First Curse: Elisabeth...

Chapter 3: More questions than answers

I had never been one for much physical affection, but when Elisabeth's arms enveloped me, it was as if my world revolved around her. It was so strange a sensation to be overwhelmed with. There was no carnal fury burning benieth the touch, but an overwhelming passion to protect the woman pressed against me, to protect her with my last dying breath.

“Well that is new.” Honey murmured behind me.

“Finally.” Agatha let out a long sigh.

“Elisabeth...” I finally spoke pulling her arms from around my neck. “It's alright...what did you dream?”

She pulled from me a second later and shook her head.

“May I give you something to ease you into your slumbers?” I asked reaching for my bag.

She nodded slowly and I prepared a cocktail for her to help her sleep. A few moments later she was sleeping again as I withdrew the needle from her arm.

“how long will that keep her sleeping?” Honeykettle asked.

“At least six hours, eight if we're lucky.” I said looking at her. “She's done this every night since she's come?”

“She has, and if it keeps up I can't keep her here. It disturbs the other girls.”

True enough the other girls were all awake and sitting up in their beds.

“It will take me a little time, to get a good tonic for her to take before bed so she can sleep through the night.” I said softly. “There were no reports of this issue whiel she was at the Sanitarium.”

“Well doesn't that make the Sanitarium a special place.” Honey said sarcastically. “one week or I'm sending her back.”

“Mr. Regins states he wont allow her back.”

“Alright, one week or I'm sending her to Grisham at the Asylum.”

“How is HE supposed to help her?”

“Many of his patients are cursed with nightmares.”

“Of that I am sure and I also believe he probably gives them a few of his own.” I shook my head. “I'd sooner take her away from here and into my own home than see her go to that establishment.”

“Well, Dr. Galway, you've got one week.” Honey turned to go and paused. “Who left the curtain open?”

“I did, she had her windows open at the Sanitarium... and she's got a very similar view here as she did over there. I thought she'd sleep better.”

“Nobody sleeps better with that forsake hillside glaring down at them.” She yanked the curtains shut. “Do NOT open that again, do you hear?”

“You're standing right next to me, obviously I can hear you, understand why, no, but I do hear you.” I countered.

“Everyone back to sleep.” Honey ordered giving me one more look and then she turned and slammed the door behind her.

There was a rustle of blankets as the other girls went back to sleep... everyone except for Agatha that is. “I mean it... she likes you.” Agatha nodded at which point I realied Elisabeth was still holding my hand on her stomach as she slept. “Tell me about yourself.”

“What is there you want to know? I've told everyone everything there is to know already.” I hated being put on the spot liket his. “Fine...I'm Jonathon Galway, you know that. My parents are Jericho and Leslie Galway. My father died shortly after he and mother found out she was expecting. I believe they were married a long time before I came along. My father was a doctor before me, as you twould indicate you knew as he also treated, Miss Elisabeth. I grew up in the country side and studied medicine at the local medical college and did my residency at the local medical hospital.”