The Taking of Eden

by Robin Alexander

  "Before we wake her up, there are some things I want to discuss with you both," Paul said, drawing their attention. "The pouch with the medications for Eden needs to be put in a safe place and kept out of her sight. She'll often be miserable as you wean her off the drugs. No matter how much she begs, do not give her more than the dosing schedule dictates."

  Paul reached into one of the boxes and produced something wrapped in a towel. "This needs to be hidden in a safe place, as well, preferably not in the same place as the drugs." He carefully unwrapped a revolver and set it gently on the table next to his plate. "Donald has a collection of hunting rifles and shotguns here, but I wanted you to have something small and easy to handle. Do either of you know how to shoot a handgun?"

  "My dad taught me how to use one when I was younger. I'm pretty sure I could use it if I had to." Jamie shuddered. "I hope it never comes to that."

  Paul slid the gun in front of Jamie. "Good, then you'll be in charge of this. I picked up a pay-as-you-go mobile phone and bought some extra phone cards. It's already been activated and programmed with my phone numbers. Use this only in a dire emergency. Don't call anyone on it but me.

  "I've brought enough supplies to last you for a week. If there's anything you can think of that you may want or need, just jot it down before I leave, and I'll bring it out next week. Until then, y'all are pretty much on your own out here, so be very careful."

  Jamie stood and fixed a small plate. "I'm going to see if I can get Eden to eat something before this gets cold." The reality of just how dangerous the situation they were in came crashing down on her, and she needed to busy herself before her emotions took control. Holly continued to talk with Paul as Jamie approached her sleeping patient.

  "Eden, it's time to eat," Jamie said as she gently shook her. Eden looked up at her groggily, then looked around at her surroundings, seemingly confused.

  "I'm not hungry," she said as she yawned and laid her head back on the pillow.

  "You need to eat something. It'll help keep your strength up and probably help with some of the nausea." Jamie sat on the couch next to Eden and prepared to feed her.

  "I hate eggs," Eden said disgustedly and turned her face away.

  "Then eat the toast."

  "Perhaps you have a hearing problem. I'm not hungry."

  "My hearing is fine, but maybe I didn't make myself clear. You are going to eat this toast and bacon right now." She raised one eyebrow but not her voice. The exchange was so quiet that neither Holly nor Paul was aware of the standoff.

  Eden took a piece of toast off the plate and bit into it with her eyes locked on Jamie's. "So, little girl, do you get off on bossing people around?"

  Jamie rolled her eyes, her patience waning with the obstinate woman she had risked it all for. "If it gets you to eat, then it gets me off."

  Eden cocked her own brow. "Kinky."

  "Sleeping Beauty has awakened." Holly grinned as she offered Eden a cup of coffee. "Don't even think about throwing this at me, princess."

  "I never waste good coffee," Eden responded as she eagerly took the cup.

  "I noticed that you were a little low on firewood outside. I'm going to split a few logs before I get back on the road. I need to do something to work off breakfast anyway," Paul said cheerfully, leaving the two nurses to contend with their testy patient.

  Jamie stood and gave Holly a little shove toward Eden, as she stretched her legs. Holly seemed to be in more of an amiable mood, and Jamie decided she would be better at getting Eden to eat.

  "You look better now than you did this morning. How do you feel?" Holly asked as she took a seat on the couch.

  "Peachy," Eden shot back.

  Holly gnawed her bottom lip and glanced at Jamie, who was glaring at Eden. "Look, I know you want to go home; we would really rather be at our homes, too. But until this is resolved, we have to make the best of it. Jamie and I just want to take care of you and get you back on your feet."

  "Fine then, just let me sleep. I've eaten my breakfast like a good little girl, now is everyone happy?" Eden replied sarcastically while looking at Jamie.

  Jamie exhaled loudly, her frustration apparent.

  "Well then, I'm just going to go take a shower and you just relax." Holly smiled at Jamie, who scowled, knowing she would have to stay with Eden while Holly bathed.

  Jamie plopped down in the recliner and stared at Eden as she lay back down on the couch. "Are you just gonna sit there and stare at me while I sleep? I can't be that interesting," Eden quipped.

