her arms around him, seeking his protection, though he
tried to push her away. Charles just stared at the both of them, disgusted
at this display of treachery and cowardice. He knew, there and then, that
killing either or both of them would be a kindness and he decided that it
would be far better to let Samuel suffer in shame. He dropped the knife to
the floor and turned towards him.
"You...you make me sick to the very pit of my stomach. J..just get out of my
sight!" he yelled and then took his cloak from around his shoulders and
threw it over the pair of them, wanting to erase them both from his sight.
Upset and disgusted, he stormed out of the room, leaving the pair of them
stunned to silence.
"H..he's gone!" Polly gasped, shocked at their narrow escape. "I thought
that we was going to meet our maker, that was for sure"!
"Oh shut up you stupid girl. Don't you see - my life's ruined!" Samuel
shouted at her.
She wasn't listening though. Her attention was now fully on the strange blue
glow that was emanating from the cloak that was still on top of them both.
She was also aware of an unusual stirring deep in her stomach and placed a
hand on her belly.
"Ohhh - I feel's so funny down here!" she groaned out aloud and reached down
to feel where the pain was coming from.
"Damn! I don't feel so good myself.." Samuel answered, and then doubled up
from a cramping sensation from deep within him.
It was like nothing else that he had ever felt before, neither was the
shivering that was making his whole body very cold. The two 'lovers' pulled
away from each other, first looking at their own bodies and then at each
other, overwhelmed at the sensations that were effecting them.
"Oh lawks Doctor - what is happening to you?" Polly cried and pointed to
Samuels chest.
He looked back down at himself and noticed that his whole torso was slimmer
that it had been. More disturbing however, were the breasts that were
growing there. He was spellbound as he watched them increase in size and was
further shocked as he noticed that the hands that reached to grab them were
a lot slimmer than those he was used to - in fact, they looked just like
those of..".
"A girl - in God's name, you're becoming a girl!" Polly cried out, in an
ever deepening voice.
Samuel's face turned to one of horror as Polly's words snapped him out of
the trance that he had fallen into. He then felt a terrible drawing
sensation from his groin and looked down just in time to see his penis
shrinking and the start of a slit appearing, recognising what it was
immediately. He looked up towards Polly, his feminine face about to plead
for whatever help she might be able to give him. His plea was halted though,
as he looked closer at her and saw her breasts disappear, and then a large
fleshy protuberance appear from between her legs.
"Polly - you..you're a..".
"A man! Oh lawks, I'm changing into a man"!
Moments later their changes were complete and the new man and girl looked at
each other in amazement, both stunned from their transformation. It was the
man however, that spoke first.
"Witchcraft, it must be witchery that done this to us" he said, and then
marvelled at the sound of his deepening voice.
The new girl suddenly remembered the cloak, and the strange blue aura that
had surrounded them at the time of the change. By some quirk, or by
instinct, she knew that it was the cloak that had enforced their
transformation. She turned her head to look for it but the man saw her and
grabbed out to hold her wrist as she reached out for it.
"Ouch! You're hurting me. Let go of me you stupid girl. It's the cloak - it
was the cloak that did this to us. Let me have it - I want to change back"!
The man increased the hold he had on her, not realising his strength as she
cried out again, in pain.
"I'd watch who you were calling a stupid girl if I was you. It ain't me that
looks like a girl right now if you see's what I mean".
As if realising the implications of what he had just said, an evil smile
passed across the man's face.
The girl who was once Samuel looked at him and wondered what he was smiling
at and then comprehension dawned upon her as she looked down to his groin
and saw his engorged manhood. A new fear, unlike any she had experienced
before, gripped her.
"No..no - you can't possibly mean that.."
"Shut yourself up girl, and lay yourself down for me" he said, slapping her
face as she fell backwards, the pain far in excess of what she could have
imagined possible.
