Chapter 2. St. Ambrose hell…
Summer had been long, hot and lonely as Sarah had been exiled to her mother's place in New York to keep her from contact with the rest of the kids who had been her classmates. Rumors flew like little paper planes after Sarah departed. One rumor had her three months pregnant. Another had her having been accused of having been found taking drugs, and the most damning was one started by Marion. She had Sarah going on the rampage and doing bodily damages to her own poor defenseless little brother.
Karen had been livid when she'd heard from Mrs. Morgan what was being said. Mrs. Morgan told her she didn't for a moment believe a word of it, not a word. However she felt it was better she should know about it so they could warn or protect Sarah from further fallout. Robert had called Sarah and told her, feeling the best protections were full knowledge. What he had not anticipated was how hurt the girl would feel.
Linda sat with her on the terrace of her apartment looking at the night sky after the call from Robert telling Sarah of the horror stories being passed about. The actress was enjoying the long visit, and she was glad that her new role on a weekly evening soap was giving them lots of quality time. She sipped a glass of iced tea as they sat staring at the sky. Sarah was just about to take her evening medication and Linda asked quietly what it was. Sarah handed her the bottle of tablets and shrugged. "It's supposed to help with the sleep disorder."
Looking at the label her mother frowned deeply, forgetting how it would crease her face. "I see, is this your father's idea?" her voice was cold and cruel. "Or was it Karen's?"
"No," Sarah said taking the pills back. "The sleep clinic prescribed these… to help me sleep…."
A strangely far away look came over Linda. "I was on pills…once…" She grabbed the bottle away from Sarah. "I don't like pills…. They take over your life and cloud things up…." She fought to control an emotion that seemed ready to sweep her away. "Sarah, I'd like to take you to my herbalist."
Sarah shrugged; "Why not."
Linda pocketed the container of pills. "No more of these… okay?"
"Sure, Mom, anything you say." Sarah leaned back, not expecting any better results from the herbs as had come from the pills…she would sleep… but dreams, even daydreams seemed to be becoming foreign to her.
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Lin Cho bowed to Linda with a respectful smile when he opened the door of his herbal shop. "Welcome Miss Williams." He led her to the counter. "Your order is ready."
"Thank you Lin, this is my daughter Sarah. I was wondering if you'd have something to help her..." Linda stood at the counter and spoke as one whom was completely relaxed.
Sarah looked at the man who was observing her carefully. He looked at Linda and nodded, "Please be seated, and I'll examine your hair and nails…"
Linda motioned her to take a seat, and as she did Sarah looked about the establishment. If she'd not known she was in New York, she'd have sworn she was in old Canton. In one corner at a low table sat an elderly man making a drawing on parchment. She watched his smooth graceful sweeping motions while the proprietor examined her sculp. He spoke to Linda while Sarah could not take her eyes off the old man. When Lin Cho finished, he began a discussion with Linda, Sarah scooted off her chair and wandered over to watch the older man paint. He looked up at her with the calmest eyes and most tranquil expression she'd ever witnessed. "It's beautiful," Sarah pointed at his painting.
"It is," the man agreed.
"What is it?" she asked politely.
The elderly man looked back down at the painting asking; "What do you see?" His voice was low and he spoke in a very composed and peaceful pace. He looked back at Sarah with soft eyes.
Sarah looked at the painting from another angle, "I see…a bird… a sort of crane thing, being chased by a dragon."
The old one looked down, cocked his head to one side, put down his brush and stood up. "Then that is what it is." He said slowly. "I am Li Po, and you?"
"Sarah, Sarah Williams." She said respectfully, she looked at where her mother was speaking to Lin Cho. "Linda Williams is my mother; I wonder what's taking so long."
"Fate," Li Po stated calmly. "Come let me read the I Ching for you." He led Sarah to a side stand and handed her what looked like a bunch of sticks. "Sake them and let them drop. I will read what they say."
"Sure," Sarah scoffed softly. "And I suppose these will tell you all about me."
"Humor an old man." He entreated.
Sarah felt odd, but did as he requested. She shook the sticks in her hand and then let them fall where they would. Li Po raised his glasses on his nose and began to study the pattern. He stopped and looked at the girl with a sad expression. "I wish it was a better fortune."
