Night Ward: Welcome to Amity House

Seeking Amy

The strange conversation with his mother had Drake feeling confused and uneasy. He was suddenly filled with more unanswered questions. How did his mother know about Clara and just who was she? How was she connected to everything he had learned so far? Rubbing his hand across his eyes he rocked back and forth in his office chair trying to get all of the questions straightened out.

As all the questions he had drifted in and out of his mind he tried to think how he would get the answers. He felt like he had already started; having Misty doing the research on the facility and its former employees would help start filling the holes.

He was sure of it.

He got up and started to pace the office still thinking over what he should do next. Finally, he stopped as he came to a decision he would have to find answers for himself. He just wasn’t sure how to start. Before he knew what he was doing he was headed to the Nurses wing of the Level. Sure, he told himself, Misty had said Amy was not feeling well; but if anyone would know she would.

Just as he rounded the corner he was caught of guard.” Misty!” he jumped a little as she seemed to come out of nowhere, just like Amy, he thought to himself.

 “Umm, Hi, Dr. Vent,” she stumble over her words. Drake was about to step around her when she stopped him “Dr. Vent,” her voice was still timid but he could hear determination in it raising a brow he waited for to continue. “Dr. Stein asked to see you.” She looked away briefly as if something bothered her.

Drake strained to look over her shoulder where the Nurses wing and his answers sat waiting. Wanting to put off Dr. Stein for a little bit so that he could go in search for those much needed answers he

returned his gaze to Misty he thought he saw something pass in her eyes. “He did say it was important, sir” she told him sweetly shrugging her shoulders just a little.

Drake was stuck; he knew it and couldn’t seem to stop it. As he followed Misty toward the elevator he had the sudden feeling of defeat. Even though he had wanted to put her off, Drake found himself dutifully following her. Misty, he had learned, had a way of humbling a person with just a look. Once they had gotten to the elevator she stepped out of the way to allow him to enter. Drake made room for her when he saw her shake her no. Giving a questioning glare he watched baffled as she leaned in just enough to push the main floor button then lean out as the doors slid closed.

Drake was a little grateful for the ride alone. He closed his eyes and relaxed against the back wall. It was peaceful here, he thought letting the quite flow thru him. He was starting to feel better about things when suddenly the wall behind him shifted. Before he could move the wall gave away and Drake found himself falling backward and landing on his back.

“Damn it.” He exclaimed as he hit with the ground knocking out his breath. He had forgotten that the elevator doors opened the on the opposite end when it went to the main floor. Laying there for moment he felt heat rise in his cheeks at the embarrassment of falling out of the elevator. He hoped no one had been around to see that but then he heard the throaty chuckle of a woman.

“Well Dr. Vent, I’m so glad you could “drop” by” the familiar voice told him. Closing his eyes he counted to ten. When he opened them again he looked up to see Marge standing over him smiling and offering a beefy hand. Grabbing it he allowed her to help pull him to his feet as he continued to blush and she continued to chuckle. Brushing off his slacks and mostly his pride he straightened up to speak but Marge beat him to the punch. “Dr. Stein’s expecting you, if you’ll follow me,” she said taking a tiny step forward then waiting as Drake fell in step just behind.

“Marge, would by any chance know how long this will take?” Drake asked but saw Marge was already shaking her head in response.

“Nah, I try not to get into it.” She told him popping her gum as she turned back to the hall in front of them. There was a clean, fresh scent to this hall, so clear in fact that he could smell the mint from Marge’s gum as she continued to pop it.

They came to a stop in front of a big oak door with a name plate that read:

Dr. Frank Norbert Stein.

“This must be his office,” Drake said as a joke to clear the silence that had fallen

Marge just smiled and shook her head. She watched as Drake paused for second to breathe and gaining courage. Slowly and quietly he raised a knuckle and rapped on the door.

 Inside came the muffled “Enter,” then with one last look at Marge, he slipped inside.

Closing the door he turned to office in front of him and was taking back a moment. This was not the same place he had been interviewed. The office was overpowering in ways the owner of it was not. Everything in the office was made of Brazilian oak so that it was rich in color as well as in design. The only things that were not made of the wood were the two oversized chairs that sat close to a set of windows, which overlooked a forest of colors, and an overstuffed sofa along the

back wall.

It wasn’t like most offices he had seen, it wasn’t even like his own office. Where he had credentials and pictures scattered along the walls and his books crammed in his shelves, Stein did not. His walls were bare with nothing but full bookshelves lining the one wall behind the massive oak desk. Drake once told himself that clutter came with job and yet this office had no clutter. The massive desk held only a pad of paper and a pen lying across it. Everything in this office was about power and control Drake noticed. Everything was crisp, clean with not even a speck of dust and the owner of the office was the same way.

