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Post by Tiago James Squalor on Oct 23, 2010 18:42:27 GMT -5
Chapter Six The Baudelaires found themselves in a different patio, outside the asylum. The sky was dark and gloomy, and it looked like rain, yet it was not raining. Several stone tables were scattered around the patio, with a large fountain in the middle. Violet, Klaus, Sunny and Beatrice sat at one of the tables near the fountain. The cold outdoor autumn air made the inside of the asylum a tad more appealing, but the Baudelaires needed some time off. 'Klaus, Sunny, Beatrice. We need to talk.' Violet said. 'There is something way off about this asylum. The thing about Ms. Finch, Natalie, Nathan, the Sanity Squad, Nurse Elle... I feel like we should be heading out right now.' Klaus frowned. 'But, Violet! What about Cindry?' Violet looked at him aprehensively. 'Klaus...What if Cindry is not here at all?' Klaus looked down at the cobblestones that covered the patio. Several fallen leaves, carried by the wind, were scattered all around. 'I won't leave without Cindry. I know she is here. If it was Quigley, Violet, wouldn't you want to be sure? Wouldn't you stay and look for him, despite all the signs to leave?' Klaus had touched one of Violet's buttons. She turned away from her siblings, feeling the tears coming. 'Sorry, Violet. I know how it affects you...to hear his name.' Klaus apologized, approaching Violet. He laid his hand on her shoulder, because he knew Violet found it very comforting to have a hand on her shoulder, as long as the hand was human, and attached to an arm, and that arm, attached to a whole person. 'It's ok...I just wish I didn't cry whenever I hear his name...It's annoying, I know.' 'It's not annoying. We are your family, and we know you loved Quigley.' Sunny said. 'Amour'. Beatrice said, and here she meant something like 'And we love you too, Violet. You don't need to hide your tears.' 'Thank you.' Violet said, sitting down at one of the stone tables. She raised her eyes and let out a whimper of shock. When Klaus, Sunny and Beatrice looked in the same direction Violet was looking, the entrance to the cafeteria, they saw two people. They had never seen those people before, and from what they had on, they were sure those people weren't supposed to be there. They were a man and a woman, and they both wore straitjackets, a word which here means 'something that asylum inmates wear to prevent them from harming others or themselves'. They were both blonde, and the woman had her hair tied in two pigtails at the sides of her head, and strangely, she had her face covered in white powder, which reminded the Baudelaires of the white powder faced women, Agatha and Christie. Her mouth was painted red, and her wicked smile was even more wicked since whoever painted her lips made her look like a clown. She even had red eyeshadow and two large black lines crossing her eyes from the forehead to the cheeks. The man next to her had a mask that covered half-of his face, which was secured by belts crossing his chin and forehead. They both stood silently, eyeing the Baudelaires. 'Are they...' Klaus asked, but Violet interrupted him. 'Yes, they are.' Violet, always protective of her siblings, stood in front of them with her arms extended towards her back, in a protective stance. 'Are you new inmates? Where are your jackets?' the woman asked, and then started laughing maniacally, a word which here means 'in a scary, raving mad fashion'. 'We are not inmates. We are visitors.' Violet said. She was very nervous, because those two were clearly not docile or contained like Lisa, Susanna, or Mr. Maillard. Violet didn't expect to be confronted with two real inmates of Addams Asylum. 'Where did you come from?' Violet asked. 'Oh. We were locked up. But we decided to get some fresh air.' The man said. Violet scanned the whole patio, and noticed a set of double, metal doors which was open. She hadn't noticed it before, but naturally, she guessed exactly where those doors led. 'The high security ward.' Violet whispered to Klaus, Sunny and Beatrice. The Baudelaires were all very scared. If that man and that woman had broken out of the high security ward, they surely were not to be taken lightly. 'I'm Harley, this is my brother, Harvey.' The woman said. The mad duo took a step towards the Baudelaires, who took a step back themselves. Looking back over her shoulder, Violet saw the fountain. 'Oh, you don't wanna play with us?' Harley asked. 'That's too bad!' Violet then decided to act. 'DR. AUDREY!' She shouted. 'DR. ARTHUR!' 'Oh, you little...You'll pay for this!' Harley shouted. The doors to the cafeteria opened, and out came Dr. Arthur, Dr. Audrey, Nurse Ratched, Dr. Finch and Nurse Elle. Dr. Finch held what looked like a gun in his hands. 'Harley! Harvey! Not again!' Dr. Audrey shouted. Dr. Finch raised his gun and shot the two lunatics. It was a trancquilizer dart gun, and Violet saw two big purple darts attached to the necks of the two inmates. The darts however, were not enough. 'Hahaha! I'm stronger than this trancquilizer of yours!' Harley shouted, getting up. She was noticeably drowzy, but somehow, she stood up, along with Harvey. 