Lewton's Way Chapter 1 Willow Sanitarium

it is Thursday August 24th 2023, we see SUV Driving up a winding road, on the top of the Vehicle are lights, inside the same vehicle sitting behind the wheel is a young African American man he has short dark hair, brown eyes he is wearing a short sleeve brown pull over shirt with a Badge across his chest there are words that read Weston County Sheriff's department. the man is Sheriff Alexander Russell, called Alex for short by his friends and family, The Sheriff thinks about the events that unfolded just about two hours ago. The Sheriff sees a sign on the right side of the winding road it read Willow Sanitarium ten Miles. Sheriff Russell begins thinking about the call his office recieved from 9-1-1 operator Watson Reeves was connecting a call from 426 Campbell Drive, the desk sergeant for Ashley Hardaway was now talking to the person calling from 426 Campbell Drive: Jeffery Marino: He's dead, He's dead, I need the sheriff up here right away, he's dead do you hear me? Desk Sergeant Ashley Hardaway: I hear you sir, now tell me you're name and what happen who's dead? Jeffery Marino: Dr. Ernest Stockton, he just walked past me this morning withou saying a word, he open the door that leads to the ovservation deck he climbed onto the ledge and Jumped, his body hit the rocks below! Desk Sergeant Ashley Hardaway: Ok the 0-1-1 Operator told me your address I'll send the sheriff and the coroner. Ashley hangs up the telephone and tells Sheriff Russell everything, When the Sheriff, his three men and the Coroner all got to 426 Campbell Drive at the same time. Now we see Sheriff Alexander Russerll get out of his police cruiser and walk toward the fancy Apartment known as Eagle Eye Hotel. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Are you Jeffery Mario? Jeffery who is has walked from behind the large oak counter. Jeffery Marino: Yes, I'm Jeffery Marino, I know we've never met sheriff, I just wish it were under better circumstances. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Has anything from Dr. Stocktons room been touched? Jeffery Marino: well the maids we have here never cleaned his room, Dr. Stockton was very insistant that he would be the one to clean his own room, and he often did, you see were required by state law tp check all rooms and at least once a week, and so we check every room atleast once every week usually it's on a Monday when everyone is at work. We see Sheriff Alexander and his duputies put white gloves on. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Have one of your Maids show my people Dr. Stockton's room, Mr. Marino show me this observation deck. as one of the Maids takes two of the Sheriff's men up to Dr. Stockton's room Jeffery Marino walks Sheriff Russell toward the opservation deck. Sheriff Russell spots the double frosted glass doors. Sheriff Alexander: Were these doors closed when Dr. Stockton came down? Jeffery Marino: Yes, there always closed and our guest and tenants know to close them behind them except this time Dr. Stockton didn't, that's what shocked me first, I hollered his name, he didn't answer my call to him. Sheriff Alexander Russell Touches the handle with his white gloved hand. Sheriff ALexander Russell: I din't want anyone toouching this door that's not law enforcment. Jeffery Marino: I understand I'll Not alloy anyone on the deck until you finished you're investigation. Sheriff Russell opens the door he and Jeffery step out onto the observation deck sheriff Russell shuts the door behind him. Sheriff Alexander Russell: How long was Dr. Stockton a resident here? Jeffery Marino: he first started living here since 2018, he moved here from Austin Texas. Sheriff Alexander Russell: How ofton did you speak with Dr. Stockton? Jeffery Marino: we'll until recently everyday we use to have dinner together, but that stopped about three days ago. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Where would the two of you have dinner? Jeffery Marino: We would walk across to the hotel restaurant, he always talked how he hated his ex-wife and how work was going and then three days ago he came back to the hotel an hour late, he was nevewr late getting back, and that's when I noticed them his eyes were diffrent I noticed them as he came in I said hey to him and he just walked past me like I wan't even there, it's like he, like he was a Zombie. Sheriff Alexander Russell: So three days ago one Monday Night he just stops talking to you? Jeffery Marino: Yes! Meanwhile we see another man who the man hair his dark, he has a full fu manchu hwhich is black, the man is white he has a bright blue long sleeve t-shirt on and a black overcoat with a pair of black pants on. The man is Dr. Dennis Barkley, who is the Medical Coroner for Weston County West Virginia. Dr. Barkley stands at the edge of the parking lot he looks down and see the body, He then takes a step back and speaks. Dr. Dennis Barkley: Well he won't be kicking out of that one. I think I call in the hoicopter to get the body. and that exactly what Dr. Barkley does as Sheiff Alexander finshes questioning Jeffery Marino. Now we see Sheriff Alexander has arrived at Willow Sanitarium, he Parks his car near the left side of the building, he puts his car in park and shuts off the engine, he then takes the keys out of the ignition and gets out of his police car he shuts his door and walks toward the solid steal door of the Sanitarium. Now standing in front of that door there is a buzzer on the right side of th door, Sheriff Alexander Russell Extends his right hand with his pinky finger extanded, he presses the white button, on the inside a middle age woman with a pair of glasses on her face, her hair brown her eyes are brown the woman is white, she presses a white button that is just beneath her, the door unlocks a Security guard opens the door from the inside, The Secrity guard is an asian man with dark hair and dark eyes he is wearing a navy blue uniform he has a stun gun and a can of maze, he he one of twelve guard here the mans Name is Sato Arakawa, he has been working the sanitarium for the past three years, he's english is still not the best so Sheriff Russell only nods at him in acknowlegement as he walks into Willow Sanitarium. Sato closes the door behind him. Inside the Sanitarium the walls a a grey looking color made of solid brick to Sheriff Russell's left there is a large room with telephone's computers and four people three men and one woman, the woman is a young blonde with dark eyes, she as a white overcoat on her blue scrubs the young woman stands up from her chair and walks around existing the room she was in, Sheriff Alexander Russell sees the young woman come around the corner she turns toward his direction and speaks. Dr. Parker Nickels: Hello I'm Dr. Parker Nickels you must be the new sheriff of Weston County, if you'll follow me I'll take you up to Dr. Pillmans office. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Thank you. Dr. Parker Nickels: Sheriff Russell feels the eyes on him, they are the eyes of the people who are looking up at him as he walks past the glass window of the Check-in, he also notices how silent Dr. Nickels is being on the way toward the elevator, once at the elevator with silver doors Dr. Nickels presses the up button, the elevator dings and then the silver doors come open, Dr. Nickels and Sheriff Russell walk inside the elevator, the sheriff stands against the wall as Dr. Nickels presses the number 4 button. the Elevator doors go shut and then it begins to go up. Sheriff Alexander Russell: So do you know Dr. Enerst Stockton? Dr. Parker Nickels: Um, Yes I knew him. Sheriff Alexander Russell can feel something is very off. Sheriff Alexander Russell: When did you know something was wrong with him? Dr. Parker Nickels: Three days ago, he came in and he wouldn't talk to anyone at all, he wouldn't even see his patiens he would just sit in the lunch room all day and then when it was time to leave that's what he did was leave, He's dead isn't he? Sheriff Alexander Russell: Yes! Dr. Ernest Stockton is dead, but I have a feeling you knew that the moment you say me. Dr. Nickels doesn't respond to the Sheriff's accusation. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Dr. Nickels if you know anything and I mean anything about Dr. Stocktons death I like to hear it. but Dr. Nicekels doesn't answer, finally the Elevator dings four times the Silver doors come open and Dr. Nickels and Sheriff Russell exit the elevator. To get to Dr. Warrens office you go to the end of the hall and you go to the right his ofice is the last door on the left. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Thank you. Sheriff Russel starts walking down the lon hall wall on both side of that hall are room, room for the mentally ill or Insane. Inside the office Charles Warren we se an African American man he is bald and has dark eyes he is wearing a red long sleeve t-shirt with black dress pants all of a sudden there is a knock at Dr. Warrens door. Dr. Charles Warren: Come in. The door to Dr. Warren's office comes open in walks Sheriff Alexander Russell. Dr. Charles Warren: You must be Sheriff Russell, can't say I'm surprised. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Then why don't you tell me why I'm here? Dr. Charles Warren: I would say your here because of Dr. Ernest Stockton, something has most likely happen to him. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Something has happen he's dead! Dr. Charles Warren: That's Unfortunate he was a great Doctor. Sheriff Alexander Russell: But you don't seemed surprised he's dead, why is that? Dr. Charles Warren: Very little shocks my Sheriff, this is one of those things that doesn't because of how Dr. Stockton was acting, three days ago he stopped talking to everyone, and by everyone I mean everyone, the staff he's patients. Sheriff Alexander Russell: If you thought he was a threat to himself why not commit him. Dr. Charles Warren: On what grounds would I have had, he never made threat toward himself or anyone else and silence isn't ground for dommiting someone. Sheriff Alexander Russell: But yet you said you weren't surprised by his death, a death by suicide no less! Dr. Charles Stockton: for me to commit someone here I have to justify my actions to a board of Doctors, these are people I respect, and though they respect me I would've been laughed out the room for even suggesting Dr. Stockton be committed. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Even though your father and mother sit on that very board? Dr. Chsrles Warren only smiles at Sheriff Russell. Now at 402 Medical Drive which is the Weston County Coroner's office on the basement floor of the building is where Dr. Dennis Barkley works, he is over lokking the body of the late Dr. Ernest Stockton. Dr. Dennis Barkley: the late Doctor Stockton as no dirt or skin beneath his finger nail, his face is completly deformed oh fuck it! Cause of Death Suicide. Just then the Elevator tins. Dr. Dennis Barkley: Looks like were about to have a visitor, don't worry it's probably only Sheriff Russell. The Elevator tings againg signaling that it has reached the bottom floor the elevator tings and the door comes open walking out of the elevator is Sheriff Alexander Russell. Dr. Dennis Barkley: Good Afternoon Sheriff did you enjoy your visit to Willow Sanitarium? Sherff Alexander stands over the dead body of Dr. Ernest Stockton. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Did you find anything? Dr. Barkley smiles. Dr. Dennis Barkley: I've found nothing that would indicate murder my friend, I'm sure you read Dr. Stockton's Suicide note. Sheriff Alexander Russell: He's room was clean, and I mean clean, he must've cleaned it everyday even up to the time of his death. Dr. Dennis Bakrley: I saw his room the man musvt've had some OCD. Sheriff Alexandr Russell: Enough to Kill himself over? Dr. Dennis Barkley: It does happen all to often people with OCD are ten times more likly to commit suicide then the general public. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Come on Dennis! the guy comes his room clean everyday and then for three day doesn't say a word to anyone and then by the forth morning he decides to just end it. Dr. Dennis Barkley: I'm not saying i like it anymore then you do, but the fact are there. Sheriff Alexander Russell: They knew I was coming, the staff at Willow Sanitarium, they knew and further more they knew something was wrong with Dr. Stockton and they did nothing. Dr. Dennis Barkley: I hate to be the one to tell this but so what, and that's excat;y what the current medical board will tell you or even me, the fist question there going to ask you is who did Dr. Stockton hurt, and though your going to say himself, they'll tell you well at least he didn't hurt anyone ele, even if the staff at Willow Sanitarium knew, it doesn't matter. Sheriff Alexander Russell: What if I told you there is another Doctor from that Sanitarium missing? Dr. Dennis Barkley: who? Sheriff Alexander Russell: Dr. Gary Kemp, I saw the login sheet befor I left and he didn't sign in for the past three days and you and I know what that might mean. Dr. Dennis Barkley: You believe there will be another Death? Sheriff Alexander Russell: I do! Dr. Dennis Barkley: Alex, Gary has a wife and two small children, I know becuase invitied by Gary to met his family just one month ago. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Good you know where they live? Dr. Dennis Bakrley: Yes he lives on 88 Butchers Lane. Dr. Barkley removes his white gloves and throws them in the trash. Dr. Dennis Barkley: Lance but the Dr. Stockton's body in the freezer. Now we see Sheriff Alexander Russell and Dr. Dennis Bakrley inside The Sheriff's squaid car, the car is moving along highway 19. Dr. Dennis Bakrley: tell me what are you going to tell Gary's wife? Sheriff Alexander Russell: I'm oging to ask her when was the last time she saw and spoke with her husband? Dr. Dennis Barkley: I just hope you're wrong about this. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Yeah Me to. Dr. Dennis Barkley: However if you are right. why three days? and why what toill the morning of the fourth day? Sheriff A;exander: Where is Dr. Kemp nd his family from? Dr. Dennis Barkley: He's from Texas why? Sheriff Alexander Russell: That's where Ernest Stockton is from. Dr. Dennis Barkley: Come on Alex, I don't have to tell Texas is a big state the odds that that knew one another are rare. Sheriff Alexander Russell: We'll see. After an hour drive Sheriff Russell and Dr. Barkley pull into the driveway of the Kemp driveway. Sheriff Russell puts his car in park and shuts off the engine he then removes the keys from the ignition and places them in his right pocket, he and Dr. Barkley open there doors and exit the vehicle, upon shutting there doors Alex notices a red ford bronco in the driveway. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Somebody's home, maybe it's Dr. Kemp? Dr. Dennis Barkley: They also own a ford f150 that's the same color, I don't see it here and they don't have a Garage. Sheriff Russell and Dr. Barkley walk toward the house, now standing by the door Sheriff Russell makes a fist with his right hand and knocks upon the front door. Just then they hear a womans voice . June Kemp: Coming. June an african american woman with shoulder lenth dark hair opens the door. June Kemp: Dr. Barklley. Dr. Dennis Bakrley: June this is Sheriff Alexander Russell, we would like to have a word with you. June Kemp: Sherri whatch your little brother. Sherri Kemp: ok mom, June steps out onto the porch as she does she closes the door behind her. June Kemp: He's Dead isn't he? Sheriff Alexander Russell: No he's not dead Mrs. Kemp in fact I was wondering the last time you saw and spoke to your husband? June Kemp: Three days ago he told me he wag going to work, and he never came back, I tried callng his cell phone, but he doesn't answer. I'm worried this isn't him, he would never go somewhere else without telling me. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Would you like to file a missing persons report? June Kemp: Yes! Yes I would! so June Kemp does indeed file a missing person report, the Sheriff's department puts an All points bullenton for Dr. Kemp and his truck. later in the Night we see Sheirff Alexander Russell and Dr. Dennis Bakrley: Can you believe this? So what ever happpen to Dr. Stockton must be happening to Dr. Kemp. Sheriff Alexander Russell: The question becomes what is going on if indeed another Doctor who works at Willow Sanitarium dies then why? Why is it happening? the Weston County Police department spen all night they chck the main and back roads but they find nothing no sign or trace of Dr. Gary Kemp. with the night time fading we see Dr. Gary Kemp sitting inside is ford f150 it site beside the Mountain Rail train tracks Dr. Kemp holds a blue note in his left hand, he then lays the notebook on the dashboard of his truck, Dr. Kemp then reaches into his pocket and pulls out is cellphne, he hold in the side button to turn his telephone on it is 6:45am Eastarn time. Meanwhile we see Sheriff Alexander Russell and Dr. Dennis Barkley are sitting inside of Wes's Diner located just fifty miles from where Dr. Gary Kent is, inside Wes's Diner the raido is playing sttation WVRW which plays hits from the eighty's. Sheriff Alexander Russell: I dog tired. Dr. Dennis Barkley: We've looked everywhere in the county. Will grab two coffee's too go. Meanwhile Dr. Gary Kemp dials the number to WVRW. Just then a young woman Maria Colton who is the host of the morning Radio comes. Maria Colton: Well we got a song request this early in the morning and one from Elks county yo boot, who are you and what would you like to hear? Dr. Gary Kemp: My name is Dr. Gary Kemp. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Turn that raido up! Dr. Gary Kemp: At this is the last request II'll ever make acutally I'l like todedicate this sone to Doctor's Parker Nickles and Dr. Charles Warren, would you please play Somebody's Watching Me, by Rockwell. the phone clicks Sheriff Alexander Russell: grabs his radio's dispatch to ask if there were tacing the call, thhey instead got a ping Dr. Gary Kmep is at 316 Railroad Avenue. Sheriff Russell and Dr. Barkely leave there coffee and get back in the car, the sheriff atarts the car up he buckle his seatbelt as does Dr. Barkley, before you know the two men are headed down 119 with the lights a going. Dr. Dennis Barkley: He's going to let the train run him over my god! Alex listing to me were never going to make it, the train arrivs in less then ten minuets! Sheriff Russell: we'll see about that, with the speed going well over a hundred miles per hour reaching 134 miles per hour. Dr. Gary Kenp stands on the tracks, he waits for the train, the song on the radios has ended, now many minutes later, the sound of Train can be be Heard the a Train horn sounds as it approaches Dr. Gary Kemp, just then Sheriff Russell's car pulls in. Dr. Barkley and Sheriff Russell get out of the car. Dr. Dennis Barkley: Gary! but it's no use the two men who were looking to stop Dr. Gary Kemp from Killing himself have failed, The Greenbrier Express hits Dr. Gary Kemp killing him. later that day around 12:45pm eastern inside Sheriff Alexander's office we both Sheriff Russell and Dr. Barkley sitting down, Sheriff Russell sits behind his desk with his hands covering his face. and Dr. Barkley sitting to the left of him. Dr. Dennis Barkley: It's not your fault Alex, none of this is, whatever this is. Sheriff Russell removes his hands from his face. Sheriff Alexander Russell: What was that shot Sherri's doctor gave to her? Dr. Dennis Barkley: Sedative, she'll be out for some time, it's a good thing Sherri's sister came over to watch the kids. Sheriff Alexander Russell: You want me to drive you home, we both need some sleep. Dr. Dennis Barkley: Before you do, tell me what do you know about Hypnosis? Sheriff Alexander Russell: I know that Magicians use it and I know the definition, why do you ask? Dr. Dennis Barkley: Because that's how Gary looked like he was under some sort of Hypnosis, I caught a brief glimpse of his eyes, it was like they were in a world of his oown like a zombie. Sheriff Alexander Russell: That's how Jerry Marino described Dr. Stockton, like a zombie. Just then someone burst through the sheriff door, Sheriff Russell and Dr. Barkley shoot up out of there chairs, Sheriff Alexander Russell: Dr. Nickles. Dr. Parker Nickles: Please you have to help lock me up please! Sheriff Alexander Russell: Hold, now just calm down, why would I have to lock you up? Dr. Parker Nickles: Becaucse whatever caused Dr. Stocktons dead and Dr. kmeps death is going to kill me next, it must be saving Dr. Warren for last.Sheriff Alexander Russell: Who is saving Dr. Warren for last? Dr. Parker Nickles: How should I know but you have to believe me! Dr. Dennis Barkley: ok why would anyone be after you? Dr. Parker Nickles: For the same reason they went after Dr. Stockton and after Dr. Kemp, they want that girl we have locked up at the sanitarium to go free. Sheriff Alexander Russell: What girl? But before Dr. Nickles can reveal the name Dr. Charles Warren enters the office. Dr. Charles Warren: That's enough! Dr. Warrens grabs Dr. Nickles by her right arm and proceeds to pull her out of Sheriff Russell's office. Dr. Dennis Barkley: That's enough Dr. Warren. Sheriff Alexander Draws his gun he brings it up aiming at Dr. Warren, he