The Lost King—Chapter 6
"Well, now what?" Addy asked. They were parked in a small lot facing a four-story medical center. The building had a freshly painted kind of look to it and large courtyard with small tree-lined paths. It was like it was trying to seem as friendly and unimposing as possible. A large blue and white sign hung in the yard reading: Cardiff National Institute for Mental Health. We can help!"
Merlin sniffed. "How modern. You know, about a century ago this place was little better than a prison. Now it's all about 'mental health'. What rubbish. I think I liked it better when they just called stuff what it was."
She watched bright, cheery looking doctors bustling about the yard and thought maybe he had a point. These people should not be that happy to be working at a mental hospital. But then again, maybe she was just a cynic.
He put his hand on the car door, "I'll go in, magic him out, and meet you out here in a jiff."
"No, wait!" A sudden vision of Merlin being locked up in one of those rooms in there made her catch him. "Maybe you shouldn't use your magic. What if someone saw you? You could end up like Arthur. Or worse!"
He smiled grimly. "No prison could hold me."
She floundered. "Well, yes. But think of the paperwork." She nudged him. "Besides, you don't even know for certain he's in there. And you're not going to go in while I just sit in the car." She gave him her best 'if you cross me, I will hurt you in ways beyond imagining' look. "Merlin, we need a plan."
He sat back in the seat and raised his brow. "Well, any ideas?"
Actually, she did have one. It had occurred to her as she watched the busy little doctors. "How good are you at making fake ID's?" She asked, smiling coyly.
A mad twinkle lit in his blue eye. "I've had a little practice."
-(0)—(0)-(0)-
With fairly little effort or magic, they were able to sneak into a basement locker room. There, they stole two lab coats and pinned Merlin's magic fake ID's to the front. She looked him up and down. Even in his jeans and sneakers, he looked passible enough for a doctor, except when you got to the hair, which was a mess of untrimmed black curls. She grabbed his head and tried to comb back his unruly hair into something more professional.
"There," she said approvingly at his slicked down hair. She hated to admit she had a thing for doctors. It was almost too much for her seeing him dressed like this. Her heart was getting the giddy little butterflies that indicated just how badly she was in love with him. All she wanted was to put him up against the wall and have a make-out session. But instead, she merely said, "Now you look smart, Dr. Emrys."
She pinned up her long brown hair into a tight bun and added a pair of black-framed glasses she found in one of the lockers. "How do I look?" She asked.
He sputtered. "Hot. Em, I mean... smart, too, Dr. Singleton." He pushed her in front of him so she wouldn't see the red shade his face had turned. "Shall we?"
Glancing around the hallways to see if anyone had noticed their deception, they made their way upstairs to the lobby.
At the main desk, a large, friendly security guard sat. He smiled as the two 'doctors' approached. Merlin walked over to him and introduced himself.
"Good morning," Merlin said cheerfully. "We're here from London Medical. I'm doing research on patients with delusional disorders. I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction?"
The guard nodded and checked his computer monitor. "Floor three, wing D. You're looking for Doctor Ioen Bretir."
Merlin thanked him, and lead Addy to the lifts. Once they were in, Addy slipped her hand into Merlin's and asked, "You ready?" She knew how nervous he was about finding Arthur.
With a faraway, determined look, he stated, "I've been ready for a millenia."
She followed him down the corridor, through a set of heavy double doors until they saw a sign for Wing D. There, they saw two hallways, each with rows of closed doors to patients rooms. "Split up?" Addy offered. Merlin nodded and took the passage to the right. Addy took the one to the left. She began by opening every set of doors she came across. But for some reason, all the rooms were empty. Where were all the patients?
"Can I help you with something?"
Addy jumped, startled. Then, she squeaked as she saw the speaker, a very short man with gold-framed glasses. He was definitely one of the strangest doctors she had ever seen. "Um, I'm looking for a patient. I'm... Doctor Singleton. My colleague and I are... doing research," she said, nervously flustered.
He smiled and shook her hand warmly. "I'm Doctor Bretir. Perhaps I can help you locate him. Why don't you follow me, Doctor Singleton." He turned down yet another corridor and motioned for her to join him. Addy was caught. She had no choice but to go with him. I hope Merlin has better luck, she thought.