"It's bad news?" Sarah asked quietly. "Just what I need, more… Okay… shoot." She thought she'd braced herself, that she was ready. She was wrong.
"You have fought a great battle, and you thought you won… and to a point you did." Li Po pointed to a portion of the spread of sticks, "But you also lost, Sarah Williams, in winning what you sought, you lost your dreams."
Sarah gasped, looked toward her mother who was still speaking to the owner. "How do you know this?"
"It is as clear as what you saw in the painting." The elder motioned for Sarah to be seated. "You have fought what you thought was a demon… and to some extant it was… However winning cost you…a high price."
Sarah looked at the old one, "I can't dream."
"You can not dream." He repeated knowingly. "The herbs my son is going to give you will help you sleep...it is called… An Mien Pian; An Mien Pian helps your mind overcome occasional feelings of stress allows your body to get the rest it deserves. It will not however restore your dreams…they are gone." He was sad, but remained calm. Reaching over he rolled up the parchment he'd painted and handed to Sarah. "For you…"
"I don't have any money…." Sarah put her hands up to refuse. "I can not buy it…it's too precious."
"I would not take money for this, if it were offered." He said in that slow and considered way he had of speaking. "Consider it, a gift." The Elder placed the painting into her hands. "Perhaps one day you will see more in it, than just a bird being chased by a dragon." He placed a hand on her shoulders. "You've a long journey ahead, and it will not be easy or fun… hard times face you now, perhaps the painting will give you a measure of peace."
"Thank you," Sarah whispered.
Bowing the old one said one more thing to her before she left. "If the wind comes from an empty cave, it's not without a reason." As he spoke to her, he placed his hand on hers. "Think on it." He patted her hand as if she were one of his own to whom he was imparting some special gift of knowledge.
"Thank you… Master Li Po…. I'll remember."
Lin Cho saw his father speaking to the younger woman, he said something to Li Po in their own dialect, and when answered looked sadly at the girl. However what ever the elder said was kept between the two. Linda thanked Lin Cho, paid for the herbs and motioned Sarah that it was time to leave.
Lin Cho turned to his father. "You read the I Ching for the girl?"
"I did," replied the elder.
"And?"
The old one, with sad eyes murmured. "I pity the demon…" Quietly he moved back to his low table, knelt down and placed a fresh parchment on the top to begin a new painting.
Linda had the painting framed for Sarah with bamboo, and it was placed in the room where Sarah slept. Under it on a little brass plaque was the verse that Li Po had told the girl. She took the herbs and found while Master Li had been right and they didn't return the dreams, she was at least sleeping better. The herbs allowed her body to rest, if not her mind.
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Jareth sat alone in the darkness of the stair room, his personal puzzle and his place of solitude. He had designed this room when he'd first become King, and now it served as his personal hell. It was here the girl had denied him and his offer, so it was only right that it was here that he would view what she'd turned down.
Lounging on one of the sets of downward stairs, he held the glowing little orb up to view one of the many dreams that were trapped within. It never ceased to amuse him how many different dreams the orb contained. Or the way they changed and shifted. In the first days after he'd acquired the dreams, he had tried to catalog them. He soon found it was impossible, if there were one thing to be said for the original owner, it was she had no limits where her dreams had been concerned. Yet time and again in the days since he'd harvested the dreams, he went again and again to the one dreamed he'd already shared with her. Each time hopeful it would play out differently and to his bitter disappointment, it never did.
At first he amused himself with the dreams in the throne room, however the constant interruptions didn't allow for complete viewing. That and the Goblins were far too prying and wanted to view as well. For reasons he could not name, he found himself guarded about the girl's dreams, and wanted to keep them to himself. It had taken a bit of swallowing of ones own pride, but the price had been worth it. Here in the room of endless stairs, endless possibilities and endless choices, he had perfect seclusion. No Goblin worth his salt would venture into the chamber without good reason. No courtier had ever dared to come into this chamber uninvited, as this part of the castle was too close to the King's own apartment. Only family had ever come this far… Family and Sarah.
