Gray's Domain: Purgatorium Series, Book Two (25 page)

Larry’s voice rang out. “You’ve been purified, purged of all wrong-doing, and are clean, pure as a newborn infant.”

Daphne’s arms were shackled to the wall on either side of her, her broken arm stretched awkwardly. She felt helpless and frightened, even though she knew what would happen. But her doubts about Dr. Gray and her staff made her question whether some new surprise might await her. Maybe she would learn that all of this had been one more exercise designed for
her,
and everyone—including Brock and her family—had been in on it.

As her mother was led to stand before Daphne, Larry added, “Now it’s your turn,
Limuw. It’s your turn to inflict the punishment and to purify others.”

Daphne’s mother shook all over. “I can’t do it.”

Larry picked up the bucket and thrust it toward Sharon. “Come on. Hit her with it.”

Sharon shook her head, backing away.

Tears streamed down Daphne’s face. “Please, Mama! Do it! I should have forgiven you!”

“I am the parent. I should have known better.”

“You were in shock! We all say things we don’t mean!” Daphne’s teeth chattered and snot dripped from her nose. She wanted to wipe her face, but she couldn’t. “I know you didn’t mean it! I’m so sorry I didn’t forgive you!”

Sharon stood quivering like a leaf, unable to take the bucket. “No.”

“It was easier to be mad at you than to accept what happened!” Daphne cried. “I poured all my loss, all my pain, into
hating
you. I’m so sorry, Mama. I’m so sorry. I love you so much. I beg of you to hit me with the water. Please!”

With shaking hands, Sharon took the bucket and gently poured it over Daphne’s head. Daphne cried into the water as it cascaded down her face, and, in so doing, she felt
all the guilt, the hate, the pain, and the loss washing away. She smiled up at her mother, and her mother smiled down at her. Then something amazing happened. They both began to laugh.

***

After the ceremony, they were all brought on stage where the members of the audience could, if they wanted, kiss the hands of Daphne, Brock, and her family. This had not been a part of Daphne’s ceremony, so she hadn’t expected it.

“You are loved,” some of them said.

Even though she was soaked and shivering, Daphne was warmed by this overwhelming show of affection.

“You are loved.”

Most of the regulars did it and a dozen of the older crowd, including Mary Ellen, Philip, Kelly, and Larry.

“You are loved.”

By the time the audience had dispersed and they were left alone with Hortense Gray and a handful of regulars, Daphne felt like rubber. Physically and emotionally drained, all she wanted to do was sleep.

Her family members and Brock were each given a silver chain bracelet, and Daphne was given one, as well, to replace the one she had thrown away.

“It signifies the pain that binds us, that holds us back,” Dr. Gray said. “But it also signifies the bonds of fellowship that hold us all together.”

They were instructed to return to their rooms and rest. Later that evening, they would discuss their travel plans for getting off the island.

Daphne embraced her mother. They held one another for a long time and shed more tears. They also laughed. At one time, they were laughing and crying at the same time. Daphne also hugged her father and Joey. Then she took Brock’s hand and they all made their way from the amphitheater to their units.

Anxious to get out of her wet cloak, Daphne climbed into the hot shower. As the water massaged her neck and back—she had to keep her cast dry, but that didn’t mean the rest of her had to suffer—she wondered again how she felt about Dr. Gray and her methods. Wasn’t she glad she had come to the island? In spite of everything, wasn’t she grateful?

She had just slipped on a clean t-shirt and comfy shorts when she heard a knock at the door. Expecting Brock, she opened the door and was surprised to find Giovanni.

“Oh
my gosh!” She gave him a hug. “Come in.”

He didn’t look happy as he stepped inside, wringing his hands.

She closed the door behind him. “What’s wrong?”

“You
gotta take me with you,” he said. “I want off this island.”

“Come over here and sit down.” She motioned to one of the striped chairs. After they had each taken one, she said, “Now tell me what’s wrong.”

“I can’t believe you,” he said. “Just two weeks ago, we were running for our lives. What’s happened to you?”

“Nothing, I…”

“She’s brainwashed you.”

“I’m not brainwashed.”

“You’re even wearing one of their bracelets.”

She twirled it nervously at her wrist. “I’m not brainwashed. I just understand everything better now.”

He shook his head, anger flaring in his face. “There’s nothing you can say that will make this place okay. They play with people here like they’re nothing.”

“They’re trying to help people.”

“They use us like puppets for their own purposes. Taking advantage of orphans.”

“I’m not an orphan.”

He searched her eyes. “You gotta help me. I have no one else.”

Daphne put her good hand on his. “Listen. It may seem scary right now, but I promise you, it is so worth it. You will be grateful in the end.”

A bad taste filled Daphne’s mouth, because she realized at that moment that she
did
sound exactly like the Calibans.

Chapter Twenty-One: The Judgment of Hortense Gray

After Giovanni left, Daphne had just gotten comfortable in one of the striped chairs with the TV on, hoping for some mindless down time, when another knock came at the door. Was it Giovanni with one more thing to add? Brock? She looked through the window to find Cam waving back at her.

“Cam, hey.”
She opened the door and let him in. “What’s up?”

“We actually have one more surprise for you tonight,” he said with a gleam in his eyes.

“Oh, no, no, no.” She backed away from him. “No more surprises.”

“You’ll love this one.”

