Paradise

By John Blais

Paradise, Maine, a town most anyone would
love to live in. Good schools with almost a zero
drop out ratio. Almost no unemployment. A
very, very low crime rate. Great selection of
church denominations. Well manicured
throughout with no slum areas at all. Sitting on
the beautiful Androscoggin River in the middle of
the best hunting and fishing in the country. Truly
a heaven on earth, UNTIL--------

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 3, 2012
• ISBN: 9781469148830

John Blais

J.W. Clark was born in Connecticut and moved to Maine after three years in the army. He migrated to Texas in the 80,s and has lived there ever since. The author of several books including a sequel to Paradise that is now in the works. J.W. has spent most of his life hunting and fishing and scribbling stories down in his off time.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

P ARADISE, WITH ALL the horrors of hell on earth, was a town located beside the Androscoggin River, not too far from Locke Mills. It was an old town that came into being around 1899. It was simply called Ralph’s Corner then. The name was changed to Paradise in 1952.

In June 1930, Ralph’s Corner became quite famous for a short time. It seems some of the scientist fellers over at Boston, and even further away than that, had tracked a meteor down through space and into our atmosphere. According to them all indications were that it had landed in or near Ralph’s Corner, Maine.

For about three weeks, Ralph’s Corner was buzzing like it was hunting season again and that someone had killed a three-hundred-pound buck, with trailers, campers, and even tents everywhere. There were the scientists, and then there were the curiosity seekers. There were also the local and the state people, the people in law enforcement, and so forth. There were souvenir hunters, of course, and also the just plain nosy ones. Well, sir, they offered a fifty-dollar reward to anyone taking them to where the meteor landed or telling them how to get there. Talk about causing a ruckus! Boy, they tore the woods up! But all they found was poison ivy and a million mosquitoes. Some had a few sprained ankles, and one fella got lost overnight. But they found no evidence of a meteor. They questioned everyone.

The Ellis boy had been out fishing in Matatwanee Lake when they talked to him. He hadn’t seen anything. He had been fishing there three days, caught some nice catfish and a few pickerel, and saw a hell of a bass jump out in the lake, too far away to cast. But no meteor was found.

Nobody put two and two together or even thought about it. But that splash, that hell of a bass, was the beginning of a horror, a terror that could, and wanted to, enslave the world.

That hell of a bass was the meteor. From a faraway planet that had exploded, it had traveled millions of miles to end up in Matatwanee Lake. Inside the meteor was all that was left of an intelligent civilization—five egglike spheres.

Upon impact with the water, the meteor smashed into tiny fragments. The egglike spheres shattered and split, emptying their contents into the lake. From there they would be introduced into the water table and shortly be consumed by the people living in and around Ralph’s Corner.

The years passed. The town grew and prospered. No one was aware of the growing danger. In 1952, a new generation was in control, and Ralph’s Corner was officially incorporated and named Paradise.

Paradise was a beautiful town, well manicured and exceptionally clean. They had no crime to speak of. At least they never spoke of it—no juvenile delinquency, no unemployment or even school dropouts, no dope problems, and very few traffic violations. Everyone got along well with everyone else. It was a perfect place.

A few new people moved in as the years went by. Very few, if any, moved out. The town grew slowly, and the years passed.

CHAPTER 2

I N 1984, BEN Holman, with his wife Ellen and his daughter Carol, moved to Paradise. He moved there to manage the Remco Store in town.

They had moved from Connecticut, which in itself is beautiful, and immediately fell in love with Paradise. It would be a short love affair.

Ellen was three months pregnant when they arrived. Of course, she started seeing a local doctor, Dr. McMilly, as soon as they were settled in.

All went well for about three months. Then she started to develop problems. At the beginning of her seventh month of pregnancy, she was admitted to the Paradise Medical Clinic with bad abdominal pains. Later that same evening, she miscarried.

Ben was beside himself, worried about his wife’s condition, sick about losing the baby.

After being assured his wife was fine and looking in at her sleeping form, he headed home to relay the bad news to his daughter. He knew he’d have to make arrangements for the baby the next day.

Arriving at the hospital at ten o’clock in the morning, Ben asked to speak to the doctor if he was available. The nurse assured him he was and led him to an office reserved for the on-call doctors.

Ben sat there, waiting, thinking of the lost baby. How much it hurt! He knew his wife would feel the hurt much worse than he did and wondered how he could comfort her.

The door opened, and Dr. McMilly came in, shook hands, and sat behind the desk.

I’m so sorry, Ben. Is there anything I can do?

