Yaaay! Finally an Update after months! I recently had a friend read this and he told me he loved it, so it really motivated me to keep going. I've already started chapter five. And for those who saw the wacky document I posted yesterday, I'm sorry. I tried uploading it on my phone. Oh well. It's fixed! Yay!
Please enjoy for there will be more coming soon!
Linda woke up, still in her uniform. She shivered slightly from the cool morning air since she didn't have any blankets covering her body. The memory of Jeremy carrying her to her room instantly appeared in her head. She rubbed her eyes and looked at her clock. She still had an hour till she had to get up and get ready. She felt her throat, it being slightly sore from Trager's firm grip. She questioned Trager. He didn't want to kill her. His grip wasn't enough to choke her. All he wanted to do was make her listen. Not harm her. She didn't trust Trager at all. But what he told her seemed pretty convincing. Of course, he had more experience about this place than she did. But there's a reason he's now a patient. She sat up, and stared at the floor. Contemplating if she even belonged there. Her thoughts were interrupted by the short knock on her door.
"Come in," she said. Jeremy walked through.
"Are you alright? How are you feeling?" he asked, closing the door behind him.
"Yes, I'm fine. My neck is a little sore though, from Trager," she told him, rubbing her neck in discomfort. Jeremy gave an unsatisfied look.
"Did he hurt you that much?" he asked, with slight anger but more concern than yesterday.
"No, actually. I could tell he wasn't trying to kill me. His grip was too loose. He just stopped me from screaming," she said with confidence.
"Are you sure? By now, you should know Trager has killed a woman before," he said, pulling out the small desk stool and sat in front of her.
"Of course. Yes, I was terrified at the moment, but I knew he wasn't trying to kill me."
"What did he tell you?" he asked. Linda didn't want to tell Jeremy. She knew how his temper gets and telling him that Trager said he's using her would only spark his anger for him more.
"He just told me I shouldn't trust this place," she paused. "And that I shouldn't trust you," she told him.
"No, you're right. I haven't been completely honest with you, Linda," he confessed.
"What do you mean?" she asked, confused.
"This place isn't exactly all that great, Linda."
"How so?"
Jeremy got up from the desk stool and slowly walked to the window. Staring down at the courtyard, he said, "Mount Massive Asylum has been-" he stopped mid sentence. "... failing to achieve progress with the patients," he lied. Jeremy realized Linda wasn't quite ready for the truth because he was afraid of what she'd think of him. Linda slightly noticed his change in his sentence, but only felt like she needed to reassure him that everything was fine. She got up and put a comforting hand on his shoulder
"Jeremy, I think this place is doing the best it can to help the patients. That's all that matters," she assured him. Jeremy looked back, a sad expression still on his face.
"I understand that, but it means we're not doing our job and that patients won't be able to reenter the world," he replied.
Linda thought for a moment. "Then I'll work extra hours to help with the patients. Help them regain their mental state. It won't be a trouble at all."
"You sure you could do that?" he asked, turning to face her.
"Of course I can," she smiled. This made Jeremy relaxed more.
"Well Linda, thank you. You have no idea how much this will mean to me and the company. We are forever grateful," he said, turning to leave. "So you'll start as early as tomorrow, then."
"Of course," she smiled once more before Jeremy left. This made her happy. Excited, even. She's going to start making a difference here and fulfil her purpose. She took a shower and got dressed. Walking to her office, she was greeted by a few coworkers as usual, but some have been staring at her and whispering to one another.
"Look, there she is. The girl who was stupid enough to trust Trager. How could she be idiotic enough to trust that sick animal?" a man said, watching her walk by with his coffee in one hand and a stack of files in the other. "What's her name?"
"Dr. Linda Hart. I wouldn't complain. This is the first woman we've both seen in months since you and I both know we're not allowed to leave," the other man replied, standing next to him holding his cup of coffee. "Besides, she's kinda hot."
"Aren't you married?" the first man asked.
"Yeah, but you understand. We haven't seen a woman at all here. Not while we worked here. My wife would never find out anyway," he replied.
"Whatever, let's get to work," the man said before they both walked in the opposite direction from Linda. She arrived at her office and sat at her desk. She pulled out the file containing the list of patients. Skimming through the the names, she passes a very familiar name that she's been putting off for a while.