'This is a job for me.' Nurse Ratched then opened the suitcase she was carrying. There was some sort of machine inside, a machine attached to a gun. Turning a switch on the machine, Nurse Ratched pointed the gun towards Harley and Harvey; and she pulled the trigger. Whatever was that Nurse Ratched shot at them, the two lunatics were now having seizures on the cobblestone floor. Violet saw the wire that was attached to the two lunatics' necks, and a cracking sound. It was a shock gun. 'Quickly, grab them! Turn that off, Nurse Ratched.' Dr. Arthur said. The lunatic duo was now silent and still, lying on the floor. 'Let's lock them back up!' 'I'm so sorry, Baudelaires!' Dr. Audrey Addams said to them, following Dr. Arthur and Dr. Finch and the two nurses as they carried the two unconscious inmates back to the high security ward. The Baudelaires were left alone out in the patio, their hearts pounding in their chests. 'What just happened?' Klaus yelled. 'Oh, that's Harvey and Harley. They are a handful.' A voice sounded behind the Baudelaires. Turning their backs, they almost jumped out of their seats. Natalie and Nathan were behind them. 'Oh, did we scare you?' Natalie said upon noticing the Baudelaires' reaction. She giggled. 'If you had sat with us, we could have warned you about this patio. When breakouts occur, this is the first place the inmates turn up.' Nathan said. 'Dr. Audrey told us to tell you...You can visit your relative in a short while. She also told us to tell you to go wait in Dr. Arthur's office.' Natalie said. 'Well, that's good to hear.' Violet got up, and so did Klaus, Sunny and Beatrice. 'Oh, let us take you there.' Nathan said. 'No thanks. We know the way.' Violet replied, in an unnusual scathing manner. She was fed up with the asylum's madness, and she did not want Natalie and Nathan around her or her siblings. Violet, Klaus, Sunny and Beatrice went back inside while Natalie and Nathan Finch stood outside, hand in hand. Little did Violet know, she had just pushed a button, a very dangerous button, and she would soon regret it.
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Post by Tiago James Squalor on Oct 23, 2010 22:29:37 GMT -5
Chapter Seven One of the many pleasant about tea is how it can calm and soothe one's nerves, and the Baudelaires' nerves were vibrating with worryness. Not only had they not yet been able to meet Cindry, they had just witnessed a rather disturbing scene, though I do have to say it wasn't the last time the Baudelaires would see something so disturbing at Addams Asylum. The tea the Baudelaires were now drinking, sent by Dr. Audrey Addams, was an autumnal tea of apple, wild berries and cinnamon. It was delicious and relaxing, but the Baudelaires were still nervous. They had been waiting for an hour inside Dr. Arthur Addams' office, with no other company than their own, and the large portrait of the auburn haired man above the fireplace. Violet noticed a plaque under the paiting, which read;
Dr. Abner Addams P.h.d. Psychiatrist. Husband. Father. R.I.P. And scattered around the room, other portraits of the Addamses could be found. Violet saw a sequence of portraits depicting younger Audrey Addams, recently graduated from Psychiatry school, and a brunette woman Violet assumed to be the wife of Dr. Abner Addams, but her only picture had no name, rather three initials; A.F.A. The Baudelaires all were doing their best to kill some time until they could meet Cindry, and Klaus was going through the bookshelves of Dr. Arthur's office, and had found an interesting encyclopedia devoted to phobias, and found the entry on Selenophobia - fear of the Moon - particularly interesting. Sunny had found a recipe book that was misplaced for some reason in the wrong shelf, with the same initials of the portrait of the brunette woman, A.F.A., enscribed on the first page. The book was filled with notations in the same handwriting, written sometimes in purple ink, sometimes in red ink. Beatrice had fallen asleep on an armchair. Looking outside, Violet saw the day was exceedingly dark. The fog was thick enough that she couldn't see the other part of the building opposite Dr. Arthur's office's windows. There was a knock on the door. 'Baudelaires, are you in there?' Dr. Audrey then entered the room. Her hair was tied with the hairpins, and she was exceedingly pale. She closed the doors behind her, and leaned back against them. 'I can't begin to apologize enough to you.' Audrey then approached Arthur's desk and poured herself a cup of tea. 'Harley and Harvey, they are one of our most dangerous inmates. I don't know how could they possibly have escaped their high security confinement cells.' Audrey sipped on her tea, looking at the Baudelaires aprehensively. 'You don't need to apologize to us.' Violet said. 'What you need to do is help us get Cindry Fulfillment out of here.' 'What?' Audrey was surprised. 'Cindry is not insane. She may have her eccentricities and quirks, but she is not clinically insane. She's no more threat to anyone than Beatrice here is.' Violet said. 'Dr. Audrey...We want to see Cindry, and we want to leave with her, as soon as possible. We need to ge out of this asylum, and soon.' 'Well...' Dr. Audrey then went to the opposite side of Arthur's desk, and opened his drawer. She removed a folder and handed it to Violet. 'This has everything we know about Cindry Fulfillment.' Audrey said. 'I was able to dig up many pieces of information on her family, though I haven't had time to look through it all. I can take you to Cindry's room, though I have to say, she's been sedated.' 'Sedated?' Klaus yelled. 