Shadows Wait

by Denise A. Agnew

  “Absolutely. You see, you don’t know the whole story.”

  Lilly gazed around. No one was in sight; the hallway was quiet. Despite that, Lilly kept her voice low. “And you want me to know the truth?”

  “Yes.”

  “I thought you didn’t like me.”

  “Oh, heavens. That’s not true.” Mrs. Hancock smiled. “I simply think your soul is damned because you haven’t been baptized and you haven’t found the Lord.”

  “I see. Well, then. Do tell me the truth.”

  Mrs. Hancock apparently didn’t hear the sarcasm in Lilly’s voice. She continued without losing a breath. “My friends in town tell me there’s evil going around town. Things you may not have heard about.”

  “What things and how does that relate to your husband committing you?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “I have time.” Lilly’s patience didn’t, though. If the woman didn’t tell her soon, she planned to stop being a sympathetic ear.

  Mrs. Hancock leaned back against the wall, something Lilly wouldn’t have imagined her doing before. “My husband was seduced by the evil forces that are starting to seep from this place into Simple.”

  Lilly’s mouth popped open, but at first she couldn’t form a word. She believed that Tranquil View was evil, but didn’t expect anyone else would think the same. Evil seeping into Simple, though, didn’t seem likely.

  “I see you’re astonished,” the woman said with triumph.

  “Who wouldn’t be? How do you know your husband was seduced by evil? What makes you think evil ... seeps, as you call it ... out of this place?”

  Mrs. Hancock rubbed her hands. “My husband contacted me yesterday and came for a visit. He said that two men in town went missing last week. Good, upstanding men. Four citizens were caught trying to steal goods from local stores in the last week, though they hadn’t a larcenous bone in their bodies. And last but not least, two murders have occurred in town in the last week. Two. A young man killed his mother and a miner hacked another man to death with an ax.”

  Lilly winced. “Gruesome to be sure. Tragic and awful for certain. But I don’t see how that’s connected to Tranquil View.”

  “From my recollection people don’t steal in Simple. And they sure as heaven don’t murder. The last murder we had was one drunk killing another in a saloon fight six years ago and that was pure accident. Our town has been very decent up until the last few years. It all started when this place was built.”

  “It was built twenty years ago.”

  “Sometimes it takes that long for evil to find its way.”

  Lilly nodded. “I see. And your husband told you all this?”

  She waved one hand. “He said he was wrong to commit me to this place and that he’s putting in the paperwork required to get me out. He said the devil is working his magic here in Tranquil View and he needs to get me out of this place to save my soul. We’re leaving town as soon as possible, before the entire place goes to Satan. I think the best thing you could do is leave us again. Run before you cannot run anymore.”

  “There you are, Mrs. Hancock.” Mrs. Angel came down the hall, her voice loud and booming. “Your husband is here to see you.”

  Lilly smiled and took Mrs. Hancock’s hand. “Thank you. If I don’t see you again, have a blessed life.”

  “God bless you child,” Mrs. Hancock said as she hurried down the hall. “You’re going to need it.

  Mrs. Angel took the other woman down the hall, and Lilly sighed. Part of her didn’t want to take Mrs. Hancock seriously. Simple infected by evil? It didn’t seem likely. Lilly returned to her room. Lilly hadn’t seen Oleta’s ghost again, and sorrow frequently cut through her if she thought of the woman too often. Still, nothing hurt as sharply as Morgan’s words to her before he’d left. Lilly’s sense of failure bit into her, and she ached with a desire to erase silly mistakes she’d made. Yes, she’d made more than enough, including gaining feelings for him. She’d known better but hadn’t followed common sense. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.

  Perhaps if she ventured outside for a time to clear her head, she could make a decision on what to do next. Instinct told her to slip her hand into the pocket of her long coat to assure that Oleta’s necklace was there.

  The sheriff hadn’t searched for Oleta; no one really had. Failure and unhappiness and utter mortification strangled Lilly. She’d failed her friend in every way.

