Finally another update! Im so glad that there are some reviewers still with me, but i do miss Eclipse's reviews. Anyway i have something very important to discuss, and i have said this a couple of chapters ago. Please, if you are going to review, please put something more than just 'I love it' and 'update soon'. it would help out a bunch if i knew what you guys liked, what can be improved, and what really isn't needed. The more helpfull the reviews the more motivated i am to get another chapter up. So that being said enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own!
Chapter 14: Black Gates Hospital for the Mentally Ill
I was taken out the main entrance of the hospital by wheelchair. I felt scared, lost, but most of all pissed off. Out front there was a white van-type vehicle with the name of the psychiatric hospital on the side. The 'attendants' offered to help me into the van-thing, but I ignored them and got in by myself. There was a screen separating the driver from the rest of the van. As soon as the 'attendants' made sure that I was securely fastened in, the van-thing slowly pulled out of the winding entrance to the hospital.
I starred out the metal-mesh covered window for a good while watching the still fog covered moors and farmland pass by. The 'attendants' spoke in very low hushed tones to each other thinking I would not hear them, but the utter silence of the van-thing was granting me the ability to hear every word.
"Do you really think she is crazy, Rick? I mean she seems like a perfectly normal teenager to me."
"John, she believes in vampires, even to the extent that she believes her boyfriend is one. In my mind she is either crazy or an attention seeking brat." The one named Rick huffed quickly. I gritted my teeth in annoyance. The one named John sighed.
"I guess you're right. But who are we to judge? She really could be a troubled soul that truly needs help." Whoa, it was like the good cop-bad cop thing with these two. But all to soon my attention was taken from the bickering 'attendants' to the imposing structure that was the insane asylum, which was growing more foreboding as we drew nearer. The building itself reminded me of Moundsville State Penitentiary in West Virginia. I gripped the pendant, which I had to beg the doctors to get back, for comfort. My thoughts jumped back to before all of this happened. My favorite family of vampire were possibly full of sorrow and notably, anger. All because of me, as they should be. But I had no time to dwell on that, for the van-thing pulled up to the locked ten foot tall wrought iron gate. A buzzer sounded and the gates automatically swung open. I felt like I was in a high security prison. The van-thing stopped in front of the "Admittance' door. The 'attendants' got out first then came around the side to the sliding back passenger door. I was unbuckled and lead into the building.
The floors gleamed spotless white, while the walls looked like a pale mint green. The air smelled heavily of bleach, other disinfectants, and air fresheners. The silence was ear shattering. On the other side of the room was a plate-glass window looking in on the reception area. There was another window inside of the reception area that opened to the common room. Patients milled around, sat in chairs, or starred at the walls. I was lead up to the window and one of the 'attendants' pushed a button on the wall panel beside the window. A sturdy woman shuffled over to the window and slid it open.
"A new arrival, eh? Name please." She had a slight accent, but her tone held a no nonsense air. I opened my mouth to speak, but John; I recognized his voice; beat me to it.
"Her name is Ember Thompson. Here is her medical information and history." He handed her a thick stack of papers in a manila envelope. She took the stack, and in doing so her name tag became visible. Dr. Pamela Wallace. She flipped through the pages, quickly scanning them as she went.
"I see. Dr. Neff has called earlier, she has a room waiting. 313. I will be there shortly." She handed John a key card and slid the window closed. Down the hall we went and up two flights of caged, padded stairs. My room came into view at the end of a long hallway. John slid the card into the electronic lock beside the door and turned the handle. I stepped inside and the door closed behind me. Alone, I looked around. The room was sparsely decorated, containing only a single-wide bed, a nightstand, a lamp, and a small dresser. And of course, everything was securely bolted to the floor. On the other side of the room a small window complete with bars on the outside, overlooked the courtyard.
"Home sweet home." I sighed as I sat on the bed. My clothing that aunt Dottie dropped off at the hospital for me to wear, matched my mood.
I was only sitting on the bed for maybe only a few minutes before the door opened. Dr. Wallace stepped in and closed the door behind her.
"Hello Ember. How are you feeling?"
"I don't know. A mixture of depression, and confusion I guess." I looked up at her. She seemed to be formulating a new question.
"Ember, do you know why you are here?" She spoke to me like I was a misunderstanding child.
"Of course I do. Everyone thinks I'm crazy." I stated flatly. That answer seemed to through her off track.
"No you are not Ember. You are just mentally exhausted, and all you need is rest away from anything that will cause you to keep believing that vampires exist." She regained her composer instantly.
"Then what is your explanation for why it happened?" I glared at her, a hard edge creeping into my voice. She was really starting to irritate me. Dr. Wallace seemed at a lose for words.
"W-well, simply put it's a clear case of you being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Now I think we have had enough of this idle chatter. Group is about to begin. Come along." She opened the door and lead me out into the hall.
