Chapter 1-Descent into mad territory
Third POV
One might think that Evelyn would be ready to the sight that was the Mangled Mermaid. After all her mother had been one of the workers there. Yet, nothing could calm the mind of this young child who was entering into a world way sooner than she needed to.
Yet, this place would be her new home. Hand in hand with her new caretaker, Evelyn's sobs ceased the moment she settled her eyes on the establishment. The Mangled Mermaid was a two-story black-and-white building which faced the docks, with a courtyard in the back. Over the front door, there was a wooden swing sign bearing the establishment's name, and a statue of a corpse-like mermaid.
The only thing probably helping her see some positivity in this whole situation was the fact that this place was way bigger than her old house. Before, they lived in a small single room shack in the slums. It was small but it had been the only house she knew. Not anymore…
Soon as they reached the entrance, many familiar faces were there to meet them. Ladies of the night as her mother had been, that were a mother figure for her and her brother when Katherine "forgot" to come home.
Pitiful smiles and sorrowful tears fell out of the women's eyes. Arms that opened widely to comfort her, seeked her out: "Oh, you wee thing. Com'ere."-a brunette said. Eve who seeked the comfort of a mother that she never had, ran to her arms as the others soon joined in on the hug.
She might have no mother nor brother anymore, but she had many older sisters. Yes, sisters, because most of them were probably on their teens. The life in the slums was hard for everyone and some young girls resorted to selling their bodies to survive. Not Evelynn. She promised herself, that she would never resort to that life. No matter what.
She dried her tears and climbed out of the lap of the woman comforting her: "Am I going to stay here?"-she asked in a small voice. The women looked among themselves and Nan grasped her by the shoulders: "Why of course, dearie! Katherine was one of us. And we take care of our own."
The auburn-haired girl nodded slowly and then looked up: "Then I wish to help with anything possible. May it be cleaning or cooking, I can do it!" They chuckled at the young girl's enthusiasm and ushered her inside: "Why a pair of extra hands are never enough! I admire that enthusiasm of yours, Evie! Never lose it."-Nan said as they sat in the bar around a table.
Evelyn jumped to try to climb to a bench, but it seemed really tall in comparison to her small malnourished build. One of the young women tried to sit her up, but Eve managed to, by herself: "Thank you, but I can manage."
They looked among themselves and then Nan said: "Well, I have something you might like." Evelyn nodded in confusion as she saw the voluptuous lady enter a room behind the bar.
Some minutes later, she appeared with a wide box wrapped in a green ribbon. The group around her cheered, yet Evelyn did not know the reason of so much excitement. Her caretaker crouched next to her and offered her the box: "This was supposed to be a birthday gift for you and one for… your brother as well. But you desperately need it, after all you went through."
At the mention of her lost half, tears ran down her cheeks. She felt like he should be the one here, not her. He was always much more brave and tough than her. She was Evelyn, the demure and curious Evelyn. Yet, that had to change. Even if she felt like she was missing a part of her, she had to go on. That's what he would want.
Drying up her tears, she drew a small smile and looked at Nan: "Thank you…auntie." They ushered her to open the box and so she did. As she unravelled the chiffon wrapping, she saw green fabric.
When she finished unveiling her gift, she gasped. It was a beautiful deep green velvet dress with long sleeves, ruffles at the end of the skirt, a white frilled collar, and a black ribbon around it. To complement it she had white knitted stockings and black mary janes.
She teared up at the gift. She never had been offered such a thoughtful gift. And how lovely this one was. It certainly could not be for her, right? She had to know: "Are these for me?"-she asked with a trembling voice.
They nodded and she hugged it to her chest: "Thank you so much. I never…" Nan patted her head and smiled: "Don't mention it, but first you need a bath, young lady." And off they went to the bathroom, where they filled a wooden tub and washed the girl off any grime or blood she had.
While they washed her hair, they gossiped and whispered soft words of comfort to her: "Your hair is so pretty! I bet you'll be a ravishing beauty when you grow up."
The poor girl who was only skins and bones blushed like a button at all the attention. Beauty was either the worst or the best thing a woman could have in their living conditions. Men were wolves and women like them were like lambs for the slaughter. Yet, during that moment she let the compliments and soft brushes wash away her fears and anxieties.
After a long bath and a good old scrubbing, Evelyn looked like a new person. Her "sisters" had brushed her auburn locks in two low ponytails and with her new outfit it seemed almost like she was a fine young lady.
And as she watched herself in the mirror for the first time, she felt dread overtake her small soul. Behind her, on her reflection, the usual shadows she saw daily were now full body spirits.
Each one with gory injuries from a woman with gangrene on her left arm to a man with a noose around his neck. Poor souls who suffered so much. And for the first time, Evelyn faked a smile to reassure her new caretakers. They must not know, or they will send her to the looney bin. That's what her mother always threatened her and her brother with.
A voice broke her out of her thoughts: "So, how do you feel?"-Nan asked. Evelyn looked at her new "spiritual friends" and drew a wide fake smile: "…Like a whole new girl."
