Paradox (Travelers Series Book 2) (17 page)

Taylor entered the room as quietly as she had knocked and stood near the entrance. “You wanted to see me?”

“I did, thanks for coming over,” Etta said.

“Sure, I had some things I needed to work on anyways.” Taylor didn’t like to come to the warehouse often, unless it was to be briefed on the latest troop activity, or when she was tasked with an assignment.

“The troop’s nest,” Etta began, referencing Thornberry’s secret units that recently surfaced near their warehouse. Their headquarters was in a remote location in the area, but lately, they’d gathered intel that Thornberry’s troops had assembled small command centers surrounding the perimeter of the warehouse. Upon hearing about the units, she’d sent Taylor and Moose to investigate.

Taylor smiled. “Consider them toast.”

Etta knew she was being literal and was glad she could count on both of them to get the job done. With their combined strengths, she knew they would not only be able to detect the mobile command centers with Moose’s empathic ability, but disintegrate them, thanks to Taylor’s gift of fire. “Seriously, I don’t know what I’d do without the two of you. Hey, you don’t think they had time to alert Thornberry before you guys struck do you?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so. We made sure to stay far enough away, but close enough to cause some serious damage.”

“Good job, really. If you run into Moose, let him know I appreciate you guys stepping in like that.”

Etta noticed her friend get a bit flustered, at the mention of Moose’s name. “Hey, what’s up? Did anything else happen?”

“This is kind of embarrassing, but I kinda need your advice.”

This was something different, Etta thought. Taylor never brought up anything personal. Not even after these last few years working together. She’d certainly come out of her shell, but still clung to whatever personal thoughts she had to herself. So naturally, Etta’s curiosity was piqued. “You know you can ask me anything.”

“Well, the thing is, I don’t know what to do about a certain situation.” Taylor was still struggling with getting the words out.

Etta really hoped this didn’t have anything to do with Jenny. While, yes, the Jenny she knew in this world is much different than the alternate one she knew back in school, she could still be a handful. She wouldn’t doubt it if Jenny was giving Taylor a hard time. Even after all these years, the two still didn’t get along. While Jenny was more outgoing, Etta doubted if Taylor ever stood up for herself. Having spent years in an institution could do that to a person. “Is it about Jenny?”

“Oh, no. Nothing like that,” Taylor said, shaking her head. “Trust me, she knows full well I could light her up faster than a pile of briquettes if she ever messed with me.” She giggled at the thought.

So, she does have a backbone, Etta thought. This pleased her to know that when time came to fight, Taylor would be ready. She wouldn’t have to worry that her friend couldn’t defend herself. She felt confident knowing she could count on Taylor.

“So, what is it then?” Etta was dying to know what her friend was so worried about. If it’s not about Jenny, then what?

“It’s about Moose,” Taylor said this in a soft whisper. Like she was still afraid to confide in Etta.

“Yes,” Etta drawled, trying to pull whatever it was out of her.

By now, Taylor chose to take a seat next to Etta. Whether it was a stall tactic or she simply wanted to make herself comfortable, was anyone’s guess. Etta was dying to know what issue she had with Moose.

“I think, well, I think…” Taylor’s stumbled over the words.

“Did he do something inappropriate?” Even if Moose was interested in Taylor it didn’t mean she was comfortable with it. Perhaps he took his crush a little bit too far and it made Taylor uneasy, Etta thought.

“Okay, so, do you think he’s the type of guy that, you know, would be interested in someone like me?”

“Oh, Taylor.” It made Etta sad to think her friend didn’t think she was worthy enough to be noticed.

Taylor’s face fell. It was clearly not the response she expected from Etta. “It’s okay, I kinda figured I was imagining things.”

“Oh, that’s not what I meant. How could you not notice how much he’s into you?”

For the first time since they started this conversation, Taylor’s eyes widened. “You think so? I mean, he’s so smart and strong. I don’t know what he would see in me, but I kinda hoped…” Then her voice trailed off. “Do you really think so?”

While Etta was happy Taylor shared Moose’s affection, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for her friend. Taylor had been sheltered for most of her life and the only people who’d ever cared for her were both long gone. Even in the predicament they’re in right now, with trying to defeat Thornberry’s army, Etta felt a surge of emotion just knowing that no matter how dire a situation is, hope is still lingering around, waiting to be claimed.

