by H. Caswell
The sight of the ship; now making way to dock, Alfred, rushes out to the front steps. He hurries along the cobblestone walk. He glances back briefly, ‘perfect you are dear’ before stepping upon the new warf.
The sight; remarkable. May 1st … here at last. The island has quite a new look. The fall bulbs; now showcase, beautiful flowers that surround the cobblestone walk; the lush green grass landscape, the curves of the island. Bushes, showcasing large beautiful flowers placed along the property. Splashes of Pinks, purples, oranges and whites dance, among the many plants arranged, so perfectly. The handcrafted seats Charlie and Randle worked so hard on; set beneath trees; scattered for privacy to those, who wish to sit. Alfred thinks to himself … ‘Risen from the depths of death, you breathe again… my… love’. A white large ribbon separates Alfred from the Mayor; as he and about fifty others set aboard the dock. Everyone’s face; gleaming in awe, of the beauty that stands before them. An elegant blonde woman; standing beside the Mayor in a black formal dress; holding a large pair of scissors and bottle of champagne, she catches Alfred’s eye. For a brief moment, Alfred thinks to himselfthe joy he could have with her … ‘Oh… it has been such a long time; since I have engaged in my ways’ he quickly shakes himself out of his thoughts, as the Mayor begins to speak. “I must say … Alfred Richardson… ‘as his grin grows ear to ear’ …you have turned this island into something … far greater than anyone may have thought. I stand before you … sir… and happily cut this ribbon and serve you this champagne …in honor of your opening today.” A handshake is shared between the two men as the eager flock follows Alfred off the dock. While the guests admire the landscaping, Alfred looks up to his home. He finds delight in the sight of Claire, Randle, and Billy dressed in uniform. The others, Johnathan, William, and Stanley, dressed in clean clothing; waiting to return with the boat later that afternoon. Alfred walks the folks through the establishment with delight. They gather in the main room as he answers questions from some, who are eager to have their loved ones sent from the main hospital, to his establishment. Alfred explains … “I will … only be taking five none severe cases and two critical at a time. It is my belief … small personal groups … can receive far better care; and personal treatment of the highest quality … and my way … will far out way the overcrowded facility … you are all accustomed to. Please allow me to introduce my partner … Claire.‘Claire hears the word partner … a smile brightens her large, harsh face’ Please see Claire, and place the names upon the list. As a room is made available … the next in line shall be brought within … and cured.” The group rushes to Claire as she writes the information down. The first seven; chosen, before the ship is to sail back. Alfred, is very eager to get to work.“Please listen carefully. The seven will be transported on my personal ship … after the supplies in town … have been loaded. It is vital … you have your loved ones ready … for five p.m. tomorrow.” Alfred and Claire escorts everyone back to the docks. The three men, among those returning; after a long afternoon, are eager to finally head home. Alfred and Claire thank them for their services. As well as, they keeping their mouths shut about the murder, Claire adds …“or…Else!” Alfred and Claire watch as the ship leaves the dock. A successful day is now ending.
The anticipation builds with Alfred. For he knows nothing; of the seven to come. He stands awaiting the sight of his ship; peering over the horizon, he watches from his study. Darkness has crept, in as the shining of dim light, circles from the lighthouse. The vision he has waited for finally … appears. He swiftly makes his way to the main room on the first floor … “They have arrived” Claire stands ready; alongside him. Alfred watches out the window, as Charlie escorts five able bodies up the walk. Claire opens the door and greets the newcomersinside “Please come in.”Charlie places large white envelopesupon Claire’s hands.“The medical reports” he states. Alfred standing in the grand hall, motions for the four women and one gentleman to have a seat. Claire excuses herself, as she and Charlie set out to help Randle; bring the luggage and two others inside. Alfred gazes through the files … and reads the descriptions to himself. He gazes upon the five present. Excluding the only man of course, he begins his game; to see if he can pick out who belongs to which file.
Number one, Depression after the loss of the child during birth. ‘He looks upon the faces’ A redheaded girl catches his attention. The woman is very thin and pale. Her face; reads a story of tremendous… loose. No life; within her dark brown eyes. Her gaze; dead. (Katrina)
Number two, Schizophrenic. A black haired woman; gains his attention. Her endless twitching and wiping of her skin as if … something were there. (Sandra)
Number three, is a Night Eating disorder, the man who is extremely… heavy set. No guessing there. (Michael)
Number four, Selective Mutism. Alfred chooses the youngest of the group. A young blonde girl; who sits looking at her hands. She makes no eye contact, and who is off his menu, she is far too young for Alfred … she is only ten years old. (Anne)
Number five, Claustrophobia … to the last female sitting in a chair; alone, across the room; near the window. She, a dark haired, freckled mid- aged woman. (Joan)
Now to see if he is correct which he is fairly certain, he speaks, “I will call out the names, Please … raise your hands to your proper name.” They respond just as Alfred believed. He, of course, once more outstanding; in his judgments. It was at the end of the exercise; that the remaining two are brought inside. Claire hands him two more white folders.
