The Cornelius Saga Series Box Set 2

by Tanya R. Taylor

  “Mental health facility?” Barns was a tad surprised. He knew from a former neighbor of Rachelle’s, a while back, that she’d been admitted to a mental hospital months after he’d last seen her.

  “Yes. I’m not sure you’re aware, but your sister has suffered another nervous breakdown. She was brought in yesterday. Let me first say though, that this is not an official call in that I wasn’t asked to contact you. I noticed your name was listed as a contact in her file and have taken it upon myself to inform you of my concern regarding her condition.”

  “I didn’t know about the nervous breakdown. No one notified me,” Barns replied. “What is happening in terms of her treatment? Is there a problem?”

  “Her treatment is going well. She’s been placed on anti-anxiety meds, but my concern is that she’s now exhibiting some behavior that is sort of strange to me.”

  “How so? Could it be because of the medication?”

  “I highly doubt that, sir. If I thought her behavior had anything to do with medication or even perhaps, Schizophrenia, I would’ve promptly brought it to the attention of her psychiatrist,” Bella replied.

  “So, what’re you saying?”

  “I believe something unnatural is happening to her, Doctor Barns. She claims to see her daughter, at times.”

  Barns heart sank. The thought of what happened to his niece still affected him deeply. He’d blamed Rachelle for Priscilla’s disappearance, although deep inside he knew she thought she was doing the right thing by sending her on that trip. He’d convinced himself since the day he heard Priscilla was missing that Rachelle had selfishly sent her away to get rid of her for a while since the child had become a handful in recent years. After the investigation into the matter stalled more than two years earlier, he never spoke to or saw his sister again and didn’t go to see her when he heard she’d suffered her first nervous breakdown.

  “She says she sees Priscilla? So, she’s talking out of her head?” he asked.

  “I thought so. I mean…I think so,” Bella clarified. “But I, too, have experienced some very odd things when around your sister.”

  “What kind of odd things?”

  She went on to relay what happened earlier that day and a few more instances when she heard humming sounds in her ear and children singing nursery rhymes when there were no children around. She emphasized that these experiences only occurred when she was in Rachelle’s presence.

  “This is quite shocking for me to hear,” Barns indicated.

  Bella knew the time was now or never. “Please pardon me, Doctor, but as we live in a small community, I heard that you and your sister are sort of estranged. However, I was wondering if there’s any way you can come and pay her a little visit, even if she’s not still here at the hospital. I think not having any family around and having lost her only child, her physical and mental condition could be rapidly deteriorating. I just feel she needs someone here to help her get through this difficult time, and hopefully, these other behavioral symptoms would go away on their own.”

  Barns sighed deeply and was silent for a few moments. “I’m not sure if what you described has anything to do with Rachelle being alone,” he finally said. “It sounds kind of...I hate to say this, but...paranormal in nature—and that’s a completely different thing altogether.”

  “I agree, Doctor. Believe me when I say I was reluctant to contact you about this as I didn’t want to come across as someone who’s unstable myself and in that state, also assigned to tend to your sister. I risk losing my job just by having this conversation with you, but I had to call anyway.”

  “Nurse Carey, I can tell by the sound of concern in your voice that you’re a level-headed individual and I appreciate the risk you’ve taken for Rachelle’s sake.” He paused. “I tell you what...I’ll think this thing through and do what I can. Thank you for calling, and rest assured, no one will hear about this phone call. You’ve got my word.”

  “Thank you, Doctor.”

  Bella breathed a sigh of relief. She hung up the telephone and left the room knowing she’d done the right thing for a patient no one else seemed to care very much about.

  4

  _________________

  Dr. Barns was having an emotional battle ever since receiving that call from Nurse Bella Carey. Having left the clinic that evening without breathing a word about the call to anyone, he found himself sitting outside on his back porch, looking out at the forest trees behind his house. He reminisced of the times he used to watch Rachelle as she played in the large backyard they both grew up on. He was sixteen years her elder, since their mother had gotten pregnant with her when she was in her early fifties – which came as a huge surprise to the family. Barns was more of a father-figure to Rachelle, than he was a brother, particularly after their father died when she was just eleven – around the same age Priscilla was when she disappeared. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to protect his sister and he felt the same way about his niece – whom he felt his sister had cruelly rejected for many years.

  He told Rachelle he’d never forgive her for Priscilla’s disappearance, but after that unexpected call, he wasn’t quite sure he was still as mad at her as he used to be. He started to wonder if his anger toward her was ever truly justified. They say that time heals all wounds and tends to soften the heart, and he figured maybe that’s what was happening to him. Or perhaps it could be that he’s gotten some satisfaction knowing that his sister is suffering for the wrong she’d done in her life, especially where it had to do with Priscilla. Maybe Nurse Carey was right, in so many words—maybe it was time he went and paid her a visit. It would give him a good opportunity to inquire about the case again at the local precinct. However, he felt strongly from the experiences Bella had described that he might need some help in an area he had absolutely no expertise in, which went beyond the scope of him just being there for his sister.

