House of Madness: Revelations, #2

By Mia Bishop

Evil lurks in the shadows.

For most patients, life at Mrs. Sutton's Home for Troubles Girls isn't easy, but for Avery Mills, it's been a living nightmare.

With a new director in charge and a psycho nurse both setting their sights on Avery she must dig deep to figure out what it all means. One thing for certain, she knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that the new orderly, Zeke, is not who or what he says he is.

Whom do you trust when the options are the devil you know or the devil you don't know? Both options are risky but a sickness is spreading and humanity is running out of time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mia Bishop
• Release date: Jan 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9798223427520

Book preview

Chapter 1

O ur next patient is Avery Mills.

Nurse Russo’s voice rang out before the door opened. Avery took a deep breath and stepped into the small auditorium to find every gaze lingering on her. This was a common occurrence at the private hospital. A select group of patients would be paraded up on stage and used as examples of the various mental health issues the young women in the hospital suffered from. But this time it would be different. After ten years at Mrs. Sutton’s Home for Troubled Girls, Avery finally decided to play the game differently. She’d gone above and beyond to prove that she was sane, today would be her payoff. As she started toward the stage, someone caught her eye.

She pinned her shoulders back and straightened herself in front of the microphone. The small room didn’t need the extra amplification; Avery figured it was more for show. From her vantage point on the stage that stood about two feet from the ground, she could see the person who’d caught her attention. A man sitting in the back row. Shadows hid his face, but Avery could see the air shimmering around him. She squinted harder, trying to make out his features, but the darkness deepened as if hiding him, it didn’t work. She could still see the shimmer like a muted radiance trying to shine. Inhaling deeply, she focused on the rest of the group.

Ignore it. Do your job. Play these fools and get the hell out of here sooner rather than later.

It was a pep talk she knew well; she’d been giving it to herself for the past sixteen months. Play nice, pretend she didn’t see or hear the horrible things that lurk in the mental institution, and hopefully one day she’ll get to go home.

Home.

She missed her family, even if they weren’t blood. The Stine’s were the only people to ever show her kindness, and now they had to pay for her to live in this hell hole. The demon-like face that only Avery could see housed inside Nurse Russo snarled at Avery’s apparent distraction, and the nurse cleared her throat. Sometime today, Ms. Mills.

Avery nodded and approached the nurse at the center of the stage. How could no one else ever see that the woman was just a shell and something far more sinister lived inside her skin? Avery pushed the thought aside and straightened her shoulders, raised her chin, and readied herself for inspection.

Nurse Russo started in right away. Circling Avery while she spoke like she was the prize cow at auction. Avery is one of our long-term patients; she’s been with us for ten years now. She was, the nurse paused and gave a little chuckle, one of our problem patients for quite some time. Still, with the help of a new drug regimen and the very unique therapies we offer here at Mrs. Sutton’s, Avery has made quite the turnaround.

A young woman in the front row raised her hand and asked, How was she a problem patient?

Avery was very adamant for the first few years that she had been set up by one of the teachers at her school and one of the social workers we work closely with. Nurse Russo moved to stand next to Avery and continued, Avery was also convinced that she saw things no one else could see. Creatures that could possess a person or harm people, sucking the life out of them while no one around them knew what was happening. Avery had a very troubled past, and unfortunately, she didn’t receive care early on, which made helping her a difficult task. The nurse reached over, laying her hand on Avery’s shoulder. She’s attempted many escapes. Avery is known to be violent when agitated. In the past, she even blinded one of our therapists and bit off the finger of an orderly.

The younger woman’s eyes narrowed on Avery. Then why let her out of restraints?

Avery has shown amazing progress in her later years with us. She accepts now that the things she thinks she sees are simply delusions. We like to reward good behavior here; we are not here to punish the sick for being sick, we are here to help them. Russo smiled at Avery, but Avery shivered as the creature inside the woman snarl. They aren’t at fault for the darkness inside of them.