The first; a well-endowed blond woman; yet, very frail. Alfred looks at her with a bit of … excitement. Her hair pulled back tightly; in a ponytail. He visions; her hair, flowing … freely. Her slender body; yet‘his eyes engage’ her breast… large. She looks down at the floor. The folder; belongs to her … Multiple personality disorders. (Lauren)
The last, a silver-haired old woman. She stands only of about four foot. Her body is frail and hunched, severer amnesia or dementia. (Doris).
Alfred and Claire gather in the, kitchen; to review the files and discuss where each will be; roomed. While Charlie and Randle stand guard with a new residence. After some pondering, Alfred decides “Katerina and Anne will be in the wing 1. First floor secures, yet formal and light. Michael and Doris; placed in wing three; first floor. Their rooms, a touch of home and secure. Sandra and Joan will be wing two; first floor, padded and secure large rooms. And Lauren … she will be on the second floor; wing one. A secure and padded room, much smaller than those on the first floor, but, not far from‘he gives his deviant smile’ … me, myself.” The two return and direct Randle and Charlie to where the luggage and guest will go. Alfred, excuses himself from the group, letting them know he is going to review their files “I will visit each of you later in the evening … to discuss your therapy.” He encourages Claire to help escort them all to their personal rooms and … “Claire it is important to … set the rules and guidelines and what is excepted of them as they receive their treatments.”
As he closes the door to his loft; Alfred cannot control; his interest with Lauren. It has been … so long. His hunger; grows wild inside. He lights a fire and smokes his pipe. He reviews the files and decides the best course of action for the unchallenging five. The two long term, he whispers “Doris is no problem as a long term resident. An elderly woman; who has lost her mind ... is all. My favorite as of now … she will be a thrill to have … for a while … Lauren. Yes, I am eager to meet with her. I have a feeling‘taking a deep breath’ she will be delightful.”
Claire prepares six of the seven; with an easy light dinner and some relaxing classical music in the main room. Katerina had not eaten so Claire preps an IV to give her some nutrition. Michael complains to Claire he is still hungry. Claire quietly whispers in a very stern voice “You will eat… what … and when ... I say. You will not whine as a child … you will not … grumble your pity … Do I make myself … Clear?” ‘Michael shakes his head’“Yes” It is part of his recovery. He needs to learn food is the
… nourishment; not a source of happiness. Everyone; given medication, for sleep except a certain someone … Lauren.
Chapter 8
Alfred quietly enters the dark, cold room, of Lauren. His eagerness; growing, as he engages his sight upon her … nestled at the top right corner of her bed, her knees bent into her chest, and arms wrapped around them, as he … approaches. He takes a seat near her; leans in close;and asks “My dear, who is with me … this evening?” She does not answer. He tries to look into her big blue eyes. She gives him no … respond. Alfred can feel his eager intensity … ‘rising as the pit of his stomach begins to tingle.’ Softly he tells Lauren, “Claire will be in to give you … something to help you … relax … and I shall see you again… real soon my dear” as He smirks …a devilish smirk’Lauren looks upon his face ‘fear she swallows’as she looks into his blue eyes, shadowed, by his black rim glasses, revealing, only her silhouette on the glass. He leans in closer, for her to see, the emptiness within his glare. Lauren’s heart races with fear; but she … unaware of the danger … she now… faces.
Claire reports to Alfred of all the new housemates quietly now in their rooms, “They are all about to be … fast asleep.” Alfred smiles while handing her a syringe and asks“Please, see that our … Lauren receives it. And when you are through … you should get some rest … yourself. We have much work ahead of us Claire. I myself … will turn in shortly. I request … I Not be … disturbed.” Claire says her evenings … knowing what her friend is up too. She witnessed in his eyes; the eagerness; of needing to explore … the little blonde lady. She is … after all … his perfect description of a woman … he so … enjoys.
