Tracy surely understood that life could be impossible, but that wasn’t an answer to anything. And although Enid stood there, looking smug, Tracy still had to go on questioning her.
“You wrote a letter home to Maggie’s parents,” she said then. “You warned them of their daughter’s inappropriate relationship with Sam.”
Enid flushed slightly, but Bara was startled.
“What? You wrote Maggie’s parents a letter without asking me? Behind my back? I never heard a thing about this.”
Enid stood tall. “Maggie’s parents had a right to know what was going on. I thought they could step in and be of help.”
“They tried,” said Tracy, “but Maggie told them what you said wasn’t true. She denied being outside the hospital grounds with Sam.”
Bara’s face darkened. “Patients lie, they deceive, it’s part of the illness.”
Enid nodded quickly as Bara turned to her. “But we would hope the staff wouldn’t take on the patients’ behaviors. We would hope the staff would be straightforward, not deceive as well!”
Enid flinched a moment and then smiled. “I did what I thought was best,” she replied.
“I’m ashamed of you, Enid,” Bara remarked.
Enid’s face flushed as Bara suddenly looked down at her watch. Then, in a formal tone, Bara announced that time was up for today.
*
After Enid and Bara left Aldon went to the back of the room to get a cup of coffee for himself and Tracy.
“There’s lots more going on here than meets the eye,” he declared. “I’m going down to the office FBI has set up in the basement. I want to put some calls in and check on what happens in patient confinement. None of it passes the smell test to me.”
It didn’t pass the smell test to Tracy either.
“If these all are suicides,” Aldon went on, “it’s possible the hospital could be the guilty party here. We’ve got to upgrade our list of staff to interview.”
“Anything is possible,” agreed Tracy. “I’ll meet you down there in a few minutes. I need a little time here alone to go over everything that’s happened so far.”
“Please take as much time as you need,” Aldon agreed. “You’re doing a wonderful job. I’ll be waiting downstairs when you’re ready.”
Aldon left and Tracy sat down by herself at the edge of a table to drink her coffee and go over the events of the day so far. She loved sitting by herself in a quiet spot, looking for patterns. Time like this was rare yet crucial for her. Right now the pattern that struck Tracy most strongly was that Sam had been close to two of the patients who died. He would certainly be a treasure trove of information and she was glad he was being interviewed by law enforcement right now. Tracy was also struck by the odd relationship between Bara and Enid. Enid didn’t seem fazed by Bara’s authority and Tracy wondered why. Was there someone senior to Bara that Enid reported to?
As Tracy sat there musing, suddenly the door to the nurses’ lounge opened and Ashley slipped in furtively, looking to either side. Clearly, she knew she didn’t belong here. Once again Tracy was struck by Ashley’s beauty and grace.
Suddenly Ashley spotted Tracy in the corner. “Can I come in? Please give me a minute,” she asked.
“Of course, come in.” Tracy stood up.
“I know I’m not supposed to be here,” Ashley spoke hurriedly, “but I really need to speak to you.”
“It’s okay,” Tracy tried to calm her. “If someone comes in and finds us, I’ll take responsibility.”
“Oh, thank you, thank you.” Ashley breathed more easily as she flew over to Tracy’s side. “I’m in danger,” Ashley whispered the moment she got there. “We are all in terrible danger. None of us are protected, we’re all unsafe, every minute.”
Tracy knew there was a fine balance between reality and madness. Most mental patients felt endangered. And yet there was also a reality Tracy had to take into account. Three people had died in this hospital. Ashley’s fear had to be taken seriously.
“How are you all in danger?” Tracy wanted to hear more.
“I know you were just talking to Enid and Bara,” Ashley went on quickly. “I was outside all the time, listening in. I always listen in. I always know what’s happening.”
“Really?” Tracy was surprised.
“It’s okay, I have to,” Ashley continued. “I’m smart, I’m not sick. I’m stuck at Ashton Pillars for other reasons.”
“Why are you here, Ashley?” Tracy felt protective of her.
“It’s a long story and we don’t have time now for all of it now,” Ashley murmured, “but trust me, I beg you. I’m different from the other patients. They just do whatever they’re told to do. They don’t realize how bad things have become.”
“How bad?” asked Tracy, breathless.
