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The house of the Lessing's became quiet, almost 'lifeless' and seemed rather like a place of shadows of the old life's past. One did not find the charm that once lived with his mother any longer since her death and even John drifted his 'existence' before itself. More than usual to be precisely...
He never lost a word about the incident again, back then at the grave of his mother and 'brother', towards his father and that had been good. Because Robert spent since a very long time no evening without whisky or cognac any longer!
And even though John never began to like in his studies (He did all this, nevertheless, for his mother once), he still couldn't endure to see how it became more and more difficult for them to afford it, just like everything else in fact...
Not only did Robert appropriate an alcohol problem, but also one that included gambling and for which he flogged the owned money!
At the beginning John did not notice much of it, nevertheless he tried to find distraction for his still persistent grief. It seemed like there was TOO MUCH injustice on this world...
Something else did not happen to him 'till this date. His mother could not be with the man she loved and who was good to her. The son was taken from his father who he loved so much and to him his mother, the only person HE was ever important to!

However, the first turn relating to it should arise very soon and showed the young man that destiny still held others things ready for him!
Since just one month after his 23th birthday (1880) and on a Monday morning, as his father (Like so often before) wanted to look over his shoulder during work, John should meet a young woman who would put an end to his loneliness - for now!
By a stock fire (from which many happened in the urban harbour) one searched volunteers, assistants, nurses as well as (beginning) doctors who would take care of the victims and injured people. And John was one of these volunteers. Thus on a 'nice' day, he would meet an 'helper' named - Majorie.
She was about to distribute food as he crossed her way. To be exact he stood in her way due to the high bustle and badly cramped space in which they were located in. Marjorie apologised and passed him with her hands full with the sentence "Watch out - hot!". But the smile she gave him and her whole countenance hit John directly in the heart.
Could it be? The same brown soft eyes?! The same honest smile?!

It would've been measured to say that John would have owned a mother's complex, but it could not be denied that this young Miss here, very much and really very much, just resembled her! Thus he remained fossilized in the middle of the way and watched the foreign woman as she (in contrast to him) did her work. But John couldn't act differently...
Only when Majorie asked that someone may bring her two napkins, John started to move again straight away. With big eyes and still a little bit staring at her he reached, furthermore silently, the wanted fabrics. The brunette smiled with thanks and also a bit surprised at the young man who looked at her so urgently and almost melancholy.
And so she asked if something was wrong and if she could help and looked once more directly into his eyes.
Once again John felt a joilt in his chest, so warm and pleasent it made his heart beat faster automatically. These brown eyes looked at him the way his mother had always told him! Just like she used to look at him...
He remembers her words as if they were told just yesterday;

"Only look into the eyes that consider you as you were the most miraculous person of the world! Eyes with a look as warm as the sun and as endless as time!"

Because he was the most wonderful person for Caroline. The best she had ever done!
And now he had the same feeling about the little person in front of him. Was this dreamy? Maybe!
But how could one avoid to fall in love? And exactly THIS happened to the young Lessing in this moment!

And Fortuna should remain amusingly holding to him!
The young woman, whose name was Marjorie Higgins, captivated to John and more and more replied to his feelings as well as attention. A bit reserved and careful in the beginning, as the etiquette claimed it, however more trust bit by bit.
John could not believe his luck and was happy and cheerful for the very first time after his mother's death.
At first he met Marjorie rather secretly and predominant in the scene of accident and and her work. Lessing Junior however paid attention that his father, if he should attend sometimes again, would not get to know this!
Not that he really thought Robert would care for his life, his love and his future, till he would take in his place, but who knows what was proceeded by all the piss-up in the back room?!

Exactly this however would John get to know very soon and he would be anything but pleased! Fortuna should, nevertheless, leave him again...

Unsuspecting what should happen to him afterwards and on the 3rd of December, John took off the road to the Banning clinic in which he had acquired a test employment, as there were one searching for capable surgeons, doctors and physicians in general. Besides he really did not want to, just like his father before, always look out for a patron to finance him and to be depended by.
The Banning clinic was the urban and praised 'madhouse' of London under the cloak of the 'holy place', that promised to heal one from all their sins and illnesses the mind could get!
Dr. Adams, an old 'friend' of his father and even of Dr. Banning himself, had already waited for him. It was also him who would take him under his wings. Of course thanks to Robert's good persuasion!
Dapperly and 'armed' with a medical bag he arrived at the clinic, examined it for a moment from the outside and took a deep breath. In spite of all he did not feel well, but what should he do?
John entered the building which did not stand out or distinguished itself from other clinics/institutions.
There prevailed a lively activity and some nurses whirred around as well as nuns. Briefly he stopped and politely asked one of the nurses where he could find Dr. Adams, on which she naturally gave him an answer. Thanking her, John started to move again, turned of and into a hall to reach the fourth floor. He surely would've liked to take the lift, but it had been out of order.
Finally reaching the fourth floor, out of breath, John breathed deeply and realised that this part was rather dark and that the light bulbs died (as well)...
He looked around to see which direction he would have to take (left or right) and got frightened immediately as a little girl out of nowhere stood in front of him. He gasped briefly and reproved himself internally, to be frightened by such a sweet small creature.
John smiled at the girl (7y.) with the big black curls and noticed that she had a strange mark on her nose. But no, this was unambiguously a Vitiligo (pigment disorder) illness! He often had read about this but never seen it with his own eyes.
The little one however remained quiet and just looked at the stranger in front of her. John held his smile and squatted down to her. She was probably lost and certainly was here with her parent?! SUCH a young child, dressed so delicate and noble like this, would not be imprisoned here, or?
He loved children very much and absolutely wanted to have (hopefully with Marjorie) some of his own one day, so he aimed at taking care for this sweet brat, quickly before he would finally visit Dr. Adam.
Warily he asked if she got lost and where her parents would be as well as if he could help her. The girl remained silent. She just looked at him (almost urgently and regretful). Once again John discovered that what fascinated him about deeply brown eyes. Of course not in the same way as his mother once or like Marjorie now, but the eyes of the child in front of him were... they were...
It became impossible to describe!
Yet he felt something weird in his chest, his stomach area and could not understand. Why did the little Miss make him feel so peculiar and so incomprehensible trusting?

Just as he wanted to ask her something once again, she would express her first and only words to him, which he would not forget too fast - "Soon..." she breathed and added with another small break something she could impossibly know...
His name: "John!"
John's eyes widened all of a sudden! How could she know what he's called and... Pardon? Soon? What should this mean?
Just as he wanted to ask why and how, two doors opened. Directly behind and the other far before him.
Dr. Adams, who just stepped in precisely at that moment to look after him, addressed to him in the same second as another person, a woman, in the other (dark) gait spoke to/shouted at the little girl. This lead to him not understanding her name, since he gave his hearing to Dr. Adams.
The curly-head hastened away, but just as she reached the woman (who seemed to be her mother) and was taken by her hand and the young Lessing turned around to her one last time, he swallowed clearly hard with what his eyes got to see next!
Did he imagine it or were the eyes, was the look of this (innocent) child so empty, so white like... like what? Like an endless tunnel in the dark of the night?!
As if it was not from this world...?
No! THAT was absolutely absurd! His eyes were playing, thanks to the lack of light in this hall compartment, nothing else!

John turned to his future superior again and stepped inside his office with him. But even there was a surprise waiting for him. There were other gentlemen which he, nevertheless, only knew one who was his name giver - John Sutton. The other two were a clearly older man with his (seemingly) son (12y). A quite thin and pale fellow with very reddened eyes. He rather hid behind his father and seemed not quite happy to be here. Dr. Adams and John Sutton welcomed him however and introduced the young Lessing to the visitor and his offspring. John found out that this man was the very famous baron and doctor - Dr. Frankenstein. A leading authority in this field. One shared to him that Dr. Frankenstein was only there to show his son around in the clinic - early practise itself - and to visit the old friend of Dr. Adam's family. John smiled friendly at the Frankenstein's boy, however got not back the gesture. On the contrary, Victor, the boy's name, scrutinised him instead and asked his father to shift the private chatting to another time, since he was here to look at the clinic and patients and not to exchange anecdotes or meet wildly strangers!
'Charmingly' the 'little one', indeed! - John thought when one followed the toddler's wish.