Alfred lights his pipe and watches the bright lighthouse … light circle. Darkness has swallowed the day perfectly … now just after midnight. His reflection staring back at him; upon the glass, as he begins to feel his genitals swell. He knows it has been an hour or so since the shot. He softly whispers“It is …time.” Alfred enters quietly, into her dark room as the light from the hall, only shining a dim essence within.‘His stomach tickles, his face brightens’ Lauren … laying still … asleep. He softly touches her bare arm,‘her skin is so soft’ she moves nothing, as he whispers to himself ‘The medicine has worked’ carefully; picking her up; cradling, her limp body within his arms, and returns to his loft. Placing her upon the chase lounge … Alfred enters his secret room. A thrill grows … within the pit of his… stomach. The silence; only broken, with the breaths she takes. He checks to ensure the equipment to be working correct. He gives himself, small zaps to reassure himself … ‘all is well.’ HE returns to her ‘smiling’ as softly… he lifts and carries her to his, secret room and places her on the ice, cold table. She moans, from the chill. Admiring her frail body; he begins to strap her arms first. She makes no sound … as he works his way now; to her legs. He slowly moves ‘humming’ as he lightly touches her warm body; allowing his fingers, to glide tenderly, along the length of her. He whispers ‘She sleeps so peacefully’ … as he embraces her soft, supple left leg first, he glides it to the side … strapping it down, repeating, with the same gentle care; with her right leg. He turns briefly away from her … and takes hold of the small, surgical scissors. Carefully, he caresses her… cool skin. He bends down and smells; her essence ‘as it flows within him’ his eyes widen; as the scent of her; trickles, down his nose … wanting so much for her to witness this, but waiting, he continues. Calmly, with ease now; he pulls and cuts the white hospital gown. She moves slightly‘moaning’. A pair of tiny, white panties; emerge from beneath. He gazes upon the small hairy bulge between her legs as he softly; completes the cut of the gown. As the material drops, slowly, away from the top of her body, a white lace bra comforting her large breasts; as they rise with her breath … appears. His pants; swell in the center‘soon’. Oh, how he loves, to watch the … breath. Carefully he releases the tie; keeping her long golden blond hair back. It drops and flows down; running his long slender fingers through it. He sighs. It is time; for his dear to wake now. Upon the table; a vile. He gradually fills the syringe, gives it a flick and places the needle in her hanging right arm. A few moments pass; as he watches her eyes … as they try to open.
The bright light hanging above, making it most difficult for her. Leaning over her; Alfred, blocks some of the light, as her eyes grow wide. The dark silhouette of a thin man she does not know … emerges ‘her image within his glasses’ Tears from the burning of the brightness; trickle down her cheeks. Fear builds now; in her look. Alfred steps back, she lifts her head off the table; looking down; at her mostly bare body. She looks back to him. He grins. As he turns placing the empty needle down;Alfred speaks quietly to Lauren,“I asked you before dear; who are you today. You had no response… ‘turning back looking upon her’,do you want;to tell me your name?” Once again she does not reply. The fear and coldness of this room; becoming far more than she can bare … Alfred approaches her. He runs his fingers through her soft hair; then grabs a hand full; twisting it up tight … standing over her, he leans forward;looking down upon Laurens face “No … what a shame. I certainly … would prefer; to know the name of the one I will be treating;tonight‘his grin sinister’ that’s okay dear; you … will … learn.” Alfred releases her hair to flow down again. Carefully he makes his way to the table and begins collecting the wires and white sticky circles ‘as she pulls at her arms and legs, desperately; trying to break, free’ returning to her, he starts to place them, upon her body; occasionally allowing his fingers, to softly, flow over her breasts and between them. The romance for Alfred; now …begins. Lauren begins to fight; she struggles to release her legs and arms from the leather straps …‘burning as the cut her skin’ they suffer in pain. Her body grows limp as her energy decreases. Her wet, cold skin; ripples with goose bumps … he softly begins to seduce her‘leaning closely to her’ … or sohe thinks. “My, you sure are trying to put up‘gazing his eyes upon her smiling’ a fight. It is no use honestly …wasted energy is what you will find. I have secured you entirely‘He smiles’ my guessing you weigh about … a hundred and twenty pounds. I have chosen to use my friend over there‘pointing to the defibrillator’. Laurens eyes follow Alfred;as he moves across the room. “As much … as I do enjoy … the full headdress I find it just does not suit … you. I do want to take this … slow." Removing a small table out from under the table Lauren lays upon very still; he carefully lifts the machine, and places it down upon the table closer to her. He walks back;and plugs the long cord into the wall. “Yes … you see, I want our first time‘smiling’ to be