by Calinda B
“Oh, it’s about 8am. And we had a busy night last night. I’ve been up all night. Just thought I’d keep an eye on you.” His warm smile grows even wider.
“Oh, well, uh, thanks.” I push myself up to sitting. “I’m not used to waking up and seeing someone watching me. Did I need watching? I slept like the dead.”
He glances away and stands up, wandering over to the Blue Tray of Doom. Only this time he just hands me a paper cup of water, poured from a stainless steel pitcher. “Well,” he begins, not meeting my eyes. “I’d rather it was me watching you than anyone else.”
“Okay. And why is that?”
“You were, uh…you did…you were…you’re…”
“Out with it, All Smiles. The day has barely begun. And I must have a full schedule today at this resort.” I rub my eyes and stretch.
“Is that what you call me? All Smiles?” He beams at me.
“It seems to fit. You’re actually happy, and you work here. I don’t know what your secret is, but I wish I had some of what you’ve been drinking.” I swing my pajama clad legs over the side of the bed. “So what was I…did I…and am I?”
“You…” He cocks his head and stares at me, his chocolate eyes piercing. “That light thing…I was coming down the hallway in the middle of the night, and I saw light coming out underneath your door. I thought maybe you were awake. But you were sound asleep. And you were all lit up, glowing like a lightning storm. Take a peek at the effect you left.” He strides over to the bed and lifts the corner of the sheet.
My white sheets are scorched brown. They stink like burnt cotton. “Oh, no, did I do that?”
He nods.
“And you saw that?” I grab my head with my hands. “Please, please, please don’t lock me up more than I already am. I can explain.” I bite my lip. “Actually, I can’t explain it. But please…now you see why I don’t belong in here.” I look at him, desperation filling my eyes.
“Yes. I do see that. It was hard to miss. Thank goodness the lightning show finally stopped. I held vigil here all night, afraid someone else would come in and see you like that. I was prepared to haul you into the bathroom if I heard anyone.” He sighs. “You and Rafe. You’re different alright.”
“What do you mean? How is Rafe different?”
“Don’t you know? Can’t you people with different abilities sense another’s abilities?”
“Well, if we can, I don’t know how to do it, especially with Haloperidol streaking through me.”
“Yeah. About that.” He glances toward the door. Gets up and looks in the hallway, his head turning right and left. Comes back to my side and whispers to me. “I know it was you who messed up Dr. Bellows. I would have, too. The guy’s not very nice. He uses and abuses. He does way more harm than good. Ask Rafe.”
“How is he? Rafe, I mean?”
“He sure took the fall for you. He’s a good guy. Anyway, I’m willing to sneak you something innocuous like ibuprofen in order for you to keep a clear head. You haven’t been on it that long so there shouldn’t be any withdrawal from the Haloperidol. Dr. Bellows is going to be out for a while. You really clobbered him.” He laughs and shakes his head. “Damn, girl, remind me to not ever be your enemy.”
I smile. He’s got the warmest demeanor I’ve ever seen. Why in the world does he work here, then? “Is he badly hurt?”
“Nothing that time and modern medicine won’t lick.” He chuckles. “But yeah. He’s hurt.”
“What happened to Rafe?”
All Smile’s face falls. He shakes his head side to side. “Damn. It shouldn’t be that way around here. I mean, people are all different. Rafe’s unique. He’s got gifts like you do. And when he confessed to hurting Dr. Bellows, he got locked up good and tight. It was just an excuse to get him off the floor. He’s super nice, but he pisses off a lot of the staff since he gets so many special privileges. I tell you what, though, without Dr. Bellows here to protect him, he’s going to be fair game for the rest of them. Not that Dr. B did him any good.” His head shifts side to side again. “Damn.”
“What are his special abilities?”
“I think it would be best if he told you. He doesn’t open up that easily, and I don’t want to betray any trust. They’ll let him back on the floor sooner or later, and you can ask him yourself.”
“I hope to not be here that long. I have, um…” I stare out the window. “I have responsibilities to take care of.”
