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"I s'ppose our patient also believes in something...What do you reckon he is seeing, to make him move so, or is that just the fever speaking? My Lady, do you believe people can get visions from beyond? Our patient he might be a different kind than many, aye?" Ludwig wondered, trying to turn his discomfort into words the best way he knew how.

?

****

?

"Now that Heidi is a very good idea," Elizabeth admitted. Not sure if the priest would be helpful to Victor, or would at least humiliate him with his presence upon awakening, but it felt good.

?

And who knew, if Victor would be inspired by holy guidance, as only a man coming back from the brink of death could, it?might be his last chance to experience salvation, as far as she was concerned.?

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2021 9:36 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Oh yes, I do believe in the Almighty, Marybeth confessed eagerly, her nod?equally eager, although I must admit I don’t attend Sunday services perhaps as often as I should, mainly due to work and the like.?But I think you are quite perceptive,she continued, science often tries to explain various phenomenon and workings of nature,?but how can anyone truly know how these things happen???It would appear there is little or no explanation except…, Except for the fact that there is, as you say, something else out there, someone, else, out there.

Victor had been having what some would call a fever dream. In the first part of it, he had seen the gates, streets, and various aspects of heaven, at least as much as he could imagine it, as much as his imagination would allow. But now, his forehead suddenly broke into a sweat, and he began to softly moan. No…, No, please, do not burn me. I, I do Not, want to, want to go there! There was a look of terror on his face at what he was seeing. He would later describe this as, someone holding him directly above the very pit of hell, so close that the flames licked at him, hungrily eager to devour him, like so many living monsters. And the one holding him over the pit was none other than…, His very own creation.

Later in the dream, as he was dropped into the pit,?he would feel as if he were eternally falling, falling with nothing under him to catch him, no one around him to catch him, or even to Care. In his sleep, he cried out, Elizabeth! But of course, Elizabeth was not there to help. And the one which seemed to be the overseer of this dreadful, fiery place was of course, none other than…, His own creation, it was Frank. ?he was moaning that he was sorry, but in the dream, he was screaming with all the voice he had, which because of the initial sickness, was temporarily taken from him. ?The ghost of Frank mocked him, moaning just as he did, laughing at him, as it stood arm in arm with another ghost, the ghost of his own wife. ?The two ghosts laughed at him, as the ghost of Frank actually transformed into something quite beautiful, something which greatly resembled one of the angels that Victor had seen in the heaven part of the dream.

This…, Is how some people see me, the ghost of Frank said, turning from side to side, floating near him, to make certain Victor got a good view. But this…, Is how you, have always seen me. The ghost transformed again into the figure very much believed to be the appearance of…, No! Victor screamed in the dream, only barely managing a moan, as he be held the familiar appearance of the devil.

The ghost gave an ominous chuckle, you called me the devil, but it was you, who created me, you are my father, what does that make you? He moaned again, screaming in the dream. ?then he murmured four words which he thought he would never say in his waking hours. Oh God, save me!

Heidi nodded, it is a scarce hope, mistress, but when he awakens as I believe he will, we should probably have a priest on hand or nearby, to either assist him in this change, if there is indeed a change, or else, to pray for him that’s such a sickness does not befall him again in future. It is up to you though of course. ???


God loves you.

On Friday, December 17, 2021, 8:35 PM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"Yes Mam, and there are things we do not...know about. After all, surely despite your understanding of medical matters, you do believe in the Almighty?

?

Well, the other day, I took Bethany out, to listen to this young new preacher," Ludwig admitted with some embarassement, realizing he was saying too much perhaps, out of discomfort.

?

"This young priest was so passionate the the pulpit, he was talking about how none of us truly understand what the Holy word means. How when the Grace seizes you and flows through you, it is not only inspiring, not at all flattering, but could be frightening. As frightening as any Angel.

?

And I started thinking, maybe, well just maybe, some of the things we know about, don't quite act as we know they should, because there is something else out there, I beg my lady's pardon.

?

I just feel like I haven't chosen to misplace the patient...I swear he somehow slipped out of my hands and...there is more to that, and Mr Doctor might not understand what it is that has been happening, or how to stop it, if the patient is...I am not sure what I am saying m'Lady, you might have better words for all of this," the footman?hopefully offered.

?

****

"Changes, Heidi there. Sometimes they just happen, even if we did not choose. Circumstances can alter a person's path, the gentle or not so gentle hand of Fate. I fear that?our Victor has experienced something untoward in his life.

?

Maybe he would have chosen to become the man he has, but perhaps not. Perhaps he just did not know how to handle the cards dealt him..." Elizabeth suggested, noting that she was fairly uncomfortable at describing Victor as hers alone.???

?

She surely had the right to do that but wished to avoid thinking of him in such terms, even for the sake of an easily understood communication between them. She supposed, when it came to that, no such communication could be remotely easy for the things being described, were too extraordinary for ordinary polite words.

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2021 11:24 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Mary Beth looked uncertain, I must admit, Ludwig, that I have passing we wondered such things. Yet, our place is not to ask such questions, but as I understand it, to do everything and all we can to heal the patient, to bring him out of whatever is holding him captive. ?Head she just said that? She reason to herself that it could be some sort of physical maladies holding him captive, but usually, when people thought of someone being held captive, it was either by other human beings, or something perhaps much more sinister than even physical diseases?could be.

Oh, mistress, do you truly think that he could be changed? Maybe this, sickness, whatever one might call it,?has been brought about for just such a thing as this, she suggested. And yes, I will do what I can to make him talk, to make him tell us what he has felt and saw, what has happened. That is, if he seems indeed to be changed.


God loves you.

On Tuesday, November 23, 2021, 9:43 PM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"Pardon mam, but can the patient be...haunted? Me knows it sounds strange, yet I doth not like what's, I don't now, as if he can watch us while being asleep. Something odd about our patient, do you fancy?"

?

Ludwig did not know what even prompted him to ask this superior woman who knew so much and intimidated him and made him wonder if she wanted a conversation at all. And realize that perhaps he needed one all the same. A pity he did not even know how to ask the right question.

?

Even Bethany might be confused at what it was he wanted to know, so he would not blame Mary Beth if she did too.

?

***

?

"Oh, well then my dear. It shall be easy to ascertain that Victor does indeed seek God. For the change in him would then be significant. I would urge you then to make him talk. Explain what brought about the change.

?

If there were,,,say, just as an entirely random example, some hands squeezing his neck, anybody whispering words into his ears. If he remembers being shrouded by darkness, of feeling remorse over not doing more with his life.

?

After all, God has many mysterious agents working for him, you know. I suppose if the change in Victor is real and he?was graced with God's presence, perhaps he can tell us about it.

?

And then we would all be one happy household once more, because we would know the change in him is permanent, you see," Elizabeth offered though she had to wonder if even the mysterious hands choking the life out of Victor or the?face of God itself could challenge him into changing his life style and views.?She was not going to hope too much for it herself, but if Heidi needed the hope, well then, it was not Elizabeth's duty to dissuade her.???

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Monday, November 8, 2021 11:51 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Mary Beth gave Ludwig a slight look of exasperation. She had almost started to caution him in an annoyed tone to be careful, but then he apologized for bruising the patient even more. Just let’s just get him settled, Mary Beth told him, doing her best to keep patients in her tone. ?And of course, she continued, I will need you to transport him back to bed, at least such is most likely, unless of course, he happens to come out of this seemingly in trapping ailment.

It was now Heidi‘s turn to look thoughtfully at her mistress before stating, if he does come out different, it likely can’t help but be for the good, his?good, as well as ours.

Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open?with surprise when Elizabeth actually asked her about caring for Victor. I…, I shall do my best for you, mistress, as I am always happy to help in anything you need. ?but if it turns out that he does indeed have more of a heart and thoughts toward God, and actually helping his fellow man, what then? What would you have me do?


God loves you.

On Saturday, November 6, 2021, 1:19 AM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"Yes...Maa'm," Ludwig spoke obediently his prolonged sound a sign of his deep concentration. He felt odd in a manner of speaking, as of something strange and outside pulled at him. Pulled him to move?in the physical direction his own instinct would have avoided.

?

As if in mockery of his sincere words, he had managed to bruise the patient a few more times before he settled the body down completely. "Begging your pardon Mam," Ludwig apologized hastily.?Normally he would have addressed the patient, but then the patient was not available to apologize to,?so Ludwig chose this smallish woman to address instead, to rectify his mistake.

?

Perhaps if she has been a friend, he would have admitted the strangeness to her and hoped for some council that only women seemed to have. But then, even somebody like his Bethany might not have understood or believed him, so perhaps Mary Beth would merely consider him a slacker, he could not take the chance of her bad mouthing him to the doctor, so he determined to keep doing his best no matter what pull he has experienced towards wrong motions with the patient, or otherwise.

?

Elizabeth?cautiously regarded Heidi and finding no subtle undertones of?disagreement or rebuke, finally nodded her agreement. "Your words are most enlightening my pet," she complimented the maid.

?

"But do you think that means Victor would come out even more different than?previously, after he is healed, which is of course to be presumed by those who cherish his well being.

?

If he is any different, I fear I?may not know at first how to attend to him best. Perhaps I shall have to enlist you and your wisdom in helping me.

?

I rely on Abigail in many affairs, but those mysteries of the heart I worry she would not pierce any?better or faster than myself. You might be our best hope, darling Heidi.

?

I know this may put too much?pressure on your slender shoulders and am sorry in advance. Would you object greatly to taking personal care of Victor when he is back and is recovering? I hope not for you seem to have such insights," Elizabeth complimented, sincerely surprised that she found such a good conversationalist in the girl she had previously dismissed as dull. ???

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Friday, October 1, 2021 7:39 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Thank you Ludwig, Mary Beth replied, her own tone somewhat distracted, until he missed the second wall. Be careful with him, we may not know what is wrong with him yet, but he is still a patient which has come into our care. How could she expect him to have the same care for the man that she and the doctor had. ?She only wondered this, and contemplated it, as she watched the forward progress of Ludwig, carrying the patient.

Heidi regarded Elizabeth with a thoughtful expression. It is not that you are without influence in his life, mistress, for I believe you are not without such, but I think often times, men will listen to someone else telling them something, before they listen to those closest to them; perhaps you could confirm what the other person was saying, the priest or whomever you choose to speak with, but sometimes, two or three People saying the same thing, confirming one another in their assessments, I think often times this can?help one to get ones point across.

She studied Elizabeth’s expression, hoping that?what she said offered some genuine comfort and hope to her mistress. Then again, she continued, who can say what if this present set of circumstances might not do it for you. People many times have near brushes with death, and come out of it much different, thinking more of God, and their own mortality.


God loves you.

On Friday, October 1, 2021, 12:29 AM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"Yes Mam,"Ludwig obediently took on the little man and carried him, not truly paying attention to the new of his fever.?But his thoughts, of missing time with Bethany because of this unexpected change in the doctor's routine, made him upset, and distracted.

?

Though he failed to avoid the sharp edge of the wall he was crossing with the patient, he did notice his error on time. He didn't think the patient noticed any damage, and?could only hope Mary Beth didn't either. Trying to think of distracting her attention from the patient with something witty to converse about, Ludwig could only think of something little to ask the doctor's assistant.?

?

"So, have you found anything good at the grocery market," Ludwig gruffly wondered, the effort of thinking?of a topic evident in his voice. And then he realized with a start that his own question distracted him instead, prompting him to unintentionally miss another wall.