But she’s harmed staff members. Something moved under the surface of the woman’s skin, and Avery did her best to look away.

And she is very remorseful for her actions. Nurse Russo turned to Avery and gave her a little nudge. Aren’t you, dear?

Yes, ma’am.

Russo tucked a strand of Avery’s long, light brown hair behind her ear and slid her hand down to squeeze Avery’s shoulder. Something the creature often did to reassure Avery that no one was going to hurt her. After walking her to the edge of the stage, her nurse gestured to the handful of new staff members and said, Avery, why don’t you tell them exactly why you are here.

Avery turned her head and whispered, Didn’t you just do that?

The light touch on her shoulders turned dangerously tight, and the creature hissed, Do it.

Affection only lasted so long with Russo. Avery still wasn’t sure why the creature would comfort her when its sole purpose of being here was to torment Avery more. Yet, after ten years inside a mental institution, she would take whatever comfort she could get. She faced the group of new staff and swallowed down her revulsion of having to put on this show. I suffer from schizophrenia, generalized anxiety disorder, social panic disorder, OCD, and depression. Avery covered her mouth with her fist to cough while she gathered her racing thoughts. I also have ADHD and Synesthesia. She paused and looked over at Nurse Russo. She gave a silent plea for the Nurse to not make her say the rest, but Russo gave a sickeningly sweet smile and nodded for Avery to continue. And suicidal thoughts and tendencies.

The woman in the front row laughed. That’s quite the laundry list of problems. So, what kind of things do you see and hear?

Avery raised her chin up defiantly. I don’t see or hear anything anymore.

I think that’s a lie. Look at you. The woman leaned forward and grinned. You’re a mess. Come on, what do you see?

Avery swallowed again, and then she saw it. Three of the seven new hires were meat-sacks housing creatures from hell or wherever they came from. Not the woman asking the questions though, she was something else entirely, and she seemed far more dangerous than the others. Avery had to classify the man in the back in the same category. They weren’t human and weren’t just human meat-sacks either. Avery’s stalling was getting her nowhere, the woman arched a brow and waited for an answer. I don’t see anything. She looked at the creature living inside her long-term care nurse for a bit of reassurance. Russo nodded. Avery cleared her throat. I haven’t had a delusion in over a year and a half, the medicine I’m on helps me live a productive and safe life here at Mrs. Sutton’s.

Russo gave Avery’s shoulder a light touch again. Another one of those oddly reassuring moments. Thank you, dear. You can return to the common room and send in Natalie and Louisa.

Yes, ma’am. She ducked her head and scurried off the stage. As she flung open the door, the shimmering man in the shadows caught her eye again; he was still watching her. Intensely. She’d have to keep a better eye on him and the woman from the front row. The creatures she could handle, but she had no idea what the other two were. And while tricking the ordinary beings in the hospital had become easy for her over the years, an unknown element was far more dangerous to tangle with.

The orderly she’d bitten the finger off of passed by and gave her a nod, they were more like kindred spirits now. Ari was the one person in this place who knew what it was she saw, and he saw them too, but only after she had bitten his finger off. Before that, he’d been possessed by one of the creatures and tried to attack her one night. She’d fought back. To this day, she still didn’t know how she had freed him. All Avery knew was that she wanted to pull the thing from inside him, and she did, killing it in the process. Something she’d never been able to duplicate. That was two years ago.

When Ari returned to work, he’d sought her out and told her that he knew she’d saved him. He’d come up with the plan to prove that she was sane. They worked slowly at it, showing setbacks here and there to make it look believable. In the end, it worked, and now she was the PPP, Picture Perfect Patient. Her entire life now consisted of lying, deceiving, and playing a never-ending game of cat and mouse with the creatures living inside the meat-sacks of former patients and staff.

She made her way into the commons room and motioned for the only two people who she considered friends among the patients. Natalie Tyson and Louisa Briggs. You two are up next.

Louisa bounced excitedly. Is it fun?