“The staff is crazy,” Ashley kept going. “Enid is mean and Bara believes we’re all victims of Satan. She doesn’t say it out loud, but I hear everything. Bara said it to other nurses at least three times yesterday. Is that someone who should be in control of patients?”
Tracy kept herself from going along with Ashley too quickly. There was often an undertow with patients that swept you right in. They were desperate to pull you into their worlds.
“What exactly did you hear Bara say?” Tracy carefully questioned.
“She said we’re all under the control of dark forces,” Ashley replied. “Bara’s crazier than any of us. But Bara’s not important. My roommate, Kaylna, is the biggest problem of all. She’s really making me crazy.”
“How is Kaylna making you crazy?” Tracy was on high alert.
“Kaylna has visions, hears things, gets messages. I hear her up, talking to the air all night long. I can’t sleep and I told the staff about it. But they don’t care. I begged them to put me in another room. They won’t. They said it sets a bad precedent at Ashton. Patients can’t keep changing their rooms.”
Tracy understood both positions. The worst thing for her to do would be to take sides yet.
“Tell me more about Kaylna.” Tracy tried to stay focused.
“Kaylna’s diagnosed as schizophrenic. I’m only here for anxiety disorder.” Ashley stretched her slender arms over her head. “Who doesn’t have anxiety disorder, tell me?”
It was a good question, thought Tracy. Ashley was smart.
“Kaylna thinks she sees the future and tries to convince me of it,” Ashley went on. “I know that no one sees the future. But other patients believe her. It bothers me a lot.”
“It’s definitely disturbing,” Tracy had to agree, “especially if she’s your roommate.”
“Thank you.” Ashley nodded. “Finally, somebody gets who I am. Please, please help me get out of here.”
Tracy was stunned. “Get out of Ashton?”
“Absolutely,” begged Ashley. “I don’t belong here. My parents are wealthy. They’re ashamed of me, so they dumped me in here. They’re not my real parents anyway. I was adopted by them when I was little. For years I’ve been telling them I wanted to find my real mother and recently it got worse. I guess it got under their skin. But I have a right to find my real mother, don’t I?”
Tracy shivered from head to toe. “Of course you have a right to, Ashley.”
“My adoptive parents don’t agree. They said that even if I find my real mother, she won’t want me. But I have to find that out for myself. I kept asking and asking and finally they decided I belonged here instead. It’s convenient for them to lock me away.”
Tracy was saddened. My real mother is gone too, Tracy wanted to say to Ashley. She went missing when I was little, too, and my life dream has been to find her. But Tracy kept silent.
“Will you do something to help me?” Ashley repeated sorrowfully. “Will you go see my adoptive parents and beg them to take me back? That won’t just help me, it will help everybody.”
“How will it help everybody?” Tracy whispered.
“Because once I’m out, I’ll be able to really tell the whole world what goes on at Ashton Pillars,” Ashley said.
“You can tell me now, even while you’re in here,” Tracy interrupted. “In fact, you have to!”
“No, I can’t, it’s not safe.” Ashley’s tone became more urgent. “First you’ve got to see my family. I have to know there’s a safe place for me to go. Please speak to them and demand they get me released right away. Then I’ll tell you everything.” Ashley’s eyes lit up.
“Tell me now, Ashley,” Tracy begged her. “I’ll keep it secret, won’t tell anyone.”
“I can’t trust you yet,” Ashley murmured in return. “But if at least you go speak to my family, then maybe I will.”
Tracy understood her desperation. She also knew she shouldn’t push Ashley too hard yet. It could have unwanted repercussions.
“I want to help you, Ashley,” Tracy replied. “Give me time to see how I can do it. I’ll do my best, I promise you.”
“You have to do your best,” Ashley whispered. “Because someone else can get killed if I don’t tell everyone about Ashton.”
“Who will get killed?” Tracy was frightened. “Why?”
Ashley looked away. “I can’t tell you,” she said sadly.
“Help me, Ashley, tell me something,” Tracy couldn’t help but beg.
“Kaylna says over and over that someone else is going to get killed soon,” Ashley finally whispered.
“I thought you said you don’t believe Kaylna.” Tracy was agitated. “What do you say? What do you know about Ashton that could help me save their life?”
Ashley just lurched away from Tracy then. “Don’t push me,” she uttered. “When I’m completely safe, I’ll tell you everything.”