Chapter 1
The sound of a creaking door echoed through the hallways as she entered the old establishment. The gloomy unhinged shadow of the asylum cast upon her pale skin. At the young age of 32 she had been exposed to a deranged mind more times than she had ever expected. The ungodly atmosphere washed over her as she took her first steps in the madhouse.
"Excuse me, I'm look for Sister Jude, I was informed she runs this establishment." She asked a passing nun.
"Yes, I shall take you to her office. Right this way please." The young blonde nun smiled sweetly and ushered her towards the spiralling staircase. "Sister Jude calls this her stairway to heaven."
"How very poetic of her." She replied following the nun towards 'heaven'. So far she had seen no patients loitering and unsupervised, which she took as a good sign.
The nun knocked on the door and informed the occupants of the young woman's arrival. She entered the room, her sunshine yellow dress clashed with the dark dank surroundings.
"Sister Jude, it's pleasure to meet you." She said shaking Jude's hand.
"Yes, you must be the new doctor they sent to assess our patients."
"I am, Dr Evangeline Sparrow clinical psychiatrist. I trust you have looked over my papers."
"Glanced. These people need God not science miss."
"On the contrary sister, modern medicine is advancing by the day, if psychology and religion can work in harmony we may be able to improve these people's lives."
"Strange job for a woman." Jude said in an emotionless tone.
"Excuse me?"
"Well, women should be homemakers not curing the insane."
Evangeline held her tongue and smiled "Some women maybe, but not myself. Sister, I was informed of a specific patient they wanted me to assess, a young woman who holds the belief that she is-"
"Anne Frank, yes. We would appreciate your opinion and advice on treatment."
"Of course."
"You will be working alongside Dr Thredson. Sister Mary Eunice will show you to his office so you two can become, acquainted."
"Thank you Sister." Eva replied getting up to see herself out.
"I hope to see some progress within the month." Jude said as Eva closed the door to her office. She didn't bother to reply, not wanting to cause a fuss.
The blonde nun was waiting by the door who she now registered as Sister Mary Eunice.
"I'll show you to Dr Thredson's office." She smiled sweetly.
"Thank you." Eva replied following the nun down the corridor.
"A pretty dress you're wearing, interesting colour choice for a place like this." Mary Eunice said breaking the appropriate silence between them.
"Oh thank you, I did not expect this place to be so-"
"Dark, dreary, depressing?"
"Quite."
"The colour is good though. Brings a little bit of light to the place. It's cheerful."
Eva smiled, there was something strange about Mary Eunice, but she couldn't put her finger on it. She'd dealt with all manner of psychotics, but there was something about this sister than unnerved her.
"Here we are." She said stopping outside the door holding with name plate 'Dr O. Thredson.'
"Thank you sister. I look forward to working alongside you." Eva said politely. The nun smiled and walked off to continue her duties. Eva watched her leave before knocking on the door.
"Come in" A masculine voice said. Eva turned the handle and entered.
"Dr Thredson I presume?"
He looked up from the patient files he was reading. "Your presumption is correct. May I help you?"
He took in every inch of her from the first gaze. Her oval face was framed with glossy brunette hair neatly tamed into a side bun.
She brushed back a side fringe from her wide piercing blue eyes, lined black and accentuated with mascara. Her lips were slightly puckered and open, the colour of crushed rose petals. But it was her skin that caught Thredson's attention most. Pale and flawless, without a blemish in sight it looked untouched by human hands, like the delicate procaine of a china doll. He felt a longing to glide his scalpel along her delicate flesh begin to grow.
"Dr Evangeline Sparrow, I'll be working alongside for the next few weeks." He shook her hand when she held it out to him. It was warm and baby soft as if recently moisturized.
"It'll be a pleasure Dr Sparrow. I am aware that a desk will be set up in here for you to use and the office shall be shared."
"Thank you."
"Once you have settled yourself I would be happy to give you a tour of the facility."
"That's very kind of you Dr Thedson. I'll meet you here in a few minutes for the tour." She smiled.
He watched her walk out of the room. He leaned against his desk. Her dress was modestly short and the yellow highlighted her porcelain skin. 'God her skin.' He thought. Oliver knew Lana was the one, but Sparrow would certainly make a very interesting edition to his collection.