“I doubt that.”

“This is the event everyone here looks forward to the most—even more than the
Limuw ceremony.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.” There was no way she would allow herself to get pulled in to another game. She was almost off the island. And yet…And yet the thought of leaving behind the thrill of the games did leave her feeling somewhat deflated.

“Please. Come on. I promise…”

“No. Now stop.” She collapsed into one of the striped chairs.

“Pretty please?”

She turned to look at him. Part of her was curious. What more could they possibly have in store for her?

No. She would not go. She needed to return to normalcy.

When she didn’t answer, he groaned. “I guess Stan was right.”

Before she could reply, a group of people flooded the room. They wore black ski masks and black sweats. She recognized them beneath their garb and inwardly laughed, thinking how hot they must be. Until the sun went down, the temperature hovered in the mid-eighties on the island. They had to be sweating as the regulars grabbed her by the arms.

“Come on,” she scoffed. “I’ve had enough. Vince? I know that’s you. Hello, Stan.
Hi, Dave. Bridget? Those sweats don’t do you justice, girlfriend.” She noticed Greg and Emma weren’t among them.

She was about to taunt them more when she was gagged with a red bandana and a bag was slipped over her head. She struggled against them as they bound her wrists behind her back
, in spite of her cast, and moved her forward. This was ridiculous. She kicked at them, but they dodged her and dragged her from the room.

Then the horrible thought that they would do something like this to Joey, her parents, or Brock immobilized her. She closed her eyes and sought out Cam’s
smell, trying to find him among the others, willing him to help her, but he did nothing to stop this ridiculous abduction.

She was made to walk up the sidewalk. She could tell by the incline that they were headed away from the beach and toward the clearing where the jeeps were parked. She wondered if there were others out and about watching them. If so, would someone intervene? She made as much noise as she could, just in case.

Now they ascended the steps toward the amphitheater. So their little event would take place there, huh? Another Limuw ceremony?
Please don’t let it be Joey’s
. Daphne cringed.

She was led down what she knew were the steps along the amphitheater seats. Why cover her head when she could tell where they were going? She tried to protest, but the gag made all her efforts sound insane. When she heard someone giggle, she became infuriated. The games were fun and exciting, but always at the cost of another, and right now, she was paying the price.

If she had had doubts about leaving the island before, they were totally gone now. She wanted the hell off.

Down the last step, and then up a few more, the group led her into what she could sense, even beneath the bag, was darkness. They were backstage, where the buckets were used in the
Limuw ceremony. Daphne was forced down on her knees on the hard, damp, rock floor. She smelled something like incense, heard whispering.

She did not like being blinded from what was happening around her as she listened to the shuffle of feet and more whispers. After a few more minutes of this miserable anticipation, the bag was lifted from her head. Even with the gag between her teeth, Daphne gasped.

Seated on the rock benches before her, with their hands shackled above them just as Daphne had once been, were Mary Ellen, Hortense Gray, and Lee Rogers. They were wearing the same white tunics used in the Limuw ceremony. At first, Daphne thought that maybe the Calibans were rebelling against the Purgatorium, but the faces of the three prisoners were without expression. They had been here before.

Larry stepped forward and said to Daphne, “You have been treated as a patient by a team of psychologists—Dr. Mary Ellen Rose, Dr. Hortense Gray, and Dr. Lee Reynolds. They have used experimental methods to help you overcome your clinical depression, posttraumatic stress syndrome, and suicidal tendencies. They have treated your family as well, in an effort to help all of you overcome the past and begin the healing process. In doing so, they may have crossed some ethical lines. It is your turn to judge them, to determine whether their methods have been helpful or hurtful. If you find their methods have been more hurtful
than helpful, you’re to throw on each of them a bucket of water. If, however, you feel the opposite is true, you’re to lay one of these roses at their feet. It’s your choice, Daphne.

“But before you make your decision, consider both the means and the ends. Without a doubt, you and your family are better off psychologically than before undergoing the therapy. You must ask yourself if these successful ends justify the means in which they were achieved.

“One more thing. We recorded a debriefing interview with each of your family members and with Brock. We will play back a segment of each of these as you make your decision. The first is from Brock.”

Over the same speaker system previously used for the music
came the voice of Hortense Gray: “Brock, have you noticed any changes in Daphne since her arrival here?”

Brock’s voice, surprisingly low and gentle, came next: “She’s a stronger person. I was shocked when I saw her diving off the cliffs into the crashing waves. She’s always been athletic and a great swimmer, but she’s never been very determined or driven. Seeing her fight to save me and her family was incredible. Even with a broken arm, she knocked it out of the ballpark.”

Daphne bit down on the gag, holding back tears. She supposed what Brock had said was true. After Kara’s death, Daphne hadn’t cared too much about anything, and it had been an amazing feeling on the island to care about something, to care about getting her and her loved ones to safety. And, when she thought about it, she supposed she was pretty darn proud of what she had been able to do.

Larry interrupted her thoughts. “Now we’ll hear from your brother.”

Dr. Gray asked a different question. “And what about Daphne? Do you think she let you down?”

Joey’s voice came over the sound system, strong and clear and amazingly confident. “When she stopped coming to see me in Houston, I got depressed. It felt like she didn’t care about me anymore. I looked forward to seeing my parents, but I was always disappointed when she wasn’t with them.”