Ben’s eyes filled with tears, and he bit his lips hard. What could anyone do? No, thank you, Doctor, not really. But I was wondering if you could recommend a funeral home? Maybe one the hospital uses? I need to make arrangements.

The doctor looked at Ben for a moment and then said, There’s no need for that, Ben. When we have a premature birth like this, the hospital disposes of the fetus immediately after the birth. It makes it easier on the parents, both emotionally and financially.

What do you mean? Dispose of the fetus? Without our permission? blurted out Ben. I mean, don’t we have to sign something? Authorizing it?

Well, it’s usually left to the discretion of the doctor. And in this case, I felt, due to your wife’s condition emotionally, it was best for all concerned to get this over with as quickly and as painlessly as possible.

Ben was pissed off. He was outraged. I don’t give a fuck what you thought. It’s my baby, and I want to give it a proper burial. Now where is it?

I’m afraid it’s too late, Ben. The baby is gone, and you’re just going to have to accept that fact. Now I want you to calm down and think about it. I’m sure you’ll realize that this is best for everyone.

Ben didn’t know what to do. He wanted to hit this sanctimonious son of a bitch, but he didn’t want to go to jail. He felt like tearing the hospital down brick by brick. I want to see my wife.

That’s perfectly all right, but I don’t want you upsetting her. Sit here and calm down for a moment, and I’ll take you to her.

You don’t want her upset! What will I tell her when she asks me where the baby’s going to be buried? Or when the funeral is going to be? Am I supposed to tell her you put it in a plastic garbage bag and put it out with the trash this morning, because you wanted to get this whole thing over with as soon as possible? That you thought it was best for all concerned? Bullshit! Fella, I’m going to sue you! Now I want to see my wife!

As they walked down the hall, Ben was already thinking about the steps he would take after leaving the hospital. He was confused, shocked, hurt, and furious. One thing he knew—someone was going to pay for this, preferably the doctor in front of him, and pay dearly.

His wife lay on the bed, her eyes half-open, staring at the ceiling. Tears had left streak marks down both sides of her face.

He spoke her name. Ellen.

No response.

He moved to the side of the bed as he heard the door close behind him. At least they had the decency to leave me alone with my wife, he thought.

Holding her hand, he noticed it was cold but sweaty. Her eyes were unfocused, blank. She looked terrible.

Ellen, I’m here, he said.

She looked at him but said nothing. Then she smiled, and the drool ran out of the corner of her mouth and down her chin.

Shit, he thought, she’s all doped up! They never doped her up when she had Carol. Maybe it is because she had lost the baby. But why so much? She is absolutely out of it.

His sorrow was changing to anger more and more with each passing moment. After spending about an hour with his wife, during which time she neither acknowledged him again nor gave any indication she was aware of his presence, he returned to the nurses’ station.

I want to see the doctor again, he said to the first nurse he saw.

Have a seat, Mr. Holman. He’s with someone now and will see you shortly.

Sitting there fuming, Ben considered his options. He could see a lawyer, sue the hospital and the doctor, or he could go quietly away. It might be best to just let it die, he thought. Nothing he could do would bring the baby back, and it would just make it harder on Ellen to raise hell. But by God, he’d like to, and he knew he could.

The door to the doctor’s office opened, and Dr. McMilly stepped out. He looked over at Ben and said, Ben, come on in. I have Carol your daughter here and was just explaining the situation to her.

Ben was thunderstruck. What do you mean Carol’s here? How did she get here? Why didn’t someone tell me my daughter was here?

I had her brought over, Ben. I saw how upset you were and thought her presence might help ease your pain and calm you down.

Who in the hell gave you the right to go and get my daughter and bring her here, to discuss this mess with a child? Just who in the hell do you think you are? First, you somehow, someway dispose of our baby without even asking us, then when I finally get in to see my wife, she’s all spaced out like a confirmed dope addict—so far out she doesn’t even recognize me. Then you drag my daughter out of school and over here, again without our permission, to discuss this sordid situation with her, a child! And you hope it will calm me down? Stepping toward the doctor and reaching for the front of his shirt, Ben screamed, I’m gonna sue the shit out of you and this hospital! I’ll fix it so you’ll never treat another patient again, not even a dog! If there’s any way to make you pay, I’ll find it! I promise you!

Just as he got a grip on the doctor’s shirt, Ben felt several hands grab him. Where they came from he didn’t know and could care less. That he was screaming at the top of his lungs mattered not at all. All he cared about was getting his hands on that doctor. Then he felt the sting of a needle entering his arm just above the elbow. Jabbed in, in a hurry, the point hit the bone and glanced off. He fought for a moment, and then the mist closed in.