A throat being cleared altered him that he was not in fact alone. Looking up he recognized his cousin entering his safe haven. "Devon, what a pleasant surprise, what brings you to my home?" He drawled lazily.
The cousin of the Goblin King was a tall well built handsome male Fae of an age close to that of the King. Like Jareth Devon was a fair haired Fae, and his eyes while not the mismatched wonders of the Goblin King were a mesmerizing blue. His jaw line was firm, and his face could have been the inspiration for dozens of statues in the mortal realm. Like Jareth he was athletic and kept himself fit. His well tailored garments were most revealing. Today he was in well fitting riding garments and boots. Devon was as meticulous about his attire as his cousin, and always chose colors that suited him perfectly. The dark blue of the riding coat and it's cut gave him a dashing yet elegant appearance. He looked totally at ease, and wore the clothes well, they did not wear him. He took a seat opposite his cousin, lounging in a near mirror image of the Goblin King. "You do, you miss court… again." His voice was a rich, full bodied and unhurried baritone.
"Did I?" Jareth asked distracted as he gazed into the orb. "What a pity."
Leaning back upon his elbows, Devon nodded. "Yes, and I've been sent to check up on you."
"I'm fine," Jareth said looking at the most recent choice of dreams play out; "As you can see."
Letting his head roll slightly to one side, Devon looked at the item in his cousin's hand. "What is that you have there?"
A smirk came to the Goblin King's full lips; "A crystal."
Devon sat upright, peeved. "I can see that it's a crystal, dunce. What's that within it?"
"A young girl's dreams," crooned the dreamy voice of the Goblin King. He tossed it carelessly toward his cousin knowing Devon would catch it easily.
The other mused over the myriad of dreams that flooded the orb. "What happened to the donor?"
"Don't know, went mad and died shrived up most likely." He caught the orb as it was flung back to him. Turning to look at Devon again he smiled. "So I'm missed am I?"
"No," Devon sighed heavily. "They think you're up to no good."
Jareth chuckled as he tossed the orb up in the air and caught it lightly again. "So they send you to spy?"
"Yes," Devon said looking bored. "I however had my own reasons for accepting this responsibility."
Amused the King let his smile reach his eyes, "I wonder what that could be."
Devon rose to his feet. "You have one of the finest wine cellars," he announced blithely. "And I've a great thirst, besides it's been too long since you and I've had a good long visit, cousin. Ever since you've taken on the mantle of the Goblin King we've hardly had time for any fun… no falconing, no wenching….no long dark heart to hearts."
Jareth rose to his feet, placed the orb in the vest he wore, "Come cousin, I know of a corner of the kingdom that has a fine tavern that serves something tastier than that swill they call ale in town here. And the wenches are as full bodied as the wine, and just as welcoming."
Devon slapped the King on the back. "Now you're talking!"
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Robert met Sarah at the train station when she arrived home from New York. She had one week to spend with them before she had to leave for the new school. Karen was worried there would not be time enough for shopping for the items Sarah would need. However as she'd be wearing a uniform Linda had taken care of shopping for the incidentals. Sarah carried the painting that was now her prized possession off the train when it arrived. She hugged her father and thanked him for coming to get her. All the way to the house Robert told her all the news of what had happened in town while she'd been off visiting her mother.
Toby ran out the front door waving his hands excitedly when they pulled into the driveway. Sarah opened the door nearly before her father had come to a halt and was running across the lawn to catch up the little boy into her arms. She swung him up and peppered him with loving kisses. "Toby, oh my Toby!" she giggled as he peppered her right back.
Karen stood in the door way watching, touched by the closeness that had developed between the two. Robert carried Sarah's belongings into the house. "I really don't like sending her away again." Karen stated as he passed her.
"Neither do I," he huffed.
Toby wiggled and giggled and grabbed at Sarah's face. "Sewha."
"Sarah…" she corrected gently.
He made a face and repeated. "Sewha."
"Have it your way tyke," she surrendered collapsing on the lawn with him in her lap. "Did you miss me?"
He nodded his head enthusiastically, and pointed to the tree; "Bird."
