Fragment 12 - Unexpected assistance

I’m free. I don’t know exactly how, but one of the attendants unlocked my door today and brought me what was left of my things. I still have my computer, fully charged now for having stayed so long; my camera, though the battery reads about half charge; a couple changes of clothing and assorted odds and ends for personal hygiene and maintaining my electronics. He waited as I dressed in a pair of heavy jeans and flannel shirt, much too warm for the season, but all I have left, then escorted me out of the ward and onto the lawn through one of the garden doorways. When we reached the gate out onto the street, he cleared me through, saying something about thérapie d’art and photography. The security guard at the gate didn’t want to let us out, but I felt a stirring in my mind and he suddenly turned to look at me. The next thing I knew he opened the gate and allowed us to pass through.

We walked down the street talking about photography and the sorts of things I liked to take pictures of. I mentioned that I really enjoyed trains and mountain scenery, which seemed to get him rather excited, claiming he was born in the Alps himself and loved the mountains. I have to admit I had a little trouble understanding him, though, as he broke in to French (we’d been speaking American) and even his American tended to take on a strong French pronunciation and syntax as his enthusiasm waxed. Still, he traveled with me as we found our way by foot and public transit to a train station. He left me standing as he went to check the schedules, and returned a few minutes later carrying a ticket. He looked me straight in the eye as he handed it to me.
“Merci,” he said. “You have given me something I thought I had lost. Because of you, I can be happy again.”
“You’re welcome, I think,” I replied. “What have I given you?”
“You know,” he said, “or rather, she knows. The angel. The one with wings. She... healed me... of something the medical doctors said could not be healed.”
“Rhiann?”
“Is that her name, le petite renard with the wings?”
“That’s Rhiann. When did you meet her?”
“Deux nuits--two nights ago. I entered your room to check up on you. You seemed asleep, but as I turned to check le salle de toilette, I her saw in the mirror. My eyes, I could not believe them, but when I turned around, she stood prés du lit--beside the bed--and you were there non.”
“She healed you?”
“Oui! I... I had an accident when I was younger. It caused me to... become less masculine. I could not... father the babies. She told me she would heal my problem, if I freed her from the hospital.”
“How do you know she kept her word?”
“I could not... ejaculate, before. I do not know why, the doctors, they said I was damaged, that I could not produce the sperm or the semen. I could feel the, the climax, but could not send the seed. Yesterday, I gave seed to my wife. I gave her seed two times before we fell asleep. And I truly felt it, ici.
“For this my wife and I thank you and the one called Rhiann. This ticket, it will take you to Dijon, in the east. Near to the border of Switzerland. You can ride the train and see the Alps. I was born a small distance south and east of Dijon.” He dug in his pockets and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper and a pencil. “This is the address of mon mère et père. Go to them and tell them they will be grandparents. Tell them I ask for them to take you into Switzerland. Ask them not to call for me until after you are across the border.” He brought out his wallet and handed me several bills, about two hundred Euros, if I read them right.
“This will help you. I do not know how long you can stay ahead of those who follow you. Do not be predictable. Do not let them find you. They want to know how you do what you do, and only those inside you know. The ones who follow will imprison you if they find you again.
“Merci beaucoup. Stay free.”

He turned and ran out of the station, turning a corner and disappearing before I could thank him for his help. Studying the ticket, I made my way to the gates and waited for my train.

Please note that I am using translating software, so my English to French may seem too formal or too crude. I apologize. I am also attempting to express the way I have heard French speaking people try to speak English, so please do not be insulted. I know most of what I used seems stereotypical, but without speaking regularly with someone who speaks French natively, I cannot do a good representation.

Of course, this fragment may just go over the top. I will understand if you wish me to remove or rewrite it.