Chapter Text
The fog was thick in the early morning of October 31st, 1970.
A man of advanced age, as he resented being referred to as *old*, climbed the concrete steps of the Austin State Hospital. From below he could look up at the triple row of balconies, each large bay window was enclosed with a sliding gate to be locked every night and during lockdowns.
He approached the large, semi-circle front desk where a tart-looking nurse in a crisp white uniform looked up at him a moment over her turtle shell rimmed glasses before letting out a familiar sigh.
"Good morning, Mr. Magnus." She tapped a stack of papers on the desktop and reached for a thick fountain pen. "She'll be at breakfast by now. But you're welcome to go over the day release papers while you wait."
"Thank you, Hildie." Mr. Magnus smiled congenially, "I trust everything has settled down since...well."
"The doctors have eased her off the sedatives, she's been quiet these past few days" Hildie drew in her lips. "I'm awful sorry to hear about your grandson, Mr. M."
"Thank you," Mr. Mangus nodded.
"I hope a little time with her family will help ease the pain, the poor thing." The nurse shook her head and tsked. "I'll call up and see when they think she'll be ready."
"I appreciate it." Magnus ran through the familiar stack of paperwork, signing his name and initialing every few pages.
He'd read it all before.
The release was for 72 hours, she was not allowed any substances stronger than over-the-counter medications and absolutely no alcohol. There were the basic safety precautions, advising him to childproof the house she'd be staying in as much as possible and ensure all potentially hazardous items were stored safely.
"Mr. Magnus," Hildie leaned over the counter, "she's just come into the sitting room. The orderlies are bringing down her bags now."
Mr. Magnus passed off the paperwork to Hildie and strode confidently into the first-floor sitting room where a few scattered patients were stationed at wooden tables.
Board games and books were placed neatly within reach at all times, and there was a worn green couch facing the corner where a caged television was mounted from the ceiling.
A song was playing on the turn table from the nurses's station, some old crooner's ballad.
In a high-backed chair by the window sat a woman with pale brown hair and icy blue eyes that stared out the tempered glass window and into the foggy grounds of the hospital.
She was the only patient dressed in street clothes, a loose grey sweater, and a thick cotton skirt over black stockings.
Though she was nearly 30 by now, her countenance was nearly that of a schoolgirl waiting patiently for her bus to arrive. Her ankles crossed primly, her long fingers picked at the fraying ends of a patent leather book strap wrapped around 3 thick volumes.
"Good Morning, Selene."
She glanced at him before looking away nervously, her fingers freezing mid-fidget.
"Good Morning."
"Are you ready to go, Darling?" Magnus tilted his head, trying to coax her into eye contact. "I've had the car brought round for your bags."
She did not respond, pulling her lips in tightly and squeezing her eyes shut.
Magnus sighed and settled in the chair across from her patiently.
"I know it's been hard for you." He sympathized, "Being here, you must feel very lonely. And after that night you gave us all such a fright...don't you think it would be good to spend some time with your family? Your aunts miss you, and I know your parents do too."
"No." Selene choked, "No, not them...I don't want to see them yet."
"Alright." Magnus nodded, "It'll just be us... In fact, I have a special plan that might just be the thing to make you feel better. How does that sound?"
"Is it more pills?"
"No, darling." Magnus smiled lightly, "No, no more pills. You don't even have to take any today if you don't want to."
Selene's pale blue eyes met his in surprise. "Really?"
"Not a one." He shook his head. "Now, are you ready to go?"
She nodded and tucked her books under one arm as she rose. "Will we...be celebrating tonight?"
"Certainly we will." He nodded, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "Would you like that?"
She nodded silently, eyeing Hilda distrustfully as they passed.
"Happy Halloween, Selene." the nurse waved merrily despite the shiver that ran down her spine. "Be safe."
Selene's overnight bag and pillbox had been secured in the back seat of the sleek black car that sat waiting for them with the motor running.
Selene cast one last look over the hospital and sniffed, a pressure forming in the center of her brain that she couldn't quite explain or put a name to.
Hildie watched as the car drove off and eyed the on-staff resident beside her.
"Do you really think it was a good idea? Letting her out so soon?"
"It's just for the day." The doctor assured her, leaning over some paperwork on which he scribbled incomprehensible instructions "She'll be back tomorrow, 10 am sharp. Besides-" He straightened up and passed her the paperwork. "Selene Magnus hasn't been logged as a danger to others in over a year now, I'm sure everything will be just fine."
"6?" The man leaning against the wall frowned in confusion. "Little earlier than usual, isn't it?"
"Trust you'll be compensated appropriately for your time." That RP-laced voice on the other end assured him. "As I'm sure you've heard, we're expecting a celestial event to bless our little get-together tonight, and I'd like all participants to be in attendance to witness it."
"Right." He nodded dispassionately, inhaling a cloud of tobacco smoke and letting it settle in his lungs. "6 it is."
"By the way, we will be having an extra body in the arena this yeah. You may run them tonight, but rest assured; they are on our side."
"Good to know" he sniffed, disinterested. "Anything else?"
"That is all, see you at 6."
The man hung up quickly and breathed out, smoke filling the small room around him and catching in the sunlight that wormed its way through the curtains.
Part of him curiously pondered this new player his employer had mentioned.
It took a lot for anyone new to enter the fold, more specifically it took a lot of trust.
The drive through the desert wasn't particularly long, after all, he'd stationed himself specifically so he was hard to find, but easy to call upon. However, it was rough. Most of the roads that had been laid out this far were seriously neglected and put the van's suspension through hell before they hit a mapped road.
He did hope that just because he was required to get there early, it didn't mean he'd be forced to socialize with the others.
It's not that he didn't hold a baseline level of respect for them; they were killers after all, as he was. But that didn't mean he had to enjoy their company.
Besides, it was easier if he didn't. They weren't allowed to know each other's real names or any personal details. It left very little to start a conversation on.
The ideal next step would be to at least try to sleep, given he'd be awake the entirety of tonight and most of tomorrow.
But he didn't need much sleep.
After a year and a half of learning to run for days without rest and to sleep with one eye open when he did, he'd never fallen out of the habit.
In truth, there were a lot of habits he'd picked up overseas that he'd held on to, and likely always would.
Even if they made his life hell in the process.
At least try, he told himself. Try and if it doesn't work just pop an upper before you leave.
That seemed to solve everything, at least according to the VA.
Can't sleep? Downers
Can't get out of bed? Uppers
Seeing dead men in the corners of dark rooms and convinced your hill jack neighbor is planning to kill you?
Well, there was a pill for that, but unless you like feeling like you're moving through wet cement 24/7, you might be better off just getting used to it.
He wasn't stupid, he knew his *issues* hadn't manifested overseas, but it sure as shit didn't help them either.
But he had it under control, especially if he had a chance to relieve the pressure once a year. That had been more effective than any overpriced drug, in his opinion.
Yes, he was in complete control.