Prelude

The cathedral was silent. Candles glowed in the darkness, giving it an ancient chill. The place was empty except for a large grave that stood in its center. Parts of the stone were broken as if somebody had been slammed into it with great force. Behind the tombstone which looked more like a stoned sarcophagus was an image encased in the opposite wall.

It showed the large face of a man with curly hair and a beard. He had bushy eyebrows and a firm serious look. Behind his ears were two curved horns like the one of a goat. Pan. The god of forests and nature. There was a small crack in the stone across his face and behind this gap a fair cyan glow shimmered through.

Olalla Hyde was leaning against the half broken grave. Next to her sat Renata Jezequiel. The woman's hair was white as snow and her breath came like a weak whisper. She was leaning against Olalla like a flower that wittered away.

Renata was dieing. It was an undeniable truth. The Incubus had sucked much out of her life force. But in her last moments the Black Dog had revealed a lot to her cousin Olalla. Most importantly: The Jezequiel's Family Album was an enchanted book that contained instructions how to open the gateway towards the realm in which Lord Trash was trapped. For centuries it had been the Jezequiels' duty to watch over this gateway. And since they and the Jekylls were one and the same family, Olalla had taken it to herself to become the next guardian.

"It is up to you now", whispered Renata, "Guard it well. Good luck." Olalla softly caressed the dieing woman's shoulder. "Can I do something for you?", she offered. "I'd like to change one last time." Olalla rose and stepped backwards. Her face remained calm and cool as she watched Renata slowly laying down before the tombstone.

Her body shimmered and shifted. Fur grew out of her skin, her fingers formed into paws, her face seemed to melt as it disfigured and deformed itself into a dog's snout. Where Renata had been laying, now laid a large, black dog. Oh, Renata. There was no tear in Olalla's eyes. Years of living as Hyde had made her learn to cry on the inside and show emotions only when they were absolutely necessary.

A cold gust of wind ran through the cathedral, blowing out the candles. Olalla shivered and threw herself on the floor. An angry roar filled the air as if something from very, very far away was just realizing its chance to pounce was gone. Something that was not from his world. Robert, please tell me that you did it!

Panting, Olalla peeked around the tombstone. It glowed even more and the young Hyde feared a new crack to appear in the wall. But then the glow faded and a deadly silence filled the room. Olalla shivered in the cool air. Standing up, she looked anxiously in the direction where London laid. One name left her lips: "Robert."

~Jekyll & Hyde~

They had chosen the same graveyard in which Max Utterson was buried to hold Magarete Hope's funeral. The trees were in full blossom. Green leaves and the grass shone between silvery tombstones. The grave was completely covered. On the stone stood Maggie's name.

It was a small round. Only the people that had been closest to Maggie had come. Robert, Garson, Bella and Ravi. They all wore black clothing and stood around the grave, hands folded like silent prayers. Robert was still crying. Garson now probably handed him the fifth handkerchief to dry his swollen eyes.

Robert felt incredible empty, hurt and sad. Like a wound that did not want to heal. And every tear brought fresh salt in it and made it burn and sting. Or was it this feeling of guilt that made it burn and sting? It was hard to tell.

Robert felt like he stood over a pitch black hole, which engulfed him, swallowed him. And even in this darkness he would not be left alone. Robert thought, he heard voices scream at him. "Murder!" "Monster!" "Robert!" "Robert..."  Faces peeled themselves out of the smooth darkness he was in. Grotesque and pale. Max Utterson. Maggie. Amma. Doctor Najaran. They all surrounded him, screamed at him. But then a voice became louder then the others.

"Robert!" A bony, stiff hand slapped his shoulder tenderly. The Doctor turned his head. Garson looked up at him. His furrowed face looked sad, kind and pitiful. He moistened his lips. "Don't blame yourself, boy", he said.

Robert lifted his brows and shame rushed to his cheeks, turning them red. "Who says that I think it is my fault?", he stammered, before dropping his head, "Can you read me so easily, Garson?" The old man gently shook his head. "As Jekyll, you are much easier to read then Hyde. And it does not take much to see the grief in your face. We don't blame you, Robert."

