by Ron Ripley
Meg looked at Zoe in surprise.
“What was she like?” Zoe asked. Her tone was ecstatic. “You’re so lucky, Meg! I wish I could meet her!”
Meg glared at the young woman and snapped, “Good. Maybe next time she’ll try and kill you.”
Zoe patted her hand. “Oh, it’s alright, Meg. You’re fine.”
The nurse stood up and smiled down at Meg. “You really don’t know how blessed you are for her to take an interest in you.”
Horrified, Meg watched as Zoe left the room, whistling.
Meg turned away from the door, got onto her knees, and for the first time since she had been a little girl, she said her prayers before getting into bed.
Chapter 32: Matias and Francis have a Chat
“You’ve returned,” Matias said, smiling at the young monk.
“I said I would,” Francis said, sitting down with a thump.
Matias nodded. “I didn’t doubt you would, Dom Francis. I am merely surprised to see you this soon.”
Francis chuckled. He said, “You have a new door, I noticed.”
“Yes,” Matias said soberly. “There was a rather bad death.”
“Here?” Francis asked, surprised. “In your room?”
“Yes,” Matias said. “Here, in my room. The Nurse beat a young aide to death.”
“I’m sorry,” Francis said softly. He looked at the door and bent his head, offered a short prayer for the unknown woman, and then crossed himself before he returned his attention to Matias.
The old man looked far worse than he had previously.
In a careful tone, Francis asked, “Matias, why did the Nurse kill the woman in your room?”
“She was here for me, to tell me to make my peace with God, essentially,” Matias answered. “The young aide attempted to stop her.”
Francis nodded. “Are you alright?”
“Yes,” Matias said, smiling sadly. “Unfortunately, I am. I am not terribly burdened by remorse or anything of the sort, Dom Francis.”
“I didn’t think you were,” Francis replied honestly. “But I wanted to be certain.”
“I do appreciate it,” Matias said. “I must ask, have you thought of a way to stop the Nurse?”
“No,” Francis said, frowning. “All I can think of is my faith, but I believe it would be more for my own protection rather than stopping her.”
“I would have to agree,” Matias said.
“I did meet someone in the parking lot who I believe does have the knowledge to stop her. His name is Shane and he has experience in this area. He had to stop off at an office so he’ll be joining us shortly,” Francis said. Suddenly, he felt uncomfortable, as though someone was listening to them. He waited a moment, but heard nothing more.
“You believe this man, Shane, can help us?” Matias asked, leaning forward.
Francis nodded. “I do. I truly do.”
“And these men, the ones on E Ward,” Matias said, “you believe they can help us, too?”
“I know Shane believes it,” Francis said. “And I believe Shane.”
“Fair enough,” Matias said.
Francis hesitated, then asked, “Do you know much about the Nurse?”
“I know a bit,” Matias said. “I don’t know if it would be much.”
“Anything’s better than nothing at this point,” Francis said.
The old man nodded. “Yes. I suppose you’re right. From what I have heard she was a nurse here at the end of the First World War.”
“Sanford is that old?” Francis asked, surprised.
“Yes,” Matias replied. “Older, even. I have heard it was built a short time after the end of the Civil War.”
“Considering the architecture, it would make sense.”
“It would,” Matias agreed. “In any case, she was a nurse here. Sanford’s primary purpose was to care for those who were damaged by war. Those men who had lost their minds either from wounds or from what they had witnessed.”
Matias adjusted himself on the bed before he continued.
“There were stories of men dying, the severely wounded, those who were madder than the rest. Some merely died, others,” Matias said, shaking his head, “she helped on their way.”
“For how long?” Francis asked.
“Not terribly long,” Matias clarified. “Shortly after the end of the war, there was a great flu epidemic. A pandemic ripping through the globe. New Hampshire was not spared. Nor were the men in Sanford.”
“Did she die of the flu?” Francis asked, unable to keep the surprise out of his voice.
