Chapter 3
It was six fifteen P.M.; Walker pulled his truck to a stop in front of the gates at the Tyler Mental Facility and gave his name.
"Sheldon, Sheldon," the guard repeated going down the list until he found the name. "Oh yes Mr. Sheldon your name is right here," he smiled pushing a button causing the gates to slide open.
Walker tipped the front of his hat to the guard and drove in. Syd sat beside him looking straight ahead not saying a word.
"Are you all right with this Sydney?" Walker asked a little concerned.
"Of course not Walker I'm crazy remember," Syd replied still looking straight ahead.
Walker half smiled. "Gage and Trivette are both positioned inside, don't take any unnecessary chances Sydney," Walker warned as he pulled up in front.
"None," she replied keeping her eyes straight ahead.
Getting out Walker went to Syd's side of the truck and opened her door he reached his hand in and helped her out. Taking her arm he let her lean against him, she clasped tightly to an old rag doll where her cell phone had been stashed. They entered the building stopping at the reception desk.
"I'm Sam Sheldon," Walker told the nurse on the desk. "This is Amanda we have an appointment with Dr. Welsh."
Sydney said nothing she stared straight ahead, clutching the doll.
"Oh yes Mr. Sheldon Dr. Welsh is expecting you one minute," the nurse told them ringing Welsh's office.
A moment later Dr. Welsh came to the front desk offering his hand to Walker. Walker took the doctor's hand, "Mr. Sheldon and this must be your wife Amanda." then he offered his hand to Sydney who just stared.
"Dr. Welsh thank you so much for seeing us so quickly," Walker responded.
"I've read Amanda's file and I feel she is in the right spot I'm sure we can help her," he told walker leading the way to his office.
Taking Sydney by the elbow Walker once again guided her along, once inside Dr. Welsh's office he began to explain.
"She used to be so alive doctor," Walker was saying, "We did everything together she was my whole life and when the baby came along we were on the top of the world. Our daughter was everything to us we both spoiled her right from the beginning, she ruled us until the accident." Walker paused for a moment before he continued, "I know Amanda blames herself but it is no ones fault. Amelia wandered off and down to the stables, she got into the coral just as something spooked the horses, Amanda got there just in time to see her trampled. I lost them both that day." Walker trailed off.
"Tragedy often compounds more tragedy," Dr. Welsh offered in way of comfort adding, "I'm sure we are going to be able to turn things around for Amanda, it will take time. but I'm confident we will be able to get her past this and you will have your wife back."
Walker nodded his head pulling Syd closer in a small hug kissing the top of her head. Syd remained emotionless clutching tighter to the doll.
"Now Mr. Sheldon if I could get you to take Amanda's jewellery with you so nobody here thinks that they need to have it, just a precaution you understand," Welsh advised.
Walker pulled Syd's hair to the side and unclasped the gold chain. A small cross and two small medallions hung from it. Each medallion represented her children with their birth dates inscribed on them. She flinched slightly she had never had it off since Gage had put it there right after Piper was born.
Taking her hand Walker looked at her wedding rings, taking a deep breath he moved to take them from her finger. She pulled her hand away slightly softly crying, "Sam?"
"It's just until you are well enough to come home Amanda," Walker told her. Sydney closed her eyes and Walker slipped her rings from her finger.
Welsh buzzed the intercom asking for an orderly to be sent to his office to take Mrs. Sheldon to her room. A few minutes later Gage and a nurse appeared at the door.
"Come on Mrs. Sheldon lets go," Nurse Hampton almost sarcastically said reaching out to grab her.
Syd pushed back into Walker's arms turning towards his chest pretending fear.
Gage glared at his co-worker and held his hand out to Syd saying at the same time, "It's all right Mrs. Sheldon we are just going to show you to your room."
Syd looked shyly at her husband and slowly turning from Walker's arms took Gage's hand. He placed his hand under her elbow as Walker had and guided her from the room her doll held tight to her breast.
Half way down the hall in the women's wing Nurse Hampton stopped them. She pulled towels and hospital clothes from a linen trolley tossing them at Gage.
"You're so close to her you take her to the showers and make sure she is clean," she spat at Gage.
"Isn't the female staff suppose to look after the female patients?" Gage asked.
"Get real Williams," Hampton addressed him, "I don't know where you worked before but we are short staffed here we do all the jobs here. I could always see if Dawson is busy or not, he could give her, her shower."
"That's all right," Gage told her, "I'm sure Mrs. Sheldon and I will get along fine."
Nurse Hampton turned on her heel leaving Gage standing with Sydney. Taking hold of her arm Gage once again began leading her this time in the direction of the showers.
Once inside Gage checked out the place and being satisfied no one was there flipped the lock on the door. Putting his arms around her he lightly kissed her asking if she was all right.
"So far so good," she responded finding his lips to return the kiss.
Gage reluctantly pulled himself away from his wife telling her to get in the shower and they'd talk. He turned the taps on as Syd began pulling her clothes off to step under the water.
Smiling at the sight of her he began reciting what he knew, "Stay clear of Hampton, she's trouble, she likes to throw around her weight, more then likely she knows everything that goes on around here, but I think she is paid very well just to turn a blind eye to what happens.