Not bothering to look up Sarah smiled, "There are a lot of them in the trees, Toby." She cuddled him close. "Big birds, little birds… mama birds… baby birds…"
He giggled and said. "Toby bird?"
Sarah's smile faded only for a moment, "No, Toby is a boy."
Karen watched quietly, feeling at a loss. "She belongs home with her family." She whispered aloud.
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Too soon the week was over, and it was time for Sarah to be driven up state to the campus of St. Ambrose's school. She had asked Karen to stay home with Toby as she didn't think she could bear saying good bye to him at the school. She also didn't want him to see the place she'd been sent to. Karen was understanding, and had told Sarah that she would do what ever the girl thought was best.
It had been hard enough when her father had the car packed and ready to go, to kiss the boy goodbye. She hugged Karen and begged her to keep the boy safe. Karen gave her a strange expression but promised she would.
The ride would take a full two and a half hours, and it didn't start out well. Robert had noticed that try as she would; Sarah was shunning the company of anyone outside the family. He cleared his throat after the first fifteen minutes of silence. "Can we talk?"
Sarah looked out the window, not willing to meet eyes; "If we must."
"Sarah, are you taking your meds?" he asked plainly.
"No," she leaned on the door. "They stopped working about two weeks after I got to Mother's… I'm taking Chinese Herbs in their place….and Yes before you ask, I cleared it with the Clinic." There was no mistaking the terseness in her tone.
Robert frowned, "I wish you'd told me first."
"Mother took me to her herbalist," she droned. "Look Daddy, its over and done with… the meds were not working…. I knew there was a chance they'd stop…"
He glanced over at her, than back at traffic. "What do you mean you knew?"
Sarah rubbed her forehead. "I did a little research of my own," she tried to focus out the window. "This condition gets worse… not better in most cases. And the meds are just in trial stages, no one is sure if they will work at all."
"You sound like there's more." He stated.
Sarah looked at him, "I know why I'm being sent to St. Ambrose." She confided.
"To learn to deal with your anger," He nodded.
"To be locked up if necessary," she corrected. "Daddy, if they can't correct this I'll go mad."
He pulled over to the side of the road. "No one has said a word about…"
"Daddy, I read up on this… thing. This loss of dreams…" she gripped his arm. "It starts with simple limb twitches, and I've had some already, they started at mother's… then more complex integrated movements to where it appears you're dreaming… but you're not… behaviors are often violent in nature and commonly result in injury to either the patient or their bed partner, or anyone who tries to come into contact with the sleeper. Injuries range from bruises and cuts to fractures, subdural hematoma and other serious injuries. In contrast, all other aspects of sleep appear similar to normal." She whispered. "I could hurt you or Karen, or even Toby and not be aware of it."
Robert whispered in a soft voice. "But surely the meds…"
"They don't always work… and as time drones on… loss of dreams means the brain no longer has any kind of release from stress… Subjects go mad….more oven than not." She grabbed his arm. "Daddy while I can still think clearly… promise me… if I start to slip… If I go off the deep end, you'll cut your losses and forget me. Keep me from Karen, Keep me from Toby. Just walk away…"
"I can't make a promise like that," He growled, "You're my daughter… and I'd never just abandon you…"
"For the safety of Karen and Toby you had better be willing to!" She warned darkly. "I read up on this so called school as well... And yes it is a school, but it's also a hospital; St. Ambrose's hospital for the treatment of mental illness. If I can't get the anger in check… or if I show signs of going mad they will pressure you to incarcerate me."
Robert looked devastated. "We can turn around right now." He offered.
"No, there's no turning back…." Sarah stated in a tone that said she was resigned to her fate. "I'm going to be spending the rest of my life in this place or a place just like it most likely." She grabbed her father's hand. "Don't let Karen or Toby visit me here!"
Nodding he looked at the road; "What ever you say."
"Just try to remember me as I was…." She begged.
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The broacher didn't do justice to the buildings of the Girls Campus of St. Ambrose. As far as outward appearances, one would have thought this was the idle setting for a girls' school. The darker truth, and the hospital associated with the school were hidden from view. The grounds were well kept, and immaculate. The few students who were milling about were dressed in crisp little uniforms and looked like any other students of an exclusive school. Except t hat they weren't just students. Each and every one of them was here for a reason. Society wanted them out of the public, and here they were under control.