'Why? She isn't insane! She's a teenage girl who is not going to get any better if she's put under drugs all the time! What kind of asylum is this?!' Klaus was now very angry. 'It was not me, I'm not overseeing her case, Klaus.' Dr. Audrey said. 'Well, you certainly aren't helping either.' Klaus said bitterly. Audrey silenced, and lowered her head. Normally, Violet would reprehend Klaus for his reaction, because Dr. Audrey was a very nice person, but Violet was in no mood. She had seen more than she'd care to at Addams Asylum, and she had had enough. 'Dr. Audrey, take us to Cindry now.' Violet ordered. 'We want to see her.' Audrey nodded affirmatively, and gave Violet the folder on Cindry. She led the Baudelaires out of Dr. Arthur's office, and when she opened the doors, to the Baudelaires' grim surprise and dismay, Natalie and Nathan Finch were standing outside. They had changed into warmer, fully black clothes, and Natalie had put on a thick black eyeshadow complete with black mascara. 'Damn, Natalie! Nathan! I told you to stop doing that!' Dr. Audrey yelled. 'We came to inform you, the asylum's heating system has dwindled.' Natalie said. 'You might want to put on warmer clothes this evening.' Nathan added. 'Whatever. Go be with your father.' Dr. Audrey scathingly responded. 'But, Dr. Audrey...Father is busy.' Audrey was very angry now. 'Get out of my sight, the two of you! Come, Baudelaires.' And Audrey went in the direction where the staircase leading down to the first floor was. The Baudelaires followed, and out of the four of them, the only one that turned back their heads to see Natalie and Nathan was Beatrice. The Finch siblings stood, with an ice cold stare directed at Dr. Audrey and the Baudelaires. After they arrived at the first floor, Dr. Audrey led them through a series of twists and turns, they arrived at an entirely new section of the asylum. 'This is Cindry's room.' Audrey said. She removed a set of keys from her pocket and choosing the right one, she opened the door. The room was pitch-black dark. Audrey entered, and turned a switch on the wall. The light went on, and the Baudelaires saw her. 'Cindry...' Klaus uttered. What he saw, was the unconscious body of Cindry wrapped by a straitjacket and a series of belts and buckles strapped to the bed, containing her as if she were dangerous. Her blonde hair was very messy, and it no longer had the bright yellow streaks she sported when forced to wait tables at In'N'Out Burger. Cindry was pale and deathly looking, and Klaus felt like crying to see his beloved trapped like that. 'Cindry...Why did they have to do this to you?' Klaus caressed Cindry's forehead. She was noticeably very weak, and it was unsettling to see her in that state, and all bound like a dangerous maniac, which she wasn't. 'Dr. Audrey, release her.' Klaus said. 'I'm sorry, Klaus...I can't, not without authorization from my brother and Dr. Finch.' Klaus turned to Dr. Audrey. 'Release her.' 'Like I said, Klaus, I can't, not with expressed authorization from-' 'Release her!' Klaus shouted. Audrey was very shocked. 'Alright!' Dr. Audrey said, angrily. 'I'll release her!' Dr. Audrey went on to remove the belts and buckles that strapped Cindry to the bed. 'Her straitjacket too.' Klaus said. 'My brother and Dr. Finch will probably fire me for this.' Audrey said. 'I don't care.' Klaus said. Audrey turned her head to look at Klaus, and she very much resented what he just said. Audrey then resumed her removal of Cindry's bindings, and when she had just removed Cindry's straitjacket, Dr. Finch's voice was heard. 'Well, well, well. What is happening here?' Dr. Finch entered the room, with Dr. Arthur right next to him, while the Baudelaires and Dr. Audrey turned their backs to see them. 'What do you think you're doing, Audrey?' Dr. Finch asked. 'Releasing an inmate without proper authorization, before she even undergoes therapy? That's not very professional, is it?' Then Dr. Finch examined the Baudelaires. 'And what are they doing here?' 'Audrey, what are you doing? Are you going crazy too?' Dr. Arthur said. Audrey was noticeably very nervous. 'There's a right way to do things.' Dr. Finch raised his finger. 'Not unless the patient hasn't yet undergone her due treatment.' 'What treatment? This girl is not insane. You've both read her file.' Audrey replied. 'I think we all agree that this girl has a family history that must be considered. We must submit her to preemptive psychiatric treatment.' Audrey frowned. 'Because that worked so well with Agnes?' Dr. Finch's face took a very brooding expression. 'What did you say?' 'You heard me!' Audrey shouted. 'You failed to treat your wife, Finch, and she went insane; you then failed to help her, and she escaped, and got herself electrocuted.' Dr. Finch's fists were closed and shaking. 'Get out of here. We'll strap this girl back to the bed. Don't you dare come release her! Get out, the lot of you! Help me, Arthur.' Dr. Finch and Dr. Arthur proceeded onto strapping Cindry back to he bed, and Audrey led the Baudelaires out of the room. 'Baudelaires, I can't apologize enough.' Audrey said. 'Go back to your rooms and wait for me. We will try this again later or my name is not Audrey Addams.' Dr. Audrey separated from the Baudelaires, end entered Dr. Arthur's office. The Baudelaires walked to their rooms in the dimly-lit hallway. 'I'm glad Dr. Finch and Dr. Arthur didn't notice that we have the file on Cindry with us.' Klaus said. 