CHAPTER 11: KNOCK KNOCK

'Welcome back Master, the women are here,' Uziel bowed on seeing Forneius materialize in.

'I see,' Master Forneius said lustfully, as he scanned the various young ladies lined up in front of him. The mistresses knelt on both knees, bowing their heads in respect.

'You, what's your name? Forneius asked pointing at one of the ladies.

'Is my lord referring to me?' She said blinking her eyes coquettishly.

'Yes. Rise and tell me your name,' he replied with a gentle nod.

'My lord may call me Lara,' she said in a sly manner, as she stood up. Her brown garment, just like those of the other ladies was made out of lace fabric. It had strand-like sleeves with beads and other types of jewelry outlined on the edges. Her dress gave a just view of her large cleavage, hips and was still transparent enough to expose her smooth legs.

'I'll have Lara,' Forneius said, signaling Uziel to round up the other women and take them away.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mike was at the hospital again. He entered the ward to find another doctor; Valerie's doctor inside.

'Mm mm,' Mike cleared his throat, startling the doctor.

'Hello… Mike,' the doctor said bending to pick the pen he had just dropped.

'Hello Doc. I didn't know you attend to my mum now?' Mike said raising his left eyebrow, giving a questioning look.

'Actually, I don't,' the man said nervously.

'So....?'

'Look, I was surprised when I met you at Ward 18. Valerie was dropped off at the hospital by a young man. She claims she doesn't know who dropped her and that her mother's coming for her, but no one, not a single soul has come to even look for her. Valerie is a sweet little girl. I was scared you were going to hurt her.' The doctor finally said in an honest tone.

Mike felt nothing but pity for Valerie. The poor girl deserved better. He had bought her a white fluffy toy from a kid store on his way here but now that he heard what the doctor had to say, he thought the toy definitely wasn't enough.

The doctor could see the sadness on Mike's face as he stared at the wall blankly. He could tell that the boy cared.

'Tsk. The world's an unhappy place,' the doctor said placing his hand on Mike's firm shoulder. Mike shrugged.

'That still doesn't explain why you're here,' Mike said coldly.

'When I thought you were planning on hurting Val, I did a little research and found out you fondly visited this room, so I decided to…visit.' The man smiled nervously. He left seconds later when he didn't get a reply from the young man.

Mike sat down and took Evelyn's right hand in his.

'Hi mum,' he said feeling her warm palm.

'I'm fine, school's great. I'm in love with a witch. Her name's Meghan…. Can't wait for you to meet her too,' he smiled. After an hour of small talk, Mike decided to go visit Valerie before he forgot.

'Knock knock.' Mike said standing in front of Ward 18.

'Who's there?' Mike heard the girl's little voice.

'It's me Mike, can I come in?' He said loosely holding the peach-colored gift bag with his hands behind his back.

'Mike?' Valerie asked.

'Yes,' Mike replied, hearing a thud.

'You may come in.'

Once the door opened, Mike looked down to see the little girl open the door. She looked…different. Her hair had miraculously grown back and her lips and skin weren't as pale as before. Even though her appearance had changed for the better, Mike was still worried.

'Valerie, you look…good,' Mike managed to say.

'Thank you Mike,' Valerie smiled.

'Since you're my guest, what would you like me to offer you? We have chocolate milk, cucumber, lettuce and cold soup,' she asked listing every item on the cupboard.

'I'll have chocolate milk,' Mike said with a chuckle.

'Alright then,' she said with a calm sigh, before gently pouring some chocolate milk into a small blue cup while sticking her tongue out of the side of her small mouth.

'Here you go,' she said handing the cup gently to Mike.

'Why thank you,' he said as he collected the drink and sipped a bit.

'Can I show you my drawing?' Valerie asked as she innocently watched Mike sip.

'Sure.'

'You're a talented little girl' Mike said as he looked at the drawing on a sheet of white paper.

'That's mummy and that's me,' she said pointing at the figures in the drawing.

'It's beautiful,' Mike smiled.

'Mike' Valerie said looking at the picture she had drawn.

'Yes?'

'Did my mummy send you?' she asked biting her fingernails.

'No, she didn't,' he answered, watching the girl's shoulder drop in disappointment.

'Okay.' She said before climbing back on the bed.

'Hey Valerie, I got you something.' Mike smiled as he reached for the bag he placed under his seat.

'What? Is it ice cream?' The little girl asked searching for clues.

'No, you want ice cream?' Mike laughed.

'Uh huh,' she nodded.

'Here, it's a toy.' Mike said keeping the gift bag on her lap.

Valerie's eyes beamed with joy and she grinned from ear to ear as she removed the toy from the bag. She patted its fur gently and wiggled its ears with her small fingers.

'Is it a boy or a girl?' she asked hugging the toy.

'Uh…what do you want it to be?'

'A girl!' she screamed happily.

'Well then, it's a girl,' Mike smiled amused by the girl's delightful character.

'What's her name?'

'What do you want it to be?' Mike retorted.

'Darling!' She said still hugging the toy.

'Darling?' Mike asked chuckling.

'Uh huh. Mummy calls me darling.' The girl said happily.

'Okay, Darling it is,' Mike nodded.