All Smiles nods. “I’m sure you do. That’s why I want to help you keep your head clear.”
The morning nurse marches in the room with the real Blue Tray of Doom. “Good morning, Matthew.”
“Good morning, Alice. Say, I’ll see to Ms. Engles’ meds. She’s had a rough night. Nightmares.”
Alice glances at her watch. “She should have been given these an hour ago. Doctor’s orders. You know that.”
“I do indeed.” All Smiles reaches for the tray and pats her shoulder. “I’ll take it from here. We’re all a little bit disorganized. It was a rough night.”
Alice flicks her eyes over to me and back. “I heard it was,” she whispers to All Smiles. “You’ll have to tell me all about it - out there.” She tosses her head toward the hallway.
“I will, I will. I’ll tell you all about it.” He smiles and guides her toward the door. “I’ll take good care of Ms. Engles, don’t you worry.”
After she left, All Smiles turns to me. “She’s a nosy busy body. Let’s just flush these down the toilet, and you can get up and ready for your day, okay?” He yawns. “I’ve gotta get me some shut eye.” Yawns again. Rubs his eyes. “I’ll be sure to get back in time for your next meds. I’m rooting for you, Ms. Engles. I’m on your side.” He makes his way out into the hall, whistling.
After he leaves, I take time to gather my thoughts. I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to deal with Armando Navid, but deal I shall. So much power! If he’s got El Demonio’s power combined with his own…I shudder at the thought. And then there’s Daniel - trapped in darkness with every evil creature that exists. I’ve got to speak with him. I was able to communicate, mind to mind, in Dr. Bellow’s office. Maybe I can do it again? Maybe I don’t need the diamond earrings to keep in touch. I settle back onto my chunky, uncomfortable, hospital grade pillow and pull the covers up to my neck. I close my eyes and breathe slow and deep. In breath. Out breath. In breath. Out breath. Daniel?
Cariño.
You can hear me?
Loud and clear.
No drugs. And no earrings. This is just my mind caressing your mind. I’m greeted with silence and then a wave of arousal. It slams through me so hard I’m grateful I’m on the bed. If I were anywhere else, I’d have done a face plant. The image and sensation of my dangerous lover are so vivid it’s as if he’s right here, right now. Invisible hands trace delicate patterns along my face. Invisible lips envelop mine. It’s as if his abdomen, hard and ripped with muscle, settles over my belly. His legs push mine wide. And then I feel his…his…his erection, piercing me, hard, slick and slow. A moan escapes. I writhe on the bed, my hands reaching down to my silky lips to assist the process. My fingers start sliding along my wetness. It’s as if Daniel is inside of me, and I can reach right through him to stroke my tender folds.
The door bursts open, slamming against the back wall. I cease my exploration, panting, and try to assume nonchalance. Only thing is, I am very aroused, extremely wet, and wanting more.
An orderly backs in, pulling a wheeled cart topped with covered dishes. He maneuvers the cart into my room, turns around and stares at me. “Sorry about the noise. I didn’t mean to scare you. Matthew said you had a rough night and requested that you be brought breakfast.” He cocks his head and studies me.
He’s an ordinary looking guy with close-cropped blond hair and a ruddy complexion. He looks to be in his early thirties.
I’m sure my face is flushed. I’m still trying to calm my breathing. My heart is beating hard and fast.
“
We don’t usually give special service around here so I wouldn’t expect this on a regular basis.” He sets the plastic covered plates a little harder than is needed on the functional, industrial dresser next to the bed. “Got it?”
“Got it.”
His eyes slide back over to me, and he regards me sidelong for a long, burning moment.
I think guys just know when you’re aroused. They can smell it, they can sense it, and they can feel it, even if they don’t know what “it” is. “Don’t you have better things to do? I’d like to get ready for my busy day.” I flash a caustic smile in his direction. Without another word, he departs.
