The door creaks as the healer enters the dimly lit room, her footsteps echoing softly against the floor. Her braid unravelling slightly, Tilly approaches the bed where a woman lies motionless, barely visible beneath the white sheets. The woman's weathered face bears the weight of years spent confined within these walls, her eyes clouded with a mix of resignation and defiance.
"Miss Davies?" Tilly's voice wavers as she holds out the vial, her hands trembling slightly.
The woman's gaze flicks up, marked by a subtle hint of disdain. "I've got your medicine," Tilly continues, her tone gentle but tinged with nervousness.
In this ward, nerves are normal. They are even encouraged and will help you stay alert. Every interaction is fraught with uncertainty—a constant reminder of the delicate balance between sanity and madness. Once committed here, the only way out is in a coffin.
Taking the medicine, the woman keeps her gaze fixed on Tilly. "You're new here?" she enquires, skepticism laced in her tone.
Tilly nods, her voice steady despite her nerves. "Just started today."
A cynical smile tugs at the corners of the woman's lips as she arches a brow. "And they've already allowed you in here? How novel," she remarks with a scoff, her gaze flickering towards the door.
Despite offering a strained smile, Tilly's attempt at reassurance faltered under the weight of the woman's scrutiny. "They said I'd be fine," she replies, her voice tinged with forced confidence. "Anything else you need, Miss Davies?"
"You can drop the 'miss'," the patient retorts.
Confused, Tilly checks her chart. "Sorry about that. It says 'miss' here." She catches the eye of another healer for confirmation, receiving a reassuring nod in return.
“Well, your chart is mistaken. I'm married. My husband should be visiting soon,” the woman informs, her gaze drifting towards the window where the muted light of an overcast day filters through.
"Right then, Mrs. Davies," Tilly amends, making a mental note to update the records later. "I'll remember for next time."
As Tilly begins to leave, the woman speaks again, her voice softer this time. "You seem different from the others."
Surprised by the comment, Tilly pauses. "Different how?"
The woman shrugs, a ghost of a smile playing at the corners of her lips. “More… submissive, perhaps."
A cold breeze sweeps through the room, causing a shiver to run down the young healer's spine. She doesn't take her eyes off the patient as she slowly backs out of the room, mindful of the instructions not to turn her back on the residents.
Once outside, with the door securely closed, Tilly turns to me, her expression a mixture of confusion and curiosity.
“Why did you do that?” she asks, uncertainty tingeing her voice. “You told me to call her miss.”
“It was a test,” I explain, meeting her gaze evenly. “Do you know who that woman is?” I inquire, gesturing towards the closed door.
She shakes her head, her brow furrowing in puzzlement. “A relative of yours?”
“My mother,” I reveal quietly. “She's been here for almost twenty years.”
Two decades, my mother has been confined to the same four walls as if she's a prisoner. But my mother never committed a crime. Her mind's just deemed too dangerous to exist in the outside world. Too dangerous. As if keeping her here will prevent her from causing harm.
Tilly's eyes widen, a dawning realization crossing her features. “But why refer to her as Miss if you knew she's married?” she asks, her curiosity piqued.
YOU ARE READING
𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 ♡ Sirius Black
FanfictionBOOK 2 ♡ Twelve years ago, Ellie lost everything. Now that Sirius has escaped from Azkaban, she's afraid to lose it all again. Sequel to You Had Me.
