Chapter 22 Chapter Twenty Two

The Connecticut Psychiatric Hospital, fifteen miles north of Westport, was originally the estate of a wealthy Dutchman, Wim Burke, who built the house in 1910.The forty hectares of verdant land contain a sprawling manor house, a workshop, stables and a swimming pool.The state of Connecticut bought the property in 1925 and converted the manor house into a hospital for a hundred patients.A high barbed wire fence has been erected around the hospital, with a manned sentry post at the entrance.Metal bars were fitted to all the windows, and a section of the building was reinforced to serve as a safe area for dangerous patients.

In the office of Dr. Otto Lewison, the head of the psychiatric clinic, a meeting was taking place.Dr. Gilbert Keller and Dr. Craig Foster are talking about an upcoming new patient. Gilbert Keller was a man in his forties, of medium build, with fair hair and bright gray eyes.He is a well-known expert in the treatment of multiple personality disorder. Otto Lewison, superintendent of a Connecticut psychiatric hospital, was in his seventies, a neatly dressed, short, competent man with a long beard and pince-nez. Dr. Craig Foster, who has worked with Dr. Keller for many years, is writing a book on multiple personality disorder.Everyone was studying Ashley Paterson's dossier.

Otto Lewison said, "This lady's been busy. She's only twenty-eight, and she's killed five men." He glanced at the paper again. "She's trying to kill her lawyer too. .” "Every human being is a wonderful creation," said Gilbert Keller dryly. "We're going to keep her in Safe Room One until we can get a full assessment," Otto Luisen said. "When's she coming?" Dr. Keller asked. Dr. Lewison's secretary's voice came through the intercom: "Dr. Lewison, they're bringing in Ashley Paterson. Do you want them to bring her into your office?"

"Yes, please bring it." Luisen raised his head, "Whoever talks about it will come." ※※※ This trip was nothing short of a nightmare.At the conclusion of the trial, Ashley Paterson was taken back to her cell, where she remained for three days while arrangements were made for her flight back east. A prison van took her to Auckland Airport, where a plane was waiting for her.It was a converted plane that was part of the vast national prisoner transportation system operated by the American Jailer's Service.There were twenty-four prisoners on board, and all the prisoners were handcuffed and shackled.

Ashley was handcuffed and her feet were hooked and looped to the bottom of the seat when she sat down. Why are they doing this to me?I am not a dangerous criminal.I am a normal woman.But a voice inside her said: Who killed five innocent people? Also on board were hard-hearted criminals convicted of murder, rape, armed robbery and a dozen other crimes.They will be sent to the highest security prison in the country.Ashley was the only woman on board. One of the criminals looked at her and grinned. "Hi baby. How would you like to come over and warm my thighs?" "Quiet!" a guard warned.

"Hey! Don't you have a little romance in your head? This woman ain't made to sleep—what's your sentence, honey?" Another inmate said: "Are you horny, honey? Let me move to the seat next to you so I can fuck you..." Another prisoner is staring at Ashley. "Wait a minute!" he said, "this is the bitch who killed five men and castrated them." They stared blankly at Ashley, and no one dared to tease her again. ※※※ On the way to New York, the plane made two landings to unload and unload passengers.It was a long flight, and the plane was wobbly due to the turbulence. When it landed at LaGuardia Airport, Ashley got airsick.

Two uniformed police officers were waiting for her on the tarmac when the plane landed.She was unhooked from an airplane seat and hooked into a police car.She had never felt so humiliated.The fact that she felt so normal about herself made it all the more unbearable.Did they think she was going to try to escape or kill someone?All of that is over, it's a thing of the past.Don't they know this?She was sure that that kind of thing would never happen again.She wanted to get out of there, to go anywhere. During the long and tiring journey, she dozed off.She is awakened by the voice of a guard.

"Here we are." They arrived at the gates of a Connecticut psychiatric hospital. ※※※ When Ashley Paterson was brought into Dr. Lewison's office, he said, "Welcome to Connecticut Psychiatric Hospital, Miss Paterson." Ashley stood there, pale and silent. Dr. Lewison made an introduction and pulled out a chair. "Please sit down." He motioned to the guards, "Remove the handcuffs and shackles." The items were removed, and Ashley sat down. Dr Foster said: "I know this must be very difficult for you. We will do everything in our power to make it easier for you. Our aim is to make sure that one day you will leave this place well."

Ashley spoke up. "So...how long will that take?" Otto Luisen said: "It's too early to answer that question. If you can be cured, it may take five or six years." Every word hit Ashley like a thunderbolt. "If you can be cured, it may take five or six years..." "The treatment is non-threatening. It will consist of a combination of sessions led by Dr. Keller—hypnosis, group therapy, art therapy. The most important thing you have to remember is that we are not your enemy." Gilbert Keller studied her face. "We're here to help you, and we want you to help us do that."

There is nothing more to say. Otto Lewison nodded to the guard, who walked over to Ashley and took her arm. Craig Foster said: "He's going to take you to your room now. We'll talk about that later." As Ashley left the room, Otto Lewison turned to Gilbert Keller. "what do you think?" "Well, it's okay, she only has two others for me to deal with." What Keller was trying to remember: "What is the most other me our patients have had?" "That woman named Beltrand, she has ninety alter ego." ※※※ Before that, Ashley didn't know what to expect, but she still imagined a dark, depressing prison waiting for her.The Connecticut Psychiatric Hospital is more like a pleasant clubhouse—only with metal bars.

As the guards escorted her down the long, delightful corridors, Ashley saw patients moving back and forth freely.Young and old, they all looked normal.why are they hereSome of them smiled at her and said, "Good morning," but Ashley was too confused to answer.Everything seems surreal.She's in a madhouse.Am I crazy? They came to a large steel door that fenced off part of the building.There is a male guard behind the door.He pushed a red button, and the huge door swung open. "This is Ashley Paterson." The second guard said, "Good morning, Miss Paterson." They made everything seem normal.But nothing is normal anymore, Ashley thought.The world has been turned upside down. "This way please, Miss Paterson." He led her to another door and opened it.Ashley walked inside.What she saw was not a cell but a pleasant, medium-sized room with pale blue walls, a small sofa chair, and a comfortable-looking bed. "This is where you'll be staying. They'll bring you your things in a few minutes." Ashley watched the guard leave, closing the door behind him.This is where you will be staying. She was beginning to feel a little terrified.So what if I don't want to stay?So what if I want to get out of here? She went to the door, it was locked.Ashley sat on the couch, trying to gather her thoughts.She tries her best to focus on the positive.We will try to heal you. We will try to heal you. We will heal you.