Italics - Personal Pov
Italics & Bold - dreams/memories/past events
I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT NOR ANY OF STEPHANIE MEYER'S BRILLIANT CHARACTER'S HOWEVER I DO OWN MY OWN
Danger in the Shadows Chapter 1
The leaves swayed, brushing against each other, making the most terrifying sound; like ghostly whispers in the dark. Each tree trunk looked eerily like a silhouette, I feared walking any further into the unknown dark forest that lay just beyond the confines of the hospital. My white nightgown swung around me, as the forceful wind whipped tirelessly against my skin. I could hear the faint voices of security guards and doctor keener inching there way closer to me. I threw myself behind a fallen log landing in torrent of mud and rocks, The rain was making me tremble while my bones felt frigid amid the pellets of rain and hail that drenched my body. I knew I wouldn't escape I never escaped...
I awoke letting out strangled gasps of air my breathing became ragged breaths as tears slid down my cheeks making my face red and tired looking. I realized long ago escaping this place wasn't an option, no one ever escaped!.
This place was a large part of my childhood the stark grey hospital walls and iron gates were reminiscent of a prison, often as a child I remember looking out the bar laden windows of my room, The putrid green walls smothered me and the bland metal bed holding no comfort. My eyes closed as I remembered the faces of the dead and the grotesque features of the monsters that hid in the dark corners of my room, I was always afraid of the creature's that no one else could see. I had been told I was crazy for so long I had actually started believing it. Every time I would see something the doctors would make me take more medication, Over the years I believed the medication did more worse than good. But medication wasn't there only tactic Doctor Keener had me take electric shock therapy after four years he realised it did nothing to end what I saw.
Then there was what Doctor Keener called "experimental procedures" He would take me to the most frightening places or at least what seemed frightening to a child graveyards, morgues, dilapidated houses and caves, Then he would fill my head with horror stories things a child should never hear his plan was to make me realise nothing would harm but he was always surprised when I ended up hurt. With bleeding wounds so horrible he thought I had done it myself which was never the case. Events like that I suppose is why my father all but gave me away when I was nine claiming he couldn't deal with my erratic behaviour. On certain occasions he would call but our conversation were emotionless and empty we spoke words to each other that couldn't even be compiled into a sentence a quick hello and goodbye then the click of the phone hanging up, Now it had been four years since he last called I can't remember what his voice even sounded like?
From the age of nine onward my life revolved around mount pleasant hospital located in the small industrialised town of Lakewood Maine. I lived within the hospital in D ward. Located one floor below E ward where they kept the more deranged and psychotic. It was a strange environment to grow up in with nurses watching you around the clock and spending hours upon hours alone without speaking to another soul I was use to it though being left alone it just gave me more time to be myself, it also gave me more time to study and think productive thoughts although I suppose for a normal seventeen year old? this life would cause them immense struggle and depression but for me it felt like I was slowly going insane from the lack of comfort and human contact, Was that too much to ask for? A visit or two from anyone? A hug or even a Joke? In here it's seemed impossible to get a laugh or simple smile.
There were no other children in D ward just the occasional twenty something but never any children. That left me to spend my time alone or with the others who I can say with discontent are not my cup of tea and have less than admirable traits. There are ten other full time patients who reside here around the clock, Then there are others who are among D Ward's most notorious Darla Morris she's across the hall from me she's a 48yr old alcoholic with schizophrenia, Next to her cage I mean room is George Smith a 63 yr old self proclaimed God who was convicted of murder. On the other side of his room is Chelsea Newman a 27yr old pyromaniac who entertains the occasional suicidal thought and of course at the very end of my lovely ward is John flint a not so friendly Sociopath who once managed to free himself from the confines of his locked room attack two nurses and then me. And there you have it my life. Everyday I would surmise in my head a plan to end my impenetrable fate of living within these cold catatonic walls to no avail.
I sat on my bed with my legs crossed leaning one hand below my chin. I sighed inwardly feeling contempt over take me. Everyday was the same Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, I would be forced to partake in group therapy, Friday was the worst a private one on one session with Doctor Keener. I read somewhere that every person has an Arch Nemesis in there lives I had concluded long ago Doctor Keener was mine, The most evil soul who had been forced into my life. When would it end? When would it stop? Almost on cue I heard the unmistakable keys jingling at my door.
"Hello Noelle how are you today?" Nurse Fitzpatrick came in my room her usual demeanor was never friendly she would usually throw me a blank stare or a disgruntled look but now she was eyeing me and actually speaking.
"I'm fine" I replied easily
"That's good are you packed?"
"What?" I looked at her skeptically seeing that her mouth form an O.
"No one told you?"
"Told me what?"
"Doctor Keener signed your release papers before he left. Your going home" Home? I wasn't even aware I had one?
I didn't dare speak for fear this was a cruel joke for years I had waited for this moment and now that it was here I couldn't speak or cry.
"Want me to help you pack?" Was she actually offering me help?
Without waiting for me to reply she went to the closet and retrieved a bag she began folding my clothes and putting them in. But I still couldn't move the shock hadn't worn off I recalled Nurse Fitzpatrick handing me my bag and taking me to Doctor Keener's head office.
When I entered I was surprised to see boxes and papers littered through-out the room, I took a seat in a high back leather chair that sat across from Doctor Keener's desk.
"Has Mag informed you of your departure?" A man I didn't recognise spun around in the chair, I vaguely registered the name Mag than realised he was referring to nurse Fitzpatrick
"Yes she has, Can I ask why Doctor Keener changed his mind about my release?" The man before me let out a sigh and clasped his hands together in a tight fist
"Doctor Keener was disbarred" He swallowed so loud I could here as the saliva washed down his throat "For malpractice and mistreatment of patients"
For the first time in my life I did something I never thought possible I smiled not just a magnificent happy smile but a satisfied one.
"Was he now?" My smile didn't fade but deepened as the doctor before me wiped the sweat pouring from his for head
"Yes that's why your no longer a patient here. Upon viewing your record I can see your no longer a danger to yourself or others as such you'll be released immediately, of course upon conditions." He slid a piece of paper towards me I eyed it with distrust.
"What's this? and what do you mean conditions?"
"I have a problem Noelle. The state's threatening us with penalty's over Keener's mishaps and if they find out about this" He held up a box with my name written on it.
"Then I'll be done for. So I have a proposition for you" He leaned forward whispering fervently."I release you today and you never mention Keener's crazy experiment's to anyone"
"All you need to do is sign this and you'll be home by sundown" He leaned his back against his chair placing his hands on either side.
I knew this would be my only chance at freedom and there was no way I would throw that away. I picked up the ink fountain pen and sprawled my name across the paper.
"I informed your father of your release this morning he's already made arrangements for you" I looked at him curiously
"How did you know I would sign?"
"I read your file" He proceeded to lift up three more boxes from behind his desk.
Please Review it's not hard the buttons right there.
