Uncaging Alice

Chapter 10: Alice

It was a few hours after the sun rose before I saw anyone. Yesterday Marguerite had moved me to what felt like the other end of the large building and locked me in a room that was only big enough for a cot to sleep on.

Dr Gail was now standing there, looking down at me from the doorway. "Alice, I heard you had some problems yesterday."

I shook my head. I had been laying on my bed after supper when Marguerite had come in and said I was going to spend a night in another room. She gave me no explanation and I hadn't slept very well, wondering what was going on.

"Hmm..." Dr Gail looked away for a moment. "Marguerite mentioned you were crying hysterically, that you'd had another vision."

Now I was very confused. "No... I was fine yesterday..."

The woman stared at me; it was clear she did not believe me. "Follow me." She said, turning away.

I stood and followed her out of this wing towards the main building. I had been telling her about my premonitions when I met with her a few times a week. I had been completely honest with her and couldn't imagine why she would distrust me.

We ended up going to her office, where she motioned for me to sit in my usual chair across from her desk. Taking her normal pose of sitting with her hands folded in her lap, she sighed. "Would you like to tell me what happened?... And I would appreciate if you wouldn't lie to me this time."

"But... I'm not lying..." I had failed to find anything to say, feeling like she wouldn't believe me if I did. "I was laying on my room and she came in and got me..."

Dr Gail closed her eyes shortly. "Alice... have you ever experienced not being able to recall any length of time? A blackout?"

"No..." I shook my head again. "I'm sorry. I don't understand what you're talking about. I had supper, I went to my room to lay down. That's all."

"What Marguerite explained to me was that she found you on your bed; you were crying hysterically and looked like you were not... here. She called your name a few times but was unable to snap you out of it. She left the room for help, but when she came back, you were fine."

"That never happened!" I was starting to panic, I didn't know what to do. I just wished William was here to help me.

"As it is," She shrugged and put her hands up as if she had no choice. "We're going to have to put you on some medication. Just a mild sedative to keep you calm."

"But I am calm!"

"Hm," She smiled to herself. "If the medication doesn't work as we hope it to, we'll have to look into a more aggressive treatment." The doctor stood from her desk and came over to me as I got up from my chair. She placed her hand behind my back. "Let's take you back to your regular room and get you situated and comfortable."

I was in shock that there was nothing I could do but allow this to happen. The walk back was hazy while I tried to convince myself that William would be able to help me.