A few minutes later, an ambulance was parked near the Heelers' house.
- The situation is not easy, - said one of the doctors, - Your husband has lost a lot of blood. It's hard to say yet whether he will live, but I'm afraid the chances are slim.
- Please do everything in your power, - said Chilli, - Without Bandit, our family is doomed...
- Don't worry, we will take him to Melbourne Central Hospital, there are real professionals working there.
- I would really like to believe... - Chilli answered, and then remembered something, - Wait, did you say to CENTRAL Hospital?
- Uhm... yes, - said the doctor, - Do you know this place?
- Tell me, please, does Mr. Foster still work as the head physician?
Chilli remembered the documents she'd found in the dresser.
- Hmm... If you're talking about Jeremy, I'm afraid not, he's been retired for three years. But his son, Nathan, works for us. But as a surgeon. Did you want to consult with Jeremy about something?
- Not really, - said Chilli, - 20 years ago my husband was registered at your hospital. From a psychotherapist. I would like to clarify some details from his examination.
The doctor thought about it.
- We have three psychotherapists. And everyone has been working with us almost since the last century. You know, there is such a shortage in the field of psychotherapy now. I think it's yours... Benedict?
- Bandit.
- Yes, Bandit. He must have been taken by one of them. You know what, come to us tomorrow. I can help you with this problem. I think we probably have your husband's personal file lying around. We'll look for him together.
- Thank you very much. That would be very helpful.
— Great. Then come tomorrow around 11 o'clock in the morning. I'll be waiting for you. My name is Anthony. But you can call me Mr. Edvardsson.
Chilli looked at the badge on the doctor's shirt.
- And why with two "s"?
- My dad is from Scandinavia.
- Oh, I get it. All right, Mr. Edvardsson, wait for tomorrow.
- Okay, goodbye! Your husband will be fine, I promise you!
The car set off. Chilly stood by the front door until the ambulance lights went out. And when the siren died down, Bluey came up to Chilli. She was completely broken.
- Mommy... - she asked in a sad little voice, - What would be next?
- I don't know, daughter. I think it's better not to think about it now.
- Mom, it's not Dad's fault, tell me that he will be fine.
- I know it's not his fault.
- But you shouted at him...
- I just didn't know the whole truth, - a smile appeared on Chilli's face, - but now I know everything, I have proof, and tomorrow I will try to save our dad... Before it's too late...
- Too late? What do you mean?
- I... I... I'll explain everything to you tomorrow. And now it's too late. Let's go to bed.
- I... can I stand here for a while?
- Mmm... Yes. Just for a little while, okay?
Chilli closed the door slightly, and Bluey was left alone.
It was dark on the small street where Heelers live. The street lamps were barely lit, only the moonlight made it possible to see the outlines of the houses.
In the distance, colorful lights of skyscrapers could be seen, the sounds of cars could be faintly heard. And nearby, the water in the bay was noisy.
Delving into what was happening, Bluey looked up, straight at the stars.
- Why do I need all this?.. -she asked softly and hoarsely, without turning her view away from the star sky. This question tormented her the most.
Suddenly she sobbed and began to cry again. Her eyes were red, almost blood-colored. She had never cried so many times in her life at one day. The day that was the worst in the Heeler family. The day that divided this family's life into "before" and "after"...
Bluey didn't sleep all night. Every time she tried to calm down and fall asleep, she had nightmares. In her head, the horrors she had endured in the morning were replayed again, but it looked much more terrible than it was in reality.
Bluey dreamed that she was walking through the forest in search of home, but all the trees were covered in blood, and instead of grass there were ugly white worms.
She dreamed that her dad was chasing her, but he was more like a monster, like SCP.
She again felt the pain that she had after the morning "fishing", but it was several times stronger.
As a result, Bluey woke up four times during the night, and got out of bed all the time, the pain in her ass was unbearable, it was impossible to sit.
The last time Bluey got up was at 9:15 a.m.
After that, she decided to go to the kitchen for breakfast, after going to the toilet.
The pain did not want to go away. Attempts to shit were accompanied by a headache, and sperm continued to be excreted from the body in considerable quantities, so Bluey smelled very unpleasant.
