Asylum Letter VI

Here we are, Sprinkles! The sixth installment of the Asylum Letters. I hope you enjoy it.

J.S.

Asylum Letter VI from Lizzie Lobotomy from the Bastille Asylum for Misfits and Miscreants


Head of the Asylum




I peeled off my clothes and tossed them into the nearest hamper. Thankfully I always carried some spare clothes. As I dressed myself I glanced at the small pocket watch dangling from my neck. Father had given it to me when I first became a nurse at the Asylum. It was getting late and I was expected. I pulled my stockings tight and slipped on my white dress. My hair was brushed and left free. I tied my apron back on and slipped in my shoes before stepping out of the orderlies’ quarters. I never understood Father’s paranoia that one of the inmates would escape. Even if they had somehow magically passed through the bars of their cell, there were still the other gates. I attempted to count the number of times I had to unlock all door and the gates once but I lost count after some time. I stepped back out into the main hall and I walked down to Monsieur Bastille’s former office. The occupant of it now was Doctor Sodheim, our Chief Surgeon…and my lover.

*****

It was last year after Scarlet was admitted when Dr. Benjamin Sodheim came to the Asylum. Our former Chief Surgeon had died and we were in need of a new one. And then this amazing man answered our prayers. He was a man of thirty-three. He had wild, and almost untamable, white hair. His face was hard and cold and his brow was eternally furrowed. I had never known a man to have black eyes before until I met Dr. Sodheim. There was something about him that captivated me. A few months had passed and I did everything I could to earn his attention. It seemed to be vain though, until one day I was assisting with a patient’s lobotomy.


“Would you like to do the honors?” He asked in his gravelly voice.


The spike in his hand called out to me, begging me to grab hold of it. My heart beat against my chest to the point where I knew it would explode if I didn’t do something soon. My fingers wrapped around the cold metal spike and my fingers brushed his. I gazed up at him to see his black eyes were staring back at me. Ben brought his free hand up to my cheek and leaned in slowly. His lips were icy but I relished in the cold. The patient strapped down below us began to bark. Ben smiled for the first time at me. He guided the spike in my hand and he held the hammer in his free hand. Together we lobotomized the patient together and then we kissed again.


After that moment it hit me. I knew that once Father died I would never be in control of the Asylum. It would go to someone else. I was a woman after all and therefore “inferior”. So I convinced Father to name Ben as his successor. He was completely fine with this but, however, he wasn’t too happy that I had shown interest in Sodheim. I guess I will always be a little girl to my father and he will do everything in his power to keep me from marrying as long as he can. But when Ben promised that when he takes over the Asylum he’ll marry me. And that means I’ll be one step closer to having my dream come true.

******

I gently knocked on the office door. There was no sound. Again I knocked. This time a short grunt and mumble was heard from the other side of the door. I twisted the handle and entered. Inside there was Ben sitting at his desk. He was going over some book on anatomy. Heaven knows which one. He has so many of them. All I could make out was a single picture of a person’s slit throat. Ben looked up and closed the book. I gave him a small smile.


“How are you this evening?” He asked standing up.


“Alright.” I said.


“How were rounds?”


“Same as usual.” I said. “Lunatics sobbing, cursing, or screaming at me.”


“Are you tired from your long day?” He asked.


“Very much, what does the doctor prescribe?” I smiled at him. Ben walked over and pulled me close in his arms.


“I’m afraid that you are going to have to spend the rest of the night in bed.” He gave me a small smirk before pushing me up against the wall. “Don’t worry I’ll take care of you tonight, Nurse Smyth.”


His lips brushed against my neck and I felt his hands come up to my shoulders. His mouth was cold, as always. With every piece of clothing he removed he then kissed the bare skin. The last thing he removed was my stockings. Ben got down on his knees and kissed my legs softly. Then my thighs and slowly he worked himself back to my lips. He picked me and carried me to his desk. He pushed off his papers and books off and laid me down on it. And for a few minutes he just looked at me. I always hated this part. I love Ben with everything I have but every time we make love I feel scared sometimes. Like at that moment. The way he looked at me. It’s the same look he gives to any body in one of his books or in a morgue or when he is about to perform surgery. It’s almost a look of hunger. It frightens me but then I think that I’m so silly for thinking these things. What person would kill the woman they loved? Scarlet was insane. He and all the others are exceptions. Ben is doctor, a respected and sane man. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. I know this. I have to believe this. Finally after a few minutes of inspection he begins to kiss me again and undress himself. I love Ben…fear does not belong in the same house of love. Ben will never hurt me…