Baron Dr. Frankenstein and his son therefore recommended themselves and nearly committed an exchange with Robert Lessing. He however, hardly after the two Frankenstein left, stormed into the office of his old colleague and mentor Adam - completely drunk!
Those present, in particular his son John, could not trust their eyes.
Robert staged and stumbled immensely and explained his impossible invading as well as his behaviour with the urgent to talk with his friend John Sutton. Dr. Adams however found his appearance absolutely unbearable and showed Mr. Lessing straight away!
He may leave the room and clinic immediately in his state. Robert though began to beg the dentist to come with him, it'd be important! He would need money! He couldn't wait for his good-for-nothing son to finally get his post in order to procure an income, he'd need it now - the bets would be good!
His son John as well as the friend with the same name could not believed what was carried to them. Also not Dr. Adam!
John Sutton was shocked. How could his old friend let himself go like this? Exposing himself in front of a respectable doctor like Adam and making a fool of his son?
Thus he intervened, packed Robert on the arm and pulled him before the door and therefore the clinic.
Unfortunately it was anything but quiet nor proper, which is why Adam had no chance but to apologetic explain the young Lessing that no cooperation would develop. Not under these circumstances AND not like he had hoped! He regretted it very much! But he and the clinic would lose their reputation.

John sighed and left disappointed and with fury in the belly the building. How could his father do this? Just why?
In front of the clinic he took his name relative's turn, in spite of the displeasure of his producer and brought him home.
But instead of coming to his sense, Robert took the final straw when he explained their current situation to his son and what he did with the money, the property and the estates. He gambled away everything!
He even had to take out a mortgage for the house since he had bet TOO high and risky. The only thing they had left was the approved name. Although Robert endangered it, thanks to today's actions as well.
Nevertheless, only to his call as a doctor it should be owed that Adams wanted to take John under his wings. Robert himself had not been able to practise a long time ago since his shivering became a daily permanence.
Father and son got into an argument in which John told him (no matter how) that it simply couldn't go on like this! His father however waved everything aside, reached to his liquid drug once again and gave nothing at all of the younger's opinion!
But wait a minute?! Why shouldn't John's youth come both to good?

Yes! THIS was their way out of the plight as the former surgeon thought! He was a genius!
Pulling himself up again he interrupted John and said to him that he wished he marries. He knew a few very good parts of single ladies with enough money to completely change their situation. They might weren't the prettiest and some were already widows, but the end justifies the way, right?
Once more he could not believe what his father said and above all demanded!
Not just that his heart had been taken already, even if it wasn't that, he would and could not enter the bond of marriage under such circumstances, no matter what they were!
Thus he asked his father if he was out of his mind and that he could not demand this from him, Robert however, despite the alcohol again with absolutely spiritual presence, merely gave a laugh. Of course he'd be able and do so! Who did his son imagine was in charge?!
He had no other choice if he didn't want to live on the street! John however still refused vehemently and told his father that he already had a bride into view and nothing on earth would stop him to marry her!
Robert was amazed and at the same time surprised. His son the loser and a girl? Ha!
Nevertheless, he directly questioned if she was well-to-do and if the wedding would be useful, which Robert denied straight away. He did not care what Marjorie was. To him the money was not important.
Mr. Lessing did not have the delight for this discussion since the result would not be satisfying for both of them, and so he decided to literally point the gun at his son's chest.
He threatened him that, if he would not marry a woman he selects for him, this house, this family would no longer be his. He would erase him out of the family tree and and take anything from him that reminded him of his so beloved mother! He'd land in the deepest darkest alley if the money was not so important to him as he claimed...

However, exactly THIS accepted John!
Affronting his father, despite all the things he would lose, he turned on his father's wheel, packed his few possessions and left the house!
Forever!
Still... what would Marjorie say? Would she still want him, now that he was and had much less than before?
Yes she would. Marjorie herself wasn't exactly what one would call well-to-do. Strictly one of the lower ranks. Her parents had passed away early and she lived merciful-wise with her aunt, who rather tolerated instead of wanting her.
When her beloved John told her about his grief and the consequences that came within, she assured him that there was nothing that could separate her from him. She even agreed to marry him nevertheless. At least she had the choice between a life with him or with her aunt... the decision was easy!

John had made his decision and had to pay a high price for it. Not because of the loss of his father, rather because of his origin's loss and the loss of his mother. But he knew that this is what she would've wanted! She would have wanted him to become happy and Marjorie made him more than felicitous!
It clearly was a radical incision in his life, the first however not the last!
With very little savings he could hide from his father and that of Marjorie, they could find accommodation in different pubs here and there.
He also gave up his surname and changed it to the maiden name of his mother - Flowers.
Thus he and Marjorie decided to first of all start their new life outside from London. Also to lower the waves in town and maybe to get a bit into oblivion...
Besides, since he couldn't call a friendship his own, it was not difficult for him to adjust on his new life. With it he did not miss his father. Even worries about him were missing.
But what about William Agar and John Sutton - the only 'friends' of the family he knew? He would never see them again!

Furthermore he urgently had to find a job, now that his studies were lapsing and all the years of learning were just a waste of time. But here he did not regret his decision as well. However, where should he introduce himself? He had never learnt a real trade or such?! In any regard he could not work as a doctor, this was out of the question!
Luckily in the farm land, one needed men who understood to seize hardly what came to his goods.
They remained far from London for a year until, due to a fatal crop failure, one could not afford more workers. So they had to go back to the capital.

As 'chance' brought it about, he got to know by the weekly urban paper that the Banning clinic was looking for orderlies for the mental patients during the night. A rather well-paid (as well as dangerous) job not many wanted to do! What an irony...
Now he should work where he was turned down before... Therefore he'd pay attention not to face Dr Adams. John had too many doubts and worries about him taking up contact with his father!
John let himself shorten his hair up to 1 millimeter and applied for the department which he would also get. This would not only mean that he now could bear for Marjorie, himself and their life, but also to search for a firm residence with the money. And they found it in a small yet fine room above the Chinese Mahjong house.
Whatever one believed it or not, in spite of the circumstances and the few things they had they were happy.
So happy that Marjorie was soon of good hope and John could hardly believe his luck.
Unfortunately the first glimmer of hope should not remain more than this, since his meanwhile fiancée lost the child. Still one saw positively into the future and married inconspicuously and without marriage witnesses or celebration in July of 1882.
In the following the future should be merciful to them and allow Marjorie to be pregnant once again in October of the same year.

Thus, in the following year she bore a healthy and strong boy, in the same month as the two got married! The little sunshine was baptized Jack! After the kind father of his beloved mother, whom he never got to meet. Now his life seemed finally, and for the first time, be truly perfect! And even though he leads poorer life, than the one he was born in, now, he lacked for nothing! His wife and his son were all he ever wanted and needed! Even his work grew more to him, despite the ever-present misery and sorrow. Now his study should come in good too. At least now and again since most people thought of him as dumb. But he himself didn't say anything and better left them in their belief. Even said so of himself more and more. He never was proud of his study and he didn't prove intellect with it. His strength laid in emotional power more so than in logic and operative finesse. The true talents of his were to care for others and bring them joy. But those weren't traits a doctor used often.

So years went by in which John should not think back to his past life. Only six years later he got over himself and visited his father's old house, because his son asked to meet his grandfather. However John noted that the house stood empty, downright sacked. His father nowhere to be found. But it seems, according to a neighbour, the old Lessing fell victim to his gambling. Debt holders insisted on their money, which Robert apparently couldn't pay, thus it was arranged for him to 'pay' in another way!
John also dared to go the graveyard and visit the family grave, visit his mother. Sadly he was met with a surprise here as well. In all of his rage over John's decision to leave him and the family, Robert let the crypt be demolished, thus completely destroying the mortal remains of his mother/wife and his 'brother/son' and forbid them their 'holy peace'! And it was THIS that hit John deeply. Even when he got to know that his father didn't just leave the house but was dead as well, his heart was never as hurt as when faced with the fact of never being able to visit his mother ever again. How Robert died, nobody knew for sure. Some said he drunk himself to death, others said they saw him falling out of a window. What happened to his corpse was also not known (anymore)...After all an official crypt didn't exist anymore...

