Hey everyone. It was a long weekend for me and so I apologize for not post everyday. But I did keep writing. As I near the last week of writing I can say with confidence I will probably not make 50000 words by the end of the month. But I do feel the story id reaching its natural conclusion as a novella. So please enjoy. And we will see how the rest of the story plays out.
-
The day with Cole had been shorter than he had expected it to be. Edward left Cloverdale after saying one last goodbye. She said she would meet him outside of his hotel around 7:30.
Dr. Kravitz spent the rest of his day in his office. Going over the recordings for the past twenty four hours. Most just sat in the room quietly or banged on the door to be let out. Before the time of sedation last night. James had made his final change into whoever he was now. The hazelnut thing fascinated Dr. Kravitz. Unless the file was wrong, James should have had an severe allergic reaction to the drink. It went against the Hippocratic Oath he took in medical school to do no harm, but he wanted to test a theory. It had come back positive. James was fundamental a different person currently. Dr. Kravitz wasn’t even sure that it was possible but it was hard to ignore the evidence.
Whoever was the dominant personality was going to be a problem for them. James was difficult and reserved but he like to talk about himself and his actions. And Dr. Kravitz felt he was actually making progress. They needed to get James back in the driver’s seat so they could have a baseline to work from. Perhaps it would give them some idea to who this new personality was. He was sure at this point hypnosis was not an option. They would have to take the alternative route, it couldn’t be done during the day in case something went wrong. He would have to do at night and only with a few present. Maybe Edward and Terrence and a Nurse maybe. Someone who could assist him if James body crashed from the stress. They were about to play a very dangerous game with a man’s life. A unique man. Dr. Kravitz heard Edwards voice in his own head. A unique man but also a monster. He’s done terrible things. Dr. Kravitz knew the voice was his own. He was trying to justify it. It was necessary after all. Wasn’t it?
-
Edward showered and contemplated shaving. The stubble look was growing on him. He felt it made him look older in a way he was okay with. He too had thought of Cole most of the day. That smile haunted him. The man at that table up in that room, felt wrong. Edward couldn’t put his finger on it. He just knew when they entered that room this morning, the air was rotting somehow.
The feeling made him wonder if he should get into shower and try washing again, but he saw the time was 7:10 and didn’t want to be late meeting Sally downstairs. He wasn’t sure how to dress. He had forgotten to ask what type of place they were going to. Panic filled his mind. A suit. Jeans and a t-shirt. After a moment or two of pacing he settled on mix of the two. He threw on a pair of his nicest jeans and partnered it with his suit jacket. It didn’t look bad, but he wouldn’t be featured in GQ that’s for sure. He put on his watch and gave himself one last look in the mirror before heading out the door. He smiled at himself and for the briefest of moments he swore James Everett Cole was smiling back at him. That wrong smile.
He left quickly and headed down out to the street. A blue sedan was pulling up as he exited the building. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen was behind the wheel. She beckoned him into the car. Edward got into Sally’s car and she smiled. The right kind of smile. Natural and warm. “You ready for our date?”
“Yeah I wasn’t sure what to wear. So I went with this amazing ensemble.”
“Hot stuff.” She joked. “It’ll be fine where we’re going they won’t judge you on your clothes.” She put the car in gear and swung the car in a big U and drove off down the street.
“So where are you taking me? I feel like I am being kidnapped.”
She slapped her forehead. “Oh crap I forgot! Can you pass me my chloroform in the bag back there. It’s next to my filet knife.”
They both laughed. “Ha. Ha. Very funny.”
“You’ll see. Its just up the street over here.”
Edward saw it as they approached. The bar was called Spurs. The neon sign above the doors should a giant cowboy boot and a spiraling glowing spur. “I’m gonna lose the suit jacket.” Edward said slipping it off.
“Honestly your fine. My uncle owns this place. Best food in town I promise. Plus if you turn out to be a sleazy date I know about ten drunks in there that will escort you home.”
She smiled and placed a hand on his. “I’m kidding. Come on.” She parked the car in the lot was pretty empty for a Friday night. They got out and went in side. As they stepped through the doors the smell of good food, cigarette smoke and stale beer hit him like a strange after taste. A group of old timers at the bar turned and all their faces lit up. “Sally!” They are cheered in unison.
“Hey boys. This here is Edward. He’s my date.”
One of the men at the end of the bar stood up. He had a barrel for a chest and a beard as thick as moss. A cigarette clung to his lip and he put out a finger as if he was about to speak. Sally gave him a pat on the chest. “Sit down Mel. He’s a good man. A lawyer. Now leave us alone and leave him alone.”