*****

At one point we ended up on the floor with only Ben’s coat covering ourselves. Ben took a small puff from his cigarette before blowing it the smoke from his lips. I rested my head on his chest and we sat in silence. I would have to leave soon. Father would worry where I was and this was definitely not the place to find his daughter. I crawled over to my clothes on the other side of the room when I felt Ben’s cold grip on my ankle.


“Where are you going?” He asked in a tired tone.


“Father will be expecting me.” I replied. “I have to get back to house.” I reached for my clothes but Ben gave a sharp tug on my ankle. I winced and then looked back to him.


“I said I was to look after you tonight.” I smiled at him.


“You say that every time, Doctor. Now please let me get dressed.” I touched my apron and felt the bottle of chloroform inside the pocket.


“I said you’re staying here.” He growled. I was afraid of this. Ben tends to be…overly affectionate. He likes to hold me and never let me go sometimes. He pulled me back to him. “You’re not going anywhere.” His dark eyes burned into mine. I smiled and slowly nodded. Ben is such a loving man but if he would just let me go to my own bed and sleep…


“I want to do something for you.” I said brushing my hand down his thigh. “But you must promise to be quiet. Will you do that for me?” He smirked.


“I’m sure I can manage that.” He said sarcastically. I frowned.


“I don’t trust you.” I went to my apron and pulled out a handkerchief. “I’ve heard the noise you make, lover, and I need you to be as quiet as the grave.”


I quickly dabbed the handkerchief with the chloroform that I had hidden. I slowly crawled back to Ben who was smiling ear to ear. I placed the handkerchief just below his nose and in a few seconds he was out like a light. I sighed and walked over to my clothes. I quickly dressed myself and Ben. I had had much practice doing this. There were times when Ben needed to be…sedated. I made sure to not make a habit out of doing this. Sometimes I used some of Father’s other sedatives. Pills, powders, potions, whatever I could use to give myself a few minutes to recover. Putting Ben back in his chair was always the hard part. I was able to set him in after a few minutes. I smoothed my dress out and I bent over and kissed Ben on the cheek. He’d wake up with a small headache but he’ll just think that he fell asleep after I left. I headed out of his office and made my way to see Father.


I stopped by the orderlies’ quarters first. I brushed my hair again and dabbed two drops of lavender perfume on my neck. I smiled as I walked down to Father’s office. I felt a little bad for lying to him but in some cases, especially when it comes to parents, it is necessary to protect others with a lie. Normally I don’t condone this but as I said earlier it is necessary.


I was almost to Father’s office when I heard a loud crash. I heard Father scream. I raced to his door to find that it was locked.


“Father!” I cried. “Father open the door!”


I pounded my fist on the door. I heard footsteps behind me and I turned to see several orderlies. One pushed me aside and kicked the door down. I rushed inside to see that my father was nowhere to be found. I felt a cold wind and I looked up to see that his window had been shattered. I walked over to the window and gasped at what I saw. It was my father sprawled out on the ground. Blood was splattered everywhere and his head was twisted and…


I fell to my knees and lost my dinner. An orderly patted my back for me. I slowly stood up and I noticed someone was standing over my father. I couldn’t make the person out though. The shadowy figure looked up at me before taking off into the night. I ran out of the office and I quickly opened every door and gate to get outside. I saw the body and I sat down next to him. Tears started to pour from my eyes. Father’s face was twisted in shock. Had he just fallen out? How could this have happened? Why did this happen?


It wasn’t long before they took Father…the body away. The police said it was an accident or possibly a suicide, the latter being completely absurd. Ben woke up soon after the event and he held me close to him. He didn’t say a word. He just held me and that’s more than I could have asked for in that moment. Ben walked me to the house behind the Asylum and kissed me good night. He told me that he would be staying overnight in his office if I needed anything. I thanked him and walked inside to my bedroom and fell on to my bed.