“Um, yeah.” Etta slid her chair closer to Taylor’s and leaned in. “You mean you’ve never noticed the way he looks at you? Or the way he always looks out for you?” That was one of the reasons she’d paired the two for the assignment. She knew Moose would watch out for her friend.

“No.” She shakes her head. “I mean yes, but I thought it was because he felt he had to. You know, because I was in the looney-bin for so long. I just figured he felt obligated to stick up for me.”

Etta laughed. “No, honey, I think it has more to do with him having the hot’s for you.”

Taylor was thoughtful for a moment. “You know, I never really understood the need for people to protect me. Yes, I know I come with some major baggage, but no more so than anybody else here.”

A
fter I finish up my breakfast and gulp the last of my coffee, I climb into the passenger seat of Cooper’s Rover, ready to meet Taylor. From what he described of her the other day on our trip to Mexico, I don’t know what to expect. Is she really crazy enough to be housed in a mental institution? I have my doubts about the entire deal, but I trust Cooper. If he has faith in her, then I’ll do my best not to be judgmental.

We’re heading in the direction of Dominion Hall. I know the route so well now, I can get there in my sleep. “Hey, this is the way to school. Shouldn’t we be jumping over soon?”

Now, we’re only a few feet away from the school’s entrance. I get a funny feeling about this. Can the school’s building be part of Taylor’s reality somehow? I think back to the military building I astraled to when I almost got busted by the mystery woman. That place was definitely another version of Dominion Hall. But is this one?

“Get ready, we’ll be at Dominion Hospital in a sec,” Cooper says.

Seriously, what gives? It’s like the building is another central player in all the realities I’ve been to. It was an orphanage, a private school, some sort of government facility, and now a mental hospital.

As usual, the jump is predictable. I hardly notice the split between realities. But I do notice the subtle differences. There’s a cast iron metal gate outside the building with a sign that reads, DOMINION HOSPITAL. The grounds were pristine, with rows of perennials that line the sides of the driveway. It’s not much different than the version I go to everyday for school.

We pass through the gate and for the first time I question how we’re going to get a committed patient out of the institution. Surely they just don’t release patients on a stranger’s say so.

“So, do you have a game plan?” I ask Cooper.

“I do.” He gives me his best devious grin. “Do you think I’d make a convincing doctor?”

I’m nervous as we step into the building. Everything looks so cold and impersonal, very much like the version I saw when I astraled. There doesn’t seem to be anyone around and I hope Cooper knows what he’s doing, because I sure don’t. We finally locate the nurse’s station and I leave the talking up to Cooper.

“I’m Dr. Everett. I’m here to evaluate Ms. Taylor McGee.” He tells the nurse at the front desk.

Cooper is so cool and collected, I almost believe his lie. As nervous as I am, I manage to suppress the chuckle that wants to come out. I don’t want to blow our chance of talking with Taylor.

“And you are?” The nurse nods her head in my direction. Her tone alone is enough for me to choke back my chuckle as she addresses me.

“This is my intern,” Cooper answers for me. “She’s completing her clinical hours with me.” This is definitely better than being introduced to as his sister.

I mumble a weak greeting in return. If I say anymore, I know I’ll blow my cover. The plan is to sneak in and sneak out. Cooper told me very little about Taylor, other than how she ended up here, but from what I gathered from the rundown of her life, it wasn’t a very good one. She was accused of setting fire to her entire family, and when she went to trial, the judge commuted her sentence here in the mental institution because she was a juvenile at the time.

The nurse gives me another once over. “Very well, Dr. Everett.” She sits up from her chair and grabs a set of keys from beneath the counter. “I’m sure you can appreciate the efforts we go through to maintain proper order in this hospital. The last thing we need is for some doctor from the District telling us how to do our jobs. As if you know better,” she snorts, leading us out into the hallway. “The patients here don’t have a shot at being rehabilitated. It’s only a matter of time before they withdraw into their own psychotic world, if they haven’t done so already, but if you think you can make a difference, go right ahead.”

