The Franklin Series: Torment

Entry Thirty-two

October 5th, 1985

My clinic has been successful this far. I am taking less patients at my private location. I'm waiting for the perfect specimens to test my theories. So far I haven't had any luck healing my patients that I have given nightmares. Each one has passed away in their sleep. I will figure it out once I have the right patients.

Morgan works for me part time and at Fairview hospital. I drove to the emergency room tonight to pick her up. It was a mad house. Patients were screaming and crying. Children shook from fear in the seats next to their parents. They grasped tightly to their chaperones arm as tears welled up in their tiny eyes.

I searched the nurses station where Morgan usually is. It may have seemed like the average Saturday night at the emergency room to anyone from out of town but it was not. Friday's were the busy night, this was different. There was a change in the air pressure when I reached the property and parked my car. Breathing was difficult. My lungs felt heavy. My entire body ached.

Walking into the beige and white hospital, I knew something was different. Spotting Morgan's raven black hair down the hall, I jaunted closer. I could hear screams of agony erupting from inside the exam room.

"Push Dianne! Push harder!" The howling doctor took a deep breath and a smile crossed his face. "I can see the top of the head."

My stomach twisted into knots and I ran to the bathroom. The vomit almost didn't make it to the toilet but my mind was pulsing and I could care less. I held my skull in my hands and slid down the door of the public restroom stall. The weight on my lungs had quadrupled and my brain fired off signals that I could only wish would disappear. I cried into my knees and punched my head. Of all the nights to be at the hospital, why did I choose tonight.

I composed myself after a few minutes, meeting up with Morgan at the emergency room doors. "Sorry I had to leave. I think I ate something bad today. I know we were going to hang out tonight but I don't think I'm feeling up to it."

She nodded and got in the passenger side. We drove to her place in silence. She unclipped her seatbelt and looked at me. I was staring at my steering wheel but I could still see her.

"You still love her?" She let her belt fall behind her and cleared her throat. "I saw the wedding announcement on your dresser a long time ago. It's okay if you still care about her."

I shook my head. "I never got over her. I hope you're not upset. She was my first and I have only ever known you since. I'm so mad at myself for letting this get me so worked up."

"I'm not upset. I get it. As long as you don't go running to her some day I think we will be fine." She laughed and leaned into me, brushing my hair back. Her touch soothes my discomfort. I was feeling better already. She has a way that melts my defences at just the right time.