“Oh no,” Matias said softly. “She was killed, so the story goes.”
“Accidentally?”
Matias shook his head. “No. The story is that there was some sort of incident involving a patient. The patient was violent and attacked the nurse. Evidently, the orderlies were so distraught they beat the man to death.”
A knock on the door interrupted them. Without waiting for Matias to respond, the person on the other side pushed in.
“Nurse Platte,” Matias said, surprised. “Whatever are you doing here?”
“An issue arose on E Ward, Matias. I had to stay late. I wanted to check on you before I left,” she said, and Francis heard genuine concern in her voice.
“Thank you, Nancy,” Matias said. “I am quite well.”
“This gentleman here isn’t tiring you out, is he?” she asked, looking pointedly at Francis.
Matias shook his head. “Not by any means. I don’t sleep much lately, as you well know. And I could do with a little tiring out.”
“Alright then,” the woman said. “I still have to be in for my regular shift, so I’m heading home.”
“Drive safely,” Matias said.
“I always do,” she responded. She waved at Matias and left the room.
“She doesn’t like me,” Francis said.
“You’re in good company, Dom Francis,” Matias said, reclining in his bed. “She dislikes only the finest of men.”
Francis chuckled and looked at the playing cards on the tray.
“So,” Francis said, “you play anything other than solitaire?”
A devilish gleam entered Matias’s eyes, and he said, “I play everything. Is there a game you have in mind?”
“Poker,” Francis said, picking up the deck and shuffling the cards. “Is there any other game?”
Chapter 33: Waiting for Them
He stood at the far end of ‘A’ Ward, tucked away in a shadow and his attention fixed completely on the old man’s door.
He had been at his post for nearly an hour and hadn’t seen a single person enter or exit Matias’ room.
He has a guest, you know this, the watcher told himself. Do not become lax.
Even as these words echoed in his thoughts, the main doors to A Ward opened, and three men stepped out into the hallway. The watcher recognized two of them. One was a new hire who worked on E Ward. The other was Doc Kiernan, who had been at Sanford long enough to understand the Nurse; who the third man was, the watcher didn’t know, and he didn’t care.
He merely made a mental note. His keen eyes saw the backpack on the man’s shoulder. The man’s bearing, the way he moved, all of it spoke of a man who knew the business end of a weapon.
Weapons, most likely supplies, the watcher thought. A large caliber weapon with the way the bag hangs. Possibly a cut-down shotgun. He’s the one to watch. The scars on his face. Combat veteran. Definitely a threat here.
The one she needs protection from.
The watcher slipped his phone out of his back pocket, keyed in a number and sent a text.
Three new arrivals. New hire from E, Doc from E. Third unknown. Bald and armed. Looks like he knows his business.
Within a moment, the watcher’s phone vibrated, the signal of a new text. He paused, watched the three men enter Matias’ room, and then looked at the response.
Excellent. Keep me informed.
The watcher erased the text mes
sage, returned the phone to his pocket, and focused his attention to Matias’ door.
Chapter 34: Matias, Sanford Hospital, March 10th, 1998
He was angry. Angrier than he had ever been in a long time.
“Dad,” Michael said, “I’m sorry, but Patricia doesn’t want you in the house. She says she can’t parent when you’re there.”
Matias looked coldly at his son.
“Michael,” Matias said bitterly, “your wife lacks any sort of ability in regards to parenting. My presence has no bearing on the issue.”
Michael’s face reddened and his lips tightened. Oscar turned away, hiding his smile. Michael glared at his younger brother but didn’t say anything.
“Do not attempt to make excuses,” Matias continued. “I know I am a burden, and especially so to your wife. However, I do wish I had been given a little more advanced warning about what was going to happen. I would have preferred to have been placed in a home a little further from New Hampshire.”
Michael nodded, and Oscar looked at Matias.