Dr. Stein sat behind his huge desk watching Drake as he looked and studied his surroundings. He didn’t speak as he allowed the other man to absorb whatever it was he was absorbing. He watched as finally Drake’s dark eyes fell on him and recognition went thru them. Giving nod of authority Stein motioned toward a chair urging Drake silently to take a seat.

Drake nodded respectfully and made his way to a chair that had been set up in front of the desk. Sitting down he slid on the leather making a small squeaking noise and adjusting to a comfortable position. Stein wore a pair of wired rimmed glasses today, he noticed and his white lab coat hung on coat rack situated just left of the desk for easy reach. Drake had almost missed the smaller man when he first came in; the desk engulfed him, making him appear child size.

Stein adjusted in his chair and reached for the pen. “I have been hearing really good things.” He told Drake letting the pen fall over the back of his fingers.

“Yes, I think I am making real progress with them.” Drake shifted again.

Rubbing the pen against his chin in an absent gesture Stein announced, “Hughes is dead,”

Drake was startled by the news and became uncomfortable immediately. “I’m sorry, what?” he asked low.

Stein rolled his eyes then set the pen down for a moment. “Oh, don’t look so nervous boy. I’m not accusing you. I just thought you should know.” Stein said leaning back in his chair and folding his arms across his chest. “The truth is old Howard had already out lived his position with us.” He nodded at Drake’s look of wonder, “Found out he had been experimenting on a couple of your patients. We can’t have that. Can’t even encourage it.” He finished looking pointedly.

“Look, I never knew anything was going on. If I had…” Drake began in defense but Stein cut him off.

“Again I’m not accusing you boy. We know you had nothing to do with it. That is not why I am telling you that.”

 Drake felt a sudden rise in temperature as he asked Stein calmly, “Then why am I here?”

Stein smiled a little then retrieved the pen, “For a job,” he said absently.

 Drake was stunned, “I have a job, sir.” he responded.

“Yes, well you now you can have a higher job with a higher purpose.” Stein picked up the paper and began writing. “Drake you,” he said emphasizing the word, “were chosen for us. And now that I’ve watched you for myself I believe you would fit better as a partner.” He finished never looking up from what he was writing.

Drake went still as what Stein said just past thru his mind a second time. He was unsure of what he heard, “Partner?” he asked as if to clarify what was being asked. 

Stein looked up for only a moment to answer, “Yes, partner, it would seem that I have an opening that needs immediate placement.” He went back to writing.

“I can’t” Drake said flatly

“Hmm. Why?” Stein asked still writing but with a raised eyebrow.

“Because of the patients, I was hired to work with.” He explained.

“Drake, listen, they will get a new doctor and they will forget all about you. They’ll be fine.” Stein said trying to dismiss the subject.

“But I’m making real progress,” Drake insisted causing Stein to pause and look up and stare at him.

“I’ve got them talking to me. I have unanswered questions and I would really like to fill out their files more.” He said feeling the sudden tension in the air but ignoring it. “I want to learn more; in fact I am working on getting a complete history.”

“Drake, you were brought here for a job.” Stein said with meaning.

“Yes, and I would really appreciate it if you would let me do it.” Drake countered.

Stein tapped the pen against the pad for a moment in thought before saying slowly, “You will have to choose soon.” Drake nodded and watched as Stein went back to writing, this time completely dismissing him with his actions.

Drake took the dismissal with a silently thank you and made his retreat. He replayed the last few minutes of the conversation replaying in his head. They wanted him as partner and he would let him choose when he was ready, Drake felt thankful that he would allow him that. Walking quickly he was about to pass the Nurses station where Marge sat with her feet propped up on the desk reading a magazine.

“You ever feel like the bottom is about to be dropped out from under you?” she asked never looking up from flipping the pages.

“Yeah. Just now,” He replied, “what about you?” he nodded in her direction.

 Marge set the magazine aside and stood up straightening her clothes as she did telling him, “Nope, but then I’m not the one who is about to have his world rocked.” She said skirting around the desk.

 “What do you mean?” Drake asked curiously.

Marge smiled, “I mean that you are going to have to make some decision and you’re going to have to do it soon.” She walked a few paces then stopped and turned back. “You might want to get ready Doc, your strange little world is about to get a whole lot stranger and the only one you will be able to depend on is the one who is hiding from herself.” Giving him a wimpy smile she turned on her heel and headed to Steins office.

Drake was left staring after her and hearing her words in his head. Great he thought to himself, he was back to where he started; it was time to go seek Amy out.