'I've always wanted to know more about the Fulfillments.' Then, the Baudelaires heard the cracking sound of thunder. It was beginning to rain above Addams Asylum. 'Quick, let's go to our room.' Violet said. Soon, the Baudelaires saw themselves in their room. Klaus tried to lock the door, but the lock didn't work for some reason. 'Everyone, put on your warm clothes. It's getting a bit too cold for comfort.' Violet said, putting on her coat herself. 'Let's read the file on Cindry's family together.' The Baudelaires gathered on Violet's bed, the largest of the room, with the file on their hands, when it happened. A large thunderous sound, then, an explosion, and suddenly, all lights went out at Addams Asylum. 'No!' Violet shouted. It was pitch black dark, and now they couldn't read Cindry's file at all. 'Violet, try to find your flashlight. I'll look for candles on the desk.' Klaus said. 'Beatrice, Sunny, stay on the bed.' Violet said to her sisters while she looked for her flashlight. 'Where did I put that thing?' The overwhelming sound of rain was now increased with the darkness, and while Violet looked for her flashlight, and Klaus looked for candles, they failed to noticed someone had just opened the door of their room. The intruder went to the center of the room, where Violet's bed was, and removed the file on Cindry Fulfillment, and then silently and stealthily exited the room, closing the door behind them. Then, Violet found her flashlight. 'It was under your bed, Klaus. Why did you put it there?' Violet asked while turning the flashlight on. 'I didn't, Violet. It must have fallen and rolled over.' Violet frowned. 'But, It was on the small round table next to Sunny and Beatrice's bed.' 'Innocent' Said Beatrice, by which she probably meant 'I swear I didn't touch it either, and neither did Sunny. 'Waait.' Violet then shone the flashlight towards her bed. 'Klaus...Did you take Cindry's file, too?' Violet asked, as she noticed it was gone. 'No, I was looking for candles over here. Did you, Sunny? Beatrice?' 'I didn't even touch it, neither did Bea!' Sunny said. 'I didn't take it either...' Violet said. 'Klaus...I think someone entered our room and took Cindry's file with them.' 'Dr. Finch?' Klaus suggested. 'No, I don't think it was him. We would have heard his heavy steps. We have quite a list of suspects. Nurse Elle, Nurse Ratched, Dr. Arthur, Dr. Audrey...' Violet enumerated. 'Dr. Audrey? She gave us the file! Why would she take it back?' Klaus said. 'I don't know, maybe she regretted giving it to us. The point is, we have a list of suspects. And Nathan and Natalie Finch are on that list.' Violet said. 'It must have been them. They're the only ones besides us in this part of the asylum.' Klaus then said. 'Okay, that's it! Let's go!' Violet opened the door, and Klaus, Beatrice and Sunny immediately realized what she had in mind, and followed her outside their room. 'Wait!' Violet said, then nervously ran back into their room. Klaus, Sunny and Beatrice stood outside, nervous, in the pitch-black hallway. Violet then came out. 'The you-know-what. It's still here, thank God. Let's go.' The Baudelaires were very nervous, treading the dark hallway even with Violet's flashlight was not enough to calm them, and they sure would have apreciated to have some more tea to calm down, but I'm afraid not even the entire world's supply of tea would be enough to calm the Baudelaires after the events of that evening.
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Post by Christmas Chief on Oct 24, 2010 7:28:34 GMT -5
This is becoming incredibly exciting. I liked the line about Violet finding the hand comforting, though Cindrey's case worries me. And how were N&N able to see everything? Did they memorize the room, or is there more to that secret passage they're letting on?
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Oct 24, 2010 9:29:01 GMT -5
Chapter Six: Very interesting take on the whole "pushing buttons" meaning. ^^ The part where Violet's siblings comforted her in regard to Quigley was so lovely (of course her tears aren't annoying!). I liked, too, your homage to Violet preferring to have a comforting hand on her shoulder whenever she's upset. I had forgotten all about that description in the canon until it turned up in your fic. Harley and Harvey are one very entertaining pair of characters. It isn't hard at all to see where their inspiration came from...especially Harley's, lol. I am nervous to know what the Baudelaires' refusal for Nathan and Natalie to escort them to Dr. Arthur's office is going to cost them. *goes to read Chapter Seven* Chapter Seven: That tea the Baudelaires drank sounds really good...pour me a cup, please. ;D I'm glad they (Klaus in particular) were finally able to find Cindry, but sad that she was in no condition to enjoy their reunion. Dr. Audrey's actions surprised me, a bit, but still, it goes to show that she's probably the most decent employee that Addams Asylum has ever seen. *laughs* I want to know more about Agnes Finch, and why her husband refused to treat her condition. So far I've only been able to think of one reason, which would only prove that Dr. Finch isn't all he seems. It's too bad that Cindry's file was taken before the Baudelaires had a chance to see its contents. I'm with Klaus - the Fulfillments are such an intriguing family, and I'd love to know more about them, too. Hopefully we all will, soon. Reason for Editing: Forgot a word.
