Another Day:
( Earth #8193, Ashcroft Asylum, The Narrows, New-Alexandria, 1990 A.D. )
Narrator
Chapter 28 = Another Day... Ashcroft Asylum in the Narrows District of New-Alexandria, 1990 on Earth #8193… Richard Moon lights another cigarette and stares out the window of his office overlooking the shadowed courtyard of Ashcroft Asylum. Flashes of lightning illuminate the many gnarled, demonic statues that haunt the asylum grounds. The storm has been raging all day. Moon breathes a heavy sigh as a hellish chorus of screaming and crying begins to echo throughout the asylum, causing him to cast his gaze across the room towards the old rustic-style oak clock that sits against the back wall of his office.
Richard Moon
"Right on time. The lights go out, and the nightmares start. It's always the same."
Narrator
Moon turns his back to the window and returns to his desk. He takes another long drag of his smoke before extinguishing it in the ashtray beside him. The silence of the room is shattered by the abrupt knocking on his office door. Moon gets up and casually makes his way over to the door and opens it, gesturing for his visitor to enter. A beautiful young woman steps in and takes a seat in front of his desk.
Richard Moon
"Thank you for coming, Dr. Valentine. I know it's late, but there's something I would like to discuss with you,"
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Says Moon politely as he makes his way back to his desk and sits down.
Gwendolyn Valentine
"No problem, Mr. Moon. So, what's on your mind?"
Narrator
Replies Dr. Valentine, smiling warmly.
Richard Moon
"I am going to be reassigning three new patients to your care. The other doctors here have been unable to make progress with them, but you have shown promise. I know it's a lot to ask. You have the option to refuse, of course. These men are likely the most twisted patients in this place but I have confidence in you."
Narrator
Explains Moon as he places the files of the three patients on the desk before him, gesturing for Dr. Valentine to take them.
Gwendolyn Valentine
"Of course, sir. If you think I can help them, then I will gladly do my best."
Narrator
Dr. Valentine places the three folders safely into her bag.
Richard Moon
"I know you will. Thank you. Now, why don't you go home and rest? Tomorrow, you'll receive your new patients. Good night, Doctor."
Narrator
Moon stands up and makes his way over to the door. He opens it once more, gesturing politely for Dr. Valentine to leave.
****(Lothrin-Industries Max-Sec Residence Tower, The Narrows, New-Alexandria)****
Narrator
The scorched, booming sky over New-Alexandria continues to pour down its frigid deluge upon the world, drenching the dreary city below as the beautiful and shivering Dr. Valentine finally reaches the door to her tiny roach-trap apartment. Her clunker of a car finally gave up the ghost halfway along her route home, leaving her with no choice but to brave the bitter chilling rain for the last dozen or so blocks. She steps inside her dark apartment, locking the door behind her. The thunder reverberating outside makes whispers of the near-constant urban symphony of police sirens, screeching tires, and sporadic gunfire. Gwendolyn kicks off her shoes and socks, letting her naked feet make contact with the soothing softness of the carpet. The day had been a long and exhausting one. Tomorrow promised to be even more difficult, given the three new patients she would take on.
Gwendolyn Valentine
"Another day without her. Another day alone,"
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Mutters Gwendolyn to herself as she slowly makes her way into the kitchen, rubbing and bending her neck in an effort to relax the heavy tension that has taken refuge there.
Gwendolyn Valentine
Don't focus on it, Gwen. It's been a years since she died. Focus on your work, and this rut will pass.
Narrator
Uncertainty swirls around in her brain as Gwendolyn pulls her cell phone from her pocket, eyeing it apprehensively.
Gwendolyn Valentine
Maybe I should ... No! Don't do this to yourself, Gwen! Don't think about them! They made their choices, and you made yours. They couldn't accept you for who you are, so forget about them! They've already forgotten about you.
Narrator
She sets the cell phone on the counter next to her fridge, placing her work bag beside it. Gwendolyn opens the fridge, her soaked black slacks clinging tightly to her lower body as she bends over to retrieve a nice cold beer. Gwendolyn shuts the fridge door with a hip-bump as she twists the cap off the bottle in her hand, causing a faint cool mist to escape from the bottle's mouth.
She takes a long swig of the cold brew followed by a deep sigh as she turns her head towards the hallway that leads to the bathroom and bedroom beyond that.
Gwendolyn Valentine
What am I still doing here? She's no longer here, so why am I? I could transfer to another city.
Narrator
Gwendolyn takes another long swig as she starts making her way towards the bathroom, her mind set on a soothing hot bath. She casts off her rain-drenched coat over her old leather sofa as she passes it. Gwendolyn stumbles her way towards the bathroom, downing the last of her beer as she reaches the bathroom door.
She peels off her soaked black button-up shirt, setting free from her delicate red lips a slight exhale of relief. She feels her body relax even more as her soft feet finally make contact with the cool smooth tiles of the bathroom floor. She tosses her soaked button-up shirt to the floor followed quickly by her drenched black slacks and panties as she fumbles her way over to the tub.
Pleasure trembles through her as she slowly submerges herself into the soothing warm waters of the bath. Sliding lower into the tub, she lets herself get lost in the gentle, calming heat of the water. Her soft slender fingers start to wander down her body, making their way to the delicate entrance of her velvet goldmine.
Gwendolyn Valentine
Yes… Yes, you need this… Just a little won't hurt.
Narrator
Gwendolyn lets the desire for release take her as her gentle dancing fingers work their tender magics; she knows it will help. She whimpers with sweet euphoria as the burning electric feeling of orgasm surges through her body. Her supple bosom heaves with intensified breathing as her blood ignites. Her back arches forward and her toes curl as her pleasure reaches its zenith, casting her down into the sparking afterglow. Minutes pass by unnoticed as the tingling slows to a stop and her brief moment in heaven fades.
Gwendolyn Valentine
Enjoy this time, Gwen. Tomorrow is coming. It's not going to be easier.
Narrator
After about thirty minutes in the bath, Gwen climbs out of the tub and grabs her cozy nearby bathrobe from the wall hook. Stepping back into the hall, she walks towards the bedroom door and rests her head tenderly against it as she ghosts her hands over its surface but dares not open it.
Gwendolyn Valentine
How can even the door still smell like her after all this time? Why won't her lingering presence leave me alone? What are you doing? You know you can't sleep in there! Too many memories.
Narrator
Gwendolyn turns and instead strides over to the nearby living room sofa where her trusty pillow and blanket are already waiting for her. She lays down on the sofa and reaches for the TV remote, desperate for some sort of distraction. She flips on the TV and begins surfing through channels. Finding none of them satisfying or interesting, she settles on the news. More stories of Knight-Raven sightings and criminals caught followed by weather forecasts and corporate bullshit happenings.
On the TV Drones some blonde dipshit news anchor as Gwendolyn closes her eyes and lets the rambling nonsense of the T.V. lull her off to sleep.