#cursedatmidnight

*I change into a black tank top and leather pants over some knee high black leather boots where I conceal a dagger in the inside left boot and a small handgun in the outside left boot. I touched up my hair and makeup and dematerialize to the back alley of the club #TheIronMaskClub. I knock on the back door and lift my face to the camera so they can see my face and Marcus opened the door for me. I nodded to him as a came through and went straight to the bar to familiarize myself with the layout. They had set up like most … vodka, rum, gin on the first shelf then tequila, bourbons, scotches behind that and then liquors and various others in the back on and on the sides. All top shelf. Easy enough. I see a rack of glass and pick up a cloth to start cleaning and wiping them down as I wait for the night to start.

The night started all right with the humans getting drunk and dancing out the night. But later, I was sure I was seeing things when I saw a Shadow walking into the bar. He seemed to know where he was going as he walks straight to the backroom. Strange … I never thought they ventured outside the colony. The night was any typical night with the humans, slinging drinks and taking orders. Notice a few drug deals, grinding bodies on the dance floor and some drunks. But nothing out of the ordinary.

Mary: [I finished with the one-on-ones with the mahmens with children and I typing in my notes onto the computer and went to sit with Marissa as she discussed her findings with the unmated females when the phone rang. Listening to one side of the conversation I was able to ascertain that #Havers was recommending another client after apparently had to have surgery and recovery time. Afterwards, she called Jane to her office.] @GhostlyDoc_BDB

Jane:  I had just gotten to my office and started to look over my files when I received a call from Mary to come to her office. I wondered if there was a new client arriving. I slid my chair back, stood up and left my office. I made my way to Marissa’s office and knocked on her door. @TreasuredFemale

Marissa: *After the phone call was made I got out my file for the female that was needing some help, checking the file over once I placed it onto the desk in front of Mary and myself for Doc Jane to look over. Hopefully Jane can make this female feel better. I feel really awful for the lady she needs a lot of help. But I am sure that everything will feel better for her soon. The doc is a miracle worker. As for the unmated females that is another issue we will sort that issue out as well.* @MaryLTohrture

Mary: [Jane enters and sits down on the other chair in front of Marissa's desk. We’re both attentive as she explains that #Haver’s patient was a female who came in with a multiple wounds which clearly were made from an object which was probably a bat as the doctor theorized. They have spent the last few hours stitching and closing her numerous wounds. The nurses were concerned that the hellren may return soon and take her home under duress so moving her to #SafePlace would be essential to her healing and probably her life.] @GhostlyDoc_BDB

Jane:  I read the case file as Marissa filled us in.  I shook my head.  Males who abused women needed to be emasculated.  She definitely needs to be here and her hellren isn’t going to get his hands on her again unless she leaves with him.”  I said my anger very apparent.  “I will ghost and escort her here so she won’t be as frightened as she would be if she was alone.  Even though I know #Havers is more than capable I will need to look her over from head to toe.  I’d like to find the man and batter up on him.”  The sad part was that #SafePlace was full of these type of stories.  Lives torn apart, families in chaos.  The saddest was the children who didn’t understand what was going on.  I shook my head.  “I’ll give #Havers a call so he can get the ambulance crew together and let him know I’ll be there as well.  Is everything ready on this end?” @TreasuredFemale

Marissa: *I placed the case file aside for Jane. Males who do this sort of thing to females need to be deleted. I know that the female is in good hands with Mary and of course Jane the Doc can work her magic on her and fix her up in no time. I am here everyday and I see this kind of thing. New females coming through the door and I fear for them. I go to sleep every night wondering if the females are going to be ok and if they are safe. But with the workers that we have around here I know that they are.* I think that it is best that we start to move her sooner than later. Let’s get the wheels in motion for us to do this and get the female here quickly. @MaryLTohrture