I wanted to be the head of the Asylum. I dream and dream about it ever since I was a child. I guess I got my wish.






Sincerely,




Lizzie Lobotomy 

C.C. Back In Business.

Hello my lovely, lovely Sprinkles!!! I've missed you so much! Sorry the blog has been out of date for the past month or so. If you did not hear I was in a car accident over the holidays but I am at 100% now. Those of you that did know thank you so much for your prayers and best wishes. It really means a lot that you care. On to other matters now. Flithy Victorians in the Dark is nearing it's completion. A year or so ago on a normal Halloween night, May-May and I decided to form a band. We learned tricks for this trade. May learned how to be a fire-eater/breather/performer and learned some circus tricks in the process. I learned burlesque dancing, the art of tarot, and, hopefully soon, sleight of hand. The idea was never to become famous. The dream was to be able to perform and have our ideas heard through song. To finally hit the stage and show off all of our hard work, damn to any didn't care for us. We began writing FVITD during this time. May had spent hours upon hours mixing and editing the songs. I put forth my effort as well and towards the tail end we collaborated on what we both believe to be the best we've ever done. The long nights of writing, recording, and editing have been long and tedious, but it is all about to pay off.

Two years ago May and I went to the Emilie Autumn concert that was at the Granda Theatre in Dallas. We made a demo CD for Emilie and the Crumpets because they were part of the inspiration that is C.C. The CD was horrible, Sprinkles, no need to sugar-coat it. But after that moment we began to work harder than ever. We had been reenergized and we took the project by storm.  Practicing harder on our skills, working harder on songs, and even making an EP for you lovely Sprinkles, but more on that in a minute. And it just so happens, if you've been viewing our Youtube channel if you not you should, May and I are going to see Emilie and the Crumpets again. So we've been working non-stop to finish FVITD before the date. We want to show our progress to them. Emilie told the other Plague Rats to "be ready for Casanova Cupcake; they're the next big thing" and we're going to prove her right. This is where you come in Sprinkles. We need your help in spreading the word of Casanova Cupcake. Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your neighbors, tell your classmates, and don't neglect your pets, we are equal opprotunity here at C.C. As soon as we give Emilie our first offical CD then it'll be up for grabs for you, Sprinkles. How awesome is that? In it you'll hear songs about masks that people wear, jaded lovers and throwing knives, twisted introductions, the plague, the machines that people can be, the nurse of the Bastille Asylum, and so much more. We've put our blood, sweat, tears, and even parts of our own souls into this album. If you're interested than email us or leave a comment for us on our Facebook page here http://www.facebook.com/groups/124719270902276?ap=1. Also make sure to check up on our vlog posts here on Youtube  http://www.youtube.com/user/CasanovaCupcake.

Now the EP aka Sugar(cubes) and Syringes. This is filled with wonderful tea time poems for the Victorian on the go. Written by May-May Macabre and Jay Scarlet for your listening pleasure. Listen to it during tea time, play it before bed, or if you just want to listen to some fine poetry. The EP is going through the final editing process and will be out soon. If you want a copy just let us know and we'd be more than happy to give you one.

If any of you Sprinkles are free March 8th and you're in the Dallas area why not join us? We'll be at the Prophet Bar reuniting with Emilie Autumn. Tickets are still up if you want to come see. We'd love to see you there and also to enjoy an amazing show with you. Consider it, Sprinkles.

The next Asylum Letter should be posted later this week. I've missed you, Sprinkles, and I'm so looking forward to posting to you again.

Until next time,

Icing kisses,

J.S.

Technical Difficulties

Sorry for the delay, Sprinkles. Unfortunately the Asylum Letters have been postponed due to my darling computer being at the computer shop. As soon as I get it back I will give the letter it's finishing touches and post it ASAP but until then I want to leave you with something. So I'm going to give an excert from my own journal. Enjoy.

JS.