She took Edward’s hand and guided him to a booth on the other side of the room. The men watched him with vitriol in their eyes as if Edward held the last ray of light in a dark world. “Don’t mind them, they just get protective of me.”
Edward looked around the bar. It was the perfect slice of Americano Bar Life. Neon signs covered every wall. Pictures of old times sprinkled between those and a jukebox played away by a makeshift dance floor. “Nice place.”
“Yeah it’s not to bad. Probably not as fancy as some of the place you go in the city.”
Edward chuckled and took her hand. Beardy at the bar watched him with fiery eyes. “I think you have me mistaken. I live in the city, yeah. But I spend a lot of my time in my apartment or at work. Takeout is my go to for most meals. I don’t live the ‘Wallstreet’ lifestyle. Sure some of the guys from my firm talk about their dinners out with their girlfriends or wives. Hell. Or both. But I really just stick to my work mostly.”
She squeezed his hand. “That sounds sad.”
He chuckled. “It is. So this.” He put a hand up to a neon pig that was smelling a rack of ribs. “This is great.”
“Good.” She said smiling.
An older man with an apron on came over to the table. “Good evenin’, Sal. What can I get you and your friend here?”
“Hey unc. This is Edward.”
Edward put out a hand and they shook.
“You can call me Duke. Everyone does.”
Edward nodded.
“We’ll have two eight ounces with your special spuds. And-“ She looked over to Edward. “Do you want a beer?”
“Yeah that would be great. Anything you got on tap.”
“Same.” Sally said.
Duke nodded. “Coming right up you two.”
She placed a hand on here uncle’s arm and shouted “Oh yeah and can you make those old coots mind there own business.”
The group of men at the bar all laughed and turned back to watch the TV above the bar.
“You got it Sal.” Duke said and walked off.
She looked embarrassed and said “Oh I hope you didn’t mind me ordering for you?”
Edward laughed and said. “No. It’s fine. Plus you know what’s good here. I’m just excited to be here. With you.”
Sally blushed; a hair fell down in front of her face. Edward gently reached across the table and put in back into place behind her ear. “Sorry. Was that weird?”
“No it’s sweet.”
They talked for hours. About life. About money and work. Then about nothing at all. They laughed over drinks and Edward ate the most delicious steak and potatoes he had ever had. When a person thinks back on their lives to the moments they wish could have lasted forever. For Edward this was the one. He would have stayed in that booth with Sally Umbridge until the sun burned out and she was the only ray of light left. Sally was the one the books and the movies told about. The stranger that encapsulates everything you could have ever wanted and some you didn’t even know you needed. In that booth they were happy. After the booth they got a cab back to his hotel room and they continued to laugh. And kiss. And finally as the night pulled itself into the morning. They made love. That too was the kind of act that books take pages to tell. Just as they drifted off to sleep and Edward held her in his arms, he thought dreamily about their future. It was soon. Maybe too soon. But sometimes the heart can’t understand time. And if Edward knew that the next time he held Sally in his arms, she would be dying. He would have never picked up the telephone when Dr. Kravitz called the next morning.
-
Roach looked out of his door and saw the hall was quiet. He had been checking the time for the last two hours every few seconds. It was finally two in the morning. The air in the hall was cooler than in his room and he wondered if he should grab his robe. He worried it might get caught on something or make too much noise, so he left it on the bed near his night table. The last nurse patrol went by at one and he knew another wouldn’t come until three. He stepped out into the hall and walked quickly for the staircase. The one that most patients weren’t allowed to go up. He was allowed but only when making his deliveries at meal time. Patients weren’t supposed to be out of their room after nine so it made his heart race as he climbed the stairs. He went on all fours and ascended the last few steps. Around the corner he peeked. The night guard was gone. He was a habitual smoker he was told and that every night at this time he went out for one. He scrambled down the hallway as fast as he could. Roach wasn’t sure how much time he had. Out of his pajama pants he took the key he had swiped the day earlier from Dr. Kravitz’ office. The doctor kept a spare set of keys for every lock in the place in his office in the back of his closet behind his coats. Everyone as nicely labelled for Roach’s convenience.
He put the key in the lock and lifted the metal bar on the door. The handle turned and he pulled the heavy door aside. Mr. Cole sat up from his bed, his chained clicked as he rose. He was secured to the floor by an anchor. Roach had not found this key. Mr. Cole had told him that only his guard and Dr. Kravitz had a copy and not to worry. He was fine where he was at the moment. He had some games planned. Roach loved games.
“Thank you for coming, my friend.”
“O-Of course, Mr. Cole.”
“Please call me James. We are friends after all. Are we not friends?”
Roach stepped closer, avoiding eye contact with Mr. Cole. “Yes I believe- I would like us to be.”