Thus he told his son the truth and that his grandfather had died, however he should not ask further questions. Jack preserved this, regretted it nevertheless.
However his grandfather, or probably both of the little Jack's, remained so strongly in memories that each day he worked with his father on their fine model ships he thought about them. Just like them and John, Jack was also very enthusiastic about this activity. Full of pride they could even present some very nice models!
Yes, the small family seemed happy and perfect, up to the day (at the beginning of July, 1891) as John got a new patient in the clinic for the night guard/care who would misdirect his life which would 'doom' his destiny, no, but which would also let him meet the best friend he should ever have in life - his soulmate - Vanessa Ives!
As well as Jack who, shortly before his eight birthday, suddenly suffered from a heavy cough which would later cost his life!

Miss Ives would, who lost herself and her faith in the world and especially god more and more, stay at the Banning clinic for 5 months. For John she was one of, no, the most unusual, strongest and fascinating person he had ever met. And the more he took care of her (more and more friendly than he was obliged to), and in spite of their 'growing pains' his heart was not able around this woman to give her a place in it. He could not even really tell why, out of all people it was her, but he knew that all this 'trouble' was worth it!
And so he told Marjorie about Miss Ives and asked his wife to do one good thing in this prison for her maybe. Without hesitation Marjorie agreed and even lent him her cosmetics and her hand mirror, as well as the child poetry book they were given by their neighbour for Jack's birth. Since John had brought in experience that Miss Ives (in contrast to him) liked poetry very much, he felt it was a good choice to make the oppressive night in her cell more bearable and if it's only for some hours on this one day (25.12.1891)!
John really did everything in his power to help Miss Ives and to make it clear that, if she ever wants to get away from this place, she should 'give' Dr. Banning what he wanted, for her and for the 'love' of him.
Unfortunately hoping did not help and Miss Ives was given the worst of all treatments (torture). For John this was not further acceptable. Both emotionally and morally! This woman became TOO important for him as if he could bear to look at her, slobbering and as an empty human shell in her cell! Even if this meant that he could (at least as he thought) never see Miss Ives again!
Without telling his family he quit his employment, although he was very depended on it, which he even told Vanessa once. But it simply couldn't go on anymore...

Nevertheless, the fear of telling his wife and son should be taken from John since Marjorie sympathized for his motives, for which John was more than thankful of! This meant to find a new workplace. But also here one did not had to wait for long and Mr. Flowers found something in the local haven as an on-and off loader of freight for cold storages. How lucky - was thought in the house Flowers, one should quick wander.
The extreme cold John was deferred to from the moment for more than 12 hours as well as the lack of warming clothes (like fur, coats and high-quality wool). PLUS the illness of his child, which he had daily contact with, attacked his immune system considerably. Every day more and more on which Marjorie insisted that he should visit a doctor. But exactly such one could not be afforded, since they needed the rest of the money for Jack's medicine.

At the beginning, John just tried to keep himself warm better. Drank much tea or just hot water, that should warm from the inside. But it was all in vain. Through a colleague at work, who also made mark of John's suffering, he got to know that now and again there's always an upstarting Doctor in the poorer districts or at the train station at the cholera shelters, who'd examine one with little to no payment. Thankful, he took this advice and made his way to visit some of those places. His first try was in one of the poor districts (there were enough of them in london, sadly) in Westend and, to his luck, he immediately found what he was looking for.
It was quite lively in the former storage space. John made his way through the chaotic crowd and eventually found a free seat. He was quite flabbergasted when the fairly young doctor turned around to quickly (and rather bored at that) introduce himself as (soon to be) Dr. Victor Frankenstein.
John squinted. Could it really be? Is that supposed to be the rascal he met years ago in the Banning clinic? It seemed quite so! John got himself examined and explained Frankenstein why he came. He spared himself the vaccines. Victor hesitated but accepted it. One less that made him work. Dry and almost morbid he laid out what exactly the old man had to deal with. If he doesn't leave the London quickly and get back to the countryside his chances to survive next year would sink drastically. But even then, the chance are pretty slim. It hit John hard and almost didn't know what to say as Victor already 'exchanged' him for the next patient. What should John do now? He couldn't simply leave his home, could he? Jack went to school here and had friends! No he'd find another way. After all even doctors make mistakes! He decided to not tell his family anything at first. Told them it wasn't that 'bad'. But Frankenstein remained right and not even 3 weeks later John went to Westend once again. It was even more chaotic this time, since the people of London would get their vaccines free today. Not just Cholera roamed free, but countless other deadly diseases that endangered the whole city. He searched for the young doctor, who, to his luck, was also present again. This time even accompanied by a 'colleague' or so it seemed. A doctor by the name of "Waldman" worked directly next to him and tried his best to assure a patient that he would not kill him, just wanting to help him. Victor, in contrast, was just as annoyed as when they first met. And again he told the older man the same thing as he had told him the last time. But just as John begged him to find another way, no matter how, the situation at the table next to them escalated. Dr. Waldman's wild patient lost his composure and began to violently flail around like a wild animal. It got so bad that he took the doctor's scalpel and stabbed it right into his heart. Startled and panic, thanks to the event, John left the hall as quickly as possible and only saw the police and emergency forces arrive in the turmoil.

Again he could not go away. But he couldn't move again. It would be the best if he would find a new employment... (once more!)
This time it would not go favourable and John remained dry for two weeks which led to not being able to pay the rent a second time, which became due weekly. Marjorie's small contribution did not suffice and barely covered Jack's medicine and some food.
But suddenly there was a glimmer at the horizon...
The Flowers heard that one urgently needed men for the construction of a new industrial steam engine for producing gearwheels and such from 'Marks and Son', on which John immediatly applied for a job which, to their joy, he would get two days later. More than confidently he hoped to follow this job more than the last one, although this one was more difficult than everything he had done before. For that he would not get a cold so fast again, in spite of the rather chill weather. Nevertheless, his lungs were weakened immensely and he spitted almost regularly blood. He tried to make it unnoticed and to hide it furthermore. One would pay no ill man!

On March 22, 1892 it seemed that winter would hold the parting delayed after spring (like every year) officially moved on March the third. John said goodbye to his family, kissed wife and son waved with an anticipation for today's evening. Exactly this he would not live to see...
Marjorie, who waited like every day during the week for Jack, had after a long time confidence again that their way would not become stony again. However, her hopes disappeared like a bursting soap bubble that evening as two strange men knocked at her door. At first she thought it would be John, but he wouldn't knock recently?!
Even Jack stepped at the door curiously when he saw the depressed faces of the men, who would tell them the worst thing they could think of!
There would've been an accident at one of the new air pressure kettles on which her husband has worked on and...
They did not spake further! The painful facts spoke for themselves - John was dead!

In unmensurable seconds Marjorie's eyes widened and her body began, in spite of the sudden stiffness, to tremble like aspen leaves!
The gentlemen at the door knew that the death messages could not be described in words and held it for better to leave again. The things were like they were - that's life!
It was not necessary to tell the widow Flowers more instructions one dealt in such a case, everyone knew what 'has to be done'. And Marjorie knew it very well! But did she also understand?
No! No - THIS - THIS would, no could not be simply accepted! So not Jack who stood rooted next to his mother and suddenly shouted at the top of his voice for his father, tearfully, and hurried after the men!
Despairing like a victim of drowning, the little one clung to the coating of one of the bearers and sank on his knees. It was urgently missing that they both have lied! They should say that they were wrong and that nothing has happened to his father!
It was his first day and he had to become healthy again!
Moreover he promised him to take him to the Highlands, just like in his book from school! How is he supposed to do that if he is taken away from him?!
The men looked down at the skinny boy and swallowed hardly. It would have been a lie that this reaction didn't hit them in through all their bones and exspecially right into the heart!
But they couldn't do anything! Thus the right one removed Jack from himself and asked him to better go back to his mother again, however he only shook his head and furthermore sobbed that it wasn't fair! That he would have to go to his father! He would have to help him - save him! He wasn't dead! He couldn't be dead!

