First Curse: Elisabeth...

Chapter 4

“She can't stay here.” Mrs. Honeykettle stared at me flatly across the room. “She only sleeps through the night when you're here and you can't be here every night.”

“I know that.” I said pacing the floor. “But I don't believe she belongs a the asylum and they wont let her come back to the sanitarium.” I ran a hand through my hair. “Two days... just give me two more days and I will have a place for her.” I bargained.

“Oh?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Yes. My mother is preparing a place for her at my family home to be her companion... I have leave from the hospital in two days to take her.”

She looked at me down her nose. “fine, two days, or else.”

“Thank you.” I said taking a deep breath before heading up the stairs to the bedroom. Elisabeth stood at the balcony hugging gently to the drapes gazing out across the foggy town towards the mountain. “Elisabeth.”

She turned to me and smiled letting the curtain fall back into place.

“I have to take the samples.” I said holding my bag up.

She nodded and sat down at her desk and waited patiently while I drew the blood and swabbed her mouth. I packaged everything and one of the servants carried it back down to the levy to be taken back over to Regins. “So, has my father told you what he's testing for?” Agatha came over and flopped melodramatically on Elisabeth's bed.

“No, he quite forcefully doesn't want me involved.” I said turning to her.

“And?”

“Seems to think I will listen because I'm new there.” I glanced at Elisabeth.

“But you're not going to listen are you.” she inspected a strand of yarn sticking out from the blanket she stretched out on.

I couldn't help the smile that crossed over my lips. “I was taught to always follow my gut instinct... and that is what I'm going to do... whether he likes it or not.” I turned my full attention back to Elisabeth. She was gazing absentmindedly at the window again. I followed her gaze.

I don't know how long we stood there staring out the window before Mrs. Honeykettle cleared her throat and I found that my hand was stroking Elisabeth's hair. I controlled the blood as it fought to paint my cheeks like a little boy as I brought my hand behind my back with my other hand. “Into bed now, Elisabeth.” I said not even glancing at Honeykettle. “i've got something for you to try.” I went into my bag and brought out a small bottle. “This should help you sleep deeply. No dreams. I've tried it on myself, I can't help the taste... but...” I pulled the cap off and handed it to her.

She sniffed it and looked at me in disbelief.

“Go ahead.” I urged.

She eyed me suspiciously and took a deep breath before taking the dose. She gagged making one of the first sounds I'd heard out of her as she made the must disgusted expression.

“I did warn you.” I tried not laugh.

She shoved the bottle back at me frowning. Agatha got up off her bed and pulled the blankets back for Elisabeth. I sat at the desk watching them for a few minutes until she was asleep. I put my things away and got comfortable.

I woke to Elisabeth standing beside me, her hand on my shoulder. The sun was just peaking through the tree's. I looked up at her. She was in a cloak and boots. “We don't go to my mother's until tomorrow.” I said softly.

She shook her head and held her hand out to me.

For a moment I just stared at her hand before realizing that she obviously was trying not to alert Agatha who was snoring softly on the next bed over. I took her hand and let her lead me out of the house. The quiet town was even more so at this early hour than ever. She walked faster than I expected out the west side of the village. She was following a dirt path into the forest and the sunlight did not break through the tree's until we'd been walking for a very long time. At first I thought we were going towards the place she always looked at... where I assumed the house was, but I realized that we were skirting around the mountainside and climbing further than the house.

“Elisabeth, where are we going.” I asked as she hiked up her skirt and climbed over a fallen tree. She just looked at me. “Speak to me.” I said firmly.

She shook her head.

“Then i'm not coming another step.” I pulled my hand from her, the tree now between us.

She frowned as if insulted. She let out a huff and shrug and then turned and continued on her way. I looked behind me... and realized I was completely lost. I had no sense of direction in these woods. I grudgingly followed after her.

I nearly slammed into her as I came through a thicket of branches to a clearing. There were a few old cottages crumbling and falling to earth. Her lips were quivering as she looked around. She moved to an out crop of the hill and as she clawed at the vines, I realized that there was a door beneath. I helped her tear the foliage away and then pry open the heavy wood door.

The house seemed to almost gasp as the door fell inward , the wood too damaged to function properly. She rushed in and a row of candles jumped to life. I hung back at the door. She tore the place apart looking for something. Every time I'd open my mouth to say something she'd glare, so I kept my mouth shut. She finally returned to me holding a bag, very similar to my doctor's bag, and a small wooden box that appeared to be undamaged. She shoved the bag and box to me and then pushed me out of the house and disappeared back inside.

The sun had been up for over an hour before she came back out of the hovel. Her cheeks were tear stained and she didn't look happy at all as she came to me. I stood from where I'd been sitting on a rock and nearly fell over as she threw her arms around me.

Safe... comfort... content... affection... the emotions flooded me at the contact. I pulled away from her sharply started by the sensations. I gazed into her face and unable to stop myself, gently raised my hand to wipe away her tears. After a few moments she gave me a partial smile and began leading me away from the desolate place. We returned to the village just as my ferry arrived to pick me up. I left her at the door and made my way back.

The day passed in a blur. My mind was constantly back on the other side of the lake. I was returning from checking on a patient when I heard Regin's yelling. Agatha's soprano voice crescendoed above his and then silence errupted with the slamming of a door. I passed the hall that lead to his office and was surprised for some reason when Agatha plowed into me. “Sorry about that.” She muttered pushing me away before storming off towards the other wing.

I locked myself in my office before I slid my hand into my pocket and retrieved the key and note from her. She'd meet me in the basement an hour before I was to leave for my nightly observation and lab draws. I had thirty minutes. The next morning we would be leaving promptly at dawn and going to my mother's. I packed my bag and carefully secured my itmes from our trip to the desolate village in my belongings. The clock chimed the hour and I rushed down to the basement.

“Hurry up, we don't have much time.” Agatha bounced as I handed her the key back and she got the door open. She moved in quickly and I followed blindly behind. “I've spent the past several weeks making copies of these... they wont even know they are gone.” She pulled out a filing cabinet and began yanking out folders. “This is all we've got.” She looked up at me. “Don't even think of opening it.... just get it put into your bag, under everything else, and we can review it when we get to your mothers.” Agatha was now pushing me, with my arms full, back towards the exit.

I had just got everything buckled down into my bags when my door flung open. “What are you doing still here? You're supposed to be gone!” Regins hissed.

I grabbed my bag and made sure I left nothing behind as I rushed down to the ferry.