Father McKenzie stared out through the window the driving car that categorically left the institution's territory like burglars. It outraged the only twenty-five-year-old man due to that the intruders not only snuck up in the institution like thieves, moreover something else outraged even more the arrogant young priest. He saw Frank with them, running without looking back towards the parked car until they got in the car, subsequently leaving the place like they will never return ever again. He clutched his fists, gritted his teeth as his abruptly darkened eyes witnessed the escape of one more innocent, wretched soul. The back of his neck's hairs bristled like a ferocity nocturnal werewolf, ready to attack his recent prey.
"How dare ya?" He muttered to himself, without taking his look out of the window, his fists slamming the window's wooden ledge. His grotesque frown on his grimaced face embodied his rage, his frustration, his tremendous hatred towards not only Frank, besides the both intruders who dared to disturb his evening.
A sudden tough wind blowed outside as it played with the dark colored tree crowns as they swinged, dancing their dance. The moonlight dropped its bright light below, illuminating a dim part of the ground and the eerie building.
A few door taps interrupted his thoughts as he yelled without turning back to face the door:
"Yes?"
In the meantime, Carl and Graham entered in the young monsignor's office as they shut the door behind them as they put their hands nervously in their slacks' pockets.
"We are so sorry, Father. We don't know who are exactly those intruders." Graham excused as his guilty conscience prevailed his self-confidence.
"For what are you sorry? For missing your opportunity to stop them even the escaped patient?" Father McKenzie inquired haughtily, still watching the window. He felt ferociously boiling blood in his body and veins with wrath, hatred and contempt.
"It's not only that, Father. We found Leigh Emerson's corpse, laying in Sister Jude's old office." Carl confessed as he swallowed a lump in his throat.
"What about him?" The young priest didn't show any kind of compassion of losing one more wretched soul that embodied the misery, poverty of an ordinary insane, criminally dangerous inmate of Briarcliff.
"He was shot in the head. But also he was stabbed in the chest as the perpretrator's weapon was actually a razor." Graham paused as he gave the opportunity to Carl to continue with the narration. "It's pressumed that the razor didn't kill the inmate but the fatal shot by a gun was the end."
The young priest coughed cold-bloodedly as he was undeniably disappointed by his most diligent guards who he trusted mostly, besides devoting everything to them. Nevertheless the young man's world of the trust between them and him has actually concluded, as a result of losing his ultimate trust in them.
"I trusted both of you!" Father McKenzie began as he slammed his mammoth fists the window's ledge, turning to face them as he gave them a grave, appaling glare, barely showing any expression. "I dedicated myself to you as my most diligent, respected guards. How about your loyalty? Where's gone now, Carl and Graham?"
The older guards were speechless even unsure what clever thing to tell as to defend themselves against the manipulative, sly and vile priest. Carl figured out that his goose is already cooked. Not only his, but Graham's too. They expected the worst by their beloved, most respected though the most hated person in the entire asylum.
"I can tell you what I shall. You shall pack your stuff and leave until tomorrow. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Monsignor." The both already fired guards nod their heads mousily as they said in unison, confirming Father McKenzie's final decision.
"Good." He walked up to them as they got even more uneasy with every took stomping step as he encircled them slowly, aloofly, still glaring at them. Furthermore, the twenty-five-year-old man really enjoyed to tease, irritate, demean even hinder the others, rendering them to look nothing but inferior compared to him. "Now get out!"
Afterward the both guards obediantly left the Monsignor's office as they didn't have a lot of time until the forthcoming morning to pack their stuff and leave Briarcliff's staff at last.
What have actually assimilated the long-time guard of the mental facility was actually the morbid difference between the former priest and the current one. It was deliriously obvious who prefered mostly over who. Timothy was the monsignor he liked and respected more because he wasn't as aggressive and vigorous as the much younger one. Additionally, Timothy can be remembered as the stern priest but the one who didn't relish and loved the scenes of tormenting, direspecting any Briarcliff's staff members including inmates without a reason. Father McKenzie was the priest who was abhored, earning abundance of hatred and negative comments due to his pointless torture over nuns, guards, sanitarians and inmates. He loved the sight of watching their agonised, pale faces with a mischievous smirk across his plump lips.
Howsoever, Father McKenzie listened attentively the both guards' explaination when they were in his office, owing to him a serious explaination for their irresponsibility and delay. But when he heard about Sister Jude's old office, a thrill electrified his body as it enforced his mind to assimilate who was actually this former nun. Little did he know about her such as her name and her fifteen years career as a nun, loyaly and painstaking dedication to the church. Nonetheless, he wanted to know more about this woman though he doubted to like her once when he finds out more information about her life before to become the famous Sister Jude even after leaving the church with Timothy.
