Chapter 1

She had just finished her sewing when Mr. Tanker, one of the attendants, unlocked the door to her cell and came in.

"Good evening Victoria how are you today?"

"Excellent. I just finished my cross-stitch. See?" he came over and viewed her work.

It was the Lord's Prayer with a boy Shepard leading a flock of lambs. Mr. Tanker wasn't one for woman's work, but he could tell that she was very talented.

"What a beautiful work of art, Ms. Atkinson." He said patronizing her slightly.

: Here, I'll get you a nice frame for this, while you get started with your work." He said in his thick London accent, which was so think that even Victoria had problems understanding him. It was ironic to see Mr. tanker pick up her cross stitch with such care, for he was a large man standing well over three heads taller than Victoria, and far more wider. Victoria exited the opposite way Mr. Tanker came in.

She eventually mad her way to the center of the Kirk bride building where the kitchen was. The hospital was set up with a long center, with two even longer wings facing each other, connected to both sides of the middle building. Picking up the carts of food, she quickly made her way to the medieval and ominous double doors that lead to her entry way into the men's ward.

The shrieks were overwhelming to Victoria. No matter how many times she passed through these halls, she never got used to the other patients screams. The people in the cells got food first, since they were paying extra money to be put in a cell, where the people in various punishments, treatment and people too poor to afford a cell got theirs last. And the people who couldn't get fed, well, they just suffered through.

"We've got a new patient Victoria, a real nut." Said Mr. Barker, one of the guards. Mr. Barker hated his job and was no-nonsense towards the patients. Victoria didn't agree with the way he treated the patients more like animals than men. And she especially didn't like the way he treated her. But she felt it better to have more friends than enemies. So whilst she fought against him, she still pretended to tolerate his actions as much as possible.

Victoria asked Mr. Barker if she could see the new patient in cell one after her shift was over with.

"Great! I love meeting new people." She said, more to herself than Mr. Barker.

"I know you do" he said, looking at he with only one thing on his mind.

"You know Victoria, you must be one of the most beautiful-" she rolled her eyes and cut him off.

"Mr. Barker! I have refused you before, and I will refuse you again! Don't you ever learn?" she asked.

"I'm sorry Ms. Atkinson.: I just can't help myself. Ever since my wife left me, and you are simply gorgeous."

"It is obvious that you cannot control yourself. I suggest you seek help."

"Listen Ms. Atkinson, I'll get to you one of these days, one day when we're all alone, and I have access to the Medicinal cabinet. It'll be the best night of your young life." He said, grabbing her by the waist rather fiercely.

"Let go of me, Mr. Barker!"

His deep voice rumbled out laughter.

"Now give us a kiss!" she knew better than to cry out for help. It would just draw in the hoard of abusive tenants.

His dry, chapped lips pressed hard against her own.

"Now, how was that?"

"Not so bad." She lied. She didn't want the slap of his calloused hand against her face, which she felt so many times before. She was tired of always suffering the consequences of fighting Mr. Barker. Now, she just wanted to give into him. As soon as Mr. Barker began to draw nearer, a raspy voice shouted from the first cell.

"That isn't very gentlemanly of you now is it?"

"And what's a nut like you to judge me?" he growled, walking up to the cell."

"I just ask that you treat this young lady with the respect she deserves." The unknown man said."

"I'll treat that bitch right how I want!" he said, grabbing the short, broad man by the collar. I'm sorry sir, I meant no offense." He said in a gravely voice.

"In fact, if you think you'll treat the lady any better, why don't you take care of her yourself, hell, why don't you stay the night?" Barker shouted, shoving Victoria into the cell with the little man. Locking the cell door, Mr. Barker stormed off.

"Are you all right my dear?" the strange man asked.

"Yes I'm fine. Thank you Mr.-?"

"Renfield. R.M. Renfield." He said.