“McGee is housed in one of our secured areas of the hospital,” she continues to tell us, as we reach the desired room. “I must warn you, though, this patient is considered dangerous, so I’d proceed with caution. Of the patients that reside here, she’s one of the more lucid ones, but just as dangerous as the other poor souls who inhabit this place.” She looks over to me, yet again, as she explains further. “If I were you, I’d let your intern stay here while you conduct your evaluations. We can’t be held liable for anything our patient does.”

“Understood, but I think she can manage. If the situation becomes too strained, I’ll make sure to keep her away from your patient,” he assures the nurse.

“Very well, doctor,” the nurse says. “I trust you’ll assume the liability.”

We follow Nurse Ratched—okay, that’s not her real name. Her name tag reads, M. Holmes, but she might as well play the villain in this place they dub a mental institution. It’s not so much what the nurse says that creeps me out, it’s her attitude. If I were stuck here like Taylor, I’d be dangerous too. I imagine it’s the only way to survive this place.

“This way.” She snaps her fingers to garner our attention as we continue to follow her down the hallway.

Whoever runs this place must not get much by way of donations or government funding. Unlike the other versions of this building I’ve become acquainted with, this one’s a bit run-down. The pretty landscaping out front and the pristine front lobby are just a ruse in order to disguise the filthy exterior that lies within. The walls appear to have once been white, but are now splotched with yellow patches, with cracks extending from the ceiling. I’m not even sure I want to know where the brown smudges came from. And plain as day, at the end of the hallway, is a video camera that probably hooks up to the nurse’s station. It’s kinda eerie to have someone watch your every move.

Nurse Ratched/Holmes, stops abruptly and pulls the key out from her unformed pocket. “You may go in, but please, try to keep her calm,” she says. She stops to peer down at me. “My concern is only for your intern, you understand. As far as I’m concerned, the others will never leave this place, so it’s of no consequence to me if they get all riled up. They do a good job of convincing you they’re normal, but trust me, they’re not. Any one of these patients won’t hesitate to attack if your guard is down.”

“Thank you, we’ll call you if we need anything.” Cooper turns his back to the nurse and attempts to enter the room.

Before the nurse turns to exit the hall, she points to the small box by the doorframe. “There’s a call button by the door if she becomes violent.”

Cooper and I exchange glances. Just how dangerous is this girl? If I was willing to give the girl the benefit of the doubt, I’m beginning to reconsider. I know I said no judgment, but the nurse did a pretty good job of freaking me out.

“Hey,” I whisper, making sure the nurse is out of earshot. “How’d you get past Nurse Ratched from showing any I.D.?” You’d think a secure facility like this would have demanded to see some sort of identification or credentials.

My question is rewarded with a wink. “Don’t ever underestimate the powers of persuasion. I don’t just read minds, Etta, I can manipulate them too. Besides, I could read her thoughts and she simply doesn’t care.”

“Oh.” This only confirms my earlier assessment of the place, not to mention the nurse. Now I feel worse about Taylor’s current living conditions. To be in a place that just doesn’t give a crap says a lot about the care she’s receiving. The nurse referred to the patients as poor souls, and I don’t think it was out of pity or compassion.

I let Cooper take the lead and follow behind him as we walk into the dark room. Not much light escapes the window and there’s only one small lamp on the desk on the far side of the room. Taylor doesn’t have it on, so it’s hard to tell where she is exactly.

I glance around the familiar bare walls. They were basically the same ones I shared when I lived here during my stint at Dominion House. As I continue to look around the room, I spot a small security camera in the top right corner of the ceiling, much like the one I spotted in the hallway. We’re being watched, but I wonder if they can hear us. From the looks of the place, I’m guessing they didn’t spend much to add audio to their surveillance equipment. I doubt the video even works; this place is so run-down. I take my gaze away from the ceiling long enough to notice a lump underneath the covers on the bed. This must be Taylor. She’s got to be aware of our presence, but she doesn’t stir from her position.

“What do you want?” Taylor doesn’t move an inch as she speaks, all curled up on the bed. She’s bundled up all under the covers, so we can’t see her, but I can tell she’s scared. Now I feel like a total crud. She’s more afraid of us than I am of her.