5/24/10

This is the third time I've tried to fall asleep but yet again I have failed. I am being teased by slumber and I don't understand why. It's almost three and I need to attempt to get some sleep. I have so much to do in the morning. I have a nice cold glass of milk and my window is open to let the air in. It smells like rain, amazing. I need to do something but what? I've been thinking about writing some poems for C.C. because May just finished with one. It was a nice little limerick  I just don't know what to talk about. I did write a poem a few weeks ago but I think I'll do some editing to it before showing May. It's sooo late. Wait a second...since I'm being an insomniac maybe I could write about that. But not a simple rhyming poem. No. Too easy. Haiku...hmm...no. What haven't I done? I'm flipping through Emilie's Your Sugar Sits Untouched. Maybe this will give me an idea. I've always loved Ghost. I've got it now. I will do a sonnet. Now how does one do a sonnet. Thank the Dear Divine Above for Google. This should be easy enough. Now how to start this?

Insomnia, a sonnet


Racing thoughts spinning in my brain
Sounds seem to loop throughout the night
Slumber never comes even with eyes shut tight
Wondering now if I have gone insane
The minutes fly by, the beast un-slain
Soon the dawn will bring it’s early light
I curse as I try to doze in spite
Knowing that this task is in vain
I pull the covers over my head
Take slow breaths to slow my heart
Relax the muscles and pray for sleep
The moment comes, I feel cozy in my bed
I can’t help but smile as my slumber starts
Seconds away from bliss when the alarm beeps


I think I did pretty well. (Several drawings were involved in this. Leeches and cupcakes. Keys, sprinkles, and many more. Wish I could post a picture.) It's pretty late. I'll attempt to go to sleep again.

Good night,

JS.

Just A Little Taste

The photoshoot was amazing. We had a nice time with an amazing photographer named Karlo X. Ramos.

We went to back to Jefferson where all this magic happened. We're going to get the rest of the photos later this week so we'll post the rest when we get them. So for now here is just a little taste of what we have in store for you.

J.S.

Asylum Letter V

Hello my lovely sprinkles! Jay Scarlet here with a new Asylum Letter. I'm so sorry that this has taken so long to post. I hope you can forgive me :3. Anyway here is our next letter. Enjoy.

J.S.

Asylum Letter V from Lizzie Lobotomy from the Bastille Asylum for Misfits and Miscreants



Her Story


Many people believe that my father runs the Bastille Asylum but in truth I’m the one who’s in control. No one suspects sweet and innocent Elizabeth Smyth of any misdeeds. And why should they? And one day soon I’ll own the Asylum. I’ll probably have to marry before that. I’d rather not but it’s the only way to move forward in this day and age. At one point in time my father wanted to marry the Asylum founder’s son, Eriq.


The Bastilles had been owners of the Asylum for generations. Father had met Henry Bastille while learning medicine and the two became fast friends. They both had a vision of curing the world of all diseases. I don’t know where my mother was in this dream. She died soon after giving birth to me. Father never remarried. Monsieur Bastille and Eriq had been in our lives for as long as I could remember. I was about eight years old when all that changed.

*****

When I was younger, Father and Monsieur Bastille would take turns living at the Asylum. Every six months they would switch. There is a small little house that is behind the Asylum where we could sleep and bathe, and we took our meals from the Dining Hall. Father would act as my teacher and I took my lessons in his office along with Eriq and Monsieur Bastille. Father hardly ever let me near the inmates. He was always so afraid that I would be frightened by them but it was quite the opposite. I was intrigued by these strange people and I wanted to know more about them. And soon I would.


One day Eriq and I were bored from sitting in Father’s office, so we decided to explore the Asylum. Well, I decided to explore the Asylum. Eriq hated being anywhere by himself. He was such a mousy little boy. He was three inches smaller than me and easily terrified. His unruly brown hair was always sticking up because Eriq would pull on it when he was nervous. Eriq jumped at the slightest sound and he would scream as well. This is why I had gagged him before we headed down the corridor.


The Asylum is a vast place so it’s easy to get lost. There are four wards, A-D. A is for the women, B is for the men, C is for the more unique patients of either sex, and D is for the most hostile patients. Besides the wards, there are other rooms such as the Dining Hall, Leech Room, Operating Room, Solitary Confinement, Hydro-Therapy, Father and Bastille’s laboratory, the orderlies quarters and both of the offices. And outside we have a fairly large courtyard where the patients from wards A and B take separate walks a few times a week. The ward C hardly ever steps outside of the Asylum and if they do they are heavily shackled. Ward D, however, never leaves their cells.