“Dad,” Oscar said. “We made the decision, Michael and me, to put you here in Sanford. When I get discharged, I’ll be back in New Hampshire. Plus, whether you like Patricia or not, she is the mother of your grandchildren. I know you’ll want to see them. And Michael too once you’re done being mad at him for not letting you stay at his house.”
Matias knew Oscar was right, but he was still angry. Glancing at Michael, Matias asked, “Will you bring the children to see me?”
“Dad,” Michael sighed. “Of course I’m going to bring the kids to see you.”
Matias was partially mollified by the new information. He took a deep breath, let it out slowly and said, “I understand why I can’t stay with you, Michael. I do. Your wife irritates me. I am afraid I let it get to me.”
“Don’t worry about it, Dad,” Michael said.
“Hey,” Oscar said, reaching into a pocket. “I picked something up for you.”
Matias watched as his youngest son took out a pack of Bicycle Playing Cards. Oscar deftly tore the plastic wrap off of it, broke the seal with a thumbnail and handed it to him.
“Thank you,” Matias said. He slipped the cards out and enjoyed the feel and the smell of the new deck.
“Listen,” Oscar said. “Michael and I are going to make a run down to Manchester for a few things. We’ll be back soon, okay?”
Matias nodded, forced himself to smile and said, “Yes. Sounds fine.”
He watched his sons leave the room and close the door behind them. After a moment, Matias removed the jokers and the introduction card and set them aside. He shuffled slowly, the cards slick against his fingers. Once he had them thoroughly mixed, he dealt out a solitaire hand on the bed tray and began to play.
The temperature in the room dipped slightly, and Matias shook his head.
Can’t the VA ever get anything right? he wondered, focusing on the cards and trying to ignore the new chill.
“I know you,” a woman said.
Matias straightened up, surprised someone had managed to get into the room unnoticed. He turned around and stifled a gasp. Matias clutched the remnants of the decks of cards as he looked at the dead nurse he had seen years before.
She eyed him carefully, nodding to herself.
“Yes,” she said. “I have definitely seen you before. It was here, was it not?”
“It was,” Matias said, surprised at how steady his voice was.
“You have come back.”
He nodded.
“How interesting,” the nurse said softly. “Don’t you agree?”
“What is?” he asked.
“How you’ve come full circle,” she said, smiling. “This is where you’ll die. Didn’t you know that?”
Matias had feared the same ever since Michael had told him about the move to Sanford.
“Yes,” Matias said in a whisper. “Yes, I suppose I did know it.”
“Oh good,” the nurse said happily. “It always makes me sad when people don’t believe me.”
“Is it today?” Matias managed to ask.
“No,” she said, smiling. “Not today. I’m not sure when. But it is not today. Does that ease your conscience?”
“A bit,” he said, his mouth dry.
“Very good. I will see you on occasion,” she said, and she turned and left the room.
Matias sat in silence, and for the first time in a long while, Matias felt fear.
Chapter 35: The Forces Gather
The small room was crowded. Shane stood with his back against a wall while Dom Francis sat in the room’s only chair. Matias reclined on his bed while Brett and Doc used the other as a couch. Shane’s backpack was on the floor between them all.
Introductions had been made, and an awkward silence filled the room.
“Let’s not all talk at once, eh?” Matias asked.
Shane could hear the trace of a foreign language in the man’s words. English was not Matias’s first language, nor the only one he spoke.
“I think perhaps Shane should lead off here,” Dom Francis said, and he sounded more like a combat veteran than a Benedictine monk.
All of the men looked to Shane, and he inclined his head towards them.
“I’ve brought with me a few tools that I know work for certain,” Shane said, gesturing toward the pack on the floor. “Inside there’s salt, flammables, a shotgun with shells loaded with rock salt, and something new.”
“I’ll bite,” Doc said. “What’s the ‘something new’?”
“I’m very glad you asked,” Shane said. “It’s a herb called Betony. The lore on the plant says it can stop psychic attacks in your sleep if you sprinkle it around your pillow. I’m figuring if we spread it around your beds as well, you’ll be safe.”
