It didn’t take long for the trio to be on the road again, this time prepared for a much longer journey. The horseless carriage came equipped with a fold-down shelf where items might be stored at the rear of the vehicle. The five-gallon can of kerosene and the hefty wicker basket full of food prevented the small shelf from closing completely. Lane had lashed it down with a couple of quick release knots.
The trio made much better time once they left the heights and started heading south. The fog in the city had begun to lift or burn off and the South Bay, south of Hunter’s Point, was already fog free even if the roads were not as well maintained.
The sun crested high in the sky before Sigmund heard the dreaded words from Helena, “Would you mind telling me how you knew about an Insane Asylum located so far from our home.”
“It would be much more appropriate if we waited to have this conversation where we wouldn’t be required to shout to be understood.”
“It would’ve been much more appropriate if you would’ve told me the truth from the beginning.”
“Young Miss, I never lie to you. If you do not trust me and you no longer want me in your service, all you must do is say so. But please understand I work for the General, and I presently take my directions from him.”
“Very well if you’ve never lied to me why do you know of such a place?”
Sigmund had feared this conversation since the early days of Helena’s life. “I want you to understand the house, the estate, everything is yours. Your grandfather made his money during the gold rush, that money will pass to you, once you wed, or you turn thirty that money becomes yours.”
“Yes, I understand all that.”
“Good, I originally worked for your grandfather, after I left the British Army and came to America to find my fortune. I was there when your father and mother met. I was there when you were born. I was there when your father disappeared, and I was there when your mother didn’t take it very well. Your grandfather grew concerned about your mother’s state of mind with your birth and your father’s disappearance coming so close to one another. There is a facility that he had me inspect in case the need arose for your mother to have some quiet help. I can truthfully say that this establishment never housed your mother. She never fully recovered, but stabilized and took care of you,” Sigmund finished the explanation.
Helena sat the rest of the trip in silence mulling over the new information she obtained. This little adventure had become much harder than she thought it would. The idea that people would force women to have sex was beyond her comprehension, what about love? It wasn’t fair. How can anybody take control of someone else’s person? But then she thought about how little authority she held in her own life.
The roads were much better than Sigmund remembered, but he had traveled them a decade and a half ago. Progress never stopped in California. It approached three in the afternoon when they pulled up to the double gate and twenty-foot-tall fence marking the property of Agnew’s Asylum. The rather beefy guard inspected the automobile before opening the gate and waving the trio through.
“I need to take care of Bessie, she needs food and water; a little rest would do her some good. A little time to let the boiler cool off, we won’t be able to make a quick getaway this time. However, I would rather not explode on the drive home. Not saying you’re going to cause trouble. Just information I thought you should know before you go kicking any hornets’ nests,” Lane crossed his arms as he explained the mechanical needs before the pair left. The handle of his Colt Navy revolver now plainly showing under his duster.
“We will do our best not to cause any problems. Am I not correct, Young Miss?”
“Oh yes, I doubt we will find any information here, but it is a stone we should look under,” Helena was unable to take her eyes off the pistol butt.
Helena and Sigmund strolled up a dozen steps towards the double front doors of the asylum before she asked, “Does Lane always carry a pistol?”
“No, sometimes he carries a sawed-off double barrel shotgun.”
“Why would Lane need to walk around armed?”
“Same reason I do.” Sigmund stopped and showed Helena the grip of his automatic pistol. “We have tried to teach you the world is a dangerous place. Not everyone you meet is as nice as you. It is our job to keep you safe from the evil ones until you can keep yourself safe.”
“I’m not sure I understand who you two are.”
“Right now, the more important question is what inquiries are you going to make when we enter this establishment and whom are you going to ask?”
“We need to find out if Missy’s here. If she somehow ended up here, our search is over. We can decide our next steps after we locate her.”
“Very sound logic. Any suggestions on whom we should ask. Admittance records are private. They are not going to tell us who is and isn’t a patient here.”
Before Helena formulated her next sentence, an ancient looking hag approached the pair. Her white hair stood on end like a tumbleweed had been stuck on her head, her mouth missing more teeth than it held. Helena had to force herself not to hide behind Sigmund.
The hag said, “I see things, I hear things others don’t.”
“Hello, I’m Helena,” out of reflex and offered her hand.
Before Helena thought about it, the woman grabbed her hand. “Darkness, I see darkness. Wet, I feel wet and fear,” unexpectedly the old woman squeezed Helena’s hand tight, urine began to dribble down both of her legs.
Helena recoiled trying to pull her hand free but failed, “Ewww.”
“I see death coming on white wings. Death
