Two days later … September 1860
The Iron Gate doors opened during the twilight, allowing Werner Maxwell inside. He was accompanied by his old friend is right hand man Dr. Duran Feld, as well as their assistant Koge Donbo. They were also aided by a few soldiers, with having nothing else better to do being stationed in Little Rock, decided to help Werner and his official letters of release if the need be. The thunder and lightning were gone, and the clouds as well, but the disturbing aura of the Institution was still about, such as an invisible mist of unsettling fear.
Werner looked about as he walked. It was earlier than the last time, and thus would explain for a more active and larger staff. The soldiers kept to their march, dressed in their blue with brass buttons. The searchlights were placed upon the entreating party, and the barks of a savage dog or two accompanied them well.
"Werner, do you get the feeling…" Duran looked about, nervously.
"That we're not wanted?" Werner finished. "The feeling is apparently obvious."
"Yea…" Koge stated. In her hand was a briefcase, filled with legal documents of all kinds. They were going to be prepared for anything.
"Well, at least we don't have to worry too much…" Duran fasly stated himself. "We have these four strapping young soldiers here to help us." The man looked to the soldiers beside him.
"Yes, well, let's get this over with." Werner concluded the brief conversation as they approached the main entrance. The broad steps leading up to the gothic castle of yore, now naught but a house for deranged minds. Werner grabbed hold of the giant brass knocker and loudly banged it against the tall door several times, awaiting an answer. They knew he was coming, for Mattias would have received a letter from the Federal government the same say Werner had received his. Besides, the guards had their eyes trained on them, their Springfields, and their searchlights. Many moments passed, and the door did not stir once.
"Werner? Are you sure this is a good idea?" Duran asked.
"I'm positive. This is why we brought along the soldiers." Werner replied. He backed a few steps down the broad staircase, back to where the six others stood. He looked to the soldiers. "Open those doors."
"Sir. Yes sir." The four replied. They ran up the stairs and to the door, easily kicking it in. The great wooden doors swung open, letting the night sky shine into the vestibule.
Duran examined the door as they all walked in. He placed the spectacles over his nose and searched the back. "This door wasn't locked at all."
"Of course not. They know they can't resist, so they're just going to be hostile! Right?" Koge theorized.
"Makes sense to me." Werner nodded. "Still, I suppose we should seek out Mattias. If were to steal Malik from right under his nose, there's no telling what could happen."
"Right." Koge swallowed. "And we don't know how to get to Malik."
"That too…" Werner frowned.
"Can I help you?" Two guards entered the vestibule from an iron door to the right. Walking between them was a male nurse. "I'm supposed to be manning the front desk. Sorry, but I had an emergency to take care of."
Duran rolled his eyes at the statement just made. It was coated in deceit. "Yes, yes." Duran took a few steps forward. "We're here representing the government, and I'm sure your offices received a letter from the Federal Bureau indicating a release of one Dr. Malik Benedict."
"We want to see Mattias." Werner stepped forward.
"Right. He was expecting you." The nurse sighed as he sat down at his desk on the dirty checkerboard floor. "Allow me to call him to you."
"We'll go to him." Werner said in a commanding voice. "Just show us the way."
The nurse was about to object, but found Werner's stare rather uncomforting. He sighed and pressed a few buttons on his desk and looked to one of the guards standing by. "Escort these 'gentlemen' to Dr. Mattias' office."
The guard nodded and began to walk towards the staircase. Werner, Duran, Koge, and the soldiers made suit.
"You don't think they'd try to attack us, would they?" Koge whispered to Duran.
"I'm more worried what kind of path we'll have to endure before reaching the office." Duran whispered back.
The path Duran had spoke of was nothing short of a few lengthy hallways (all of which were dimly lit and covered in the same dirty linoleum the vestibule was covered in.) and several turns. They had even gone up an elevator, a rather new invention, to a simple floor, which matched the same description as the one below. Not a patient to be seen. Upon meeting a fork in the hallways on this floor, the guard stopped before two twin oak doors. The government officials and aids halted as well, awaiting a response to the guards knocking. One, twice, thrice he knocked until the door slowly opened.
"Such is the unholy day…" Mattias muttered as he slowly came into view, wearing the same black attire he had wore on the last visit. "That the tyrants hand plucks away at the private sector."
"Dr. Mattias." Werner addressed as Mattias came out. "You've received the letters, have you not?"
"The letters…" Mattias grumbled a bit louder, so that he was audible.
"Yes, the ones issued from the Department of Administrative Services." Duran answered. "The ones stating that Dr. Malik Benedict is to be released into our services."
Koge's eyes slowly glanced around the area. The darkness was settling in. She didn't wish to be in this place after nightfall once more.
"Yes, I have received those letters." Mattias replied, pulling a pair of letters from his jacket. "You want our patients so badly, yet do not even bother considering a small token for our services."
