Just The Way You Like It - Under Construction

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

Dr. Hansen and Sheriff Luke walked into Alice's room together quietly talking about some sort of missing file. Dr. Hansen looked over at her, giving her a quick smile as he continued to talk to Luke. Nurse Tess followed in right behind them, this time only bringing one extra chair in with her. Alice was relieved, to say the least. Knowing that Sam would not be present that night made her feel a lot better. Dr. Hansen must have kept his promise to her, keeping Sam away.

As everyone settled in and took their seats, Alice watched Dr. Hansen as he conversed with the Sheriff. He looked worried, but still had that same handsome face as always. Alice noticed that Blake had shaved and changed his clothes after he left her with Nurse Tess earlier that night, and it was nice to see him clean cut again. She watched as he ran his fingers through his black hair, and she wondered what it felt like. It looked soft and thick, and Alice wanted to touch it. But, after our previous conversation, she knew there would be no touching until she was at least released from the hospital.

Immediately, Alice made the decision to make that her number one goal from here on out. She was going to have to get healthy as soon as possible, if only to get rid of that rule banning her from telling Dr. Hansen her true feelings for him. She wanted so much to tell him that she felt the same as he did, but doubt set in like a boulder blocking her from opening her own mouth. Alice certainly didn't want him to think that she was some sort of prostitute; giving herself over to whom ever wanted her. Yes, she had been with a lot of men, too many to count, but at the time she had no choice in the matter, and certainly did not enjoy any of it. If doctors and patients couldn't have relationships, then Alice would just have to stop being his patient. And, that meant getting out of St. Micheal's.

The room got suddenly quiet, and all eyes were once again on Alice. Dr. Blake was again sitting on the side of her bed, Nurse Tess was in her usual spot next to Alice in the chair, and Sheriff Luke had again taken up the seat up against the wall. Sheriff Luke spoke up first. “So Alice, do you remember where you left off yesterday?” His note pad was already open, and his pen was ready to begin its scribbles across the pages, putting ink to everything Alice was about to say.

She nodded to Luke's question and inhaled deeply before continuing on. “The first few times were scary, I was still learning the rules and having a hard time obeying them. Eventually, I guess it got easier because I learned what to expect after the first dozen times or so. Every man wanted something different, but I learned how to adapt quickly and keep them happy. The first time I was broken I screamed and was then beaten for it, but the next time I stayed quiet enough that they didn't. . .”

Sheriff Luke interrupted Alice. “What do you mean when you say you were broken?” She looked over at Luke and his eyes told her that he already knew, but apparently he wanted Alice to elaborate.

“Some men wanted me to get into positions that are not possible to get into unless you break some bones or pop out sockets. I hated those nights but sort of liked them too, I guess. If my leg or arm was broken that usually meant I got to stay in my box for a while before being sent back out. It sort of gave me a break. Sometimes I was sent to men who liked to cut, I think those were the worst; never knowing where the next slice was going to land. I always wondered how they knew they weren't going to slice me right open.”

“And this was all done in total darkness?” Sheriff Luke interrupted Alice again. She didn't mind any of it though, it was easier to answer direct questions rather than ramble on about what had happened.

“Yes, like I said before, I don't know how the men could see, but they seemed to be able to somehow. I do remember they all wore glasses, and I thought it was weird. I could feel that much in the dark.” Luke was scribbling as fast as he could into his note pad and did not look up or ask another question, so Alice decided to continue on. “I don't know how long I was there I guess it was ten or eleven years if I've done my math right. It feels like longer than that, but anyway . . .

“The last thing I remember before waking up here, was I guess my last day in the darkness. They brought me out of my box and brought me into a room, just like usual. But this time, they didn't leave. I could only hear their feet scuffling on the floor, and I could tell there was more than one of them. I think maybe five or six, definitely more than three. They beat me, kicked and punched me. I remember being hit with something much harder than a fist or foot, but I don't know what it was, it was still completely dark. When they hit me with whatever it was, I could feel my bones breaking again. Over and over until I couldn't do anything but lay there in a heap on the floor. I remember I couldn't breathe, I couldn't get enough air, and I guess I blacked out. I remember feeling cold, and thinking that I was dead. Then, I think I had a dream about the ocean.” Alice looked over at Tess, who she had told about her recent dreams to and continued on, “And the next thing I remember is waking up here a few days ago.”

Sheriff Luke wrote in his pad for a few minutes without looking up. Finally he stopped, stretched his hand out, and smiled at Alice. “Thank you Alice, just a few more questions.” She nodded her head, ready to answer whatever he wanted. Alice had begun to feel more comfortable around these three people, feeling like no matter what she said, she wouldn't be judged. “How did they feed you?” Luke's first question was easy.

“Water and bread usually, sometimes I think they gave me meat but I never ate it.”

“Bathroom?” This one was a little more embarrassing.

“Whenever they brought me out of my box they would send me to use the bathroom. But sometimes I was left in my crate for days, so there was no choice then. Whenever that happened though they would give me a bath first before sending me to the men, so I tried not to go in my crate. I hated those baths more than anything.” Luke nodded, still writing in his note pad. Alice began to wonder why some of this was important to him. Why would he care when she used the bathroom?

“And the other girls that were there with you, in your best opinion . . . Do you think they were treated the same as you?”

“Sometimes when I was in my box alone I could hear the other girls servicing the men. Yes, I think we were all equals there. As far as I know, nobody got special treatment.”

“Okay Alice, thank you.” Luke said, when he finally closed his notes. “Dr. Hansen, do you mind?” He said, turning to face Dr. Hansen who was still sitting next to Alice on her bed. The two of them got up and left together, they same way they had come in. This left only Nurse Tess and Alice there in the silence. She got up quietly, wiping at her eyes before giving Alice a warm and unexpected hug. Tess held on to her tightly, like a mother protecting her child from danger. At first, Alice didn't know what to do, so she stayed still waiting for Tess to let go of her.

Softly, Tess whispered into Alice's ear. “It'll be okay, Alice.” Somehow those few simple words melted Alice's insides like butter. Alice sank into Tess' loving arms, glad to have her so close. Alice's eyes began to water, blurring her vision. She tried to hold them back as best as she could, but the tears came anyway. Finally, Alice felt like it was okay to cry, and she let everything go. Years of pent up frustration and fear leaked out with each drop that ran down her cheek. She wasn't sure how long they sat there, holding onto each other, but she didn't let go until she finally managed to run out of tears. They gave each other a weak smile before Nurse Tess went and got a box of tissues for Alice to dry her face with.

“Is there anything you need before bed Dear?” Nurse Tess asked, trying to stray from talking about Alice's sadness. Alice asked Tess for some water, and she quickly produced it from the little sink in the room. Alice thanked her and wished her a good night before rolling over and closing her eyes. Alice really didn't want to be alone right now, but she was exhausted from all the talking and crying she had just done. Sleep didn't come easily. After what seemed like hours, Alice finally felt herself drifting off.

Alice couldn't tell if she was still somewhat awake or had just fallen asleep, when she felt a draft of air on the back of her neck. Someone had just opened her door. Alice didn't need to open her eyes to tell, the slight stir of the air told her enough. Too tired to move, she ignored it and continued her journey back towards sleep. It was probably just Nurse Tess checking in on her before going home. While Alice wanted to thank her for being so kind, she was just too far gone into sleep to reawaken herself. Alice could thank Tess in the morning. Alice never heard her door relatch shut however, and just before sleep swept back over her, she thought it was strange that Nurse Tess would leave it open. Alice was sure though that Tess had a good reason, and with that she was out like a light.