Land of the Dead Read online

  Steven Hopstaken & Melissa Prusi

  Land of the Dead

  A Stoker’s Wilde Novel

  FLAME TREE PRESS

  London & New York

  White Worm Society Archivist’s Note

  This collection pertains to the London Spiritual Invasion of 1883–1884 and the destruction of the first White Worm Society.

  Queen Elizabeth created the first society in 1599 to protect the Empire from ungodly occult powers. A satanic cult had summoned a wyrm – a giant serpentlike creature – and it was terrorising a village.

  The Queen dispatched a force of her best knights to vanquish the creature and bring the cult to justice. By the time they reached the village, the wyrm had killed more than twenty villagers and sent the rest fleeing for their lives. The knights found the beast in a cave, with the cult worshipping it and bringing it captured peasants for sacrifice.

  The knights quickly overpowered the cult and turned their attention to the wyrm. Half a dozen of the valiant force lost their lives before Sir Walter Raleigh leapt upon its back and drove a silver sword – rumoured to be Excalibur – through its skull.

  The cult members were imprisoned in the Tower of London and interrogated. They revealed the wyrm came from another place called ‘the Realm’. The Realm exists alongside our world, but is not part of it. Her Majesty decreed the creation of a society to investigate and stop incursions from this other world.

  Shrouded in a veil of secrecy, the first White Worm Society valiantly battled the supernatural for almost three centuries. They faced their greatest challenge by far when the Order of the Golden Dawn, led by the madman Richard Wilkins (known to his followers as the Black Bishop), opened a new gate into the Realm and unleashed its evil back into our world.

  Thanks to the courage of Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, and their compatriots, his plan failed. They sealed the gate and Wilkins died at the hands of a monster he thought was under his control. However, that was not the only incursion into our world from the Realm, and as Mr. Stoker would say, the dead travel fast.

  The following exhibits relate how the Land of the Dead encroached upon our living world and the havoc that it wreaked, including the destruction of the original White Worm Society. These entries are, for the most part, arranged in chronological order, with needless passages and multiple entries on the same subject removed.

  – Acting White Worm Archivist, 15th of June 1885

  Report from White Worm Society Agent Cora Chase

  Date: 4th of December 1882

  Subject: Bram Stoker and Dr. Victor Mueller

  I have been tasked with recruiting Bram Stoker to once again help the White Worm Society stop an evil man wielding supernatural power.

  This time it is Dr. Victor Mueller.

  Public records show Dr. Mueller purchased the scientific library and laboratory of Dr. James Lind, who died in 1812. Lind was a pioneer in anatomical research and a mentor to Mary Shelley. It’s been said that Lind was the inspiration for the character of Dr. Frankenstein in her novel, Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus, written in 1818.

  Mueller, the son of a wealthy German industrialist, left Berlin in 1867, at which point he vanished from the public records.

  We first took an interest in him when he aligned himself with Reverend Richard Wilkins, the Black Bishop. After the Black Bishop was defeated, the White Worm Society and the Queen’s Guard raided Dr. Mueller’s Edinburgh laboratory, only to find that he had fled the country.

  His lab contained fresh corpses, electrical equipment and notes on restoring ‘the life force’ to the dead.

  We also discovered his correspondence with Wilkins, which revealed Mueller was conducting scientific research at Wilkins’ request, as well as procuring specimens of an occult nature for him.

  Wilkins rewarded Mueller with pints of vampire blood, and a sample of Bram Stoker’s hybrid blood, for use in his own research.

  Because Stoker was given vampire blood as a child to save his life, he developed an immunity to vampirism, which Mueller believed could be used to extend human life without the negative effects of becoming fully a vampire.

  Mueller surfaced again in Germany in 1881 to collect his inheritance when his father died. This made him one of the richest men in Europe. He then disappeared from the public eye once more.

  Recent reports place him in Finland, where we believe he is attempting to resurrect the dead.

  Which leads us directly to Mr. Stoker. I went to the Lyceum Theatre, where he works today, but found it prudent to first speak with his employer, Henry Irving.

  As stated in the ‘Black Bishop Incident Report,’ Mr. Irving is a vampire, albeit an unusual one. He seems to possess a soul and wishes to regain his humanity.

  He had also been a friend of Richard Wilkins (never suspecting his friend’s nefarious intentions), and assumed the task of settling Wilkins’ affairs after his death. From Wilkins’ correspondence, Irving discovered Mueller was researching the properties of vampire blood and the unique effects of Stoker’s human/vampire co-mingled blood.

  He then contacted Dr. Mueller in hopes his research could cure Irving’s vampirism. Because of this, I felt he would be more receptive than Mr. Stoker to the idea of working with us as a means to his own ends.

  I found him in his office, and briefly explained the situation.

  “We must stop him, Mr. Irving,” I said. “Surely you can see that. But if there is anything in his research that can help you cure your affliction, I will ensure that information is shared with you. The White Worms are as eager as you are to find a cure for vampirism.”

  He seemed sceptical, but what choice did he have? He was no longer in contact with Mueller, so his efforts there were at a standstill.