Sarah stepped out of her father's car, looked up at the administration building and took a deep breath. She and her father walked side up side up the steps and into the building. A receptionist at a desk looked up as they entered.
"May I help you?" she lowered her thick glasses off her nose.
"Robert Williams and Sarah," he handed her the paper with Sarah's registration.
"Ah yes, the Williams girl," placing her glasses back on the bridge of her nose she scrutinized the girl. "I thought we'd sent a letter asking her to be in uniform upon arrival."
Sarah looked down at her sedate attire, "I'm sorry, must not have reached us." She said coolly.
The woman sniffed and stood up. "The head mistress will see you directly." Leading the way she walked down the hall and tapped on a door. Once she was bid enter, she opened the door and announced them. "Mr. Robert Williams and his daughter Sarah are here, Ma'am."
"Do send them in," a voice in the room commanded firmly.
Sarah entered to find a stoic woman awaiting her. "I am Mrs. Browning," the woman said waving a hand to chairs for them to be seated. "I'm the Head Mistress of this establishment." She held her hand out to Robert for the paper work. "We were expecting you a bit earlier."
"Traffic," Robert lamented quietly.
The woman read over the first page of the registration. "We are experiencing an influx of students at this time. I know we offered you a single room, however only our upper classmen are being giving those accommodations right now."
Sarah bristled at the thought of having to share a room. "Ma'am, are you aware of my… medical condition?"
The woman looked at the girl with disdain. "I've read your file, yes." She placed her hands on her desk and clasped them. "I see no reason for you not to have a room mate who is aware of the same."
"Aware of the same?" Sarah looked panicked for a moment.
"Unless you'd rather not be one of our students," the woman was callous.
"You know I have no choice," Sarah amended the sentence, "Ma'am."
Looking as if she'd had the upper hand, the elderly woman handed Sarah a list of do's and don'ts. "These are the rules of the dorm you'll be assigned to. You're to room with another new girl, but a freshman I'm afraid."
"I'm a junior," Sarah said suddenly as if she'd just remembered. "Doesn't that qualify as an upper classmen?"
"Only our seniors are considered upper classmen at this time," the woman didn't appear happy at being questioned. "As I said, you'll be rooming with a freshman, and like you she is new to our campus."
Robert was not happy with the treatment they were given. "I was under the impression that our arrangements were with Head Master Talbot."
Cold as ice the woman regarded Sarah's father. "Talbot was removed from his duties at the end of the last term. AS you are aware we have classes year round, he was found lacking in certain disciplines." She turned her stony gaze on Sarah. "I was hired to take his place by the board."
Sarah moved her foot against her fathers, cautioning him to say no more. She looked at the Head Mistress. "And my visits to the clinic of St. Ambrose's hospital?"
"Will be overseen by one of my staff," she said pressing a buzzer. A young woman dressed very severely entered. "Donna here will see you to your rooms. Get settled, you'll be expected for the evening meal."
"I had planned on taking her out to dinner," Robert protested lightly.
"Out of the question," Mrs. Browning snapped. "All students are to stay on campus for the first two weeks of arrival." She eased up a bit. "Perhaps you'd like to come and take her out on Family weekend at the end of October." The Head Mistress never rose from her desk. "Donna, Mr. Williams is allowed to see his daughter to her dorm…and then you may escort him to his vehicle." Turning her attentions to some papers on her desk she dismissed the father and daughter. "Good bye Mr. Williams."
Outside the office, escorted by the woman dressed like a prison Matron, Robert had second thoughts. "Sarah, come home." He whispered.
Sarah shook her head, "Toby is safer if I'm here." She murmured in a low voice. She was certain the 'Matron' was listening. "I'll be fine Daddy," She stated aloud. "I'm a Williams."
Robert and Sarah came out to his car, unpacked her bags to be lead by the 'Matorn' up stairs in one dismal dormitory. The walls were once a bluish green, but now were more a dull lifeless gray. Robert's eyes pleaded with his daughter to reconsider. The girl embraced him when the last of her suitcases had been brought in along with the covered painting that Sarah had brought with her. The 'Matron' stood over them watching their every move. Bravely Sarah bid her father to go, she watched with a stoic face as he took his leave. He halted at the door and promised he'd come up for Family Weekend. Sarah nodded and watched him leave with a brave face.