Time skip
Some hours later…
Evelyn POV
After a hearty stew and cleaning the dishes, my sisters took me upstairs to make my sleeping arrangements. Funny, I had never seen women so excited to have a child to cuddle up to them. All of them wanted me as their roommate.
I do understand why. These women who were used to a life of rough hands and of being used like toys, missed having someone pure or who wanted to give them affection without any ill intention.
It is so sad. As I kept pondering over this, it was decided by Nan that I would share the room with her until I grow up. Since she was the owner, few men dared to enter her room and therefore was one of the safest in the building.
They whined at her order but acknowledged that it would be best for me. And off we went hand in hand to her bedroom. It was quite big in comparison to the one we lived in with our mother. The bed was also quite large, most possibly to accommodate Nan and one of her clients when needed.
She offered me a small white nightgown and helped me with brushing my hair. Then she laid me on one side, and she laid on the other. She petted my hair and whispered: "Don't worry, sweetheart. Rest now, tomorrow will be a new day." I nodded and closed my eyes. Eventually, I fell asleep, exhausted from all the trauma and pain I went through.
Yet, every time I fell deeper into my sleep I saw them: my mother's bloody corpse reaching out for me and telling me it was my fault, my brother being taken by the demon and the demon himself smirking down on me. Then it worsened when I saw myself in the dream surrounded by demons and spirits enclosing on me: "It was your fault… It should have been you…"-they whispered with their claws reaching out for me.
"No, please! Don't hurt me...! No!"-I screamed and woke up by someone shaking me violently, it was Nan who looked concerned at me: "Oh child, it's okay. Shh, shh. You are safe here." I sobbed in her arms and so we spent the entire night like that. I tried to find some comfort in her, but it seemed like everything was going to be worst from now on. I need to be strong or I will not make it.
Time skip
A week later…
After some days to try to recollect myself, there I was in the kitchen washing the dishes and making some small dishes to serve to the clients. Nan said I was safer in the kitchen until the clients leave. Then I saw Nan rushing into the kitchen with a basket: "Evie, dear. Get me some apples, tea and sandwiches to go."
I nodded and readied them quite fast, she seemed concerned: "Auntie, where are you heading off to? You seem…worried." She looked at me and nodded: "Do you remember me telling you and your brother about the Liddell's?"
Nodding at her, I wiped my hands on the apron I had: "Yes, auntie. That poor family lost to flames. I heard the boy survived, right?" Nan wiped a tear from her cheek and then drew a small smile: "Well, he is in the asylum now. He became catatonic after his recovery from the burns. Poor Alexander, I'm going to visit him, now."
Oh, the poor boy. He must have felt awful, being the only survivor and all. I understand him completely, I wish I could help him somehow. Maybe I can... "Auntie, can I go with you? He looks like he needs a friend."
Her eyes opened widely at my request: "Don't be silly. You are too young for a place like that." I stood up with my hands on my waist: "And he is not? He needs someone his own age to give him company."
Nan sighs and takes my brown winter coat from behind her back: "I feared you might say that, so I brought you your jacket."- I smiled innocently and quickly dressed myself and washed my hands: "Then what are we waiting for, auntie?" She shook her head amusingly and took my hand: "Kids these days…"
And off we went to Rutledge Asylum, the place my mother always threatened us with. Sorry Nan, but I feel like this boy needs my help.
Time skip
Half an hour later…
The moment we reached there; it was like I wanted to puke. I felt the tension and the suffering from the people in there. That and the welcome committee of spirits waiting for me at the door. (Calm down, Evelyn. They cannot harm you. You should pity them, not fear them.)
I took a deep breath and ignored them, trying to focus on the building's architecture instead of them. It was a brick structure in both walls and roofs and was surrounded by a tall iron fence. The fence had small spikes aligning its top, possibly to discourage escapees from climbing. There was a brick path leading to the main building, where the other buildings were connected to each side. The front yard was unkempt as the grass are left untrimmed and the trees lack life.
They probably built it like this to spread fear on the people seeing it. Almost like a warning «if you act out of line, this is where you're going to be sent» It gave me the chills, but luckily there was an aged gentleman at the door, dressed with white scrubs. (He must be a doctor, probably.)
Nan pulled me out of my thoughts and took me to the man waiting for her at the entrance: "Miss Sharpe, right on time. Is she yours?"-he asked. I peaked from behind her skirt: "Good afternoon, Doctor Wilson. No, this is Evelynn Whitlock, my protegee."
He looked me up and down and smiled pitifully: "Oh, the Whitlock child. Poor thing, you must have seen awful things while your mother and brother were killed by a madman." At his words I receded even deeper into her skirt. (I do not like him. He is too insensitive for his own good.)
