Wolf Asylum Read Free Page B

worry about what others think.” Caroline replied.
    â€œIt’s a private matter,” Darwin concluded before marching ahead of Caroline. “What do we know about this man from Riverview?
    â€œVery little. We know more about the hospital. The hospital was built in 1897 and is slated for demolition next year. It is the only sanatorium within five hundred miles that deals with the criminally insane. Riverview was considered a premier facility for treatment and detention of the worst in psychiatric problems. Unfortunately for them, the buildings have been condemned and no one is willing to front the money for a new hospital. That’s where we come in. By offering a replacement without strings attached we can all but assure ourselves the care center moving here.”
    Darwin sighed. “What if they don’t like what we’re offering? Let’s face it, a geriatric hospital is a long way from mental hospital.”
    â€œTrue, but I think we can reassure Riverview that with some minor upgrades it can be made into an effective psychiatric hospital. If we’re the ones flipping the bill, do they really care?”
    â€œWhat about the patients, will they be missed?” Darwin asked.
    â€œFrom what I have heard, these people
are
the forgotten. No one visits them because there’s nothing to visit. Most have no clue of who or what they are. I think in the long run it will be a solid and replenishing source of food for us.”
    â€œHow many patients are we talking about?”
    Caroline replied as a matter of fact, “Riverview can house nearly a thousand patients, but that was in its heyday. The numbers now are around five hundred and I expect we would only be taking the worst of the worst, so roughly three hundred and fifty. I was thinking with numbers that low, we might consider utilizing the female patients in the breeding program.”
    Darwin nodded. “That’s a good idea. You’re not so bad, Caroline. You’ve come a long way since January,” he admitted in truth. “Do you ever think about the people you left behind in Special Handling?”
    Caroline remained silent for a moment, contemplating her feelings but she finally answered, “when I changed the first time, I knew what I was. It felt amazing and I loved it. I knew I was an accident and I thought I could fight you, fight for the captives; but once I fed it all began to make sense. In a way the only reason I hold any thoughts for the ones I left behind is knowing they could be like me, but I have no use for them the way they are now. Does that make sense?”
    â€œI think so,” Darwin said slowly.
    Hearing someone else struggle with the same emotions made him feel better about his own situation. The change in thought process was a normal one. Darwin stumbled on his words, but his next question had been nagging him for awhile.
    â€œDo you think we do the things we do because we have to, or because we want to?”
    â€œDeep thinking, Darwin,” Caroline joked.
    â€œI’m serious. What do you think?” Darwin’s concern dampened his eyes.
    â€œWell…” she started and then stopped. Actually, she had never considered the question herself. Caroline had killed more than her fair share of people and had embraced her existence, quickly turning on the people she had once been a prisoner with. The gift had consumed her, as it had consumed every other infected person; but the question demanded an answer.
    â€œI don’t know,” she replied honestly. “A part of me knows the answer lies somewhere between the two. I can tear a child apart and feel no remorse and I can’t explain it. I know what feelings I should have; six months ago I would have never hurt an adult, let alone a child. There is a thrill in it—it’s not always about the meal.”
    Darwin said, “The thrill of the hunt. Part of me is dying to chase some prey through the streets