But hardly that Jack hastened away once more, his mother streched her hand joltingly after him, with a pleading cry to stand still! For nothing!
Automatically Marjorie ran after Jack. Out of the house to the industrial area which, as the boy reached it, was still full of excitement. Onlookers were everywhere to get a look out of curiosity, the fire brigade and police tried to sort things out and the press craved for a new headline.
And through all the people the little one pushed himself whose eyes occured red because of all the tears. It truly was a disaster!
Apparently his father wasn't the only 'affected' person. The whole place seemed to burn. Metalwork, scrap wood and components were lying in the water. It was hot and musty due to the smoke which burned in the eyes. And yet in his desperate, Jack started to shout for his beloved father. He had to be around here! Certainly! If he was only loud enough and attentive as well he would certainly find him healthy!
Again and again he ran around, shouted and was rarely considered by the adults or was brought to the edge due to the events, one had to do enough in this misfortune! Marjorie had not tried to stop her son. She knew that, when she arrived the place, it wouldn't bring anything. Jack had to realise it for himself. And yet it would have been a lie to say that deep in her heart she wouldn't have hoped for a miracle!
She watched as the rescue workers pulled men out of the halls and from the water. But not each of them was rescued alive...
The shivering returned once more and again she swallowed hardly and dry. Carefully she pursued it and the more one made headway to the events, the more 'thinned out'.
But still no track of John was seen! Had he escaped somewhere else? Or was he possibly at home again while they were here and prayed?

Marjorie should get her answers (as well as Jack), but unfortunately those were completely different from what she had feared!
After one finally managed to put an end to the fire and located the employees (dead or alive), one sadly had to detect that not everyone was found. Three workers remained vanished. Among them - John!
Even after two days of fear and hope the search seemed unsuccessful! They gave up on it. The weather became, in spite of the beginnig of spring icy, especially at night and one resigned with the fact that the three men were torn up by the fire and explosions, because no track of them was found. Apart from the fact that one did not really put effort into it since they were just 'workers' and not really important for the society!
And with this inexpressibly fact, Marjorie as well as Jack had to resign themselves! Something Jack did not want nor could!
With a ship and a shirt of his father he crawled in the very back corner of his father's bedside where the tears seemed to come to no end. He even forgot to take his drops against his cough. Now that his father was no more with him, did he hope to see him soon if he died as well?!

However, in all the pain and grief Marjorie was forced to continue to think. She had to inhume John worthy - no matter whetever or without corpse! Now SHE was the sole breadwinner for Jack and herself. But what should she do? She never learned craftsmanship as well besides a bit of embroidery and sewing. And how should she pay for Jack's medicine? How should she afford these rooms in rather well-arranged surroundings by herself?

Meanwhile someone else had other worries! By the newspaper, young doctor Victor Frankenstein had got to know about the misfortune by the steaming machines. However, he saw it less as a misfortune. That was the way things went. It was that easy! This tragedy should introduce him a personal luck and determine his destiny at the same time!

By his recently murdered mentor Dr. Waldman he found out the secrets of the eternal life - the immortality!
At first he tested the methods on single limbs like arms, legs or animals (frogs and rodents) and was indeed succesfull! This inspired his arrogance and his determination that he'd finally wanted - no had to - take god's step!
And although he 'helped out' the mortuaries of the slums and did researches it was not legally allowed to estrange a corpse for such purposes, no matter whetever these were murderer, rapists and criminals of land and crown nobody would miss.
This was exactly what he needed!
Raw material like he called it for a greater good! A game with god! No - not to play god - to be god!

In the evening of March the 25th, as he visited the morgue for the scum and forgotten ones of London once more, he saw as two workers brought 'supplies' with their carts. Immediately a revolting smell got into his nose. It always smelt unbearably for most down here, but when decay and rotten fish got mixed up it was too much, even for him! Curiously he came closer and, without asking, tore away the blanket to see what or rather who spread this stench. It was a man of middle age and... wait, he knew this man didn't he?
Like lighting he remembered his workk in the west end and this man who came to him for his lungs. But could it be the same?
This one was pale with black lips and shades under the eyes. Typical symptoms of a drowned corpse that was found in the cold. The right side, from the man's perspective, of his face was torn apart, as if a rusty saw blade had hit him and immediately Victor came to the conclusion that this had be one of the victims from the incident a few days ago! He asked the bearers who had brought him here where they had found him and if they knew who he was. The answer should confirm Frankenstein's presumption about the place of discovery, but the identity was not known.
But, as the rules prescribed, one would wait two more days if someone would report to know/look for this man. Afterwards he would be buried in an anonymous mass grave.

Victor understood and still offered to take the dead, as he said, at least to partly fix the face. At last, if members were found, one would not overtax much more than it was 'anyway'...
Besides, his 'good will' was nothing more than pure self-interest!
He knew exactly that no one would report oneself with such 'findings' and that the chances were higher to become king of England rather than find someone who would take care of the corpse!
He found his perfect object for practise!
To get the corpse in his lab, after the fixed time, was his smallest problem and some extra pounds should serve this!
And exactly SO it should come...
On March 27th the nameless fund was brought to his lab in Southbank - Chathams 17.
There victor proceeded his 'material' and stored it on ice. He realised that he was right once again. It really was the man from the lest whose lungs were eaten.
the man's heart was undamaged - 'luckily'!
Therefore he only had to swap one organ to guarantee that his experiment would success rather than fail.
But just like the corpse itself, organ trade was also illegal - even for doctors!
But he knew exactly what he had to do here!
And so, a few days later he crept into the mortuary in which Dr. Waldman's remains were kept, since one waited to bring his corpse back to Ingolstadt, he smeared the watchman once more with 'your majesty of the queen' and took what he needed - a healthy functional lung!

The only thing he needed now was an enorm thunderstorm to fullfill his work and his destiny and the one of his newly created creeature forever!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Timeline::

1880:

-First meeting with Marjorie Higgings (March)

-Introduction in the Banning clinic/Meeting with a strange little girl with vitiligo/First encounter with victor frankenstein/Robert forever leaves his father and everything regarding his family (03.12)

-Change of his surname from Lessing to Flowers shortly before his mother's anniversary of death (december)

-First workplace outside of London

- Marjorie suffers two miscarriages

1882:

-Employment in the banning clinic nonetheless as orderly (february)

-Marjorie suffers from a miscarriage one more (At the beginning of June)

-Wedding of John and Marjorie (01.07)

-Finally of good hope (October)

1883:

-Birt of Jack Flowers (10.07/Cancer)

1888:

-Death of Robert Lessing at the age of 82 - exact date and cause of death are unknown

1891:

-Disease of Jack with couching (tuberculosis) in July shortly after his eight birthday

-First encounter with Vanessa Ives in the banning clinic where John will look after her for five months

-Shortly before the end of the year, John quits his job

1892:

-New employment for unloading and stow away cargo from the docks (January)

-Disease of John, also coughing (tuberculosis ) thanks to his job in the cold Storages and by the care of jack

-After all these years meeting Victor Frankenstein again

-Repeated job change and new work place at 'Marks and Son'

- John Robert dies in the age of 35y. (22.3)(Rory's real age in 2014 when PD aired) through an industrial accident.

- John's body was finally found but couldn't identified anymore (25.3)

- Rebirth as Frankensteine 'Creature'

********************************
Sidenote::
I really tried my best to make it the most logical according to John's Background story in the combination of Quacks as well as through the Infos which were given through Penny Dreadful and the original Frankenstein novel.
Sadly John Logan didn't consider a lot of things, in all his good intention, which lend to the point that John's 'life' seems totally illogical in PD. Esp in and thanks to S3 and the episode "A Blade of gras". Particularly according to his former look and appearance! Because it makes no sense in fact, if you think the way looks/looked before and after his rebirth...
Suddenly his hair is full and black and his eyes are golden/yellow/orange-ish....
I, myself couldn't even find an acceptable explanation for the growth of his hair (even on spots where Rory haven't any any more), just for the changing of Colors...
So the only conclusion I found is/was that, Victor put something in his blood vessel to keep the dead body fresh and not let it fall in. A tincture which highly reacts on the body nonetheless and changes the regular chemistry.