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Post by Hermes on Oct 24, 2010 13:37:33 GMT -5
Oh! Oh! A missing file - I wonder what that reminds me of. I suspect this will be an important part of the story from now on.
I'm rather disturbed by N and N's saying that when breakouts occur they always reach the patio first, as if this were a regular occurrence - though I guess, this being N and N, they may be exaggerating.
Yes, I can see who Harley is inspired by. Not sure about Harvey - if he were the Harvey (who did visit a mental hospital at one point) the Baudelaitres would not be able to see him.
Very exciting, T - keep it up!
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Post by Tiago James Squalor on Oct 24, 2010 13:50:54 GMT -5
@sherry Ann: Thank you! I believe growing up at the Asylum taught many things to both N and N, and one of them was how to be sneaky. @emmz: Thank you! ^^ Oh, that is actually my own personal favorite kind of tea, the wild berry/apple/cinnamon mix. I'm such an autumn person. I was actually born during Southern Hemisphere Autumn which is like winter, autumn and summer mixed together. lol Yeah, the Fulfillments...There is WHOLE lot more to them than they ever demonstrated, which is part of the reason Esmé wants to keep Cindry with her. Hermes: Yeah, I guess the high security ward of Addams Asylum isn't so high security...or is it? About Harley, you're right, and Harvey is in fact inspired by one Harvey Dent (Twoface) from Batman. I'm a huge Batman fan.
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Post by Tiago James Squalor on Oct 24, 2010 15:25:26 GMT -5
Chapter Eight Arriving at someone's room in the middle of the night furing a blackout is only a natural thing to do, because it is common sense to have everyone in the same space so that no one gets lost or hurt during said blackout, like it happened to me once in the Squalor penthouse, and I witnessed a scene I could and would never ever forget. I say witnessed more as in I overheard, as I saw nothing, and nothing was not what the Baudelaires saw as they made way to Natalie and Nathan Finch's room in the second floor of Addams Asylum. Violet led the way with her flashlight in hand, and she couldn't be more thankful for stealing it from the receptionist's booth earlier that day. The hallway was very dark, as expected. Looking out the windows, the Baudelaires could see the dark shape of the Asylum's other wards amidst the fog, which had intensified. It didn't take them long to reach the Finch siblings' room. 'Okay'. Said Violet Baudelaire. 'I'm going to knock, and if they don't open this door, we will.' Violet then knocked three times on the wooden surface of the door. 'Natalie? Nathan?' Receiving no answer, Violet took the doorknob in hand and turned it. A soft, barely audible sound was heard. Then, an unsettling creak as the door opened slowly, revealing Natalie and Nathan Finch's room. The Baudelaires entered, ready to storm out at the tiniest sound. 'Natalie? Nathan?' Still no answer. Violet shone her flashlight towards the bed. It was perfectly tidy and made, and no one had laid in it. Violet approached the desk and saw a leather bound notebook. Opening it, she saw the inscription. Natalie's Diary. 'This ought to be interesting.' Violet said, further examining the diary. 'Violet!' Klaus reprehended his sister. 'Oh, sorry. You're right Klaus. As... strange as they are it's best if I don't go through their personal thoughts.' Violet then went to the opposite side of the room. The portrait of a blonde woman was on the desk. On the back, it read; Agnes Finch Mommy 'This was their mother.' Violet said, handing the portrait to Klaus, who examined it and put it back where it was. 'Natalie and Nathan are not here, Violet.' Sunny said, sitting on stool nearby the desk. Beatrice was turning over a few pieces of paper she found on the floor. 'Yes, they are not here, which can only mean they weren't here at the time of the blackout, and they certainly could have stolen the Fulfillment file.' Violet was almost certain it was Natalie and Nathan who had ventured into their room in the darkness and stolen the file, but the file was nowhere to be seen in the room. 'Violet, remember what Natalie said? Their room is the largest in the Asylum, but is actually two rooms, connected through the walk-in closet, which I assume to be behind that door.' Klaus pointed out. The door in question was painted in the same color as the rest of the room, and it could be easily missed if one was not paying attention. 'To me, it's very strange for a brother and a sister of their age to share the same room.' Violet felt the need to comment. 'Yeah, I mean, you're my sister, but I don't think it would be good if we had to share the same room.' 'Talk about it.' Violet said. She opened the door, revealing the darkness of Natalie and Nathan's closet. 