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

without further comment. Taking a closer look at her surroundings, Charlotte noticed that the window nearest her bed was missing several panes, which allowed the cold air and the occasional splash of rain to enter inside. It would evidently be a cold stay in Bedlam.
     
    Climbing under the rough thin blanket, Charlotte pulled her knees close to her and tried to allow her situation to sink in. She had to remind herself that she was here because of her own doing and that her stay would be temporary. If she was an actual patient, she would have been devastatingly scared and lonely. Even so, those feelings were strongly present. Squeezing her arms around herself, she tried to focus on her goals and not on the dark emotions that the asylum radiated and stirred within.

10.
     
    For the first time that day, Sigmund didn’t feel the weather. Driving his carriage through the abnormal darkness of the afternoon, he was fully exposed, but the account that was just given to him by Reginald Burke was taking all his attention. The rain splashed onto his goggles and, outside of an occasional clearing wipe with his drenched handkerchief, he barely noticed. His feelings alternated between disgust and deep concern, leaving no room for the inconsequential feelings of cold or wet. The main fact that he had learned was that it was almost a certainty that the bodies that made their way to Dr. Ferriss were from Bedlam Asylum. As important as that fact was, he still couldn’t shake the horror of Reginald discovering his own mother as one of the bodies. There were aspects of humanity that Sigmund was happier not knowing.
     
    The carriage splashed through dark puddles as he continued through the grey streets of London. A few people were about, bundled well and hands tightly wrapped around their umbrellas, but the streets felt more abandoned than not. Sigmund’s mind churned and he found that his biggest concern was an overarching sense of not knowing what to do. He hadn’t had much time to assimilate the new information, but this was, nonetheless, frustrating for him. Being that this issue had a scientific or medical side to it, Sigmund decided that a visit with his friend, Richard Sutton, would be in order.
     
    Richard Sutton was as brilliant a man as Sigmund had ever met. He worked at the Academy of Future Science as one of its lead innovators, and had helped Sigmund with several inventions. It was Sutton’s mind that developed a way to intercept nerve signals and use them to activate motors. Sarah could walk because of this. Sigmund always found it interesting that Sutton had had many years of medical training but never graduated – choosing instead to expand his knowledge by travelling the world rather than hearing the repetitive lessons of a classroom. This unique education, along with an exceptionally sharp mind made Sutton a wizard of design. The ability to meld his medical knowledge with mechanical allowed him to create amazing creations.
     
    If anyone could help Sigmund figure things out, it was Sutton.
     
    Prior to reaching the Academy, Sigmund made a detour to his home. It was well out of his way, but there was no choice. His monkey, Zachary, had once belonged to Sutton, and Sigmund couldn’t visit without reuniting the two. Of course, Sigmund felt absolutely ridiculous as he had Zachary in the passenger cabin, relatively warm and dry, while he drove the carriage in the cold and wet. Even worse, monkeys were terrible clients as they never paid and rarely tipped.
     
    The Academy building was on the south bank of the Thames, just across from the Tower of London. Despite the term ‘Academy’, the building did not have a school-like appearance, as it was simply a large brown brick building that once was a warehouse. The walls were darker from the rain and the building, as it always did to Sigmund, seemed ominous. Still, ominous or not, it was a welcome sight as it meant getting out of the weather. Even with the significant