Dr Laval´s Institute for Criminally Insane, 1880
"A guest to you, skeleton."
Erik turned his head. The warden and two women entered the cell.
The marvelously elegant old woman hold a perfumed handkerchief against her nose. She was clothed in rich color and finest materials; her red hair was partly covered by a gorgeous hat with flowers and lilac satin lining; the aging cheeks had bloom, which did not quite look rouge, and her lips were color of rubies in her ears.
Her companion was in thirties. Her hair was black; her skin was slightly pale, and hooded cape, lined by pink satin, hang from her shoulders. She was carrying a basket.
Older woman spoke first: "My name is Katinka Meister, and this is Rose. Excuse my manners; this handkerchief is not because of you but the conditions you are kept in. We are from the charity which investigates the conditions of these institutions."
"Look at his back," Rose said.
"For Heaven´s sake, what you have done to his back?" Katinka said.
"He had wounds, so we cleansed it with salt." Katinka almost dropped her handkerchief and Rose closed her eyes, wavering little. "Oh, it´s all right! Crazies feel no pain."
After these cheerful words Katinka started to give orders. "Rose, laudanum. It helps the pain. And warden, start to cleanse this place. I will pay for you."
Rose picked up a bottle from the basket and approached Erik.
"Be careful, it´s a nasty one," the warden said. "As evil as it´s crazy."
Rose knelt on the floor and Erik smelt both bitter aroma of opium and sweet gardenia perfume on Rosa´s clean skin. "It will help soon," she said kindly.
Katinka dropped some coins to the warden´s hand. "Cleanse all the cells. Rose, stay with this poor man. I will check other cells."
"Erik."Skeletal man tried to raise his head. " My name is Erik."
AN: I hope it wasn´t too dark! This story is set in 19th century so mentally ill were treated in very different way. I promise things get better.