Pandora’s POV.
The director of the psychiatric hospital welcomed me warmly. I got there in the heat of noon, with the hot air blowing on my face and beads of sweat forming around my forehead.
“We are so happy to have you here, Luna. It is truly an honor. I can assure you that we have taken care of Mrs. Edna in maximum capacity. No form of prejudice has been used in discharging our fundamental duties to her general wellbeing.” He said, sucking up to me like a student looking for extra credit.
“Thank you, Director. Please, I would like to have some alone time with Mrs. Edna, since you said she has been cuffed to the bed due to her several escape attempts.” I told him, enjoying the authority that my words carried because the Director nodded his head and smiled like I was the best thing that had happened to him since he started working the job.
“That won’t be a problem, my Queen. It is not every day we get guests like you.” His smile was too large and to be honest, I was fed up with his ass-kissing.
If Rolan finds out that I had driven down here myself after what had happened before, he might order me never to step foot outside the palace. My parents had been back for about a month, so the babies were safe with them.
It has been on my mind to come and see her ever since I heard about her arrest, but the doctor had strongly advised bed rest and Rolan had taken it personally too.
“I will lead you to her ward myself.” The director’s annoying voice sounded again, disrupting my train of thought.
“Don’t bother. Just tell me where it is and I will find my way.” I said, desperate to be rid of his presence.
“Just down the hallway to the left my queen. If you need anything else, do not hesitate to call me…”
“Alright. Thank you.” I cut in and walked away from him as fast as I could.
Looking at the ward number, I saw a figure curled up on the hospital bed with a face mask on. Mrs. Edna looked so different now, and it was not in a good way. She had lost so much weight and was only able to make grunting sounds.
The security officer that the hospital provided to stay outside the door in case any emergency arose opened the door for me.
“Thank you,” I muttered and walked in quietly.
“Mrs. Edna? Mrs. Edna?” I called out.
There was no response from the figure on the bed.
“It’s Pandora. Mrs. Edna?” I called again, and the figure stirred this time.
I walked closer to the bed and as I bent to take the sheets off half of her face, her hand shot out, and she stabbed my shoulder with a pen knife.
I screamed and swerved from her second attack, this time aimed at my throat. It came as a shock to me that Mrs. Edna would even want to hurt me.
She had been the kindest person even though certain unfortunate situations had happened in the last few months. It wasn’t enough for her to want to take my life.
She swerved again, this time running towards the door and bolting it before looking back at me, her green eyes blazing with anger. That observation stopped me in my tracks, Mrs. Edna had Gray eyes, and she also had a blue streak on her left eye.
“You are not Mrs. Edna! Where the fuck is she?” I said and watched as the hospital alarm went off, with staff rushing down to the door of the room.
They were making attempts to break it down as it was latched from the inside. I needed a way to distract her so it would give the staff ample time to work on the door and also for me to be safe.
If Rolan hears a whim about this, he will burn down the hospital with Mrs. Edna in it right before he bans me from ever stepping foot outside again.
“I am Mrs. Edna!” She yelled. It was obvious that she was lying. She had more energy and a huskier voice too, so she was definitely not fooling me with her terrible acting.
“Oh spare me all of that.” I scoffed and ducked behind the bed when she flung an iron jug at me.
“You know she said you would come, I have waited for you for so long and even given up, but Mrs. Edna was so sure that you would show up. All I have to do is finish you now.” She screamed and wiped her eyes, removing the face mask and revealing a young girl.
Ultimately, she should not be above twenty-three to twenty-six years of age. I wondered how Mrs. Edna had managed to convince her to take her place. It began to dawn on me that I never really knew her, even though she had seemed nice to me, she had plans of dismembering me as one of her bucket lists.
“What’s your name? Maybe I can still talk to the king to spare you for such insolence.” I said calmly, barely reacting to the situation aside from ducking when she threw things at me.
The men outside struggled with the door and I realized that if I waited for them to get me out, she would have ripped me apart. I looked around and saw that I was left with only one option, which was to fight my way through this. I needed to get her down before she even came close.
She rushed towards me and I waited until the last minute to move slightly to the right, catching her bun. I pulled her back, holding tightly to her bun, and threw her with so much force to the ground that she passed out.
“Weak!” I scoffed and dusted my hands like I just did a dirty job. Walking to the door, I opened it and was about to say something when I heard a gunshot.