  He picked up his champagne glass from the small white table next to his chair, then got up and went inside the house.

  Dr. Barns lived alone in large split-level house with many large glass windows, each posing high above a perfectly manicured lawn. Although he lived alone, he had many friends and never felt lonesome. He surmised it wasn’t the same way for Rachelle and seriously wondered for the first time how she’d been managing.

  After setting the glass on the kitchen counter, he walked over to the living room and picked up the telephone.

  Mira Cullen answered on the second ring.

  “I hope I’m not interrupting any family time,” Barns said.

  “Not at all,” she replied, stretched out in bed. “Rosie and Mom went out after dinner, so I’m here alone watching TV. What’s up?”

  “I need a special favor, Mira. I know this is a heavy one to ask, but I think I could really use your help.”

  Mira sat up. She could hear the concern in her boss’ voice. “Sure, Doc. What is it?”

  “I don’t know if I told you about my sister...”

  “What exactly?”

  He sat down on the couch. “Something happened sometime back, but as I think about it, I’m pretty sure it was around the time you were home recovering after the accident. Well, my niece, Priscilla, went missing about three years ago—actually, it was an entire school bus full of children and a few adults.”

  Mira was shocked that he’d never mentioned it to her.

  “The police never found any trace of them in all that time, and my sister has been struggling to cope with Priscilla’s disappearance. I learned today that she’s in a mental hospital after suffering a nervous breakdown. I’ve decided to make a trip down there to see her.”

  “I’m very sorry, Doc.,” Mira said. “Where does your sister live?”

  “In Nirvana. You know where that is?”

  “Sure. It’s a short flight away or a few hours’ drive.”

  “I must admit, I haven’t seen her for a long time.”

  He went on to explain their strained relationship. “Well, the perso
n that called in confidence said my sister has been exhibiting some strange behavior and that she’s personally experienced things she cannot explain while in Rachelle’s presence. That’s why I called you. I’m wondering if you’d be interested in making a short trip down there with me.”

  “Okay. I can do that. When were you thinking of leaving?” she asked.

  “As soon as I can arrange for a couple of doctors to fill in for us at the clinic.”

  “When you know for sure, I can make arrangements with Mom, as far as Rosie’s concerned.”

  “I will let you know. Thank you, Mira. I appreciate you coming along,” he said.

  “I’ll do whatever I can to help,” she replied. “Again, I’m really sorry about your sister and your niece.”

  “Yeah. Me too. Have a good night.”

  He ended the call.

  Mira sat up for a while thinking about the conversation. The distress in Barns’ voice lingered with her after he’d hung up. Finally lying down again, she looked at the television, and soon what came into view was a girl with black eyes apparently standing in the midst of nowhere, looking at her through the glass; her face void of expression as the regular TV programming continued on in two separate rectangular walls on both sides of her. Mira sat up again and stared into the screen—into those eyes that seemed fearless and void of innocence. She knew now, more than ever, that she must make that trip to Nirvana, for whomever was on the other side of that screen was expecting her.

  5

  _________________

  Rosie and Sara hugged Mira tightly after Dr. Barns had pulled up onto the driveway. He hailed from his car and Sara waved back.

  “I’m gonna miss you, Mom,” Rosie said.

  “I’ll miss you too, honey, but I’ll be back after a few days,” Mira told her.

  Sara looked at her daughter lovingly. “Now, you snuggle up really nicely over there as the weather is kind of chilly. Checked the weather report this morning and Nirvana’s temps are in the sixties.”

  “That’s not too bad, Mom, but I have my coat, just in case. Bobby will check in with you guys while I’m gone.”

  “I know. He always does.” Sara smiled.

  Mira gave Rosie one last kiss, then hurried off to the waiting car. Sara and Rosie waved goodbye to them as they were pulling away.

  “Rosie is surely developing into a lovely young lady,” Barns said. “How old is she now?”

  “Thirteen,” Mira answered. “It feels like just yesterday when I brought her home with me from the hospital. Where has time gone?”

  “Ah...they don’t stay kids for long. After all, the world needs them—their minds, their intellect to help move it forward.”

  “I never thought about it that way.”

  “And what about that handsome fiancé of yours? What’s his name again?”

  “That’s Bobby.” She smiled. “He’s a real sweetheart. Sometimes I don’t think I deserve him. I’m amazed he stuck around for so long and just took all my crap.”

  Barns glanced her way. “That’s real love, for sure. You’d be a prize for any man out there. You’re a wonderful person, Mira.”

  His words caught her by surprise. “What a nice thing to say, Doc! Thank you.”

  They boarded their flight an hour and a half later and as Mira looked down at the ocean far below the aircraft, she remembered the day, so many years ago, when she and Rosie were flying home to pay her parents a visit. Rosie was very excited to be seeing them again. She was just six-years-old then and had lived her entire life in California up until that time. Mira recalled that visit being a life-altering one, when her father passed away, thus ripping everyone’s heart in two. She knew her mother had felt the loss more than anyone since Michael had been her entire life, other than their children. And now seven years later, she was coping well, though she never as much as looked at another man to spark any romantic relationship with. Mira was sure her mother would never marry again—that Sara would rather be old and completely alone if fate had it that way.