He had no more than closed the door, and Sarah took a seat on the bed that had not yet been made up. The other side of the room being occupied by her roommate, and her bed covered with a lacey coverlet in a shade of pink that was disturbingly childish. Sarah stood up and began to look at the perfectly laid out items of her roommate, and started to worry.
"Hello," a cheery voice chirped as the door opened. Sarah turned and felt her stomach turn over; a Barbie doll of a girl had come bounding in the room. Sarah whispered a silent prayer, but had a feeling it was going to go unheard. "I'm Mary Sue, your roommate… You must be Sherrie," she said in a Stepford perfect tone extending her hand in greeting.
"I'm in Hell," Sarah groaned as she avoided the hand that was stretched out to her. "I'm in absolute hell. And I'm stuck with a life-sized Barbie doll."
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Mrs. Browning answered the phone in her office; "Yes, she's arrived. She's getting settled now, Doctor. I agree… Yes, she will be ready for your visit quite soon… I'm sure."
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Exactly one week later Mary Sue was in Mrs. Browning's office crying as if her soul had been injured. "Oh please Ma'am… I can't stay in that room one more night…. That girl… there's something wrong with her." The girl moaned loudly.
"What has she done?"
"She stares… all night long." Mary Sue put her fists up to her mouth as if to stop the words. "She's… got evil… eyes…."
Mrs. Browning took a deep breath, "I don't believe this. Listen to me you foolish girl… there is no such thing as evil eyes…and I won't listen to such nonsense." Snapping her fingers she alerted Donna to take the girl out. When the girl had been escorted away, Mrs. Browning dialed a number. "I'm sorry to disturb you, it's the Williams girl." She took a breath; "She's just chased off the roommate. Yes, I have somewhere else to move the girl… yes, I'll place Miss Jennings in with her."
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Sarah came in from her classes to find Anne Jennings a sophomore nosing though her belongings. "Who are you?" She asked carefully.
Jennings, a tough girl with a tougher attitude looked down her pretty Irish nose at Sarah. "I'm your new roommate, they moved Mary Sue over to building five."
"I see," Sarah said sitting down on her bed.
Jennings scowled at Sarah, "I'm here because I cause trouble when I'm unhappy… so don't make me unhappy."
"Don't touch me or my things and I won't touch you." Sarah warned coolly. Jennings scoffed once more and strutted out the door. "Peahen," Sarah muttered.
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Jennings was tougher than poor Mary Sue who now refused to be in the same room with Sarah Williams. Jennings lasted two weeks, and had to be led out of the closet she'd locked herself into.
Sarah swore she'd never even touched the other, that she was not aware of any problem.
Jennings told Mrs. Browning, "Sarah Williams is the strangest girl I've ever seen… and I don't want to see her again."
Mrs. Browning dialed a number after the girl was escorted to her new dorm. "Doctor, I don't think you can put off seeing the Williams girl much longer…. What? Yes, I've one more roommate… As you wish."
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The 'Matron' arrived that afternoon with 'Large' Marge Paulson. The girl could have passed for a woman wrestler and gotten away with it. She was built like a line backer and was found of lifting weights as a form of intimidation with her roommates. Marge took over the side of the room that had been Mary Sue's first and then Anne's. She would drop weights while Sarah was studying, and laugh to herself as she did it.
Sarah was able to ignore her for the most part, that is until Marge carelessly tossed a weight that smashed though the picture frame with a picture of Toby in it. Sarah backed the girl who was a good foot taller and a good sixty pounds heavier and full of muscles against the wall and asked quietly if she'd care to be dropped head first out the window. Sarah never laid a finger on the other, but her tone was grave enough for 'Large' Marge to take her seriously.
'Large' Marge lasted until the second week of October, when she began blubbering about Sarah doing strange things in her sleep… and twitching. She said she stopped sleeping herself, as she feared for her life.
