The Broken III: Control Read online

  “Oh, no, no, no, no, no, don’t do that. Please, keep that on. You’re in a critical condition, Matthew. We need to monitor your vitals. You’ve just had a severe seizure.”

  Ignoring her, Matthew replies, “No, I don’t, I need a drink. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  The driver gets out and comes round to the back of the ambulance, “Matthew, I’m Gary. Calm down, mate. We’re trying to help you,” he says.

  “You can help by letting me out of this fucking ambulance,” Matthew snaps, feeling ambushed. Pushing past the two of them, Matthew exits the ambulance and goes in search of Phil.

  Chapter 2

  Protection

  “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy…”

  Sister Elisabeth kneels at the end of her old wooden bed with her hands tightly grasped together, placed just above her head. A candle glows gently in the corner of the room. The small flicker from the candlelight shows her gaunt looking facial features. Her skin complexion is pale and yet she has bright, electric blue, piercing eyes that standout. With her tiny frame, Sister Elisabeth’s robes hang heavy on her body. Having taken her vows many years ago, devoting her life to God, Sister Elisabeth has always been considered a faithful, dedicated and precious member of the Moycullen convent. But on this particular evening, she is not considered a loyal member of the convent and has been left to conduct her evening prayer alone. And the prayer she repeats is being submitted with different intentions. She has been ostracized by her fellow sisters for her beliefs and is filled with fear, unsure if the Lord himself is hearing her prayers.

  Vulnerable, anxious and feeling isolated, Sister Elisabeth cannot ignore the voices in her head. As the incessant rantings take over, she’s being told that something of an impure nature has intruded into their once protected holy establishment. Not only this, the relentless voices are screaming at her that she needs to remove everyone and quickly as the evil force is getting stronger with every second. Sister Elisabeth has tried on multiple occasions to cry for help but has been unsuccessful.

  Concerned by her insane rantings, the other sisters had to make an executive decision. Left with no other choice, they have resorted to desperate measures and locked Sister Elisabeth inside her room.

  She recites the Lord’s Prayer over and over. Feeling more exposed to the dark spirits than ever before, Sister Elisabeth squeezes the rosary beads that hang around her neck for protection.

  Suddenly she hears a whisper and the candle blows out. The energy in the room shifts. Desperately trying not to give the whisper any of her attention, Sister Elisabeth squeezes her eyelids together. She doesn’t want to see or even acknowledge whatever has entered her room. Fear quickly takes over her thoughts and tears fall one after the other from her eyes. Reciting her prayer over and over, she begs the Lord for protection.

  “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us…”

  Her senses on high alert, she hears a creak come from the floorboards just inside her doorway. She freezes and stops praying. Reluctantly, she opens her eyes. She’s surrounded by the darkness of the night. A chill blows across her face. Sister Elisabeth is no longer alone.

  Hidden within the darkest depths of Moycullen Forest in southern Ireland is one of the country’s longest standing convents; Moycullen Nunnery. With a medieval theme, this building has retained its fourteenth-century, gothic, architectural design. The grey stone walls are covered with green moss. Positioned at the front of the dark building is an oversized, arched wooden door. A brisk wind is blowing, forcing the round gold knocker to lift and create a repetitive tapping sound. Small, white wooden arched windows are positioned with perfect symmetry throughout the exterior. Each of the windows is weathered and worn. At present, the darkness of the night has fallen and the dim lights inside the convent can be seen flickering through the windows. Mirroring the nunnery’s architectural design and positioned directly next to it is the outdoor chapel, which is predominantly used for afternoon prayer and confession. At present the chapel is empty. These eerie-looking buildings are surrounded by fifteen-foot black metal gates and fences. Moycullen Nunnery is home to twenty religious sisters, fifty orphaned children of all different ages and multiple staff members, all of whom are male. The Sisters of Moycullen have their work cut out for them looking after the young, while also fighting against the system to stop the nunnery from being shut down.