Mary: Of course, let’s get her here safe and sound. I’ll go inform the other females we have a newcomer and have one of the doggen set up a new room for her. [I completely agreed with the ladies in regards to males hurting females regardless of the race, vampire or human. I spent many years at the Suicide Hotline so I have heard many … it never gets easy to hear. Hopefully, with some time to heal and perhaps therapy we will get her back on her feet and independent. It was one of the main reasons why I loved working at #SafePlace.] @GhostlyDoc_BDB

Jane: “I will be back shortly.” I ghosted to #Havers and talked to him for a few minutes getting his breakdown on what was wrong with her and I was appalled listening to it. I did the paperwork that was necessary to take her from #Havers to #SafePlace. I went and introduced myself and told the female that she would be safe and that we would take care of her. I boarded the ambulance with her and reassured her more that no one would be able to get to attack her again. When we were about five minutes out I gave Marissa a call giving her a heads up that the female and myself were on our way over.  I let Marissa know that I was taking the female to medical to have a look at her before she got the all clear for Mary and Marissa to take over and get her settled into a room unless of course she needed more medical help. @TreasuredFemale

Marissa: *Mary and myself got everything sorted out for the female once we knew that she was on her way over with Jane. Her new room all set up the doggen had done a great job with that. All of the paperwork was done so that after she was cleared by Jane she would be fit and well to stay in her room. I could not get it out of my head how any male could do that to a female I have seen what happens to these females and if it was not for the staff and Mary and Jane helping out as they do, these females would suffer a lot. I was glad that I had this safe haven for the females to come to with their children to get some comfort. I picked up my paperwork and I headed near to the back entrance to wait on Doc Jane and the patient. @MaryLTohrture

Mary: [As Jane left to go to #Haver’s, Marissa and I made all the arrangements to have the room prepared for the new arrival. As Marissa went to go meet the ambulance at the back entrance, I made my way to the kitchen to check in on the doggen and came upon some of the children playing in the halls and didn’t want them to see the ambulance and the stretcher. They have enough memories of the hospital and being hurt to last them a lifetime. So I decided to usher them into the kitchen with me as well and keep them occupied.] Hey guys! Would anyone be interested in making cookies? [I asked knowing the answer to cheers of hooray and corralled them into the room while Marissa and Jane took care of the female.] @GhostlyDoc_BDB

Jane: The EMT’s took her to medical  for me. “I know that you have been checked over by #Havers but I want to have a look too. I’ll try not to be too intrusive.”  I said softly.  I looked the female over and had some x-rays of my own then hydrated her.  “I want you to take it easy for a few days.  I’m prescribing some Motrin for you for the pain. If you start to have dizzy spells or the pain gets intolerable let someone know and I’ll come check you out. The most important thing is for you to know you are safe here.  I know I’ve said that several times already, but it is important.  There are a lot of other women here that have gone through similar things so you are not alone. I’m going to leave you in the very capable hands of Marissa and Mary they will take you to your room and get you all settled in.”  I said patting her hand comfortingly. @TreasuredFemale

Marissa: *I looked across to Doc Jane as she had finished up with the female and then she was given the all clear.*  “Thank you Jane for looking after the new female for us. You done a great job. I see that she has been cleared to go and we both Mary and I will take good care of her.” *I looked at the female who was sitting at the edge of the bed, She still looked a bit dazed and really sore, I approached her with caution and spoke to her softly.* “Hi there Mary and I are both going to take you to your new room in this place where you will be safe and sound if there is anything that you need you have a buzzer in this room. Do not be afraid to use it that is what we are there for to help you. I am sure you will like it here.” *I walked out of the cubicle and I waited on the female to gather her things up and place them into a bag.* “We will both be right outside here waiting for you.” @MaryLTohrture

Mary: [I caught up with Jane and Marissa outside medical just in time to help the female into the room we assigned her. As we walked down the hall I pointed out the different rooms and let her know some of the security features and schedule of #SafePlace. We quickly got her settled and rested and left her alone.] She looks relieved, do you get any other details about the situation? Do we need to inform any of the Brothers of any potential fallout from the hellren? @GhostlyDoc_BDB