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The director of the sleep clinic associated with the school smiled as he read over the reports on the Williams girl. He'd never known a subject so perfect for his study. He was sure she would never suspect that they had manipulated the situation to advance her condition.
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Sarah watched as 'Large' Marge's belongings were carted out of the room. The next roommate was due shortly. She took a handful of the herbs Lin Cho had put together and swallowed them without the benefit of water. "I'm in hell," she repeated as she took to her bed with a book.
The door opened and a southern belle entered, "Hello," a sweet voice dripping honey and cornpone sounded as the girl opened her mouth. "I'm Jolene Raulings, I'm you're new roommate."
Sarah looked at the girl who had some kind of delusion that she was the incarnation of Scarlett O'Hara. Shaking her head, and trying to stay civil. "I'm Sarah Williams."
Jolene sat down on what was to be her bed lightly. "Have you been here long?" She was trying herself to keep civil.
"Since the beginning of the new term," Sarah said coolly. "I don't think I've seen you before."
"I just arrived," the girl lamented.
Sarah looked at the girl and sighed. "You look pretty normal… what are you here for?"
"It's the strangest thing; I have this naughty little habit of picking things up and walking off with them;" Giggled the southern belle.
Sarah looked at her seriously. "Jolene, right? Look they are setting you up… I'm very territorial, and I've been know to snap… I don't want to hurt you …or anyone else for that matter. However… I won't be able to help myself."
Big eyes looked at Sarah. "You're giving me a fair warning?"
"What ever you do, don't touch my things." Sarah said sharply. "I don't want to hurt you." She repeated.
Jolene began to wring her hands. "I don't know if I can stop my self…." She began to fret. "That's why I'm here… to complete some kind of new treatment…"
Jolene lasted all of two days.
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Sarah was not surprised when she was escorted by the 'Matron' to the offices in a building near the back of the campus. The building had been dubbed 'The Bastille' by the students. It was here that the students with the most pronounced conditions met with councilors and doctors. Sarah had just been about to take an herbal tablet before the 'Matron' had barged into her now empty dorm room without so much as knocking. The woman glared at the girl, confiscated the tablet and marched her down the hall and out of the building.
When they arrived in the clinic, staff in long white coats looked at Sarah with dull lifeless eyes. 'Matron' slammed the tablet down on a desk and announced she'd found Sarah taking something that was most likely drugs. Sarah didn't even look at the woman; she looked down at her herbal tablet with longing. The edginess was beginning to mount. The clinic receptionist led Sarah to a little waiting room and motioned for her to go in.
Two other girls sat within the room, one was 'Large' Marge who backed herself up into a wall as close as she could when she saw Sarah enter. Sarah took a seat near the door and looked at the clock hanging on a wall.
The other girl watched Sarah with mild interest after seeing the reaction from the larger girl. She looked at Sarah, with eyes a shade of dark brown that nearly appeared black. Her creamy skin and dark hair gave her a strangely exotic appearance. "You're Sarah Williams, aren't you?" She asked a few moments later after Sarah had time to acclimate to the strange room. "I'm Lilith, Lilith Timofia." She didn't extend her hand, just merely introduced herself.
"Settle down, Marge." Sarah warned quietly. "I'm not going to do anything to you." She then turned her attentions to the dark girl who seemed to be amused by the situation. "Timofia, that's a strange name."
"Greek," the girl stated calmly. She smiled at Sarah. "You're becoming something of a celebrity here." She motioned to Marge. "Few if any have ever caused Marge to cower."
"Marge is a bully, and a coward," Sarah observed. "What are you?"
"Observant." Lilith stated sill keeping her-self at a distance. 'Matron' entered the room and pointed to Marge to follow her. Once again alone Lilith made a barely noticeable hand motion. Then said to Sarah, who was now aware of the camera that was focused on them; "We have a couple of classes together."
"Do we? Which ones?" Sarah wondered if this girl was friend or foe, or something else altogether.
"World Literature and History," Lilith didn't try to move closer, or seem anymore friendly then just keeping up a bit of conversation. "Did you get the study guild for the chapter due next week? I didn't."
"It's not too hard," Sarah wondered what the game was this other was playing.