When the young priest was all alone in his office, sitting back and chilling, he closed his eyes, starting to daydreaming. Something urged him to think about something else. Who was this former nun? Has he ever seen this unknown woman? If yes, then does he knows her past? How about her contemporary life?
These questions resurfaced in his mind as well.
***
When the couple rescued Frank from the madhouse as Timothy drived their way to home, Frank wanted to speak to ask plenty of questions Jude and Timothy though he was being busy with something else in this time.
Jude watched sadly Frank how she and her husband haven't been informed about him and his condition much earlier, in spite of Mother Claudia announced them a few days ago. It was better late than never.
Jude's old friend a hand propped the leather backseat's backrest as another one rested, closing his eyes. All he wanted is to rest, eat and drink something decent.
"Don't worry, Frank! We are almost at home." Timothy clarified as he continued his path, driving in the dark countryside.
Jude conformed to not disturb Frank with questions as she left him to have some sleep and then seriously take care of him.
***
Whilst the children were asleep, Valerie was watching an interesting documentary movie on the TV in the living room as she laid back on the sofa, enjoying the lonely times when she can take a break from everything. It was her evening's distraction, in fact she did every chore, besides changing the children's clothes, bathing them, feeding them and reading them a bedtime story. She was beyond proud and delighted with doing all this.
All of a sudden, a car's sound made her to jump from the couch as she turned off the TV, slightly sped up her speed as she unlocked imemdiately the front door, lastly blissful to see her friends' return.
When she opened the front door, she was Timothy and Jude holding a middle aged man's body as they carried him in their arms. She was beyond panicked to see one more man as she didn't know him well.
Once Judy and Timothy placed Frank to sleep on the sofa, they blanketed with a quirk his shoulders and below as the young woman witnessed all this, smiling cunningly.
"Another man." She grumbled ironically as she gazed how they wrapped him a quilt to warm his cold, trembling body, propped her shoulder on the doorframe.
After the couple helped to the former security guard who was having a peaceful sleep, the both adults exited the living room as Valerie followed them to the kitchen as they sat altogether.
Once they seated, Timothy smelled something that frustrated him. His nostrils sniffed the stench of smoked cigarettes as he halfly closed his eyes.
"What's that smell?" Timothy inquired with mild exasperation.
"Oh. Just to chill my nerves, Tim." Valerie answered honestly as she lightly chuckled. Thereafter Jude and Timothy's gazes were focused on the younger lady.
"But I opened the window as you can see."
"Yes, but I don't think it's enough." Jude exclaimed. "But anyway how are the children?" The former nun changed the topic as she didn't want any drama qith her friend, hence, ruining their friendship.
"They are great. They are asleep now."
"I am so relieved to hear that." Jude and Timothy said in unison.
"I know. I read a bedtime story for them. They really liked and appreciated it." The maid's broad smile flashed on her youthful, fresh face.
"Fantastic! It seems they have fallen asleep too quickly." Jude stated.
"If you say so, you are right about Tristan. He was the sleepy child."
The three adults cackled as the former faces of the church confirmed the maid's words.
"Who was that man in the living room?" Valerie asked sceptically.
"Oh, it's Frank. An old friend of mine."
"Be more specific." Valerie insisted as she developed profound eye contact witht he middle aged lady.
"Well, we used to work together until I learnt from Mother Claudia that he is institutionalized for four straight years. He is a nice guy."
"I see." She took her cigarette pack from her pocket, grabbing a cigarette as she put it in her mouth with a lighter in her another hand. "Can I smoke?" Valerie enquired kindly.
"Sure!"
Then she lit her cigarette, puffing her cigarette as she released a smoke from her nostrils and mouth tht diffused, reaching the couple's noses.
***
The next morning...
When Timothy left as he should go back to work, Jude was home alone with Valerie, Frank and the children. Valerie supervised as she played with them in the living room, talking to them. Whilst Jude was otherwise busy with preparing the breakfast in the kitchen and Frank was still asleep on the goth leather sofa, snoring quietly.
The pleasant, alluring aroma of boiling eggs and grilled cheese floated in the kitchen as the smell spread even in the living room and the hall.
It reached its not only Valerie and the children's nostrils, further, Frank's nostrils couldn't resist its magnificent, extraordinary aroma. He stirred as he inhaled to catch his breath, partly opening his winter blue eyes.