'Come. We must not separate.' Violet said, extending her arm towards her siblings. Klaus took Beatrice and Sunny in hand and they followed Violet into the closet. It was an enormous closet filled with many different clothes. Natalie had a lot of dresses, skirts, coats and jackets, while Nathan had many vests, shirts, pants, and coats and jackets as well, and also the two had several hats, gloves, dark glasses, boots, shoes of all kinds, belts, rings, necklaces. They were rich, the Finches. 'Look at all this.' Violet said. 'My, my.' Klaus said. 'Esmé Squalor would love this.' Klaus observed. 'Look, there is the door. Do you see it?' Violet pointed to a space with lots of dresses hanging. The silhouette of a door could be seen, as something was shining in the other side. 'Wait.' Violet whispered. She turned off her flashlight and slowly and stealthily approached the door. She heard chatter in the other side, and taking her ear to close proximity with the door, Violet overheard something very disturbing. 'Is the electroshock therapy machine ready?' Nathan's voice sounded. Lots of noises, as if someone was putting something with several wires inside a suitcase. 'Yes. We will teach them a lesson with this. And later, we can have some fun of our own. 2000 volts of pure fun.' Natalie said. 'It was so kind of Nurse Elle to help us with this. Nurse Ratched too. Dr. Arthur hasn't a clue on what is actually going on here, and it's probably better this way. When we are done, when Father is done, Addams Asylum will be his. And you, and I, we'll be able to stay together forever.' 'Yes, Natalie.' Then a few seconds of silence. 'We need to take care of Dr. Audrey too. She's a menace to our ways. She doesn't understand. She doesn't even try to!' Nathan angrily said. 'No one does, Nathan.' Steps. 'No one does. Those Baudelaires...The eldest ones, if they knew! They could join us!' Natalie said. 'They wouldn't.' Nathan argued. 'You're right. Which is why we need to get rid of them. But first, we must get revenge on them for being mean to us. No one is mean to us and gets away with it.' Natalie said. 'That new girl is somewhat important to them. Well. Let's go fetch her. Nurse Elle had an idea, and she told me it. With father's help, we will kill two birds with one stone here, Nathan.' 'Where can we do it?' Nathan asked. 'Well, in our secret room of course, where else. It has a bed, and a generator.' Natalie answered. 'Come on, before Dr. Audrey finds us.' Steps were heard, then the sound of a door opening and closing. The other room clearly had a door linking it to the dark hallway, and Natalie and Nathan Finch had just gotten away. 'Did you hear what I just heard?' Violet asked, as she couldn't believe her own ears. 'Yes. Those two creeps are going after Cindry, Violet!' 'Come. We have to find Dr. Audrey.' Violet said, storming out of the closet, taking Klaus hand. 'If any of you see the two nurses or Dr. Finch, please, scream, and run away. We must agree to meet in the outer patio, outside the cafeteria. That's the place where they least would expect us.' Violet said. But, as many times before, a ruthless chain of events had been set in motion in the Baudelaires' lives, and I'm afraid that chain of events would lead to a valuable doctor's death, and to someone's loss of memory, and there was nothing the Baudelaires could do, in fact, to prevent it.
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Fiona Fanboy
Catastrophic Captain
Klaus' rival for the affections of Fiona Widdershins
Posts: 91
Likes: 2
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Post by Fiona Fanboy on Oct 24, 2010 20:43:44 GMT -5
I like how you incorporated a song from The Tragic Treasury into this line.
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Post by Cafe SalMONAlla on Oct 25, 2010 0:39:51 GMT -5
This is just fantastic, Tiago. I’m not really surprised that N&N are going to do something to Cindry. A valuable doctor’s death (Dr. Audrey?) and someone’s loss of memory - Cindry’s, perhaps? I can’t wait to read more.
With all due respect.
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Post by Dante on Oct 25, 2010 4:54:27 GMT -5
Wow, I certainly came back to an excellent bunch of chapters. This installment of the story is very, very creepy indeed, and very gothic, too (I've had to read a lot of gothic novels for a class recently). Part of the menacing effect is the way you ever-so-slowly draw back the veil on just how messed-up the characters are (I'm thinking of Nathan and Natalie in particular); it's like digging up a corpse.
Exciting news about Books 8 and 8.5! It'll be interesting to see how you go about this. I'd have thought it might be a lot of work to go through for you, Tiago, but on the other hand the supplementary volumes are generally rather shorter than the main series.
