Day 8 and time to find out what Dr Darcy and Nurse Annie have planned for poor Emily. What will the treatment involve? I must say, researching this part of the story was fascinating and the treatments they carried out in asylums in the 1890s were quite severe.

Stolen Identity Part 8

Doctor Darcy stepped forward and nodded to Annie. The room lit up and I blinked repeatedly adjusting to the brightness. I was in a shower room. Leather cuffs attached to chains held my wrists in place. I looked around noting the exit on the far side. If I could slip my hands free, I could surely run that far and out the door. The two male attendants stood by Dr Darcy’s table and Annie was nowhere near the door. I could do it.

“What is your name?”

The doctor’s question pulled me back from my escape plans and I locked eyes with him. “Emily. My name is Emily.”

He tutted before nodding his head. “Wrong answer I’m afraid.”

Before I knew what was happening, I was soaked through. Ice cold water dripped down my body. I gasped and curled back against the wall. My wet hair clung to my face in an untidy mess. One strand hung over my right eye and I shook my head to dislodge it.

“What’s your name?”

“Emily.”

Another bucket of icy water landed on me and I couldn’t help but cry out. “Stop it. Stop it. My name is Emily.”

“Wrong again,” Darcy answered.

I dipped my head, curling it into my body as tightly as I could as the next torrent of water struck like tiny needles. “Stop, please stop!” I gasped, spluttering and jerking at the leather straps that held me firm. My body shook uncontrollably as my heart scrambled to escape my binding rib cage. I fought to suck in air through the water dripping from my hair and face.

“Good and strong. You’ve done well, Annie,” Darcy said. “I may have to keep her.”

What? No! He couldn’t keep me, could he? I didn’t know anymore, my thoughts swirled, jumbled images. My legs trembled and my feet slipped. The straps the only things holding me up as I slumped in the makeshift cage. A sharp pulling in my shoulder jerked me back and I forced my feet into position.

“What’s your name?” Darcy’s voice pounded inside my head.

I knew the answer he wanted but I refused to give it. Finding my resolve, I spat my name at him. “Emily.”

David stepped forward with another bucket and I prepared.

“No, no, it’s not working. I think what Clara here needs is a little longer.”

I jerked my head towards Dr Darcy.

“I have your attention now, I see.” He smirked before turning to write in his notebook. “You will give me the right answer. They always do.” He sauntered towards David and whispered something to him. Both attendants left. A chill raced down my spine.

“Fifteen minutes ought to do it. Will you stay and observe, Annie?”

My eyes darted towards her. Please don’t leave me with this menace. She stood with her hands on her hips, her gaze traveling the length of my body. “What are you planning to do to her?”

“You’ll see,” Darcy smirked.

My eyes pleaded with her, begging for a reprieve. “I’ll be good. I promise. Take me back to my room. Don’t leave me with him.”

“Tell him your bloody name then,” Annie said.

“I did, I have, over and over, he’s not listening.”

She shook her head and I swore I heard the doctor chuckle.

“Enough talking. I have more patients to see. Annie, remove her nightshirt and let’s begin.”

“No!”

Annie moved in closer. My feet instinctively kicked out catching her in the shin.

“Bitch,” she sneered as her fist connected with my stomach.

My legs gave way as I tried to suck in air. I heard material rip and the cold air rushed at me. Goosebumps covered the surface of my trembling body and there was no way to hide my modesty. Annie stepped back and threw the remnants of my nightgown to the floor.

“I’ll take that, Annie,” Darcy said walking towards me scribbling furiously. “I’d advise you to step away, dear, unless you want a cold shower yourself.”

The sick grin on his face turned my stomach. I yanked on the leather cuffs. Useless, I knew, but I had to try something.

Annie moved further away as Darcy stepped in closer. “Fifteen minutes is where I start but for difficult patients, it can go up to an hour. I do hope you’ll be one of those, Clara.” He reached a hand towards me and I shoved myself backwards. He laughed. “Innocent too.” He didn’t touch me. Instead, he reached for a lever I hadn’t noticed before. My eyes widened in horror as his fingers wrapped around it, as his lips spread, as the grinding noise and banging of pipes hit my ears. The gurgling, the first drip, and then he let go and jumped back.

The water, icy needles, slammed into my body. I couldn’t see, couldn’t move out of the way. It lashed at me, my breath catching as I swung my head from side to side. The roar in my ears pounding and bashing, water slicing into my skin with a force I’d never experienced. I shivered, my jaw vibrating as my teeth chattered.

“Fifteen minutes,” Darcy shouted over the sound of the water.

I wouldn’t last, I couldn’t. The water refused to stop; the downpour directed at my face. My head shook violently but nothing prevented the onslaught. Shivers spread throughout my body, my jaws chattered, and before long, my limbs could no longer support the weight of my body. I gave up, hung my head, and waited for what seemed like an eternity.

Eventually, the assault ceased, and I slumped inside my walled prison. Hands removed the leather straps and my legs gave out. Hauled to my feet, I cried out as pins and needles attacked every inch of my skin. Every touch like a soldering iron. The large towel brought some comfort, but my resolve was broken. My head flopped down against my chest and it was all I could do to peer out through the knotted strands of hair.

Darcy stood, notebook in one hand, pen in the other. Annie’s face scrunched in disgust as my legs refused to hold me upright. “What now?” She asked.

“Take her back to her room.” He fished something out of his coat pocket. “Add this to some tea, it will settle her. Bring her back at the same time tomorrow.”

His words echoed inside my mind. Tomorrow. I wanted to scream, to fight, to save myself. I didn’t. I allowed them to take me back to my room, compliant and docile. The orderlies sat me on my bed and left. Annie remained.

Feeling returned to my limbs, slow and painful, and the trembling abated. I glared at Annie. She laughed. “You will do as you’re told now, won’t you?”

I opened my mouth—

“Unless, of course, you enjoyed the treatment.”

My jaws clenched.

“I’ll get you that tea now and then you can visit the common room.”

She left and my walls crumbled. Tears spilled over my cheeks; my body wracked with sobs. I gripped the blanket pulling it tighter as Dr Darcy’s voice filled my mind. Tomorrow.

Annie returned with tea. The warm cup snuggled into my palms and each swallow burned before a soothing heat filled my body. I ignored the bitter taste and even when finished, I refused to relinquish my grip.

“Dress,” Annie said, throwing clothes on the bed.

Once more I glared at her before quickly remembering her threat and bowing my head.

#

I’m still shivered after reading about the treatment feeling terrified that Emily will have to go through it all again or worst tomorrow. If you have any comments, please feel free to leave them below and let me know what you think so far.

Below are the links to the previous instalments and if you don’t want to wait until tomorrow, you can pop over to Amazon where you can purchase the complete story on Kindle for 99c/77p.

Stolen Identity Part 1
Stolen Identity Part 2
Stolen Identity Part 3
Stolen Identity Part 4
Stolen Identity Part 5
Stolen Identity Part 6
Stolen Identity Part 7

Buy Stolen Identity on Kindle: 
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NXMW6CX
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08NXMW6CX

Until next time,

Keep reading and writing,

Amanda