Avery arched a brow and used her nickname to try to soften her words. No, Louie, it’s not fun. The fragile girl frowned, and Avery felt a wave of regret. Sorry, it’s fine. I’m sure you’ll have fun. Just do what Russo tells you to do, and we will get pie afterward. Okay?

Louisa bounced more. Okay.

As Louisa sprinted down the hallway, Natalie gave Avery a pointed look. How bad is it?

The same old same old. Fresh staff, there’s always one asshole in the bunch.

Which one do I need to keep a lookout for?

First row, the woman with the blonde hair and green eyes. She’s looking to make someone have a breakdown. Avery nodded towards the hall. Keep a close eye on Louisa.

Nat gave a quick nod and rushed to catch up with Louisa, who had gotten distracted by her reflection in the window. Avery darted her gaze from side to side, making sure no one was paying any attention to her. When the coast was clear, she sprinted down the hall to her room, where she gathered up her journal and pens.

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Avery avoided the rest of the dog and pony show as much as she could and sat out on the patio. It was a privilege that Russo didn’t let her forget could be taken away at any time if she acted out. Sitting down with her notebook in hand, Avery wrote down what had happened during the morning orientation. She kept a log of everything she saw. Avery’s catalog included all of the different creatures she encountered, but instead of using words, she drew symbols. Each one had a special meaning to her; it was her own little coding system. To anyone else, it would look like a jumbled mess of scribbles and doodles. At first, the staff questioned her about the books. Still, she’d managed to convince Russo that doodling helped her focus and eased the anxiousness of her ADHD. Ever since then, Russo had kept her in a steady supply of notebooks and pens.

The shimmering man concerned her just as much as the female nurse. She’d never seen anything like either of them before. What are you? she whispered as she drew shimmering heat waves with a silver pen on the page with a question mark next to them.

Don’t you mean who are you? a deep voice asked from behind her.

Avery turned around to see her latest curiosity standing in the doorway, holding a tray of food. Even though she hadn’t thoroughly seen his face, she knew he was the man from the shadows. Taking a deep breath, Avery gave a nod. Okay, who are you?

His brow arched. So, I was the subject of your question?

No. She covered quickly, tapping her fingers on the table. But since you had the nerve to interrupt me, I figured I might as well know your name.

He approached her with the food and slid the green tray in front of her. My name is Zeke Hardcastle.

She looked him up and down, restraining the urge to lick her lips. His light brown hair was short, and his blue eyes framed by thick lashes held her gaze for a moment. He crossed his arms over his chest, causing the short sleeves of his scrubs to cut into his biceps. He was tall and muscular and far too out of place in a mental hospital. The light green scrubs were a dead giveaway of his position at the hospital. You’re an orderly?

Yes, are you planning on biting off one of my fingers?

No. She took a stab at the institutionalized turkey chunks and gravy slathered over the top of a mound of instant mashed potatoes, her fork clinking against the tray. Not yet anyway. He sat down next to her and held her gaze. She shifted uncomfortably, tugging at the long-frayed sleeves of her shirt, What?

Avery, I know what you are. And I know what you see. I can help you.

Her eyes widened. What did you say?

You heard me. His voice was a low whisper, but his eyes held her graze like a raging inferno. I can help you get out of here.

She swallowed past the lump in her throat and gave a nervous laugh. Nice try, but I don’t see anything.

Avery, I know—

She cut him off with a glare. I’m fine. I take my meds, there is nothing wrong with me.

Please, just listen to me.

No, you listen to me. Her foot tapped against the concrete floor. I’m not a fool. I won’t play this little game you new hires like to play of drive the crazy girl even crazier. You can go to hell. I don’t see anything, end of story.

He held up his hands and slid the chair back. Okay, you’re not ready to hear this. I apologize.

She stabbed her spork at a green bean and shot back, I don’t accept your apology, and I’m cured, so you can keep your opinions to yourself.

Avery.