“Well than we are. And like I promised. That Nurse Calvin will be dealt with as soon as possible you have my word on that. That man is a monster. I have met him once. I can see it in his eyes. He would make a fine addition to my collection.”
“Will you still be collecting me Mr-James?” He stammered.
“In due time. I need you for something a very special job. Unique to talents.”
“A game?”
The man smiled in the dark and his teeth almost seemed to glow. “Yes a delightful game.”
“I like games.” Roach said chuckling.
“Yes. As do I.”
-
Edward had awoken before Sally and stroking her strawberry blonde hair as she slept on his chest. The light of the morning was already starting to peek through the curtains. The phone rang and he cursed it. Sally stretched groggily.
“Sorry.” Edward said turning over and grabbing the headset. “I didn’t request a wake up call this morning-“ He rolled over. “No. No problem. Sure we can come by later night. Okay see you then. Bye.”
Edward hung up the phone. “That was Dr. Kravitz. He asked if we would come to Cloverdale around eight tonight.” He looked apologetic. “Shit! I’m sorry. I should have asked you first.
She leaned over and kissed him. “It’s fine. It just means we have the day to spend with each other.”
“That is very true.” He kissed her back. The smooth outline of her body made his mouth dry and ran a hand down the small of her back.
Sally smiled. “Do you wanna come join me for a shower?” She stood and the sheets fell from her creamy porcelain figure. Over her shoulder she looked at him and smirked. They showered together, neither taking a real interest in hygiene as the warm water washed over them.
They went for breakfast at the diner and Edward introduced Sally to Jan. “He is quite the fellow.”
Jan swooned to Sally.
“Yeah he has plus and minuses.” She replied. The two of them laughed.
They had a nice breakfast and coffee as they talked like new lovers do. Nothing too deep. Experiences. Old flames. Shitty jobs and embarrassing moments. They spent the day together smiling and laughing. Holding hands as they walked down main street. Blissful.
-
Dr. Kravitz gathered the needed supplies. He had made a quick drive to a colleague of his who worked at the hospital in town. It was a strange shopping list of things he got. But all very necessary. Tonight. He thought. Tonight could be the end of my career. Ôr it could be the key to saving James’ life.
-
The sky was slowly becoming dusk as they drove for Cloverdale. “Do you think this will work Edward?” Sally asked looking out the passenger side window into the forest.
“I’m not sure. Dr. Kravitz believes it may be worth a try and I really think he means to help Cole.”
“He really is doing amazing work for those people in Cloverdale. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about tonight. That man makes my skin crawl. Just those eyes watching me.” Sally shuddered. “You can almost feel it. Like a invisible itch covering your whole body.”
Edward knew that feeling. He had felt something like it the first day with Cole, but now Cole was gone and what replaced him seemed worse. More wrong. He shuddered too. “I wish you didn’t have to join us up there. But Winslow said he could use a hand if something goes wrong.”
“Well hopefully it won’t come to that.”
“Me too.”
The trees disappeared in an instant as they breached into the clearing. The large stone building looked unsettling and sickly in the twilight of the evening. It’s windows watched them with its milky diseased eyes. The peak of the tower stood like a spire stretching up towards the heavens. Edward thought of Cole and in his heart felt he should be in basement somewhere, locked up with the other creeping things that shrivel in the sunlight.
They parked the car and got out. “Winslow said to go around to the back.” Sally and Edward circled the building. A group patients where headed back from clearing with racks and clippers in hand. They kept there heads down as not to draw to much attention. Winslow has suggested as much in case tonight did turn sour. He wanted to minimize any involve he could for them. It was his idea and he would go down with the ship if he must and disavow anyone else’s involvement with what they were about to do. After passing around a corner they saw above them was the windowless tower. Behind those bricks was a man responsible for countless deaths and mutilations. A man convinced he was collecting those he killed. Like a dragon he waited in a stone tower, but instead of guarding a princess he held information that may give a family some peace and be able to bury their little girl.
Terrence stood by a small door close to the base of the tower. He waved them into the door. “This way you two.” He led them up a long dark staircase. At the top of it was a door in the ceiling. The latch on it turned and he lifted it outwards. As they stepped out Edward realized they were up in the hallway that led to Cole’s room. “This is some cloak and dagger stuff.”
Dr. Kravitz stood by the door a medical bag in hand. “I believe this was installed for thing reasons similar to our reasons this evening. Not entirely ethical reasons, I mean.”
“Our ends justify the means Winslow. Plus if anything happens there are probably thousands who would gladly shake your hand.”
He frowned slightly at Edward’s comment. Edward meant it. The hall was already becoming dark as night fell. Terrence, Sally, Edward and Dr. Kravitz stood looking at one another.