CHAPTER 3

T HE ROOM WAS cheery with the afternoon sun shining brightly into the window when he awoke. He had a slight headache and a terrible thirst, but otherwise he felt fine.

What am I doing here? he thought. Then as he remembered, he felt his anger explode. Fuck, they’d knocked me out and put me to bed like a baby!

When he tried to get up, he found that they’d also restrained him to the bed. He fell back. After several moments of fighting and straining, he realized they had him. He could not get loose.

Next to his hand lay one of those nurse call buttons pinned to the bed. He picked it up with his left hand and started to press it, then stopped. I’d better think of what I am going to do before I call anyone. Hell, they might declare me nuts and lock me up in a padded cell! I’d better line my ducks up before I start shooting. Play their game for a while. And I’d better get myself and my wife and my daughter out of here. If my daughter is still here.

The door opened, and a nurse stuck her head in, smiled, and ducked right back out.

Wonder what that was all about, he asked himself.

About thirty minutes had gone by when the door opened again, and Dr. McMilly stepped into the room. He was followed by a nurse pushing a medication cart.

How do you feel now, Ben?

A lot better, Ben lied.

Good, good because I need to talk to you. We’ve decided to keep you here for a few days under observation. You got pretty much out of hand out there in the office. I don’t want you to have a nervous breakdown. And I’m afraid all that has happened has been a little bit too much for you.

Ben, unable to believe what was happening, just stared at him. This is America, the good old United States of America. These kinds of things just don’t happen here. At least they’re not supposed to.

Keep cool, he thought. Don’t get mad. Don’t let your anger show. Play his game. Escape as soon as you can. Bring the authorities back to get Ellen and Carol.

After a few days, I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be able to release you and your wife. Then you can go on living your lives. You just need a little rest, and everything will regain its proper perspective.

But I’m not sick, Ben said before he could stop himself. And what are these for? He held one arm up as far as it would go, showing the restraint.

Simply to keep you from hurting yourself. We’ll take them off tomorrow or the next day when you’ve settled down. Now I’m going to give you an injection to make you sleep.

Where’s my daughter? I don’t want any needle! Ben fairly screamed.

For the time being, your daughter is staying in the room with your wife. And you’re going to get an injection. Remember, I’m the doctor.

Ben fought and strained, but the straps were stronger than he was, and in the end, he felt the needle slip into his arm. As he sank back on the bed, sleep moved in.

How long have I been here? He didn’t know. He lost track of time. Everything was hazy. He remembered someone forcing a rubber bone-like object between his teeth and fastening it there by tying it off behind his neck. They said that he’d gone into convulsions. He’d never had any convulsions in his life. There was no history of convulsions in his family.

He’d been fed intravenously ever since he had first come awake. He was weak. He needed solid food. His stomach thought his throat had been cut. Shit! I am hungry!

How is my wife? he wondered. Where is my daughter? Man, I need to get out of here, bad! But right now, he was too weak to hold his head up and too tired to move, let alone escape.

The doctor came every day and talked about the same thing. He couldn’t understand why Ben was so upset about the baby. It seemed Ellen had gotten quite irate also. After all, the doctor was only trying to help them. He was not trying to make or cause them trouble. He wished they could see it from his point of view.

When Ben tried to talk to the nurses, they were all very nice but seemed to agree with the doctor. Once, Ben had tried to get a little brunette nurse to help him escape. She only smiled and went out and told Dr. McMilly and then another needle and another period of dreams and unreality. He wondered where it would all end. Oh, sooner or later, I’d get out of here! There is no doubt in my mind of that. And when I do, man, someone is going to be sorry!

But first he had to get out of here, get himself together, and then he could take whatever steps were necessary to show them they couldn’t get away with this kind of crap.

Wait till Allen hears about it. Allen was his half-brother. But in reality, he and Allen were more than brothers. They were the best of friends and truly cared for one another. Ben was two years younger than Allen but had always taken on the role of big brother instead of vice versa. Allen didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he seemed to enjoy having a younger big brother.

When he was eighteen, Allen had joined the army over the protests of the whole family. But it had turned out to be the right thing for him, just as he had said all along. He loved it and had every intention of making a career out of it. After basic, he signed up for the Special Forces and was accepted. It wasn’t until six months later that they saw him again. Boy, what a difference! Gone was the lad of eighteen, and in his place stood a confident, self-assured soldier—a young man still to be sure, but a young man who knew where he wanted to go and how to get there. More than ever now, Allen wanted a career in the Special Forces. And he was off to an excellent start. Sadly, though, it was never meant to be.