?

A good thing it was a small man he was carrying, a larger load?could have slept away from him by now, Ludwig well knew. He shuddered at the very thought of being fired by Van Hoff and loosing all access to the lovely Bethany. Now there was a girl he could easily talk to, about anything.???

?

***

"But Heidi,?Victor was encouraged to think of God. I encouraged him myself, and so did his father. Victor did not really object. I don't know that he thinks there is no God.

?

I don't know that he is not interested in God at all either. I just feel that all thoughts about God would still direct Victor to think about his own greatness.

?

The disturbing thing for me is that Victor's mind is great. But perhaps, not the rest of him. His moral core does not have the same remarkable capacity. His emotional strength, it is...not the strength of a real man. Of a scientist, but not a man.

?

I don't mean that he is not a man," Elizabeth explained, though in her heart perhaps she did mean that. "Only that some people are different from others and don't have the same strength. And Victor is smart, but not overall strong the way his peers would have been."

?

"It's not that I hold it against him," she speculated, and then decided that maybe she did hold it against him. "Only his greatness means all the more to him, when he is feeling weaker. So he insists on his greatness, he cultivates it through his scientific accomplishments, and does not accept his limitations.

?

Oh Heidi, I fear for him. For his body and the physical toll it has taken. For his mind, that may not be able to handle much more. And for his very soul that is so uninterested in God but?which without the idea of God at least, seems to fall prey to folly. I just don't know how to convince Victor that he needs something else. Something that is greater than him and is no part of him. Do you think he would listen to somebody else better than he does to me?" Elizabeth idly wondered.??

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Friday, September 17, 2021 8:15 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Mary Beth nodded to the doctor. All right Ludwig, she stated with a sigh why don’t we sit ?him up in a reclining position, so that even if, when…, He awakens, he will be still comfortable. We don’t want to make him uncomfortable, just get him in a position more conducive to awakening. She checked his fever, it’s gone up, she told Ludwig, and the doctor also, if he were listening.

Victor was quite frail, so should prove relatively easy for Ludwig to carry. And now, especially without his daily enhancement potions, the age in his face showed.

Perhaps he rarely, if ever, thanks of God at all, Heidi suggested. Maybe he has never thought about whether or not he is greater than God, because he’s never really thought of God in the first place.


God loves you.

On Thursday, September 16, 2021, 1:15 AM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"I do wonder if the essential salts used in one experiment by Reuss would amount to something, or but a fanciful way to add?a semblance of originality he has uncovered elsewhere.

?

No matter. I will omit them for now,?unless the patient fails to respond to the treatment. Ludwig will help you by carrying the body, but perhaps you shall instruct him on how to arrange it perfectly, so the patient reaches a somewhat satisfactory position. Whether he is aware for now or not, matter not for his level of comfort. Ideally he would wake, and then we would be prepared...Yes, let us proceed, Ludwig," Van Hoff nodded, though he named the one doing the manual labor, he rather included both in his order. If anything Mary Beth was going to play the more crucial role on the matter. If he could have three of her, his job would have been so much easier, as well he knew.

?

?

Elizabeth could not take umbrage with herself. Despite the difficulties of conveying her outrage to somebody who in all likelihood even resisting understanding the truth of the matter, she has done fairly well in explaining the issue. If it did not fully work, the fault could not be?completely ascribed to her.

?

"I don't know, Heidi. You might be right. Some of them invoke the name of God in their introduction, which is sometimes the one piece of their writing I end up caring about. Could they be facetious in their show of respect? Perhaps if they believe their publication would be met less favorably. But I don't know why in our rational age, they would need to profess their loyalty to God if they don't feel it.

?

However, assuming that most of them are devoid of the religious sentiment, the problem remains. Not only with the men of science departing from any idea of godhood. What bothers me is when some seek to replace it with the idea of their own, equal, or possibly superior greatness.

?

At least that is how Victor seems to think a lot of the time. Perhaps such attitude is necessary for him to succeed in such a frightening enterprise as his. Perhaps his attitude was encouraged by his educators and is shared with them. I cannot say. All I know is, even if it has some benefits, the drawbacks of such thinking are too intimidating for the rest of us, who do not particularly delight in creating science.

?

I can see the necessity for utilizing its wisdom, but perhaps, when one ventures too far into the gaping maw of the unknown, one should withdraw and recover. All Victor wants to do, is to forge even further. And for all such things as pride and ambition serving the greater good, I must wonder where such emotions in their purest form would lead him. And if perhaps that in itself does not account for his mysterious ailment," Elizabeth considered.

?

She had believed herself to be done with the subject but with frustration realized she has been wrong. There were still matters unresolved, matters she has not touched upon, and voicing them?out loud?did seem to make them better.??

?

----- Original Message -----

From: Ishamael Moridin via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2021 1:51 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Yes Doctor, I shall go and heat the water right away, Mary Beth replied, waiting?only a moment to see if he needed anything else, before hurrying away to heat the water in the tub. ?Of course, she had to fill the tub first, but it wasn’t all that long before that was done, and the water was heated, not too terribly hot, but warm enough to hopefully start to increase the circulation, and bring the feeling back into this comatose man. She then returned, the tub is ready Doctor.

Heidi‘s eyebrows shot up in surprise when Elizabeth addressed her as, my pet, she said nothing, supposing there were far worse things to be called by one’s mistress or master. I…, She hesitated, I doubt if he even thinks of such things. I think, probably most men of science think of religious matters rarely at best, if even at all. Perhaps he does think of himself as a new Lord, but then again, who can say without a direct answer from him; all we have?are?his actions. I would hate to believe such things of him, but it does seem as though you are very important to him, yet it would appear that he spent so little time with you before. Perhaps you are right, perhaps he indeed deserves what he gets. Her voice sounded distracted as she mused on the entire matter. ?But somehow, I don’t think even he, could be quite that arrogant as to consider himself a new Lord, although you say that he did decline the offer of holy counsel. It may be though, she continued, that he considers himself a hero of sorts, someone who saved you from the clutches of death, but does he feel he has overcome death now, that is the question. And who knows what the answer will be, once he returns to us.

For her own part, Heidi could not see how she could ever love such a man, one whose?mind seemed tremulous, on the very fringes of reality. I think, that I should enjoy very much making him pay for how he has caused you to suffer, mistress.?

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Saturday, January 8, 2022 1:40 PM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

In his dream, Victor tried his best to fight the ghost of Frank, to get Elizabeth away from him, but Elizabeth chose to fight with Frank, against Victor. The two ghosts continued to laugh, as he was once more held over the flames, and then fell, as if the ghost wanted him to relive the scene of being dropped into the fire again and again. ?As he fell,?the scenes of the dream changed to show what could be other possibilities in Victor‘s life. He was aware of a hard thud,?And that?he was on a?table. ?he blinked, then looked around.?My science lab, he breathed,?his voice filled with relief and wonder.

The figure which stood over him smiling, looked much more solid than the ghosts of Frank and Elizabeth had looked. No, stupid, this is not your, science lab, this is my lab.

But, who are you?

The woman smiled, you may call me…, Scientist, for you see that is what I am. How did I get here, Victor wanted to know. We brought you here, she answered, science, brought you here. And before we go any further with this, I want to thank you for being such a great part of my experiment.

What? Have I now become the science, Victor demanded. There was a laugh coming from a young male voice which was somewhat behind the woman, as yet another strange looking man caught a fly and proceeded to eat it.

While?this was happening in the dream, real burns began?to pop up on Victor’s body in the real world, so that MaryBeth, Ludwig, and the doctor, would be able to see them. Marybeth gasped,?what is the meaning of this? ?The others would be able to answer her as to what they thought it was, as the dream unfolded for Victor.

I don’t think he likes you Ren,?the young male replied, the flycatcher chuckled.

Then the woman called, scientist, stepped back, as if to study him clinically, and made a motion with her hands. An older woman, the young male, the flycatcher, and another man stepped up, all of them examining Victor. And then, to add to the nightmare, there he was, the ghost of Frank.

Wonderful indeed, my daughter, the ghost stated, he’s changing already. But what will we do with him, the older woman asked. I don’t know yet, scientist said, I’m just having a lot of fun making him. Hey we could always put him in the circus, the young male stated. ?scientist frowned at the young male.

Shut up, Felix, she snapped. Circuses are made for peoples enjoyment, not to scare people, like he’s going to do.

Hey I have an idea, the one called Felix continued, instead of making him scary why don’t you make him look funny? You know so people will laugh at him, like a clown or something. Because, scientist said, most people love a clown, especially kids. I don’t want kids, or anyone drawn to him; I want them repelled by him, just like they were with dad. ?Should I show him how he looks now, the one called Felix inquired, and scientist nodded, sure go ahead. ??Felix Then took up the mirror, allowing Victor to look in it. And in his dream, Victor became very frightened indeed. No!! He screamed, get it away from me! Get it away; please, take, that, thing, away! ? everyone in the room laughed.

None of this was actually happening of course, but Victor was being allowed to see what could very well be the future for him, although he would not yet realize this.

Thank you, mistress, Heidi told Elizabeth. You see this way, Victor will have a chance to explain what he has seen, and perhaps the priest could counsel with him, and guide him into salvation. I would hope so anyway.

God?loves you.

On Saturday, January 8, 2022, 1:20 AM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"I s'ppose our patient also believes in something...What do you reckon he is seeing, to make him move so, or is that just the fever speaking? My Lady, do you believe people can get visions from beyond? Our patient he might be a different kind than many, aye?" Ludwig wondered, trying to turn his discomfort into words the best way he knew how.

?

****

?

"Now that Heidi is a very good idea," Elizabeth admitted. Not sure if the priest would be helpful to Victor, or would at least humiliate him with his presence upon awakening, but it felt good.

?

And who knew, if Victor would be inspired by holy guidance, as only a man coming back from the brink of death could, it?might be his last chance to experience salvation, as far as she was concerned.?

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2021 9:36 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Oh yes, I do believe in the Almighty, Marybeth confessed eagerly, her nod?equally eager, although I must admit I don’t attend Sunday services perhaps as often as I should, mainly due to work and the like.?But I think you are quite perceptive,she continued, science often tries to explain various phenomenon and workings of nature,?but how can anyone truly know how these things happen???It would appear there is little or no explanation except…, Except for the fact that there is, as you say, something else out there, someone, else, out there.

Victor had been having what some would call a fever dream. In the first part of it, he had seen the gates, streets, and various aspects of heaven, at least as much as he could imagine it, as much as his imagination would allow. But now, his forehead suddenly broke into a sweat, and he began to softly moan. No…, No, please, do not burn me. I, I do Not, want to, want to go there! There was a look of terror on his face at what he was seeing. He would later describe this as, someone holding him directly above the very pit of hell, so close that the flames licked at him, hungrily eager to devour him, like so many living monsters. And the one holding him over the pit was none other than…, His very own creation.

Later in the dream, as he was dropped into the pit,?he would feel as if he were eternally falling, falling with nothing under him to catch him, no one around him to catch him, or even to Care. In his sleep, he cried out, Elizabeth! But of course, Elizabeth was not there to help. And the one which seemed to be the overseer of this dreadful, fiery place was of course, none other than…, His own creation, it was Frank. ?he was moaning that he was sorry, but in the dream, he was screaming with all the voice he had, which because of the initial sickness, was temporarily taken from him. ?The ghost of Frank mocked him, moaning just as he did, laughing at him, as it stood arm in arm with another ghost, the ghost of his own wife. ?The two ghosts laughed at him, as the ghost of Frank actually transformed into something quite beautiful, something which greatly resembled one of the angels that Victor had seen in the heaven part of the dream.