“One last time. Does anyone want to leave? It is your right. I will not make you stay. This is a diving expedition that I am not sure will be fruitful. But we are running out of time. I understand behind these doors is a man that most people would love to see tarred and feathered and displayed for all to see. He is a killer, I am not oblivious to that fact. But he is a unique individual. I don’t believe he is lying or being deceitful. I don’t think this is a ruse. I do believe we are dealing with someone suffering from something never before seen in the history of human medicine. So I give you this one chance. Does anyone want to leave?”
Sally looked at Edward. Then Terrence. “I’m in however I can help.”
“Me too.” Edward added.
“Ya’ll are crazy, but you know I got you.” Terrence the quiet giant said.
“Okay great. Edward when we get into it. I want you to stay on him just like before. You antagonize him in a way that will allow me to control the questioning. Sally I will need you to monitor his heart rate and vitals. In this bag is everything we need. I will administer the cocktail and it should take about ten minutes to reach full effect. Terrence you just be ready for everything else.” Dr. Kravitz said looking to all of them.
They nodded. “Let’s begin.”
Terrence put his key into the door and turned it as he lifted the latch. Cole or whatever he was now sat smiling at the table. The TV sat playing on the far side of the room. The room was almost entirely dark besides the flickering of color on his face.
“Come to join me for some primetime viewing?” He asked them.
“Something like that.” Edward said.
“Terrence can you please help me secure James to the chair.
“What?” Cole asked.
Dr. Kravitz and Terrence stepped forward and the doctor hand him a set of cloth restraints.
“Hey get the fuck off me!” Cole yelled as both the men secured his hands and feet to the metal chair. As he struggled the chain rattled and slithered like a metal snake on the floor. “This is fucking bullshit. Get me out of these!” He screamed as Terrence finished securing the last restraint.
“I assure you James, you will be fine.” Dr. Kravitz stated as he reached into his bag and pulled out a capped syringe and a small brown vial. He removed the cap with his teeth and shoved the needle into the vial and slowly pulled the plunger.
“What the hell is that stuff?” Cole panted, struggling against the cloth cuffs.
Edward smiled. He actually enjoyed seeing the man squirm. There was some cosmic justice in it somehow. “It’s freedom Cole. Just relax.” Edward said the smile still on his lips.
“Sally here, please place this around his arm.” He handed her a handheld blood pressure monitor and she secured it as she has done a thousand times since nursing school.
“You know this is right Sally.” Cole pleaded.
She ignored him and secured the monitor to his arm.
“Please try and cooperate, James. In my experience its more bearable if you do not fight it.”
“Fuck you, fag. I’ll fight until I die.”
Dr. Kravitz took in a breath to keep from hitting James. “Perhaps you’ll get to prove that theory.” He injected the needle into Cole’s arm and pushed down the plunger. The liquid disappeared into Cole’s veins and they all took a stepped back.
Cole began to laugh. “I’ll fucking take you all. You’ll see. I’ll get out of him and I will collect every single one of you and everyone you fucking love. They will all be with him and they’ll all die with me. This is my time.” He turned to Dr. Kravitz. “I’ll have you and your fairy boyfriend.” He looked to Terrence. “I’ll have you and your wife and your little girl.” He then turned to Edward. “And I’ll have this little bitch too.” He smiled as his gaze shifted to Sally. Edward lunged forward and punched Cole so hard his head went back and hit the side of the chair he was strapped to. Blood dripped from his mouth to his lap and he began to laugh again. “Wow, you have a set a balls after all. I’m impressed. Maybe I’ll take you first.” Cole said as the drugs took hold.
-
What had been in the syringe was a mixture of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, Dimethyltryptamine and two doses of B12. Cole lulled in the chair and a string of blood and drool descended to the floor at his feet.
“How is this suppose to be helpful Winslow, when he can’t even talk?” Edward asked.
“Give him sometime. He’s heading to the end of the universe right now the trip can taxing.” Dr. Kravitz assured him.
Another five minutes went by and Cole began to whisper to himself in a low tone. It didn’t sound quite like words but grunts.
“James, its Doctor Kravitz, I would like to speak to you.”
Cole’s head swayed with the words, but it did not rise to meet them. Dr. Kravitz tried again. “James. Please this is your chance to step forward. I suggest you take it.”
Still no answer.
“We need to know where Sarah’s body is?” Edward shouted.
Cole’s head rose and he sat back. “Where am I?” The voice that came from his lips was soft. His eyes jumped around erratically at the other people in the room. “Why is it so loud? Who are all those people?”
“What do you mean? Who are you?”
“I’m Sarah. Where am I? Where are my mom and dad?”