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Post by Tiago James Squalor on Oct 25, 2010 9:40:35 GMT -5
Chapter Nine The Baudelaires now treaded the dark hallways of Addams Asylum, and they had so many things in their minds they feared it would drive them insane. First, what they had just overheard in Natalie and Nathan Finch's room. Second, the immediate need of finding Cindry. For that, they would need Audrey Addams, but she was no where to be found. The Baudelaires eventually arrived at the office of Dr. Arthur, and knocking on the door, they entered. It was pitch black dark inside, save for the reflection of the moonlight that came through the open windows. The portrait of Abner Addams was invisible, and Dr. Arthur was absent. 'Dr. Arthur? Dr. Audrey?' The Baudelaires spoke, hoping to receive an answer. There was no one in the office but themselves. With no one there, Klaus had an idea. 'Violet...I haven't used my researching skills in a while. Tell you what, you stand guard next to the door, and I'll look for a map of the Asylum. If we want to get out of here with Cindry, we need to know the layout of this place like the back of our hands.' Klaus said, proceeding onto opening Dr. Arthur's desk's drawers, looking for something. 'What are you looking for?' Violet asked, as she walked towards the double doors. 'A second flashlight, we could use one.' Klaus opened a second drawer, and found nothing, and then a third, nothing again, but when he opened the fourth drawer, he touched a cillyndric metallic object. 'A-ha!' Klaus said, removing said object from the drawer. 'Jackpot.' Klaus turned on the flashlight. 'Sunny, Beatrice, close the drapes of the windows. If anyone is looking here from the opposite side of the Asylum they will see the lights and I don't want them coming here.' Violet said. Beatrice and Sunny proceeded onto pulling the drapes and closed them. Now the outside of the Asylum couldn't be seen. 'Good, let's see.' Klaus said as he examined Dr. Arthur's desk. Personal letters, mixed with psychiatric profiles on the inmates were pilled up on the desk. Violet was increasingly nervous. 'Klaus, I don't mean to rush you, but can you please go faster?' Klaus then rose from Dr. Arthur's chair and examined the bookshelves. 'Here. Let's try this one.' He said picking up a book from the shelf. It was a purple leather bound, thick book with lots of dust on it. 'Addams Asylum: A History.' Klaus put the book on the center table at the center of the room, as the book was quite heavy. 'Let's see...Index...' Klaus said as he opened and skimmed through the book. 'Asylum Plant. Found it. Here. Dr. Audrey's office is in the second floor, but in the eastern-most part of the Asylum, and Dr. Finch's office is to the north of that, at the end of a long hallway with several inmate rooms. The rooms are marked with the Periculosity mark of 2 in a scale of five meaning the people commited here that lived in those rooms were not much of a threat. There is a staircase close to the office of Dr. Finch, it leads to the first floor, a hallway that leads into that patio we ran into Harley and Harvey.' Klaus said. 'I was afraid we'd have to go through that place again.' Violet said. 'The patio has six doors, each of them leading to a different area of the asylum, though two of the doors can potentially lead us into the high security ward, or the ruined ward.' 'The high security ward is marked with a Periculosity mark of 5 in a scale of 5. Which means if there is a breakout when we are there, we'll be in hot water.' Klaus said. 'There are at least three doors in that ward that can lead us to the ruined ward. Which, by logic, would be the most private place in this Asylum. I would not be surprised if the Finches went there frequently.' Klaus said, while Violet frowned, but he couldn't see it in the darkness. 'But, Klaus? Isn't the whole ruined ward condemned? I don't want us being caught in a place that is about to crumble.' Klaus smiled. 'In a sense, Violet, we are already in a place about to crumble.' 'I'll take this with me.' Klaus said, ripping off the map from the book. 'It hurts me to do this to a book, but we need this.' The Baudelaires then headed for the door, but before they could go any further, they heard accelerated footsteps coming from the hallway. With few seconds to act, the Baudelaires hid in the darkest corner of the office, a place shadowed by two heavy, wide armchairs, with no bookshelves. They turned off the flashlights, no knowing they were about to witness a gruesome murder. 'That is it Finch!' Dr. Arthur shouted, as he stormed into the room. 'I am commiting you to this Asylum! You are mad! You should be locked up! I learned the truth! Just as your wife did! The reason you raised Natalie and Nathan like that, your sick, twisted experiment!' Dr. Arthur held a flashlight, and ran behind his desk. More footsteps, this time with the characteristic noise of heels, and another person entered the room. 'Arthur! He will kill us both!' Audrey whispered. 'No, Audrey! I cannot let him corrupt Natalie and Nathan any longer! Agnes went mad when she learned the truth, and well, I don't blame her!' Dr. Arthur replied. He was going through one of his drawers, and removed a box. 'Arthur, what are you doing with our father's gun?' Audrey asked. 'i'm doing what needs to be done. If Finch does not give himself in and let me commit him, then, I'll incapacitate him by whatever means necessary.' More footsteps, this time, heavy and firm were heard. The Baudelaires' hearts were pounding in their chests. 'Well done, Dr. Arthur. I must say, I am impressed. You figured out the combination to my office, congratulations.' Dr. Finch said as he clapped slowly and grimly, entering the room. 