The Cursed Man Read Free

him from having guests?”
    He scoffed.
    Arrogant prick. “Is there a problem?” Anna said.
    â€œProblem? No. Maybe a misunderstanding is all.” He breathed on his glasses and polished them with a tissue. “My forbidding was put in place for the safety of my people and any unsuspecting guest that might believe his disease is treatable.”
    â€œI’m curious to know. Is he violent or dangerous?”
    The director put on his glasses.  “No, he’s not violent.  In fact, the man is as passive and gentle as a young child.  But dangerous…” He interlaced his fingers behind his head and leaned back. “There are ways for someone to be a danger to others by the company they keep.”
    â€œYou’re contradicting yourself. How can he keep dangerous company if he isn’t allowed visitors?”
    â€œThat is a very insightful question, doctor, but if you knew of his past, everything I’ve said would make perfect sense.”
    The director stared at Anna and she stared back.
    â€œYou should know that this arrangement was something Mr. Kunkle requested because he identified the need,” the director said. “And it is something the board of directors and myself were happy to conform to. To this day it has proved the only effective action against the thing that plagues him.”
    â€œI don’t believe what I’m hearing,” Anna said. “He’s being treated as if he were some sort of alien with an unknown disease.”
    The director rested his forearms on the desktop and leaned forward. “I suggest you listen closely and consider everything I’m going to tell you because it could save your life.”
    Anna sat back and immersed herself in a moment of silence. “For the record, I am appalled by the treatment this patient has received.”
    â€œHe is cared for.”
    â€œI will be including this in the report due by the end of my visit, and the duration of my stay depends upon my findings.”
    â€œFor the record, Dr. Lee, your report will be ignored by your superiors. They will be destroyed and false documents will be filed in their place.”
    Anna removed her cell phone from her pocket and placed it on the edge of his desk. “Perhaps we should test that theory, being it’s for the record.”
    The director sat back. “No, that won’t be necessary.”
    She put her phone away. “When was the last time Alister had any human interaction?”
    The director pressed his fingertips together. “Many years.”
    â€œYears?”
    â€œYears.” His face glowed with satisfaction. “And it has kept people alive.”
    â€œYou’re telling me no one has spoken to him in several years?”
    â€œThat is exactly what I’m saying.” He turned in his chair and looked at the diplomas hanging on the wall. “You know, I met a young doctor very much like yourself some years back. He was full of energy and looking to make a difference. I remember him sitting across from me just like you are today. He had that same hungry look as you do. He was listening to the story I’m about to tell you. And I was reluctant to give him any details, as I am with you, because I feared the words I said would be ignored. Of course, he dismissed what I said with a laugh and demanded to see Mr. Kunkle. I thought he was foolish for thinking my story was a work of fiction, and I could tell he thought I was as nutty as the patients I cared for.”
    Anna groaned.
    â€œI’m sorry if my being blunt offends you, but everything I’m telling you and trying to protect you from is the truth,” the director said. “An impossible truth that is true.”
    â€œI don’t need protecting.”
    â€œNo, and neither did he. I allowed this doctor to see Mr. Kunkle without another word of protest or caution. The next day he didn’t show up for work.” He shook his head.