Sally stepped beside Cole and knelt down. “Sarah, honey, you are in a safe place. This is Dr. Kravitz. He’s here to help you.”
“Why am I tied to this chair? Where are my mom and dad!” She started to scream.
“Sarah. Please. Listen. What do you remember?”
Cole’s chest started to rise and fall. It became quicker with every second. “I don’t know. I don’t know.”
“Please Sarah. Try and remember. We want to help you.” Sally said placing a hand on Cole’s arm.
Cole looked at her. His eyes seemed to be a brighter shade of blue than they were before. They were filled with tears. Tired, sad eyes gripped Sally’s. “I-I was in a dark room. A black room. Their were so many voices. But no one around. Most of them were screaming for someone, anyone to find them. There was a man. He talked to me most of the time. I think I knew him.”
“Did the man have a name?” Edward asked from behind Dr. Kravitz.
“I don’t know. I don’t think so.”
“What else do you remember Sarah, before the black room with the voices?”
“I-I.” Cole looked down at his lap and then at the restraints. “Where am I? Please.”
“You’re safe. Please try and remember.” Edward said trying to smile. It as hard to believe what he was seeing and what they were doing. This had to be a farce. Cole had to be the world’s best actor if he was, but somehow the voice that came from Cole’s mouth and eyes that pleaded to them were so genuine it was hard, not to want to rip the restraints of his wrists.
“I don’t remember anything else. I was at home. In our house. My mom and dad had just run next door to check on Mrs. Wilson’s cows.”
“Who was Mrs. Wilson?” Sally asked. Both Edward and Dr. Kravitz looked at her bewildered. With her off hand she waved away her glances. “She was a neighbour?”
Cole nodded. “She had come down with the flu. She had a herd of twenty. I was watching TV and my brother he was upstairs in his room.”
“What else honey?” Sally asked.
“I don’t know. A man came to the door. He said he was a friend of my daddies. He said he had brought the puppy he had asked for last week. I was excited.” Cole looked to Dr. Kravitz then Edward. “I had been asking for a dog for almost two years. I thought maybe Daddy had finally changed his mind. The man said he had it in his truck if I wanted to see it. He said it was cold out so he didn’t want it to wait in the truck. I don’t think I membered seeing any lights drive up.” Cole’s face scrunched a bit and he turned to Sally. “I don’t. I remember seeing the dog. Why is that?” Cole began to take in quick sharp breaths. He looked at Dr. Kravitz. “Why can’t I ‘member the dog? I ‘member leaving my house to see it. But I don’t ‘member what it looks like. Why? Why?!” He started to screaming.
“It’s okay Sarah. Calm down.”
“I want to see my mother! I. Want. To. See. My. Moth-“ Cole slumped in his chair and against his restraints. His breath was still quick and short but it seemed to becoming more calm. His head rose and he looked around the room once more. He settled on Dr. Kravitz. “Dr. Kravitz what happened?”
“James?” He responded.
“No. Its me. Eloise. What happened?”
“What do you mean.” Dr. Kravitz asked. His hand was writing furious in his clipboard yet he never looked down.
“Those voices. There were so many of them. James was there. The others... I need a smoke.”
Dr. Kravitz looked at Edward, who in turn looked at Terrence; he shook his head. A lighter ignited beside Cole and Sally held out a smoke to his lips. Edward didn’t know she smoked. She hadn’t the entire time they were together.
“For special emergencies” Sally said with a hint of shame.
Cole inhaled deeply and the smoke filled his lungs. “Thank you dear.”
“You said James was with you. Did you speak with him?” Dr. Kravitz asked.
“No. I could just hear him. He was talking but he sounded distorted.” He took a drag off the smoke and exhaled.
“Do you know where you were?” The doctor questioned.
Cole shook his head. “It was very dark.”
“Do you if there is a way we can get in touch with James?” Dr. Kravitz asked.
“No. We don’t talk much. Never really did even when he was little. He was always somewhere else. In his own head or in front of that damn TV. I swear he scrambled his brain being in front of that dum-dum box.”
Edward took this chance to play his part. “Then why did you get him one if you hated it so much. You’re the parent aren’t you?”
Cole turned in the chair to Edward. “I don’t appreciate your tone. And I am guessing you don’t have kids which means you probably have a life. That TV gave me my life back. It was cheaper than any babysitter on the block and he was a smart boy when he needed to be. A TV dinner in the microwave and Mommy got a little me time to go out.”
“A real prize homemaker.” Edward scoffed.
Cole scowled. “I deserved a life too, you know. Just because I got knocked and he couldn’t handle the idea of kids should mean I have to do it all by myself.”
“Kids?” Edward mouthed to Dr. Kravitz.