  “Very well, Miss Chase. But you know that Bram will be harder to convince.”

  Although Stoker at times mistrusts the White Worm Society’s objectives, he does owe me a debt of gratitude for saving his life in the American West and I hoped he would at least be willing to listen to our proposal.

  Mr. Irving called him into the office.

  “Not you again!” he exclaimed. “Honestly, Miss Chase, while I appreciate all you did for us in America, I wish the White Worms would just leave us alone. Oh, and Florence would like her journal back.”

  “Please, listen to what she has to say,” Mr. Irving said.

  He reluctantly took a seat. “I already gave your London office my records from our American misadventures,” he said. “What do you want now?”

  I got right down to it, giving him a brief history of Mueller. “His experiments are growing ever more dangerous,” I concluded. “We can’t allow him to continue.”

  “What makes you think I can help?”

  “We intercepted a letter he wrote to you, Mr. Stoker.” I handed it to him and he read it.

  Here is the letter in its entirety:

  Dear Mr. Stoker,

  You don’t know me, but I have been corresponding with Henry Irving concerning the magical properties of his blood and, by extension, yours. I assure you, Henry did not betray your confidence about your condition; that information I gained from the Black Bishop.

  I am doing important scientific work that will revolutionise medicine. In time, my work could lead to the cure of all diseases and even of death itself!

  I would like to buy a sample of your blood. I believe it is the key to reanimation without the nasty side effects of vampirism. If you agree to this, it can be to the benefit of all mankind.

  I have enclosed the address of my solicitor and he can deliver me the sample.

  I thank you in adva
nce.

  Sincerely,

  Dr. Victor Mueller

  “Absolutely not,” he said. “I will play no part in yet another madman’s schemes.”

  “Obviously, we don’t want you to give him your blood,” I told him. “There’s no telling what he would do with it. But we can use you to set a trap for him. All you need to do is set up a meeting and we’ll do the rest.”

  “Aren’t there any Finnish theatre managers you could press into service?” he asked.

  “Not one with the blood he wants, or your ability to sense supernatural activity which that blood gives you,” I said.

  Side note: I first met Mr. Stoker when he was helping the U.S. government track down vampire outlaws in the Western Territories of America. (See ‘The California Incident’ report.) His unique blood has given him the power to see where supernatural creatures are and have been. He could be a great asset to the White Worms and we should continue efforts to recruit him to our ranks.

  I told Mr. Stoker I understood his reluctance to help us, but Dr. Mueller had to be stopped as he does not feel bound by any laws of God or man in his pursuit of scientific advances.

  “He’s creating monsters that are terrorising Finland,” Mr. Irving added. “We can’t let that go unchecked. And perhaps his research…”

  “Yes, yes, I know,” Mr. Stoker said. “This might lead to your cure.”

  With Mr. Irving’s pleading, Mr. Stoker relented. He agreed to help us catch Mueller, but said it would be the last favor he would ever do for the White Worm Society.

  From the Diary of Oscar Wilde, 8th of January 1883

  Dear yours truly,

  Bram stopped by my flat today, more flustered than usual. He told me the White Worms have coerced him into taking on a mission for them. It shocked me to learn they want to use him as bait to catch a madman, a former cohort of Reverend Wilkins.

  “At first I was only to deliver a blood sample to his solicitor.”

  “Heavens, not your blood? The last time that was released in the wild, I found myself down the gullet of a giant worm!”

  “It wasn’t my actual blood, Oscar. We brought him some plain, ordinary blood. Besides, he’s not interested in the Realm, he just wants to bring the dead back to life.”

  “Oh, is that all? Carry on then.”

  “Apparently, the solicitor got cold feet about the assignment and never delivered the vial. Lawyers aren’t normally tasked with carrying blood across international borders, after all. Now Mueller’s asked me to meet him in Finland, and the blasted Worms want me to go. They need to lure him out so they can nab him.”

  “Ah, he can’t get his hands on the milk, so he wants the cow!”

  “Aye, that’s what I’m afraid of. I told him with a production at the theatre just mounting, the earliest we could meet would be the first week of February. The White Worms are planning my voyage now. They will be offering me protection and will be there to grab Mueller when we meet.”

  I told him he should refuse to go. After all, he has a wife and child to think about. Gallivanting through Finland in the winter is dangerous in itself. Throw in a mad scientist who’s raising the dead, and it seems like, well, just the sort of trouble that tends to find Stoker – and, by extension, me. Besides, I believe the Finns wear enormous fur coats in the winter, and this will make Stoker look even more ursine than usual and a hunter could shoot him.

  “The mad scientist is the reason I should go,” he said. “There are reports he is creating some sort of monster up there. And then there is the fact he helped the Black Bishop with his nefarious plans. He should be brought to justice for that, if nothing else.”

  So there you have it. I could not talk him out of it and may have helped talk him into it. Not even my charms can work against his stubbornness.

  He made me promise to look after Florrie and little Noel should things go south in the north, which I am happy to do.

  I told him my engagement to Constance is back on the calendar.