Five years later, after reaching grade E-5, Sergeant Allen Trecan had gotten his left arm tangled in the shroud lines of his parachute. It was during a practice jump on the Normandy Drop Zone at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His left arm had been severely mangled to the elbow and had to be amputated.

After months of recuperation and rehabilitation, an artificial limb had been fitted, and he was medically discharged from the service, at a seventy-percent disability.

He had lost none of his self-assuredness or drive. In fact, he had to be constantly reminded of his limitations. He thought he could do anything, and to every one’s surprise, he almost did. He skied, swam, and even skydived. He even finished college with a degree in physical education on the GI Bill.

After teaching physical education in Texas for two years, Allen moved to Denver and started his own courier business and was very successful, with small branch offices in New Mexico and Texas. He was free to come and go as he liked and was able to do whatever he wanted. They had kept in close contact after their parents had passed away and visited each other regularly.

Allen, though married, had no children. But he loved kids. He was always helping out at the Boys’ Club near his home in Denver as well as working with other organizations that were youth orientated.

And Ben knew he was going to be very pissed off when he heard what had happened to his brother and his family up here in Paradise, Maine. And if anyone in this whole world would come when he called, it was Allen. All he had to do was call.

That afternoon, when the doctor came, Ben could see that he was very agitated. He couldn’t sit still, and several times he seemed to lose his train of thoughts, while talking. The theme was the same.

Well, how are you feeling today, Ben?

Great. When do I get released?

All in good time. You’re doing remarkably well.

Dr. McMilly, there’s nothing physically wrong with me. I’m as fit as I can be. I’d like to sign myself out of here.

I’m sorry, Ben, but I’ve just left your wife. After explaining what has happened, she agrees with me. You need to stay here awhile longer, and in your best interests, she has signed a commitment order to that effect. All it needs is the signature of the county judge to make it a legal, binding order. Then we can hold you for observation for ninety days.

Ben couldn’t believe his ears. Ellen would never do that without talking to him. And yet the doctor was holding the paper right in front of his eyes so he could see the signature. It was his wife’s signature, shaky and scribbled, but still her signature. How did they get her to sign that? What had they told her? What am I going to do?

Now I don’t want to go to all that trouble, Ben, the doctor continued. So why don’t you just relax and cooperate with me? And I’m sure we’ll be able to release you in a short time.

You said that a week ago.

Well, sometimes these things take longer than we first think. You can never tell for sure.

Can I see my daughter?

The doctor seemed to think about it for a minute and then slowly nodded his head. Yes, I think that’ll be all right. But remember, don’t get her or yourself all upset. Or you’ll be back to square one. OK?

Sure, I understand. I’ll be good.

About an hour later, the door opened, and his daughter Carol walked into the room. A nurse was with her but left immediately. As she saw him on the bed, she smiled and said, Oh, Daddy, it’s so good to see you! They told us how sick you were, and we’ve been so worried.

Don’t worry, honey. I’m fine.

The nurse was gone, but she could still be listening at the door. Ben motioned his daughter over close to the bed.

How’s your mother?

Pretty good. Tired and a little listless but OK.

Can she move?

Not too good. They are going to take her off the medication tomorrow, and she should be ready to go home in a few days.

She’s still on medication?

Yes, Daddy, a nerve medicine. I don’t know its name.

Listen, Carol. Can you get to a phone?

I think so, Daddy. They let me go to the cafeteria and the library by myself. There are a lot of phones in empty offices all around.

Well, you’ve got to be careful. No one must see you. Call your uncle Allen and tell him I need him here as soon as he can get here. Tell him to come now, please. Can you do that?

I think so.

OK. The area code is 303, and his number is 671-9641. I’ve scratched it on this small piece of milk carton. Wait until you’re sure no one is watching you and call. Hang up as soon as you’re finished. Carol, you must be careful and not get caught. Do you understand?

Yes, Daddy, I’ll be careful.

She stayed for another hour before she left. Ben felt better than he had in a long time. If only she got the chance to make the call! And if only Allen was home when she called!

CHAPTER 4

I T WAS TWO days later when the doctor came by for his daily visit that Ben knew. Dr. McMilly entered the room, red faced and frowning.

You just won’t let us help you, will you? he asked.

What do you mean?

I mean, this morning, the shift nurse on duty caught your daughter trying to make a long-distance phone call. Evidently, she didn’t know all outgoing phone calls are processed through our own switchboard.

Oh shit, thought Ben. I never even considered that.

"Anyhow, when she tried to make the call, the operator did not put it through. Instead, she called the nurse’s station, and