  Mira looked at Dr. Barns who was quietly seated next to her with his legs crossed and a folded newspaper resting in his lap. He was blankly staring straight ahead.

  “Are you all right?” she asked.

  As if jolted out of a reverie, he uncrossed his legs, caught the newspaper that had nearly fallen from his lap and adjusted his eyeglasses on his face. “Yes. Yes, I’m fine; thank you,” he replied.

  Mira had her doubts. The situation involving his niece was clearly bothering him—and perhaps, something else. She forced a smile, then turned toward the window, leaving him to his thoughts.

  After landing in Nirvana, Barns rented a small sedan and they headed straight to Hufton’s Mental Health Facility. The entire drive, Barns rehearsed in his mind what he would say to his sister and how he would act. After playing out several scenarios, he came up empty—completely unsure of anything. He mentally prepared himself to just appear and however it went, he’d be fine with it. He undoubtedly knew that seeing Rachelle for the first time in years would be awkward—possibly for both of them. Nothing less could be expected. He only hoped she had retained most of her senses and that the blows of life hadn’t mentally incapacitated her to the point she couldn’t hold an intelligent conversation.

  “Here we are,” Barns said as they pulled into the parking lot of the psychiatric hospital. He shifted the gear to ‘park’, shut off the engine, and stared at the large edifice in front of them.

  “Are you okay?” Mira asked.

  He took a deep sigh. “I’d be lying right now if I tell you I am,” he replied. “This all just happened so suddenly. I was back at home living my life with nothing major on my mind and now I’m here, and have to face things again that I don’t want to face. Priscilla’s still not here, so I have mixed emotions about whether coming all the way here is worthwhile or not.”

  “Your sister’s here,” Mira reminded him. “And she needs you.”

  “I doubt it’s me that she needs. It’s not like I’m going to stay here with her forever. In a few days, I’ll be back home again and she’ll have to somehow carry on with her life, as she’s been doing. I’m only here for moral support, Mira, because she is my sister, and to check on the investigation concerning Priscilla’s disappearance…and, of course, what might be happening to Rachelle in terms of what I heard. But when that’s all said and done, Rachelle is going to have to pick herself up the best way she can and go on with life. I can’t do it for her. No one can.” He spoke passionately.

  Barns reached for his hat from the dashboard and looked at her. “You’re ready?”

  Mira nodded.

  “Let’s go, then.”

  6

  _________________

  The hospital was kept in immaculate condition as it was rated one of the top psychiatric centers in the country. Rachelle had good insurance coverage, which came in handy each time she had to be admitted there or found herself driving to the A&E of the local hospital because she could swear she was having a panic attack. That scary feeling of nervousness and agitation seemed to have ingrained itself into her life and she was never sure how to shake it. Doctors only prescribed pills that made her even more anxious than she already was. Rachelle had started to believe that she’d been cursed—cursed by someone who blamed her for Priscilla’s plight or some other misdeed, or cursed by God. Regardless of the reason behind it, she felt she was doomed; life was now meaningless and she would have to exist in her weakening fleshly shell as long as it enabled her to continue breathing. How she wished it would release her into the unknown! At least, she deduced, the unknown was a better option than having to continue in a life that had turned upside down and left her completely alone.

  The razor blade marks on both of her wrists were lasting evidence of her futile attempts to end it all. No one had known she’d even considered suicide until she was admitted to Hufton’s the first time around and healthcare workers noticed the signs as clear as day. For some reason, she
never went deep enough, maybe because the option of the unknown, though in her mind perhaps better than her current state of being, was rather frightening.

  Could there really be a Hell? She wondered that day as she made a semi-sharp cut across her wrist that barely was effective enough in causing any blood to seep through to the skin. The only thing she knew for sure was she wasn’t yet ready to find out. After attempting suicide four months after Priscilla went missing, she never tried again even in the face of all the emotional anguish she suffered. There was suddenly something that gave her another reason to stay and tough it out—her hope that by some miracle Priscilla would walk through the front door of their house again as she’d done so many times before. That hope was more comparable to a flicker of light, but the flicker in itself gave her something to look forward to—even if it never came.

  Crystal Randolph was at the reception desk when Dr. Barns and Mira walked in. She was a slender lady in her mid-fifties with a calm and pleasant mien.

  Barns approached the desk as Crystal welcomed him with a smile.

  “Good afternoon,” he started. “I’m David Barns; I called this morning. I’m here to see my sister, Rachelle Wigby.”

  Crystal immediately got up and started around to the front of her desk. “Yes, Doctor Barns. I was informed that you were coming. Your sister’s expecting you. Would you please follow me?”

  Wearing shiny black high-heeled shoes and a blue fitted dress, she led them down a wide hallway. Barns’ heart was thumping with each step as he anticipated the reunion, and Mira could sense how uncomfortable he was as she walked beside him.

  At the end of the hallway were two tall mahogany doors. Now standing in front of them, Crystal glanced back at Dr. Barns.