Jekyll & Hyde Inc.

Daniel knew he had to think of something. He looked quickly round the office, searching for inspiration, for something he could use. His gaze fell on the two sepia photographs in their silver frames, still standing on the desk. They’d been pushed right to the back by the secretary’s body, but now that was gone they both stood revealed again. Ancient images of Dr. Henry Jekyll and his old friend, the lawyer Utterson—who was now Edward Hyde. And a sudden cold certainty rushed through Daniel as the answer came to him. It was all about the Elixir. It had always been all about the Elixir. Why didn’t Edward drink all of it once he’d turned? Why save it for decades?

Was the poison also the antidote?

Daniel wondered where could he get more of it.

He set the edge of the silver knife against his opposite wrist, gritted his teeth and pressed down hard, shearing through the great veins with one swift motion. Blood started to spurt, but before the wound could heal itself, Daniel surged forward and pressed it against Edward’s open mouth. Caught off guard, Edward didn’t have time to react before the pressure of the jetting blood forced itself down his throat. He swallowed despite himself, and then bent suddenly forward with such force that he threw Tina over his shoulder. She tucked and rolled and was quickly back on her feet, ready to grab Edward again, but stopped as Daniel shook his head. He pressed his hand over his cut wrist, and felt the wound heal. Edward straightened up, shaking and shuddering, his eyes full of a terrible foreshadowing.

Tina moved over to Daniel, and put an arm round his shoulders. They watched silently as Edward dropped to his knees, and then fell over onto his side. His convulsions were so powerful now they shook his whole body like a dog shakes a rat. He began to shrink on himself, in sudden fits and starts, his massive frame disappearing as though consumed by some inner fire, until at last he looked once again like the man in the sepia photograph. But the change didn’t stop there. His face grew steadily older, shrinking back to reveal the skull beneath, as the years he’d defied for so long finally caught up with him. And when he finally stopped breathing and lay still, the withered thing curled up on the floor had nothing of Edward Hyde left in him.

Tina made sure Daniel could stand on his own, and then she went over to the body and looked down at it, her face completely unreadable.

“What did you do to him?”

“Our blood contains the Elixir,” he said steadily. “The one thing that could turn Edward back into who he used to be.”

“Good thinking,” said Tina.

She turned to look back at him, and they stared at each other for a long moment.

“So,” said Tina. “What do we do now?”

“We’re Hydes,” said Daniel. “The only ones left. Which makes us heirs to Jekyll & Hyde Inc., and all it controls.”

“And what do you think we should do with all of that?” said Tina.

“Make the organization something to be proud of,” said Daniel. “Turn it loose on all the monsters that are still out there.”

“Typical policeman,” said Tina. “We could own this city! Make everyone in it do what we want!”

“And become monsters, just like Edward.”

“Are we going to have to fight over who takes charge?” said Tina.

“That would have to be a fight to the death,” said Daniel.

“Yes,” said Tina. “It would.”

They stepped forward and put their hands on each other, and then they slow danced around Edward’s office. They looked into each other’s eyes, and smiled.

“What happens when we stop dancing?” said Tina.

“Oh,” said Daniel, “I’m sure we’ll think of something.”