The Extreme Horror Collection

by Lee Mountford

  ‘You don’t know me,’ Adrian said. ‘You don’t know anything about me.’

  ‘Well, that is only partly true. But I know you are suffering. A man tries to take his life in an isolated, miserable place like this alley? That tells me you are also alone in life. It tells me you have no one to turn to. Hence, you feel this is the only way out.’

  ‘It is the only way out,’ Adrian said. ‘It’s what I deserve.’

  ‘No,’ the man said, firmly. ‘It isn’t. You only think it is. And you only think that because you can’t see any other options. But there are options, my friend. There are people out there who can and will help you.’

  ‘People like you, I assume?’ Adrian asked, and then he looked closer at the strange man and saw a white collar beneath his coat.

  ‘Indeed,’ the man replied. ‘I appreciate that you will be skeptical of what I’m about to tell you, but I would ask you to hear me out. In my work I deal with misery and mental disorders on a daily basis. I help people who are suffering from… how should I put this… non-physical ailments? And I have developed a medicine that is, if I may say so, ahead of its time. It is showing results that many doctors around the world have only dreamed of achieving. And it is actually making people better, I tell you.’

  ‘Wait, aren’t you a priest or something?’ Adrian asked, pointing to the collar. ‘I’ve never heard of priests developing medicines.’

  ‘Well, now you have,’ the man said. ‘And this medicine can work for you. It can make you better.’

  ‘I don’t want to be made better,’ Adrian insisted. ‘I want to be left alone.’

  ‘I don’t believe that,’ the man said. ‘I don’t believe you’ve done anything so bad that you don’t deserve a second chance.’

  ‘You don’t know what I’ve done.’

  ‘Not yet, but I will soon enough, I’d wager. And I guarantee that no matter what it is that you think is so heinous, I will have heard worse. And I promise you, I have cured people who have done worse. You don’t have to suffer with this guilt.’

  Adrian studied the man’s face, looking for some hint that would give him away, reveal the lie, but he seemed serious and genuine.

  ‘Come on,’ the man pressed. ‘Considering what you were about to do, what do you have to lose?’

  That struck a chord with Adrian. After a long moment of silence, he answered. ‘Nothing, I suppose.’

  ‘Indeed,’ the man replied. ‘You come with me and you have a chance at a better life. If I fail in what I’m offering, then you are free to walk away and, should you still want to, end things as you wish. In fact, I could probably offer something that would not hurt as much as what you were planning. It would be like dropping off into a deep sleep.’

  Adrian shook his head, confused. ‘Just what kind of priest are you?’

  The man held out his hand. ‘One offering you help,’ he said.

  Adrian didn’t shake, not straight away; instead he rolled the offer over in his mind.

  Could it be possible? A way out from his misery?

  Did he even deserve that?

  Eventually, Adrian took the hand.

  ‘You won’t regret this,’ the man said with a grin. ‘And allow me to introduce myself. My name is Isaac Templeton.’

  ‘Adrian James,’ Adrian told him as they shook.

  Mr. Templeton widened his smile.

  After that, Adrian left the alleyway with his new acquaintance and was taken to a facility—an asylum—just outside of the city, tucked away in a large, wooded area.

  And so began his stay.

  During his first consultation with Templeton—in the facility’s Chapel, rather than the director’s office—Adrian learned that Templeton was the director of the asylum and that everyone here reported to him. Of all the people who could have found him in that alleyway, it just so happened to be this man.

  Was that luck, or something more? Could it be that fate had handed Adrian a second chance?

  However, it didn’t take Adrian long to detect that there was something very wrong with the people in the asylum. That was obvious of the other patients, but it also held true of the staff.

  After his first few days it became clear that all was not as it seemed, and he seriously doubted that Director Templeton’s promises would come to fruition.

  But then again, it did not concern him too much. This place would offer him a miserable existence, which was exactly what he deserved.

  ‘My associate here tells me that you wish to speak to me, Adrian?’ Director Templeton asked.

  With Jones behind him, the director looked down at Adrian from the doorway of the isolation room, but without the normal expression of warmth that he had held in past meetings between the two. Nor did he look shocked at the bloody and beaten state Adrian was in.

  ‘Yes,’ Adrian said, still nursing his jaw.

  ‘He tells me you have something to say about last night?’ the director went on, then cocked his head to one side. ‘What could you possibly have to tell me that is so interesting, I wonder?’

  ‘I’m sure you already have an idea,’ Adrian said. ‘There was an attack in my ward last night. Happened right outside of my room.’

  ‘Is that so?’ the director asked, clearly acting coy.

  ‘It is. And during that attack, the hatch on my door was knocked open. And do you know what I saw when I looked out?’

  ‘Enlighten me,’ the director said, taking a step inside the room. Jones grabbed his arm.

  ‘Director, I’d rather you—’

  ‘It’s quite all right, Mr. Jones,’ Director Templeton said, giving a nonchalant wave of his hand. ‘I do not think Adrian here intends to try anything stupid.’ He then turned back to Adrian. ‘Do you?’

