𝑫𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑬𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔 ☆ The Glorious Series ｟ BOOK 2 ｠

The Crimson Horror [Part 5 - FINAL]

Inside, Sweetville, Factory floor, Night...

Jenny and Vastra, along with Marguerite, were watching the Pilgrims as they moved about the floor.

"Look." Marguerite whispered and pointed, Jenny and Vastra looking to where she was pointing before spotting one of the large flasks. All three of them looked at each other, Vastra nodding once before they all slowly moved from their hiding place.

Inside, Sweetville, Main Building, Parlor...

With purpose, the Doctor opened the door without knocking and strode right in with Lexi, both of them followed by Lucas and Clara.

"You do seem to keep turning up like a bad penny, young man." Mrs. Gillyflower stated, turning around as she chuckled before walking over to them.

The Doctor shrugged. "Force of habit."

"Can I offer you something?" Mrs. Gillyflower enquired. "Tea? Seed cake? A glass of Amontillado?"

"No, thanks." The Doctor gave her a thin smile. "We've had a skinful already, as you might say."

"Ha! Very funny." She let out a fake half laugh before letting her gaze drift to Lexi. "And who might you be?"

Lexi gave her a mirthless smile, taking a step forward. "I'm his wife. And you're nuts." She pointed out, crossing her arms. "And we're going to stop you."

Mrs. Gillyflower tisked, shaking her head. "Sorry to inform you, but I'm afraid Mr Sweet and I cannot allow that."

"Oh, yes." The Doctor rolled his eyes as he came to stand alongside Lexi. "Would it be impolite to ask why you and Mr Sweet are petrifying your workforce with diluted prehistoric leech venom?"

"We keep hearing so much about this silent partner of yours." Lucas chimed in, tilting his head slightly as he stood next to Clara. "I think it's only fair that we finally put a face to the name."

"Yeah." Clara agreed, tilting her head in much the same way her friend was. "There's no need for him to be so shy."

"Oh, do not worry, dears." Mrs. Gillyflower said in reassurance. "Mr Sweet is always with us."

"You know," Lexi began, drumming her fingers against her arm. "you do seem to have a particularly close relationship with your pal."

"Oh, yes. Exceedingly close." She nodded. "Symbiotic, you might say."

With that, Mrs. Gillyflower unfastened the top part of her gown and partially opened it to reveal a large red leech attached to her. Said leech turned its head to reveal a round mouth that was lined with numerous sharp teeth. Mrs. Gillyflower then sat down and began feeding it.

Clara's eyes widened. "What... What is that?"

"A survivor!" Mrs. Gillyflower exclaimed, smiling evilly. "He has grown fat on the filth humanity has pumped into the rivers. That's where I found him."

"Definitely not something I've ever read in any History book." Lucas muttered. "Still, very enterprising."

"His needs are simple." Mrs. Gillyflower explained. "And in return, he gives me his nectar."

"Mrs Gillyflower, you have no idea what you're dealing with." The Doctor sighed, sitting down next to her as Lexi walked around to stand on her other side. "In the wrong hands, that venom could wipe out all life on this planet!"

"Do you know what these are?" She questioned him, holding her hands out in front of her with her palms up. "The wrong hands!"

Mrs. Gillyflower then giggled before getting up and moving over to the mechanism, pulling another lever.