It had been such a long time since I was able to explore the Asylum. Father kept such a close eye on me but every now and then work had to be done. I tugged on Eriq’s hand and led him down to Ward C. I loved going down to see the inmates of Ward C. They were such fascinating creatures. As we pushed through the doors Eriq pleaded behind the gag of sock and twine I had given him. His blue eyes darted back and forth between the cells.


“What is it now you ninny?” I asked him. “Stop sniveling. They’re in cages. They can’t hurt you.” I pulled Eriq forward as we walked down the hall to the cells. “Think of it as a zoo but in this case it’s lunatics rather than animals.” Eriq’s eyes widened. “That was a joke you moron.”

There were rows of bars on either side of us. I watched in wonder while Eriq trembled in childish fear. There was a young girl with no eyebrows in the first cell. She was singing in a slow whispering voice, something about the man that kissed her. Another cell there was a man with white and black hair, his voice was in a constant growl but his posture was anything but feral. There was also a small woman whose voice quivered as she spoke and she skipped around her cell. There were some people who tried to grab at us or scream at us, there were people that wept in the corner, and there were people begging to die. I was filled with fascination and sorrow for these people. This was the moment where I became resolved to one day become the head of the Asylum and help these people.


My arm felt heavy and I could see that Eriq was crying on the floor. “Get up, Eriq.” I said trying to pull him up. “Stop whining.” I removed his gag.


“Je veux retourner.” He coughed.


“What?”

“I want to go back.” He said. “I don’t like it here.” I pulled him up.


“Fine.” I sighed. “We’ll go, but no more crying.” Eriq sniffed and nodded.


We made our way back through the Ward C door and back to Father’s office. Eriq cleaned his face and we continued with our lessons. We were almost done when the door burst open. It was Monsieur Bastille, his eyes blazing. Father followed soon after and spoke to Bastille, in French. Eriq’s eyes darted back and forth between the two. I hated not knowing what they were saying. Bastille then grabbed Eriq by the arm and dragged him out the door.


“What’s going on?” I watched Eriq stare back at me. His eyes were different this time, a mixture of shock and hurt. They turned a corner and I never saw either of them again.

******

Now I am a young woman of seventeen and I work as a nurse at the Asylum. Father lets me help with making and mixing medicine, and the other chemicals, as well as helping with assisting with all the lobotomies. I felt like I was actually accomplishing something. Although things would have been better if Scarlet hadn’t come here. His, and Naughty’s, snarky comments were becoming too much lately. At least his cellmate, May-May Macabre, kept quiet most of the time. Unless it’s Bath Day and you try to comb through that rat nest of hair.


I’m required to visit Ward C at least six times a day. As I prepared to make my final round I stopped by Father’s office. I knocked on the door before entering. Father had his head buried in papers. His left hand was gripping some of his hair as he wrote down something.


“Is everything alright?” I asked him. Father looked up.


“Elizabeth. What are you doing here?” He rose from his seat. “Shouldn’t you be finishing up for the night?”


“I was just about to do that.” I said. “But I was wondering if I could borrow some of chloroform.”


“What for?” He asked making his way to me.


“In case any of the inmates are restless.” I lied. “I’ll have Davidson and Marcus helping me tonight but I’d rather put the inmates to sleep rather than have them beaten to unconsciousness.”


“Alright then.” Father turned a nearby cabinet and pulled out a blue bottle. “Here you are.” I took the bottle.


“Thank you, Father.” I said. “I’ll start on my rounds now.” I was about to leave when he stopped me.


“Elizabeth.” My father said putting his hand on my shoulder. “I want you to know that I’m very proud of you.” I turned to face him.


“Thank you, sir.” I said. Father had never said that to me before.


“Now, go finish your rounds.”


“Yes, sir.” I bowed my head.




“I love you, Elizabeth.” He said.




“I love you too, Father.”

*****

I walked down through Ward C with the orderlies at either side of me. We had checked almost all the cells and so far everyone had been compliant. I checked all the cells and everything was going smoothly. All I had to do finish with Cell C and I could move on to my plans for that night.


“Alright, boys, time for bed!” I called out as I turned the key to the cell door. Suddenly I hand shot out and grabbed my arm, knocking the key away.