cocks the hammer back. Sheriff Alexander Russell: Let her go now! Dr. Charles Warren: You going to shoot me sheriff? Sheriff Alexander Russell: If I ahve to I will. Dr. Charles Warren Lets go of Dr. Nickels. All of a Sudden Dr. Nickles eyes go wide Dr. Warren lets go of her and Dr. Nikles walks past him and and out into the hallway, shw walks toward the staicase. Sheriff Alexander Russell puts away his gun. Dr. Dennis Barkley Her eyes! Sheriff Aleander Russell: I did, but she hasn't had time to write a suicide note. Dr. Dennis Barkley: Maybe whatever's causing this isn't going to give her the. The three men come out into the hallway one of sheriff's Debuties points toward the staircase By the time they get dowstairs and outside Dr. Nickles is gone car is speeding away. Sheirff Alexander Russell: Come on we got to catch her. Sheriff Russell and Dr. Barkley get back into the Sheriff's car, with the engine now started the siren going ther presue Dr. Nikles car. Dr. Nickles drives a blue Dodge Charger, Dr. Nickles car is speeding up 119 all of a sudden she slams on the brakes the barakes screech and the car stops, off to the right is a small gas station there are no cars filling up at the pumps the only person there is Hatcher Mason the gas station attendent, Dr. Nickles sounds her horn getting Hatcher's attention, Hatcher looks, he sees the strange look in the womans eyes as she reeves her engenine. Hatcher Mason: What the hell? Suddnely she Dr. Nicklesa steps on the gas pedel the car goeas from azero to sixty in a heart beat, Hatcher moves out the way, then the car hits the pumpsthe pumps break and gas comes up out of the ground like a fountain, Dr. Nickles opens her car door and goes out of her car, she stands in the gasoline, she reaches into her right pants pocket at pulls out a lighter, she lights it and the gas explodes, taking Dr. Nickles and the Salvation gas station with it. Dr. Charles Warren who is now at Willoew Snaitarium opens a door to a patients room, inside iss a oyung African american woman, her head shaved bald her eyes blue, Dr. Warren grabs her and picks her up. Dr. Charles Warren: Come with me. So he pulls her along, down the hallway toard the staircase, they go all the way down to the fist floor, they exit the building after Dr. Warren orders the nurses to buzz them out, the Nurses then dial 9-1-1, With the sun set and darkness alkl around them Dr. Warren reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out rex sisx-shooter revolver. Dr. Charles Warren: I don't car about the treasure anymore Vivian, you'll die before I kill myself. Vivian who is so druged up from the medichine isn't even aware that Dr. Warren has the barrell of the gun to her head. Just hen. Orson Lewton: Dr. Warren, Dr. Charles Warren! Dr. Warren lets go of Vivian and points the gun all around him. Dr. Charles Warrne: Leave me be! Orson Lewton: It's me you need to worry about Dr. Warren, it's yourself, don't you feel your life has been a waste? Dr. Charles Warren: I, I do, It has been a waste looking for that dawn Treasure. Orson Lewton: You got greedy Doctor, you thought you and your friends could steal form Vivian there, she knows where the treasure is, she knows because she was going to give it to the Grace Museum in Texas and the one man who she thought she could tell was you, she fell in love with you, the two of you had many nights together, but then she told you what she found but not where, so oyu and some of your Doctor friends had a plain, but I knew of your plain Doctor, I heard From Dr. Ernest Stockton, when he went camping one night, and I thought well I can't let them kill that girl now can I, that was your palin, one day your were going to or a nurse were gpoing to give her an accidental overdose of meds. Dr. Charles Warren: What, What are you? Orson Lewton: Your Judge and Jury dear doctor, now you will be your own Excutioner. Dr. Warren presses the Barrell of the gun under his chin and pulls the triggger. Weeks go by Vivian Keats was set free by the medical board she then told Sheriff Alexander Russell everything that happen between her and Dr. Warren. though through the case was declared closed by the state of West Virginia, Sheriff Russell and Dr. Barkley still wonder what really happen and who was respniable? Writing by Jule Saynes