'You learned of my experiments, my studies. Just like Agnes did. She should have stayed out of my office, like I told her, but no, she too, had to sneak in there.' Dr. Finch said. 'What are you talking about, Dr. Finch?' Dr. Audrey asked. 'So he hasn't told you, Audrey?' Dr. Finch sounded surprised. 'I haven't told her yet. Audrey, just... enter his office and see for yourself. It's...sick.' Dr. Arthur said. He sounded truly disgusted. 'The thing is, Dr. Arthur. You are wrong if you think I'll let you commit me. I am doing this for science. For psychiatry!' Dr. Finch said. 'You are mad, man! Mad!' Dr. Arthur yelled. 'I have no idea what he did, Arthur, but lower that gun! I'm sure we can talk this out!' Dr. Audrey said. Like many before her, Dr. Audrey relied always in the power of conversation, and while she was great at it in communicating with patients and people in general, she failed to take notice to the fact that there are those out there who do not talk. Those people who do not negotiate. Dr. Finch was one of those people, and Dr. Audrey had not noticed up until now, even if she did not like him, at all. 'No! I'm going to shoot-' Dr. Arthur was interrupted by a heavy sound; like that of a table being pushed on the floor. A few more noises, and then, a physical fight could be heard in the room. The two men wrestled away, while Audrey powerlessly looked at them, the flashlight on the floor shining it's light at the two contenders who ocasionally disappeared in the darkness. The double, red doors of Dr. Arthur's office were open, and so were the curtains of the window out front. Needless to say what ensued, I will only add that Dr. Audrey's scream of horror pierced the air, and it was heard all over the asylum that night; in response, several inmates started screaming and howling. Glass shattering, and then, a soft thud. Silence. Another thud, this time in Dr. Arthur's office. Audrey had passed out. Heavy footsteps, walking away from the office. Then, silence yet again. The Baudelaires came out of hiding, unable to comprehend what just happened. They checked Audrey's pulse; she was breathing normally, but was deathly pale when the flashlight illuminated her face. Waiting a few more minutes before going out into the hallway, the Baudelaires saw the moonlight pouring through the - now - broken, wide window. Approaching the gap, the cold autumn breeze invaded the hallway, sending shivers all over the Baudelaires' bodies. 'Stay back, Sunny, Bea. You don't need to see this.' Violet said. And she was right. The body of Dr. Arthur Addams was outside, his limbs spread in different directions, a large, red puddle of blood forming around his head, a deathly, bloody halo which bled through the gaps in the cobblestone floor of the Asylum exterior. The gun laid next to him. 'There's nothing we can do for him now.' Violet said, tears coming down from her eyes. 'What about Audrey? We can't carry her with us, but we can't leave her here.' Klaus said. 'Audrey is safe. Whatever secret Dr. Finch has, it died with Dr. Arthur. As long as she doesn't know she will be safe. Dr. Finch is mad, and we have a dangerous man in here, more dangerous than any of the inmates.' Violet said. 'For all we know he could be behind the breakout of Harley and Harvey, and other breakouts. He is capable.' 'We have to get Cindry, and then get out of here, and soon.' Klaus said. The Baudelaires headed back to their room. Violet picked up her back pack with the sugarbowl inside, and the Baudelaires headed out in the darkness of Addams Asylum, determined to stay sane in the madness of that place, without knowing that there was much more in the history of Addams Asylum than they knew.
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Post by Dante on Oct 25, 2010 10:04:51 GMT -5
See what I mean? More and more horrifying with every chapter!
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Post by Hermes on Oct 25, 2010 11:00:31 GMT -5
OO - spookier than ever! N and N are more frightening than I imagined - they enjoy having fun with electric shocks, do they? And the way they turned out was the result of an experiment! I think my speculation is turning out to be on the right lines. (And yes, it is an occupational hazard for psychiatrists in real life.)
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Oct 25, 2010 11:28:07 GMT -5
Chapter Eight: I liked the way you tied together "your" overheard conversation at the Squalor penthouse to the Baudelaires' in Natalie and Nathan's bedroom. *Jerome voice* I don't like to hear about "a valuable doctor's death", though of course it won't stop me from reading this wonderful fic to the end. I have a foreboding feeling, though, that I know who it's going to be. *cries* N and N are certainly a lot more ominous than I could have imagined. They need to be stopped, and pronto! Chapter Nine: That was such an enthralling - and, as Dante put it, horrifying - chapter! Dr. Finch is a truly twisted individual, and I can't help feeling sorry for Natalie and Nathan. It's a shame Dr. Arthur had to die, yet I'm relieved it wasn't Audrey, who I thought it was going to be, and who is my favorite out of the doctors and nurses at Addams Asylum. Excellent set of chapters, Tiago. I hope the Baudelaires manage to rescue Cindry eventually. ^^
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Post by Christmas Chief on Oct 25, 2010 16:19:33 GMT -5
These chapters were especially creepy--but remind me, did all this happen during a full moon? I've seem to have forgotten.
Natalie and Nathan were an experiment then, were they? That makes sense. Also, "Natalie's Diary". A bit conspicuous, Natalie?
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