Case Number: 196
Patient: EDDIE GLUSKIN
Consultation Dated: 2013.06.09
Initial Date of Patient Consult: 2013.02.14
Mental Disorders: None
Patient Age: 46
Gender: Male
Observing Psychologist: Dr. Linda Hart
Reason at Mount Massive: Killed and mutilated many women
NOTES: Has begun to have lucid dreams.
"Lucid dreams?" she thought. She didn't understand why having lucid dreams was so important to document but she just went with it. She was also greatly concerned about the murders of women, so she was going to be extremely cautious. She immediately grabbed her keys and headed out. Once she opened the door, she was greeted by the same two officers from Billy's appointment.
"Good morning, Dr. Hart. We're sure you know why we're both here," the first officer said.
"Yes, of course I do. Just please don't interfere unless I say so. This is my appointment after all," she said with a hint of displeasure in it.
"I'm sure we can manage," the second officer said, before Linda brushed them aside to finally get the to male ward. With the officers behind her, Linda walked to to male ward and opened the gate. Linda decided not to use handcuffs this time because she believed it was only needed for people like Trager and she didn't think Eddie was like that. Passing the other cells, she slowed her pace when she met Trager's cell. He was sitting in the corner of his bed, with his hands on his knees in his normal position. Trager didn't say anything to her. Not even change the bland expression on his face. All he did was stare at her as she walked by. Eddie was laying on his bed, staring at the ceiling and humming to himself. One of the officers slammed his fist against the bars to interrupt Eddie.
"No singing!" The officer shouted.
"Why can't he?" Linda questioned. Finding any reason would be absurd.
"It's Blaire's orders. He doesn't want any of the patients getting distracted," the second officer said.
"Whatever for?" She asked, obviously annoyed. The officers both looked at each other for a second.
"It is not our reason to tell," the first officer stated.
"Fine, I'll ask Jeremy myself," she said. She glanced back at Eddie who was now sitting upright on his bed, staring at the small scene they were causing in more confusion than annoyance. "Hello, Eddie," Linda smiled. Eddie's face immediately lit up.
"Good morning Dr Hart," he greeted.
"Please, just call me Linda. I'm here to start our appointment today," she said, grabbing her keys.
"How wonderful!" he said with glee. Eddie stood up, his large height, towering over the three of them. This frightened the officers slightly and took a step back, their hands on their tasers.
"Officers, please. There's no need for that," Linda said calmly, hoping it didn't phase Eddie. But it didn't phase him at all. Eddie was patiently awaiting Linda to open the gate, like a civil human being. He paid no mind to the officers. The officers relaxed and Linda finally opened the cell door. Eddie slowly walked out, not making any sudden movements.
"Shall we head out, then?" Eddie asked.
"Of course. This way," she replied. Eddie followed Linda while the guards trailed behind him, making sure he didn't do anything. They walked down the halls, receiving a few glances from fellow coworkers. She opened her office and let Eddie walk in with the guards right behind him. He sat down in the lounge chair and Linda took her seat. Before starting, Linda didn't want the guards breathing down Eddie's neck and making him uncomfortable.
"Could you both sit behind me instead?" she asked them. They looked at each other and nodded. They stood behind Linda with their arms folded. Not moving an inch. Like statues. Linda brought out her folder and found Eddie's file.
"Have you ever been to a psychologist before?" she asked.
"Yes, many times. When I was a child," Eddie replied.
"Why's that?" she asked, fiddling with her pen.
Eddie paused slightly and sighed. "My mother passed when I was young. So it was only my father and I. He abused me. Raped me. Told me my mother never loved me. My uncle was the same way," he stopped.
"Eddie, it's okay. I'm here to help you. It's my job to make sure your well being is at its best," she assured him with the brightest smile. This made Eddie feel a little more at ease. "I know this is hard for you. So take your time."
"Thank you, Darling," he said, smiling back at her. "They wanted to make it seem like it isn't their fault. They also wanted to be in the same room so I wouldn't tell them the truth," he said slightly getting angry.
"So, do you think any of these psychologists helped in any way?" she asked, intrigued. He chuckled.
"Of course not. They never addressed the real problem. I was quiet and kept to myself each session," he sighed.
"When did you stop going to your psychologists?"
"After I killed my uncle and father," he grinned. Linda completely paused. Like she was frozen in time.
"I'm sorry, after what?" she asked in disbelief, having the slightest bit of hope that she heard him wrong.
