The Beckoning of Broken Things (The Beckoning Series) Read Free Page B

people in here, Ms. Engles. Some of them are quite ill when they arrive. We have a good track record at making sure they are back in the wellness boat when they leave. You’ll be one of those, I’m certain.”
    My face crumples in consternation. Where do they come up with these terms? “What the hell is the wellness boat? Do I get to go on a cruise when I get out of here?”
    All Smiles laughs heartily. “No, no, no. Nothing like that. I just meant that…” He looks to Dr. Beasley and tosses the conversation back to her like a well-trained quarterback.
    “He just meant that our methods work. You’ll be pleased when we’re done.” She nods.
    “I’ll be pleased when I get out of here, that’s for certain. Now tell me about this ‘course.’ I might skip it and get right to dessert.” I smile at my touch of humor.
    All Smiles suppresses a chuckle.
    “Well,” Dr. Beasley begins. Her eyes dart left. They dart right. They focus on my face. “We’ve started you on Haloperidol.”
    My jaw drops to the floor. I have to wrench it up to speak. “Are you kidding me? That’s for people with schizophrenia. I did an ad campaign for the Seattle Psychiatry group.” When I had a job, at least. I worked for PS Publishing before I was kidnapped. I designed ads and websites. Since I’ve returned from Brazil and landed here, I imagine that job is history.
    “Not always,” Dr. Beasley responds. She smiles and smoothes her skirt. Today, it is a brown tweed skirt. The woman must have a lot of tweed in her closet.
    “Yeah,” I scoff. “It’s also used for psychosis, Alzheimer’s , and Tourette’s. I assure you none of those are affecting me.”
    “You were hearing voices when you came in. ”
    I was listening to Daniel before my earrings were taken.
    “And suffering from delusions.”
    I’ve been processing the reality of being a supernatural woman who can make things from nothing and who can stab undead dead things back to where they came from.
    “ This is…” She looks to All Smiles again for support. “This is for the best. You’ll need to let us know if you experience weight gain, a decrease in sexual ability or interest, problems with menstrual periods, sunburn, or skin rashes. Also, watch out for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth, nervousness, spontaneous eye movements, mood changes, breast enlargement, difficulty urinating, and occasional movement disorders.” She smiles, nods, and waits for me to respond.
    She sounds like a commercial. I roll my eyes.
    “ We’ve already started you on a low dose of Carbamazepine to stabilize your mood.”
    “What, the mood I’m in over being put in here?” I have got to get out of here. I’ve got to get Sober Dober, find Daniel, and deal with Aunt Topaz and Armando Navid.
    “Okay, then. We’re set. Matthew?” Dr. Beasley seems to think we’ve accomplished something here.
    He hands me the little cup again. There are two pills lying innocuously on the bottom.
    I feel like Alice in Wonderland. Here goes. Just until you can figure out a plan, Engles. I swallow, smile my new psychotic smile, and wait for them to leave.
    “I’ll be just outside. Get showered and dressed, and I’ll take you to breakfast. Then, off to group therapy we go. You’re going to like it.” All Smiles beams again.
    Dr. Beasley has already made her exit. I look over at him and purse my lips. “I really don’t think I’m going to like group therapy any more than I like being in here at all.” The drugs are already having an effect. “But I’ll go. What choice do I have?”
    “None at all, Ms. Engles. None at all,” he says, closing the door behind him.
    Oh, there’s always a choice. I just don’t know what it is right now.

Chapter 3
    When All Smiles retrieves me for group therapy, the drugs have kicked in, big time. I feel like I am the Titanic, about to go down. I shuffle along behind him, my limbs heavy and lethargic. We enter a cheery room with a circle full of chairs