Stop it. We aren’t friends. She clenched her jaw, her fingers curling into fists. Mr. Hardcastle, you work here to take care of me. That is the end of it, and I would prefer it if you did not refer to me by my first name.

Fine, Ms. Mills. He stood up, and she saw his body stiffen as if he’d turned to stone.

Avery looked around him to find Nurse Russo standing in the door. She smiled over at Avery. Do we have a problem here?

Avery shook her head. No, ma’am.

Good. The nurse paused and made her way out to the patio and placed a small bowl of pudding on Avery’s tray. Brought you something special. You did great this morning. The creature’s hands were stroking Avery’s hair while Russo turned her attention to the orderly and snapped. That is all, Mr. Hardcastle, you can go help with the laundry.

He nodded and left without a word. Avery turned to Russo and smiled back at the creature. Thank you.

For what, dear? The pudding or the help?

Both, I guess.

She reached for the pudding, but Russo gave her one of those not so reassuring squeezes on her shoulder. Eat your food first, then dessert.

Avery snorted but nodded and went back to eating her lunch. So, what’s with all the new staff?

The director is coming for a visit, and he wanted more staff on hand just in case— She shook her head. Never mind, it’s nothing.

Just in case what?

He’s just worried things might get out of control.

With me? Or with everyone?

You.

Why me? I’ve been doing good. I haven’t had an episode in a long time.

I know, dear. The director is new, and he’s just overly cautious. You know how bureaucrats can be. Avery nodded, wishing that was all there was to it. But the fact that Russo had told her that much already had her on edge. If it were indeed nothing, Russo wouldn’t have divulged any information. She thought the head nurse was done, but then she dropped another bomb. You don’t like the new orderly, do you?

I’m not particularly fond of most of the staff.

I can fire him if you’d like.

Avery coughed, trying not to choke on her food. What?

You heard me. If you’d like, I’ll fire him. Russo darted her eyes to the door and then back to Avery. Something is unsettling about him.

She chewed her last bite and looked back up. Then why did you hire him?

He came with solid recommendations. I couldn’t say no. The creature smoothed out her hair and added, I could find a reason to fire him.

Why in the world would you do that?

Russo shook her head. It was just a thought. She shrugged her slender shoulders. I just want you to be happy here.

I live in a zoo full of crazy people. I’m pretty sure my happiness is the lowest priority.

Not to me, Avery.

She looked up at the creature and whispered pleadingly, Then let me go home.

Something dark passed over Russo’s face, and for a moment, the soft brown color of her eyes swirled red and black. No. That is not your home, and you are going to have to come to terms with that. Those people aren’t your family.

But they adopted me; they care about me.

I care about you. She cleared her throat. The entire staff cares about you, and we hate seeing you lament over something that will never come to pass. You know the judge’s orders. You are remanded to our care and custody until you are deemed fit for society, and eighteen months of good behavior isn’t enough to convince the judge or the director.

Avery blew out a sigh and dropped her head. Don’t fire the orderly. I’m sure he’ll work out just fine, I’m just in a mood. Maybe I need an early dose of meds; it’s been a hard morning.

If all else failed, she could always count on her pills to quiet her fears. The meds would put her to sleep, which is just what she needed right now. These conversations with Russo always drained her. She needed to escape, and since escaping physically wasn’t an option, she’d retreat to her dreams.

Russo nodded and headed inside, returning a few minutes later with a paper cup containing two blue capsules. She nodded to Avery’s glass of water. Take them, and I’ll clear your tray away.

Avery downed the pills and quickly ate the pudding before meandering her way back to her room. Maybe tomorrow will be better, she muttered under her breath.

Chapter 2

Alight tap on her door roused her from her dreams, and Avery couldn’t be more grateful for the disruption. Some nights her dreams were nightmares she couldn’t escape. Today’s horrors had her stuck in the hospital alone, the floor caught fire, and she’d plunged into the fires of Hell. She’d been sweating from the mingling of fire and humid air. Reaching down, she smoothed out her hospital pajamas. The grey pocketed T-shirt and grey drawstring pants were dry. No sweat, no burns from the whipping fires of Hell. She was still panting from the heat and fear from her nightmare as she slipped out of bed and opened the door to find Natalie and Louisa standing in the hallway in their pajamas. What’s up, guys?