  She left her room and the building, walking toward the graveyard. Snow crunched under her feet. It had frozen over during the night, and she sank into the snow over her boots while the low temperature frosted her breath. She tugged her wool hat closer over her ears and flexed her gloved hands. Fresh air rejuvenated her purpose.

  Trees whispered as a chill wind rustled pine needles. She shivered—from the sound, rather than the cold. Even if she hadn’t believed in ghosts, that sound alone would give her pause. Snow topped the back of Becca’s grave. And so did Becca. She stood behind the headstone.

  Becca spoke first. “I’ll help you.”

  “What?” Lilly’s couldn’t hold back her shock and confusion.

  Wind ruffled the white gown fluttering around the girl’s body. She seemed different. More solid. More real. Her face wasn’t as pale, her eyes closer to the blue they’d been in life, and her hair was now thick and blond rather than thin and dead.

  “I talked with Catherine Renlow.” Becca’s voice warmed, became more mature. Her words seemed solid and less the child. “She told me Oleta has gone. Her ghost has moved on. Unlike me. She’s not stuck here like I am.”

  Tears surged into Lilly eyes. “She was murdered.” Becca nodded but she stayed silent. “Where is she buried? In the basement?”

  “Not buried.” Becca gestured toward the trees beyond. “Somewhere near the hunter’s cabin.”

  Lilly didn’t hesitate. She stomped through the snow as it deepened, thanking the heavens for tall boots and wool clothing. Still, she struggled with the wind, which had chosen at that moment to bluster and moan. Trees creaked under the increasing brutality of nature. Her heartbeat hammered in her chest. She ignored the weather and battled onward. Snow slapped against her face. She gasped as wind snatched her breath. At one point she glanced back, but Becca had disappeared. As the forest closed around her, she drew in a raspy breath. The wind had stopped. Silence enclosed Lilly. In a weird panic she looked around. Was someone watching her? Had Becca led her into a trap?

  “Becca? Are you there?”

  No answer.

  Lilly eyed the unfamiliar landscape. Shock belted her. She had tramped too far into the woods to the northeast when she needed to go east toward the cabin.

  Lilly whispered a curse, as if nature might not approve. “Damn.”

  She scanned for signs of a grave, of disturbed snow other than her own footsteps. The asylum’s imposing structure had disappeared into the thick trees. It had snowed since Oleta’s disappearance, and confident she could follow her footprints back to safety later, Lilly continued to search.

  * * *

  Marjorie’s eyes opened as Morgan sat on her bed. He clasped her hand and she smiled. She looked better, with a glow of health in her cheeks. Her eyes sparkled ocean blue. Beautiful women always surrounded him, it seemed. Yet none of them could replace the need in his gut for Lilly. He shoved away his hunger, determined to concentrate on his good friend instead, and give her the attention she deserved.

  “You look strange.” Marjorie squeezed his hand. “Put out. Why?”

  He shook his head. “It’s your imagination.”

  She sighed, but humor glittered in her eyes. “You never tire of telling me that, do you?”

  “Never.” He’d teased her for years. Why should he stop now? “How are you feeling?”

  “Very well. Mother insists I stay in bed longer.”

  “And I told her today that you should walk. You need the exercise.”

  “Will you help me? I’d love to take a promenade ab
out the parlor.”

  He acquiesced, waiting in the parlor connected to her room while she rang for a maid. It took the maid a while to dress Marjorie. Finally the bedroom door opened and she walked in fully dressed. She held on to the dress maid’s arm.

  “We’ll walk around the parlor and the upstairs. You aren’t ready to go downstairs yet,” he said as Marjorie looped her arm through his, and the maid left. The two of them walked around the room slowly. Marjorie was surprisingly strong, and her walk steady.

  “The woman who was here ... the one who helped awaken me. Is she here?” Marjorie asked.

  “No.” He kept his voice cautious. “Nor will she be again.”

  Marjorie frowned. “Why not?”

  His throat tightened, but he forced the words passed his throat. “She is a deceiver.”

  “But she came into my thoughts and told me how much you cared about me. How much you needed me to awaken.”