  "No, I'm going to wait for you to fall asleep, then I'm going to draw all over your face with a marker," Jamie responded dryly.

  "I'll take my chances," Eden said as she snuggled into the blanket. After a minute or two, she opened her eyes and found Jamie still staring.

  Jamie smiled, knowing it was irritating the woman across from her. She watched as Eden slowly closed her eyes again. Maybe it was just stress, but Eden's attitude had gotten under her skin. She was accustomed to dealing with difficult patients, but she expected Eden to at least be grateful that they had risked their careers and lives to help her. She grabbed the handle of the recliner and lifted the foot rest, which made a loud pop.

  Eden opened her eyes again to find Jamie still staring at her. "You're really beginning to get on my nerves," the sleepy woman growled.

  "Good, then we're even," Jamie shot back as she arched her eyebrow. Eden flipped over with her back to Jamie and drifted off to sleep.

  Holly emerged from the bathroom shortly after. "Is Paul still chopping wood?" she whispered.

  Jamie made no attempt to lower her voice and smiled when Eden raised her head again. "Yeah, and if you don't mind, I'd like to take a walk and get a breath of fresh air," Jamie said, clanging the recliner loudly as she got up.

  Holly gently tugged her arm. "Are you okay?"

  Jamie ran her fingers through her long blonde hair. "I'm just a little antsy. I think I need a change of scenery."

  "Go explore the outdoors for a little while. I'll watch the princess. Maybe she'll do us a favor and sleep till dinner."

  Eden granted the favor and slept well through the afternoon. Paul left shortly after lunch, leaving Holly and Jamie to explore their surroundings. Holly was more than pleased when she found that the armoire sitting in the living area contained a television complete with satellite dish. "I hope Donald sprung for the movie package," she said while fishing around for the remote. Her heart sank when the TV screen failed to show a picture. The dish had long been disconnected.

  Jamie tended the stew that she had set to cook just after lunch and chuckled to herself when Holly let loose a tide of expletives as she realized their only entertainment would be a sparse pile of VCR tapes.

  "That satellite dish on the side of the house is just a big tease," Holly spat as she dug through the tapes. "So far, I've only found some old westerns and two horror movies. There better be popcorn, damn it!"

  Jamie set the table and served the stew. "Let's eat first, then we'll wrestle with Miss Personality. She needs to eat and bathe."

  "I can't help but notice that you haven't succumbed to the charms of our lovely patient," Holly teased as she tasted the stew.

  "I guess I just expected her to be a little different. You know...grateful."

  "I know what you mean. I wanted to beat her ass last night and this morning, but after finally getting some rest, I'm finding it easier to cope. She's still got a lot of drugs in her body, and she's just beginning to detox. Things are going to get a lot worse in the next few days. Afterward maybe we'll find a pleasant person. If not, I say we tie and gag her until we can leave here."

  Jamie chuckled. "I guess you're right. I'm not sure how I would react to having three months of my life stolen. It wouldn't be pleasant, that's for sure."

  Eden stirred and groaned as her caregivers were finishing dinner. "How about a drink of water?" Holly asked as she pressed her hand to Eden's sweaty face.

  "Yes...please," Eden groa
ned. "I feel like I've been run over by a train."

  Holly helped Eden sit up and watched as her hands clutched the glass shakily. "I'm sorry, honey, but you're going to have to tough it out for a little while. You've got about two hours before your next dose."

  Eden groaned and fell back onto her pillow. "Can't you give it to me early? I feel like I've been beaten." She shot a look at Jamie, who smiled sweetly.

  "Try and eat something. Maybe that'll make you feel a little better," Jamie said as she sat on the coffee table and prepared to argue with her difficult patient. She expected more sharp comments, but she was surprised when Eden nodded her consent.

  Jamie and Holly watched sadly as Eden's hands shook too violently to hold the bowl, much less feed herself. Holly gently took the bowl from her and began to feed Eden, who looked at her gratefully. "What is hurting you the most right now?" Jamie asked, wanting to help.

  "My legs feel like I have Charlie horses in both calves."

