Renfield had not expected another visit from Mrs. Harker. (Lovely Mrs. Harker!) He’d given her his final words, a wish that he should never see her again, and he had meant it. (Kind Mrs. Harker!) While her very presence was a light in the midst of this world’s encroaching darkness, he knows that her being here now means the worst thing imaginable — that the good doctor’s friends have not removed her, and will not save her from Him. (Dying Mrs. Harker!) And if his warning has not been enough to spur them to action, he must try again, but… He is incapable.
To think of speaking the words that must be said brings a pounding, aching pain in his head and stirs a swell of nausea. The Master’s power is too strong. He cannot answer her uncertainties — does not even know if she realizes he has those answers for which to ask.
“I am afraid, my dear, that the darkness is always in pursuit of that which SHINES the brightest. It is the way of the world. Perhaps you do not need to comprehend it, but only toescape it. You should not be here, with me, Mrs. Harker. Does the doctor know about this visit?”
Dr. Seward would thoroughly disapprove of this meeting, especially without bestowing his explicit permission. There was no telling how her queries could impact Mr Renfield, after the last warning he had bestowed upon them had evidently not been heeded.
In truth, she would not be present here if she did not decree it absolutely necessary. Further harm being imposed on poor Renfield was the last thing that the young bride intended for him. But with the men absent in the strange quests and her feeling more and more fearful with each hour that drew them closer to nightfall, Mina hoped that something... Anything he would say could appease her fears. Or at least offer answers on how to keep those fears at bay, at least until Jonathan returned to her side.
“How can I escape the darkness if I do not know where it resides? I fear, Mr Renfield, that if I were to try to escape the darkness you speak of that it would only follow me... Find me... Lure me.” Her night terrors had spoke of such things. Visions of the shadow of a creature she could not name falling upon her window pane. Dogs howling as if the devil himself awoke them. Lucy... Even sweet Lucy had come to haunt her dreams. No matter day or night, when she slept, terror thrived.
“Please, I am frightened, Mr Renfield.”
