Chapter 8 - Mina Murray's Journal

Chapter 8 starts with Mina's journal and gives a continued account of her stay with Lucy. She recalls another night where she awakes to find Lucy missing for her bed. She discovers that her dress and dressing gown aren't missing and therefore expects to find her in the house. She isn't though so Mina leaves the house and sets off for the bench on the cliff, which is one of Lucy's favourite places. As she nears the cliff she sees Lucy, however she also sees a dark figure looming over her. She calls out to Lucy; scaring off the figure. When she gets to Lucy she finds her still asleep. Mina uses a safety pin to try and wrap Lucy up warm; however she catches Lucy on the neck and believes that she has cut her. She wakes her then gives Lucy her shoes and walks her home. They are both very relieved not to come across anyone on their return journey. They decide not to tell Lucy's mother of the incident as her health is very fragile and Mina later discovers that Mrs. Westenra only has months to live. A few nights later she finds Lucy sitting up in bed, asleep and staring out the window. When Mina gets up to look she sees a bat there which seems startled and flies away again. Bats are linked to transforming into vampires and so this can be linked to the dark figure that was seen looming over Lucy at the cliff edge. Over the next few days Mina notices that Lucy is losing strength and becoming paler despite eating and sleeping well. Mina also discovers that the cuts on Lucy's neck are still open and are possibly bigger. This makes Mina very suspicious, this could suggest that she has been bitten repeatedly by a vampire! Mina then receives a letter from Mr. Hawkins and from a nun notifying her that Jonathan is recovering but safe, much to Mina's relief. She is told that he seems to have had a traumatic experience from the stories he's told and needs a few more weeks rest. She then leaves Lucy to go and look after Jonathan. The chapter then turns its attention back to Dr. Seward and his observation of Renfield. He seems to have now lost interest in his 'pets' and is less talkative. He escapes one night and Dr. Seward chases after him into the abandoned house next door and overhears Renfield talking "I am here to do Your bidding, Master. I am Your slave, and You will reward me, for I shall be faithful". Dr. Seward then manages to detain Renfield with the help of several attendants after Renfield showcases his strength by resisting them. Dr. Seward will from now on be very weary of the threat of Renfield!