  Jamie went to the foot of the couch and raised the blankets. She ran her hands up the legs of Eden's sweatpants and massaged the muscles that felt impossibly tight under her touch. "Eden, you need to shave, honey," Jamie said with a giggle.

  "I need to bathe. I feel nasty, and I've been wearing the same clothes for two days."

  Jamie could feel the tension in the muscles relax as she massaged Eden's legs. She winced inwardly, regretting how irritated she had gotten with her earlier that morning. Eden was obviously in a great deal of pain, and Jamie knew, or at least hoped, that was the reason for her cross behavior.

  "After you finish eating, we'll help you into the bathroom. There's no tub, so you'll have to take a shower. Do you think you're strong enough to stand?" Holly asked as she raised the last of the stew to Eden's lips.

  "I'd like to try. It would be nice to wear clean clothes again," Eden said as she tried to sit up. "Right now I'd really like to go to the bathroom."

  Holly and Jamie helped Eden to her feet and slowly led her on shaky legs to the bathroom. "I can go potty by myself, ladies." She smiled sheepishly as she closed the door in their faces.

  "We'll be right outside the door if you need help," Holly called out, as Jamie looked at her in amusement.

  A few minutes later, the door opened and Eden stood holding on to the door facing. Her upper lip was already beaded with sweat from the short walk. "Why am I so weak?"

  "You're not going to be able to stand for any length of time in the shower," Jamie said as she draped Eden's arm over her shoulder and led her back to the couch, with Holly at her other side. "You're being slowly weaned off a lot of drugs. It makes you ache and feel puny. Looks like you have a sponge bath in your future."

  Eden collapsed on the couch. "Oh, boy, that sounds humiliating. I can hardly wait," she said with a growl.

  Chapter Five

  "You're not leaving me alone to do this myself!" Jamie hissed under her breath.

  Holly couldn't help but chuckle at the shade of red her friend's face had turned. "It doesn't take two people to give a sponge bath. Besides, you're the lesbian; it should be easy for you to touch another woman like that. I'm sure you've had tons of experience."

  "This is not some other woman. This is a patient," Jamie growled as she pulled a washcloth and towel from the cabinet.

  "Precisely, this is why you should have no problem doing it." Holly pulled out a disposable razor and laid it on top of the towel. "Try not to cut her." Holly quickly walked out of the bathroom and announced that Jamie would be giving the sponge bath and that she would go outside to allow Eden her privacy. Jamie stood in the bathroom and nearly bit through her lip to keep from cursing Holly at the top of her lungs.

  Jamie took a deep breath, steeled her nerves, and walked into the room, trying her best to appear nonchalant. Eden's obvious discomfort was written on her face. "Look, I think I :an do this on my own," she said nervously as Jamie set the things she collected from the bathroom on the coffee table.

  "I'm sure you would be more comfortable doing it yourself, although you're going to need my help with some of it. Give me a few minutes to get the water, and we'll get you all cleaned up," Jamie said brightly as she went to the kitchen for something large to put water in. "Why don't you get undressed and cover yourself with the sheet while I do this?" She called over her shoulder, as her stomach tied in knots. This was a little too intimate for her liking.

  She was pleased when she found a large pot and a couple of other dishes that would be suitable for what she had in mind. When they were filled with warm water, she returned to the sofa and could not suppress the giggle that welled up inside of her.

  "Go ahead and laugh!" Eden barked out. "I'm pathetic!" The angry voice came from behind the red sweatshirt she was tangled in. "I don't even have the strength to take my own damn clothes off!"

  Jamie set the pot down and gave the shirt a tug. The smile dropped from her face when she noticed the tears of frustration threatening to tumble from Eden's eyes. Eden looked away quickly, hating the pity she saw directed at her. She pulled the sheet up to cover her exposed skin, feeling more embarrassed and vulnerable than she ever had.

  Jamie quickly retrieved the rest of the pots from the kitchen and set them on the table next to her. "I've got an idea that I think will keep us from soaking the whole cabin. First we'll wash your hair. You can just lie across the couch and lean your head over this." Jamie positioned the pot close by. "I'll pour the water over your hair, then lather you up and rinse. Does this sound okay with you?"