“LOBOTOMY!” He cried out. It was Scarlet. His eyes were red and full of fear. I tried to break his grip but it was ironclad.


“Jay let go of her!” I looked to see May-May trying to pry Scarlet’s hand from me. “He’s been acting strange for the last hour or so. I think he’s having a fit.” Scarlet gripped my arm harder.


“Listen to me.” He said with his eyes on mine. “Something horrible is about to occur, something that will send this entire place into a spiraling bloody end. You have to listen to me!” The orderlies scrambled for the key. Useless men. I would have to subdue him myself. I tried to reach for the blue bottle in my pocket.

“I see death.” Scarlet moaned, his hand still gripping tight. “All I see is death. There will be blood, so much blood.” Finally he released his grip and then covered his ears. “I can still hear the sounds of their screaming. They’re all screaming.”


I managed to uncork the bottle. Some of the liquid spilled on my apron but it was just enough. I ripped my apron and pushed it into Scarlet’s face. He coughed and swayed before falling to the ground. May-May rushed to his side.


“Now if you two would make yourselves useful.” I said to the guards. “Take Scarlet to Solitary for next few days. I’ll see if Dr Smyth can do with his medication.” Finally the men opened the cell. May-May looked up and headed to the corner of the cell. “And I better not hear from you for the rest of the night, understand?” He nodded. “Good.”


The guards picked up the unconscious inmate and headed down the hall. I slammed the cell door and headed to the orderlies quarters to change. I had to look presentable for tonight.




To be continued….




Lizzie Lobotomy

Casanova Cupcake Birthday Adventures

Hello, Sprinkles. This past weekend was May-May's birthday. We had an amazing time at one of the most haunted towns in Texas. Jefferson. There, after an impressive burlesque show by your's truly, we went shopping and went on the annual Ghost Walk through the town. Here are some pictures.

Here we have the railroad that runs through the town. I always have had a thing for them.

 Here was one of the churches we saw. I just love the stained glass dove.

From this point we went on the Ghost Walk. We were taken all around the town to some of the local paranormal hot spots. As our guide told us "places with a lot of history usually have the most activity". Not only that but we also took our trip during a full moon. Apparently the engery from this can help people sense or see the ghosts.

 Now this was a goof up on my camera but doesn't this look amazing. This could have easily been a ghost. May-May swears someone or something grabbed his arm while we were taking pictures. Too bad the culprit didn't show up in the picture. Guess he was shy.

 This former saloon was the most haunted thing we saw all night. As we left to go to our next destination the lights flicker on and off. There was no one inside the building. Very creppy.

 Another haunted building. It has been abandoned for years and it's only use is storage. Here we all heard several strange whispers.

Here was our last stop at the tour. Our guide told us that she was terrified of this place. The owners of the house said that they have learned to live with the ghosts here. It was a very interesting trip. May-May had a good time and that's all that matters to us.

The next Asylum Letter will be up in a few days or so.

J. S.

Asylum Letter IV

Sorry for the delay, sprinkles. My little laptop has been getting over a virus. We have the latest installment of the Asylum Letters. Read it, enjoy it, and love it.

Icing kisses,

JS

Asylum Letter IV from May-May Macabre at the Bastille Asylum for Misfits and Miscreants



Feeding Time.

I looked at the smiling young woman in front of the cell. Her dark hair was pulled back behind her white nurse cap. She wore a simple black colored gown and a white apron over it. She had white stockings and black shoes. A silver crucifix dangled from her neck. Jay managed the slip the brick back into place without the woman noticing. Her lavender-like eyes passed over to me.


“Well, well, well, who do we have here?” She smiled. Was I supposed to respond to that?


“May-May Macabre, madam.” I whispered and gave a small nod.


“That’s an interesting name for an interesting boy.” She said. “Good thing you were admitted today. Tomorrow is Bath Day and we’ll have to do something with that hair of yours.” My hands quickly came up to my head. “It’s just such a mess. We’ll have to straighten it out.” Her grin suggested something sinister; thankfully I had Jay with me.


“What do you want, Lobotomy?” He asked.


“That’s Elizabeth, Scarlet.” She snapped.


“My apologies, Lizzie.” He smirked.


“You better learn some respect.” Lizzie Lobotomy spat at him. Jay chuckled and walked to the bars of our cell.