Description
The house of the Lessing's became quiet, almost 'lifeless' and seemed rather like a place of shadows of the old life's past. One did not find the charm that once lived with his mother any longer since her death and even John drifted his 'existence' before itself. More than usual to be precisely...
He never lost a word about the incident again, back then at the grave of his mother and 'brother', towards his father and that had been good. Because Robert spent since a very long time no evening without whisky or cognac any longer!
And even though John never began to like in his studies (He did all this, nevertheless, for his mother once), he still couldn't endure to see how it became more and more difficult for them to afford it, just like everything else in fact...
Not only did Robert appropriate an alcohol problem, but also one that included gambling and for which he flogged the owned money!
At the beginning John did not notice much of it, nevertheless he tried to find distraction for his still persistent grief. It seemed like there was TOO MUCH injustice on this world...
Something else did not happen to him 'till this date. His mother could not be with the man she loved and who was good to her. The son was taken from his father who he loved so much and to him his mother, the only person HE was ever important to!

However, the first turn relating to it should arise very soon and showed the young man that destiny still held others things ready for him!
Since just one month after his 23th birthday (1880) and on a Monday morning, as his father (Like so often before) wanted to look over his shoulder during work, John should meet a young woman who would put an end to his loneliness - for now!
By a stock fire (from which many happened in the urban harbour) one searched volunteers, assistants, nurses as well as (beginning) doctors who would take care of the victims and injured people. And John was one of these volunteers. Thus on a 'nice' day, he would meet an 'helper' named - Majorie.
She was about to distribute food as he crossed her way. To be exact he stood in her way due to the high bustle and badly cramped space in which they were located in. Marjorie apologised and passed him with her hands full with the sentence "Watch out - hot!". But the smile she gave him and her whole countenance hit John directly in the heart.
Could it be? The same brown soft eyes?! The same honest smile?!

It would've been measured to say that John would have owned a mother's complex, but it could not be denied that this young Miss here, very much and really very much, just resembled her! Thus he remained fossilized in the middle of the way and watched the foreign woman as she (in contrast to him) did her work. But John couldn't act differently...
Only when Majorie asked that someone may bring her two napkins, John started to move again straight away. With big eyes and still a little bit staring at her he reached, furthermore silently, the wanted fabrics. The brunette smiled with thanks and also a bit surprised at the young man who looked at her so urgently and almost melancholy.
And so she asked if something was wrong and if she could help and looked once more directly into his eyes.
Once again John felt a joilt in his chest, so warm and pleasent it made his heart beat faster automatically. These brown eyes looked at him the way his mother had always told him! Just like she used to look at him...
He remembers her words as if they were told just yesterday;

"Only look into the eyes that consider you as you were the most miraculous person of the world! Eyes with a look as warm as the sun and as endless as time!"

Because he was the most wonderful person for Caroline. The best she had ever done!
And now he had the same feeling about the little person in front of him. Was this dreamy? Maybe!
But how could one avoid to fall in love? And exactly THIS happened to the young Lessing in this moment!

And Fortuna should remain amusingly holding to him!
The young woman, whose name was Marjorie Higgins, captivated to John and more and more replied to his feelings as well as attention. A bit reserved and careful in the beginning, as the etiquette claimed it, however more trust bit by bit.
John could not believe his luck and was happy and cheerful for the very first time after his mother's death.
At first he met Marjorie rather secretly and predominant in the scene of accident and and her work. Lessing Junior however paid attention that his father, if he should attend sometimes again, would not get to know this!
Not that he really thought Robert would care for his life, his love and his future, till he would take in his place, but who knows what was proceeded by all the piss-up in the back room?!

Exactly this however would John get to know very soon and he would be anything but pleased! Fortuna should, nevertheless, leave him again...

Unsuspecting what should happen to him afterwards and on the 3rd of December, John took off the road to the Banning clinic in which he had acquired a test employment, as there were one searching for capable surgeons, doctors and physicians in general. Besides he really did not want to, just like his father before, always look out for a patron to finance him and to be depended by.
The Banning clinic was the urban and praised 'madhouse' of London under the cloak of the 'holy place', that promised to heal one from all their sins and illnesses the mind could get!
Dr. Adams, an old 'friend' of his father and even of Dr. Banning himself, had already waited for him. It was also him who would take him under his wings. Of course thanks to Robert's good persuasion!
Dapperly and 'armed' with a medical bag he arrived at the clinic, examined it for a moment from the outside and took a deep breath. In spite of all he did not feel well, but what should he do?
John entered the building which did not stand out or distinguished itself from other clinics/institutions.
There prevailed a lively activity and some nurses whirred around as well as nuns. Briefly he stopped and politely asked one of the nurses where he could find Dr. Adams, on which she naturally gave him an answer. Thanking her, John started to move again, turned of and into a hall to reach the fourth floor. He surely would've liked to take the lift, but it had been out of order.
Finally reaching the fourth floor, out of breath, John breathed deeply and realised that this part was rather dark and that the light bulbs died (as well)...
He looked around to see which direction he would have to take (left or right) and got frightened immediately as a little girl out of nowhere stood in front of him. He gasped briefly and reproved himself internally, to be frightened by such a sweet small creature.
John smiled at the girl (7y.) with the big black curls and noticed that she had a strange mark on her nose. But no, this was unambiguously a Vitiligo (pigment disorder) illness! He often had read about this but never seen it with his own eyes.
The little one however remained quiet and just looked at the stranger in front of her. John held his smile and squatted down to her. She was probably lost and certainly was here with her parent?! SUCH a young child, dressed so delicate and noble like this, would not be imprisoned here, or?
He loved children very much and absolutely wanted to have (hopefully with Marjorie) some of his own one day, so he aimed at taking care for this sweet brat, quickly before he would finally visit Dr. Adam.
Warily he asked if she got lost and where her parents would be as well as if he could help her. The girl remained silent. She just looked at him (almost urgently and regretful). Once again John discovered that what fascinated him about deeply brown eyes. Of course not in the same way as his mother once or like Marjorie now, but the eyes of the child in front of him were... they were...
It became impossible to describe!
Yet he felt something weird in his chest, his stomach area and could not understand. Why did the little Miss make him feel so peculiar and so incomprehensible trusting?

Just as he wanted to ask her something once again, she would express her first and only words to him, which he would not forget too fast - "Soon..." she breathed and added with another small break something she could impossibly know...
His name: "John!"
John's eyes widened all of a sudden! How could she know what he's called and... Pardon? Soon? What should this mean?
Just as he wanted to ask why and how, two doors opened. Directly behind and the other far before him.
Dr. Adams, who just stepped in precisely at that moment to look after him, addressed to him in the same second as another person, a woman, in the other (dark) gait spoke to/shouted at the little girl. This lead to him not understanding her name, since he gave his hearing to Dr. Adams.
The curly-head hastened away, but just as she reached the woman (who seemed to be her mother) and was taken by her hand and the young Lessing turned around to her one last time, he swallowed clearly hard with what his eyes got to see next!
Did he imagine it or were the eyes, was the look of this (innocent) child so empty, so white like... like what? Like an endless tunnel in the dark of the night?!
As if it was not from this world...?
No! THAT was absolutely absurd! His eyes were playing, thanks to the lack of light in this hall compartment, nothing else!

John turned to his future superior again and stepped inside his office with him. But even there was a surprise waiting for him. There were other gentlemen which he, nevertheless, only knew one who was his name giver - John Sutton. The other two were a clearly older man with his (seemingly) son (12y). A quite thin and pale fellow with very reddened eyes. He rather hid behind his father and seemed not quite happy to be here. Dr. Adams and John Sutton welcomed him however and introduced the young Lessing to the visitor and his offspring. John found out that this man was the very famous baron and doctor - Dr. Frankenstein. A leading authority in this field. One shared to him that Dr. Frankenstein was only there to show his son around in the clinic - early practise itself - and to visit the old friend of Dr. Adam's family. John smiled friendly at the Frankenstein's boy, however got not back the gesture. On the contrary, Victor, the boy's name, scrutinised him instead and asked his father to shift the private chatting to another time, since he was here to look at the clinic and patients and not to exchange anecdotes or meet wildly strangers!
'Charmingly' the 'little one', indeed! - John thought when one followed the toddler's wish.