This…, Is how some people see me, the ghost of Frank said, turning from side to side, floating near him, to make certain Victor got a good view. But this…, Is how you, have always seen me. The ghost transformed again into the figure very much believed to be the appearance of…, No! Victor screamed in the dream, only barely managing a moan, as he be held the familiar appearance of the devil.

The ghost gave an ominous chuckle, you called me the devil, but it was you, who created me, you are my father, what does that make you? He moaned again, screaming in the dream. ?then he murmured four words which he thought he would never say in his waking hours. Oh God, save me!

Heidi nodded, it is a scarce hope, mistress, but when he awakens as I believe he will, we should probably have a priest on hand or nearby, to either assist him in this change, if there is indeed a change, or else, to pray for him that’s such a sickness does not befall him again in future. It is up to you though of course. ???


God loves you.

On Friday, December 17, 2021, 8:35 PM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"Yes Mam, and there are things we do not...know about. After all, surely despite your understanding of medical matters, you do believe in the Almighty?

?

Well, the other day, I took Bethany out, to listen to this young new preacher," Ludwig admitted with some embarassement, realizing he was saying too much perhaps, out of discomfort.

?

"This young priest was so passionate the the pulpit, he was talking about how none of us truly understand what the Holy word means. How when the Grace seizes you and flows through you, it is not only inspiring, not at all flattering, but could be frightening. As frightening as any Angel.

?

And I started thinking, maybe, well just maybe, some of the things we know about, don't quite act as we know they should, because there is something else out there, I beg my lady's pardon.

?

I just feel like I haven't chosen to misplace the patient...I swear he somehow slipped out of my hands and...there is more to that, and Mr Doctor might not understand what it is that has been happening, or how to stop it, if the patient is...I am not sure what I am saying m'Lady, you might have better words for all of this," the footman?hopefully offered.

?

****

"Changes, Heidi there. Sometimes they just happen, even if we did not choose. Circumstances can alter a person's path, the gentle or not so gentle hand of Fate. I fear that?our Victor has experienced something untoward in his life.

?

Maybe he would have chosen to become the man he has, but perhaps not. Perhaps he just did not know how to handle the cards dealt him..." Elizabeth suggested, noting that she was fairly uncomfortable at describing Victor as hers alone.???

?

She surely had the right to do that but wished to avoid thinking of him in such terms, even for the sake of an easily understood communication between them. She supposed, when it came to that, no such communication could be remotely easy for the things being described, were too extraordinary for ordinary polite words.

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2021 11:24 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Mary Beth looked uncertain, I must admit, Ludwig, that I have passing we wondered such things. Yet, our place is not to ask such questions, but as I understand it, to do everything and all we can to heal the patient, to bring him out of whatever is holding him captive. ?Head she just said that? She reason to herself that it could be some sort of physical maladies holding him captive, but usually, when people thought of someone being held captive, it was either by other human beings, or something perhaps much more sinister than even physical diseases?could be.

Oh, mistress, do you truly think that he could be changed? Maybe this, sickness, whatever one might call it,?has been brought about for just such a thing as this, she suggested. And yes, I will do what I can to make him talk, to make him tell us what he has felt and saw, what has happened. That is, if he seems indeed to be changed.


God loves you.

On Tuesday, November 23, 2021, 9:43 PM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"Pardon mam, but can the patient be...haunted? Me knows it sounds strange, yet I doth not like what's, I don't now, as if he can watch us while being asleep. Something odd about our patient, do you fancy?"

?

Ludwig did not know what even prompted him to ask this superior woman who knew so much and intimidated him and made him wonder if she wanted a conversation at all. And realize that perhaps he needed one all the same. A pity he did not even know how to ask the right question.

?

Even Bethany might be confused at what it was he wanted to know, so he would not blame Mary Beth if she did too.

?

***

?

"Oh, well then my dear. It shall be easy to ascertain that Victor does indeed seek God. For the change in him would then be significant. I would urge you then to make him talk. Explain what brought about the change.

?

If there were,,,say, just as an entirely random example, some hands squeezing his neck, anybody whispering words into his ears. If he remembers being shrouded by darkness, of feeling remorse over not doing more with his life.

?

After all, God has many mysterious agents working for him, you know. I suppose if the change in Victor is real and he?was graced with God's presence, perhaps he can tell us about it.

?

And then we would all be one happy household once more, because we would know the change in him is permanent, you see," Elizabeth offered though she had to wonder if even the mysterious hands choking the life out of Victor or the?face of God itself could challenge him into changing his life style and views.?She was not going to hope too much for it herself, but if Heidi needed the hope, well then, it was not Elizabeth's duty to dissuade her.???

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Monday, November 8, 2021 11:51 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Mary Beth gave Ludwig a slight look of exasperation. She had almost started to caution him in an annoyed tone to be careful, but then he apologized for bruising the patient even more. Just let’s just get him settled, Mary Beth told him, doing her best to keep patients in her tone. ?And of course, she continued, I will need you to transport him back to bed, at least such is most likely, unless of course, he happens to come out of this seemingly in trapping ailment.

It was now Heidi‘s turn to look thoughtfully at her mistress before stating, if he does come out different, it likely can’t help but be for the good, his?good, as well as ours.

Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open?with surprise when Elizabeth actually asked her about caring for Victor. I…, I shall do my best for you, mistress, as I am always happy to help in anything you need. ?but if it turns out that he does indeed have more of a heart and thoughts toward God, and actually helping his fellow man, what then? What would you have me do?


God loves you.

On Saturday, November 6, 2021, 1:19 AM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"Yes...Maa'm," Ludwig spoke obediently his prolonged sound a sign of his deep concentration. He felt odd in a manner of speaking, as of something strange and outside pulled at him. Pulled him to move?in the physical direction his own instinct would have avoided.

?

As if in mockery of his sincere words, he had managed to bruise the patient a few more times before he settled the body down completely. "Begging your pardon Mam," Ludwig apologized hastily.?Normally he would have addressed the patient, but then the patient was not available to apologize to,?so Ludwig chose this smallish woman to address instead, to rectify his mistake.

?

Perhaps if she has been a friend, he would have admitted the strangeness to her and hoped for some council that only women seemed to have. But then, even somebody like his Bethany might not have understood or believed him, so perhaps Mary Beth would merely consider him a slacker, he could not take the chance of her bad mouthing him to the doctor, so he determined to keep doing his best no matter what pull he has experienced towards wrong motions with the patient, or otherwise.

?

Elizabeth?cautiously regarded Heidi and finding no subtle undertones of?disagreement or rebuke, finally nodded her agreement. "Your words are most enlightening my pet," she complimented the maid.

?

"But do you think that means Victor would come out even more different than?previously, after he is healed, which is of course to be presumed by those who cherish his well being.

?

If he is any different, I fear I?may not know at first how to attend to him best. Perhaps I shall have to enlist you and your wisdom in helping me.

?

I rely on Abigail in many affairs, but those mysteries of the heart I worry she would not pierce any?better or faster than myself. You might be our best hope, darling Heidi.

?

I know this may put too much?pressure on your slender shoulders and am sorry in advance. Would you object greatly to taking personal care of Victor when he is back and is recovering? I hope not for you seem to have such insights," Elizabeth complimented, sincerely surprised that she found such a good conversationalist in the girl she had previously dismissed as dull. ???

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Friday, October 1, 2021 7:39 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Thank you Ludwig, Mary Beth replied, her own tone somewhat distracted, until he missed the second wall. Be careful with him, we may not know what is wrong with him yet, but he is still a patient which has come into our care. How could she expect him to have the same care for the man that she and the doctor had. ?She only wondered this, and contemplated it, as she watched the forward progress of Ludwig, carrying the patient.

Heidi regarded Elizabeth with a thoughtful expression. It is not that you are without influence in his life, mistress, for I believe you are not without such, but I think often times, men will listen to someone else telling them something, before they listen to those closest to them; perhaps you could confirm what the other person was saying, the priest or whomever you choose to speak with, but sometimes, two or three People saying the same thing, confirming one another in their assessments, I think often times this can?help one to get ones point across.

She studied Elizabeth’s expression, hoping that?what she said offered some genuine comfort and hope to her mistress. Then again, she continued, who can say what if this present set of circumstances might not do it for you. People many times have near brushes with death, and come out of it much different, thinking more of God, and their own mortality.


God loves you.

On Friday, October 1, 2021, 12:29 AM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"Yes Mam,"Ludwig obediently took on the little man and carried him, not truly paying attention to the new of his fever.?But his thoughts, of missing time with Bethany because of this unexpected change in the doctor's routine, made him upset, and distracted.

?

Though he failed to avoid the sharp edge of the wall he was crossing with the patient, he did notice his error on time. He didn't think the patient noticed any damage, and?could only hope Mary Beth didn't either. Trying to think of distracting her attention from the patient with something witty to converse about, Ludwig could only think of something little to ask the doctor's assistant.?

?

"So, have you found anything good at the grocery market," Ludwig gruffly wondered, the effort of thinking?of a topic evident in his voice. And then he realized with a start that his own question distracted him instead, prompting him to unintentionally miss another wall.

?

A good thing it was a small man he was carrying, a larger load?could have slept away from him by now, Ludwig well knew. He shuddered at the very thought of being fired by Van Hoff and loosing all access to the lovely Bethany. Now there was a girl he could easily talk to, about anything.???

?

***

"But Heidi,?Victor was encouraged to think of God. I encouraged him myself, and so did his father. Victor did not really object. I don't know that he thinks there is no God.

?

I don't know that he is not interested in God at all either. I just feel that all thoughts about God would still direct Victor to think about his own greatness.

?

The disturbing thing for me is that Victor's mind is great. But perhaps, not the rest of him. His moral core does not have the same remarkable capacity. His emotional strength, it is...not the strength of a real man. Of a scientist, but not a man.

?

I don't mean that he is not a man," Elizabeth explained, though in her heart perhaps she did mean that. "Only that some people are different from others and don't have the same strength. And Victor is smart, but not overall strong the way his peers would have been."

?

"It's not that I hold it against him," she speculated, and then decided that maybe she did hold it against him. "Only his greatness means all the more to him, when he is feeling weaker. So he insists on his greatness, he cultivates it through his scientific accomplishments, and does not accept his limitations.

?

Oh Heidi, I fear for him. For his body and the physical toll it has taken. For his mind, that may not be able to handle much more. And for his very soul that is so uninterested in God but?which without the idea of God at least, seems to fall prey to folly. I just don't know how to convince Victor that he needs something else. Something that is greater than him and is no part of him. Do you think he would listen to somebody else better than he does to me?" Elizabeth idly wondered.??

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Friday, September 17, 2021 8:15 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Mary Beth nodded to the doctor. All right Ludwig, she stated with a sigh why don’t we sit ?him up in a reclining position, so that even if, when…, He awakens, he will be still comfortable. We don’t want to make him uncomfortable, just get him in a position more conducive to awakening. She checked his fever, it’s gone up, she told Ludwig, and the doctor also, if he were listening.

Victor was quite frail, so should prove relatively easy for Ludwig to carry. And now, especially without his daily enhancement potions, the age in his face showed.

