Sorry for the delay in this chapter. It's the last week of school so things are hectic. I should catch up by the weekend.
Chapter 2
After spending the rest of her weekend studying the materials that Archangel had given her, Caitlin was ready but nervous about starting the internship at the mental hospital. She would be working the overnight shift and was relieved that Saint John had gotten the job as an orderly on the same shift. Once there, she was immediately introduced to Doctor Case who she was told she'd be working directly with. He was older man in his late fifties with slightly graying black hair. She could tell he had lived a hard life because his face was more wrinkled than anyone else she knew at that age.
"I believe you'll learn a lot from working with me," said Dr. Case. "I've read some good things about you. Is it true you are interested in experimental treatments?"
"Yes," she replied. "That's why I tried so hard to get my internship here with you," she replied. "I heard you are doing some fascinating breakthrough treatments."
Dr. Case smiled. "Well, I have had some positive results," he replied. "The biggest impact has been on patients with PTSD. I just saw that I'm getting a new patient tomorrow morning who is suffering from that. You'll get a chance to see my experiments in action."
Caitlin tried hard to smile. She had to hide her concern of the fact that he was talking about String. "That's great," she replied. "It looks like I got here just in time."
As they were talking, another doctor came into the room. This one was much younger, in his mid thirties and Caitlin found him to be rather handsome.
"Ah, Doctor Jordan," said Dr. Case. "This is our new intern, Caitlin Owens. She'll be working closely with us over the next two months."
Dr. Jordan smiled at Caitlin as he seemed to be looking her over. "Wow, no offense but you're the best looking intern we've ever had."
Caitlin smiled. "No offense taken," she said. But, she thought to herself, "What a male chauvinist."
Already, something about both men made Caitlin's skin craw but she knew she had to get them to like her and play along with everything in order to gain their confidence. Her first priority was to try and find out what happened to Doc. So far, he was no where around and no one had mentioned him. She figured that she'd have to probe some of the patients for that information as soon as she could get away on her own.
"I'll show you the rounds," said Dr. Jordan. "Tonight you'll follow me and tomorrow night you can try it on your own. After rounds we work with the specialty cases that Dr. Case gives us."
"Okay," sounds great." Caitlin said. "I'm anxious to start."
Caitlin followed Dr. Jordan around for the evening. She couldn't help but notice how he liked to touch her on the shoulder or arm whenever he got the opportunity. "He must like me," she thought. "I'd better go along with it. I just hope Hawke understands that it's for Doc."
As morning came, so did the end of her shift. An hour before she was to leave, they got their new PTSD patient which Caitlin knew would be Hawke. He was brought in by ambulance and had been put on a gurney in restraints. Caitlin watched as they wheeled him into his room. She stood back and watched both men deal with him.
"Why the restraints?" she asked.
"Yeah, that's what I want to know," String yelled. "I don't need to be tied down."
"It's for your own good Mr. Hawke," said Dr. Case. "When I return this evening, we'll discuss removing them at that time."
Caitlin watched as Dr. Jordan took a syringe and stuck it in String's arm.
"What's that for?" she asked.
Dr. Jordan winked at her. "Oh, we have to sedate him until we do his evaluation this evening. This way he won't be a danger to himself or anyone on the day shift."
"Oh, I see," she replied, trying to hide the worry in her voice. "Michael, I'm not sure about this whole thing," she thought to herself.
"I'm not a danger to anyone," said Hawke whose eyes were growing increasingly heavy.
"We'll decide that this evening, Mr. Hawke," said Dr. Jordan. Then he turned to Caitlin. "Speaking of evening, would you like to have dinner before our next shift?"
Caitlin tried to avoid looking at String when she replied. "Sure, I'd love to," she replied.
"Great," he said. "I know this wonderful little restaurant just down the street from here. We can meet up about an hour before our shift."
Dr. Case handed Caitlin a small clipboard. "Here, see if you can get him to answer a couple of questions before he passes out," he said. "It'll give us something to start with this evening."
The two men left Caitlin alone with String. He stared at her but was having a hard time keeping his eyes open. "Caitlin," he said. "Please be careful. I already have a really bad feeling about those two."
"I will," she replied. "I'm more worried about you."
"I'll be fine," he said. "Don't worry. Just ask me those questions quick because I can't keep my eyes open much longer."
Caitlin asked the few questions on the clip board and jotted down some notes. By the time she was finished String was sound asleep. She looked over to make sure his door was still closed and she quickly leaned in and kissed him before turning and heading out.
"I'll see you tonight," she whispered. "I love you."