"We don't represent that department." Duran stated. Werner had just about used all of his knowledge when it came to government. As much as he seemed it, Werner was still convinced he was nothing more than a scientist. Duran furrowed his eyebrows. "Try the Department of Health and Welfare. We're under the Department of Science and Technology."
"And yet, the Department of Science and Technology has the power to remove my patients from my institution. Does that not seem a bit strange to you?" Mattias said.
"All right, we've had enough of this." Werner interrupted. "Let's just get this over with. Just release Malik and let it be done!"
"So he can do what? Save the world? I'm sorry, Dr. Maxwell, but the world is far beyond the point of no return. Filgaia is on a course of sheer annihilation, and there's nothing your "Council of Seven" can do about it." Mattias reared himself to full height, tapping his walking stick against the hard floor for emphasis.
"Are you defying a federal order?" Duran asked. The soldiers grip on their ARMs tightened.
"Mattias, what is this about?! Is this all really due to the fact that we won't give you funds for your nut house? Are you really going to deny Malik a better, more fulfilling life due to a little excursion like this?!" Werner stepped forward, his voice growing louder.
"How dare you!" Mattias roared. "You insult me greatly! My love for my child is one without borders of any kind! He is all I have left now; of course I wish him happiness! But he cannot have that! His mind prevents it! What I mean when I say you cannot save Filgaia is that her people are damned forever to cause each other grief and loneliness! Not just Malik, who had his saintly mother taken from him, but all of the patients here at the institution have been forsaken by a brutal race. Your Council of Seven will do naught more but cause him more grief and despair! You may save the planet, but the people shall always possess a black heart! Malik needs a safe place where he will always be treated well!"
"The life of chains is not a dignified existence!" Werner said. "No matter how you rationalize it. Malik told us he wishes to help us, and you should pay attention to him! He's not crazy at all!"
"Your words speak volumes of lies, Dr. Maxwell. Malik is wanted nowhere." Mattias stated. "So he shall stay here, so help me Abram!"
"LOOK!" Koge shouted, stepping towards the hostile headmaster. "Malik doesn't want to stay here anymore! He wants to help Filgaia, like his Mom did! Her death apparently hurt both of you, but it looks like he's recovered more than you have!"
"You don't have a choice, Dr. Benedict. Hand his papers over." Duran sighed. "Or you'll be arrested for ignoring an executive order."
The four soldiers stepped closer. Mattias began to sweat. He stepped back a bit, his full height gone. "Black are the days that have come over us, when the tyrants have taken our children." Mattias closed his eyes. "This shall not be taken lightly. I shall fight it as far as I can."
"Does that mean you openly refuse?" Duran raised an eyebrow.
"…No. I shall have the papers sent to your home offices in Leyline." Mattias had caved in. "If you will excuse me, I shall have Malik brought to you."
Werner nodded and Mattias stepped behind the two doors he had stood before. The doors were closed, and the sense of tension had dissipated a little. Koge let out a sigh of relief and looked to her two superiors. "For a moment there, I thought he was going to stand his ground."
"Me too." Duran took out a handkerchief and wiped his brow. "At least we know now that without the executive order, we wouldn't have done it."
Werner turned and looked to Duran, a question on his features. "Speaking of executive orders, I thought only the President could issue those."
Duran shook his head. "The Department of Administrative Services is part of the Executive Branch. With Berlitz, Kaze, and Hill and their respective committees, President Grant probably heard it and sent out word. It's a National Crisis, remember?"
"Well, that would explain it." Koge rolled her eyes, pretending she had any concept of what they were talking about. Everyday, Werner was becoming a politician more and more. Well, as head of the Committee to Recruit Members for the Council of Seven (CREMECOS), she figured he had to (Even though the committee consisted of only two people.) "Still, what do we tell Malik?"
"We tell him everything he wants to know. He's a capable adult." Werner replied.
"Or so we'd like to think." Duran said.
The doors in which Mattias had escaped to earlier opened once again, revealing the disturbed doctor. He was a bit shaken and leaned upon the door for assistance. He looked to Werner, a bit of malice in his eyes. "They will bring him here to you shortly." It was then when Mattias fell to the floor. There was a second thud, as the walking stick hit the hard floor. Werner and Koge immediately stepped forward and got on the ground as Duran looked surprised.
"Dr. Benedict!" Koge shouted, grabbing his head.
"What the hell happened?" Werner asked as he geabbed Mattias' arm, checking to see a pulse.
"What in Abram's name is going on?!" Duran was bewildered.
"He's still alive." Werner commented.
"Wake up! What's wrong!?" Koge asked the doctor, but her shouts were falling upon deaf ears.
"This might be it!" A soldier said as he picked up a fallen bottle of pills. "We have to get this man to a hospitable!"