Perhaps he rarely, if ever, thanks of God at all, Heidi suggested. Maybe he has never thought about whether or not he is greater than God, because he’s never really thought of God in the first place.


God loves you.

On Thursday, September 16, 2021, 1:15 AM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"I do wonder if the essential salts used in one experiment by Reuss would amount to something, or but a fanciful way to add?a semblance of originality he has uncovered elsewhere.

?

No matter. I will omit them for now,?unless the patient fails to respond to the treatment. Ludwig will help you by carrying the body, but perhaps you shall instruct him on how to arrange it perfectly, so the patient reaches a somewhat satisfactory position. Whether he is aware for now or not, matter not for his level of comfort. Ideally he would wake, and then we would be prepared...Yes, let us proceed, Ludwig," Van Hoff nodded, though he named the one doing the manual labor, he rather included both in his order. If anything Mary Beth was going to play the more crucial role on the matter. If he could have three of her, his job would have been so much easier, as well he knew.

?

?

Elizabeth could not take umbrage with herself. Despite the difficulties of conveying her outrage to somebody who in all likelihood even resisting understanding the truth of the matter, she has done fairly well in explaining the issue. If it did not fully work, the fault could not be?completely ascribed to her.

?

"I don't know, Heidi. You might be right. Some of them invoke the name of God in their introduction, which is sometimes the one piece of their writing I end up caring about. Could they be facetious in their show of respect? Perhaps if they believe their publication would be met less favorably. But I don't know why in our rational age, they would need to profess their loyalty to God if they don't feel it.

?

However, assuming that most of them are devoid of the religious sentiment, the problem remains. Not only with the men of science departing from any idea of godhood. What bothers me is when some seek to replace it with the idea of their own, equal, or possibly superior greatness.

?

At least that is how Victor seems to think a lot of the time. Perhaps such attitude is necessary for him to succeed in such a frightening enterprise as his. Perhaps his attitude was encouraged by his educators and is shared with them. I cannot say. All I know is, even if it has some benefits, the drawbacks of such thinking are too intimidating for the rest of us, who do not particularly delight in creating science.

?

I can see the necessity for utilizing its wisdom, but perhaps, when one ventures too far into the gaping maw of the unknown, one should withdraw and recover. All Victor wants to do, is to forge even further. And for all such things as pride and ambition serving the greater good, I must wonder where such emotions in their purest form would lead him. And if perhaps that in itself does not account for his mysterious ailment," Elizabeth considered.

?

She had believed herself to be done with the subject but with frustration realized she has been wrong. There were still matters unresolved, matters she has not touched upon, and voicing them?out loud?did seem to make them better.??

?

----- Original Message -----

From: Ishamael Moridin via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2021 1:51 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Yes Doctor, I shall go and heat the water right away, Mary Beth replied, waiting?only a moment to see if he needed anything else, before hurrying away to heat the water in the tub. ?Of course, she had to fill the tub first, but it wasn’t all that long before that was done, and the water was heated, not too terribly hot, but warm enough to hopefully start to increase the circulation, and bring the feeling back into this comatose man. She then returned, the tub is ready Doctor.

Heidi‘s eyebrows shot up in surprise when Elizabeth addressed her as, my pet, she said nothing, supposing there were far worse things to be called by one’s mistress or master. I…, She hesitated, I doubt if he even thinks of such things. I think, probably most men of science think of religious matters rarely at best, if even at all. Perhaps he does think of himself as a new Lord, but then again, who can say without a direct answer from him; all we have?are?his actions. I would hate to believe such things of him, but it does seem as though you are very important to him, yet it would appear that he spent so little time with you before. Perhaps you are right, perhaps he indeed deserves what he gets. Her voice sounded distracted as she mused on the entire matter. ?But somehow, I don’t think even he, could be quite that arrogant as to consider himself a new Lord, although you say that he did decline the offer of holy counsel. It may be though, she continued, that he considers himself a hero of sorts, someone who saved you from the clutches of death, but does he feel he has overcome death now, that is the question. And who knows what the answer will be, once he returns to us.

For her own part, Heidi could not see how she could ever love such a man, one whose?mind seemed tremulous, on the very fringes of reality. I think, that I should enjoy very much making him pay for how he has caused you to suffer, mistress.?

On Thursday, January 20, 2022, 11:50 PM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

Far above the commotion, and yet so near that he could almost be touched, a tall man with red hair was watching all the players in the dream scape.

?

His father might have done something subtle, if the game allowed it. His uncle might have done something more persuasive, whether or not the dream gate was fully open and ready.

?

But he was neither of them, and he only chuckled at the spectacle, enjoying the final touch. His final touch, if he could say so himself, and he could, because of who he was.

?

"See, told you Franny, you are great when you put your mind to it. Oh sorry, Keres.

?

A super bril old name by the way. I know you know, or you think you know, ?but you still don't really get it, anymore than Ren does...you really only get mom's?but not dad's or your own.?

?

Maybe if you dreamt more as you were told...still pretty good though, I think that should distract Count?Nobody for a wittle while, which is kind of all I need, told you you were awesome with dreams, and for that matter Ren too, and look at Ig," the young man happily complimented his sister who might or might not be able to hear him when distracted.

?

Though truth be told, the compliment was at his own expanse too. All the harassment, all the nudges, they finally, finally materialized. And right here, right now, at?a place that?belonged to this man. A man who could have been, but never would be, his grandfather.?How?ironic, how bril.

?

The young man wondered for a second if he should help his sister reclaim the lab, considering who else was watching. But she had matters at hand here.

?

"Well, maybe you don't know what you think you know either, dear Count.?You thought you were safe from the prophecy???You thought tricking your pawn into killing somebody important would be forgotten? Because millennia passed, and the Carrier has been gone from the world? You never thought then, that the old gods are never gone, that they might return????Tiktok little count, tiktok," the young man spoke to nobody in particular, smiling at his own inner reference.?

?

?

He was happy and his associates should be equally pleased, he knew, the smirk still playing on his face as he began vanishing from this layer of?a well crafted slice of almost real reality.

?

He?may have preferred playing it like his uncle, but the last touch was of course to honor his father, the man who had been known a long time?ago as, and had knowingly embraced once more, the identity of Captain Dance.

?

****

Ludwig stared at the patient's body, at Mary Beth, and with an understandable tremor in his limbs, hesitantly inquired, "Mam, what is the meaning of this? Should I call the doctor? What should I do?"

?

***

?

"Salvation, yes, after all, every soul needs it, and some can even get it. Will Victor be the lucky one? I hope so, I hope so, dearest Heidi," Elizabeth emphatically explained, not certain if she engaged in a bout of wishful thinking, or for the first time, had a bout of premonition.?

?

?

?

???????

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Saturday, January 8, 2022 1:40 PM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

In his dream, Victor tried his best to fight the ghost of Frank, to get Elizabeth away from him, but Elizabeth chose to fight with Frank, against Victor. The two ghosts continued to laugh, as he was once more held over the flames, and then fell, as if the ghost wanted him to relive the scene of being dropped into the fire again and again. ?As he fell,?the scenes of the dream changed to show what could be other possibilities in Victor‘s life. He was aware of a hard thud,?And that?he was on a?table. ?he blinked, then looked around.?My science lab, he breathed,?his voice filled with relief and wonder.

The figure which stood over him smiling, looked much more solid than the ghosts of Frank and Elizabeth had looked. No, stupid, this is not your, science lab, this is my lab.

But, who are you?

The woman smiled, you may call me…, Scientist, for you see that is what I am. How did I get here, Victor wanted to know. We brought you here, she answered, science, brought you here. And before we go any further with this, I want to thank you for being such a great part of my experiment.

What? Have I now become the science, Victor demanded. There was a laugh coming from a young male voice which was somewhat behind the woman, as yet another strange looking man caught a fly and proceeded to eat it.

While?this was happening in the dream, real burns began?to pop up on Victor’s body in the real world, so that MaryBeth, Ludwig, and the doctor, would be able to see them. Marybeth gasped,?what is the meaning of this? ?The others would be able to answer her as to what they thought it was, as the dream unfolded for Victor.

I don’t think he likes you Ren,?the young male replied, the flycatcher chuckled.

Then the woman called, scientist, stepped back, as if to study him clinically, and made a motion with her hands. An older woman, the young male, the flycatcher, and another man stepped up, all of them examining Victor. And then, to add to the nightmare, there he was, the ghost of Frank.

Wonderful indeed, my daughter, the ghost stated, he’s changing already. But what will we do with him, the older woman asked. I don’t know yet, scientist said, I’m just having a lot of fun making him. Hey we could always put him in the circus, the young male stated. ?scientist frowned at the young male.

Shut up, Felix, she snapped. Circuses are made for peoples enjoyment, not to scare people, like he’s going to do.

Hey I have an idea, the one called Felix continued, instead of making him scary why don’t you make him look funny? You know so people will laugh at him, like a clown or something. Because, scientist said, most people love a clown, especially kids. I don’t want kids, or anyone drawn to him; I want them repelled by him, just like they were with dad. ?Should I show him how he looks now, the one called Felix inquired, and scientist nodded, sure go ahead. ??Felix Then took up the mirror, allowing Victor to look in it. And in his dream, Victor became very frightened indeed. No!! He screamed, get it away from me! Get it away; please, take, that, thing, away! ? everyone in the room laughed.

None of this was actually happening of course, but Victor was being allowed to see what could very well be the future for him, although he would not yet realize this.

Thank you, mistress, Heidi told Elizabeth. You see this way, Victor will have a chance to explain what he has seen, and perhaps the priest could counsel with him, and guide him into salvation. I would hope so anyway.

God?loves you.

On Saturday, January 8, 2022, 1:20 AM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"I s'ppose our patient also believes in something...What do you reckon he is seeing, to make him move so, or is that just the fever speaking? My Lady, do you believe people can get visions from beyond? Our patient he might be a different kind than many, aye?" Ludwig wondered, trying to turn his discomfort into words the best way he knew how.

?

****

?

"Now that Heidi is a very good idea," Elizabeth admitted. Not sure if the priest would be helpful to Victor, or would at least humiliate him with his presence upon awakening, but it felt good.

?

And who knew, if Victor would be inspired by holy guidance, as only a man coming back from the brink of death could, it?might be his last chance to experience salvation, as far as she was concerned.?

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2021 9:36 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Oh yes, I do believe in the Almighty, Marybeth confessed eagerly, her nod?equally eager, although I must admit I don’t attend Sunday services perhaps as often as I should, mainly due to work and the like.?But I think you are quite perceptive,she continued, science often tries to explain various phenomenon and workings of nature,?but how can anyone truly know how these things happen???It would appear there is little or no explanation except…, Except for the fact that there is, as you say, something else out there, someone, else, out there.

Victor had been having what some would call a fever dream. In the first part of it, he had seen the gates, streets, and various aspects of heaven, at least as much as he could imagine it, as much as his imagination would allow. But now, his forehead suddenly broke into a sweat, and he began to softly moan. No…, No, please, do not burn me. I, I do Not, want to, want to go there! There was a look of terror on his face at what he was seeing. He would later describe this as, someone holding him directly above the very pit of hell, so close that the flames licked at him, hungrily eager to devour him, like so many living monsters. And the one holding him over the pit was none other than…, His very own creation.