“When are you going to realize that you don’t scare me?” he laughed. “You can poison me with all your pills and potions or lock me away in Solitary but I’ll still be smiling. You want to know why? Because one day soon I’ll see you behind these bars, Lizzie, and when that day comes you’ll see how much respect we all have for you.”


“You amuse me, Jay.” Lizzie smiled. She looked down to see the unconscious guard. “Playing ‘Straight Jacket’, Naughty?”

“What can I say?” He shrugged. “I’m a fool for big dumb men, but you know all about that don’t you, Lizzie?”


“I don’t know what you are talking about.”


“Mmm…sure you do.” Naughty smiled as he passed his hand down the bars. “Late at night, when the Doctor Sodheim is working on his case notes, you slink in and help him relax.” He chuckled at this. “We can hear you screaming throughout the whole asylum.”

“Horace! Jasper!” She cried and the guards rushed over. “Take this rat to the bleeders. I bet the leeches are very hungry for you.”

“Well of course they are.” Naughty said. “I’m delicious.” The guards opened the cell door and quickly shackled him. “But seriously, Lizzie, you should learn to be quieter. We all know each other’s screams by now.” He smirked. The nurse slapped him across the face. The entire mad house was silent for a few moments. Naughty, or maybe it was Jay, threw his head back and laughed as the orderlies carried him off.


“Remember one thing, May!” Jay shouted. “Your mind can take you anywhere in the world! The moon, the royal courtyard, or even the ocean…” He stopped struggling and the guards took him out the doors. There was something odd about that last bit…almost as if Jay knew about my past. But that’s impossible. He couldn’t know about that…could he?

“So…May-May…” I looked to see Lizzie Lobotomy looking me up and down. “What brings you to our lovely establishment?”


“I was taken here after being found on a beach.” I said. “I had made several fires throughout my lifetime and Chief of Medicine believes that is insane.”


“I’d watch what you say about, Dr. Smyth.” Lizzie smirked. “I have a special relationship with him.” I cocked my eyebrow. “He’s my father.” She said in a deadpan voice. “Get your mind out of the gutter.”


“Then why is your last name…?”


“My father lets me assist in all the asylum’s lobotomies.” She smiled. “Thus my nickname at the hands of inmate C319 or Scarlet to you.”


“I could think of better one for you.” I said.


“Really?” She asked.


“Nurse Kitty.” I smiled and playful stretch my hand like a cat stretching it’s paw.


“Come again?”


“Because you’re catty and you move like a cat.” I explained. “I could swear I saw a thin black tail swish behind you when I you first came in.”


“I’ll take that as a compliment…” Lizzie said staring at me, quite confused. “You seem like a good boy. If you promise to stay that way I can make your life here much more enjoyable.” I took a step back from the bars. “But if you become a nuisance like Scarlet…well…you don’t want that to happen.”


The sound of heavy feet echoed throughout the hall. I glanced over to see two new guards emerge from the far end. I looked over to Lizzie. Our eyes met before she turned back to the guards.


“Guards, take the patient to Dr. Purge. He needs to get his first feeding over with.” She gave me a smirk. “Try not to scream or thrash about.” The guards unlocked the door and reached in for me. Each one took my wrist. The look in the nurse’s eyes told me not to resist. I was quickly pulled out of my cage


“It seems a little early for supper.” I said.


“Who said anything about you eating?” A smile slowly came to Lizzie’s face. “And when I told you not to make a fuss? I wasn’t just talking about the guards.” She patted my cheek and then wiped it on her apron. Lizzie Lobotomy turned on her heel and headed down the opposite. “And when you’re done with the boy, take care of Emmet.” She sighed. The guards nodded and proceed to take me down the hall where Jay had recently gone down.


Again, I was taken down a series of twists and turns and more halls before we pushed through the final door. Inside the room were a few metal slabs. Straps were on either side of the slabs. There were a few wooden chairs with straps on the arms as well. I saw a few shelves but my eyes were transfixed on the ground. The floor was filthy. It had rusty brown streaks all over. I could see that another door lead out of the room into something else. A deeper chamber perhaps? The guards forced me over to one of the wooden chairs. They forced me down into it. In a flash my hands, feet, and neck were all bound by thick leather straps. It was pointless to fight them off but still I tried. Because of this a strange metal cage was put on my head. I was at their mercy.