The group was gathered in the common area. At least fifteen patients sat in a circle, I among them. Everyone took turns talking about their problems. Others would often interrupt and comment, only to be reprimand by a stern look giving my Dr. Wallace. I fiddled with my pendant, wishing to be away from this place. And then, to my disdain, it was my turn. Dr. Wallace gave me a short introduction.
"Everyone, this is Ember Thompson. She is going to be with us for a while, so lets make her feel welcome. Ember do you have anything to say?" She and the rest of the group looked at me. I waited for a moment, deciding what to say. So I posed a simple question.
"If I were to say I was attacked by a vampire slayer who mistook me for a vampire, how would you respond?" I crossed my arms waiting for an answer. The stitches in my arm pulled tight under the bandages.
"I'd say you are crazy. Vampires don't exist!" A guy named George interjected. A few others nodded in agreement. I let a small smirk creep onto my lips. It was a valid answer to my question that Dr. Wallace couldn't say anything about it.
"And because of that very reason, I was separated from my family and boyfriend. I don't think I need to be here for 'rest'. I need to be with my family for support. If I'm really am crazy, so be it. I would rather be crazy and with the ones I love than sane and stuck in here." I waited for a interruption. When there was none I continued on. "I was never tested for a mental problem. All the doctor said was that I needed rest away from anything that will make me think of vampires. And I don't think that will happen."
"Alright. I think that wraps up today's group. Time for supper and bed." Dr. Wallace announced. I glanced up at the clock bolted to the wall. Quarter till seven in the evening. I got up and followed everyone else out to the cafeteria.
After a hospital/prision food dinner I followed an 'Attendant' to my room, which she unlocked. I noticed that there was no light switch. It was only five minutes till eight, so I assumed that the lights automatically went off at a specific time. I laid on my bed starring out the window at the darkening sky, and the lights flicked out. Pale blue-grey moonlight filtered into the small room as I finally closed my eyes.
I stood alone on a cliff overlooking the sea. A comet was creeping closer to a full moon. A chant that seemed to be Latin whispered on the wind. Flashes of red light pulsed with those whispered words. Suddenly a hand gripped my shoulder. For a moment I thought it was Rookery trying to kill me again, but the hand seemed more caring. I tried to turn around but some invisible force kept me still. Pale hands entered my field of vision as I started to panic.
"Be calm." The familiar voice of Gregory quelled the panic, but I couldn't tell if I was just hearing his voice or this really was him. The hands slinked around my waist, and cool breath caressed my neck. Then cool lips pressed against my neck. I was elated that this was really my Gregory! But something felt….off. I felt the sharp points of fangs press into my skin. I tried to protest but I couldn't speak or move! I felt the pain as the fangs popped though the skin of my neck and I heard the whoosh of my blood being sucked from my body. My head felt heavy and I was getting dizzy, but still I tried to fight to make a sound or movement, but to no avail. The edges of my vision blurred and black spots floated through it. The beating of my heart slowed rapidly, as my life was being slowly drained away. Why? Why, Gregory? The fangs were pulled from my neck and the arms released my. I crumpled to the ground, my vision and pulse almost gone. Suddenly several drops of a metallic tasting liquid hit my tongue. I coughed and my muscles quivered. And then it all stopped.
I bolted up right. My skin was coated in a sheen of cold sweat. I glanced at the nightstand automatically but there was no clock. I through my legs over the edge of the bed and held my head in my hands. My dream felt so vivid, that I cupped my hand around the side of my neck just to make sure it was just a dream. I jumped as I heard a faint tapping. I looked at the window only to be greeted by a pair of red eyes and louder tapping. The clouds uncovered the moon and I was shocked at who I saw.
"Gregory!" I jumped up and ran to the window. I quickly felt around for a latch, and hoisted the window up.
"Are you alright?" Gregory blurted out the moment the window was up. I nodded as I reached my hand through the bars. The cool skin of his face met my hand. He visibly relaxed at my touch.
"How are you going to get me out of here. They have this place locked up tighter than a maximum security prison." I franticly whispered. Gregory eyes the bars on the window. With a smirk he pulled a ring of keys out of his pocket.
"I don't think the night guard will mind."
"The lock is on the inside." I pulled my hand back through the bars and stepped back. Gregory transformed into a bat and barely had enough room to slip inside. One he transformed back he wrapped me in a all most bone crushing hug. I pulled back enough and kissed him. He kissed me back threefold. When we broke the kiss I rested my head on the crook on his neck.
"I missed to so much, Gregory."
"I missed you too. Now to get you out of here." He pulled away and turned toward the window. The keys jingles as he searched for the right one. There was a faint click and the bars fell away from the window, and hid the ground with a muffled clang three stories down. Gregory lifted himself out the window and hovered in front of it. He reached out his hand to me, which I gladly took. I then hoisted myself out of the window, hovering there thanks to Gregory. I nodded to him, and we flew away from that dreaded asylum. But all to quickly the thought of my chilling dream crept back into my mind. The comet was getting closer to the moon by the day, and I have a feeling that it won't end well.