Baron Dr. Frankenstein and his son therefore recommended themselves and nearly committed an exchange with Robert Lessing. He however, hardly after the two Frankenstein left, stormed into the office of his old colleague and mentor Adam - completely drunk!
Those present, in particular his son John, could not trust their eyes.
Robert staged and stumbled immensely and explained his impossible invading as well as his behaviour with the urgent to talk with his friend John Sutton. Dr. Adams however found his appearance absolutely unbearable and showed Mr. Lessing straight away!
He may leave the room and clinic immediately in his state. Robert though began to beg the dentist to come with him, it'd be important! He would need money! He couldn't wait for his good-for-nothing son to finally get his post in order to procure an income, he'd need it now - the bets would be good!
His son John as well as the friend with the same name could not believed what was carried to them. Also not Dr. Adam!
John Sutton was shocked. How could his old friend let himself go like this? Exposing himself in front of a respectable doctor like Adam and making a fool of his son?
Thus he intervened, packed Robert on the arm and pulled him before the door and therefore the clinic.
Unfortunately it was anything but quiet nor proper, which is why Adam had no chance but to apologetic explain the young Lessing that no cooperation would develop. Not under these circumstances AND not like he had hoped! He regretted it very much! But he and the clinic would lose their reputation.

John sighed and left disappointed and with fury in the belly the building. How could his father do this? Just why?
In front of the clinic he took his name relative's turn, in spite of the displeasure of his producer and brought him home.
But instead of coming to his sense, Robert took the final straw when he explained their current situation to his son and what he did with the money, the property and the estates. He gambled away everything!
He even had to take out a mortgage for the house since he had bet TOO high and risky. The only thing they had left was the approved name. Although Robert endangered it, thanks to today's actions as well.
Nevertheless, only to his call as a doctor it should be owed that Adams wanted to take John under his wings. Robert himself had not been able to practise a long time ago since his shivering became a daily permanence.
Father and son got into an argument in which John told him (no matter how) that it simply couldn't go on like this! His father however waved everything aside, reached to his liquid drug once again and gave nothing at all of the younger's opinion!
But wait a minute?! Why shouldn't John's youth come both to good?

Yes! THIS was their way out of the plight as the former surgeon thought! He was a genius!
Pulling himself up again he interrupted John and said to him that he wished he marries. He knew a few very good parts of single ladies with enough money to completely change their situation. They might weren't the prettiest and some were already widows, but the end justifies the way, right?
Once more he could not believe what his father said and above all demanded!
Not just that his heart had been taken already, even if it wasn't that, he would and could not enter the bond of marriage under such circumstances, no matter what they were!
Thus he asked his father if he was out of his mind and that he could not demand this from him, Robert however, despite the alcohol again with absolutely spiritual presence, merely gave a laugh. Of course he'd be able and do so! Who did his son imagine was in charge?!
He had no other choice if he didn't want to live on the street! John however still refused vehemently and told his father that he already had a bride into view and nothing on earth would stop him to marry her!
Robert was amazed and at the same time surprised. His son the loser and a girl? Ha!
Nevertheless, he directly questioned if she was well-to-do and if the wedding would be useful, which Robert denied straight away. He did not care what Marjorie was. To him the money was not important.
Mr. Lessing did not have the delight for this discussion since the result would not be satisfying for both of them, and so he decided to literally point the gun at his son's chest.
He threatened him that, if he would not marry a woman he selects for him, this house, this family would no longer be his. He would erase him out of the family tree and and take anything from him that reminded him of his so beloved mother! He'd land in the deepest darkest alley if the money was not so important to him as he claimed...

However, exactly THIS accepted John!
Affronting his father, despite all the things he would lose, he turned on his father's wheel, packed his few possessions and left the house!
Forever!
Still... what would Marjorie say? Would she still want him, now that he was and had much less than before?
Yes she would. Marjorie herself wasn't exactly what one would call well-to-do. Strictly one of the lower ranks. Her parents had passed away early and she lived merciful-wise with her aunt, who rather tolerated instead of wanting her.
When her beloved John told her about his grief and the consequences that came within, she assured him that there was nothing that could separate her from him. She even agreed to marry him nevertheless. At least she had the choice between a life with him or with her aunt... the decision was easy!

John had made his decision and had to pay a high price for it. Not because of the loss of his father, rather because of his origin's loss and the loss of his mother. But he knew that this is what she would've wanted! She would have wanted him to become happy and Marjorie made him more than felicitous!
It clearly was a radical incision in his life, the first however not the last!
With very little savings he could hide from his father and that of Marjorie, they could find accommodation in different pubs here and there.
He also gave up his surname and changed it to the maiden name of his mother - Flowers.
Thus he and Marjorie decided to first of all start their new life outside from London. Also to lower the waves in town and maybe to get a bit into oblivion...
Besides, since he couldn't call a friendship his own, it was not difficult for him to adjust on his new life. With it he did not miss his father. Even worries about him were missing.
But what about William Agar and John Sutton - the only 'friends' of the family he knew? He would never see them again!

Furthermore he urgently had to find a job, now that his studies were lapsing and all the years of learning were just a waste of time. But here he did not regret his decision as well. However, where should he introduce himself? He had never learnt a real trade or such?! In any regard he could not work as a doctor, this was out of the question!
Luckily in the farm land, one needed men who understood to seize hardly what came to his goods.
They remained far from London for a year until, due to a fatal crop failure, one could not afford more workers. So they had to go back to the capital.

As 'chance' brought it about, he got to know by the weekly urban paper that the Banning clinic was looking for orderlies for the mental patients during the night. A rather well-paid (as well as dangerous) job not many wanted to do! What an irony...
Now he should work where he was turned down before... Therefore he'd pay attention not to face Dr Adams. John had too many doubts and worries about him taking up contact with his father!
John let himself shorten his hair up to 1 millimeter and applied for the department which he would also get. This would not only mean that he now could bear for Marjorie, himself and their life, but also to search for a firm residence with the money. And they found it in a small yet fine room above the Chinese Mahjong house.
Whatever one believed it or not, in spite of the circumstances and the few things they had they were happy.
So happy that Marjorie was soon of good hope and John could hardly believe his luck.
Unfortunately the first glimmer of hope should not remain more than this, since his meanwhile fiancée lost the child. Still one saw positively into the future and married inconspicuously and without marriage witnesses or celebration in July of 1882.
In the following the future should be merciful to them and allow Marjorie to be pregnant once again in October of the same year.

Thus, in the following year she bore a healthy and strong boy, in the same month as the two got married! The little sunshine was baptized Jack! After the kind father of his beloved mother, whom he never got to meet. Now his life seemed finally, and for the first time, be truly perfect! And even though he leads poorer life, than the one he was born in, now, he lacked for nothing! His wife and his son were all he ever wanted and needed! Even his work grew more to him, despite the ever-present misery and sorrow. Now his study should come in good too. At least now and again since most people thought of him as dumb. But he himself didn't say anything and better left them in their belief. Even said so of himself more and more. He never was proud of his study and he didn't prove intellect with it. His strength laid in emotional power more so than in logic and operative finesse. The true talents of his were to care for others and bring them joy. But those weren't traits a doctor used often.

So years went by in which John should not think back to his past life. Only six years later he got over himself and visited his father's old house, because his son asked to meet his grandfather. However John noted that the house stood empty, downright sacked. His father nowhere to be found. But it seems, according to a neighbour, the old Lessing fell victim to his gambling. Debt holders insisted on their money, which Robert apparently couldn't pay, thus it was arranged for him to 'pay' in another way!
John also dared to go the graveyard and visit the family grave, visit his mother. Sadly he was met with a surprise here as well. In all of his rage over John's decision to leave him and the family, Robert let the crypt be demolished, thus completely destroying the mortal remains of his mother/wife and his 'brother/son' and forbid them their 'holy peace'! And it was THIS that hit John deeply. Even when he got to know that his father didn't just leave the house but was dead as well, his heart was never as hurt as when faced with the fact of never being able to visit his mother ever again. How Robert died, nobody knew for sure. Some said he drunk himself to death, others said they saw him falling out of a window. What happened to his corpse was also not known (anymore)...After all an official crypt didn't exist anymore...