  “She was generous. She isn’t a bad person on the whole ....”

  “But she lies?”

  “Yes.”

  Marjorie’s humor returned with a huge smile. “Then you must banish her from your thoughts and think only of me.”

  He returned her smile, falling into her friendly and familiar gaze. “That shouldn’t be difficult.”

  She squeezed his arm. “I’m so happy, Morgan. We can finally be together.”

  Her words stopped him. He surveyed her face, noting the hope in her expression.

  “Of course. We’re always friends,” he said.

  Her smile faltered. “But we can be more than that now.”

  No. We can’t. He’d let her think so, and his guilt about that deception grew as he put one foot in front of the other. They continued their walk across the expansive parlor. Sun disappeared as clouds scuttled across the landscape outside.

  “More?” he asked, finally.

  “When the girl ... Lilly talked with me, I told her that she couldn’t have you. That you and I are destined to be together. I didn’t think you cared, you see. That’s why I stayed in the ... what did you call it?”

  His unease grew. “Catatonia.”

  “I was so ashamed when I recognized my addiction to the cocaine. But I’m not taking cocaine anymore and that horrible doctor you sent me to can’t hurt me.” An almost childlike happiness leapt into her eyes and brightened her entire face. “And when Lilly spoke with me and reassured you wouldn’t rebuke me, I knew it was safe to return.”

  He put his hand over hers as it clasped his biceps. “No, he cannot hurt you. But the drugs may not be totally out of your system.”

  She frowned. “What do you mean? I haven’t had any.”

  “I know. Your parents have made certain no more cocaine can enter the house.”

  “Of course not. I shall never touch such nasty stuff again.”

  Doubt crept into his thoughts. He’d seen others say the same and at some point they often returned to their destructive ways.

  “My darling,” Marjorie said suddenly, turning around until he grasped her elbows to steady her. “I’m so glad Lilly was able to release me from my prison.”

  “You released yourself. You needed time to heal. Don’t make any rash decisions until you’ve had a few weeks to think.”

  Marjorie squeezed his arm as they stopped in front of the expansive window overlooking their frosted back garden. “No, she released me.”

  He didn’t want to encourage a delusion, but since Marjorie had awakened under Lilly’s encouragement, his skepticism was slipping.

  Marjorie stared up at him with serious eyes. “But I think you have to be cautious with her.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She’s very clever. Not evil, mind you. Just needy. She wants you for her own. I could feel that when she was inside my mind.”

  Doubt filled his mind. He didn’t believe any of those things about Lilly.

  Morgan turned and clasped Marjorie’s very young, soft hands. Where they’d been cold before, her flesh felt warm and supple. Looking into her hopeful face, he held that sweetness close.

  “Don’t let Lilly Luna spoil what we have, Morgan.”

  “What we have?” He kept his tone cautious.

  “I’ve always wanted to be with you, Morgan. I know it’s terribly forward of me but—”

  “Shhh.” He didn’t want to hear it. “There’s no need to talk about this now. You aren’t well yet. I want you to talk to Dr. Wilson in town. He’ll keep track of your recovery.”

  Her eyes narrowed with doubt. “You can be my doctor.”

  “No, I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I’m not a doctor, and I may never be one.”

  She released his hands and stared at the floor. “Because of me.”

  Guilt sharpened its point. “You don’t have medical training. I do. If I’d known—”

  “How could you know what your mentor would do? He is an evil man.”

  “No one believes that.”

  “But you believe it.”

  Evil he could acknowledge, unlike the ghosts and goblins Lilly wanted him to accept. Grim anger held him in its grip. “He told me he could help you but ...” He swallowed hard. “I was wrong, and I’m to blame for what occurred. No one else.”

  “No. No, Morgan. I wouldn’t blame you for it. I don’t.”

  “I had doubt, Marjorie. I should have listened to that doubt sooner. By the time I rushed to the hospital, he’d already given you the bottle of cocaine, and you’d returned to your rooms. You’d already started to die.”

  “But you saved me. You helped me breathe again.”

