Read Avalon Revamped for Free Online Page A

it?”
    “I shall ensure they let you write, Sarah Ann. Take this,” I handed her a white feather from my reticule. “Keep it safe, beneath your mattress or pillow, and talk to it when you are in need of company. Then know, I can hear you, no matter where I am. Although I can’t answer, I am there. Do you believe me, Constance?”
    “Yes! Oh! Thank you, Constance. Thank you for being here for me. Thank you for just listening. Thank you most of all for believing me. You are the only one. Thank you.”
    “I shall also take care of the Rotating Chair business on my way out. If they ever use such wicked treatments on you or anyone again, you tell that feather, and I shall return to stop them. All right?”
    “Yes! Thank you!”
    “Can you sleep? Get some rest now.”
    “Not well.” Her eyes drifted, unfocused again. “Too many thoughts over and over and over and over.” The tears returned and she started to tremble. “‘Round and ‘round and ‘round, grunting and sweating and laughing at me.” Her chains rattled when she grabbed her head, as if she could push the thoughts out, or just stop thinking all together, if she squeezed hard enough.
    “Shhhhhh,” I said, bringing her back to the present with my touch, gently lowering her arms. “Look at this here, Sarah Ann. I brought something for you to see.” I removed a crocheted poppet from of my reticule, and wiggled it in front of her, making her smile at its hand-stitched grin and floppy arms. “This is a magic poppet, my dear, and it can take away some of your pain, just for a while, I’m afraid. Would you like that?”
    “Yes! Please! Oh! A magic poppet with a black heart!”
    “Hold still, and I shall relieve your torment. Then, sleep. All right?”
    “Yes! Oh, please.” Tears anew. “Even for a moment. Yes, please.”
    Taking the poppet in one hand and laying my other on the side of her head, I focused my will on assuaging her distress, channeling it into the poppet, placing all that torment where it belonged.
    If only for a few moments.
    “Take care, sweet girl.” I brushed the hair away from her temples as she curled up to sleep, pulling her shackled hands up to her face.
    “Goodbye, Constance,” she slurred as she began to doze. “Thank you so much. You’ve saved me, the small tiny part of me that’s left. Bye-bye, now. Bye-bye.” The last words formed more around whispers than voice as she drifted into a peaceful reprieve.
    As I let myself out of the room, Sarah Ann was already fast sleep.
    “Pardon me,” I said to the same nurse who showed me back to Sarah Ann’s room, now back at her station. “Might I please see the director? Immediately, please.”
    “I’m sorry, madam, but the superintendent physician is…” Her words faded away when she looked up into my eyes, blackened with the intent to convince.
    My will. Always.
    “Um—yes. Right away, madam.”
    Before too long, I was out in the beautiful winter day.
    It didn’t take too much to convince the good doctor to amend his medical regime. No, not too much at all, actually. I made it very clear that I knew his secrets and that his public image would reflect his darkest secrets all too soon if things didn’t change. Additionally, the horrors that the patients experienced would be a carnival in comparison to his fate. A flash of my power impressed upon his innermost thoughts convinced him straight away. I found that a taste, a mere glimpse of eternal misery was usually enough to convince anyone of anything. Quite enough, in fact.
    I also strongly suggested that Miss Daughety be allowed the implements with which to write and whatever else she needed to be as comfortable as possible. Warning him that I would know of any further mistreatment or neglect.
    He obliged without hesitation.
    The brisk air cleansed my mystical palate. One deep breath, and I felt revitalized. Now. Must prepare for the Yule Ball tonight. After all, there was much more work to be done.
     
     

CHAPTER