Later in the dream, as he was dropped into the pit,?he would feel as if he were eternally falling, falling with nothing under him to catch him, no one around him to catch him, or even to Care. In his sleep, he cried out, Elizabeth! But of course, Elizabeth was not there to help. And the one which seemed to be the overseer of this dreadful, fiery place was of course, none other than…, His own creation, it was Frank. ?he was moaning that he was sorry, but in the dream, he was screaming with all the voice he had, which because of the initial sickness, was temporarily taken from him. ?The ghost of Frank mocked him, moaning just as he did, laughing at him, as it stood arm in arm with another ghost, the ghost of his own wife. ?The two ghosts laughed at him, as the ghost of Frank actually transformed into something quite beautiful, something which greatly resembled one of the angels that Victor had seen in the heaven part of the dream.

This…, Is how some people see me, the ghost of Frank said, turning from side to side, floating near him, to make certain Victor got a good view. But this…, Is how you, have always seen me. The ghost transformed again into the figure very much believed to be the appearance of…, No! Victor screamed in the dream, only barely managing a moan, as he be held the familiar appearance of the devil.

The ghost gave an ominous chuckle, you called me the devil, but it was you, who created me, you are my father, what does that make you? He moaned again, screaming in the dream. ?then he murmured four words which he thought he would never say in his waking hours. Oh God, save me!

Heidi nodded, it is a scarce hope, mistress, but when he awakens as I believe he will, we should probably have a priest on hand or nearby, to either assist him in this change, if there is indeed a change, or else, to pray for him that’s such a sickness does not befall him again in future. It is up to you though of course. ???


God loves you.

On Friday, December 17, 2021, 8:35 PM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"Yes Mam, and there are things we do not...know about. After all, surely despite your understanding of medical matters, you do believe in the Almighty?

?

Well, the other day, I took Bethany out, to listen to this young new preacher," Ludwig admitted with some embarassement, realizing he was saying too much perhaps, out of discomfort.

?

"This young priest was so passionate the the pulpit, he was talking about how none of us truly understand what the Holy word means. How when the Grace seizes you and flows through you, it is not only inspiring, not at all flattering, but could be frightening. As frightening as any Angel.

?

And I started thinking, maybe, well just maybe, some of the things we know about, don't quite act as we know they should, because there is something else out there, I beg my lady's pardon.

?

I just feel like I haven't chosen to misplace the patient...I swear he somehow slipped out of my hands and...there is more to that, and Mr Doctor might not understand what it is that has been happening, or how to stop it, if the patient is...I am not sure what I am saying m'Lady, you might have better words for all of this," the footman?hopefully offered.

?

****

"Changes, Heidi there. Sometimes they just happen, even if we did not choose. Circumstances can alter a person's path, the gentle or not so gentle hand of Fate. I fear that?our Victor has experienced something untoward in his life.

?

Maybe he would have chosen to become the man he has, but perhaps not. Perhaps he just did not know how to handle the cards dealt him..." Elizabeth suggested, noting that she was fairly uncomfortable at describing Victor as hers alone.???

?

She surely had the right to do that but wished to avoid thinking of him in such terms, even for the sake of an easily understood communication between them. She supposed, when it came to that, no such communication could be remotely easy for the things being described, were too extraordinary for ordinary polite words.

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2021 11:24 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Mary Beth looked uncertain, I must admit, Ludwig, that I have passing we wondered such things. Yet, our place is not to ask such questions, but as I understand it, to do everything and all we can to heal the patient, to bring him out of whatever is holding him captive. ?Head she just said that? She reason to herself that it could be some sort of physical maladies holding him captive, but usually, when people thought of someone being held captive, it was either by other human beings, or something perhaps much more sinister than even physical diseases?could be.

Oh, mistress, do you truly think that he could be changed? Maybe this, sickness, whatever one might call it,?has been brought about for just such a thing as this, she suggested. And yes, I will do what I can to make him talk, to make him tell us what he has felt and saw, what has happened. That is, if he seems indeed to be changed.


God loves you.

On Tuesday, November 23, 2021, 9:43 PM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"Pardon mam, but can the patient be...haunted? Me knows it sounds strange, yet I doth not like what's, I don't now, as if he can watch us while being asleep. Something odd about our patient, do you fancy?"

?

Ludwig did not know what even prompted him to ask this superior woman who knew so much and intimidated him and made him wonder if she wanted a conversation at all. And realize that perhaps he needed one all the same. A pity he did not even know how to ask the right question.

?

Even Bethany might be confused at what it was he wanted to know, so he would not blame Mary Beth if she did too.

?

***

?

"Oh, well then my dear. It shall be easy to ascertain that Victor does indeed seek God. For the change in him would then be significant. I would urge you then to make him talk. Explain what brought about the change.

?

If there were,,,say, just as an entirely random example, some hands squeezing his neck, anybody whispering words into his ears. If he remembers being shrouded by darkness, of feeling remorse over not doing more with his life.

?

After all, God has many mysterious agents working for him, you know. I suppose if the change in Victor is real and he?was graced with God's presence, perhaps he can tell us about it.

?

And then we would all be one happy household once more, because we would know the change in him is permanent, you see," Elizabeth offered though she had to wonder if even the mysterious hands choking the life out of Victor or the?face of God itself could challenge him into changing his life style and views.?She was not going to hope too much for it herself, but if Heidi needed the hope, well then, it was not Elizabeth's duty to dissuade her.???

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Monday, November 8, 2021 11:51 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Mary Beth gave Ludwig a slight look of exasperation. She had almost started to caution him in an annoyed tone to be careful, but then he apologized for bruising the patient even more. Just let’s just get him settled, Mary Beth told him, doing her best to keep patients in her tone. ?And of course, she continued, I will need you to transport him back to bed, at least such is most likely, unless of course, he happens to come out of this seemingly in trapping ailment.

It was now Heidi‘s turn to look thoughtfully at her mistress before stating, if he does come out different, it likely can’t help but be for the good, his?good, as well as ours.

Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open?with surprise when Elizabeth actually asked her about caring for Victor. I…, I shall do my best for you, mistress, as I am always happy to help in anything you need. ?but if it turns out that he does indeed have more of a heart and thoughts toward God, and actually helping his fellow man, what then? What would you have me do?


God loves you.

On Saturday, November 6, 2021, 1:19 AM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"Yes...Maa'm," Ludwig spoke obediently his prolonged sound a sign of his deep concentration. He felt odd in a manner of speaking, as of something strange and outside pulled at him. Pulled him to move?in the physical direction his own instinct would have avoided.

?

As if in mockery of his sincere words, he had managed to bruise the patient a few more times before he settled the body down completely. "Begging your pardon Mam," Ludwig apologized hastily.?Normally he would have addressed the patient, but then the patient was not available to apologize to,?so Ludwig chose this smallish woman to address instead, to rectify his mistake.

?

Perhaps if she has been a friend, he would have admitted the strangeness to her and hoped for some council that only women seemed to have. But then, even somebody like his Bethany might not have understood or believed him, so perhaps Mary Beth would merely consider him a slacker, he could not take the chance of her bad mouthing him to the doctor, so he determined to keep doing his best no matter what pull he has experienced towards wrong motions with the patient, or otherwise.

?

Elizabeth?cautiously regarded Heidi and finding no subtle undertones of?disagreement or rebuke, finally nodded her agreement. "Your words are most enlightening my pet," she complimented the maid.

?

"But do you think that means Victor would come out even more different than?previously, after he is healed, which is of course to be presumed by those who cherish his well being.

?

If he is any different, I fear I?may not know at first how to attend to him best. Perhaps I shall have to enlist you and your wisdom in helping me.

?

I rely on Abigail in many affairs, but those mysteries of the heart I worry she would not pierce any?better or faster than myself. You might be our best hope, darling Heidi.

?

I know this may put too much?pressure on your slender shoulders and am sorry in advance. Would you object greatly to taking personal care of Victor when he is back and is recovering? I hope not for you seem to have such insights," Elizabeth complimented, sincerely surprised that she found such a good conversationalist in the girl she had previously dismissed as dull. ???

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Friday, October 1, 2021 7:39 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Thank you Ludwig, Mary Beth replied, her own tone somewhat distracted, until he missed the second wall. Be careful with him, we may not know what is wrong with him yet, but he is still a patient which has come into our care. How could she expect him to have the same care for the man that she and the doctor had. ?She only wondered this, and contemplated it, as she watched the forward progress of Ludwig, carrying the patient.

Heidi regarded Elizabeth with a thoughtful expression. It is not that you are without influence in his life, mistress, for I believe you are not without such, but I think often times, men will listen to someone else telling them something, before they listen to those closest to them; perhaps you could confirm what the other person was saying, the priest or whomever you choose to speak with, but sometimes, two or three People saying the same thing, confirming one another in their assessments, I think often times this can?help one to get ones point across.

She studied Elizabeth’s expression, hoping that?what she said offered some genuine comfort and hope to her mistress. Then again, she continued, who can say what if this present set of circumstances might not do it for you. People many times have near brushes with death, and come out of it much different, thinking more of God, and their own mortality.


God loves you.

On Friday, October 1, 2021, 12:29 AM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"Yes Mam,"Ludwig obediently took on the little man and carried him, not truly paying attention to the new of his fever.?But his thoughts, of missing time with Bethany because of this unexpected change in the doctor's routine, made him upset, and distracted.

?

Though he failed to avoid the sharp edge of the wall he was crossing with the patient, he did notice his error on time. He didn't think the patient noticed any damage, and?could only hope Mary Beth didn't either. Trying to think of distracting her attention from the patient with something witty to converse about, Ludwig could only think of something little to ask the doctor's assistant.?

?

"So, have you found anything good at the grocery market," Ludwig gruffly wondered, the effort of thinking?of a topic evident in his voice. And then he realized with a start that his own question distracted him instead, prompting him to unintentionally miss another wall.

?

A good thing it was a small man he was carrying, a larger load?could have slept away from him by now, Ludwig well knew. He shuddered at the very thought of being fired by Van Hoff and loosing all access to the lovely Bethany. Now there was a girl he could easily talk to, about anything.???

?

***

"But Heidi,?Victor was encouraged to think of God. I encouraged him myself, and so did his father. Victor did not really object. I don't know that he thinks there is no God.

?

I don't know that he is not interested in God at all either. I just feel that all thoughts about God would still direct Victor to think about his own greatness.

?

The disturbing thing for me is that Victor's mind is great. But perhaps, not the rest of him. His moral core does not have the same remarkable capacity. His emotional strength, it is...not the strength of a real man. Of a scientist, but not a man.

?

I don't mean that he is not a man," Elizabeth explained, though in her heart perhaps she did mean that. "Only that some people are different from others and don't have the same strength. And Victor is smart, but not overall strong the way his peers would have been."

?

"It's not that I hold it against him," she speculated, and then decided that maybe she did hold it against him. "Only his greatness means all the more to him, when he is feeling weaker. So he insists on his greatness, he cultivates it through his scientific accomplishments, and does not accept his limitations.

?

Oh Heidi, I fear for him. For his body and the physical toll it has taken. For his mind, that may not be able to handle much more. And for his very soul that is so uninterested in God but?which without the idea of God at least, seems to fall prey to folly. I just don't know how to convince Victor that he needs something else. Something that is greater than him and is no part of him. Do you think he would listen to somebody else better than he does to me?" Elizabeth idly wondered.??