"Now let's see if I can make you squeal my love, squeal like a girl. That's
what you always told me you liked - lot's of squealing" the man said as he
forced her legs apart and moved himself above her.
She lay their dumbstruck, hardly able to believe that this was happening to
her. She - he - had been a man of good reputation, a Doctor, a man of
letters. How could she be here now, spreading herself? She then cried out at
the pain of her first penetration but the initial pain soon turned into
something different, something that made her feel funny inside.
"That's it my lovely, squeal for me, squeal for your man" he said to her,
enjoying being the one who held the power for the first time in either his
or her life.
Five minutes later Samuel was lying back on the bed, her legs still spread
as the warm fluid, the man once Polly had despatched there, leaked from the
crevice between her legs.
She was in a daze, unable to believe what had just happened, and didn't
notice the man looking inside her - Samuel's - jacket.
"I don't think that 'oive ever seen such money, not in the whole of my
life"!
Samuel looked across at Polly, as he took the wallet he had kept in his
jacket and emptied its contents on the small dresser in the corner.
After the unimaginable ordeal that she had just endured, she no longer had
the strength or will to stop him ,even had it been possible.
"I think this will keep me in comfort for some time, 'specially with you
bringing more in. Ain't that right ..Polly!" he said, looking back over
towards the girl again, her face showing bemusement.
"P..P..Polly?" she questioned and then stopped as she saw the leer on the
man's face.
"Yes - Polly, that's who you'll be. Mary Anne Nichols is now your name, or
your real name, but everyone knows you as Polly. You can be Polly, like I
was for awhile, 'aving to sell yourself to live. You were ready enough to
use oi, so maybe's you can try it and keep Albert here, for that's what
oi'll be calling myself now, in comfort for a while".
The new Polly's face went pale as she registered the horror of her
situation. Th..this man seriously intended to put her to use as a whore,
probably out on the street. She desperately tried to think of a way out of
this, s..she had to escape somehow, but that would be impossible now, for
who could she turn to. Once that man had reported back to Margery then
surely, she would have nothing to do with her as either Samuel or Polly!
"Here, put these on" Albert said to her, throwing her his former clothing.
She held them close, reluctant to don them, but as she saw the him looking
at her with a barely hidden menace, she started to do as she was told. She
didn't want the beating she was certain he would give to her.
Such was the difficulty she had in trying to dress herself that she failed
to see Albert take the cloak and fold it into a bundle before leaving the
room for a second. By the time that she looked for it again, and realised
that it had gone, she knew that any hope she had harboured of changing back
to a man had vanished. Surely, she was doomed and totally dependant on
Albert's goodwill to even give her a chance of regaining her former status,
and she was sure that there was precious little of that.
* * * * * * *
Charles made his way back to his house and returned to the basement as soon
as he arrived. His initial thoughts of being in control of his life and in
being no longer a second class citizen had intoxicated him at first, but now
that he had seen, with his own eyes, the darker side of being a man it was
no longer so attractive. Moreover, he had not only seen it, he had felt -
indeed - he had even participated in it when he had virtually attacked that
girl For certain, the girl was willing enough in the final analysis, and
their union had brought pleasure to her but it didn't hide the truth. Even
if she had resisted he knew that he...he would have raped her. Even worse
was the fact that although the conclusion of that act had brought him
somewhat to his senses, he had been aware, as he returned home, that the
lascivious feelings that he had experienced earlier, were starting to
return. If he hadn't made a conscious effort to control himself, and avoided
as best as possible, sight of any females then he wasn't sure that a
repetition of his attack on the girl could be avoided
"Oh Lord! Is this what it has come to?" he wailed, and then determined to
see if he could repeat the experiment that had created the 'magic' cloak..
He decided that being second class was surely preferable to becoming a
monster - male or otherwise.