You are in Leigh-Ann Stratton's old room with Cecilia Martin. I don't know if you will be able to find out anything about Leigh-Ann from Cecilia or not. Be careful Syd just don't end up dead like Leigh-Ann," Gage cautioned before continuing, "Ron Dawson and Andy McCray are the other night time orderlies they can be pretty rough. Last night three girls were taken from their rooms and not returned until morning. The two of them had something to do with it."
"Any idea where they were taken?" Syd asked shutting off the water.
"Not yet I do know they were loaded into a van and taken off the premises," Gage told her handing her the hospital clothes.
Syd quickly dressed as Gage put her own clothes in a plastic bag, once more pulling her doll to her breast she stood ready. Putting his finger under her chin Gage lifted her face for another quick kiss, then taking her arm turned the lock and opened the door leading Syd back out and towards her room.
They stopped at the nurses' station long enough for Gage to hand the bag with Syd's clothes to Nurse Hampton who looked Syd up and down at the same time. Satisfied with what she saw she motioned Gage to take her to her room.
"Get her settled for the night the day time crew can work on getting her into her routine," Hampton barked at him handing him a small cup with two capsules in it.
"Those are her meds," Hampton again ordered, "Make sure she takes them I don't want my night ruined because somebody didn't take their meds."
"Don't worry she'll get her meds," Gage told the head nurse taking the capsules from her and proceeding down the hall with Syd.
Half way there a young girl came pushing her way out of one of the rooms with one of the other orderlies right behind her. She ran straight at Sydney grabbing her hair at the same time pulling her from Gage's hold. Quickly she brought a dinner knife to Syd's throat holding the point poised against the skin ready to jab it in.
"Keep away from me Dawson," the girl screamed, "Or so help me I'll drive it into her throat. Keep away from me."
"Maggie now put the knife down don't make things worse," Dawson was telling her advancing towards her.
"I mean it Dawson keep away or I'll kill her," Maggie screamed again.
Gage had worked his way behind Maggie and with one quick move grabbed her hand the knife clattering to the floor and freeing Syd. Both Dawson and Hampton moved in, while Dawson held her Hampton jabbed a syringe into her arm.
"No, no, no, no." Maggie cried as the medication slowly began taking effect.
Syd had moved to the far side of the hall, she sat on the floor rocking her doll her hair falling over her face humming to herself. Gage went to her whispering to her he asked if she was all right. She began shaking her head yes and Gage helped her to her feet moving her once again towards her room. The experience left both partners shaken. They faced life and death situations everyday but never anything like this.
It was six fifteen P.M.; Walker pulled his truck to a stop in front of the gates at the Tyler Mental Facility and gave his name.
"Sheldon, Sheldon," the guard repeated going down the list until he found the name. "Oh yes Mr. Sheldon your name is right here," he smiled pushing a button causing the gates to slide open.
Walker tipped the front of his hat to the guard and drove in. Syd sat beside him looking straight ahead not saying a word.
"Are you all right with this Sydney?" Walker asked a little concerned.
"Of course not Walker I'm crazy remember," Syd replied still looking straight ahead.
Walker half smiled. "Gage and Trivette are both positioned inside, don't take any unnecessary chances Sydney," Walker warned as he pulled up in front.
"None," she replied keeping her eyes straight ahead.
Getting out Walker went to Syd's side of the truck and opened her door he reached his hand in and helped her out. Taking her arm he let her lean against him, she clasped tightly to an old rag doll where her cell phone had been stashed. They entered the building stopping at the reception desk.
"I'm Sam Sheldon," Walker told the nurse on the desk. "This is Amanda we have an appointment with Dr. Welsh."
Sydney said nothing she stared straight ahead, clutching the doll.
"Oh yes Mr. Sheldon Dr. Welsh is expecting you one minute," the nurse told them ringing Welsh's office.
A moment later Dr. Welsh came to the front desk offering his hand to Walker. Walker took the doctor's hand, "Mr. Sheldon and this must be your wife Amanda." then he offered his hand to Sydney who just stared.
"Dr. Welsh thank you so much for seeing us so quickly," Walker responded.
"I've read Amanda's file and I feel she is in the right spot I'm sure we can help her," he told walker leading the way to his office.
Taking Sydney by the elbow Walker once again guided her along, once inside Dr. Welsh's office he began to explain.
"She used to be so alive doctor," Walker was saying, "We did everything together she was my whole life and when the baby came along we were on the top of the world. Our daughter was everything to us we both spoiled her right from the beginning, she ruled us until the accident." Walker paused for a moment before he continued, "I know Amanda blames herself but it is no ones fault. Amelia wandered off and down to the stables, she got into the coral just as something spooked the horses, Amanda got there just in time to see her trampled. I lost them both that day." Walker trailed off.
"Tragedy often compounds more tragedy," Dr. Welsh offered in way of comfort adding, "I'm sure we are going to be able to turn things around for Amanda, it will take time. but I'm confident we will be able to get her past this and you will have your wife back."
Walker nodded his head pulling Syd closer in a small hug kissing the top of her head. Syd remained emotionless clutching tighter to the doll.
