Nicholas Vials: The Case Of Michael Vials

Nicholas wondered if he could make himself comfortable on the floor of Eva's office, but he restrained the idea. His arm had fallen asleep once more, but the pain had subsided. He knew better than to let it be, often flexing his hand in hopes of reviving some feeling, but it would not return.

Nicholas removed the sleeve of his shirt and lay bare his skin. The temperature of the surrounding air was not ideal, Nicholas realized. Sharp pains shot up his arm. Nicholas could only cover his shoulder with his coat. He teemed with unexpressed anger and self-pity, and though he had covered the wound, the pain would not subside. Nicholas began searching the shelves for numbing medicines, though very lazily. It was as though he was being held back by the arm that he held limply by his side. He paused his search and sat down on the chair, hoping to let the warmth of his coat take care of the pain.

Nicholas breathed sharply. He could hear his breath despite the shrill ringing in his ears. He sat up and pulled on one of the drawers of the table. It was as though half of his pain had gone away at the sight of the medicine, which he had already begun applying to the site of the wound. However, the drawer was never closed thereafter. Once the wound had been chafed by the numbing effect, Nicholas spotted an object of keen interest.

A letter addressed to Mr Joaquin Sherrels.

The paper was thick and soft, just as Eva preferred. Nicholas couldn't help but admire her attempt at fanciful writing, which was unlike her actual handwriting, which lacked any fantastical flair. He only wondered why she had a letter such as this, which was sent to Joaquin Sherrels just five days before he had killed his brother. It was stamped by a posting officer, so it must have been relayed to the boy, yet the seal was unbroken. He hummed, running a curious gaze over the letter. It had not been there a while back.

He contemplated whether or not to open the letter, carefully weighing the consequence of each action. Nicholas had already opened the letter before he managed to comprehend the matter, skipping over all introductory clauses of the letter.

"Your absence from the institute has been monitored and noted, and your companion, Mr Michael Vials, is not exempt from this audit. However, we have been unable to locate Mr Vials at present, and I have considered your word."

She had intended to scare Joaquin, even if she ended the paragraph on a sympathetic basis. The words to follow were stern.

"If you insist that he is not with you, then we must be forced to make the authorities known of such a matter. If he is not with you, as you claim, then you must allow for an investigation to occur and confirm that. If, on any account, you have been made aware of his condition or location, then make us aware of it so that we can take necessary action. Mr Michael Vials has caused the institute irreparable damage, and we can guarantee an expulsion for you if you do not wish to contribute. I can not allow thieving and unauthorized use of school grounds to be exempt from extradition, no matter the contacts you have that will come to your aid."

Extradition? Thieving? Repute? All these words came together to tell a story, but it had no explanation. Or rather, not a satisfactory one. The letter ended with a few more threats, but it seemed to jumble up a story that Nicholas had already known. It made less sense when he realized that Eva had retrieved a year-old letter and placed it snuggly in her drawer without mention. The police would never return a letter such as this, and without even giving it a read. Nicholas knew that he was being kept in the dark, but to what extent, he was not sure.

...

Emberline did not feel the need to talk the entire day. Elena used her share of noise to talk without stopping.

"Doctor Murfreesboro said he was going to protest the newspapers covering institutional matters, but I think he is simply afraid they might find something of his that worth covering," she said.

"You should hesitate to speak your mind a little," Quinn remarked. "Work on your own first; I am inclined to think you have a few screws loose yourself" Elena was quick with her response. However, it only served to prove Quinn.

"What a quarrelsome couple you two are," Emberline attempted to ease the tension but Elena rolled her eyes as soon as she began to speak, making Emberline feel superfluous with her presence. "There are patients we have to tend to" she reminded them both.

Elena jumped at the opportunity to make noise once more. "There is a police officer down the hall, Emberline; I find him to be quite handsome; do you want to see him?" She squealed. "I am not quite in the mood for any romances, Lenny." Emberline declined the offer very kindly, but Elena remained adamant.

"Oh, you! He is very kind, I am sure you'll take a liking to him!" She said as she took Emberline by the hand and walked her down the hall. "You talk as if you have taken a liking to him" Emberline mumbled.

"I already have my reservations elsewhere" Elena looked back at her friend and responded without the added impression of sarcasm. Emberline felt that it was quite odd. Elena had never been this adamant about a man before such that she should become loyal to him in his absence and without any commitment.

"You sound so lovestruck,"

"I am" Elena cried gleefully. She spoke very little but with greater vigor than any other matter. "What can I say Emberline, I am in love"

"He doesn't have to do much to make you happy," Emberline said. "I have never seen any flowers from him, or any presents, or anything at all" Emberline added, but she felt that she had hurt Elena with her words.

Elena went silent for a small moment. It was a rare sight to see Elena speechless but there was a subtle defiance that belied her belief in her romance.

"How are you doing Sir?" She asked the officer who looked quite well. He was a tall figure, certainly handsome but his age and experience certainly defied his age.

"Never been better," he said with a shy smile. His hand was wrapped in several loops of gauze as if it had been broken, but the officer seemed perfectly fine nonetheless. The officer felt Emberline's intuitive gaze on his arm and felt as though he needed to explain himself. "Just a routine check, nothing to worry about, Elena" he said as he pointed at his arm. He looked fixedly at Emberline, who had folded her arms and not said anything in response. He felt as though he had made himself look silly before the nurse, who had probably figured from just his appearance.

"Well," Elena cried. "We will be just around the corner if there is something to worry about," she said before turning away, leaving Emberline to follow. There was an interval where both parties regretted the cumbersome conversation.

Elena, however, had used this time to find a response to Emberline's remark. "I am happy with just his presence" she responded meekly. Her shrill voice echoed even though she had said it in a whisper.

"You must be the first woman to be content with just words" Emberline attempted to maintain the secrecy of their conversation.

"So you want flowers and gifts and presents to love someone?" Elena asked, unknowingly making Emberline defensive of herself.

"Not gifts and presents" she responded. "But I'd much admire a bouquet"

She had said that in jest, but she was also pleased to find a bouquet delivered to her name the same evening.