Chapter One Hundred and Nineteen

Havermouth, Five Years Before

“Can we have a moment?” Heath asked. “And then she’ll go with you.”

The two police officers exchanged a look and shrugged slightly.

Heath turned to Aislen and gripped her shoulders as Rhett joined them in a tight huddle. “What is this about?” Heath asked her. “What have you done? Dr. James wouldn’t have you sectioned over nothing… What happened the other night? What did you say to her?”

Aislen slid a look at Rhett. “Nothing, Heath. I just said that I was sorry for her loss.”

“Her reaction was extreme,” he murmured to himself. “Perhaps she is unbalanced after losing her child and has fixated on you, because you’re a girl, and you found her daughter.”

“Maybe,” Aislen was dubious.

“I’ll go back to Rhett’s place with him and get Mr. Salem onto it.”

“If he’ll help, the mood that he is in,” Rhett said sourly.

“He’ll help,” Heath replied firmly. (Because my family outranks yours, and the Salem’s are new to the pack.) “He’ll sort this out, Aislen. Go with the police officers--”

“And keep your mouth shut,” Rhett interrupted.

“Yes, keep your mouth shut,” Heath agreed, before releasing her and turning to the police. “Do her parents know?”

“The Carter residence was our first stop,” one of the police officers replied whilst the other stepped back to the car and opened the rear door. “Her mother packed her an overnight bag, and told us she was probably with you,” he added. “It’s all above board Heath, Rhett,” the way he spoke their names and inclined his head slightly let Aislen know that these police were werewolves. “She will be taken care of.”

“Thank you,” Heath stepped to the side and gestured for Aislen to go with the police. She saw him put his hand on Rhett’s shoulder, holding him still and silent as she walked past them to the car. There was an overnight bag on the back seat, just as the police officer had said. She held it up for Heath to see and he nodded.

The car door was closed between them. As the police pulled away, Rhett and Heath headed for Heath’s car.

“Nothing to be afraid of, Aislen,” the police officer said through the grill that separated the back seat from the front. “The doctor is just a bit concerned about how you’re doing.”

“Have you found out who killed Penny?” Aislen asked him.

“These things take time.”

Keep your mouth shut, Aislen, she told herself. Rhett was right, it was speaking out that had caused the trouble. She sank back into the seat, determined not to speak any further.

At the hospital, they were met by a nurse who immediately ran through Aislen’s name, address, date of birth, and allergies. “You’re not allergic to any medications?” She asked.

“Why would I be given any medication?” Aislen wondered. “This is… Well, it’s stupid. I found a child’s body. Why would I need medication?”

“It’s a standard question, love,” the nurse assured her.

“No, not that I know of,” Aislen replied unhappily.

Whilst the police completed paperwork at the reception desk, Aislen was taken to a room with a window looking into the beds, and the nurse unpacked Aislen’s bag, checking through the clothes, and the toiletries.

“What are you looking for?” Aislen demanded.

“We have a duty of care to ensure that you have nothing harmful in your bag,” the nurse explained and handed Aislen the toothbrush and toothpaste, and a pile of cloth. “Use the bathroom, brush your teeth, and get into the hospital gown.”

Aislen frowned. “Why?”

“We’re a bit short staffed on this shift,” the nurse replied tersely. “I don’t have time to explain everything. Please use the bathroom.”

Aislen retreated to the bathroom and did what she was told, brushing her teeth, using the toilet, and changing out of her school uniform and into the hospital robes. When she returned, the police stood in the door watching whilst two nurses attached leather cuffs to the bed.

“No,” Aislen protested shaking her head. “You don’t have to tie me to the bed.”

“You’re considered at risk of self-harm,” the original nurse told her. “Therefore, yes, we do need to secure you to ensure that you do not hurt yourself. Unfortunately, as a small hospital, we don’t have the luxury of having safe rooms for mental health patients and must make do with restraints. Don’t worry, someone will be in frequently to check on you, and to allow you access to the bathroom, and in the morning, you will be given the opportunity to shower and dress in the clothing that you have packed.”

Aislen looked at the police officers. “Please… This is just… I’m not a risk to myself, and I shouldn’t be here.”

“Sorry, Aislen,” the police officer said. “But it is what it is. Just comply, and I’m sure things will be resolved in the morning.”

Reluctantly, Aisled got onto the bed and let the nurses secure her wrists into the cuffs. They tucked in her blanket and made sure her pillow was comfortable before leaving her in the darkened room. She lay awake, staring up at the ceiling, listening to the never-ending movement of the hospital around her, growing increasingly frightened and distressed until she lost control of the bubbles and exhausted herself trying to put them back into place, unable to push back the overwhelming mental noise of the patients and staff.

She was woken out of a doze when Dr. James leaned over her, staring, and not entirely sure if she was asleep. “Dr. James!” She exclaimed, her eyes going to where the window looked out at the brightly lit reception area. “What are you doing?”

“I wanted to speak with you before the morning and the official procedures,” Dr. James said calmly, her expression gentle. She smoothed the covers over Aislen. “I know that this is very frightening to you, Aislen, and I don’t want to cause you an undue distress.” (No one will believe her now that it will be on record that she was sectioned under the Mental Health Act. If she says anything to anyone, they will think that she’s traumatized by the discovery and will think nothing more of it. But how did she know? How?)

Aislen stared at her. “I’m not… I’m fine.”

“What you said the other night, Aislen…” Dr. James replied. “Those were not the words of someone who is fine. Those were the words of someone who is extremely traumatized. What made you think that you knew how my daughter died? Were you there? That is what the police will wonder if I were to tell them what you said to me.”

“I wasn’t even in Havermouth then,” Aislen whispered, aghast.

“Then how would you know anything about what happened to my daughter?” Dr. James pointed out. “A hallucination? Speaking to the dead? Aislen,” she shook her head slowly. “Not only is what you said untrue and very hurtful to me, but it has the potential to be extremely harmful to you. Do you understand?” (Did Lachlan tell someone? Is Lachlan having an affair with Tiffany Carter?)

“I understand,” Aislen replied. She did. It was as her grandmother had always said – their abilities were a family secret; others would simply not understand. In a way, she thought, both Rhett and her grandmother had the same message – do not speak of what you know. Do not share the secrets that you possess – not about yourself, and not about others. “I do understand.”

“I hope so, Aislen,” Dr. James said with a gentle smile. “If that is the case, then tomorrow, when we have our little meeting with the psychologist, we can both agree that maybe I misheard you. And then you will be free to go.”

“Okay,” Aislen nodded. “Okay.”

“Good girl,” Dr. James patted Aislen’s hand. “Sleep well, now. It’s only a couple more hours until morning. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” Aislen said, with automatic politeness, as the doctor crossed the room and slipped out, closing the door behind her. “Oh, god,” Aislen broke, her face crumpling as she began to cry, helpless to wipe away her tears. One thing was clear – she needed to get out of Havermouth before it destroyed her.