Caged (4 page)

James winced at the contempt in my voice. “And his health now?”

“Better. I’ve already noticed an improvement in his physical appearance. It’s amazing what soap and water can do as well.”

“Well, just be careful. I know you’ve trained in all aspects of violent behaviour but still, you need to be cautious. I’ve received an email stating that Anderson will be woken again this afternoon.”

My foot tapped on the floor with annoyance. “And why wasn’t I informed? I was there yesterday.”

James’ brows elevated. “Are you really surprised after last time, Kloe?”

“I was the only one there that broke Anderson’s attention enough to ease his fear.”

“And was it his fear that spat at Dr Krum?”

“No, that was his shrewdness.”

“Kloe,” James warned. “Look, just watch your back, that’s all I’m saying.”

Grunting in resignation, I nodded and stood up.

“And keep me updated,” he called out as I closed his office door behind me.

Paula, my co-worker, grimaced at me from where she sat on Barry’s desk.

“I presume that went as expected.”

“God, sometimes I hate the bloody rules and regulations that keep us controlled like little soldiers.”

Barry passed me a mug of tea and I gave him a grateful smile, taking a sip and allowing the hot liquid to soothe the annoyance in my chest. When I’d taken the job I knew there would be guidelines and policies I wouldn’t agree with, but surely a professional should not be allowed to treat a patient the way Krum had. Even I knew that. So why was I taking the rap for his insult to a man in my care?

Anderson didn’t deserve what Krum had said, violent or not. Krum knew we dealt with uncooperative patients every bloody day, and I had to wonder why Anderson had gotten a reaction out of a man who should have been accustomed to that behaviour.

Downing my drink, I picked up my bag. “I’ll be out for the rest of the day but I’ll have my mobile on.”

Paula nodded. “You’ve a meeting in the morning with Harry Birchin. Don’t forget.”

“I won’t,” I shouted as I pushed open the double doors to leave.

“Yeah,” I heard Paula mumble after me. “I’ll text you in the morning.”

“What would I do without you?”

Claire grinned at me when I climbed out of my car outside the house I was viewing. “I love it already.” She jumped up and down with excitement. “That eager to get rid of me?” She looked repentant for a second, her head shaking wildly in denial before I laughed. “I’m joking. I know you wouldn’t push me out.”

The estate agent, Gregory Barnes, smiled at us both as he walked out of the front door of the house. First impression was that I liked it. It was a small terrace but it was in a good area and the outside looked in good repair. It was on three levels which I found novel.

“Please, come in.” Gregory gestured with a flick of his head as he held open the front door. “As requested, there’s no chain and it’s available immediately.”

As soon as I stepped inside the flagstones that ran through the hallway made my heart gallop. The décor was basic but fresh and the wood that ran all through the rest of the house made my belly dance with excitement.

The kitchen was small but adequate for me and Dave. It was rare that I cooked anyway, sometimes coming in from work so late that I just passed out on the couch fully clothed with nothing but a glass of wine in my stomach.

A small patio led down to a small square lawn, yet again, big enough for a few pot plants and Dave’s dollops. I missed Dave so much and I couldn’t wait to get my own place so he could move back in with me.

“I’ll take it.”

Claire clapped, more thrilled than I was. “House warming next Saturday.”

“I haven’t got time for a party,” I grumbled when Gregory handed me the information I needed to call in his office and sort out the necessary paperwork.

“Bollocks,” Claire disagreed. I gave Gregory an apologetic look and rolled my eyes at my friend’s overzealous choice of words. “I’ll arrange it; you just turn up.”

Knowing I wouldn’t stand a chance at winning an argument with her, I flicked up my hands and sighed. “Fine.”

I knew I’d live to regret it, like most of Claire’s ‘adventures’. She always said, ‘It’ll be fine. Trust me.’ Well that ‘trust me’ had landed us both in hot water many times, once even in a cell for the night.

As if reading my thoughts, Claire gave me a mischievous wink. “Trust me, Kloe.”

I could hear his shouts from the end of the corridor and I sped up, my heels barely clicking on the floor as I ran.

“What the hell is going on?” I shouted as I entered Anderson’s room.

Anderson was struggling under two men, both of them straddled across his body as they tried to hold him down. He was screaming, his eyes bulging with terror as he attempted to take bites out of the men.

As soon as they heard my voice, everything stopped. Everyone turned to look at me, even Anderson’s livid green gaze.

“He’s manic,” one of the orderlies, Vince, according to his name badge, panted. “The doctor has been called to sedate him.”

“No!” I spoke quickly as I stepped closer to them. “No more sedation.”

All three of them were panting, out of breath. However, it was only Anderson’s eyes that showed fear.

“He’s already restrained. I refuse to allow you to lock up his mind. This man has been controlled since he was four. He needs trust and understanding, not punishment and confinement.”

Slowly I looked to Anderson. “Please,” I said. “Calm down. I’m here to help you. I promise I won’t hurt you. I will never hurt you. I won’t allow anyone to hurt you ever again.”

