Dwell

by Lynda O'Rourke

  “There, what’s that?” Raven suddenly said, leaning forward in her seat. There’s something poking out from the top of those trees.”

  I leant over her shoulder and peered out through the open window. A church tower could be seen behind the waving treetops and driving rain.

  “Keep following this track, “I said. “It should take us right past the church.”

  We drove by a small cluster of stone cottages and then to our right, an entrance to St. George’s appeared underneath a group of swaying Ash trees. A battered wooden sign wobbled from the force of the rain. The dirty-white lettering read St. George’s Church and underneath it in smaller writing was Dusk Fall Retreat.

  I felt a huge sense of relief. We had made it to the Bishop’s. Max would hopefully find out more about his brother and then, maybe, we might find out more about these demons.

  “Pull over there by that red phone box,” I said. “We need to work out what we’re going to say before knocking on his door.”

  “We just tell him the truth,” said Max. “If my brother and the other volunteers made it to the Bishop’s, then he’s not gonna be too shocked by what we tell him – especially if Robert is still here.”

  “What if your brother never made it here?” said Jude, turning the engine off. “Then what? I think he’s gonna be pretty shocked to hear our story. Aren’t these religious fanatics reluctant to believe in such things? I mean, isn’t he just gonna think we’re telling him a load of shit?”

  “Is that what you still think?” I asked Jude. “You’ve been very reluctant to even admit that there’s more to this than just bent doctors and police. When I told you about what Doctor Fletcher had said to me, you didn’t want to know, you just brushed the whole demon stuff away like it was a fairy story.”

  Jude let out a huge sigh, his fingers tapped quietly on the steering wheel. “I’ll be honest with you all – I’ve never believed in all this paranormal crap but… I have to admit that there’s been some unexplainable stuff going on and yeah... I don’t have an answer for it. But what I’m trying to say is, that if I’ve found it hard to believe and I’ve been there with you all, I’ve seen what you’ve seen – then I think the Bishop is gonna find it even harder.”

  “I believe,” mumbled Raven, over the sound of the rain drumming on the top of the car. “I’ve always believed. I’ve been seeing dead people for as long as I can remember. They do exist and so does the devil. Demons are his workers – his hands. They go around causing death – taking people’s bodies – tempting them to commit sin – to harm others. They even infest objects.”

  “And you know all this because…?” Jude sat and glared at Raven, waiting for her response. “Well…? Are you some kind of demon hunter?”

  “I come from a travelling family,” scowled Raven. “My mum is a fortune teller. She reads the tarot cards. She speaks to the dead. I’ve spent my whole life traveling around the country from fair to fair. Sat inside my mum’s tent and listened to her contact the dead. I’ve seen them and I’ve heard them – I’ve grown up with them.”

  “How did you end up in Cruor Pharma then?” I asked, not because I didn’t believe her but because volunteering for a drug trial was a million miles away from fortune telling and tarot cards.

  “Yeah – let’s face it – you were hardly a willing volunteer,” said Jude, his blue eyes narrowed as he stared at Raven. “The doctors had to hold you down before they stuck you with a needle.”

  “I got scared,” hissed Raven. “I could sense that there was something bad about that ward – something evil.”

  “So what made you volunteer in the first place?” I asked again. “As shallow as it sounds, I only did it for the money – not because I wanted to help save humanity against disease and death. What did you do it for?”

  “My mum was running out of money. Tarot reading at the fairs had dried up. She saw the advert in the local paper for the volunteers needed and said I had to do it.” Raven looked away. “I didn’t want to, but she said if I didn’t, then she wouldn’t take me with her when the fair next moved on, which would leave me homeless.”

  I was about to say to Raven that if one of my parents had asked me to do such a thing, I would have told them no but then I thought about my dad and how I would go and buy him whisky, even though I knew it would kill him one day. I guess that wasn’t too dissimilar to Raven doing what her mum asked her to do.

  “What sad sap would do that for their mum?” Jude screwed his nose up.