  The isolated Moycullen Forest is no longer considered to be an appropriate place to raise vulnerable young people, although the Sisters of Moycullen beg to differ and remain united. Their faith and belief in what they have is strong, the sisters have closed the gates to Moycullen Nunnery and continue to protest in order to keep their home.

  Inside this secluded establishment, the original fourteenth-century fixtures and fittings are in pristine condition. The hallways are thin, long and lit dimly by small candles fixed at regular distances along the walls.

  The rattle of keys echo in the distance. Sister Marie is making her way to the smaller internal chapel for this evening’s prayers, her keys swinging from the black woven belt around her oversized waist. Her expression is stern. She has dark brown eyes, with tiny wrinkles around the edges. Age has certainly started to catch up with Sister Marie. On a clear mission, she rushes through the huge solid dark oak doors into the chapel in a fluster and sits down next to Sister Cathleen, joining her fellow sisters for prayer. Sister Cathleen is much younger than Sister Marie, and unlike Sister Marie, she’s on the dainty side. Peering across to her fellow sister, Sister Cathleen scrunches her nose and smiles, causing her freckles to gather. Her radiant green eyes beam as she gazes at Sister Marie. Looking around, Sister Marie then turns to Sister Cathleen and whispers, “Where’s Sister Jesselle?”

  “I’m not sure,” Sister Cathleen whispers back, as she returns to her prayer position.

  To the left of Sister Marie sits Sister Alannah. Glowing, beautiful, Sister Alannah. She has hazel eyes, natural thick lashes and a nose that slopes to perfection with a tiny little point. Peering to her left, Sister Marie whispers, “Sister Alannah, have you seen Sister Jesselle anywhere?”

  This sister doesn’t move her head, “No, last I heard she was conducting this evening’s prayer with the children, in their room,” she says.

  “Why? What’s the rush?” asks Sister Cathleen, looking up at Sister Marie once more.

  “Sister Elisabeth is howling in her room again. It’s echoing down the halls. Except this time she’s screaming a name and it sounds like Jesselle.”

  Now too peering up, Sister Alannah says, “What do you think?”

  “Sisters, I don’t know, but in all my thirty years at the convent, I’ve never heard screams like it. It sent chills through my bones and made my hairs stand to attention.”

  “What do you think we should do?” Sister Alannah says with a look of concern fast spreading across her face.

  “After prayer, we will go and check,” Sister Marie says, also looking concerned. “But for now, sisters, let us pray for her.”

  Bowing their heads, they anxiously pray in silence for their fellow sister.

  Sister Marie leads the way along the hallway with a candle in her hand, Sisters Alannah and Cathleen are trailing slightly behind her. With her commitment and longstanding service to the convent, Sister Marie is now a superior member at Moycullen Nunnery. One of her responsibilities is to hold all the keys for the entire nunnery. Sister Alannah and Sister Cathleen, on the other hand, are not superior. The pair do as they’re asked when they’re asked and remain in line at all times.

  “Sister Marie, are you sure we should be doing this?” Sister Alannah asks nervously. “You know Sister Elisabeth has been confined behind her door for her own safety.”

  Sister Marie doesn’t respond as she continues to march her way down the hallway.

  “Sister, please stop and think about this,” Sister Alannah pleads.

  Sister Marie stops and rolls her eyes.

  “What if she overpowers us and escapes?”

  “You’re being far too suspicious,” Sister Marie says in a dismissive tone as she turns to walk away.

  Reaching out, Sister Alannah continues, “Sister, you and I both know that if Sister Elisabeth continues with her insane rantings and somehow leaves the nunnery and exposes such things, it will give the officials all the power they need. Each of us will be dragged out one by one and Moycullen will be forced to close its gates forever. We are hanging on by a thread as it is. I do not want to be getting in trouble with Sister Kathryn if Sister Elisabeth escapes. Do you not agree?” She waits a brief moment, but with no response again, Sister Alannah pleads one final time, “We really can’t bring attention to the home right now. Sisters, please, I honestly think we should turn back. I don’t like the—”

  “Shh!” Sister Marie says, putting her finger to her lips. “Sisters, did you hear that?”