Koge looked to Werner, who nodded in agreement. "Right. Let's get him up!"
The four soldiers picked up Mattias and tried their best to get him in a relaxed position. Werner and Koge started off down the hall before them when Duran suddenly shouted. "Wait! What about Malik?!"
"Shit!" Werner cursed. "Duran! You'll have to stay here and wait for him!"
"Me?!" Duran was taken a back. "B-b-but I-"
"Please Sr. Feld?!" Koge pleaded.
Duran scared eyes looked to the ground. "A-all right. You go ahead. Get that man to a hospital."
"Hey Duran!" Werner shouted.
"What is it?" Duran looked back up.
"Thanks." Werner nodded.
"Yea…" Duran sighed as the six ran off downs the hall towards the elevator. Duran sat himself down upon a bench sitting along the hallway. The sounds of the running men and their effect on the surrounding staff soon disappeared, and Duran out his face in his palms.
The small hospital doors crashed open as the group of soldiers led by Werner and Koge soared in. It was a small, wooden waiting room where a few injured miners were sitting on a bench underneath a painting of the plains. The female nurse sitting behind the front desk stood up at once, eagerly wishing to know what the hell was going on.
Koge was the first to reach her. Short on breath due to a lot of running and horseback riding, the normal two and a half-hour trip was made in less than one. "W-we need… we need a doctor!" Koge breathed heavily.
The soldiers stood by, holding the unconscious body of Mattias as the nurse ran up. "Oh dear! What's wrong with the man!?"
"Hey took a few pills. These are the ones." Werner tossed the nurse the bottle.
The lady looked to the bottle, which was labeled 'Dr. Zanfinsky's Cure it all heart pills.' "Fe's is an understatement honey." She turned the bottle over and saw only three pills fall. "This is serious! Quickly! Follow me!"
Koge, Werner, and the soldiers started after the nurse through the swinging double doors and down the wooden hall. It wasn't a long hall, and soon (very soon), they stumbled into a check up room, where a young male doctor dressed in a yellow vest and a white apron splattered in blood. He was washing off a hacksaw in the sink when he looked to the panting group of distressed people. "What in the name of Ashley Winchester is going on?!"
"Doctor Kovahn! This man has overdosed on heart pills! They say he did it about an hour ago!" The nurse informed the doctor as she gave him the bottle.
The doctor analyzed the bottle, rubbing his square jaw. "Dr. Zanfinsky's huh? Shit, these things are some of the most potent things I've ever seen in my career." The soldiers laid Mattias on the bed and Dr. Kovahn checked the pulse. Faint, but still there. "Good Abram, what in the world would cause someone to take all of them at once?"
Koge looked to Werner, who looked to the floor. The nurse was practically leaping with anxiety. "Doctor! What can I get for you?!"
"We're going to have to do some bleeding. Get all the bad blood out, so get me some alcohol! We'll also need some anesthetics!" The doctor instructed.
"Right away sir!" The nurse then ran off to the supply quarters to attain the tools needed.
"I-is he going to be all right?" Koge asked, worried. She had never been responsible for the death of a man before. Well, maybe it wasn't true that SHE herself was responsible, but she was part of the overall effect.
"I don't know. Now, if you'll excuse me, this ill be a difficult and sensitive operation, so if you'll leave us…" Doctor Kovahn requested.
"Of course." Werner nodded before walking out with the soldiers, dragging Koge along with him.
Werner sat on a bench beside Koge, slumped over. The soldiers had gone for the night, but were told to be ready at a moments notice. He had his elbows on his thighs and he stared at the cactus plant sitting in a pot on the other side of the room. Over the moments, he and that cactus got to know each other rather well.
"Werner?" Koge finally broke the silence.
"…Yea Koge?" Werner replied, letting his thoughts wander from what the hell just happened to the squat cactus sitting before him.
"Do you… do you think that he meant to kill himself?" Koge asked.
"…I don't know. The thought of losing his son might just do that…"
"But he wasn't losing him! He was just letting him go! The shock of letting him go… maybe he just needed a heart pill, but took too many…"
"He was old enough for heart pills. Who knows how many pills Duran takes, but I don't know. Mattias was a strange man with a strange view on life. …I guess loss and grief can do that to someone. I just pray to Abram I, nor Ekatrina, or even Virginia will ever know that kind of loss…" Werner sighed.
"…" Koge sighed and turned her gaze from Werner's profile to the cactus. It was a squat, green cactus found out in the parts out near Dune Canyon. It seemed like a nice plant, not too big or tacky- if plants can be tacky. She shook her head and looked back to Werner's face. "…Virginia is your daughter, right?"
"That she is." Werner gave a small smile. "She should be approaching her third birthday soon."
Koge smiled. "She must be adorable."
"She has her mothers emerald eyes and my set of locks." Werner chuckled. "She sure is a cute baby."
"She must be."