  “I was pissed with my mum so I decided to go through with it and keep the money for myself. I wasn’t planning on handing the money over to her, not after she threatened to leave me behind. I was gonna use the cash to rent somewhere and then I wouldn’t need my mum for anything, ever again,” huffed Raven.

  “I guess she didn’t bother to give you a reading with the old cards before you left for Cruor Pharma?” said Jude.

  “What do you mean?” Raven frowned, spinning around to face Jude.

  “Well, she couldn’t have done – could she?” smiled Jude. “Otherwise, she would have been able to read in those cards that Cruor Pharma was full of demons and you would be injected with something very unworldly. No parent would knowingly send their child into something like that.”

  “She did give me a reading actually,” snapped Raven. “She told me I would be rewarded with something better than any money could buy. The cards said I …”

  “Oh give it up, will you,” huffed Jude. “If there’s any truth in tarot cards then your mum would have seen what was going to happen to you… what was…” He stopped mid-sentence. “Hang on, maybe she really did see what was gonna happen… maybe she didn’t give a shit?” Jude folded his arms, a look of satisfaction spread over his face.

  “Jude – you’re out of order,” said Max, glaring at him. “There’s no need to be cruel.”

  “Well – what do you expect? Tarot cards, for fuck’s sake – how the hell can you find out what’s going to happen to you by looking at a bunch of cards with finger paintings on them – I just think it’s a load of crap,” said Jude.

  “Whether the cards work or not – I don’t care,” I said. “I’m going on what I’ve seen – what’s happened to me and what I’ve been told. There is truth in the paranormal – for that I’m sure. I wouldn’t have believed it myself if I hadn’t have seen it.” Turning to Max, I added, “If the Bishop hasn’t seen your brother, he still should have received the letter that Father William stated in his journal he was going to send. He must know something about what’s been going on at Cruor Pharma. He must at least be wondering what happened to Father William.”

  “I think we should just go and knock on his door instead of just sitting here arguing about tarot cards,” sighed Max. “I’m desperate to hear news about my brother.”

  “Okay, but let’s not bombard the guy with too much, too soon,” I said. “Let’s just take it slow with him – see what his reaction is to what we tell him.” I opened the door and got out.

  The rain had eased off now, just a fine misty spray. The air smelt of farmyards and damp soil and the only sound was a distant cockerel calling out. I suddenly felt nervous. What if the Bishop wouldn’t help us? What would we do? It was too far to travel in one day to Derbyshire where Doctor Langstone worked. We would need somewhere to sleep overnight. I looked at Max. His green eyes keen. He needed to find out about Robert, but what if the news was bad? It would be terrible for him. We would all feel it. Deep down, I believed that all four of us were banking on good news. Good news meant hope for us all – bad news could mean the end of us, and no one wanted to face that.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  We followed the gravel driveway which twisted beneath the tall Ash trees. It split off into two directions – one leading to the church – the other to Dusk Fall Retreat. The church was hidden from view by the swaying branches, the leaves falling in whispery flutters.

  “Wow, look at this place,” hushed Max, his eyes wide at the
sight of the building which nestled beside two large oak trees and some overgrown rose bushes. “It’s huge.”

  “And old,” mumbled Raven. “I hate old houses.”

  “This place must date back to the 16th century, I reckon,” said Jude, staring up at the plum coloured brickwork and its four large chimney stacks.

  “It’s very domineering.” I shuddered, knowing that the last old building I had been in had been full of monsters and everything you could imagine from nightmares.

  “Come on, let’s knock on the door,” said Max. “We can’t stand out here all day.” He took the lead and stepped up onto the stone steps. A large wooden door with a heavy iron knocker towered over us.

  “Ready?” asked Max, his hand hesitated over the knocker. He looked around at us nervously. Strands of his hair fluttered across his face and his lips twisted up into a half-smile. Or was it more a look of hope?