  “What?” says Sister Cathleen.

  “Listen, you can hear the cries of a soul.”

  “Oh Sister Marie, certainly your imagination must be getting the best of you.” Sister Cathleen replies.

  “I’m being serious. I can hear her. It’s Sister Elisabeth.” Standing still, Sister Marie continues, “I fear we’re too late.”

  “Too late for what?” Sister Cathleen asks.

  Looking panicked, Sister Alannah turns and attempts to run back to the chapel inside the nunnery, from where they came.

  Grabbing her by the arm, Sister Marie says, “No, Sister, we are all in this. You have to see this through.”

  “Please, Sister, let go of me. I just want to go back. I feel something sinister in the corridors.”

  “Stop! You must be brave, Sister Alannah. We have the Lord on our side. He will protect us. Please, do not run and I will let go. Remember, we are doing this for our Sister. She needs us right now. Do not think of yourself. Be strong for her.”

  Hanging her head with defeat, Sister Alannah replies, “Okay, Sister. You are right. Just please let go, you’re hurting me.”

  Sister Marie is desperate to get to Sister Elisabeth, but she doesn’t want to do it alone. In a bid to keep her two sisters with her, she says, “Both of you, please remember why we are here right now. We are here for Sister Elisabeth. If I am wrong and she is okay, which I pray I am, then we must let her know that we are here for her. We are the fortunate ones. Can you imagine all your sisters turning against you? She must feel extremely vulnerable right now. If the evil she speaks of has in fact intruded within our walls, then she is the weakest of us all. As we know, sisters, evil feeds from fear. We can only trust that our Lord is protecting her from any malevolent spirits.”

  They continue on their way towards Sister Elisabeth’s room, each of them praying for protection.

  Her apprehension building, Sister Marie can feel the energy of something impure circulating around them. Slowly taking one step at a time, she breathes deeply. The further down the corridor she gets, the more nervous she becomes. The candle in her hand begins to flicker. She sees this but she can’t feel any breeze, and fear takes over her mind.

  Sister Alannah squeezes her rosary beads tightly and Sister Cathleen firmly holds her cross. They begin quietly reciting The Lord’s Prayer.

  “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

  They arrive at Sister Elisabeth’s room. Not a sound can be heard. Tapping on the door, Sister Marie says, “Sister Elisabeth, are you in there?”

  There’s no reply.

  Tapping once more, she says, “Sister Elisabeth, is everything okay?”

  Still no response.

  Turning to the others, Sister Marie says, “What shall we do?”

  “Do you have the master key, Sister?” Sister Cathleen asks.

  Sister Marie says, “Yes.” And with her hands shaking slightly, she riffles through the mound of keys she has on the metal loop hanging from her waist. Eventually finding the master key, she holds it in her hand and breathes deeply as she unlocks the door.

  The door creaks as it opens slightly. There is a strong stench and the sisters all cover their noses. A gust of wind blows out the candle. Peering in the room, Sister Marie sees a tiny glow at the back wall. She pushes the door completely open. With a huge sigh of relief, she sees Sister Elisabeth. She’s got her back to the door and is sitting up right at her desk.

  “Sister Elisabeth?” Sister Marie whispers nervously.

  She gets no reply.

  She walks slowly into the room.

  “Sister Elisabeth, are you okay? I heard screams coming from your room and we thought we would come and check on you.”

  There is still no reply and not so much as a flinch from Sister Elisabeth.

  Sister Cathleen and Sister Alannah move inside the room and join Sister Marie. Slowly placing one foot in front of the other, Sister Marie inches towards Sister Elisabeth. Tears are forming in her eyes and she is praying under her breath. She reaches out and places her hand on Sister Elisabeth’s shoulder.