Jane: “Like any bully type he’s going to want her back.  He will more than likely go to #Havers first seeing as that was the last place he knew where his female was. My guess would be that he will contact the Brothers so giving #Tohr a heads up probably would be a good thing. If he’s like most abusers he’s more show than anything else when it comes to others.  He needs to be locked up, but not sure if the female will press any charges. As you both know they hardly ever do. It’s time I made my daily rounds to check on everyone.  If I’m not mistaken I think a few of the children have a cold. Before I do that, do you need me for anything else?” @TreasuredFemale

Marissa: “Thank you for asking about the children Jane, Mary and I have both noticed that there is a bit of a cold going about. Yes, it would be great if you checked on some of the children out before you go. There are just a few that have it. I know that there is nothing much you can do if it is a cold. I wish that we could pass on the information to #Tohr about what the male did to this female but with the friction that is going over in the compound at the moment it might not be a good idea. We could mention this to #Butch so he could maybe do something about this male or we could maybe ask him for some sort of advice. If we all agree I could get in touch with him at some point.” @MaryLTohrture

Marissa: *I needed some help at #SafePlace this evening and the person I thought of was Mary, with her past experience of working at #SafePlace with me and with her work with sessions with Zsadist, she would be perfect for what we had to get through and done today.

We had to make some visits to the female’s of #SafePlace. For me it was sorting their rooms out and making some new spaces for more people to stay. More rooms were getting added. Both Mary and I thought that it would be best to add the new wing and name it after Wellsie our friend who went into the fade. I drove up outside once more I got out of my car. I got to the doors I closed the big gates behind me from the outside world I checked on the camera’s that were keeping a trained eye out for anyone that approaches. We both got inside and I closed the doors behind me locking them up.* “We can start the day by first going to my office to see what needs to be done and what you can help out with.” @MaryLTohrture

Mary: [Marissa and I arrived at #SafePlace and we immediately walked through the corridors to her office to start strategizing all that needed to be done today.

I was happy to stay busy and working … rather than spending any time with my thoughts to myself. Technically, I never had to work again in my life. As a shellan of a Brother, I want for nothing. There was no rent, or mortgage, no taxes … #Rhage had taken care of all my previous debt and hospital bills the day I moved into the manse all those years ago and Vishous takes care of all the rest as a whole: cell phones, cable, utilities, car insurance and /health care/? Who are we kidding? The Scribe Virgin took care of that too without #Manny or #Jane. #Rhage bought me my car and #Fritz magically supplied all my food, clothing and anything I needed. I even had a Black American Express in my name. At first it was disconcerting to not have bills since I’ve been taking care of my mother and myself for so long but now I know how liberating it was not to have to worry about bills especially all those hospital bills anymore after living paycheck by paycheck after the discovery of my mom’s cancer and then my own. Yet, I would trade almost all of it back for my hellren. I missed him … I missed us … I even missed all of his pop culture movie references. I missed his smell, his hugs, his kisses. Just thinking about it made my body hum …

Shaking my head to get rid of any naughty thoughts before they ran rapid in my brain … and I tried to concentrate on what Marissa was saying about the other females of #SafePlace.] @TreasuredFemale

Marissa: *We both walked into my office as soon as we both got inside. The outside world was left behind whilst I was here. I could not be thinking about what was happening with the Brotherhood at the moment and the fighting. For what I had to do in #SafePlace today was more important. I mean don’t get me wrong the fighting was too much for me and the Brotherhood means more to me than anything. But the job that I had here meant a lot to me I would not give it up for anything. When Mary and I both got to the office we went inside and made a plan for the day ahead.* @MaryLTohrture  

Mary: *I sat in front of Marissa’s desk and she logged into her computer. We checked on emails and the Facebook page that was private and dedicated only to the race to see if anyone ever needed our help. The majority of the cases we took were referred by Haver’s hospital or word of mouth. #SafePlace, while created a few years back when Marissa met Butch, was still relatively new concept to the vampire race. I knew Wrath was making headway in some of his policies and as soon as training program was well underway once again … his next project was some sort of police force with a lot of input from Butch.