“Psychic attack?” Matias asked. “I don’t know of anyone who has been assaulted in their sleep.”
“I have,” Shane said. “When I was here and fell asleep on E Ward, the Nurse came into my dream. She was definitely looking to do me some harm, and if I hadn’t woken up, I know she would have.”
“You’ll leave the betony here for Doc and Matias?” Dom Francis asked.
“Yeah,” Shane said. “At least I planned on it.”
“What else are you thinking?” Dom Francis said.
“I’m not scheduled for my skin graft,” Shane continued, “but I’m not exactly thrilled with the idea of going home and leaving you all to the tender mercies of the Nurse.”
“Appreciate it,” Doc said.
“You’ll stay somewhere close by?” Matias asked.
“Yes,” Shane said, nodding. “I’m going to stay here in the building. Up on E Ward. She obviously likes to visit there more than anyplace else. I’m going to try and figure out a way to draw her out. I think that if I can get her out, talk to her a bit, I might even be able to find out where she’s buried.”
“And if she doesn’t want to talk?” Doc asked. “If she just wants to kill you?”
“That’s what my bag of goodies is for,” Shane said. “I’ll at least be able to protect myself. Give me enough time to get out if I need to.”
Shane looked over at Brett. “So, Doctor, what’s the deal? Do you think I could sneak into a room here?”
Brett shook his head. “No.”
“What?” Shane asked.
“You can't,” Brett frowned. “Listen, security has tightened up over the past couple of days, and I don’t know if it’s because of the increase in deaths or not.”
“Do you think security is in on it?” Doc asked. “I mean, it seems to me like there are more people who know about the Nurse than we thought, right? How else would she get away with this mayhem for so long?”
“Damn it.” Shane rubbed the back of his head. “I really thought I could grab a bed here somewhere. Anywhere.”
“No,” Brett apologized. “We have a few empty beds, but security has actually been checking everyone’s pass cards, IDs. You name it, they’re ch
ecking. A couple of the staff who regularly park in the visitor section at night had their cars ticketed. So I’m going to go out on a limb here and say you’d probably get tossed out on your ear, if not arrested for trespassing.”
Shane groaned and shook his head.
“What now?” Dom Francis asked.
“Evidently,” Shane said, “I sleep in my car. I was hoping to bunk down in here, and that way set up some sort of watch. Do you guys think you could swing that yourselves?”
“I think so,” Brett said, nodding. “I can try and have Doc and Matias here room together, at least for tonight, then we can work on stretching it out if we have to.”
“Is there anything else we can do to protect ourselves from her?” Matias asked, looking at Shane.
“Two of the big things are iron and salt,” Shane answered. He looked around the room, examining it. “The problem is, the Nurse pretty much comes and goes as she pleases. She moves through the doors, which means we could have the thresholds salted. But when I look at the ceiling, I see the vents. The heating system. The AC. You’ve got cables and wires running out of the walls. Hell, I bet the drop ceiling just cuts straight across the whole ward. I don’t think there’s any real way to stop her from entering the room.”
“So how’s the betony going to help?” Doc asked, a note of concern in his voice. “Seriously, why is she going to bother going into our heads when she can come into the room?”
“I don’t know,” Shane replied. “I’m trying to close off avenues of attack for her. If one of you stays awake and she shows up, I’m hoping you can scream for help.”
He looked at Matias and Doc. “Let’s be honest, this entire situation is terrible. Her decision to not kill you tonight is pretty much up to her; and whether or not you two can get away. The last thing I can do is leave either my shotgun or my knuckledusters.”
Matias laughed and Doc shook his head.
“No,” Doc said. “Pretty sure they’d throw us out, dying or not, if they caught us with either one of those things. We’ve lasted this long.”
Matias nodded. “We shall last a little longer. We’ll keep watch and use the betony to sleep as peacefully as we can.”