Before brushing her teeth, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes looked, to put it mildly, ugly. The redness only increased, huge bags were added, there were large black spots around the eyes. It felt like Bluey had been playing Peek-a-boo for hours in a row.
Scared of her own reflection, but still brushing her teeth and washing her hands, Bluey went into the living room. There she immediately drew attention to the table. There was a note there. Bluey took it and read:
"Went to the hospital to save Dad. I'll come to lunch and explain everything. Don't go anywhere, close all the doors and windows! Mom"
Realizing that only she and Bingo, who hadn't gotten up yet, were left at home, Bluey put the note down and went to the dresser. She wanted to find something to close her terrible eyes. Finally, she managed to find her Mom's sunglasses.
- It'll do, -Bluey said out loud, and looked at herself again. But her eyes didn't get any better. Bluey wanted to cry again, but quickly realized that she would only make it worse for herself. She put on Mom's glasses and calmed down.
- I need to make myself something for breakfast, -Bluey, who hadn't eaten yet, said, -If only I don't get my imagination running wild again.
After a short search, she took a couple of waffles, poured honey over them, and additionally poured herself orange juice.
Bluey began to eat, and she even felt calmer. The pain was no longer particularly felt, and the mood from the delicious food rose.
* Meanwhile*
While Bluey was enjoying breakfast, Chilli was on her way to Melbourne Central Hospital (aka St. Vincent's Hospital). She needed to find out what her husband was hiding. When she arrived, Mr. Edvardsson, as promised, was waiting for her at the entrance.
- Hello, Mrs. Hiller! - he saw her.
- Good morning, Anthony, -Chilli replied.
Chilli and Anthony did not look for the right doctors for long, after a few minutes they were standing outside the psychotherapy room. They were lucky that there was no queue.
- Wait a bit, -Anthony said, -I'll let they know you're here.
Chilli agreed.
Anthony entered the room and closed the door.
Chilli looked at the sign on the door:
"Department of Psychotherapy. Days and hours of reception:
Mrs. Werner - Monday, Thursday;
9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Mr. Stroganov - Tuesday, Friday;
9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Mrs. Myers - Wednesday, Saturday;
9:30 a.m. - 16:30 p.m.
Looking at the date on the phone (April 29, 2025, it was Tuesday), Chilli realized that most likely she would have to talk to Mr. Stroganov. A minute later, the room door opened. Anthony came out.
- Mr. Stroganov is ready to see you.
- Okay, -Chilli said, and went into the room.
The psychotherapy room was the same as everything else - white walls, brown wardrobe and table, white bed.
Not far from the door, a rather elderly Siberian Husky was sitting at a table. On his gilded badge in black letters was written
"Ivan Stroganov. Head of Department of psychotherapy"
- Mmm... Hello, -Chilli said uncertainly, she rarely visited hospitals.
Mr. Stroganov looked away from the table in the direction of the newcomer.
- Good moRning, Mrs. Heeler, -he replied timidly, but with an accent, -Have a seat.
Chilli slowly walked over to the table and sat down on a nearby chair.
- Tell, -the doctor said.
- Doctor, here's the thing, - Chilli began, - 20 years ago my husband was registered with you... or maybe not with you... I recently found some documents and...
- YouR husband full name, - the doctor interrupted her.
Chilli shuddered slightly.
- B... Bandit Heeler... Oh, no, I'm sorry... Bandit Harrington.
Mr. Stroganov abruptly got up from his chair.
- Harrington?!
- Uh... yes...
- ARe you Bandit Harrington wife?!
- Uhm... yes... What's wrong?
- WHAT'S WRONG??? - the doctor was indignant, - YouR husband is a sick psycho! He wasn't just registered with us, we were going to take him to a mental hospital! This is one of ouR most inadequate patients! And wait... We foRbade him to marry!
Chilli was in a stupor from what she heard.
- Doctor, this can't be true. I don't believe what you're saying!
- DON'T BELIEVE?! - Mr. Stroganov was even more surprised, - Maybe you're crazy too?
- Hey, I will ask you not to get personal! - Chilli replied, - I work at the airport, and we are strict with this, you know!
- Hmm, well, yes, - the doctor agreed, - Mrs. WeRner often trains pilots here. And she, by the way, is ouR most important specialist.
- So what about my husband? -Chilli continued.
- Oh, yes, that monsteR! - Mr. Stroganov trembled.
