Whispers of Bedlam Asylum (Sigmund Shaw Book 2) by Mark C. King

were doors on the far wall and double doors on either side of it, much like the first floor. Behind these entrances were, no doubt, more patient areas. “Wait here,” he said as he walked across the landing. He opened a door and Charlotte could hear him call inside, “Mrs. Rathbone, may I have a minute of your time?”
     
    Leaving the door ajar, he walked back to where Charlotte was. “Mrs. Rathbone is my counterpart. I head up the orderlies on the Male side, the north wing, while she heads the orderlies on the female side, the south wing. Ah, here she is.”
     
    Walking out the door was a striking looking woman. She was tall, slim, and had dark hair, almost black, done up tightly on top of her head. Her dress was black with grey accents, its collar surrounding her entire neck, and sleeves that completely covered her arms and the tops of her hands. In addition to this dark attire was a sharp looking, angular pale face. Charlotte’s first thought was of a school teacher she had as a child, as an air of strictness emanated from this woman.
     
    With a deep smooth voice, Mrs. Rathbone asked, “Who is this, Mr. Thursby?”
     
    “This is Miss Charlotte Caine. A constable just brought her here. Evidently she believes this is home. Are you missing anyone?”
     
    Mrs. Rathbone narrowed her eyes at Thursby, evidently offended at the question. She then looked at Charlotte, her eyes boring into her. Another examination! Charlotte did her best to look both confused and contrite.
     
    “Very well, Mr. Thursby,” she finally commented. “I will find a place for her. But the idea that I had lost one of the patients is quite offensive.”
     
    “My apologies, I meant nothing by it. I was only reiterating what the constable had said when he brought Miss Caine to us. You can see that Doctor Exton has dressed her arm after another one of Mr. Pegg’s tests. Now, I leave her in your capable hands. Good day Mrs. Rathbone. Good day Miss Caine.” The kind orderly then turned and walked back down the stairs.
     
    Mrs. Rathbone nodded at Mr. Thursby as he walked away and then said to Charlotte, “Come with me, Miss Caine. I am sorry about your arm. Mr. Pegg is a stain on this institution, but people are not exactly lining up to work at Bedlam. Let me show you to where you will be sleeping.”
     
    They walked towards one set of double doors just as another mournful wail sounded out. Mrs. Rathbone did not react at all while she searched for the right key to unlock the door. Charlotte was again frightened deeply by the sorrowful sound.
     
    The hallway on the other side was very similar to the one by Dr. Exton’s office. The only difference was that the space here was full of women. Mrs. Rathbone led Charlotte down this hall while weaving through the patients. Charlotte tried not to stare, but the sights were too foreign that not even the least curious mind would be able to avert their eyes. The range of activities and motion was great. Some of the women patients were sitting on the floor – talking with others, reading, or staring off into space. Some were in chairs, also engaged in various subtle occupations. A few were walking about, but without any discernable destination. The attire of these patients, as a whole, was similar – drab clothing, dirty, and too threadbare for the current temperature. Charlotte realized that her dress fit in quite well and might be one of the warmer ones of this group.
     
    Mrs. Rathbone continued walking at a steady pace and Charlotte had to hurry to keep up. There were several large rooms along the main hallway, each one containing two rows of small beds. It felted cramped as there was no free space at all outside of the middle aisle.
     
    Entering one of them, Rathbone led Charlotte to the back right corner and indicated a bed. “Here is your sleeping space. I recommend that you take rest and allow your arm to heal.”
     
    Charlotte sat down on the bed and watched as Mrs. Rathbone walked away