"Now Mr. Sheldon if I could get you to take Amanda's jewellery with you so nobody here thinks that they need to have it, just a precaution you understand," Welsh advised.
Walker pulled Syd's hair to the side and unclasped the gold chain. A small cross and two small medallions hung from it. Each medallion represented her children with their birth dates inscribed on them. She flinched slightly she had never had it off since Gage had put it there right after Piper was born.
Taking her hand Walker looked at her wedding rings, taking a deep breath he moved to take them from her finger. She pulled her hand away slightly softly crying, "Sam?"
"It's just until you are well enough to come home Amanda," Walker told her. Sydney closed her eyes and Walker slipped her rings from her finger.
Welsh buzzed the intercom asking for an orderly to be sent to his office to take Mrs. Sheldon to her room. A few minutes later Gage and a nurse appeared at the door.
"Come on Mrs. Sheldon lets go," Nurse Hampton almost sarcastically said reaching out to grab her.
Syd pushed back into Walker's arms turning towards his chest pretending fear.
Gage glared at his co-worker and held his hand out to Syd saying at the same time, "It's all right Mrs. Sheldon we are just going to show you to your room."
Syd looked shyly at her husband and slowly turning from Walker's arms took Gage's hand. He placed his hand under her elbow as Walker had and guided her from the room her doll held tight to her breast.
Half way down the hall in the women's wing Nurse Hampton stopped them. She pulled towels and hospital clothes from a linen trolley tossing them at Gage.
"You're so close to her you take her to the showers and make sure she is clean," she spat at Gage.
"Isn't the female staff suppose to look after the female patients?" Gage asked.
"Get real Williams," Hampton addressed him, "I don't know where you worked before but we are short staffed here we do all the jobs here. I could always see if Dawson is busy or not, he could give her, her shower."
"That's all right," Gage told her, "I'm sure Mrs. Sheldon and I will get along fine."
Nurse Hampton turned on her heel leaving Gage standing with Sydney. Taking hold of her arm Gage once again began leading her this time in the direction of the showers.
Once inside Gage checked out the place and being satisfied no one was there flipped the lock on the door. Putting his arms around her he lightly kissed her asking if she was all right.
"So far so good," she responded finding his lips to return the kiss.
Gage reluctantly pulled himself away from his wife telling her to get in the shower and they'd talk. He turned the taps on as Syd began pulling her clothes off to step under the water.
Smiling at the sight of her he began reciting what he knew, "Stay clear of Hampton, she's trouble, she likes to throw around her weight, more then likely she knows everything that goes on around here, but I think she is paid very well just to turn a blind eye to what happens.
You are in Leigh-Ann Stratton's old room with Cecilia Martin. I don't know if you will be able to find out anything about Leigh-Ann from Cecilia or not. Be careful Syd just don't end up dead like Leigh-Ann," Gage cautioned before continuing, "Ron Dawson and Andy McCray are the other night time orderlies they can be pretty rough. Last night three girls were taken from their rooms and not returned until morning. The two of them had something to do with it."
"Any idea where they were taken?" Syd asked shutting off the water.
"Not yet I do know they were loaded into a van and taken off the premises," Gage told her handing her the hospital clothes.
Syd quickly dressed as Gage put her own clothes in a plastic bag, once more pulling her doll to her breast she stood ready. Putting his finger under her chin Gage lifted her face for another quick kiss, then taking her arm turned the lock and opened the door leading Syd back out and towards her room.
They stopped at the nurses' station long enough for Gage to hand the bag with Syd's clothes to Nurse Hampton who looked Syd up and down at the same time. Satisfied with what she saw she motioned Gage to take her to her room.
"Get her settled for the night the day time crew can work on getting her into her routine," Hampton barked at him handing him a small cup with two capsules in it.
"Those are her meds," Hampton again ordered, "Make sure she takes them I don't want my night ruined because somebody didn't take their meds."
"Don't worry she'll get her meds," Gage told the head nurse taking the capsules from her and proceeding down the hall with Syd.
Half way there a young girl came pushing her way out of one of the rooms with one of the other orderlies right behind her. She ran straight at Sydney grabbing her hair at the same time pulling her from Gage's hold. Quickly she brought a dinner knife to Syd's throat holding the point poised against the skin ready to jab it in.
"Keep away from me Dawson," the girl screamed, "Or so help me I'll drive it into her throat. Keep away from me."
"Maggie now put the knife down don't make things worse," Dawson was telling her advancing towards her.
"I mean it Dawson keep away or I'll kill her," Maggie screamed again.
Gage had worked his way behind Maggie and with one quick move grabbed her hand the knife clattering to the floor and freeing Syd. Both Dawson and Hampton moved in, while Dawson held her Hampton jabbed a syringe into her arm.
"No, no, no, no." Maggie cried as the medication slowly began taking effect.
Syd had moved to the far side of the hall, she sat on the floor rocking her doll her hair falling over her face humming to herself. Gage went to her whispering to her he asked if she was all right. She began shaking her head yes and Gage helped her to her feet moving her once again towards her room. The experience left both partners shaken. They faced life and death situations everyday but never anything like this.