"I was young, small, and weak. I couldn't do anything to them while they were conscious. So I waited until they were asleep. And I set the house on fire. I had to make it look like an accident of course. So I used a small candle and placed it under the curtain and watched them burn alive," the grin not leaving his face. He was ranting about this to the ceiling while lying on the lounge chair, like he was discussing the happiest moment in his life. He wasn't able to see the terrified look on Linda's face. She felt so uneasy, she started to feel sick.
"What did you do after that?" she asked, worried about his next answer, her hand shivering slightly as she writes down her data.
"Since no one believed it was me, I was placed in foster homes. I misbehaved and hurt the other children, I felt like I never belonged so at 16, I ran away to fend for myself. Things were moving roughly, until I found a girl my age in the same situation. She had ran away from her parents because they were forcing her to do things she never wanted," he stated.
"What was her name?" Linda suddenly asked. This made Eddie pause for a second.
"... Her name was Annabelle. Sounds like a name from a children's book. But it suited her nicely. We crossed paths and agreed to help each other. We were inseparable since then."
"What happened after that, Eddie?" she asked. He stopped, looking at her for a second. Debating if he should answer.
"She died not too long after that," he sighed. "We were staying in an old abandoned motel. She wanted to go home. She missed her family. She wanted to leave me," he said while tightening his fists. "I told her she couldn't go. She had to stay with me because I loved her. She didn't even care. She tried leaving but I kept her."
Linda couldn't help but just listen. She could somewhat tell where this was going.
"After she tries leaving, I kept her locked in the bathroom. She kept… screaming and banging on the door. I couldn't let anyone hear her," he said, his voice becoming shaky.
"I came in, telling her to shut that where mouth of hers. She didn't listen and kept yelling and trying to escape. So I had to shut her mouth. I put her in a head lock and covered her mouth with my hand. The slut just kept trying to scream," he started getting really angry.
"I didn't know my hand was over her nose as well. She kept clawing at my hands but I just wanted her to shut the hell up. When she stopped moving, I realized what I've done and it was too late." Eddie started to let out small cries like this story was too hard for him to tell.
"What did you do after that?" she asked, not taking her pen off the paper.
"I held her in my arms for hours. Trying to wake her up. But she didn't move or breathe. So I had to leave her and go on my own. I spent most of my life on the run. Looking for the perfect girl to run away with," he said, no longer having any emotion. "No woman wanted to leave with me so I had to force them and take them. When they refused to cooperate, I killed them. Didn't want anyone hearing them. But none of them her like Annabelle."
Linda glanced at the clock, noticing it was five minutes past the end of their session but she didnt want to stop just yet.
"When did you get caught?" she suddenly asked.
He paused, holding his breath. "After I kidnapped my 36th woman. I was about 40 when this happened. She escaped before I had a chance to try to do anything to her. She made me believe she wanted to be with me so ask let my guard down and we slept in the same bed. Not chains or ropes to keep her bounded. She slipped out through the night and told the police. Next thing I knew, my door was bashed through and I was arrested," he said. His facial expressions not mochanging.
"I was uncooperative and they gave up on me and sent me to Mount Massive and now here we are," he said, letting out a sigh.
Linda almost forgot about the two guards sitting behind her. She didn't want to ask any questions that will make them disrupt her session but this is her job.
"What can I go to make you more comfortable in here, Eddie?" she asked. This confused both Eddie and the guards.
"Well, I do like music. Old music," he smiled.
"What kind?" she asked.
"Like old records. I love the feeling I get, hearing the scratching and the adequate audio."
"What's your favorite song, then? I'm sure I can pull a few strings to get a record player in here," she smiled. The guards look at each other and let out a small laugh like what she's saying is crazy.
"I Want a Girl, by American Quartet. That is the one that makes me smile every time," he grins at the thought.
Linda smiles, making her new task to get a record player. She doesn't believe Eddie was born a psychopath. He's just had a bad childhood that no one could notice or even try to fix. She thinks she can help him become a better person and for him to find a woman who accepts his past and wants to be with him.
Once their session was over, Eddie returned to his cell and Linda was utterly satisfied with the progress she has made today and has decided to tell Jeremy about it.
She excitedly walks to his office and knocks on his door.
"Yes? Come in!" he yells from inside. She enters.
"Oh, it's you Linda. Have a seat," he says. Once she's comfortable, he asks for her reason of being here suddenly.
"I would just like to tell you the progress I've made on one of your patients," she smiled.
"Alright. Which one?" he asked.
"Eddie Gluskin."
"Oh, really?" he asked.
