Hatter

THE LAIR OF THE DEVIL

She thought her life was a fairytale until the day they took him away. And now she stood, hands trembling as she clutched her bag, in front of the lair of the devil. She hadn't seen Sebastian in months. Lilith told her he was making slow progress, but she believed she only said that to comfort her.
Taking a deep breath, she entered the building of horrors. She walked down the hallowed hallways, occasionally pausing at the sounds of faint cries that seemed to be impending from the walls, she quickened her pace as the faint cries turned into shrieks and then those shrieks became louder they made it feel like someone was screaming like a banshee in her ear, her heart began to pound she want to escape this insanity, this madness.
She finally reached the end of the hallway where a white door with a name engraved on it in gold stood, there was complete silence. She took a deep breath and opened the white door. As she opened it, she heard a familiar, "Ah well my favorite visitor, Mrs. Catherine Baxter." said Lilith with eyes fiercer than fire.
"How is Sebastian doing ?'" asked Catherine. Lilith paused for a second thinking about what she should tell her. Then she smiled and told Catherine to take a seat.
As Catherine sat she told her, " Your husband remains to be in an eccentric state of mind but we are trying a new medication to help him."
"Can...I see him?" stuttered Catherine.
"Not today; he just took his medication a while ago, so he must be asleep right now in his room."
"If that is all, then I shall take my leave," said Catherine, standing up. She did not want to stay in this dreadful place anymore.
"Actually, I would like to discuss something before you take your leave."
Catherine nodded and slowly began sitting down in the sleek white patient's chair.
" I believe a traumatic incident must have triggered your husband's schizophrenia to affect his state of mind to a further extent," said Lilith
"I am aware of this," said Catherine, slightly agitated as Lilith had already repeatedly told this to her.
"Since you are aware of this, I would like to discuss the incident that caused this psychological disorder ."
"And what might that be?" said Catherine, who was now a bit anxious about what Lilith might say next.
Lilith's expression became flat, and it was as though she had no soul. "Lucius's death."
Catherine froze, Lilith noticed this reaction and sighed, " I know this is a difficult topic for you to discuss considering he was your brother-in-law but it is important we discuss this so we can detect what is wrong with your husband." Lilith spoke so simply; it seemed as though she was trying to be sincere, but lacked the empathy to do so.
"What..would.. you like to know?" stuttered Catherine.

Lilith sat down on her sleek white chair and slowly took out Sebastian's file from her drawer. She began skimming through it while Catherine sat opposite to her. Catherine was clutching the worn-out grey handbag that Sebastian bought for her when they first got married; her legs were shaking. She was anxiously looking at Lilith for the questions she might ask her. Lilith opened her drawer once more and drew out a notebook.
The sound of a pen clicked and she began her interrogation."As we know, your husband frequently refers to a place called Wonderland." stated Lilith.
Catherine nodded in agreement.
"In one of his anecdotes, he mentioned a character called Absolem, whose physical appearance is very similar to Lucius's. Mr. Baxter describes him with great admiration almost like a mentor or a father figure. I am aware Sebastianwas very close to his brother.This concludes me to believe that to make up for Lucius's loss, your husband has created a world where he exists and is not dead." said Lilith.
"Oh...," replied Catherine as if not entirely surprised.
"What I want to know is how Lucius's death occurred, because my file lists it as an accident which seems rather vague. And every time I ask Sebastian, he says he was murdered. Is this true?"
"It's more complicated than that.." began Catherine, her hands began sweating slightly and her eyes showed a glimpse of worry and terror.
"Just tell me what happened. I haven't got all day," said Lilith bluntly.
For a doctor, she lacked empathy and patience in such delicate matters, but the only reason she was considered a good professional was as she could cure the most raving patients.
Catherine was stunned by her contemptuous attitude, but alas- to save her husband, she had to deal with this discourteousness.
She paused for a while, thinking about what to say to Lilith. As she opened her mouth to explain the 'accident' someone barged into Lilith's room in a panic.
It was Henry.
A patient had escaped.