* * * * * * *
Baker Street, London August 30th 1888, afternoon
It had been four weeks now, since Charles attempt to recreate the formula
that had made him a man, but he had experienced no success, despite the many
long days and nights he had spent in his basement. He was at the point of
despair now for although, with great effort, he had managed to control his
ever increasing lascivious urges he had weakened a few times, taking his
pleasure of his former gender with more frequency. What scared him most
though, was that he was finding that he could not remember what happened
both before and during his coupling. He knew that he could become quite
aggressive and was beginning to fear where it would lead him, and what he
might do.
Occasionally, he would wonder what had become of Samuel, although the
bitterness and hurt remained with him and did not want to see him again. He
had been forced to shut the surgery with neither Margery or Samuel
available, and had explained that away by claiming a contagious disease
present. He couldn't maintain that story forever though, and needed to find
the 'cure'.
He was at the point of wondering what he should do next, before he became a
monster, possibly forever, when he felt a strange sensation, not dissimilar
to that he had felt almost four weeks ago, to the hour. Suddenly, he felt a
sharp stabbing pain from within his insides and doubled over, moaning and
whining. At first he thought that he was dying, suffering from some fatal
malady, and wailed with his suffering. Eventually though, despite his
growing panic, he began to notice that his voice was rising in pitch, and
was also becoming smoother, more melodic.
A new awareness and hope crept over him, and he looked down and saw that his
clothes were loosening, at least in some areas.
"Heaven's, could this be my prayers being answered?" he said, as he stripped
completely and watched his penis start to wither and withdraw inside of him.
This was followed by the sight of Margery's breasts returning, and then by
an expansion of the hips and a swelling of his behind.
Margery cried tears of relief for indeed, her female form had returned.
* * * * * * *
Spitalfields, East End of London August 31st 1888, evening
"Excuse me dear, I would like to take up a little of your time, that is -
if your are not otherwise engaged".
'Polly' turned wearily, but found some degree of comfort that the man who
was propositioning her at least appeared to be a gentleman. That was in
stark contrast to those she had serviced yesterday, and earlier on this
evening. It had been four weeks now, four long weeks, since she had lost her
female virginity to Albert, and he had ensured that she had been well used
since then, both by himself and others. She didn't know what was worse -
having to surrender herself maybe three of four times a night to strangers,
or having to endure the humiliation of bringing the money back to Albert,
her pimp.
The scariest thing though, was what started out as a forced act had become a
way of life. It hadn't taken long before she found that she was no longer
surrendering herself and instead, was responding eagerly to the men who
bought her favours, and now she was desiring and craving each sexual union
with an abandon that was close to hysteria. It was getting harder to imagine
that she was ever a man of means, and soon she was sure that she wouldn't
even want to go back, given the chance. All she could think of now, was of
sex and then more sex. Mind though, she'd felt some funny cramping feelings
inside her belly this morning and they seemed to be building. As she was
once a doctor she knew what female malady this foretold and was not looking
forward to the experience. Any further thoughts she might have had were
interrupted by the man in front of her.
"I said excuse me dear, would you help me for a moment"?
She looked down to the junction of his trousers and imagined what they
contained both desiring their contents and also hating herself for doing so.
It was then that something broke through her sexual cravings, something
about his voice that she recognised. She took her eyes away from her first
point of interest and as looked up into his face her hand flew involuntarily
to her mouth.
"Edwin!" she gasped, her face showing her utter shock at this latest twist
of events.
Instantly, she became Samuel in mind. It seemed that the very fates must be
conspiring to humiliate and mock her.
"Sorry miss, do you know me?" Edwin said as he stepped back a little,
understandably worried that this whore should appear to recognise him.
Polly's mind was in turmoil. She looked hastily over her shoulder to see if
Albert was anywhere in sight. Last night he had put her out on the street as
usual, but had decided that she had not been cheerful or friendly enough to
the men approaching her, even though her commitment had not been in doubt.