  He did not seem as happy as I would have liked at hearing the news. In fact, I think I saw him roll his eyes.

  He did offer his congratulations and said that Florence would be over the moon at the news. I can always count on Florrie to be in my corner.

  He departed into the cold and left me alone to ponder his journey further. A feeling came over me, like the dread I felt the day I met Derrick. He was so beautiful and so talented that I coveted him from the first. I couldn’t have known then that his obsession with eternal youth would lead me into the clutches of the Black Bishop and his vampire cult, but I seem to have a sixth sense for these things.

  I felt the same shiver down my spine today, and it was telling me this might not end well for Bram. I hope I am wrong; alas, I seldom am.

  From the Journal of Bram Stoker, 8th of February 1883

  1:00 p.m.

  Our ship has pulled into port near the town of Kokkola, on the west coast of Finland. Our time at sea was most arduous. February is not the best time for such a journey. The North Sea was treacherous, and the Baltic was not much better. The Gulf of Bothnia was partially frozen over and we had to navigate around many ice floes.

  Stepping on deck even for a moment for fresh air turned my red beard white with ice and chilled me to the bone even through the many layers of my fur coat.

  Normally I have good sea legs; however, the large swells bounced us up and down vigorously for most of the journey, leaving me green around the gills as the sailors say.

  Onboard with me were four White Worm ‘operatives’, as they call themselves.

  There is Mr. Blackwood, a tall gentleman with curly black hair. He shares my love of the theatre and we spent many a night on the voyage talking about plays and the world of acting. The others tell me Mr. Blackwood has studied karate in Japan and can break a thick board with his bare hands – imagine that.

  The others include Mr. Fry, who is a large, muscular man I assume is along should things get rough. He doesn’t say much but is pleasant enough.

  Mr. Cantor is shorter, five eight or so, and is in charge of firearms. I am told he is a decorated soldier with many heroic deeds to his name.

  And finally, the man in charge, Errol Hammond. He is the current director of the White Worm Society. I suppose this must be a particularly important mission to have him along; however, I simply don’t like the man. He is very ill-tempered and is often chastising his men for the smallest infractions: a loose tie, an unpolished shoe and the like.

  We are alone at sea except for the captain and a small crew, so one would think protocol could wait until we get to shore. He is a small man and one gets the impression all his bluster is making up for his lack of stature.

  I suspect he, like me, is fighting seasickness and that may affect his mood. Still, there is something not right about him and I do my best not to socialise with him if I don’t have to.

  * * *

  9th of February, 3:15 p.m.

  I was happy to set foot on shore despite the freezing temperatures and strong north wind.

  The town is very charming, with many colourful wooden buildings of Swedish and Finnish design.

  We checked in to the Hotel Kala, and after freshening up in our rooms, met in the lobby downstairs. A fire roared in the large stone fireplace and we ordered some brandy.

  We discussed strategy for bringing in Mueller during our rendezvous tomorrow.

  “We will be covertly sitting in the dining room posing as locals,” Hammond informed me. “I’ve asked the hotelier to not seat other guests in the hour before and during the meeting time. When he sits down to talk with you, hear him out for a bit. See if he tells you what his plans are for your blood and if he is working with others.”

  I very much doubted Mueller would offer up this information at our first meeting and said as much.

  “Maybe so,” Hammon
d said. “As he thinks his work will benefit the world, he might let you in on the details. Make him feel comfortable, and when you think the time is right, give us a signal by scratching your ear. Then, Mr. Blackwood and Mr. Fry will grab him.”

  I’ve retired to my room for the night, happy to sleep in a big feather bed without the sea rolling beneath it.

  I still feel much trepidation about the meeting tomorrow. It should be a simple task for five men to take in Mueller, but I know how these things can go pear-shaped, especially with my cursed luck.

  Report from White Worm Society Agent Brent Blackwood

  Date: 10 February 1883

  Subject: Mueller Investigation

  I am sorry to report our current mission to capture Dr. Victor Mueller has taken a turn for the worse.

  We had stationed ourselves in the Hotel Kala tearoom. Bram Stoker was waiting to meet with Dr. Mueller and would gain as much information as he could before we apprehended him.

  Agent Cantor and I dressed as local fishermen and sat at a table in the corner of the room eating our lunch.

  Agent Fry and Director Hammond were also dressed as locals, with Mr. Hammond sitting in an adjacent corner and Fry in the lobby standing guard over the rear entrance to the room.

  All of us had a good line of sight on Stoker near the centre of the room.

  The rest of the tables were empty, as was the dining room except for the occasional entrance and exit of the waiter.

  The room itself had a large wall of windows showing the rear garden of the hotel, which had a path cleared of snow for carriages and horse-drawn sleighs to drop off passengers. A single door in the centre of the wall of windows led to the back garden. We were told this was the entrance most locals used when visiting the restaurant, while those staying at the hotel used the lobby entrance. A small kitchen to the right had no exit or entrance except through the dining room.

  It had stopped snowing, and the sky was clear, giving us a brightly lit view of the outside.