As soon as the middle aged man woke up, therefore grabbing Valerie, Tristan, Ellie and Agnes's attentions as they glanced as their glances became gapes at the former inmate. Startled, their mouths agape, howsoever, not ignoring the man opposite them.
"What's this place?" He murmured as he questioned, scarcely having any idea where's his current residence. In the meantime, he rested his head back uncomfortably on the sofa, studying his surroundings as he was encircled by three children who were alook like Jude and Timothy, a red-haired maid entertaining them and Jude cooking.
One of the children as Ellie, the eldest child, bravely escaped her maid's circle as she walked up to the sofa to scrutinize Frank, offering him a sweet, amiable smile. The eldest Howard child didn't like to obey the adults as her inquisitiveness overtook her once when she noted her siblings and her nana weren't all alone in the living room.
Frank just looked down at the little girl with a small, genuine smile flashing across his lips. A smile he hasn't worn for years after being victim of insane patients who encompassed him especially his old rival, Leigh Emerson himself.
He felt comfort and discomfort, reassurance, warmth and serenity once the little girl appeared in front of his eyes.
"You are in Mommy and Daddy's house." She answered his question as he gasped once when he felt his shoulder shuddered as soon as his eyes opened like windows to the new, ethereal world.
"Your parents' house? Hmm!" He pondered as Valerie approached him when she left Tristan and Agnes playing by themselves to check the middle aged man.
"Yes. She meant Judy and Timothy's house." The young woman replied in raspy voice, cutting off his pondering.
"I am so confused." He shook his head to come back to his senses, exhaling drowsily. Moreover, he was overwhelmed, scarcely believing the fact that Jude and Timothy are a couple, having their own children. "Who are you?"
"I am their friend and maid." She gave him an innocent, sympathetic smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you Frank. I am Valerie Volkova." She tittered awkwardly as she extended her arm, awaiting for his hand to shake one another's hands.
"It's mine too, Valerie. I am Frank McCann, an old Jude's friend and former security guard."
"Oh, I know. Jude told me some stuff about you. She was right about you!"
Meanwhile Ellie was with her aunt Valerie, the single enthusiased child who wants to know more about the stranger, in her opinion.
"That's wonderful. I really like her as friend, besides I want to thank her and Timothy personally for rescuing me from the hell hole."
Valerie and Ellie listened to him attentively in silence, wearing radiant, sparkling smiles across their lips. They didn't know what to say afterward as they relished, liking the former security guard's company.
"Who's this?" He pointed at the brunette girl with look as he wore a coy smile.
"It's Ellie. Their child. Not mine." The young maid replied as she sensed her cheeks heating during her response.
"Oh, Ellie! It's my pleasure to meet you, mini Jude." The both adults chuckled as the little girl joined them too. He extended his relaxed hand to shake her tiny hand. "I am Frank, your mother's old friend."
"Hi! I am Ellie." The little girl extended her arm as she handshaked with him, introducing herself shyly as she was bashful around strangers. "And those are my little sister and little brother."
In the meantime, Frank looked up at the both playing children, ignoring Valerie and Ellie's eye contacts as he was focused on Agnes Jude and Tristan. He was beyond enchanted to see how his friend is already married as he wasn't amused to find out that the former monsignor is her husband and the father of their lovely angels. He had diversity and plenty of questions he would like to ask Jude even Timothy though he thought it can be certainly rude if he starts from now with the interrogation.
As far as he recalled a several years ago, when he spent some time alone with Jude, she confessed to him the grim past that led to her sinful life as she was infected by her former fiancé with an atrocious illness that ceased her fertility. Perhaps she was lucky, he thought to himself.
All of a sudden, Valerie cautioned Tristan and Agnes to say hi to the former security guard as they were hospitable and bashful towards Frank. He liked Jude's children including Valerie though he hasn't met such open-minded and amicable people even having the chance to speak to them. On other hand, he wasn't feeling comfortable when he was in his old friend's mansion with whom she shared with her contemporary husband.
Suddenly, Jude's voice can be heard, coming from the kitchen:
"Breakfast!"
"Okay, Mommy!" Agnes, Tristan and Ellie exclaimed loudly as they stood from the ground with Valerie who waited for Frank to get from the sofa, helping him as she grabbed his hand. He was rather powerless to deal by himself with getting from the sofa or even a bed since he lost drastically weight though he wasn't anorexic at all.
To be continued...