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Friday, September 17, 2021 8:15 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Mary Beth nodded to the doctor. All right Ludwig, she stated with a sigh why don’t we sit ?him up in a reclining position, so that even if, when…, He awakens, he will be still comfortable. We don’t want to make him uncomfortable, just get him in a position more conducive to awakening. She checked his fever, it’s gone up, she told Ludwig, and the doctor also, if he were listening.

Victor was quite frail, so should prove relatively easy for Ludwig to carry. And now, especially without his daily enhancement potions, the age in his face showed.

Perhaps he rarely, if ever, thanks of God at all, Heidi suggested. Maybe he has never thought about whether or not he is greater than God, because he’s never really thought of God in the first place.


God loves you.

On Thursday, September 16, 2021, 1:15 AM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"I do wonder if the essential salts used in one experiment by Reuss would amount to something, or but a fanciful way to add?a semblance of originality he has uncovered elsewhere.

?

No matter. I will omit them for now,?unless the patient fails to respond to the treatment. Ludwig will help you by carrying the body, but perhaps you shall instruct him on how to arrange it perfectly, so the patient reaches a somewhat satisfactory position. Whether he is aware for now or not, matter not for his level of comfort. Ideally he would wake, and then we would be prepared...Yes, let us proceed, Ludwig," Van Hoff nodded, though he named the one doing the manual labor, he rather included both in his order. If anything Mary Beth was going to play the more crucial role on the matter. If he could have three of her, his job would have been so much easier, as well he knew.

?

?

Elizabeth could not take umbrage with herself. Despite the difficulties of conveying her outrage to somebody who in all likelihood even resisting understanding the truth of the matter, she has done fairly well in explaining the issue. If it did not fully work, the fault could not be?completely ascribed to her.

?

"I don't know, Heidi. You might be right. Some of them invoke the name of God in their introduction, which is sometimes the one piece of their writing I end up caring about. Could they be facetious in their show of respect? Perhaps if they believe their publication would be met less favorably. But I don't know why in our rational age, they would need to profess their loyalty to God if they don't feel it.

?

However, assuming that most of them are devoid of the religious sentiment, the problem remains. Not only with the men of science departing from any idea of godhood. What bothers me is when some seek to replace it with the idea of their own, equal, or possibly superior greatness.

?

At least that is how Victor seems to think a lot of the time. Perhaps such attitude is necessary for him to succeed in such a frightening enterprise as his. Perhaps his attitude was encouraged by his educators and is shared with them. I cannot say. All I know is, even if it has some benefits, the drawbacks of such thinking are too intimidating for the rest of us, who do not particularly delight in creating science.

?

I can see the necessity for utilizing its wisdom, but perhaps, when one ventures too far into the gaping maw of the unknown, one should withdraw and recover. All Victor wants to do, is to forge even further. And for all such things as pride and ambition serving the greater good, I must wonder where such emotions in their purest form would lead him. And if perhaps that in itself does not account for his mysterious ailment," Elizabeth considered.

?

She had believed herself to be done with the subject but with frustration realized she has been wrong. There were still matters unresolved, matters she has not touched upon, and voicing them?out loud?did seem to make them better.??

?

----- Original Message -----

From: Ishamael Moridin via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2021 1:51 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Yes Doctor, I shall go and heat the water right away, Mary Beth replied, waiting?only a moment to see if he needed anything else, before hurrying away to heat the water in the tub. ?Of course, she had to fill the tub first, but it wasn’t all that long before that was done, and the water was heated, not too terribly hot, but warm enough to hopefully start to increase the circulation, and bring the feeling back into this comatose man. She then returned, the tub is ready Doctor.

Heidi‘s eyebrows shot up in surprise when Elizabeth addressed her as, my pet, she said nothing, supposing there were far worse things to be called by one’s mistress or master. I…, She hesitated, I doubt if he even thinks of such things. I think, probably most men of science think of religious matters rarely at best, if even at all. Perhaps he does think of himself as a new Lord, but then again, who can say without a direct answer from him; all we have?are?his actions. I would hate to believe such things of him, but it does seem as though you are very important to him, yet it would appear that he spent so little time with you before. Perhaps you are right, perhaps he indeed deserves what he gets. Her voice sounded distracted as she mused on the entire matter. ?But somehow, I don’t think even he, could be quite that arrogant as to consider himself a new Lord, although you say that he did decline the offer of holy counsel. It may be though, she continued, that he considers himself a hero of sorts, someone who saved you from the clutches of death, but does he feel he has overcome death now, that is the question. And who knows what the answer will be, once he returns to us.

For her own part, Heidi could not see how she could ever love such a man, one whose?mind seemed tremulous, on the very fringes of reality. I think, that I should enjoy very much making him pay for how he has caused you to suffer, mistress.?

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Friday, January 21, 2022 7:33 PM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Marybeth looked a mixture of horrified and sympathetic. It…, Appears, she began with hesitation, to be some sort of an acting out of, perhaps a dream? But if it is a dream, why are these burns coming up on him for real? Yes Ludwig, I think you better get Dr. VanHoff?in here. ?these burns may well be the result of the fever, but I’ve never seen anything like this before.

Of course, Victor had no idea that anyone else was watching what was happening to him. ?it appeared to be two or three days later, this particular scene was in the lab, in the afternoon, and one word filled Victor’s mind, he thought he heard himself saying it. Hungry!! ?But his own voice did not sound normal, even to him; he thought that it sounded strangely between a fierce growl, and a piteous, animalistic wine, like a starving cat or dog, begging for a crumb.

Feeding time, the older woman stated, looking at scientist. Yep, the man called Felix iterated, time for lunch. ?He mockingly smacked his lips, as scientist picked up what appeared to be a very long skewer. Let me do it?Dear,?flycatcher requested, and she nodded. Then, turning to look at Victor, who was still lying on the table, scientist said, my husband wants to feed you. ?flycatcher men reached into his pocket, and, pulling something out, kept it carefully hidden from Victor, turning so that Victor couldn’t see him, as he placed it on the long skewer. He held it out to him, lunchtime, he stated, then smacked his lips at the creature on the table. Come on, eat up now. Victor looked at what was on the end of the skewer, and almost lost the contents of his stomach, Because what was on the end of the skewer, was a very large, dead, grasshopper.

The entire room irrupt it in laughter and applause, as the creature that was apparently now Victor, tried his best to keep from sicking up.

Get a bucket or pan, Scientist commanded, if he pukes all over the floor, you, are?cleaning up the lab. Me??The man called Felix exclaimed,?as another young man stood and volunteered, I’ll get it, you stay there with the rest of your family and watch him. Thank you, Ingvar, scientist said, as the one called Ingvar, ran to find a large bucket, as well as a pan, and quickly brought it back. ?he held the pan?in front of Victor’s face, and the specimen on the table made appropriate use of it. The man known as Ingvar hurried to dispose of the contents, as flycatcher, stepped forward, still holding the grasshopper on the skewer, and held it to Victor’s lips. As Victor made a sort of mewling sound, flycatcher took the end of the skewer, with the grasshopper on it, down a few inches, and prized Victor’s lips open. Come on now you need to eat, he stated with mock?concern and tenderness, as he punched a small button on the skewer, which would release the grasshopper into victors mouth, then began rubbing his throat, to make him swallow.

You might as well eat it, the man called Felix stated, as scientist added, yes eat it and we will give you something to drink. As?she said this, she glanced out of the corner of one eye,?at yet another person in the lab that had been sitting in the background, but watching the entire spectacle. This man smiled with undisguised malevolence, and gave?A deep, evil chuckle, as he stated slowly, with pleasure. He slowly stood to his feet, seeming to savor every moment of misery he could?cause for the man on the table. His?steps were slow, meaningful strides;?In his hand, he held a cup.

Victor finally was made to swallow the grasshopper, very much against his will, as he muled,?oh…, God! His face was a contorted mixture of pain and sickness, as it went from pale, to a ghastly green color.

Yes…, The man answered in a foreign accent, as he continued his slow, meaningful stride toward the table. You may call me your God, and it is time for the wine of wrath.

Scientist smiled, looked at Victor, and cheerfully inquired, do you know who he is? He is, Vlad Teeps!

The name mint nothing to Victor, but his face was anything but blank, as the thick, deep crimson content of the cup came into his view, ever closer. ?The one known as, Vlad,?placed a strong left arm under Victor‘s neck, forcing him to sit up, as he took the cup with his right hand, and held it to Victor‘s mouth. Victor knew that all his prayers concerning the contents of the cup, that it would not be as it appeared to be, had fallen on deaf ears. But that’s…, That’s, his voice was that sickening mewling growling cross between animal and man, that is…, blood! He pronounce the last word with a grotesque sort of wonder, so overcome was he by what he had recently eaten, and what it looked as if he were about to drink.

Very good, the one known as Vlad, purred at him. ?you will learn your place, beast-man, for as you have given life, so must you now receive it.

In the dream, victors suddenly felt such strong repulsion for the being standing in front of him, for the cup in his hand, and mainly, for the liquid in the cup, that he thought to give a strong argument. But all that would come out was a yowling, no! And even that, sounded more like the yowl of a cat, then the intelligent protest of a man.

I, won’t,?I, wo,wowowwououount!!! ?I, wowwownt! The last word drawled into a hybrid?of of human speech and cat like yowling.

Vlad reached up and stroked the back of victors now quite furry head, ?oh yes you will, kitty man, kitty, he purred, kitten, he added insult to injury, seeing that Victor did not like being called kitty at all.

The newly formed quills, on victors body raised up automatically, as he gave the low warning growl of a cat, showing, for the first time, is extremely sharp teeth. ComeThe newly formed quills, on victors body raised up automatically, as he gave the low warning growl of a cat, showing, for the first time, is extremely sharp teeth.

I wouldn’t do that, the one known as Felix, cautioned behind clenched teeth, as scientist, laid a finger over her own lips. Quiet Felix, she murmured, let’s see what happens; he doesn’t know everything there is to know about Vlad, yet.

The one known as Vlad smiled, the young man speaks wisdom to you, kitty; you should heed his warning. ?now you have grown some very sharp teeth, and they are even somewhat elongated, who knows, perhaps in about…, Too, maybe 3 million years, your descendants will have choppers that look more like…, This. With that, Vlad?opened his mouth,?revealing extremely, sharp, fangs!

After allowing Victor to behold his fangs for a few seconds, Vlad spoke, now the way I see it, kitten, you have two choices. You can either drink this blood that I have brought for you here, which will probably give you strength; or, he grazed one of his fangs gently across the throat of?Victor as he concluded, you can drink your own.

I indeed also hope and pray for salvation for him, as I share in your optimistic hope for him, mistress, Heidi stated sincerely, as she smiled and nodded to Elizabeth. Who knows what he may be undergoing even now. And yet, I’ve heard that oft’?times the worst circumstances, tend?to bring a wayward soul to the foot of salvation‘s cross.???

God loves you.

On Thursday, January 20, 2022, 11:50 PM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

Far above the commotion, and yet so near that he could almost be touched, a tall man with red hair was watching all the players in the dream scape.

?

His father might have done something subtle, if the game allowed it. His uncle might have done something more persuasive, whether or not the dream gate was fully open and ready.

?

But he was neither of them, and he only chuckled at the spectacle, enjoying the final touch. His final touch, if he could say so himself, and he could, because of who he was.

?

"See, told you Franny, you are great when you put your mind to it. Oh sorry, Keres.