"But...", protested Robert weakly, "if I had been faster, she would still be here. I put you all in danger." He turned his head away and whipped over his nose. This is all my fault. Bella approached him. The bar's owner laid a delicate hand on his shoulder. "We all were aware of the risks", she stated, "We could have moved away. But we decided to stay. Robert, we knew that you could not do this on your own."

Robert sighted and looked at Bella. His face could not unfrown. They might say that but in his heart he feared that they thought what he thought: If he only had been faster, everyone would have survived. If he only had moved them away, because it was not save, no one would have been in danger.  All these If only...

"Robert, look!" Ravi's sudden call made the Doctor look up. The young Indian boy was pointing at a figure who trotted across the graveyard towards them. Who could that be? Shielding his eyes with his hand, Robert looked at the person, coming closer.

She was wearing a white blouse with a black, short vest. Her hair danced in the wind, golden locks. Bluish green eyes scanned the place and freckles covered her nose. She was wearing black trousers and a pair of dark leather boots.

"Olalla", breathed Robert as his twin sister stopped before him. "You are alive!" A relieved smile cracked on her lips and she threw her arms around him. Reluctantly Robert hugged her back. Olalla leaned against his shoulder and whispered: "I knew that you could do it."

She stepped back. Robert asked: "What are you doing here? I thought you were with Renata." She responded sadly: "Renata is dead, Robert." No! Robert's eyes widened and he felt more tears in the corner of his eyes. Another death. The realization hit him: If Louis was dead too, he and Olalla were the only members of the Jekyll family left.

"How?", asked Robert and his voice shivered. "Old age." Olalla softly laid a hand on his shoulder. "That Incubus took a lot of her life, Robert. She had aged rapidly during the last few days." The blonde fell silent and turned her face away. Robert wondered if she felt guilty, because Renata had sacrificed herself to save the young Hyde from the demon's kiss.

Robert felt like even more of his feelings left and more sadness ran into him. He had liked Renata. She was his cousin and family. But she had also been more to him. For Robert she had been like a mentor figure. Someone to look up to. Sure, she had greeted him rather harshly when they first had met, but once she understood what he was, she had warmed up to him. Robert would miss her.

"But what about the gateway?", asked Robert in confusion, "Renata was the last guardian." Olalla puffed out her chest in pride. "I am the new guardian of the gateway now", she explained, "And maybe I do not have to guard it as much as Renata used to. After all Hyde destroyed the heart of Lord Trash."

Robert frowned. His glance became cold and guilt laid itself in them like a pebble in dirty water. "Robert?", asked Olalla, "What is wrong?" "Maggie died because of me", whispered Robert. The words first came slow and quiet, but soon his voice got louder and louder. "I should have been faster. But Hyde wasted his time screaming at Dance. It is always his fault. I have got the feeling that the only thing he brings is death and destruction."

Olalla's eyes widened slightly. "How can you say such a thing?", the woman asked, "Hyde saved your life. It was his speed, agility and strength that made you move through this fight. He made you crush the heart."

"And its power killed Maggie in the process", Robert finished her sentence and his glance became grim, "It is not the first time that my actions or his actions endanger somebody's life. Max died because of me. My parents died because of me. Ravi almost died because me! Maggie died because of me!"

Olalla seized his wrists as he was about to claw his hands in his hair. Her eyes became warm with concern. "This is not your fault", she whispered, "Why do you blame yourself? You did what you had to do."

"Then crushing this girl's throat was also something I had to do?" Robert laughed bitterly. Why didn't Olalla see? Look at me!, it screamed inside him, Look what Hyde made out of me! I am a murderer. I endanger everyone's life! He just wanted them save so badly. He wanted to protect his family and friends. But no matter what he did, every action seemed to make a new threat arise.

"I don't understand", whispered Olalla. "Can't you see?!", called Robert, "Ever since I come to London, the life of those around me turn into a living hell! I want them save. Is this asked too much? But whatever I do, somebody always pays. And it often is someone close to me. Max, Amma, Doctor Najaran. I am the reason why their life ended. Everyone is after Hyde. And because of this, they all target those around me."