  “Do it.” I nodded, chewing on my bottom lip. We had made it this far and there was no point whatsoever in turning back.

  Raven shoved herself up behind me, like she was using me as some kind of a shield. She crouched down so she was just peering over my shoulder. Her long black hair flapped across my face.

  Bang… bang… bang. The iron knocker thudded hard against the door. A gust of wind sent the fallen leaves scattering over the driveway. I looked over my shoulder. That feeling of being watched sent shivers up my spine. “Please open the door – please hurry up,” I whispered under my breath.

  Bang… bang… Max tried the door again. He was about to knock a third time, when the sound of bolts being pulled open could be heard from the other side of the door. He stepped back, his eyes wide. I looked at Jude. He stood quite casually, like he didn’t give a shit about what or who was behind the door. The wind ruffled up his black hair and he calmly smoothed it down, then ran his hands down the front of his blue shirt like he was trying to iron out the creases. His eyes fell upon me and he winked – not his usual flirty wink but more of a reassuring wink – like I had no need to worry, I’ll look after you kind of wink.

  I looked back at the door as it slowly opened. It creaked and groaned like it hadn’t been used for years. A pale face appeared from behind it.

  “Can I help you?” A woman in her mid-fifties with ash-blonde hair stood in the doorway. She wore an apron over a patterned dress and a pair of glasses hung from a cord around her neck. Was this the Bishop’s wife? Did they have wives? I wasn’t sure.

  “Hi,” smiled Max, showing a set of white teeth. “We were wondering if we could speak with the Bishop.” He shoved his hands into his pockets.

  “I’m afraid he only sees people if they have made an appointment,” said the lady, about to shut the door.

  “Please… wait,” said Max. “It’s very urgent that we speak with him… we’ve come a long way and we need his help.”

  “I’m very sorry, but… he’s not here.” The lady forced a smile and looked back over her shoulder into the house. “If you call the bishop and make an appointment over the phone then I’m sure he’ll be able to see you sometime next week.”

  “Next week?!” I piped in. “We can’t wait until next week – we need to see him now.”

  “Please,” said Max. “I need to ask him about my brother, Robert. Do you know if Robert came here?”

  “The bishop’s work is his private affairs, I am only his housekeeper,” said the lady.

  “Do you remember seeing this man?” asked Max, pulling out Robert’s passport and opening it up on the photo. “Did he come here?”

  The lady almost seemed to flinch, a flash of recognition lit up her eyes. “No… no… never seen him before,” she said. “It seems that you’ve had a wasted journey. Maybe your brother went to another church?”

  “No, he was told to come here,” said Max.

  “By whom?” she asked, her eyes wandered over to Jude and Raven like she was checking us out.

  “Father William,” I answered, stepping forward.

  Her mouth dropped open and she looked back again over her shoulder into the hall. “The bishop is very busy and so am I,” she said. “I suggest you try another church or go back and speak with Father William.” She pushed the door shut.

  “Father William is dead!” I shouted through the door, I waited for her response – nothing – the door remained closed. “Now what?”

  “Let’s go back to the car,” said Jude. “We’ll talk about it there.”

  I looked at Max. He stood at the top of the steps – lost. His usual happy green eyes now sad and full of disappointment.

  “Come on, Max,” I whispered, taking his hand. “We’ll find a way to see the bishop, even if it means breaking into his house.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  We sat in the car - Hannah’s hamper perched on my lap. It had stopped raining now, and the sun’s rays twinkled through the Ash trees.

  “What did she pack?” asked Jude, rubbing his hands together. “I’m starving.”

  “Chicken vol au vents and potato salad,” I answered, staring at the food. I placed the pot of potato salad onto the top of the hamper so everyone could reach it.

  “What the hell are chicken vol au vents?” mumbled Raven, turning her nose up at them.

  “Does it matter?” I raised my voice. “Its food, isn’t it? Be grateful you’ve got this.”

  Raven shut up as soon as she saw the look on my face and took a bite of the vol au vent. “It’s okay… I guess.”