- A MONSTER?
- Yes, yes, a Real monsteR! If you only knew what he was doing when he was brought to us!
- Show me his personal file.
- Oh, yes, of couRse.
Mr. Stroganov went to the closet and opened the lower door. There were several personal files lying there, obviously not new.
- The most dangeRous patients "lie" heRe, - the doctor said, - So that no one knows how stupid and scary dogs were registered with us. Okay, Dawson, Newman, Staunton... Aha, heRe he is!
Mr. Stroganov took out Bandit's dust-covered personal file.
Chilli opened the folder. There were photos, referrals to various psycho dispensaries, several papers, the same as Chilli's.
She began to read diagnoses:
"communicates with external forces", "mentally unstable",
"split personality" ...
Then Chilli began to look at photos. They depicted Bandit, only young. He looked pretty scary, had bruises under one eye, then under other; there was blood on his face, it was unclear whether it was his or not. The hands that sometimes got into the frame were also bloody.
After looking at all this, Chilli closed the folder.
- Well, Mrs. Heeler, aRe you convinced of my words? - Mr. Stroganov asked.
- Well... Partly. Yes, he was crazy sometimes, was like a kid, but we have children, and we need to play with them. Probably this made him behave strangely.
- Well, yes, it's logical... -the doctor thought.
- But he never did that to me personally. With me he was quite adequate.
- And this is completely noRmal, - Mr. Stroganov reassured Chilli, - Even the most psychotic animals can be adequate in relation to those they love.
- What do you want to say? - Chilli was slightly surprised.
- And what's not cleaR heRe? - the doctor replied, - It has long been proven by all world sciences that love can change any animal beyond recoGnition, youR husband can be crazy, but if he is calm towards you, then eveRything is obvious. Besides, you pRobably live togetheR, right? He sees you every day, and that's why he doesn't fly off the rails...
Chilli's smile disappeared in a moment.
- Yes, Mr. Stroganov, you're right, but yesterday he just flew off... A little...
- What? In what sense? - Mr. Stroganov was surprised.
- He raped his own daughter yesterday... and mine, too.
Mr. Stroganov's hair stood on end.
- Say that again!
And just like Bluey, Chilli told the doctor what happened yesterday. Not only about the rape, but also about the suicide attempt.
The doctor listened attentively to every word and could not find a place for himself.
- Mrs. Heeler, I'm shocked! He's never stooped to that! And how about youR daughteR?
- Well... How can I tell you... -Chilli began.
- Not anotheR word! - Mr. Stroganov interrupted her again, - Everything is clear.
- What is clear? -Chilly asked.
- WHAT IS CLEAR?! -Mr. Stroganov asked loudly, -YOUR DAUGHTER MUST BE SAVED!
Okay, tell me youR address, I'll come to you today, I need to talk to youR Bully.
- Bluey.
- Yes, yes, I'm sorry. ADDRESS!
Chilli told Mr. Stroganov her home address, and then asked:
- And what should I do?
- And you will go with me, - the doctor answered, - MoRe precisely, I will go with you. You'Re driving, aren't you?
- Yes, and how did you find out?
- By the poweR of thought.
- Really?
- No! You have a house a few blocks from heRe, you'd walk the hell out. Don't ask stupid questions!
Chilli and Mr. Stroganov got into the car and drove to Heelers' house.
*Some time later, the Heelers' house*
Bluey was sitting in the living room watching TV. She hadn't taken off her glasses since morning. Her condition was still not important. At that moment, the doorbell rang.
Bluey, as her mother asked, closed all the doors with locks, and being brought up, asked when she came to the door:
- Who's there?
- Bluey, it's Mom, open up.
Bluey opened the door. Chilli and Mr. Stroganov were standing on the threshold.
- Why are you wearing glasses? - Mom asked her daughter.
- Uh... You shouldn't know that...
Chilli took Bluey's glasses off.
- Well, and what's wrong? -she asked.
Bluey was surprised and ran to the mirror. The eyes were fine. Still a little red, but already much better than in the morning.
Bluey's mood lifted.
- Mom, who is this with you?
- Hello, Bluey, - said the doctor, - I'm a psychologist, my name is Mr. Stroganov. We need to talk. You don't mind?
End of part 3
