Sacrificial Prerogatives

Part 4

Silas woke in the back of a police wagon, the sound of horse's hooves on cobblestones and the faint of smells of urine and vomit assaulted his ears and nose. He was in a straitjacket and his ankles were shackled. When the wagon stopped, the back doors were opened and William and their Captain came into view along with a severe-looking man in a white doctor's coat. He had just taken a clipboard and pencil from the Captain.

Silas had recovered enough of his senses by now to be angry. "What is going on?"

William looked at him sadly. "It's over now Silas, you won't murder anyone else while at Bloomington."

He paled, knowing exactly what kind of place Bloomington Asylum was. "No! Not there! You know I didn't do it! The creature was there! It killed them all!"

The Captain stepped closer. "No Silas, it was you. We found you covered in Patrolman Wellby's blood. The knife was by your hand."

"No! You can't commit me! I won't allow it!"

William looked at him with sorrow. "Better here than the noose or the chair Silas."

The doctor showed him the paper. "Two signatures, Mr. Walker. Now don't you worry, we will cure you, you have my word on it."

With that, he shut the door and soon the wagon began moving. Shocked at the sudden turn of events, he could do nothing but stare, slack-jawed at the door. He heard someone behind him cough and turned slowly, seeing a diminutive man dressed in an immaculate grey suit and bowler hat.

The man tisked and shook his head. "Quite a pickle you've gotten yourself into."

"Get me out of here! That creature has to be stopped."

"Not by you laddie. It'd tear you apart if it didn't like toying with you so much."

Silas was beyond reasoning at this point. "Get me out!"

"No, sorry. Go relax and when they get done with you, we'll meet again."

"Relax? You've heard the stories! They'll carve my brain up!"

"No, my lad," he leaned forward and patted Silas on the head. "Your path starts here." He stood slowly, straightened his tie, then vanished in a wisp of smoke, leaving Silas alone and screaming and the wagon moved inexorably to the asylum."