He looked at Olalla. His words had come fast and in dry gasps. Sweat ran across his forehead and he felt his muscles tremble. "Sometimes", he whispered, "I wish I had stayed in Ceylon. Then none of that would have happen. They would still be save and sound."

Olalla crossed her arms and narrowed her gaze. "That is wish fulfillment. What do you think would have happened?", she stated angrily, "Dance would have showed up anyway. I was there. I saw how he was given the order to find you. Do you really think you could have faced him when you were Jekyll? Things would have turned out way worse."

Robert glared at her. He had not made this assumption. The idea of having to face Dance completely unprepared. He could almost picture how it would have turned out. In the pressure Hyde surely would have broken free, get overpowered and captured. But maybe his family would have been save. Don't be a fool!, Hyde hissed inside of him, Dance would have killed them anyway.

Robert's neck twitched as he tilted his head. His eyes glimmered and his nostrils flared. He angrily tried to suppress Hyde. Not now. He could not let him out here. In fact Robert thought about never ever letting Hyde out again.

"It is not just that", admitted Robert, "You saw what Hyde can do, Olalla. His rare power, his anger." He shivered and his brows wandered upwards. "I cannot let him out. I will only harm someone. He is the cause of all these things. He is a monster and I don't want to become a monster. Don't you see why I feel so re thorn and guilty? Hyde is the reason behind all of these actions. If he was gone, they would end, would they?"

Olalla's lips twitched. She looked baffled, surprised. Then her eyes narrowed and a chuckle escaped her throat. Robert felt his anger tighten in his throat as he saw his sister tilt her head back and roar with laughter.

"That...", panted Olalla, "that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! Hyde is not a monster. Nor is he the reason you should feel guilty. You should not blame yourself. This was not your fault. Besides you cannot block Hyde out. He is part of who you are. And I thought you had finally accepted him. I mean, you cannot deny it. He is you. And you are him."

Olalla spread her arms. "So why are you making this so complicated?", she asked, "Can't you see what you are gifted with? Hyde gives you incredible strength, speed, healing abilities. That is not a curse. That is a blessing!" Her eyes flashed and Robert could tell that she meant every word that she said. It made his stomach turn over. "Only a fool would give up on that."

Robert's brow furrowed. The knot in his throat tightened. He tried to swallow, but this was hard. Cyan stole itself softly in his glance and a low growl laid in his voice as he shouted: "Listen to you!" He took an aggressive step forwards and jabbed a finger at her. "You sound like Captain Dance. Why do I even try to explain this to you? You will never understand. You are a human risen among monsters!"

Olalla looked at Robert as if he had slapped her across the face. Shock, surprise, sadness and repressed anger laid in her glance. So many hurt feelings. As soon as Robert saw this, he immediately regretted what he said. Hyde seemed to breath in his neck. The Doctor coughed and tightened his tie.

Olalla furrowed her brows and her eyes glowed cyan. An air of silent anger, violence and remorse laid around her. "If you knew anything about Tenebrae or Dance, you would not say this", she spat, "Grow up, Robert! You act like a moron! Hyde and you are the same person! No matter how much you pretend, he will always be there. Until the day you die! The sooner you see this, the better."

Robert did not answer to that. He was fed up with everything. Fed up with his guilt, fed up with Hyde, fed up with people, trying to tell him what he was supposed to be and to do. He was fed up of being reduced to the monster inside of him.

Feeling Hyde lurking inside of him, trying to break through his skin, Robert tried his best to regain his composer. Taking a shuddering breath, the man tightened his tie and corrected his suit. Under the watchful eyes of Bella, Garson and Ravi who had remained awkwardly silent during this stand-off, he turned around and made his way towards the exit of the graveyard.

Olalla took a few steps. It almost seemed like she was not sure if she should go after him. But her pride was as big as Hyde's. So Olalla only shouted: "Do not turn your back on me, Robert Jekyll!" Robert ignored her and reached the gate. "You cannot run away from who you are."

The Doctor stopped. Robert's voice was not loud, but every single word could be heard clearly. "I know, I cannot run away from him, Olalla. However I will find a way to rid myself off him once and for all!"