Thus he told his son the truth and that his grandfather had died, however he should not ask further questions. Jack preserved this, regretted it nevertheless.
However his grandfather, or probably both of the little Jack's, remained so strongly in memories that each day he worked with his father on their fine model ships he thought about them. Just like them and John, Jack was also very enthusiastic about this activity. Full of pride they could even present some very nice models!
Yes, the small family seemed happy and perfect, up to the day (at the beginning of July, 1891) as John got a new patient in the clinic for the night guard/care who would misdirect his life which would 'doom' his destiny, no, but which would also let him meet the best friend he should ever have in life - his soulmate - Vanessa Ives!
As well as Jack who, shortly before his eight birthday, suddenly suffered from a heavy cough which would later cost his life!

Miss Ives would, who lost herself and her faith in the world and especially god more and more, stay at the Banning clinic for 5 months. For John she was one of, no, the most unusual, strongest and fascinating person he had ever met. And the more he took care of her (more and more friendly than he was obliged to), and in spite of their 'growing pains' his heart was not able around this woman to give her a place in it. He could not even really tell why, out of all people it was her, but he knew that all this 'trouble' was worth it!
And so he told Marjorie about Miss Ives and asked his wife to do one good thing in this prison for her maybe. Without hesitation Marjorie agreed and even lent him her cosmetics and her hand mirror, as well as the child poetry book they were given by their neighbour for Jack's birth. Since John had brought in experience that Miss Ives (in contrast to him) liked poetry very much, he felt it was a good choice to make the oppressive night in her cell more bearable and if it's only for some hours on this one day (25.12.1891)!
John really did everything in his power to help Miss Ives and to make it clear that, if she ever wants to get away from this place, she should 'give' Dr. Banning what he wanted, for her and for the 'love' of him.
Unfortunately hoping did not help and Miss Ives was given the worst of all treatments (torture). For John this was not further acceptable. Both emotionally and morally! This woman became TOO important for him as if he could bear to look at her, slobbering and as an empty human shell in her cell! Even if this meant that he could (at least as he thought) never see Miss Ives again!
Without telling his family he quit his employment, although he was very depended on it, which he even told Vanessa once. But it simply couldn't go on anymore...

Nevertheless, the fear of telling his wife and son should be taken from John since Marjorie sympathized for his motives, for which John was more than thankful of! This meant to find a new workplace. But also here one did not had to wait for long and Mr. Flowers found something in the local haven as an on-and off loader of freight for cold storages. How lucky - was thought in the house Flowers, one should quick wander.
The extreme cold John was deferred to from the moment for more than 12 hours as well as the lack of warming clothes (like fur, coats and high-quality wool). PLUS the illness of his child, which he had daily contact with, attacked his immune system considerably. Every day more and more on which Marjorie insisted that he should visit a doctor. But exactly such one could not be afforded, since they needed the rest of the money for Jack's medicine.

At the beginning, John just tried to keep himself warm better. Drank much tea or just hot water, that should warm from the inside. But it was all in vain. Through a colleague at work, who also made mark of John's suffering, he got to know that now and again there's always an upstarting Doctor in the poorer districts or at the train station at the cholera shelters, who'd examine one with little to no payment. Thankful, he took this advice and made his way to visit some of those places. His first try was in one of the poor districts (there were enough of them in london, sadly) in Westend and, to his luck, he immediately found what he was looking for.
It was quite lively in the former storage space. John made his way through the chaotic crowd and eventually found a free seat. He was quite flabbergasted when the fairly young doctor turned around to quickly (and rather bored at that) introduce himself as (soon to be) Dr. Victor Frankenstein.
John squinted. Could it really be? Is that supposed to be the rascal he met years ago in the Banning clinic? It seemed quite so! John got himself examined and explained Frankenstein why he came. He spared himself the vaccines. Victor hesitated but accepted it. One less that made him work. Dry and almost morbid he laid out what exactly the old man had to deal with. If he doesn't leave the London quickly and get back to the countryside his chances to survive next year would sink drastically. But even then, the chance are pretty slim. It hit John hard and almost didn't know what to say as Victor already 'exchanged' him for the next patient. What should John do now? He couldn't simply leave his home, could he? Jack went to school here and had friends! No he'd find another way. After all even doctors make mistakes! He decided to not tell his family anything at first. Told them it wasn't that 'bad'. But Frankenstein remained right and not even 3 weeks later John went to Westend once again. It was even more chaotic this time, since the people of London would get their vaccines free today. Not just Cholera roamed free, but countless other deadly diseases that endangered the whole city. He searched for the young doctor, who, to his luck, was also present again. This time even accompanied by a 'colleague' or so it seemed. A doctor by the name of "Waldman" worked directly next to him and tried his best to assure a patient that he would not kill him, just wanting to help him. Victor, in contrast, was just as annoyed as when they first met. And again he told the older man the same thing as he had told him the last time. But just as John begged him to find another way, no matter how, the situation at the table next to them escalated. Dr. Waldman's wild patient lost his composure and began to violently flail around like a wild animal. It got so bad that he took the doctor's scalpel and stabbed it right into his heart. Startled and panic, thanks to the event, John left the hall as quickly as possible and only saw the police and emergency forces arrive in the turmoil.

Again he could not go away. But he couldn't move again. It would be the best if he would find a new employment... (once more!)
This time it would not go favourable and John remained dry for two weeks which led to not being able to pay the rent a second time, which became due weekly. Marjorie's small contribution did not suffice and barely covered Jack's medicine and some food.
But suddenly there was a glimmer at the horizon...
The Flowers heard that one urgently needed men for the construction of a new industrial steam engine for producing gearwheels and such from 'Marks and Son', on which John immediatly applied for a job which, to their joy, he would get two days later. More than confidently he hoped to follow this job more than the last one, although this one was more difficult than everything he had done before. For that he would not get a cold so fast again, in spite of the rather chill weather. Nevertheless, his lungs were weakened immensely and he spitted almost regularly blood. He tried to make it unnoticed and to hide it furthermore. One would pay no ill man!

On March 22, 1892 it seemed that winter would hold the parting delayed after spring (like every year) officially moved on March the third. John said goodbye to his family, kissed wife and son waved with an anticipation for today's evening. Exactly this he would not live to see...
Marjorie, who waited like every day during the week for Jack, had after a long time confidence again that their way would not become stony again. However, her hopes disappeared like a bursting soap bubble that evening as two strange men knocked at her door. At first she thought it would be John, but he wouldn't knock recently?!
Even Jack stepped at the door curiously when he saw the depressed faces of the men, who would tell them the worst thing they could think of!
There would've been an accident at one of the new air pressure kettles on which her husband has worked on and...
They did not spake further! The painful facts spoke for themselves - John was dead!

In unmensurable seconds Marjorie's eyes widened and her body began, in spite of the sudden stiffness, to tremble like aspen leaves!
The gentlemen at the door knew that the death messages could not be described in words and held it for better to leave again. The things were like they were - that's life!
It was not necessary to tell the widow Flowers more instructions one dealt in such a case, everyone knew what 'has to be done'. And Marjorie knew it very well! But did she also understand?
No! No - THIS - THIS would, no could not be simply accepted! So not Jack who stood rooted next to his mother and suddenly shouted at the top of his voice for his father, tearfully, and hurried after the men!
Despairing like a victim of drowning, the little one clung to the coating of one of the bearers and sank on his knees. It was urgently missing that they both have lied! They should say that they were wrong and that nothing has happened to his father!
It was his first day and he had to become healthy again!
Moreover he promised him to take him to the Highlands, just like in his book from school! How is he supposed to do that if he is taken away from him?!
The men looked down at the skinny boy and swallowed hardly. It would have been a lie that this reaction didn't hit them in through all their bones and exspecially right into the heart!
But they couldn't do anything! Thus the right one removed Jack from himself and asked him to better go back to his mother again, however he only shook his head and furthermore sobbed that it wasn't fair! That he would have to go to his father! He would have to help him - save him! He wasn't dead! He couldn't be dead!