His eyes narrowed on me, his face turning slightly to the side as he regarded me warily.

“Please, Anderson. You need to trust me.”

He stared at me for a long time, but then, miraculously, he nodded slowly.

The men restraining him looked to me and I nodded. Cautiously they both climbed off Anderson. My heart stilled as I waited for him to kick off again. But he didn’t. His gaze, like last time, remained fixed on me as I strolled across the room and sat in the chair.

“It’s okay, you can leave,” I told Vince and his colleague. They appeared uneasy with my order but eventually shrugged, probably hoping Anderson would eat me, and left.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

Anderson was still staring at me dubiously and I held his gaze.

We sat in silence, watching each other for a long time. I wanted him to trust me and I felt that he had to make the first move when he was good and ready.

The sky was darkening outside the window when a small breakthrough finally came.

“Kloe.” My name, from him, in that gruff and nervous voice, was worth more than a year’s salary right then.

I smiled widely, beaming with pride. “That’s right. Kloe Grant.”

“Kloe,” he repeated, more smoothly this time.

“Do you know who you are, Anderson?”

He swallowed. His vocal ability was so poor I could see him having to think about how words were pronounced and formed. “Anderson … Cain.”

“Anderson Cain.” I smiled again. “I like that. It suits you.”

Leaning forward slowly, I rested my elbow on my knees. The dim light in the room caused shadows to move across his face every time he moved his head, but the soft glow was also calming. “Do you know why you’re here, Anderson?”

He didn’t answer for a moment, his eyes narrowing on me as if he thought I was trying to trick him. Eventually he shook his head.

“No wonder you’re scared.” The words were meant for me only but Anderson answered me.

“Why?”

Taking a risk, I pulled out the folder from my bag and slipped out the photograph. Standing up, I waited until acceptance cleared his face and then I took a step towards him.

“Do you know who this is?”

His eyes dropped from my face to the picture of the small blonde-haired boy. He studied it for so long I wondered if he was struggling to focus on it and needed glasses.

Shaking his head, he lifted his eyes to mine. Curiosity stared back at me, but he swallowed heavily as if expecting my answer.

“This is you.”

He frowned, taking another look at the photograph I held. His teeth sank into his lip but other than that he showed no emotion towards the picture.

“I know you’re scared, Anderson. But if you’ll let me, I want to be your friend.”

“Friend?”

“Friend,” I repeated. I wasn’t entirely sure he knew what ‘friend’ meant. “But you have to promise me that you won’t hit out again. I can’t help get you out of here if you keep fighting us.”

“Out?” His eyes moved to the window.

I frowned. “Have you ever been out?”

My stomach clenched as I waited for his answer.

“Out,” he repeated. His focus moved back to me and I had to swallow the fury trying to climb up my throat with the pain in Anderson’s eyes.

Jesus Christ. “You’ve never been outside, have you?” My voice was breathless, tears pushing to get through. In all my four years doing this job, not once had I felt so lost and hopeless.

His gaze moved back to the window when I pulled open the curtains. He gasped and his eyes widened on the stars that shone brightly outside his window. I thanked God for the cloudless night sky.

There was an awe, a hunger in Anderson’s eyes and my heart reached up my throat.

“One day soon I’m going to hold your hand and you’re going to step foot outside. The fresh air that will fill your lungs will make you giddy. The breeze will blow through your hair, across your face, and every bird in the sky will sing a song for you, Anderson Cain.”

This time Anderson sensed the pain and the sorrow in my voice. His green eyes reflected the very same emotions.

“Kloe,” he repeated, his voice as breathless as mine.

“I’m going to take care of you. I promise.”

“Promise,” he echoed as he watched me pick up my bag.

“I’ll be back tomorrow. After breakfast.”

“Breakfast.”

It was like conversing with a toddler who had just learned how to form words. Yet I couldn’t hold back my smile as I walked out of the hospital.

I
STOOD IN THE DOOR
watching Anderson with curiosity the next morning. He hadn’t heard me approach. He was sitting up, his wrists still cuffed to the bed. Someone had put a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon on his bed table. However, the table was positioned at the bottom of his bed. Even in reach, Anderson wouldn’t have been able to feed himself due to his binds.

I wasn’t sure if it was done maliciously or if it was an oversight. But it wasn’t that that made the beat of my heart still. It was Anderson’s expression. He was staring at the food, his lips sucked behind his teeth as if he was in pain. A sheen of tears made his eyes shimmer, but fear was also evident. Occasionally his eyes would flick sideways, his face tilted downwards as if looking at the food hurt him. He was blinking hard, trying to bite back the need to cry.

My hands curled into fists and I gritted my teeth together as I took a silent step backwards.

I coughed loudly then casually strolled through the door.

Anderson lowered his face, squeezing his eyes shut hard.

“Good morning,” I chirped, making sure to avoid his eyes until he had managed to take control of his emotions. “Oooh, breakfast.”