special … as first- time romance feels. My methods I suppose… are a bit ... erotic. I honestly; try‘his voice raise with excitement’ to help myself ... but the temptations …are far greater … than ‘shrugging’ I can… bear. The treatment dear one; electroconvulsive therapy.I became very … intrigued with these medical studies; as a young lad. My father, he did not know of my snooping …‘grinning a boy like smile’ through his books and research papers … kept under the stairs. I fell in love with … it all. The theory, is that the currents free the demons, within; to help, you know …Well you would not know …would you? They release you from the genes; that bind you. My father’s … theory. Others used this method to calm … their patients. I prefer … my father’s ideas. It was found that in some cases; even bringing past experiences hidden … deep within our minds‘tears flow down her cheeks as she listens’ to keep us sane. UN … Fortunately …’his voice darkens’ my devilish mother … she instilled upon my genius mind as a young lad … my incapable‘pointing to his body’ small framed body; would never satisfy any… woman. That wretched ... witch ... scarred my confidence so profoundly; now this method ...’sighing’ my only … release. You cannot blame father … for my habits. He as well … became … my test subject. Oh I must say … it‘twisting his hands together proudly’ was grand. I do consume my thinking of fathers theories’ … and certainly will do my very … best to prove him right. But … I have other needs �
�� as well.” He comes closer now as he begins to cut away her white laced bra. A satisfying grin; grows upon Alfred’s face … as he gazes, deeply upon Laurens large supple breasts and her light golden brown nipples aroused … slightly. His fingers glide softly over them, as he places a few more white circles upon her chest and abdomen. “Oh, your breasts… they are so… lovely," as he touches the sides of them, with the back of his hand. Slowly Alfred begins placing the white very thin cords into the little nubs upon the white circles. Softly; hewhispers. “My love; I make no promises to keep you safe. I have found … extreme pleasure; in my work. You must … understand, I have embraced my own … self-worth. This enticing exploration rendered my needs … far beyond my control now. My dear, father, Thomas … would find great hedonism in the evolution of my … progress. He who often pondered the process of our genetic gene make-up … and our childhood experiences; confidently … would confess to the world … his son’s mind … reached a potential beyond, even his …own.”Lauren's breath becomes heavy,as she listens to Alfred.“I …myself ‘Alfred explains’ I have never truly entered a woman …Not yet. You see …‘pointing to her body’ I engage in self-rubbing, as I watch and listen. Father, I convinced to do the act … myself not yet. I do imagine in time‘looking up to the ceiling; taking a deep, long, breath’ I may perhaps ... one day feel the joy of a woman’s softness ‘he sighs’ as I engage into her. Today is not that day …‘shaking his head NO’ maybe with you … or not. One can never be sure. Now then; I do believe we are…’his gin Wide with excitement’ready.”
There is no warning from Alfred; as he turns the machine on. The energy, surges, through Lauren; her body, jolting, about the table; she begins to moan loudly. He turns it off. She speaks not a word; but, tears fall from her eyes. Again, the machine is turned on, as her body … dances, upon the table. Alfred begins to unbutton his trousers,‘his heart pounding’ allowing them to fall slowly to the floor. ‘Click’ off … goes the machine once more. He stands close now … gazing at her breasts,‘his eyes glow with intense evil’ nipples full erect … as well as himself. Lauren glares at him … He smiles as he turns the machine on again. Then off again … This time he turns the nob to a higher voltage. Twisting the machine nob up; she screams out in … pain while Alfred; grips his manhood, with his left hand … as he watches her convulsing body … her nipples hard … and her hands, gripping into a fist. He imagines how she must feel inside; all this energy ‘must be making her moist’ … he pulls at himself; harder and firmer; his breathing builds with ... intensity. Pushing the button off, he stops for a brief moment, and lets them both rest. Creasing her chest; running his fingers, around her nipples; he leans over and places them, in his mouth; as he begins again to pull on his manhood. Lauren speaks softly … “Get off her, YOU… crazy…sick… BASTARD!” Alfred stands for a moment; in a very shaky voice of excitement; not just from his rubbing and sucking … but with her answer … he asks, “Who is… this … speaking to me?” ‘Her blue eyes narrow in anger … she answers, “My name,‘breathlessly answering’ is Melinda. I am the protector… of Lauren. And you … you sick … TWISTED … Little bastard … are going to get your sadistic ass… killed when … when … I get my hands-free.” Alfred smiles a deviant smile to her, as he reaches over and turns the knob up, another notch. Oh, the sight … as he watches her body convulsing over and again … his pulling upon himself harder and … harder. Suddenly, he shivers … with a loud moan; as his fluid … released. Lauren, spits at Alfred, as her body; lay shivering, with cold. She becomes limp from the stress.