Marissa finished checking her daily tasks and started pulling out some folders and papers.] So where are we starting today? @TreasuredFemale

Marissa: “I think it is best that we start at each room to see what the females and their children require. It just an idea. But I am open to any thoughts or should we start with the one on one interviews?” I grabbed the big folders and a lot of papers that needed to be put into the papers first before we done anything. I grabbed each folder the first one was a female and her young daughter, I looked up the name and then I put the paper that matched the folder.* “I think that we should start with this one first what do you think?” @MaryLTohrture

Mary: [Pulling the folder towards me and see that it's for Bitty and her mahmen, who have been with us the longest. I remember when I initially read their file and what #Rhage told me about the hellren. I shuddered knowing that domestic violence was not limited to the humans. I was thankful that he was there with V and Butch to save the both of them.]

I can start with the first few rooms with mothers and children. That should take care of the first batch. Why don't you take the females without children? That way we can divide and conquer. Then we can get with the staff on what to purchase and get a shopping list going. @TreasuredFemale

Marissa: *I looked towards Mary whiles she was looking at the girl and her mother’s file the new girl that had came to the place and her name was Bitty.* “I noticed that you are thinking about the girl. See what she tells you I would love to know more about her, but she is not opening up much about her life. But yes it sounds like a good plan that I will take the females without children. I can do that I agree with you on the all divide and conquer plan and then do the shopping list. I think that we will have to do a big one this time. Since this place is filling up just nice and fast . I have a big budget so not to worry about money.” @MaryLTohrture

Mary: [I nodded as I closed their file and got ready to stand. Thinking of said budget.] Perhaps I will take Bitty and make brownies or cookies downstairs while the females are in their classes and see if I can get her to open up. Perhaps sweets can be a lead in? [I smile as I would hope even vampire children are similar to human children in regards to fresh baked goods.]

Ok, sounds good, let’s reconvened again before Last Meal. Did you want to eat with the staff here with the residents or shall we head back to the camp to have Last Meal with the other females at the Great Camp? [I asked, wondering … when Last Meal can be shared with my hellren once again. I internally sighed.] @TreasuredFemale

Marissa: *I had got all the papers and the folders in my hands and I went on with the job at hand.* “When I am doing the shopping order I shall add more sweets and freshly baked goods to the list. The children are very fond of them and they have requested that this should be put down. I will make a note of it. I think that I am going to eat with the rest of the staff here today and then make our way back to the camp once we have finished up here. If you are ok with that Mary?” @Mary_LTohrture

[It was just about 5:45pm in the afternoon just as the sun setted in the horizon. The shutters slowly rose on the windows of the Great Camp. I was still laid in the huge king size bed in the bedroom I picked out. Alone. Again.

Well, not exactly … I had a stuffed purple dragon in the bed with me. I sighed I finally sat up and looked at my cell phone … no missed calls. None. This separation was taking a toll on me … every day, every night, night after night. I missed him, them. I rose from the bed and hopped down from the bed landing on the soft thick carpet and made my way to the bathroom to get ready. I looked at myself in the mirror, seeing dark circles under my gunmetal grey eyes dry from crying so many tears. I felt tired, exhausted from all the stress … the unhappy undercurrent permeating from some of the shellans. We were all on edge.

Worrying and yet not really knowing. Not seeing them for ourselves when they returned in the morning. #Fritz could only assure those who asked the best he could in his oh so formal way. This whole situation was just unbelievable. I never thought we would be where we are today, in two different homes, two different sides … it was just not what I expected when I woke up after the MRI machine exploded all those years ago and given life without cancer. I was sort of immortal … kind of …