I pick at breakfast for a minute but give up on what’s offered - cardboard tasting oatmeal and cold toast. So much for the special service. Instead, I head to the shower to ready myself for the day. Once inside the shower stall, I attempt to contact Daniel. Can you still hear me?
Yes.
What was that arousal thing that just happened? Was that you? I swear I can hear him laughing. Well? I’m still in the mental hospital. I almost got discovered pleasuring myself. More laughter. Daniel. Tell me if you’re okay. Thick, weighted silence fills my head.
The real question, amorcito, is are you okay?
Today I am. This place is horrid. I’ve been trying to keep the electricity to myself but last night I…I scramble my thoughts, not wanting to remember or reveal last night.
I’m waiting.
I don’t want to share - it was awful.
Dulzura, the only thing keeping me alive in here is you. Please tell me what happened.
Okay. Well. I…I…
Please, love.
He sounds so soft in my head, so vulnerable, I relent. I had a therapy session with this guy named Dr. Bellows. He’s a real ass. He’s the head dick around here. He tried some therapeutic process with me. I descended down a staircase. I came to two doors. One of them was where you are. I tried to find you.
Yes, I felt you.
I wanted to kiss you. I…
You what?
I’m not sure this is a good idea, telling him that Dr. Bellows kissed me. Not with him where he is.
Are you where the Numina said? In your dark world?
Yes.
Why did you cast yourself in there?
Are you trying to distract me?
Maybe.
What is it you don’t want to tell me?
Dr. Bellows, he…
He what?
I thought you were going to kiss me. I could feel you. I know it was you. Only…
Only what?
I can feel the burn of his growing anger like a hot coal burning through my belly. Calm down. I took care of it.
You took care of what, Marissa? You have to tell me. You don’t want me to concoct a story. Not with where I am right now.
I take a deep breath, square my shoulders and focus on the water pelting my head. They sure don’t make these showers a luxurious experience. The water is zinging and pricking my skin like tiny needles. I turn the faucet down to a trickle. He kissed me. When I was in a trance, he kissed me. An onslaught of energy slams through me. I steady myself against the shower stall. Calm down, Daniel.
I’m going to kill that man. I’m going to get out of here and tear him limb from limb. No one touches you like that but me. No one!
I gulp. Daniel…
What?
His response tears through my mind like a knife. Daniel, I took care of him.
What did you do?
I…I couldn’t help it. The energy just ripped through me, and I shoved him across the room. He fell against the wall and was knocked out cold. The raging, storming energy flooding my mind subsides. My muscles unfold into more of a relaxed stance. I didn’t realize my shoulders had been holding my ears up.
What did they do to you? Did they lock you into isolation? Increase your drugs? Are you okay?
Better than okay. A new friend took the fall for me. I’m worried about him, though. But the nurse in charge of me - All Smiles - that’s what I call him. All Smiles is going to find a way to keep me off the meds. He says he’s on my side.
Good. Good. We’ll find a way to reward him. But who is this new friend?
Oh, dear. I haven’t known Daniel that long, but I sense he’s a bit jealous of any male. I wonder if this is what happens to one of his kind when he does all that soul binding business. Anyone who even glances at me is considered a threat. He’s a friend, Daniel. You don’t get to tell me who I can make friends with, especially in a psych ward for God’s sake! You didn’t exactly consult with me when you hurled yourself into the darkness, now did you?
I had to do it. You had been hauled away. The Numina wanted me to pay consequences for what they granted permission that I do. My father was after me. I figured it best to come here until I could devise a plan.
Can you get out?
I don’t know. That’s the thing. I roam the darkness, searching for a sliver, a crack…any breach. But I can’t seem to find one.
Your father…
My father what?
It’s your father’s doing.
What is?
You being trapped down there.
How does he know where I am? He can’t find me here.
He can’t. He can’t enter. But he can keep you from ever leaving. I am struck by so much darkness, so much rage, I fall against the shower stall. A roar of hatred fills my head.
He can’t do that to me! This is my world! Mine!
Apparently he did something to consume El Demonio’s powers. I am embraced by silence. Daniel? Did you hear what I said? Your father took El D’s powers.