?

A super bril old name by the way. I know you know, or you think you know, ?but you still don't really get it, anymore than Ren does...you really only get mom's?but not dad's or your own.?

?

Maybe if you dreamt more as you were told...still pretty good though, I think that should distract Count?Nobody for a wittle while, which is kind of all I need, told you you were awesome with dreams, and for that matter Ren too, and look at Ig," the young man happily complimented his sister who might or might not be able to hear him when distracted.

?

Though truth be told, the compliment was at his own expanse too. All the harassment, all the nudges, they finally, finally materialized. And right here, right now, at?a place that?belonged to this man. A man who could have been, but never would be, his grandfather.?How?ironic, how bril.

?

The young man wondered for a second if he should help his sister reclaim the lab, considering who else was watching. But she had matters at hand here.

?

"Well, maybe you don't know what you think you know either, dear Count.?You thought you were safe from the prophecy???You thought tricking your pawn into killing somebody important would be forgotten? Because millennia passed, and the Carrier has been gone from the world? You never thought then, that the old gods are never gone, that they might return????Tiktok little count, tiktok," the young man spoke to nobody in particular, smiling at his own inner reference.?

?

?

He was happy and his associates should be equally pleased, he knew, the smirk still playing on his face as he began vanishing from this layer of?a well crafted slice of almost real reality.

?

He?may have preferred playing it like his uncle, but the last touch was of course to honor his father, the man who had been known a long time?ago as, and had knowingly embraced once more, the identity of Captain Dance.

?

****

Ludwig stared at the patient's body, at Mary Beth, and with an understandable tremor in his limbs, hesitantly inquired, "Mam, what is the meaning of this? Should I call the doctor? What should I do?"

?

***

?

"Salvation, yes, after all, every soul needs it, and some can even get it. Will Victor be the lucky one? I hope so, I hope so, dearest Heidi," Elizabeth emphatically explained, not certain if she engaged in a bout of wishful thinking, or for the first time, had a bout of premonition.?

?

?

?

???????

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Saturday, January 8, 2022 1:40 PM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

In his dream, Victor tried his best to fight the ghost of Frank, to get Elizabeth away from him, but Elizabeth chose to fight with Frank, against Victor. The two ghosts continued to laugh, as he was once more held over the flames, and then fell, as if the ghost wanted him to relive the scene of being dropped into the fire again and again. ?As he fell,?the scenes of the dream changed to show what could be other possibilities in Victor‘s life. He was aware of a hard thud,?And that?he was on a?table. ?he blinked, then looked around.?My science lab, he breathed,?his voice filled with relief and wonder.

The figure which stood over him smiling, looked much more solid than the ghosts of Frank and Elizabeth had looked. No, stupid, this is not your, science lab, this is my lab.

But, who are you?

The woman smiled, you may call me…, Scientist, for you see that is what I am. How did I get here, Victor wanted to know. We brought you here, she answered, science, brought you here. And before we go any further with this, I want to thank you for being such a great part of my experiment.

What? Have I now become the science, Victor demanded. There was a laugh coming from a young male voice which was somewhat behind the woman, as yet another strange looking man caught a fly and proceeded to eat it.

While?this was happening in the dream, real burns began?to pop up on Victor’s body in the real world, so that MaryBeth, Ludwig, and the doctor, would be able to see them. Marybeth gasped,?what is the meaning of this? ?The others would be able to answer her as to what they thought it was, as the dream unfolded for Victor.

I don’t think he likes you Ren,?the young male replied, the flycatcher chuckled.

Then the woman called, scientist, stepped back, as if to study him clinically, and made a motion with her hands. An older woman, the young male, the flycatcher, and another man stepped up, all of them examining Victor. And then, to add to the nightmare, there he was, the ghost of Frank.

Wonderful indeed, my daughter, the ghost stated, he’s changing already. But what will we do with him, the older woman asked. I don’t know yet, scientist said, I’m just having a lot of fun making him. Hey we could always put him in the circus, the young male stated. ?scientist frowned at the young male.

Shut up, Felix, she snapped. Circuses are made for peoples enjoyment, not to scare people, like he’s going to do.

Hey I have an idea, the one called Felix continued, instead of making him scary why don’t you make him look funny? You know so people will laugh at him, like a clown or something. Because, scientist said, most people love a clown, especially kids. I don’t want kids, or anyone drawn to him; I want them repelled by him, just like they were with dad. ?Should I show him how he looks now, the one called Felix inquired, and scientist nodded, sure go ahead. ??Felix Then took up the mirror, allowing Victor to look in it. And in his dream, Victor became very frightened indeed. No!! He screamed, get it away from me! Get it away; please, take, that, thing, away! ? everyone in the room laughed.

None of this was actually happening of course, but Victor was being allowed to see what could very well be the future for him, although he would not yet realize this.

Thank you, mistress, Heidi told Elizabeth. You see this way, Victor will have a chance to explain what he has seen, and perhaps the priest could counsel with him, and guide him into salvation. I would hope so anyway.

God?loves you.

On Saturday, January 8, 2022, 1:20 AM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"I s'ppose our patient also believes in something...What do you reckon he is seeing, to make him move so, or is that just the fever speaking? My Lady, do you believe people can get visions from beyond? Our patient he might be a different kind than many, aye?" Ludwig wondered, trying to turn his discomfort into words the best way he knew how.

?

****

?

"Now that Heidi is a very good idea," Elizabeth admitted. Not sure if the priest would be helpful to Victor, or would at least humiliate him with his presence upon awakening, but it felt good.

?

And who knew, if Victor would be inspired by holy guidance, as only a man coming back from the brink of death could, it?might be his last chance to experience salvation, as far as she was concerned.?

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2021 9:36 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Oh yes, I do believe in the Almighty, Marybeth confessed eagerly, her nod?equally eager, although I must admit I don’t attend Sunday services perhaps as often as I should, mainly due to work and the like.?But I think you are quite perceptive,she continued, science often tries to explain various phenomenon and workings of nature,?but how can anyone truly know how these things happen???It would appear there is little or no explanation except…, Except for the fact that there is, as you say, something else out there, someone, else, out there.

Victor had been having what some would call a fever dream. In the first part of it, he had seen the gates, streets, and various aspects of heaven, at least as much as he could imagine it, as much as his imagination would allow. But now, his forehead suddenly broke into a sweat, and he began to softly moan. No…, No, please, do not burn me. I, I do Not, want to, want to go there! There was a look of terror on his face at what he was seeing. He would later describe this as, someone holding him directly above the very pit of hell, so close that the flames licked at him, hungrily eager to devour him, like so many living monsters. And the one holding him over the pit was none other than…, His very own creation.

Later in the dream, as he was dropped into the pit,?he would feel as if he were eternally falling, falling with nothing under him to catch him, no one around him to catch him, or even to Care. In his sleep, he cried out, Elizabeth! But of course, Elizabeth was not there to help. And the one which seemed to be the overseer of this dreadful, fiery place was of course, none other than…, His own creation, it was Frank. ?he was moaning that he was sorry, but in the dream, he was screaming with all the voice he had, which because of the initial sickness, was temporarily taken from him. ?The ghost of Frank mocked him, moaning just as he did, laughing at him, as it stood arm in arm with another ghost, the ghost of his own wife. ?The two ghosts laughed at him, as the ghost of Frank actually transformed into something quite beautiful, something which greatly resembled one of the angels that Victor had seen in the heaven part of the dream.

This…, Is how some people see me, the ghost of Frank said, turning from side to side, floating near him, to make certain Victor got a good view. But this…, Is how you, have always seen me. The ghost transformed again into the figure very much believed to be the appearance of…, No! Victor screamed in the dream, only barely managing a moan, as he be held the familiar appearance of the devil.

The ghost gave an ominous chuckle, you called me the devil, but it was you, who created me, you are my father, what does that make you? He moaned again, screaming in the dream. ?then he murmured four words which he thought he would never say in his waking hours. Oh God, save me!

Heidi nodded, it is a scarce hope, mistress, but when he awakens as I believe he will, we should probably have a priest on hand or nearby, to either assist him in this change, if there is indeed a change, or else, to pray for him that’s such a sickness does not befall him again in future. It is up to you though of course. ???


God loves you.

On Friday, December 17, 2021, 8:35 PM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"Yes Mam, and there are things we do not...know about. After all, surely despite your understanding of medical matters, you do believe in the Almighty?

?

Well, the other day, I took Bethany out, to listen to this young new preacher," Ludwig admitted with some embarassement, realizing he was saying too much perhaps, out of discomfort.

?

"This young priest was so passionate the the pulpit, he was talking about how none of us truly understand what the Holy word means. How when the Grace seizes you and flows through you, it is not only inspiring, not at all flattering, but could be frightening. As frightening as any Angel.

?

And I started thinking, maybe, well just maybe, some of the things we know about, don't quite act as we know they should, because there is something else out there, I beg my lady's pardon.

?

I just feel like I haven't chosen to misplace the patient...I swear he somehow slipped out of my hands and...there is more to that, and Mr Doctor might not understand what it is that has been happening, or how to stop it, if the patient is...I am not sure what I am saying m'Lady, you might have better words for all of this," the footman?hopefully offered.

?

****

"Changes, Heidi there. Sometimes they just happen, even if we did not choose. Circumstances can alter a person's path, the gentle or not so gentle hand of Fate. I fear that?our Victor has experienced something untoward in his life.

?

Maybe he would have chosen to become the man he has, but perhaps not. Perhaps he just did not know how to handle the cards dealt him..." Elizabeth suggested, noting that she was fairly uncomfortable at describing Victor as hers alone.???

?

She surely had the right to do that but wished to avoid thinking of him in such terms, even for the sake of an easily understood communication between them. She supposed, when it came to that, no such communication could be remotely easy for the things being described, were too extraordinary for ordinary polite words.

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2021 11:24 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Mary Beth looked uncertain, I must admit, Ludwig, that I have passing we wondered such things. Yet, our place is not to ask such questions, but as I understand it, to do everything and all we can to heal the patient, to bring him out of whatever is holding him captive. ?Head she just said that? She reason to herself that it could be some sort of physical maladies holding him captive, but usually, when people thought of someone being held captive, it was either by other human beings, or something perhaps much more sinister than even physical diseases?could be.

Oh, mistress, do you truly think that he could be changed? Maybe this, sickness, whatever one might call it,?has been brought about for just such a thing as this, she suggested. And yes, I will do what I can to make him talk, to make him tell us what he has felt and saw, what has happened. That is, if he seems indeed to be changed.


God loves you.

On Tuesday, November 23, 2021, 9:43 PM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"Pardon mam, but can the patient be...haunted? Me knows it sounds strange, yet I doth not like what's, I don't now, as if he can watch us while being asleep. Something odd about our patient, do you fancy?"

?

Ludwig did not know what even prompted him to ask this superior woman who knew so much and intimidated him and made him wonder if she wanted a conversation at all. And realize that perhaps he needed one all the same. A pity he did not even know how to ask the right question.

?

Even Bethany might be confused at what it was he wanted to know, so he would not blame Mary Beth if she did too.

?

***

?

"Oh, well then my dear. It shall be easy to ascertain that Victor does indeed seek God. For the change in him would then be significant. I would urge you then to make him talk. Explain what brought about the change.

?

If there were,,,say, just as an entirely random example, some hands squeezing his neck, anybody whispering words into his ears. If he remembers being shrouded by darkness, of feeling remorse over not doing more with his life.