  “Right, what are we going to do next?” I said, taking a bite of the vol au vent. “You know… I can’t eat this. Hannah made it and I just can’t face it.” I opened the window and threw the vol au vent out. My hunger had suddenly disappeared. It didn’t feel right to be sitting here eating food that Hannah had made just before her death.

  Max, who was just about to take a bite, changed his mind after seeing the look on my face and placed the vol au vent back down. “You’re right, I can’t eat it either.”

  “Can’t let it go to waste,” said Jude, grabbing a handful of Hannah’s food. “I’ll eat it.” He forked in several large mouthfuls of potato salad, completely oblivious to my feelings.

  Trying to ignore his tactless behaviour, I said, “That housekeeper recognised your brother’s photo, I’m sure of that. You could see it in her eyes. She’s hiding something.”

  “Yeah, she’s got some little secret alright, we’ll have to knock again and refuse to leave,” said Jude, popping in a whole vol au vent into his mouth. “She’ll have to let us in.”

  “What if she calls the police?” said Max. “We don’t want Inspector Cropper turning up here.”

  “It’s a risk we’ll have to take,” said Jude. “I don’t think she will. I don’t think her or the bishop want the police sniffing round. My guess is that they know what’s been going on at Cruor Pharma but they’ve kept quiet about it – probably scared that the same shit that happened to the other volunteers would happen to them if they went public.” Jude took the flask of tea and poured himself a cup. “I bet Doctor Middleton isn’t even aware that the bishop knows what he’s been up to. Let’s face it – if he did, then the housekeeper and the bishop wouldn’t even be alive. The cleaners would have disposed of them by now – just like Nurse Jones’s son was dealt with. They cover their tracks. It seems that Cruor Pharma keeps everyone on a tight leash – and we know why.”

  I thought back to when Max and I had been trying to walk out through the main gate to escape the hospital. The workers in front of me had been talking about the murder of Fred Butler when a maintenance guy had told them to stop talking about it. “What goes on in here stays in here.” I could clearly hear his voice like I was back there, attempting to get past the security guards at the gate.

  “Those workers have been led to believe that it was us who killed Fred, Nurse Jones, and the other volunteers. Even they don’t realise what’s really going on,” I said. “It’s like a secret within a secret. The workers keep quiet about the drug tri
als – thinking that they’ve just gone wrong – want to keep their jobs, so they never discuss Cruor Pharma to the outside world. And then you’ve got the doctors who are keeping secret what’s really happening and what they truly are.”

  “I bet there have been some workers who’ve let things slip and have disappeared off the face of the earth,” said Max. “Can Cruor Pharma really keep everyone quiet?”

  “Well they’ve done a good enough job of it so far,” hissed Raven. “Two sets of drug trials have resulted in two groups of volunteers escaping – we’re one group, and your brother is a part of the other one. I don’t remember hearing anything about your brother’s escape on the news – do you?”

  Max shook his head. “But how do they get away with it? I mean, all those volunteers who have died must have had family – their parents must have wondered what happened to their sons and daughters. I don’t get it? So many missing people – yet not one mention on the news or in the papers.”

  “Well I’m not missed,” I said. “Both my parents are dead. The only one who knew about me going into Cruor Pharma was Hannah.” I looked out the window as the mention of her name brought unwanted images of her death.

  The car fell silent.

  “I don’t mean to sound heartless or tactless, Kassidy,” began Max. “But Hannah’s no longer a problem to Middleton. She can’t come looking for you or go to the press when there’s no sign of you – she’s dead – she’s dealt with – no one is ever gonna ask where’s Kassidy gone.”

  “Well what about you?” Is there anyone missing you?” I asked. “And you, Jude.”

  “My parents died in a car crash. Robert is the only family I have now,” said Max. “But he’s been missing for three months now, so he’s not gonna be missing me and going to the police. So I guess Middleton doesn’t need to worry about anyone asking questions about my disappearance.”