“Wer, who this?” I looked up to see a short, bald, skeletal man. The Asian man beamed at me and clapped his boney hands happily. He wore a dirty white coat that covered all but his black shoes.


“New arrival, Dr. Purge.” One of the guards said. “The Chief of Medicine wants him properly bled.”


“Goody!” The small man exclaimed. “Don’t wowee, I take cawuh him.” The guards nodded and left the room. I did my best not to tremble. “So, you have name?”


“Y-yes sir.” I stammered. “It’s May-May—”


“QUIET!” He screamed at me. “To me you nothing but food fow babies.”


“P-pardon?”


The man slowly swayed to one of the shelves and hummed to himself. He picked up a stool and climbed so he could reach one of many jars. He hopped down with a heavy jar. I heard liquid sloshing inside. Beads of sweat began to fall from my face. What was he going to do to me? Dr. Purge set the jar down and slipped on some gloves. He smirked at me and in a flash produced what I would later come to know as a scalpel.


“I know I need no cut for babies.” He said bringing the blade to my arm. “But it fun.” Quickly he made several tiny cuts along both my arms. I bit my lip down so I wouldn’t cry out. “Now, feeding time.”


The strange man began to giggle and then he dipped his gloved hand into the jar. He pulled out several squirming black slug-like creatures. Dr. Purge placed them on each of my cuts. I felt teeth sink into me. I held back my screams. I wasn’t here. It was a dream. It was just a terrible dream. I was back with my family, back at sea with my captain.

****

When I was a young boy I lived in a small village in Ireland. I had a father and mother but I hardly have any memories of them. I was so little when I left. I was on the beach near our house. I was playing with some sticks and shells when I came upon a small rowing boat. It was beginning to get late and I was very tired so I climbed upon the boat. I found a white blanket and I covered myself with it and soon I was asleep. I awoke to the sound of someone yelling, a woman. I rubbed my eyes and opened to see an amazing creature before me. Her hair was orange, like fire, and her skin was milky white. She was small and slender but she seemed so strong. Maybe it was the way she was yelling at the several men that stood around her. I crawled out of the small boat and saw that I was on a ship. The sails billowed in the wind and I could hear the sea roar all around us. I took in the sea air and sighed happily.


“Who is this here?” I looked up to see the woman towering over me. “How in blue blazes did this kid get here?” She looked down at me. “How did you get on my ship?” I was silent because I really didn’t know.
“Well boys.” She said. “Looks like we have a stowaway…what should we do with him?”


Several of the men wanted to throw me off the ship but the woman just looked at me.


“We are in need of a cabin boy.” She said to the men. “And he looks like he could be a hard worker.” Some of the men groaned. “And if he does a bad job then we can throw him off the ship.” This got a few cheers. “Now, boy, what is your name?” I told her. “No, that not nearly good enough of a name to be on my ship. Let’s see…how about…May-May?” She looked at me again. “That seems fitting. May-May Macabre. How do you like that?”


“Very much, Miss…?”


“We’ll have none of that.” She said. “I am your captain, Captain Mad Ness. I will be called that or just ‘Captain’. Understand?” I nodded. “Good then. Now if you are a good cabin boy then I’ll take care of you.” Captain patted my head. I smiled. This would be the first in many happy years.

****

I felt the cold hard floor as I was tossed back into my cell. The room was spinning and I felt so tired and hungry.

“You’ll get used to it after a while.” I looked up to see Jay staring out the window. It was dark outside, the rain poured down and some of it fell into our home but Jay didn’t seem to mind though.


“Why do they do this?”


“Leech us?” Jay asked. “Because they believe all sickness lies in the blood. If they keep draining us then maybe we’ll be cured.” He looked over to me. “Did you take my advice and think of a better place?”

“Yes…I did.” I mumbled.


“What did you think of?” I didn’t say anything. I was so tired. “The sea?” I sat up despite the room spinning. “Thought so.” He said to himself.


“How did you know?” I asked him but Jay ignored my question and just continued staring at the rain.


“Something is about to happen.” He said. “Someone’s coming.”



Sincerely,



May-May Macabre