Natalie shrugged. Louie couldn’t sleep, and when she can’t sleep, neither can I, so we thought we’d stay in here.

A smile spread across Avery’s face. This place had its low points, but her friends always seemed to know when she needed some company. You’re lucky Russo is in a good mood tonight.

Natalie frowned. How do we know Russo is in a good mood?

Avery shrugged. Just a feeling. There was no explaining it, but after Russo had sent her off to her room to sleep, Avery had an overwhelming feeling of peace between her and the creature. Deep down, she knew, somehow, that things tonight with Russo would be okay. She peeked her head out the door and gave a quick glance around before ushering them inside. Louie, why can’t you sleep?

It’s back, the younger girl cooed.

It? Avery patted her bed and crawled back on the mattress with the other two. I thought you stopped seeing the monster under your bed?

He’s not under my bed anymore.

Oh?

Louisa peered out the window and shivered. With a shaky hand, she pointed to the hedge maze in the center of the garden. He’s in there.

Well, that’s good, that means he’s far away. Louisa shook her head hard enough that Avery could hear the girl’s neck pop from the action. Reaching out, she caught her friend’s head in her hand and held her steady. Louisa, we won’t let him hurt you. Please, don’t be scared.

After a few deep breaths, Louisa yawned and curled up, resting her head on Avery’s lap. Natalie smiled. You always seem to be able to calm her.

It’s a gift, I guess, she quipped.

I see sarcasm is on the menu tonight.

Avery rolled her eyes. It’s been a long day; I guess I get sarcastic when I’m tired.

Natalie moved next to Avery, draping her arm over Avery’s shoulder as they both rested their backs against the window next to Avery’s bed. Louisa’s light snores were a comfort, but her fear of the monster she swore she saw troubled Avery to her core. It’d been more than a year since Louisa had seen him. She glanced behind Natalie and frowned. Do you think someone is out there?

Louie’s monster? Come on.

You don’t believe she sees something?

No, and if you ever want out of here, you’d better not let Russo hear you talk like that. Nothing is out there except for that stupid maze and the security guards. If she saw anything, it was probably one of them.

You’re sure?

Did you suddenly become a chicken shit? There’s no such thing as monsters; I thought you were over your delusions?

I am. Avery cleared her throat. I don’t see anything anymore, but that doesn’t mean that Louisa didn’t see something. Maybe it was a wolf or a bear? The garden does butt up against a forest. I’m not saying she saw a monster; I just wonder if she did see something.

Natalie chewed her lip for a minute and then nodded. That could be, I’m sure if she saw an animal at night, she’d think it was a monster. Nat was the tough one, always quick to dismiss anything unexplainable, but still rational enough to see why others might think they saw something. But then again, Natalie wasn’t at Mrs. Sutton’s for having delusions. She’d made a terrible choice, and her family got her out of trouble by having her declared mentally incapable. Avery covered her mouth to hide her yawn, but Natalie gave her a sideways glance. If you’re tired, just tell me, and I’ll go.

Glancing down at Louisa sleeping peacefully in her lap, Avery shook her head. I’m good; I can stay up.

You’re tired, just admit it, lightweight. Without another thought, Natalie hopped off the bed and started for the door. You’re on crazy patrol tonight, Louie is all yours.

Natalie, wait— Avery sighed as the door shut behind her friend. She stroked Louisa’s curly hair and slid her friend’s head off her lap and onto her pillow before taking up a spot on the bed next to the window. Good night, she whispered to the sleeping girl.

Minutes ticked by as Avery stared at the ceiling. Sleep refused to come, and it probably had more to do with the nightmare she’d had than anything else. On nights like this, no matter how tired she was, her brain refused to shut down and sleep. Avery figured her subconscious didn’t want to run the risk of re-entering a terrible dream she couldn’t escape from.