?

After all, God has many mysterious agents working for him, you know. I suppose if the change in Victor is real and he?was graced with God's presence, perhaps he can tell us about it.

?

And then we would all be one happy household once more, because we would know the change in him is permanent, you see," Elizabeth offered though she had to wonder if even the mysterious hands choking the life out of Victor or the?face of God itself could challenge him into changing his life style and views.?She was not going to hope too much for it herself, but if Heidi needed the hope, well then, it was not Elizabeth's duty to dissuade her.???

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Monday, November 8, 2021 11:51 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Mary Beth gave Ludwig a slight look of exasperation. She had almost started to caution him in an annoyed tone to be careful, but then he apologized for bruising the patient even more. Just let’s just get him settled, Mary Beth told him, doing her best to keep patients in her tone. ?And of course, she continued, I will need you to transport him back to bed, at least such is most likely, unless of course, he happens to come out of this seemingly in trapping ailment.

It was now Heidi‘s turn to look thoughtfully at her mistress before stating, if he does come out different, it likely can’t help but be for the good, his?good, as well as ours.

Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open?with surprise when Elizabeth actually asked her about caring for Victor. I…, I shall do my best for you, mistress, as I am always happy to help in anything you need. ?but if it turns out that he does indeed have more of a heart and thoughts toward God, and actually helping his fellow man, what then? What would you have me do?


God loves you.

On Saturday, November 6, 2021, 1:19 AM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"Yes...Maa'm," Ludwig spoke obediently his prolonged sound a sign of his deep concentration. He felt odd in a manner of speaking, as of something strange and outside pulled at him. Pulled him to move?in the physical direction his own instinct would have avoided.

?

As if in mockery of his sincere words, he had managed to bruise the patient a few more times before he settled the body down completely. "Begging your pardon Mam," Ludwig apologized hastily.?Normally he would have addressed the patient, but then the patient was not available to apologize to,?so Ludwig chose this smallish woman to address instead, to rectify his mistake.

?

Perhaps if she has been a friend, he would have admitted the strangeness to her and hoped for some council that only women seemed to have. But then, even somebody like his Bethany might not have understood or believed him, so perhaps Mary Beth would merely consider him a slacker, he could not take the chance of her bad mouthing him to the doctor, so he determined to keep doing his best no matter what pull he has experienced towards wrong motions with the patient, or otherwise.

?

Elizabeth?cautiously regarded Heidi and finding no subtle undertones of?disagreement or rebuke, finally nodded her agreement. "Your words are most enlightening my pet," she complimented the maid.

?

"But do you think that means Victor would come out even more different than?previously, after he is healed, which is of course to be presumed by those who cherish his well being.

?

If he is any different, I fear I?may not know at first how to attend to him best. Perhaps I shall have to enlist you and your wisdom in helping me.

?

I rely on Abigail in many affairs, but those mysteries of the heart I worry she would not pierce any?better or faster than myself. You might be our best hope, darling Heidi.

?

I know this may put too much?pressure on your slender shoulders and am sorry in advance. Would you object greatly to taking personal care of Victor when he is back and is recovering? I hope not for you seem to have such insights," Elizabeth complimented, sincerely surprised that she found such a good conversationalist in the girl she had previously dismissed as dull. ???

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Friday, October 1, 2021 7:39 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Thank you Ludwig, Mary Beth replied, her own tone somewhat distracted, until he missed the second wall. Be careful with him, we may not know what is wrong with him yet, but he is still a patient which has come into our care. How could she expect him to have the same care for the man that she and the doctor had. ?She only wondered this, and contemplated it, as she watched the forward progress of Ludwig, carrying the patient.

Heidi regarded Elizabeth with a thoughtful expression. It is not that you are without influence in his life, mistress, for I believe you are not without such, but I think often times, men will listen to someone else telling them something, before they listen to those closest to them; perhaps you could confirm what the other person was saying, the priest or whomever you choose to speak with, but sometimes, two or three People saying the same thing, confirming one another in their assessments, I think often times this can?help one to get ones point across.

She studied Elizabeth’s expression, hoping that?what she said offered some genuine comfort and hope to her mistress. Then again, she continued, who can say what if this present set of circumstances might not do it for you. People many times have near brushes with death, and come out of it much different, thinking more of God, and their own mortality.


God loves you.

On Friday, October 1, 2021, 12:29 AM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"Yes Mam,"Ludwig obediently took on the little man and carried him, not truly paying attention to the new of his fever.?But his thoughts, of missing time with Bethany because of this unexpected change in the doctor's routine, made him upset, and distracted.

?

Though he failed to avoid the sharp edge of the wall he was crossing with the patient, he did notice his error on time. He didn't think the patient noticed any damage, and?could only hope Mary Beth didn't either. Trying to think of distracting her attention from the patient with something witty to converse about, Ludwig could only think of something little to ask the doctor's assistant.?

?

"So, have you found anything good at the grocery market," Ludwig gruffly wondered, the effort of thinking?of a topic evident in his voice. And then he realized with a start that his own question distracted him instead, prompting him to unintentionally miss another wall.

?

A good thing it was a small man he was carrying, a larger load?could have slept away from him by now, Ludwig well knew. He shuddered at the very thought of being fired by Van Hoff and loosing all access to the lovely Bethany. Now there was a girl he could easily talk to, about anything.???

?

***

"But Heidi,?Victor was encouraged to think of God. I encouraged him myself, and so did his father. Victor did not really object. I don't know that he thinks there is no God.

?

I don't know that he is not interested in God at all either. I just feel that all thoughts about God would still direct Victor to think about his own greatness.

?

The disturbing thing for me is that Victor's mind is great. But perhaps, not the rest of him. His moral core does not have the same remarkable capacity. His emotional strength, it is...not the strength of a real man. Of a scientist, but not a man.

?

I don't mean that he is not a man," Elizabeth explained, though in her heart perhaps she did mean that. "Only that some people are different from others and don't have the same strength. And Victor is smart, but not overall strong the way his peers would have been."

?

"It's not that I hold it against him," she speculated, and then decided that maybe she did hold it against him. "Only his greatness means all the more to him, when he is feeling weaker. So he insists on his greatness, he cultivates it through his scientific accomplishments, and does not accept his limitations.

?

Oh Heidi, I fear for him. For his body and the physical toll it has taken. For his mind, that may not be able to handle much more. And for his very soul that is so uninterested in God but?which without the idea of God at least, seems to fall prey to folly. I just don't know how to convince Victor that he needs something else. Something that is greater than him and is no part of him. Do you think he would listen to somebody else better than he does to me?" Elizabeth idly wondered.??

----- Original Message -----

From: Sandy Hargrove via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Friday, September 17, 2021 8:15 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Mary Beth nodded to the doctor. All right Ludwig, she stated with a sigh why don’t we sit ?him up in a reclining position, so that even if, when…, He awakens, he will be still comfortable. We don’t want to make him uncomfortable, just get him in a position more conducive to awakening. She checked his fever, it’s gone up, she told Ludwig, and the doctor also, if he were listening.

Victor was quite frail, so should prove relatively easy for Ludwig to carry. And now, especially without his daily enhancement potions, the age in his face showed.

Perhaps he rarely, if ever, thanks of God at all, Heidi suggested. Maybe he has never thought about whether or not he is greater than God, because he’s never really thought of God in the first place.


God loves you.

On Thursday, September 16, 2021, 1:15 AM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:

"I do wonder if the essential salts used in one experiment by Reuss would amount to something, or but a fanciful way to add?a semblance of originality he has uncovered elsewhere.

?

No matter. I will omit them for now,?unless the patient fails to respond to the treatment. Ludwig will help you by carrying the body, but perhaps you shall instruct him on how to arrange it perfectly, so the patient reaches a somewhat satisfactory position. Whether he is aware for now or not, matter not for his level of comfort. Ideally he would wake, and then we would be prepared...Yes, let us proceed, Ludwig," Van Hoff nodded, though he named the one doing the manual labor, he rather included both in his order. If anything Mary Beth was going to play the more crucial role on the matter. If he could have three of her, his job would have been so much easier, as well he knew.

?

?

Elizabeth could not take umbrage with herself. Despite the difficulties of conveying her outrage to somebody who in all likelihood even resisting understanding the truth of the matter, she has done fairly well in explaining the issue. If it did not fully work, the fault could not be?completely ascribed to her.

?

"I don't know, Heidi. You might be right. Some of them invoke the name of God in their introduction, which is sometimes the one piece of their writing I end up caring about. Could they be facetious in their show of respect? Perhaps if they believe their publication would be met less favorably. But I don't know why in our rational age, they would need to profess their loyalty to God if they don't feel it.

?

However, assuming that most of them are devoid of the religious sentiment, the problem remains. Not only with the men of science departing from any idea of godhood. What bothers me is when some seek to replace it with the idea of their own, equal, or possibly superior greatness.

?

At least that is how Victor seems to think a lot of the time. Perhaps such attitude is necessary for him to succeed in such a frightening enterprise as his. Perhaps his attitude was encouraged by his educators and is shared with them. I cannot say. All I know is, even if it has some benefits, the drawbacks of such thinking are too intimidating for the rest of us, who do not particularly delight in creating science.

?

I can see the necessity for utilizing its wisdom, but perhaps, when one ventures too far into the gaping maw of the unknown, one should withdraw and recover. All Victor wants to do, is to forge even further. And for all such things as pride and ambition serving the greater good, I must wonder where such emotions in their purest form would lead him. And if perhaps that in itself does not account for his mysterious ailment," Elizabeth considered.

?

She had believed herself to be done with the subject but with frustration realized she has been wrong. There were still matters unresolved, matters she has not touched upon, and voicing them?out loud?did seem to make them better.??

?

----- Original Message -----

From: Ishamael Moridin via groups.io

To: [email protected]

Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2021 1:51 AM

Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams

Yes Doctor, I shall go and heat the water right away, Mary Beth replied, waiting?only a moment to see if he needed anything else, before hurrying away to heat the water in the tub. ?Of course, she had to fill the tub first, but it wasn’t all that long before that was done, and the water was heated, not too terribly hot, but warm enough to hopefully start to increase the circulation, and bring the feeling back into this comatose man. She then returned, the tub is ready Doctor.

Heidi‘s eyebrows shot up in surprise when Elizabeth addressed her as, my pet, she said nothing, supposing there were far worse things to be called by one’s mistress or master. I…, She hesitated, I doubt if he even thinks of such things. I think, probably most men of science think of religious matters rarely at best, if even at all. Perhaps he does think of himself as a new Lord, but then again, who can say without a direct answer from him; all we have?are?his actions. I would hate to believe such things of him, but it does seem as though you are very important to him, yet it would appear that he spent so little time with you before. Perhaps you are right, perhaps he indeed deserves what he gets. Her voice sounded distracted as she mused on the entire matter. ?But somehow, I don’t think even he, could be quite that arrogant as to consider himself a new Lord, although you say that he did decline the offer of holy counsel. It may be though, she continued, that he considers himself a hero of sorts, someone who saved you from the clutches of death, but does he feel he has overcome death now, that is the question. And who knows what the answer will be, once he returns to us.

For her own part, Heidi could not see how she could ever love such a man, one whose?mind seemed tremulous, on the very fringes of reality. I think, that I should enjoy very much making him pay for how he has caused you to suffer, mistress.?