Free The Secret of Kolney Hatch by Stefani Milan Page A

freckles even more prominent.
    “I’m here to see Madelyn. I understand she doesn’t leave the ward.”
    “No, she won’t. We’ve tried, but...she’s difficult to manage.”
    “All right, well let me see her.”
    “Of course,” she said, opening the door wide.
    A dismal feeling hung about the ward. Mingled odors of mold and soiled garments filled my nose. I watched as women and girls of various ages with glazed over eyes shuffled around in their long white gowns. Some of them moaned as they dragged their feet across the wooden floor. Some of them howled and rocked back and forth on one of the simple-framed beds that were lined up against both sides of the pale colored walls. Others sat in a complete trance with no awareness of their surroundings. I felt incredible sadness for all of them.
    “Sorry for the smell,” Nurse Hinkle said when she saw me cover my nose with my forearm. “One of the girls...it just happened...and well, I washed her. One of the housekeepers is on her way to collect the soiled gown.”
    “It’s fine,” I assured her, “Which one is Madelyn?”
    Nurse Hinkle pointed to the far left corner of the room. Madelyn Pickett sat as still as statue on her small bed. I could only see the back of her stringy brunette hair. When I reached her, I noticed that she only stared at the wall. I ran my hand past her dull brown eyes, but she didn’t even blink.
    “Madelyn was born with no ears,” Nurse Hinkle informed me. “Put away here as feeble-minded because like I told you before...she’s difficult.”
    I crouched down to Madelyn’s level and cupped her head in both of my hands.
    “What are you doing?” Nurse Hinkle asked nervously.
    Gently, against her skull, I said, “Hullo there.”
    Madelyn looked right at me.
    “How did you?”
    “Had a boy back at Maudsley who was born with no ears. They told his father that he’d be a deaf-mute and never amount to anything...until we found out he actually could hear. The sound waves are transmitted to the inner ear...see here...by the cranial bones, not through the ear canal. We’ll need a gramophone. Madelyn must hear music.”
    “I know we have one. I’ll have someone bring one up right away,” she assured me.
    “Brilliant!” I exclaimed with a smile.
    As Nurse Hinkle walked away, my heart filled with incredible happiness. I could make a difference here at Kolney Hatch. I would instill hope in the hopeless, mend the broken souls, help the feeble find strength, and lift my broken spirit along the way.
     
    Letter from Paul Watson to Amy Rose
    “My Dear Amy,                                               “May 4, 9 o’clock.”
     
    I received your letter. It was waiting for me this morning when I awoke. I am so thankful to have reconnected with you. I do not know why you have such apprehension toward my working at Kolney Hatch. Perhaps you could explain further. This place is peculiar, but I expected as much. Please tell me that you will visit while I am here.
     
    “With kindest heart,”
    “Paul Watson”
     
    Paul Watson’s Journal
    May 5, early mornin g .— Last night, after I finished my supper, I was in my room, and all of the patients were in their quarters. Through my window, the evening stars revealed themselves one by one, and the moon assumed its position in the sky. I should have been sleeping, but something kept me awake. It was the same horrifying scream I heard on my first day here, only this scream continued for hours. I tried to muffle the noise but had little success. My bed was suddenly too hard, too uncomfortable, so I sat there and stared at the portrait above my fireplace until my eyelids became so heavy, even the screams could no longer keep me awake. As I lay there, I felt the optimism I had felt the day before vanish and a new feeling of dread fill my mind. I prayed I would feel better in the morning.
     
     
    ten A REQUIRED INVITATION
    “Well, Phillip?” Petunia asked