But hardly that Jack hastened away once more, his mother streched her hand joltingly after him, with a pleading cry to stand still! For nothing!
Automatically Marjorie ran after Jack. Out of the house to the industrial area which, as the boy reached it, was still full of excitement. Onlookers were everywhere to get a look out of curiosity, the fire brigade and police tried to sort things out and the press craved for a new headline.
And through all the people the little one pushed himself whose eyes occured red because of all the tears. It truly was a disaster!
Apparently his father wasn't the only 'affected' person. The whole place seemed to burn. Metalwork, scrap wood and components were lying in the water. It was hot and musty due to the smoke which burned in the eyes. And yet in his desperate, Jack started to shout for his beloved father. He had to be around here! Certainly! If he was only loud enough and attentive as well he would certainly find him healthy!
Again and again he ran around, shouted and was rarely considered by the adults or was brought to the edge due to the events, one had to do enough in this misfortune! Marjorie had not tried to stop her son. She knew that, when she arrived the place, it wouldn't bring anything. Jack had to realise it for himself. And yet it would have been a lie to say that deep in her heart she wouldn't have hoped for a miracle!
She watched as the rescue workers pulled men out of the halls and from the water. But not each of them was rescued alive...
The shivering returned once more and again she swallowed hardly and dry. Carefully she pursued it and the more one made headway to the events, the more 'thinned out'.
But still no track of John was seen! Had he escaped somewhere else? Or was he possibly at home again while they were here and prayed?

Marjorie should get her answers (as well as Jack), but unfortunately those were completely different from what she had feared!
After one finally managed to put an end to the fire and located the employees (dead or alive), one sadly had to detect that not everyone was found. Three workers remained vanished. Among them - John!
Even after two days of fear and hope the search seemed unsuccessful! They gave up on it. The weather became, in spite of the beginnig of spring icy, especially at night and one resigned with the fact that the three men were torn up by the fire and explosions, because no track of them was found. Apart from the fact that one did not really put effort into it since they were just 'workers' and not really important for the society!
And with this inexpressibly fact, Marjorie as well as Jack had to resign themselves! Something Jack did not want nor could!
With a ship and a shirt of his father he crawled in the very back corner of his father's bedside where the tears seemed to come to no end. He even forgot to take his drops against his cough. Now that his father was no more with him, did he hope to see him soon if he died as well?!

However, in all the pain and grief Marjorie was forced to continue to think. She had to inhume John worthy - no matter whetever or without corpse! Now SHE was the sole breadwinner for Jack and herself. But what should she do? She never learned craftsmanship as well besides a bit of embroidery and sewing. And how should she pay for Jack's medicine? How should she afford these rooms in rather well-arranged surroundings by herself?

Meanwhile someone else had other worries! By the newspaper, young doctor Victor Frankenstein had got to know about the misfortune by the steaming machines. However, he saw it less as a misfortune. That was the way things went. It was that easy! This tragedy should introduce him a personal luck and determine his destiny at the same time!

By his recently murdered mentor Dr. Waldman he found out the secrets of the eternal life - the immortality!
At first he tested the methods on single limbs like arms, legs or animals (frogs and rodents) and was indeed succesfull! This inspired his arrogance and his determination that he'd finally wanted - no had to - take god's step!
And although he 'helped out' the mortuaries of the slums and did researches it was not legally allowed to estrange a corpse for such purposes, no matter whetever these were murderer, rapists and criminals of land and crown nobody would miss.
This was exactly what he needed!
Raw material like he called it for a greater good! A game with god! No - not to play god - to be god!

In the evening of March the 25th, as he visited the morgue for the scum and forgotten ones of London once more, he saw as two workers brought 'supplies' with their carts. Immediately a revolting smell got into his nose. It always smelt unbearably for most down here, but when decay and rotten fish got mixed up it was too much, even for him! Curiously he came closer and, without asking, tore away the blanket to see what or rather who spread this stench. It was a man of middle age and... wait, he knew this man didn't he?
Like lighting he remembered his workk in the west end and this man who came to him for his lungs. But could it be the same?
This one was pale with black lips and shades under the eyes. Typical symptoms of a drowned corpse that was found in the cold. The right side, from the man's perspective, of his face was torn apart, as if a rusty saw blade had hit him and immediately Victor came to the conclusion that this had be one of the victims from the incident a few days ago! He asked the bearers who had brought him here where they had found him and if they knew who he was. The answer should confirm Frankenstein's presumption about the place of discovery, but the identity was not known.
But, as the rules prescribed, one would wait two more days if someone would report to know/look for this man. Afterwards he would be buried in an anonymous mass grave.

Victor understood and still offered to take the dead, as he said, at least to partly fix the face. At last, if members were found, one would not overtax much more than it was 'anyway'...
Besides, his 'good will' was nothing more than pure self-interest!
He knew exactly that no one would report oneself with such 'findings' and that the chances were higher to become king of England rather than find someone who would take care of the corpse!
He found his perfect object for practise!
To get the corpse in his lab, after the fixed time, was his smallest problem and some extra pounds should serve this!
And exactly SO it should come...
On March 27th the nameless fund was brought to his lab in Southbank - Chathams 17.
There victor proceeded his 'material' and stored it on ice. He realised that he was right once again. It really was the man from the lest whose lungs were eaten.
the man's heart was undamaged - 'luckily'!
Therefore he only had to swap one organ to guarantee that his experiment would success rather than fail.
But just like the corpse itself, organ trade was also illegal - even for doctors!
But he knew exactly what he had to do here!
And so, a few days later he crept into the mortuary in which Dr. Waldman's remains were kept, since one waited to bring his corpse back to Ingolstadt, he smeared the watchman once more with 'your majesty of the queen' and took what he needed - a healthy functional lung!

The only thing he needed now was an enorm thunderstorm to fullfill his work and his destiny and the one of his newly created creeature forever!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Timeline::

1880:

-First meeting with Marjorie Higgings (March)

-Introduction in the Banning clinic/Meeting with a strange little girl with vitiligo/First encounter with victor frankenstein/Robert forever leaves his father and everything regarding his family (03.12)

-Change of his surname from Lessing to Flowers shortly before his mother's anniversary of death (december)

-First workplace outside of London

- Marjorie suffers two miscarriages

1882:

-Employment in the banning clinic nonetheless as orderly (february)

-Marjorie suffers from a miscarriage one more (At the beginning of June)

-Wedding of John and Marjorie (01.07)

-Finally of good hope (October)

1883:

-Birt of Jack Flowers (10.07/Cancer)

1888:

-Death of Robert Lessing at the age of 82 - exact date and cause of death are unknown

1891:

-Disease of Jack with couching (tuberculosis) in July shortly after his eight birthday

-First encounter with Vanessa Ives in the banning clinic where John will look after her for five months

-Shortly before the end of the year, John quits his job

1892:

-New employment for unloading and stow away cargo from the docks (January)

-Disease of John, also coughing (tuberculosis ) thanks to his job in the cold Storages and by the care of jack

-After all these years meeting Victor Frankenstein again

-Repeated job change and new work place at 'Marks and Son'

- John Robert dies in the age of 35y. (22.3)(Rory's real age in 2014 when PD aired) through an industrial accident.

- John's body was finally found but couldn't identified anymore (25.3)

- Rebirth as Frankensteine 'Creature'

********************************
Sidenote::
I really tried my best to make it the most logical according to John's Background story in the combination of Quacks as well as through the Infos which were given through Penny Dreadful and the original Frankenstein novel.
Sadly John Logan didn't consider a lot of things, in all his good intention, which lend to the point that John's 'life' seems totally illogical in PD. Esp in and thanks to S3 and the episode "A Blade of gras". Particularly according to his former look and appearance! Because it makes no sense in fact, if you think the way looks/looked before and after his rebirth...
Suddenly his hair is full and black and his eyes are golden/yellow/orange-ish....
I, myself couldn't even find an acceptable explanation for the growth of his hair (even on spots where Rory haven't any any more), just for the changing of Colors...
So the only conclusion I found is/was that, Victor put something in his blood vessel to keep the dead body fresh and not let it fall in. A tincture which highly reacts on the body nonetheless and changes the regular chemistry.