"Well, maybe one day, you'll see her. Hopefully not too long from now.."
"I'd like that…." Koge smiled.
The footsteps of men echoed throughout the hallway. Duran looked up from his palms to see a few men coming his way. Namely a few guards and the blonde Malik Benedict, dressed in civilian clothing (a baje suit over a slightly tan vest and white button up shirt underneath them.). The man was smiling like a lark, for his day at redemption had come. However, the welcoming wagon he was expecting wasn't here. There was only Dr. Feld.
"Ah, Dr. Benedict." Duran stood up from the bench and dusted himself off. "How are you feeling today?"
"Well enough, Dr. Feld." Malik grinned. "Please, just call me Malik. For far too long, I've been confused with my father."
"Right then…" Duran looked to the corner of his eyes at the mention of Dr. Benedict senior.
"Well, is everything prepared? Where's Dr. Maxwell?" Malik questioned.
"Ah, well, yes, everything is prepared for you removal from this institution and re-admittance into society." Duran nodded. "Dr. Maxwell had to leave a bit earlier. You see, your father had a bit of an accident…"
"What kind of accident?" Malik raised an eyebrow.
Duran began to sweat. He didn't know how Malik would react to the news. "He, well, he seemed to have taken a few too many pills and passed out. Dr. Maxwell and the soldiers took him to the Little Rock hospital about an hour and a half ago. Everything should be all right! Really!"
"Well let's go! We have to see him at once!" Malik leaped up.
"But Malik! A-are you sure you're ready to go?" Duran asked, feeling something was a miss.
"Yes! Everything's ready to go!" Malik almost snapped. "We have to see my father!" The guards seemed antsy.
"Right. Well then, let's get going. There should be a carriage for us left in the courtyard."
The next morning… September, 1860
The sun was coming over the horizon, lighting the ton, the railroads, the mountainsides, and the small river and coastline in it's dim light. The encroaching sun poured through the waiting room window, covering the sleeping forms of Werner and Koge. Duran opened one eye as he rested in the chair near them. It had been a hectic night, full of surprises and dismay. The doctor was very pessimistic about Mattias' recovering in the early hours, but after Malik had arrived and began speaking to his father, Mattias' recovery was almost assured. Duran stood up and stretched. His old bones hurt after sleeping in a wooden chair. He saw Werner sleeping against the armrest on the bench, and Koge leaning against Werner, also in a slumber. Duran smiled at the sight. He then walked through the door and into the clinic room, where Mattias was resting on the bed and Mattias in a chair next to him.
"I wonder… if that boy knew what his father had planned for him…. But then, if he knew, somehow I doubt this morning would have turned out any different…" Duran thought aloud. The Benedict's had lost a key part of their life, and they only had each other to rely on through their disturbed days.
"Morning Duran…" Werner mumbled as he walked in, rubbing his eyes.
Werner turned back to see him. "Ah Werner. What a chaotic night we had, eh?"
"Chaotic is an understatement, Duran." Werner stated. "How's Malik?"
"He seemed well enough." Duran thought of the night before. "But should you ask about his father?"
"He'll pull through. He's got a son to live for, just as I have a daughter." Werner smirked.
"Well, at least I know if you were to ever overdose, I needn't worry." Duran grinned.
"You know…" Malik said with his eyes still closed, surprising the two other men in the room. "After what life I've lived, I wonder what Abram is doing up there and why he planned naught but hell for me… but sometimes…" Malik opened his green eyes and looked to his father. "Sometimes it turns out all right…"
Strangely enough, a small song came though the room. It sounded at first as if it were only one woman, but soon grew into a larger group of singers. Koge walked in. "There's something going on at the river down the road a bit. Sounds pretty."
"Duran, what day is it?" Werner looked to the older scientist.
"Sunday I believe." Duran replied.
Werner chuckled. "If Elliot were here for all this, he'd have a fit. In situations like these, it's hard to say Abram doesn't exist…"
Allison Kraus – Down in the River to Pray
As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good old way
And who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way !
O sisters let's go down,
Let's go down, come on down,
O sisters let's go down,
Down in the river to pray.
As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good old way
And who shall wear the robe and crown
Good Lord, show me the way !
O brothers let's go down,
Let's go down, come on down,
Come on brothers let's go down,
Down in the river to pray.
As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good old way
And who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way !
O fathers let's go down,
Let's go down, come on down,
O fathers let's go down,
Down in the river to pray.
As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good old way
And who shall wear the robe and crown
Good Lord, show me the way !
O mothers let's go down,
Let's go down, don't you want to go down,
Come on mothers let's go down,
Down in the river to pray.
As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good old way
And who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way !
O sinners let's go down,
Let's go down, come on down,
O sinners let's go down,
Down in the river to pray.
As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good old way
And who shall wear the robe and crown
Good Lord, show me the way !