Thank you so much for your comment about the plotting. I felt the story's impact would be lessened greatly if it was told chronologically. I agree with you about the backstory not being subdued, though I sincerely tried not to show too much.

Oh dear, I hoped to render this Victor so silly and puerile people would be as exhausted with him as the brothers at the end.

Ah yes, I set out to write a horror story. So glad to read I may have succeeded a bit.