  Adrian shook his head. ‘No. I don’t want to cause any trouble.’

  ‘You are here for a reason, inmate,’ Jones said. ‘Attacking another patient is not something we tolerate.’

  ‘Is that right?’ the director asked with a smile. ‘Is that what happened?’

  Adrian looked away. ‘I guess so.’

  ‘Interesting. I don’t recall you being violent in here before. Did something happen?’

  ‘It doesn’t matter,’ Adrian said.

  ‘I think it does,’ the director replied. ‘It matters very much. I wonder what caused you to regress. To become the monster that you are trying so hard to outrun.’

  ‘I think you are focusing on the wrong thing,’ Adrian said. ‘I saw exactly what was loose in the halls last night. And I saw it pull the head from the body of one of your men.’

  Director Templeton chuckled. ‘I’m sorry, Adrian, but it sounds like the medication has been giving you some rather vivid dreams. But you were aware that this could be a side effect. Quite frankly, I’m surprised you have let it confuse you so.’

  Adrian shook his head. ‘This wasn’t a dream. I was as awake as I am now. And I know what I saw.’

  ‘I’m afraid you are mistaken. I can say for certain that there are no monsters running around our asylum, Adrian. If there were, would today just carry on as normal around here? Come on, my friend, just think about what you are saying.’

  ‘Where’s Malcolm?’ Adrian asked. ‘I haven’t seen him today.’

  ‘He has been moved,’ Director Templeton said, without skipping a beat. ‘Unfortunately, his condition was worsening, so we needed to relocate him to a ward where we could pay closer attention to him.

  ‘I don’t believe you,’ Adrian said.

  Director Templeton simply shrugged. ‘Whether you do or do not is of no consequence. But I am telling you the truth. Now, are we finished here? I have a lot to do today.’

  Adrian paused for a moment before asking the question that was playing on his mind. ‘I came here of my own free will. What if I said I wanted to leave?’

  ‘Leave? The facility?’

  Adrian nodded. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Is this a hypothetical question, or do you actually want to throw away the
progress you have made?’

  ‘I’m not certain,’ Adrian said, honestly.

  ‘Either way, the answer remains the same. Given your recent, violent outburst, I do not believe I could release you in good conscience. I believe you would be a danger to others. So, your request would be declined.’

  Adrian had expected that answer. ‘You would keep me here against my will?’

  ‘Until you are better, yes,’ the director said. ‘Speaking of which, I think it would be a good idea to step up our efforts with you. We will administer more medicine tomorrow, and at a much higher dosage.’ He paused, before adding, ‘And I expect to see great results. But for now, I must be on my way. You can spend a little more time in here thinking on your actions, Mr. James.’

  With that, Director Templeton turned and left the room. He stopped next to Jones and addressed the man while looking back at Adrian.

  ‘Come along, Mr. Jones,’ the director said. ‘I wish to discuss something with you.’

  The door to the isolation room was closed and locked, leaving Adrian alone.

  In truth, ever since he had first set foot into Arlington Asylum, Adrian had suspected that he would never be allowed to leave. There was something off here, but at the time he honestly hadn’t cared.

  But now, after what he witnessed the previous night, and hearing Director Templeton actually confirm his suspicions, Adrian was conflicted.

  Any illusion of free will that he had been subconsciously holding onto was now shattered. He was a prisoner here.

  And he would die here.

  Chapter 14

  Director Templeton’s diary was a find indeed.

  It started at the turn of that year, 1954, on the eighth of February, and from the way it was written Reid guessed that earlier records were in previous diaries. In the first entry, the asylum was in full operation, and it made mention of a head physician—one Christopher Vine.

  8th February 1954

  Things are progressing well here. My one concern is Mr. Vine. Whilst his knowledge in his field seems second to none, he is a somewhat ethical man, which means pushing our patients to their limits is difficult with his involvement. Still, he is proving useful in helping us develop our methods, and it is thanks to him that we will soon be able to administer the substance to patients in a more efficient manner than ingestion. Of course, he would not have divulged the information needed if he knew our intentions, but I was able to coerce out of him the best way to efficiently administer a foreign liquid into a person’s bloodstream without causing unforeseen complications.

  He is also training my brothers who accompany me on my mission here at Arlington Asylum on this method, thinking it would be used for blood transfusions. Though perhaps that isn’t too far from the truth.

  As helpful as he has been, I fear his moral compass may provide a problem in the near future if we are not able to make him see and believe in what we are trying to achieve.

  That would be no small feat, as I remember my own reluctance in accepting the truth—such was my ingrained and short-sighted way of thinking. I thought I knew for certain how the world, and beyond, should exist.

  Still, for the short term, we shall carry on as we are.

  Reid continued to thumb through the diary, looking for passages in the immaculate hand-writing that could be of interest. It was not an easy task, as time was against him—given it was still the middle of the day—and he had work to be getting on with. Not only that, Templeton would likely be returning to his office shortly and, while Reid had no intention of returning the diary any time soon, if the director discovered it was gone, Reid imagined he would be one of the first people questioned about its disappearance.