She had received a beating later to teach her a lesson, and had no desire to
repeat that experience. On the other hand though, with her long time friend
in her very presence then salvation was possible, at least in virtue if not
in body. He could be her saviour. Dare she though, reveal herself to him and
risk another beating if Edwin did not believe her tale, and Albert saw her?
Her hopes dropped, knowing that if the situation was reversed and a common
girl like she now was, claimed to really be her best friend, then he knew
what he would have done. Probably have taken her anyway, and then not paid.
She tried to keep the tears away from her eyes and she looked back at him
again, his face still showing concern.
"I asked you miss, do you know me?" he repeated his question.
Polly stole a glance back at a window in the room where she guessed Albert
might have been and saw a movement. He was watching, she knew it! Fear
overcame her and she resorted to her common whore persona once more.
"Nah mister, I was just telling you my name. Edwina, you can call me Edwina"
she said, forcing a smile and talking in the common manner as Albert had
told her she must.
She moved her shawl around her shoulder, exposing her breasts in the way
that Albert had taught her, and swallowed hard, knowing that she would have
no choice but to offer herself to her friend. Oh, how far she had fallen!
Edwin suddenly realised what she was doing and looked distinctly
uncomfortable.
"N..no! You misunderstand me. I am here looking for a friend that's all. A
friend who came to this area nearly a month ago but then disappeared. We
were due to meet again today, but nobody appears to have seen him. I..I knew
that he came to these parts on occasions, and that he - eh, well - spent
time with ladies such as yourself" he said with grace, "so I came to see if
maybe anyone - you, might have seen him"!
Polly felt her heart sink even further. Dear Edwin. Friends since their time
at medical school together.
"N..no mister, I ain't see no one like him!" she said, and backed away.
"But I haven't even told you what he looks like"!
Just then Polly heard a knock on the window and saw Albert, gesturing for
her to come back to their room. She felt her bladder cry for release, hoping
that she hadn't upset him too much but fearing that she might have. She knew
that it was better to return quickly for he might go easier on her then.
Turning away from her old life for the last time, she looked at Edwin.
"I..I'm sorry sir, I've got to go know" she said, and practically ran
inside, taking the narrow wooden stairs towards the room she was now sharing
with Albert at a furious pace, leaving a stunned Edwin, shaking his head.
Once inside, she knew that she had every reason to be scared, for Albert was
standing behind the door and grabbed her as soon as she entered.
"I told you last night, you gotta look like you want it, it ain't enough
just to do your stuff and anyway, you's were talking too long!" he accused
her, his eyes burning with fury.
She trembled and tried to pull away, his strength was hurting her.
"No - I swear, I told him nothing!" she cried.
Albert stopped for a moment, her words grabbing his attention.
"Who said anything about telling him something - I didn't! What you been
saying to him? Have you been telling him who you were"?
"No - NO, I wouldn't dare - honest!" she screamed, truly in fear for her
life now as his eyes blazed.
"Liar!" he shouted and then threw her across the bed, reaching over to the
carving knife that Charles had left behind, and that he had hidden in a
drawer by the bed.
He placed it inside his jacket pocket and then went back over to Polly and
lifted her from the bed by her hair, ignoring her cries as he regarded her,
coldly.
"You're coming with me. I can't be trustin' you, and one day someone might
be foolish enough to believe you".
He clamped his other hand across the crying girls mouth and dragged her down
the stairs and out into an alleyway, somewhere where he knew that he
wouldn't be seen. He looked up at the street sign that bore the legend
'Buck's Row' and then turned his attention back to Polly, an evil smile
crossing his face.
"You should 'ave done as you were told" he said, reaching inside his jacket.
Albert had failed to notice, in all the excitement, that Polly had been
trembling and crying for some time now, and if he had he would have put it
down to his treatment of her. As he looked at her now though, it seemed as
if her face was rearranging itself and changing. It was then that he started
to feel something himself and soon found himself on the floor and doubling
over.
