At one point or another, we all experience some type of insanity at least once during the course of life. A normal person is able to silence or even eliminate the voices he hears in his head every so often... but, some people can't shake those voices. Somehow, those evil voices begin to manifest themselves as real people, and suddenly, a young man ends up in a sanitarium.
Consumed
"I lie on the floor, washed by nothing and hanging on. I cry at night. I am afraid of hearing voices, or a voice. I have come to the edge, of the land. I could get pushed over."
Hello, Dick.
...
I'm only here to talk for a little bit. You made some wonderful progress yesterday.
...
Every time you are able to tell me about yourself, you are healing. Being able to talk about yourself isn't easy.
...who cares.
Who cares? Well for starters, I care.
No you don't.
I don't...?
No. I know I'm not special, like you make me out to be. You have plenty of other patients you have to deal with. You just fuck with our minds to make us do what you want and react the way you want. All this is just a game.
Why would I be playing games?
...you're just like him.
Dick, have you been seeing Slade again?
Hello, Dick.
...
Do you feel like talking to me today?
No.
I think it might help.
...
I've heard you haven't been wanting to eat. Judging by the dark circles under your eyes, I don't think you've been sleeping either.
...why does it matter?
It matters because refusing to eat or sleep isn't learning how to function again. If you can't function, you can't get out of here.
How does being in a fucking asylum teach me how to function?
Why are you so angry?
I'm angry because I don't belong here. I'm not crazy.
I don't believe you're crazy, Dick. Let's talk about the hallucinations.
...
Is Slade here right now?
...
Dick? I can't help you unless you talk to me. Is Slade here right now?
...yes. He's sitting over there.
Is he saying anything?
...not right now.
What does he say to you?
...
Dick?
...he taunts me all the time. Calls me a coward, a failure. He says I brought this on myself, and I'll never escape him.
Since you've been here, how have the hallucinations started again?
...
Dick?
...I don't know. It just kind of... happened.
Something had to trigger it. What were you thinking about when he came back?
...
Was there something that reminded you of him?
...I... I was thinking.
You were thinking. About what?
...
Dick-
Everything. Everything that's happened. Everything that I've lost. I don't have friends, family, nothing. I am a nothing. I see people and talk to people who don't exist... I'm in a mental hospital, too crazy to even go to the bathroom alone. I've destroyed myself, and threatened to destroy my friends. I might as well be dead.
I don't believe that. But, Slade showed his face again?
... (nods)
Dick, why are you crying?
(sniffling)...I thought it had stopped...
It's okay. Every time you take a big step forward, you have to take a small step back. You shouldn't be discouraged.
...
You understand that seeing Slade does not make him real? That he can't really hurt you?
...yes.
You understand that thinking about the bad things in your life... allowing yourself to become consumed in all that sadness and anger... that's what makes him appear?
...yes.
Then Dick, you understand what causes your hallucinations.
Really?
Yes.
... (smile)
Author's Note:
Happiness (finally)! Please review!