“Yeah that’s not fair. But men don’t get that. As long as they give their money. That’s that.” Sally said over Cole’s shoulder. She winked at Edward. Sally was amazing. Sharp and quick. He thought she would make a great lawyer. She knew how to get in. Like water looking for a crack in the foundation. Sally Umbridge seemed to get to the bottom of anything she wanted. Edward was in real awe of her.
“See she gets it.” Cole said taking another drag. “This asshole didn’t even pay for nothing. Not a dime not a cent. One lousy birthday card was all he sent. And the scumbag only sent one card for both. Stupid dummy. Let that be a lesson to you missy. Don’t spread it for anyone. You can’t be sure who they are until they have a reason to run.”
“Mrs. Cole, what do you mean by both?” Dr. Kravitz asked.
“Well it wasn’t entirely his fault he didn’t know. I didn’t even show it to James. He’d have too many questions he was such a sensitive boy. He wouldn’t take it well if he knew his daddy didn’t want him and his brother had died.”
“Brother?” Edward and Dr. Kravitz both said.
“Yeah I thought it would have been in his file.” Cole said convinced. “My husband ran out on me when he found out I was having twins. The stupid dummy. He was coward. And sensitive too. Actually James looked a lot like his daddy.”
“Mrs. Cole, I wasn’t aware James had a brother.” Dr. Kravitz stated filling through his copy of Cole’s file. A few pages and pictures wafted to the floor in front of Edward. He bent down and turned over the picture that landed on his shoes. It was the school picture of Sarah. She wore a yellow dress and a bow in her hair. A rush of anger came over him and he gripped the picture almost to the point of crumpling.
“I don’t think the poor thing even make it out of me. He was technically the oldest cause he came out first. I promised my daddy when I was a little girl I would name my first born son after him. But when the baby came out small and grey. The doctors saw he wasn’t breathing, they tried to bring him back but the birth had been to much on him. He died before James came out. Now he was a big baby twice as big as any baby I had seen. I didn’t dare say it, but I wondered if somehow James didn’t get all the food I was eating instead of his brother Everett.”
“Everett?” Dr. Kravitz asked.
“Yeah. I know what you are thinking. But I promised my daddy. I would name my boy after him. But it didn’t seem right giving the first name Everett to my second son after his brother died. So I named him James Everett Cole in honour of his brother and his grand daddy.”
“I see. And you are sure Cole never had any idea, about his brother?” He asked.
Cole nodded furiously. “Yes I am pretty sure. I never mentioned Everett around him or showed him the card from his sperm donor of a daddy.”
“You threw out the birthday card?” Sally asked.
“Well no. It had the address of that dead beat and I thought if I ever got up enough money I could track him down and get a bit of what he owed us, the stupid dummy.”
Edward began to laugh and the room looked at him. He laughed harder and harder. The picture was clutched tightly in his hand.
“Edward are you okay?” Dr. Kravitz asked.
“Let’s just cut the shit here. This is ridiculous. What are we doing here? Make believe. Pretend?” Edward asked stepping forward. “We are just gonna listen to this psycho, blither on like some Norman Bates want to be? He’s faking it. He has everyone convinced he is all these different people. That he collected them. Its insane. He should get the chair.”
“Who is this man? He seems unstable, Dr. Kravitz.” Cole said sitting back in his chair.
“Fuck you.” He clambered towards Cole the picture of Sarah in his hand. “Look at this? You did this.”
Cole looked at it confused “What is that?”
He grabbed Cole by the back of his head and shoved it into the picture. “It’s the little you raped and murdered.”
“Let go of me you bastard!:
Dr. Kravitz watched Edward carefully and put a hand up to Terrence telling him to give Edward some space. Sally cringed watching the man she had made love to not even twenty four hours ago, with a face red from anger.
“Where is Sarah’s body Cole! Give this shit up. Now!” He shook Cole by the neck.
“Edward I think that’s enough.” Dr. Kravitz said.
“No! Where is Sarah where is her body Cole? Where is it?”
Cole began to shake himself. “I don’t know. My son doesn’t know. We don’t know!”
“Stop lying.” He smacked Cole and Dr. Kravitz yelled to Terrence.
“Terrence relieve Mr. Mandrake please.”
The large man scrambled from wall he was standing by, but James was faster. He pulled back and let a punch fly into Cole’s chin. The guard grabbed him and lifted him passed Dr. Kravitz. Cole’s body began to convulse. His eyes rolled up into their sockets and the red pumping veins rose from beneath. “I don’t know. I don’t know. I. Don’t. KNOW!” Cole screamed his body shaking. Sally and Dr. Kravitz watched in horror as Cole’s face changed before them. Tears, laughter, cries of pain came from the man in the chair. They saw his muscle constrict and retract. Veins bulged in his neck and he rocked back and forth.