"Yes, I believe he just has a traumatizing past and that whatever he's done and is doing isn't because he is a psychopath. I think he can really be rehabilitated," she says, grinning.
Jeremy paused. Like somehow, he didn't like what she had said. "How do you know he can be rehabilitated so easily?" he asked, standing from his chair.
"Well, he seems to have-" she was interrupted.
"Have you seen the amount of women he has murdered? He's been doing more than that. He was mutilating their bodies. Dressing them up as his own little dolls," he raises his voice.
"He's had a traumatic past!" she exclaims.
"That is no excuse for the terrible things he has done. He kidnaps women, and brutally murders them and plays with their bodies. This man has no morals, Linda! He is insane and he has to be here!" he yells.
"Why don't you give your patients the chance!" she gets up. "You never have any hope for these poor people. There are reasons in their lives that they are sentenced here! Billy Hope isnt even insane! He was sold here! How can you tell me they belong here?" she yells, thinking Jeremy has no common decency.
Jeremy sighs and pinches between his eyes. "Look, Linda. I have no better excuse for the reason as to why these patients can't leave. In a sense, it's like they're a valuable asset to this company, otherwise it will fail. And you're very important in this, although it doesn't seem much like it," he leans at the end of his desk and takes Linda's hands. "Yes, these patients cannot leave, but that doesnt mean they have to be like this. The least you can do is ease their minds and not become such a threat. Can you do that?" he asked, completely sincere.
"I'm still not sure why these patients cant leave once their better," she looks away. Jeremy sighs once again.
"You will in the later future," he says. Linda nods and leaves his office to finish up and go to bed. She walks down the halls, staring at the floor. Why won't he tell her the truth? Does she mean nothing to him? When will he tell her? She keeps asking herself more and more questions until she reaches her room. She locks the door behind her and sits on her bed and holds her head in her hands in defeat. She finally decides to go to sleep.
She dreams again, only this time, she's in Jeremy's office. The room is dimly lit by the small desk lamp. Jeremy's chair is facing away from her. She looks around, slightly confused, noticing she's sitting in the chair across from his desk.
"Jeremy, what's going on?" she asks, wondering why she can't see him. He completely avoids the question.
"Do you think you mean anything to this place?" he asks back. This confuses her.
"Well, you told me I was needed here," she replies, baffled by the question in general.
"Do you think your abilities are valuable to this place?" he asks.
"What are you talking about?" she asks, not trying to answer.
"Answer the question, Linda," he says, calmly.
"Of course I do," she finally answers.
"For that, you are correct. But you do not mean anything here. You are just another employee keeping this place from falling to the group just like everybody else," he says, still not turning his seat to look at her. His voice was stalle. Like he wasn't even thinking about what he was saying.
"What do you mean?" she asks, now shocked.
"You can't go around thinking you are high above the rest just because I personally asked for you to join Mount Massive," he says. Jeremy wasn't making any sense. She never felt that way at all.
"Jeremy, how can you possibly think that? I consider myself as equal as every other person working here!" she snaps, wanting real answers from him.
"You are just another employee that I have no problem firing when you step over a line," he says coldly, brushing off her question. This makes her jump out of her seat.
"How could you say that to me?" she yells. "I thought you really cared about me and consider me as someone important here!"
Jeremy then turns his chair, revealing himself. Linda stumbled back at the sight of him. His face has lost color, his eyes are bloodshot, his hair is a mess, he looks more angry than a person could possibly be.
"You are worth nothing to me! All you are is someone who makes this company more and more money!" he yells.
"Jeremy, what happened to you?" she asked, completely shocked by his appearance. Jeremy seemed offended by her innocent question. He reaches across his table and presses a button on his desk phone.
"Can we please escort Linda to an exit? Her services are no longer needed here," he says.
"What are you doing?" Linda asks, standing up from her seat.
"On it, Mr. Blaire," says another voice from the phone. Seconds later, two security guards burst through the door.
"Wait, Jeremy! Stop this! Why are you doi-" the guards firm hands grab Linda's shoulders and yank her away to the door. She tries to fight back, begging Jeremy to change his mind. All she can hear is the wicked laugh of Trager again, coming from Jeremy's mouth.
"Just shut her up!" yells one of the guards.
Linda turns around to see a fist coming straight to her face. She opens her eyes suddenly. She was in her bed again. This time, more sweat trailing down her face. She trembles. Why is she having such terrible dreams? This place has to have something to do with it.