  Sister Elisabeth turns her head and stares at Sister Marie’s hand, then suddenly jumps up from her seat. Her eyes are like gaping holes in her face. She screams out at her sisters, her teeth bared.

  The three sisters all turn and run towards the door. Sister Alannah doesn’t even look back and keeps on running towards the chapel. Stopping at the door, Sister Marie puts out her arm so that Sister Cathleen doesn’t leave her alone.

  “We’ve come this far,” Sister Marie says.

  They both reluctantly turn around. Sister Elisabeth is standing at the desk in her room, staring at them blankly, her head slightly tilted to one side. Drool travels down her chin and she appears to be humming under her breath.

  Making her way back into the room, Sister Marie says, “Sister Elisabeth, can you hear me?”

  “Go away,” Sister Elisabeth replies.

  “Sister Elisabeth, we’re worried about you. I heard screams.”

  Sister Elisabeth’s face remains motionless as she replies, “You heard nothing, I am fine. Now leave!”

  Scared but not wanting to leave her alone, Sister Marie slowly makes her way closer to Sister Elisabeth, “I just want to make sure you are okay.”

  Sister Elisabeth growls and reveals her teeth, “I said leave!” she shouts, her voice abnormally deep.

  “Come on, Sister,” Sister Cathleen says, grabbing Sister Marie’s arm. “We have seen her now, she is okay. Let us leave her be.” Turning to Sister Elisabeth she says, “Sister Elisabeth, we are sorry to have intruded on you. We will leave you for the evening.”

  Sister Marie is unconvinced, but she gives in. “Okay, we will leave as you wish, Sister. I will come back tomorrow.”

  “I suggest you do not return to my room or you will pay the price.”

  “What? Pay the price…” says Sister Marie, startled by her words. “Sister Elisabeth, what has gotten into you? I fear for you being left here alone.”

  “I am not alone. Now you should listen to your sister beside you and leave.”

  “She is your sister, too.”

  Sister Elisabeth’s facial expression turns dark, “I said leave!” she shouts.

  Sister Cathleen drags Sister Marie out of the room and slams the door shut. Not giving up, Sister Marie calls through the door, “Sister Elisabeth, the children are asking for you. Please, if you need any of us, we are here, we have not left you. I will never give up on you, you’re my sister.”

  “I will never leave the children and I have no sisters,” Sister Elisabeth shouts back.

  Sister Elisabeth sits back down at her desk. The candle flickers away. Her back is completely straight and she’s staring at nothing, her features motionless. Suddenly, her eyes change. Every molecule is taken over as they turn jet-black. Not a patch of white can be seen.

  Embracing the pain she’s feeling, Sister Elisabeth chants, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in hell.” A sudden gust of wind blows out the candle. “You were right,” Sister Elisabeth says. “I serve you. I will assist you. I accept my fate.”

  No sooner has Sister Elisabeth made this statement and accepted her fate, the candle reignites.

  Standing behind her is her new owner. It’s Jezebel. Leaning to her ear, Jezebel whispers, “Your soul is mine.”

  As soon as the words leave her lips, Sister Elisabeth begins to transform into a mirror image of the evil entity standing behind her. Her skin turns grey and deep black cracks appear upon her skin, oozing a thick black substance.

  Jezebel makes her way around the desk. She gazes at Sister Elisabeth through the gap in her long black hair. The thick black substance gushes from her mouth as she says, “Put your arms on the table.”

  Instantly reacting to this command, Sister Elisabeth puts her arms onto the table.

  “Turn your hands over.”

  Again, Sister Elisabeth does as she’s told. Reaching across, Jezebel reveals Sister Elisabeth’s wrists. Digging her razor-sharp nail into Sister Elisabeth’s skin, she penetrates the surface and engraves an upside-down cross on her flesh. Collecting the black substance from around her mouth, Jezebel presses this into the wounds she’s she has just created.