“Dr. Kravitz, I think we are losing him his blood pressure is dropping.” Sally yelled
“In my bag grab the adrenaline shot. Its in the yellow syringe.” He ran to her and checked Cole’s pulse himself.
She handed him the syringe and he uncovered the needle and implanted into Cole’s arm. The liquid shot into Cole’s blood stream and he let out a guttural ancient scream. His arms and his legs pulled up against the restraints. The one that held down his left wrist broke and Cole’s hand clutched Dr. Kravitz’ throat he threw the man back behind him and he hit the metal bed against the wall. Terrence and Edward were in the hallway when they heard the yell and saw Dr. Kravitz slide across the floor. As time often does in a moment like that, it slowed and focused. Edward screamed he was sure the whole hospital could hear him. Cole-No Everett smiled at him. He was sure in that moment it was not James. Everett took Sally by the arm and pulled her down onto his lap. She fought him as she fell forward. His eyes never left Edward as his tight thick arm wrapped around Sally’s neck. She struggled, tears filling her eyes. She sent a hand with outstretched nails at his face. Four deep lines of red grew on his face, but he never stopped smiling. He pulled hard up on his right arm and the second restraint broke free as well. The newly free arm joined its counterpart wrapping itself around Sally’s neck and head. Her eyes to went to Edward and she screamed as she knew what was about to happen. Cole’s arms turned her neck and head in different directions and from the doorway Edward heard the deafening crack that ended her life.
Edward fell forward crying as Terrence passed him. His baton already in hand. It took four hits with everything he had to send Cole to floor. His arm would hurt the entire next week, but Cole finally laid on the floor in a pool of his own blood. Unconscious and breathing heavy, but still smiling.
Edward crawled to Sally who laid lifeless in the same pool of blood as that monster. Her strawberry hair soaked in the red crimson liquid. He took her body into his arms and couldn’t stop screaming. The words filled his mind and they repeated in his soul like a curse. I think he means to collect. I think he means to collect. I. Think. He. Means. To….collect.
-
Edward sat in the police department lobby for hours. To him it didn’t matter he would wait there for the rest of century. Everything around him was grey and his face hurt from crying. He hadn’t had long with Sally Umbridge, it wasn’t fair. They had found a connection and it was snuffed out but a monster in a cage. His client. Someone he was hired to save. To save his literal life. Edward didn’t want the case anymore. He didn’t want to represent people like Cole anymore. Monsters. He wanted the opposite. In that moment he was glad he didn’t own a gun. He had been stupid and naïve. He wondered about all those parents, brother, sisters, lovers, children; that sat on the other side of the aisle. The ones that curse at him outside of the Courthouses. Was this what they felt? Powerless. So angry that you would glad take the life of someone else to make you feel something. He wanted justice for Sally. He would give her that. Edward owed her that much.
Dr. Kravitz sat down beside him. His face was red and swollen. “I am so sorry, Edward.”
Edward sat their quietly. He was afraid of what he might say if he opened his mouth to Dr. Kravitz. He knew it wasn’t Dr. Kravitz’ fault, but he wanted to blame him wanted to yell. The rage inside of him was bubbly, up and up. Scalding fury waiting to erupt. Needing to erupt.
The police officer waved him in. Edward stood immediately and entered the room. Leaving Dr. Kravitz to his own angry and sad thoughts.
The questioning was routine for Edward. He had represented clients a hundred times in a room like that. He didn’t lie. Not once. He told them exactly what happened and tried not to leave anything out. They wanted a reason to keep Cole in the pan. The fires were stoked and ready. He wasn’t going anywhere.
The officer let him go after a half hour of questioning. Edward gave him his card and the number of his hotel, in case they had any questions for him later. They seemed confident that they wouldn’t. A taxi took him back to his hotel, but he didn’t stay there that night. He grabbed his things as quickly as he could, never looking at the bed. He couldn’t do that. Not now. That night Edward Mandrake slept in his card. It was cold that night, but his anger kept him warm. He didn’t sleep much anyway. That smile kept him awake. It was all he could think about. Had that been James Everett Cole? Or had it been someone else. Something else. It was ridiculous to think such things. But those thoughts floated freely of the cold, dark air of the night. Had it been Everett Cole? Regardless if it was James or Everett. They both were the same man to Edward. Kill one. Kill Both. He thought. Sally deserved justice.