Still, I had to put a strong front for Nan's sake. I revealed myself to him and did a small curtsy: "Pleasure to meet you, sir. I am fine now. I have Nan and my sisters to keep me company." He nodded slowly like he didn't believe me, but he quickly shrugged it off: "Likewise, Miss Whitlock. Well, let us not keep poor Alexander waiting. It will do him some good to see a familiar face."-he looked at Nan and she grasped my hand tightly.
"Yes, let's. Evie, do not let go of my hand."- I nodded and then the doctor took us through white pristine hallways, with only the moans and groans of the mad, keeping us company.
Then we finally reached a small white room with a thick metal door. On it said Alexander Liddell. The doctor opened the door with a key and then we entered behind him.
The room seemed like a normal hospital room. It had a bed, a small desk, and a window. However, the window was barred, and the bed had belt straps to prevent the patient from escaping.
The doctor entered ahead and made some check ups on the patient: "Good afternoon, Alexander. You have visits today." The boy didn't budge from his place and didn't answer. (Poor boy, he really is suffering.)
Nan, who knew him already, smiled at the ten-year-old boy and placed the basket with food on top of the bedside table: "Hello, Alex. Still quiet as always, are you not?" For some reason I felt shyer than usual, so I stood by the door. I hadn't seen him yet; I only saw a mound on the bed and a stuffed bunny by his side. Nan noticed me and ushered me: "Come on, Evie. He does not bite. Come meet him."
"Actually, he sometimes does, Miss Sharpe."-the doctor said. She glared at the man and he swallowed dry: "He is a child, Dr. Wilson. Not a beast." He nodded and I took small steps towards them.
As soon as I reached the bed, I gasped. He looked so sad. Laid on the bed was a raven-haired boy with locks which reached his neck. His sickly pale complexion made his emerald green eyes pop out, no matter how empty they looked. He had grey scrubs; his wrists had angry red self-harm marks and he seemed really thin.
All this made me tear up, he also had survivor's guilt like me. I never resorted to cutting myself because I was watched by Nan on a regular basis. That and it would probably disappoint my brother if he could see me right now.
At that moment I had only one thought on my mind: I wanted this boy to be happy once more. And I would try my hardest for that to happen. I approached him and did a small curtsy, drawing my kindest smile: "Pleasure to meet you, Alexander. I hope we can be great friends in the future."
Yet, the moment I raised my head I saw something that no one was expecting to see. As soon as I ended my introduction, Alex turned his head towards me and muttered: "…A-alex."
I was shocked, but not as shocked as Nan and D. Wilson were. The boy rarely spoke and when he did, it was feverish gibberish. "Interesting…If I may Miss Sharpe, could you bring your protegee with you, next time you visit? It seems Alex reacts to her; it may be from the close age span. Still, could you?"
I looked at Nan: "Would you like that, Evie?" Looking at the boy, once more, I nodded: "Yes, I would love to!" Then I sat on the chair next to the bed and lifted the basket with food to my lap: "You must be starving. Would you like a sandwich?"-I asked him, but I only received curious stares from the bedridden boy.
Noticing his lack of words, I get an apple and take a knife. (Perhaps something lighter.) I peel the red apple and slice it into pieces. Taking off a piece, I place it next to his mouth: "Want a piece? You need to eat to grow big and strong. Then you will be able to leave this place in no time!"
I heard a snicker behind me, probably Nan cooing over my innocence. I know that it was not easy, but why should mad people be considered bad? I see stuff that no one would believe me if I told them. Did that make me a bad person? Of course not! So if I was also mad as this boy was, why should he be treated like he was a fiend?
I am going to help him! Then when he gets well, I can show him around London. Show him everything he has missed while he was in recovery. Yes, that is exactly what I am going to do, or my name is not Evelynn Whitlock!
Then as if he signed the contract I had went over mentally, Alex took a bite of the apple I had offered him. I cheered up at the prospect of him responding and I quickly offered him slice by slice: "Yes, I have more if you want! Eat up, eat up!"
I heard a gasp of admiration and a chuckle behind me: "That is just like Evie! Trying to nurture every poor soul she meets." Alex ate up the apples ravenously and then I offered him a bowl of tea because we forgot cups. Since he couldn't drink laid down, I reached very slowly to his upper back to lift him.
He watched me attentively, as if he expected me to hurt him but I offered him a soft smile instead: "Shh, I am just lifting you a little so that you can drink the tea we brought." Then his gaze softened, and he let himself be lifted. Then I gave him the tea to drink up.
I wiped any tea dripping down his lips and sat myself again. He laid once more and seemed a little more present. Then he closed his eyes and fell asleep, I covered him with his blanket and patted his forehead very lightly so that I wouldn't disturb him.
When I turned towards the adults in the room, they were in awe at what I had done: "How did you…? We had so much trouble with feeding him and you just did it like that! What is your secret?"-the doctor asked surprised.
I glared at him and said: "Treat him like a sick person, not like a criminal." (That ought to shut you up, Mr. «your family died very gruesomely and yet you survived. »)
And that was the first time I had met Alex, my childhood friend. The one who would be my hope and also my doom.
Chapter I - End