  He remembered the sharp terror that had gripped him as he’d almost lost his childhood friend.

  “My life is returned to me,” she said. “You’re returned to me. I can’t wait for us to start our lives together.”

  He shouldn’t allow her to continue making plans when he couldn’t return the sentiments. He wanted to. He wanted to love her, wrap his arms around her, and understand guilt free pleasure. But he didn’t love her that way.

  He released her hands. “I must go. I have things to do at the asylum. I’ll visit next week.”

  “So long from now?” She pouted.

  He nodded and headed for the door, suddenly eager to escape. “Yes.”

  When he left, his heart ached in a way that he couldn’t explain. His friend had recovered, yet he knew he’d lose her soon. She’d see that he couldn’t love her, and that would be the end of them.

  And Lilly ... well, Lilly was already gone from his life.

  * * *

  “She’s what?” Morgan’s heart flew up into his throat.

  Nurse Summit nodded, her hands clasped chin-high as if praying. His father also stood there, his eyes filled with disgust at what they’d just heard. They’d come into the asylum later in the afternoon.

  “She went outside. She said she was going to visit the graveyard just like she always has,” Nurse Summit said as her knuckles went white. “When she didn’t come back after her usual amount of time, I went looking for her. She isn’t there. I called her name. I’ve looked for her everywhere.”

  Morgan’s body went icy cold imagining Lilly in the wintry outdoors, her skin white and frozen, her eyes stark and open in death. “You searched the entire asylum?”

  “Of course. I sent four other nurses to look for her, too. She’s not anywhere to be found.”

  Morgan shoved his hands through his hair. “Did you look in the basement?”

  “The basement?” his father said. “Why on earth would she look there?”

  Morgan glared at his father, but ignored the question. He turned his attention back to the nurse. “Keep looking. I’m going into the woods to look for her. I’ll take a horse from the stable.”

  Nurse Summit looked relieved. She wiped her hands on her apron. “Bless you, sir.”

  “Morgan,” his father started to say.

  “Are you helping me or goin
g about your business?” Morgan asked.

  “This isn’t prudent,” Morgan’s father said with a low, hard-edged voice. “Wherever this girl has gotten to isn’t our problem.”

  “Christ.” Morgan bit the word through his teeth, deliberately forgetting a woman was within earshot. “You really can be a bastard, Father. I’m going after her. I’ll take enough warm blankets, food, and water.”

  “She’s probably looking for Nurse Franklin’s ...” Nurse Summit swallowed hard. “Oleta’s body.”

  “Damn it.” Morgan didn’t care whom he cursed in front of now. “She could freeze to death out there. The temperature is dropping.”

  “Whatever you might think,” the nurse said, “Lilly is a very intelligent girl. I don’t think she’d do anything to put her heath in jeopardy and she does know the area well. She understands how to survive in the elements. I’ll send some nurses around again to make sure she hasn’t slipped into the building unnoticed.”

  Morgan wondered if the woman was trying to make herself feel better. It didn’t stop his gut from churning with worry.

  “Fool girl.” Morgan’s father grunted and shook his head. “If you think you can find her, have at it. Fool’s errand, if you ask me.”

  Fury unlike anything Morgan had experienced in his life fired up inside him as he turned on his father. He kept his voice low. He matched gazes with his father, who stood at least two inches shorter than himself. “Would you want me to look for Patricia or Mother if they were wandering around out there?”

  “Of course.” His father’s gruff voice made it sound if he’d asked the most idiotic question in the world. “But they are your family. Not this silly girl you’ve become so damned enamored of.”

  “It doesn’t matter what I think of her. She’s a human being.” Contempt laced his voice. “As it is, I should have helped her search for Nurse Franklin in the first place and I didn’t. That’s on my head.” He swung back to Nurse Summit. “The old hunter’s cabin is about two miles into the forest, correct?”

  Nurse Summit nodded, her eyes filled with anxiety. “Closer to one mile distance. It’s still being used by hunters sometimes. From what I hear it’s well supplied.”