-
Winslow went home after the police were done with their questioning. He put his key in the lock of their condo. The key turned and he stepped in. The condo was black and he could see from the outdoor light that followed him into the entry way, that Bruce’s work shoes were gone. This was one of the times he was happy Bruce wasn’t home to greet him. He knew their would be more questions. Questions he wasn’t ready to answer. He wanted to sleep. Winslow walked down the hallway toward the bedroom. Pictures covered almost every inch of those with smiling images of him and Bruce. Happy. Alive. Poor Sally, Winslow thought. It had been his fault. He knew that. Edward had every right to be angry with him. He saw James for the first time as something more than a patient. It had been the first time he was more concerned with something other than being a doctor and helping someone. James was going to be his life’s work. He was going to change the world. But now it looked like he may not even have a job next week.
He was about to lay down on his bed and never wake up, when he looked down at his hands. They were stained red with Sally’s blood. His head was also crusted with blood from when he was thrown. He took of his pants then his shirt and threw both in the bathroom garbage can. He took of his underwear after he started the water.
Winslow got in a let the scalding water wash over him. As the blood washed off his body the tub basin went pink. Closing his eyes. He replayed those moments in his head. They never did get the information they were looking for. Sarah’s body was still somewhere out there. No dignity for that little girl as the worms had their fill. His hands held his face as he sobbed.
He dried himself off, but was too tired to even put on a new pair of underwear. Winslow got into bed and fell into a dreamless sleep. More unconscious than actually resting. When his eyes opened that morning and he remembered the nightmare from the night before he got up closed the curtains and went back to the dark place under the covers. He remembered as a kid, his dad telling him. Under the covers is where your safe from the monsters. He wondered if that was still true for adults. When were are kids monsters are scary, tentacled beasts, shapeless and infinite with massive teeth and claws. Ready to slice us up and eat us. When you grow up those monsters change. They hid behind the faces of people. People like James Everett Cole. People who wait in the shadows and when you try and pull them out into the daylight they lash out, taking back whoever they can to dark place. The place where there is no light. The black room.
-
Edward sat at the same booth at the diner he had all those mornings. Jan hugged him when she saw him. She was warm and kind. Edward carried a large duffle bag in his hand. Its weight could be heard when he put it down in the booth beside him. “Can I get you something for lunch, hun?” Jan asked.
“No just a coffee.”
“Coming right up.” Jan walked off and Edward placed a hand on the duffle bag just to make sure it was still there. He felt like reality was slipping. He kept falling into daydreams of Sally. Her strawberry blonde hair. It was a lot like his mothers. Diana Mandrake.
Jan placed the coffee down in front of him and said she would be right back with something.
He looked into the brown liquid. He never liked to think of his mother. It made him sad and scared for the future. Diana Mandrake was a beautiful woman. An wanna be actress who full timed at a diner downtown close to Edward’s school. She went out for audition after audition. She landed small parts in plays. She was actually very good people would tell Edward. But she wanted to be a movie star. People also told Edward his mother was to sad. She looked to sad. Talked to sad. Made people feel sad when they were around her. That Edward understood. He thought she looked fine. Tired, but always smiling. But it wasn’t a happy smile. He would come to know it as an adult as a mask. It was a cover. His mother was sad. Her husband had died in a car crash when Edward was just a toddler. She never really recovered. She went to the doctors Edward was told. Spoke to doctors like Dr. Kravitz. They gave her medicine to take. It made her sleepy. She laughed more, but it scared Edward when she did. She’d make toast and forget to check on it. Back then the toasters didn’t automatically pop up. His mother had almost burned their apartment down. More auditions came and went. No more small parts in anything. That only made it worse. At some point she became so sad she became sick and was put into a hospital. A place like Cloverdale that smelt. It was clean, but if you inhaled to much you smelt the sickness. He went to see her every week. His Aunt Michelle would take him. Her hair was duller than it was before. It hung in front of her face as if she was hiding. The last time he saw his mother in that place he smelled the burns before he saw them. Her temples were slightly burned and she looked at him with a dreamy smile. My baby boy. She said to him. The smile actually seemed happy. He wondered if what the doctors were doing was working. The next day he heard from his Aunty, that his mother as dead. That day Edward felt something come over him. Something heavy that clung to his soul like mud. He felt sad and it scared him. It scared him because he saw his mother become so sad it killed her. It scared him from that day until the day he met Sally Umbridge he had felt sad too. And when she died he thought of his mother and her strawberry blonde hair and in that moment he knew how she could become so sad that she wanted to die.
He got up from the booth and left the diner. The bell chimed as Jan walked out of the back. A tray of cookies freshly baked. Her mother’s reciepe. A thank you gift for looking into her mother’s case. He would never end up helping her mother. As Edward got into his car and drove off for Cloverdale a storm was on its way too. One that would change the town forever.
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