Chapter 4 Check in

The next day, Chris picked up Sam from Shirley's house to drive to the asylum, much to both their discomfort.

"You can just drop me off, Uncle Chris." Sam offered. "I can handle myself, I will just call you when I'm done."

"There is no way in hell I am letting you visit her by yourself," Chris responded with a stern voice.

'She's not like that anymore. I'm sure I can..."

"You heard what I said."

"Yes, sir".

The two drove ten miles outside of New Orleans until they reached Amherst Asylum. Chris parked the car to the side of the building before placing his cellphone in the glove department.

"You know the rules." He turned to his nephew.

"Yeah." Sam put his phone in the glove department and then climbed out of his uncle's car.

"By the way Uncle Chris, the Prius is nice but I think the Altima is more stylish". Sam tried to joke.

"When you pay the bills, you can buy whatever kind of car you want after you turn eighteen," Chris replied, he wasn't really in the mood to joke, making Sam apologize.

"My bad. Just trying to lighten the mood."

The two walked up the stairs of the building and pressed the intercom outside the door.

"Please state your purpose," the voice from the intercom said.

"I'm here to visit a patient," Chris replied.

"Visitation is only reserved for authorized personal." The voice from the intercom said again.

"You're speaking to sheriff McKnight. I'm pretty sure I'm qualified."

A brief period of silence rings until the employee responds. "One moment please, Sheriff."

The door unlocked and Chris pushed it open. Sam and Chris enter the ward. Many of their patients are dangerous to themselves and others.

"The boy stays," Chris said.

"Of course, Sheriff," Ramon said. "Right this way."

He stood up and led Chris and Sam as he began to explain. "We prefer to identify ourselves as a mental institution that betters the community."

"Save me the Oscar tryouts." Sam Chimed in "We want to see late you sting."

"Sheriff, I'm afraid that minors are not down the hall". Ramon said but Chris ignored his comment.

They reached the end of the hall and stopped to climb the stairs to the second floor. "I hope you realize that this isn't a good idea," Ramon said.

"I'd appreciate it if you would just take us to the room," Chris responded.

"Sure thing, Sheriff."

Ramon opened the door to the second floor and paused in front of the second door on the left side. "LaToya!" Ramon knocked on the door. "You have visitors today."

"Be prepared Son," Chris said to Sam.

Sam took a deep breath and breathed out as Ramon unlocked the door and pushed it in. The three of them walked in and saw a dark-skinned woman with white dreadlocks, wearing a patient's uniform. The woman rocks in her rocking chair, unhinged by the three males.

Sam walked cautiously to her with fear fluttering in his chest. He stood three inches from the woman and knocked toward her as she continued to stare into nothingness.

"Hi, mom."

Sam waited for his estranged mother to respond but was only met with her blank stares.

"How long has my baby sister been like this?" Chris turned to Ramon.

"For the past two weeks. We had to make sure she eats every day. Half of the time, one of our nurses have to spoon-feed her. Speaking of which, it's time for her lunch." Ramon replied.

As Sam tries to reach out to his mother, a young nurse with light brown skin rolls in a cart with a plate of food on it. "Is this a bad time?" the nurse asked.

"Sheriff, this is Onika". She's a new nurse in training." Ramon said as he turned to Onika. "Give us ten minutes."

Sam said morning to Onika before asking her. "Can I bring her lunch to her?"

"I don't think that's the best idea," Ramon said before Onika could reply Sam.

"It's his mother, the boy hasn't seen her in person for over ten years". Chris said.

"I understand Sheriff but I could get in trouble if anything happens to LaToya or any of you."

"I can handle my sister. Let the boy feed his mother."

Sam made his way to the cart as Onika lifted the try and handed it to him.

"Good to see you again, Spi Boy." Onika smiled as her cheeks blushed pink.

"Please don't call me that." Sam smiled back, showing his pale white teeth but was interrupted when Chris raised his eyebrow at him.

"Right." Sam took the tray from Onika and carried it to his mom.

"Are you hungry mom?" Sam asked but LaToya continued to rock in her chair, barely noticing her son in front of her.

"I can feed you if you want," Sam said.

Sam lifted the sandwich to his mother who suddenly leaped at him, knocking the food away, and squeezed her son's wrist as she pinned him to the ground.

"LaToya!" Chris yelled as he and Ramon ran to save Sam but LaToya waved her hand, causing purple spiritual energy to throw them across the wall. Onika ducked before their bodies could hit her.

"Kukataavodoni." LaToya chanted as her grip on Sam begun to butch at his flesh.

"Mom, stop. You're hurting me."

"Kukataavodoni, Kukataavodoni."

"Sammy!" Onika yelled, running to his aid but LaToya pointed her palm toward Onika and propelled her to the wall, pinning her body against it.

"Onika," Sam called out but it seemed too late. The wall already began to absorb her body as Chris and Ramon laid unconscious.

"Kukataavodoni, kukataavodoni." LaToya continued to chant regardless.

"Stop please." Sam cried while struggling to break through his mother's strong grip.

"Sammy," Onika called out frantically before her mouth became covered by the wall.

"Please don't make me do this mom". Sam cried again but LaToya didn't bother listening to him as she continued to chant.

"Kukataavodoni, kukataavodoni." LaToya chanted.

Sam fought back the tears in his eyes and the pain inflicted by his mother as he regretfully fought back.

"Zuia roho hii." Sam chanted before opening his eyes and casting green spiritual energy from his body.

The blast pushed LaToya, knocking her against the wall behind her, and rendering her unconscious.

Onika was finally freed from the incident caused by LaToya's and Ramon fell to the ground, sleeping instantly as landed while Onika made her way to Sam.

"Onika, you're a voodooist? Chris asked before she could speak.

"Yes Sir. Now thanks to this incident, I know Sam is also one."