…the ring was meant to confer the wearer with the ability to control demons and bend them to one's will. In turn an amulet would grant protection from demons and malevolent spirits.
To possess such an item suggests a fear of the unknown or unnatural for oneself or amongst the community…
-Leonard Rhine, The Monster Lurks
"Mr. Mason, can you hear me? Squeeze my hand if you can hear me."
An involuntary response. He moved his fingers. Was Lisa still with him?
"Page Doctor Kaufmann." said the voice.
Things started shifting into focus. The voice belonged to a young woman with dark skin, not pale like Lisa. Black hair, deep brown eyes…she was a nurse, dressed in white, but not Lisa. He wasn't in the examination room anymore. He had wires stuck to his chest.
"Where am I?" he slurred, trying to sit up.
"Try to relax sir. You're in the intensive care unit. You're back with us at the Alchemilla."
He hadn't recognized the voice, but he could see now that he was with Nurse Rachel.
"My daughter. Has anybody found her?"
"I think it might be better if you ask Detective Briggs about that. He's coming in ahead of another patient and he wants to talk to you."
"Is it Lydia?"
"I'm not sure, sorry."
"Lydia Findly. The teacher?"
"Mr. Mason, I don't know. Really, it would be better if you ask the detective."
"How long have I been here?"
"Just a few hours. Somebody called for an ambulance this morning."
"This morning? But I was here last night."
"You weren't here last night sir. You missed your follow-up appointment yesterday and then you were brought in this morning."
"It had to be night time, it was dark out. I definitely spoke to a nurse...Lisa, that's her name. Lisa Garland."
Confusion momentarily furrowed Rachel's brow. She sighed softly and turned her intent gaze to the floor.
"What do you know about Lisa, Mr. Mason?" she said sadly to her shoes. The nurse's forlorn features made Harry reluctant to answer.
"What did you talk to Lisa Garland about?" she prompted again, raising her head with a forced smile.
"She didn't remember me. She thought I was playing a game and that you put me up to it. She said that you like to pull pranks."
She looked at the ceiling, exhaling pitifully. Her lips opened, but she didn't speak. They closed again and began to tremble. She pressed them together tightly until they held firm. It was obvious she was working hard to keep her emotions battened down.
"How did she look?"
"You know her. I talked to her when I was here last in intensive care. I mentioned her to you then. Reddish hair, wearing the same red cardigan as last time."
"Yes, you did mention it before." she reprimanded, voice trembling, "I wanted to ask you about it then. Doctor Kaufmann stopped me because he knew it would be upsetting for me."
Harry was stunned. It hadn't occurred to him that a conversation about the young nurse would be so difficult for her superior.
"Rachel, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you...It's just -"
"It's Nurse Rachel if you please. And you can save your apologies."
The sadness lifted from her face and anger took its place.
"How did you find out about her?" she fired at him.
"I told you, I've spoken to her twice."
"No you haven't Mr. Mason."
The conversation was taking a curious turn. Harry thought that he should know, better than anyone, who he had spoken to. He wasn't sure how to reply.
"Who put you up to this? Was it Lisa's dad? I've already told Mr. Garland I don't know anything else, so if you're another one of his private detectives then -"
"What are you talking about? Nobody put me up to anything. I've never met Nurse Garland's father. I've only been in town for a few weeks. I don't understand."
Rachel's face softened a little.
"Mr. Mason, I'm not sure what you think you saw. Whoever you may have talked to last night, it was not at this hospital. I know this because I was on duty last night. I also highly doubt that you spoke to Lisa Garland so, whatever your game is -"
"I can assure you Rachel; I am not playing a game here."
The nurse did not rebuke him for his familiarity this time. She stared at him carefully, as though she was trying to figure something out.
"Whatever. I don't understand this either. But please, Harry, don't talk to me about Lisa anymore, I can't bear it."
"But why is it -"
"Just don't speak about her to me again. Will you promise me that?"
He nodded, guessing it was better not to argue.
"The doctor should be with you soon...I'll have to leave you in his hands. My shift finished twenty minutes ago. Sorry if I got you riled up, you should try to relax now."
Harry sat in quiet bewilderment and watched her leave.