No, dulzura, he didn’t.
Yes, he did. I was at the ether meeting last night, and they said there was some prophecy or something that someone would take El Demonio’s powers and that’s what your father did.
No, cariño, he didn’t.
Yes, he did Daniel. Even the Record Keeper said that.
He didn’t.
I freeze in place. My breathing stops. The water is trickling down my back and splashing noisily on the plastic floor. Then who did? I don’t think I want to know the answer. I hear nothing. No responsive thoughts in my head. Daniel? Who consumed El Demonio’s powers? Daniel? Daniel? Still nothing. Daniel, talk to me. Who consumed El Demonio’s powers? Tell me! I hear the faintest whisper. I can barely make out the response, but it rings in my head like someone has struck a gong.
It was me, cariño. It was me. That’s why I threw myself into the darkness. I now possess more power than anyone has before.
Chapter 9
I don’t have a second to process what Daniel tells me as I am whisked into my busy day by Alice. She bursts into my room, privacy being a non-necessity at this “place of healing,” raps on the bathroom door, and we are away. I am hustled to group therapy, more group therapy, Self-Expression through Music, Paint Your Way to Healing, and other dumb activities until dinnertime.
I wander into the dining area, clear-headed for once, to mingle with all the zombies. No one ever seems to want to talk to me, though. They lower their gaze to their plates, get up abruptly, or shove the empty chair at their table over to another table. I get the message. Everyone here thinks I am a freak, especially since last night’s incident. I’ve heard the patients talking among themselves. Not a one thinks Rafe is responsible. They all suspect I am the culprit. And guess what? They’re right. I take my tray over to an empty table in the corner and plunk down in the chair, staring inconsolably out the window.
A hum of excited chatter erupts and everyone’s head pops up. I pivot to see what the fuss is, and to everyone’s surprise, Rafe appears. He hastens to my table without returning a single greeting. He grabs a chair and sits across from me.
I study him for a moment. He’s got a big gash in his lips, all stitched up. His lips are swollen and red. One of his eyes is black and blue. “What happened to you?”
“It comes with the territory.”
“An
d what territory is that?” I reach across the table to rest my hand on his, forgetting about the heat that erupts from my limbs when I’m not drugged. I only remember when he stiffens, grits his teeth, and tries hard not to pull away. I snatch my hand back. “Oh! I’m so sorry! I’m not used to being like this.”
“So it’s true. I thought as much.” He rubs his hand, now red and blistered.
“Oh, I’m so sorry! Let me get you some ice.”
“Don’t worry about it. It was worth it to have the proof. May I?” he asks, gesturing to my ice water.
“Sure. Anything. I’ll get more.” I start to get up, but he tells me to sit.
“This is fine. I’ve got a high pain tolerance.” A half smile forms on his face. He grabs a spoon, scoops some ice into my cloth napkin, and presses it to his blisters.
I wince. “I’m really sorry. Really, really, really.”
“I know you are. I told you, it was worth it.”
“All Smiles knows now, too.”
“Who’s All Smiles?”
“Oh, right - Matthew. Matthew saw my body’s lightning storm last night while I was sleeping. He’s on my side.”
“He’s a good guy.”
“So how did you get out of wherever they put you? Matthew told me you’d be in isolation for a while.”
His eyes flick away from me. “Oh, I did a favor for someone. Then, another opportunity presented itself to me.”
“You seem to find them like finding coins on the ground.”
“Something like that.” He peels the napkin from his hand and examines the oozing blisters. He leans in close, stretching across the table. “I saw you last night,” he whispers.
“Saw me how?”
“At the ether meeting.”
I jerk backward. “I didn’t see you anywhere. Where were you?”
“I tend to hide in the back. I’m good at hiding.”
“How could you see me? No one else could - not until I got pissed at Armando Navid, that is.”
He taps his head. “Same frequency. Haloperidol.”
I nod. “Right.” My lips purse. “So, you’re a sorcerer? A warlock?”