Chapter Text
They were fighting over me when I awoke. Not in the chivalrous sense. There was no wanting or having to be had. Well, maybe the exception of Roy Steel but I had a pulse so I wasn’t counting that as a win. Instead, it was just a stampede of raised voices about how to solve the problem and who would be the man to do it.
My whole body felt heavy as I clambered out of bed and I instantly searched my side for the wound. As I feared, there was not even a scratch- I was cursed. I gulped down a stale glass of water that rested on the bedside to relieve the intense cotton mouth I had. A stretch of my muscles removed all the heaviness and I quickly searched for something to change into. Anything would have been better than the nightgown I was currently dressed in. Of course my own clothes would not have been available, having been drenched in blood. I gave up my search and ventured out onto the landing.
I crept down the stairs to find the source of the growing noise. It was dark out in the grounds and everywhere inside was awash with a low wattage glow that bounced off the plywood walls. I approached the door that stood ajar when a voice stopped me.
“We must wait until she is awake. Discuss fees, then we can proceed gentlemen. Suki, bring in the case files.” An unfamiliar voice barked. I took a peek through the crack in the door and discovered a stately man sat in a high backed chair. He brandished a whiskey glass, but he lost half of its content when he waved his hand briskly.
“No Sir Maxwell. I’m sorry but the priority is finding a cure. We don’t know if Miss Monday will wake up, so we must push on without her help. I insist myself and Roy go search the place where she was bitten.” Lorrimer was pacing the length of the room.
“I thought the wound had healed?” Roy mused, swilling round his own drink inside its glass.
“The place where she discovered the werewolf Roy.” Lorrimer chastised Roy with a stern look.
“One,” I Roy replied, “I’ve yet to try kissing her. She’s cursed- doesn’t a true loves kiss break all curses?!” Roy sounded positively offended that the others had not thought of this before now.
“No.” Lorrimer and Sir Maxwell replied bluntly.
“Two,” Roy continued unperturbed, “How would we know where to look? I don’t recall her telling either of us where she was when she was bitten. Besides, they’ll be long gone by now; it’s been six days.”
I audibly gasped. I’d been asleep for six days. Roy had no idea how right he was; my attacker would be well and truly gone by now. I must have been loud because no sooner had I covered my mouth with my hand did the door open.
“Miss Monday-“ Lorrimer greeted me at the door.
“Selene, please.” I interrupted as he guided me into the room and sat me down beside the fireplace. Directly in front of the unfamiliar man. “You must be Sir Maxwell House. Please to meet you.”
“And who the devil are you and why have you come to my house at this godly hour dressed in a nightgown?”
“This is Selene Monday, Sir Maxwell. She’s the woman who has been cursed by the werewolf.” Roy explained with an unconscious fixing of his cravat. “She’s been staying upstairs in your guest bedroom. For six days. Where I sat vigil.” Roy was not subtle with his hint. I’d have to thank him for his valiant effort later.
“Ah yes, of course.” Sir Maxwell seemed soothed by this explanation. “You are awake. That’s one problem solved.”
“Roy was right though. The werewolf; he’ll be long gone now.” I explained reaching for my hair like a security blanket.
“You found him once, we can find him again. We’ll be ready Selene.” Lorrimer began searching through papers and maps that were laid out on the large table. I was out of my seat and at his side so quickly my head was spinning. The venom was already having an impact on my speed and agility. A girl could get used to it. If, you know, it didn’t come with a side of massacre once a month.
“It’s not that simple I’m afraid.” I sighed, gently taking the papers from his hands. They would never believe me if I told them. I knew they were men of paranormal but even this was a bridge too far.
“It is my dear. I just need to point my fists in the right direction. Show me where and I’ll get him.” Roy brandished his fists of steel in my direction with a cheeky wink.
“It’s not a case of where boys!” I stammered, knowing I could not hold back this discovery any longer. The three men looked at me expectantly. “It’s when.”
“Are you telling me we have to wait until the next full moon to be able to catch this blighter?” Roy demanded. “My fists can’t wait that long.”
“More like 527 full moons.” I chewed on my lip and avoided the impending looks of concern and confusion.
“That’s…” Lorrimer paused to complete the calculation in his head. “43 years, give or take a full moon or two.” I nodded solemnly.
“My fist fighting skills might be a little rusty by then I’m afraid.” Roy had joined us at the table.
“Do any of you know of Professor Quantum?” I questioned them.
“We’ve not had any dealings with him, but I have heard of him. There’s some speculation of his origin.” Lorrimer explained, removing his glasses and giving them a good clean. “There are claims he’s from 2111. Roy and I did try and find him when we had our own time travelling bother, but there was no such luck.”
Turns out, getting them to accept the concept of time travel was not as hard as I thought. They knew of him too, which was a bonus.
“We need him.” I explained, a hint of desperation in my voice. “The werewolf uses Professor Quantum’s services to travel in time whenever the heat is on him. He would have used them after this turn, I guarantee it. I have an idea of the year too. Proffesor Quantum would be able to confirm it.”
“I’m afraid we have yet to be able to find him Selene.” Roy explained. “We’ll find another way. You will be cured.”
“It’s not just about curing me Roy. It’s about everyone who has been cursed. He must be stopped.” I explained. “Professor Quantum is the only way.”
“Good job I know him then!” Sir Maxwell interjected, a broad smile on his face. “Suki,” He shouted and momentarily the woman who met me at the door in my greatest hour of need appeared. “Get Graham on the phone. Tell him to bring that Routemaster round here pronto.” She removed herself from the room almost as quickly as she arrived. “I suppose you’ll need some clothes?” It took me a moment to realise the question was directed at me.
“I can nip home? It’s no bother.” I suggested.
“No, no, no. That does no good for the pace of this narrative my dear. My ex-wife left many clothes here. Suki will show you to her room.” Sir Maxwell drained his glass.
“Dress simply Selene.” Lorrimer insisted. “We don’t know what era this man is in and we do not want to stick out.”
I nodded and left the room, in search of the woman called Suki. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that it wasn’t me he had to worry about.
********
Suki helped me pick out a practical pair of black trousers and an over-sized white blouse. Fashion was so fickle and ever changing that I would probably be damned with anything I wore. At least with monochrome I stood a fighting chance at blending in.
I was stood before an upstairs’ hallway mirror brushing knots out of my hair when Roy appeared beside me. A moment of awkward silence past.
“Professor Quantum will be here momentarily. Sir Maxwell is packing up a case of his finest Scotch and Lorrimer and Suki are coming up with a plan.” He explained. “You look rather fab, if you don’t mind me saying.” All I could do was blush. “Are you ok? If you’re scared-”
“Oh I’m not scared in the slightest. I’m angry and I’m ready to fight.” I explained, trying not to look Roy in the eyes.
“Ladies do not fight.” Roy tried to reason with me. “That’s my job.”
“I am not a lady Mr Steel.” I brushed past him and made my way to the stairs.
“Maybe that’s where I’m going wrong.” He muttered sadly before collecting his thoughts and declaring: “Maybe I need a woman like you-“
“Roy. You are incredibly sweet and utterly charming, but I’m currently cursed and we have to accept that in the not too distant future- you may have to actually kill me.” We descended the stairs together.
“Technically, it will quite far in the future if you’re predictions are correct Selene.” Roy replied playfully as we came to the last step.
“She’s right, Clark Wayne is indeed in 2016. Hello Will, what the devil are you doing here? I thought I took you back to your own time when you were last here in search of ladies?” A man I could only presume was Professor Quantum addressed Roy.
“Sorry fellow, the name’s Roy Steel. Can we borrow that time bus of yours?”