Another knock on the door made her jump. Mumbling under her breath as she exited the bed, she cursed, Damn it, Nat. If you want to sleep in here, just say so— She flung the door open and blinked.

Natalie wasn’t there. Instead, the handsome orderly stood leaning against the door jamb. Zeke’s smile sent the heat waves around him dancing in a frenzy, and Avery’s breath hitched. She quickly recovered and glared. What do you want?

The nurse sent me up with some water for you. She said, you get dry mouth from your medication.

Rolling her eyes, she reached out and snatched the glass from his hand. Thanks.

No problem. So, are you going to keep being mad at me?

I’m not mad. I’m annoyed by you.

Why is that?

You know perfectly well why.

He rubbed the back of his neck and stared at his shoes. Yeah, I wanted to apologize for that. I think we got off on the wrong foot.

The wrong foot? You accused me of having visions and then said you could help me. She crossed her arms over her chest. I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I don’t want any part of it.

He nodded. I acknowledge that I was wrong, I shouldn’t have accused you of anything. I just wanted to help. She started to interrupt, but he held up his hand to quiet her. And I might have made a mistake. Having visions or seeing things that no one else can is something I actually do believe in, but I understand if I was wrong. So, I’d like to make a peace offering.

Avery quirked a brow. A peace offering? Like what, a ticket out of here?

He laughed and shook his head. Not sure I can make that happen, at least not yet anyway. Avery tilted her head at the off-handed comment but stayed silent. Zeke continued, But I’d like to show you that I’m a friend, you can trust me. So, whatever you want, he paused and added, Anything within reason; I’d like to get it for you. A present so to speak as my way of saying I’m sorry.

Avery bit her bottom lip and mulled over his offer. Anything?

He nodded and held up a finger. Within reason.

Yeah, yeah. Within reason, but I might want something that breaks a small rule.

Zeke regarded her for a moment before letting out a long sigh. A small rule. Yes, I can handle that.

Music. Avery beamed. I want to listen to music.

Music, you’re kidding me. That’s it?

Nurse Russo forbids me to listen to music. She’s afraid it will trigger an episode. I love music, and I miss it. If you get me something that I can listen to, I might start to believe you aren’t one of the bad guys.

He flashed a quick smile. You know, you are very quick with this extortion deal. Have you done this before?

She gave a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders and stepped back, doing her best to ignore the butterflies that fluttered in her stomach when he flashed his smile. Maybe.

As she started to close the door, his foot slid in to stop her. That’s it?

What else do you want? I gave you my answer. She looked him up and down, trying to decide if she would be able to trust him, even if he managed to sneak in something for her to listen to.

I thought you might be lonely up here all by yourself.

Avery laughed. And you think you’re who I’d want to cure my loneliness with? Um, no, thanks. I don’t bed the staff anymore.

Zeke’s face reddened, and he coughed. Anymore? What does that mean?

She shrugged again. Why should it matter to you?

Well, I… He ran his fingers through his hair, and a deep growl seemed to rumble in his chest. I didn’t mean it that way anyway. I just thought you might want some company.

Avery tried to hide her laugh behind her hand but failed. Zeke’s face reddened more. Sorry. She opened the door more and nodded to Louisa sleeping on her bed. I’ve got all the company I need tonight. She leaned in and whispered, And besides, innocent or not, Nurse Russo would string you up by your balls for visiting with patients in their rooms.

He nodded and took a step back, giving Louisa another glance, he whispered, Be careful, Ms. Mills. Not everyone you regard as a friend has your best interests in mind.

You can call me Avery. She gave him a half-smile. And I’m very much aware of that, Zeke. It’s exactly why I don’t trust you.

As she closed the door, she heard that growling sound again, and a shiver went down her spine.

Avery was almost to her bed when her door flung open. The blast of raw energy was enough to tell her who it was. Really, Russo? She spun around and sighed, seeing