  Eden took a deep breath and slid her body down the couch, then leaned her head off the side. Jamie supported her head with one hand and poured the water through Eden's hair until it was saturated. She shifted Eden's head slightly until it rested on her knee, and she began to massage shampoo into her hair. Eden closed her eyes as Jamie worked her hair into a lather. Tense muscles began to relax in her face. Jamie spent a while longer than she normally would have, studying the features of her obnoxious, but beautiful patient.

  "How did you get the scar on your forehead?" she asked softly, breaking the silence.

  Eden opened her eyes for a moment and looked into Jamie's, and a slight smile graced her face. "When I was a little girl, my grandfather was trying to teach me how to ride my bike without training wheels. He would give me a shove and I would peddle until I lost momentum. Then he would give me another shove. I was so absorbed in what I was doing that I didn't notice the tree branch in my path." She chuckled softly. "I got seven stitches and a huge bowl of ice cream."

  "See, your memory is improving already," Jamie encouraged.

  "I can remember some things, but I still can't remember what happened prior to being admitted to the hospital."

  Jamie's hands paused for a minute. "You weren't in a hospital, Eden; you were in the McManus Mental Health Clinic." Jamie questioned the wisdom of revealing this tidbit of information when Eden's eyes widened and looked into hers. She hoped the revelation would help jog Eden's memory.

  "What...did you say? McManus?" Eden's brow furrowed in confusion. Jamie could see the wheels turning behind Eden's stormy eyes.

  "Does that mean anything to you?" Jamie asked excitedly.

  Eden remained quiet for a minute. "No, nothing. I was just surprised it was a mental health clinic," she answered quietly.

  Jamie continued massaging Eden's scalp. "It's okay, you'll begin to remember more as the fog in your head clears."

  "My legs are hurting again, and I'm feeling queasy."

  "You have an hour or two till your next dose, I'm afraid. After we finish your bath, I'll rub your legs again. Of course you'll have to shave them first." Jamie grinned, trying to lighten the moment.

  Jamie carefully rinsed the shampoo from Eden's hair, then applied conditioner as Eden lay patiently with her head on her knee. Once she had Eden's hair wrapped in a towel, she refilled the pots with clean water. "I'll give you your privacy while you bathe. If you need me, I'll be right here in the kitchen."

  Eden d
id her best to clean her body despite the cramps that had begun to intensify in her stomach and legs. Exhausted, she fell back onto the couch and sighed in frustration. "I can't shave my legs; I just don't have the energy."

  "I'd be happy to do it for you, if you're not afraid of me cutting you," Jamie replied shyly.

  "It doesn't matter if you cut me; my legs are hurting too bad already."

  Jamie sat timidly on the end of the sofa. "Why don't you pull the sheet up your legs, and when I'm finished here, we can get you dressed in some fresh clothes?"

  Eden pulled the sheet up high enough to reveal her bare thighs. Jamie did her best not to appear nervous, but her hands shook slightly as she spread the shaving cream up and down the long leg presented to her. "I'll tend my bikini line when I'm well enough," Eden said with a smirk, making Jamie laugh.

  Jamie gently ran the razor over Eden's legs, hoping that she wouldn't draw blood. Eden lay back watching her. "Do you do this for all your patients?"

  "If they need me to, although I don't think I've ever had such a high-maintenance patient before." Jamie smirked back.

  "Why did you choose to help me?"

  Jamie paused and met Eden's eyes for a moment. "Something wasn't right. The way everything was kept secret wasn't normal, so I began asking questions, only to be shot down each time. Holly noticed it, too, and she confided all her suspicions in me. That morning I talked to you in your room, I knew something was very wrong."

  "I remember bits and pieces about coming here, but I don't remember talking to you before." Eden averted her eyes. "What was I like?"

  Jamie chuckled. "You were...very interesting. You gave the staff hell whenever you had half a chance."

  "I'm not crazy, and I didn't belong in that place."

  The smile faded from Jamie's face. "I believe you, that's why we did what we did."

  "You risked your life and job for a total stranger?" Eden asked.

  "At the time, it didn't seem like that, but when everything began to fall apart, I guess that's what we did." Jamie sighed as she spread the shaving cream up and down Eden's other leg.