Night Ward: Welcome to Amity House

It’s time

 Drake’s brain was hurting and, according to Amy, it was just beginning. She still stood there with innocent eyes waiting for his response. “Excuse me?” Drake asked, pulling away from Leeza slowly.

“You heard me. You’ve heard Lee’s story, now are you ready to hear the others?” Amy put a hand on her hip and just waited.

  “What are you talking about? What other stories?” Drake was feeling more and more confused over what was happening.

Amy and Leeza both looked at each other and rolled their eyes. “Lee could you?” was all she said and the girl took off down the hall toward the patient’s wing.

When Amy and Drake were alone, he seemed to come to life. “What is going on?” he demanded to know as Amy turned back toward the conservatory.

“You are coming back to the gardens with me. Lee is on her way to retrieve the others and you are finally going to be able to fill in some of those gaps.” Taking a break, she gave him a look before sweetly asking “You do want to fill in the missing information, right?”

   Drake was drowning. He couldn’t seem to get the air he needed in his lungs. This whole time he had felt that there was something about those files that could make a major difference. Some information there would play an important role if he could just fill in the blanks. More confusion had taken hold, as he numbly let Amy lead him through the garden. When they finally came to a stop in a small clearing, he decided it was time to get some answers to the newly forming questions in his mind.

“How is it possible that Leeza has been here for one hundred and six years? And how is it that Dr. Stein was there as a partner? That would put him at what?”

 Amy studied him, staying silent and unmoving while he continued to throw questions out. Finally, she spoke, “There are things that you are not ready to hear and there are things that I am unable to tell you. Everything Leeza has told you about herself is true. Others will share similar stories and they will cause you to question more things than you do now” she explained. “A while back I asked you what you believe in. I also told you that it was time to start believing in things you can’t know for sure. Leeza coming to you shows you that she is asking the same thing. These people are about to offer you their trust and it’s up to you to listen and judge for yourself.” After she spoke she closed her eyes as if listening for something.

 “Why here? Why this place?” he asked, looking at and around the garden once again.

“That, I can answer. This is the only place that they can really be free.” At Drake’s look of disbelief she pressed on, “Surely you didn’t really believe that they wouldn’t be watching you?” seeing his surprise she covered her mouth. “Hmm. I never considered.” She said to herself wandering about little bit. “They have eyes and ears everywhere, but here. Here, they have to allow them their freedom.”

“Why?” Drake began to do some pacing of his own.

“Because it’s in the rules” Amy said simply. “This facility has taken everything from them, so it was made sure they could have a place of their very own. So it only seems natural that will be here are able to allow you to see the real them.” Pausing in thought Amy’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Drake, once they are done, telling you their personal stories, you may start to see things that you never really noticed. Please stay open to them and don’t be in such a rush to get the answers I know you are going to seek.” She stood up on her tip toes looking over his shoulder.

“Then what?” Drake asked, still trying to clear his now muddled brain.

“Then you go from there. Ah they are here.” She said, smiling at the precession coming in to view.

“What are you here for?” Vlad asked pointedly to Amy.

“We know that you do not choose sides” Micael put in. Still smiling Amy only nodded a little waiting until they were all gathered together.

  When Leeza and Mrs. Henderson joined the group she spoke. “Listen, because I will only say this once.” She looked the group over then continued. “I know my place and I will continue to do as I need. But right now, I am working a favor for one that has done so much for me. Dr. Vent is ready to listen.” She looked at Drake and got his nod. “I believe he is ready to help. So you will tell him everything. The good and the bad.” This she directed toward Vlad. “and in return he will ask no questions at this time. “

   Holding up a hand to keep them from speaking Amy continued, “I will not get involved in this myself. In fact, now that you are all together I am going to leave.” Again she cast a glance at her now captive audience then she began to address them individually. “Vlad, you hurt and you pick at old wounds without letting them heal. Use him as a band aid. Micael, you hate that you don’t understand yourself. Let him help you. No more fighting between each other when you are here.”

 Drake watched as she turned toward the decaying Mrs. Henderson and spoke, “Viola. It’s time to tell the truth of what has happened. No don’t look at me like that.” She told her holding up a hand. Mrs. Henderson was looking at her in disbelief. Viola’s eyes were searching Amy’s see if they gave anything away, when Amy continued softly. “I have always known about you, the same as you have known of me. If truth be told I know about all of and your dirty deeds. But right now it’s not me you need to rely on.” She said once again holding up a hand to stop them from talking. “You will begin to meet here for your group sessions secretly. Here you will tell the truth. In regular sessions you need to be careful of what you say, because you are being heard.” With that she began her retreat.

   They all stood rooted in place. Amy never spoke that much to anyone and they were all in shock. Vlad was the first one to recover and call after her, “Nurse Amy,” she paused turning half way toward him, “What happens if-” He stopped unable to finish the question.

 Amy seemed to know what he was asking, though Drake was unsure how, she answered simply almost sadly. “If it comes to that, then I will be forced decide. But let me make this clear; I am not ready to do that and I hope, for your sakes that it will not come to that.” Giving a grim look she walked out, leaving them alone.

  Drake would later think that what just happened was omen for his future. He was in way over his head, he admitted to himself looking to all those around him. After everything he had heard in the last few weeks he still didn’t know if he would be able to trust what he was about to hear now.

   They watched him, waiting to see what he would do. Would he leave and report what was going on? Or would he stay and become an ally? Mrs. Henderson finally broke the silence. “Well, since Leeza has already begun her tale, who should go next?” she asked tersely and cast a glance at both Vlad and Micael for the answer.

Leeza was suddenly struck with a thought. “We need to hear from everyone. I mean we all have stories.” She said.

Vlad only rolled his eyes and said “That’s what we are talking about.”

“Yes, but I think Dr. Vent should also share with us. How can there be trust if it is only one sided?” Leeza pointed out giving Vlad a “duh” look.                              

“She has a good point.” Drake agreed. “I think it would be a good idea if we all shared our stories.”

   After everyone gave their agreement they all sat down on the ground creating a circle and began to get to know each other. After a few minute of idle chat it was Vlad who took a deep breath and got the ball rolling. “I guess I’ll start with me.”