It was just moments later that Doctor Samuel Soames stood over the real
Polly, still wearing the remnants of the dress he had been wearing when he -
as Polly - had been dragged down into this alleyway. By some miracle - some
divine form of intervention perhaps, he had regained his identity just in
time, and was savouring the moment. This time, it was his face that carried
an evil smile.
"Well, well Polly - it seems as if there's been a turnabout, doesn't it"!
He watched amused as he saw the girl feel inside of the men's clothing that
she was wearing and discovered the breasts that, once more, hung from her
chest. She looked up and saw Samuel standing over her, once more assuming a
position of power.
"No - No sir, I...I was going to treat you well - honest. I..I was only
kidding you sir!" she pleaded, backing away from him as he looked down
towards the floor.
Her heart skipped a beat as she saw him looking at the knife she - he - had
dropped and she tried to make a grab for it. She was unsuccessful though and
she whimpered again as she watched him lift it and examine it's edge.
"Now start removing your clothes, I can't go around looking like this"
Samuel said, and started removing the remains of the female clothing that he
was still wearing himself.
As she started to loosen her trousers, he looked back to the knife that he
was holding.
"Hmmmm - still sharp I see. That's good".
He then looked back towards Polly again, just in time to see her attempting
to get to her feet in a desperate attempt to at least get back onto the main
street where she would be visible to others. He moved swiftly towards her,
grabbing her by her jacket and pulling if off of him. As she swung her arm
around in a desperate attempt to evade him, she caught him a lucky blow to
the throat which sent him staggering backwards, leaving him dazed for a
moment as she started running away. He was nearly naked as he ran after her
but just as it looked as if she might make the main thoroughfare, she
tripped over, her feet caught in her loosened trousers.
"So you thought you'd escape me then!" he cried hitting her to the floor.
As she lay there sobbing he pulled away the rest of her male clothing and
started dressing himself in them. It was at that point that Polly let out a
piercing scream.
"Help - HELP! Somebody, help"!
"Why y...you stupid.." he started to curse, and without realising what he
was doing lashed out at her with the blade.
It cut right through her abdomen and a deep red stain started to spread
across her naked torso. She looked at herself in horror and then screamed
again, causing him to repeat his act again and again until she finally
became silent.
"Oh my God! What have I done?" he said, looking at the blood that was now
staining his hands.
As he heard the sounds of people calling and of police whistles in the
distance, he picked up the jacket he had discarded and ran, bare foot, down
the alleyway leaving the remains of the body of Mary Anne 'Polly' Nichols to
be discovered by those who would soon become his pursuers. Cursing himself
for his foolhardiness he must have run for an hour or more, until he was
well away from the area. He had hoped to be able to return to see if he
could discover where Polly, as Albert, had hidden the cloak, but that was
now out of the question.
He was alone now, with no one that he could turn to - that is, except for
Edwin. Edwin, of course - now that he was back in his true form then he
might harbour him ,or might even help him set himself up again!
With a surge of hope lending him new energy, Samuel stumbled out of the back
alleyway where he had been hiding, and straight into the path of a hansome
cab, sustaining injuries that ended his life just moments later.
* * * * * * *
Appendix
Extract from Journal of Margery Soames
September 10th 1888
It has been over a week now, since I changed back to my female persona, and
I have worked tirelessly in attempting to recreate the formula, though
without success. Maybe there is some element of the formula that I am
missing, but I am certain that I have followed the instructions implicitly.
My lack of success with the experiments merely seem symptomatic of a far
greater malaise that is blighting my life. It was only a day after I had
changed back that the police informed me that Samuel had been found, dressed
in shabby clothing and crushed under the wheels of a cab in a street
accident. Despite the way that Samuel betrayed me, I would not have wished
such a cruel fate for him.
Aside from my own malaise however, a far darker ones seems to be descending
upon London. The very same night that Samuel died, a woman was found
brutally butchered, just yards from where I had followed Samuel an