The Cursed Man Read Free Page A

“I knew something bad had happened to him, and I knew it was because he had ignored my warning and went ahead and met with Mr. Kunkle.”
    Anna rolled her eyes. “This is ridiculous!”
    â€œYou can be smug if you want to be, doctor, but the man was found dead. He’d been sitting at the table inside his home eating dinner and ended up facedown in his plate of food. It is said that he died of fright.”
    Anna reared. “Fright? What nonsense.”
    The director threw his hands up. “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.”
    â€œThen why don’t you give me something tangible rather than campfire tales with no substance? I want to understand why you feel it is your job to give Alister less than what he deserves.”
    â€œI can assure you Alister is cared for,” the director said. “The attention he is given is special. Yes, we are limited in what we can do for him because anyone that interacts with him meets a rather swift and unfortunate end.”
    Anna pictured the director pulling his educational certificates out of a crackerjack box. “This doctor you say died from fright probably had a heart attack. People die from heart attacks every day.”
    â€œThat man spent his day with Alister and was warned about what might happen to him.”
    â€œLike me?”
    â€œJust like you. And it happened.”
    â€œOh, I understand now. Why don’t we lock him up and throw away the key? Certainly this man is beyond help.”
    â€œIf there were only one instance of this, I could agree with what you’re saying. But more than a hundred instances have occurred in which Mr. Kunkle has had direct contact with people right before they die. And to make matters worse, they die only hours after their interaction him.”
    The director rummaged through his desk and pulled out a baby wipe. He scrubbed his hands.
    â€œLook,” the director said, “the series of tragedies that has surrounded Mr. Kunkle is something that deserves attention, caution and action that may not be popular with everyone. I understand and accept that. But the people that died were from different walks of life. They ranged from infants to the elderly, from civilians to police officers. Whatever evil surrounds Mr. Kunkle is angry and jealous and is indisposed to compromise or mercy.”
    Anna could barely keep a straight face. “Well, director, that’s quite the story you’ve told me. I’m sorry to say this sounds like the fine premise of a Hollywood movie and not the tragic life of a living, breathing human being. I’ve only met two people that work here so far, and there seems to be a rooted belief in this nonsense. I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you it concerns me.”
    The director furrowed his brow. “I’m going to give you a little advice that may save your life, doctor. Go back to your hotel room, write a dummy report on your findings with Mr. Kunkle and the extraordinary care he is being given here at Sunnyside and take a few weeks off.”
    â€œI can’t believe what I’m hearing.”
    â€œI’ll vouch for your passionate work ethics and the spectacular care you gave your patient. You file your report and go on to your next patient knowing the decision you made saved your life.”
    â€œWhat you’re telling me to do is not only against the law but also against my moral standings. I would also like to remind you that everything we discuss is going to be in my report.”
    â€œAnd I’ve already told you that I’m not worried about your report. No matter what you write, it will end up saying what they need it to say. Is it worth risking your life for that?”
    â€œI somehow doubt what you say to be the truth.”
    The director opened the lowest file drawer with a key he kept in his pocket and removed a thick book with a cracked cover and bent spine. Ripped, yellowed pages hung