  He was prepared to lie his way through this, of course, and planned to keep the diary with him and read more tonight, hopefully undisturbed; but for now, he felt an urge to discover as much as he could in the short space of time he had.

  A number of names popped up throughout the various passages, and the former head physician was a constant presence. However, there was another that was mentioned a number of times.

  Robert Wilson.

  15th February 1954

  I paid a visit to my old friend Robert today.

  Sharing the same space as him is always a sombre, wondrous, and even frightening experience. To be in the presence of such a being, in whatever incarnation this could be classified, never fails to instill in me a sense of awe and a feeling of insignificance when compared to the entities and intelligences we now know to exist somewhere beyond our understanding.

  Oh, what it must be like to exist as such a being, to know what they know. Secrets and truths about the order of things that we, lowly creatures as we are, can scarcely comprehend.

  One even wonders if perhaps, just perhaps, ascension is possible for us. My initial thoughts were that the notion was nothing more than fanciful hopes and dreams, but recently I have not been as convinced of that.

  There may yet be a way. Not to worship a god, but to exist as one.

  And I often wonder what happened to my good friend Robert Wilson. Where is his soul now? And what wonders does he behold?

  To Reid, the diary entries sounded like the ravings of a madman—or a religious zealot, which to him was the same thing.

  During his conversation with Templeton, he had guessed that the director’s motives were in some way related to God, but after reading the entries, he no longer believed that to be the case. Templeton spoke of things—beings, he called them—that could perhaps be conceived as gods, but not the God that a Catholic or Christian priest would worship. Regardless, it was all nonsense, but Reid was concerned that such fanciful notions were the very reason this facility seemed to be in operation.

  There was also mention of a church—and again, this church was not one that Reid was familiar with. It seemed to be the organisation behind the asylum.

  This facility was the church’s operation, and Templeton was the one heading it up.

  04th March 1954

  The Church has given me instructions to progress things, as demanded by the Great Ailing One. We are to administer more doses of what we have collected to the inmates here.

  The results should be… interesting.

  Dr. Vine is also becoming more of a problem. I had hoped to bring him into the fold, into our family, but I fear his mind is not open to new possibilities. And he would, no doubt, strongly object to the real work we need to carry out here. Things will come to a head soon.

  For his own sake, I hope he can see the potential before him.

  Reid thumbed through further and eventually found the entry he was looking for.

  29th March 1954

  It is done.

  Unfortunately, Dr. Vine could not accept the truth and would not be swayed, as I feared, so we had no choice but to act. Still, his expertise will be missed, and we will need to consider replacing him as soon as possible. While we will be able to cover up his death relatively easily, I think the next successful applicant would need to be someone with fewer connections to the outside world. And someone who is a little more willing to push the boundaries in the treatments they develop.

  I shall begin my search. In the meantime, we will continue administering the medicine to selected patients.

  The discoveries we have made in such a short amount of time have been remarkable.

  Reid would have continued reading more if he had not heard approaching voices outside of his office. He quickly slipped the diary into his desk drawer and picked up a file from his desk. He opened it up and looked at the scrawled notes on the page, feigning interest.

  In his peripheral vision, he saw Jones and Director Templeton pass by his door, stopping just outside. As the two talked, the director cast a look inside at Reid.

  Templeton seemed a different person to him now.

  Before, he was merely an old fool. A man who followed a make-believe god and had found himself in a position that was beyond him. Someone Reid was using as a ste
pping stone to move on to greater things. He had been a man Reid could simply manipulate and deal with until he was ready to leave Arlington Asylum behind.

  But now?

  Now Reid knew that Templeton was something else entirely. True, he still believed in the fantastic and the impossible—though the creature from the night before was testing Reid’s conviction on that—but Templeton was also backed by this strange group, or organisation, which held the same beliefs. Also, it would seem that most, if not all, of the staff here were members of the same… cult.

  And to top it all off, this diary strongly implied that Reid’s predecessor had met an untimely end, and that Templeton was responsible.

  Whether he had carried out the act himself or not, Templeton had the power to decide who lived and died here—patients and staff alike. And that was a terrifying thought.

  Jones and Templeton finished their conversation, and Jones strode away, leaving Templeton alone. He looked inside Reid’s office again and gave Reid a smile and a wave.

  Reid felt a knot form in his stomach.

  He gave a quick courtesy wave in return, and the director headed back to his office.

  Suddenly, Dr. Thomas Reid felt like he was living on borrowed time.

  Chapter 15

  A loud knock on the door of the isolation room pulled Adrian from his thoughts.

  ‘Stand away from the door,’ a voice yelled, though it was muffled by the thick iron. An audible click sounded before the heavy door swung open. Three orderlies stood outside, one of them Adrian recognised as Duckworth.

  Thankfully, Jones was not among them.

  ‘Get up,’ Duckworth said, brandishing his cosh.

  Adrian did as instructed, though his movements were laboured and lethargic due to the pain that radiated throughout his body. His jaw still ached with every slight movement, and a sharp, stabbing pain continued in his ribs.