"Perhaps you'd meet me in the library and explain it to me." Lilith suggested lightly. "I'd like to pass my classes this term instead of dragging in a low C."
"How are you with math?" Sarah asked quickly.
"I'm a wiz," Lilith stated firmly.
Sarah gave the other a nod, "I'll help you with the study guide if you'll help me with math."
"Done," Lilith said as 'Matron' entered the room and pointed to her. "I'll see you in the library after classes, Sarah. I'll be in the study room, see ya."
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Sarah entered the office when 'Matron' came for her. Behind a very large and ornate desk sat a man with hollow eyes. He looked at Sarah with some misgivings. "Miss Williams, I'm Daryl Daniels, I'm the director of the department in charge of the sleep disorders clinic." He motioned the girl to be seated. "Can you explain to me what this is?" He held out the herbal tablet.
"Chinese herbs," Sarah said. "I'm taking them for my condition."
"These were not what were prescribed for you." He tossed the tablet into the garbage can and noted with satisfaction the slight look of panic on the girl's face. "You will be issued more of the prescription, and expected to take that alone." He settled back into his executive typed leather chair. "Now, how are you doing?"
Sarah looked at the can containing the herbal tablet. "I was holding my own."
"There is a new treatment that we'd like to suggest you try…" the director stated. "And we'd like your co-operation with the study that goes with the treatment."
Sarah felt the hair on the back of her neck raise up, "I'll be happy to cooperate." She stated, but was not sure why she'd say something she didn't mean. "When does this study begin?"
"Today," He said curtly. "You'll be given a log to chart your progress… oh and a new roommate as well. You do seem to have trouble keeping them, don't you?"
Shrugging, Sarah stood up knowing her interview was at an end. "Where do I get this log?"
Daniels opened a draw on his desk and handed her a note book. "You're new prescription will be delivered to you at your dorm room, kindly hand over anything that is not prescribed to the staff member who delivers your prescription." He looked away from her with a sneer.
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'Matron' took Sarah back to her dorm, the exchange was made, drugs for herbs and Sarah were then left on her own. She made her way over to the big old library building, and headed for the study room. Lilith, true to her promise was there, with her books already open. She looked up at Sarah and gave her a nod.
The study room was nearly empty when Lilith said in a quiet voice. "They are watching you."
Sarah didn't want to react, and kept her head in the book, whispered back. "I know."
"You must be very careful," warned the Greek girl. "They don't really know what they have in you."
"And you do?" Sarah asked slightly perturbed.
"I've a better idea than they do," admitted the dark girl. "You're a tortured soul, like me… and a few others." She passed something to Sarah under the table. A ring of beads on a sliver chain, off of which were two dangling flat glass beads that looked like eyes.
Sarah whispered, "Lilith, what is this?"
"Worry beads, Fos tis psihis mou." The Greek girl whispered tenderly. She closed her books and stretched. "I think that's enough for today… Come I'll walk with you to the refectory, we can eat our dinner together."
Once out of the building and walking side by side Sarah asked quietly, not wishing others to hear them. "What did you say to me back there in the study room?"
"Fos tis psihis mou." Lilith repeated before translating for Greek to English. "It means, Light of my soul."
Sarah's steps faltered. "I beg your pardon?"
Lilith smiled wickedly at her. "You are what you are; Sarah I've been looking for you for a very long time."
Sarah looked at her, kept pace with her and let the conversation drop as they entered the building where food was prepared. "When would you like to study again?" She asked as they took seats.
"Tomorrow, if it's alright with you." Lilith said.
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Arriving at the dorm room, and seeing the flurry of activity, Sarah knew her new roommate had arrived. She quietly opened the container of tablets that had been exchanged for her herbs and tipped one into her hand. Frowning she placed the bitter pill on her tongue and with water swallowed it down. "I'm in hell," she whispered placing the container down. Her hand went into her pocket as she watched the latest roommate arranging her belongings. Her fingers curled about the smooth glass of the worry beads. Strangely enough, it did comfort Sarah.
The new roommate was a girl that reminded Sarah strongly of Marion. Sarah set her jaw, and whispered to her self. "I'm in hell."