We had finally split into two groups.
I was surprised that only 6 people - including myself - decided to go up to floor 4. I was expecting a lot more to go...
The 6 of us followed Mr Aceberg into the lift.
He was humming to himself and looked like he didn't have a care in the world. Then again, considering how terrifying everyone made floor 4 sound, it wouldn't be ground breaking news if he'd gone slightly nuts by now.
I did not expect to see the blond girl in the lift though. I was sure she wouldn't go.
Ding!
The doors separated and a bright light briefly dazed me.
We exited the lift and I took in the surroundings.
We were standing in a long corridor and everything was coloured in the shades of white, grey and silver.
Now this place was certainly beginning to look like an asylum…
The others around me looked just as apprehensive as I felt until a loud clap cut through the silence.
''Now then, it's time to get to business! Let's go!'' Mr Aceberg chirped.
After walking for a short while, we arrived at a different looking corridor that had padded doors with numbers on them as well as guards with guns standing nearby.
I guessed this was where the criminals stayed and Mr Aceberg soon confirmed that thought. He encouraged us to peek inside the tiny but thick glass windows that each door had.
At first I jumped at the opportunity, but what I saw dampened my spirits.
The rooms were small, white and entirely padded to prevent self-harm. Some of the patients were even restrained with straitjackets.
The first patient I saw kept aimlessly wandering around the empty room, the second was bobbing back and forth, the third appeared to be crying and fourth tried to jump scare me by getting close to the door.
Reluctantly, I walked up to door number 165.
I saw a male lying curled up on the floor in the furthest corner of the room with his knees drawn up to his chest. He was wearing a straitjacket and black pants, I couldn't see his face though because it was obscured by long strands of raven black hair.
''Oooh! I see you found everyone's favourite! Jeffy boy!'' Mr Aceberg's voice startled me.
He walked up to the door and glanced through the window.
A disgusted expression found its way to his face.
''What did he do?'' I wondered out loud looking back at the black and white figure.
''Don't worry, you'll have a chance to find out from the man himself in due time! For now, let's leave the poor thing to rest, he has a toilet break in 30 minutes so he must be feeling slightly…constipated'' Mr Aceberg said and then simply walked away.
I could tell his words were intended to mock and that sent a cold shiver down my back.
I started feeling really, really uncomfortable.
'These people are trapped, this is their life and yet, here I am watching them through glass for entertainment, as if they're some sort of animals in a zoo…this is so wrong.'
Upon realizing this, I no longer felt like looking through the windows, so I simply waited until everyone else was done.
After what felt like an eternity we arrived at a staffroom.
We were given cups of hot coffee and allowed to rest our legs while the staff introduced themselves to us.
After the brief resting period, the 6 of us were once again split into two smaller groups of 3.
I was placed with the angry blonde girl and some guy with sideburns. Our group would be supervised by Mr Aceberg who informed us that starting tomorrow we'd be introduced to some of the patients.
I felt…excited I suppose.
3 days later.
We spent the next three days visiting various patients while they were in different stages of their daily activities. I have to admit, it was incredibly interesting.
One patient in particular got stuck in my mind.
Patient 166 - Jane Arkensaw.
We arrived just in time to watch an injection of nutrients get administered to her. She was secured to a bed with leather belts while the doctors pierced a needle into her arm. She briefly made eye contact with me. Her hair was long black and curly...or maybe it was a wig? And her face was brown and disfigured…it looked like the aftermath of burns.
I couldn't believe how young she was though.
She appeared to be of the same age group as me, so similar and yet so very different.
Mr Aceberg told us a little about her and showed us a white mask which she used to wear during her murder sprees before getting administered to the hospital.
It had splatters of dry blood all over it…
My 4th day on floor 4 was coming to a close and we had learnt all sorts of new information about the medicine used to treat patients and their daily routines.
Not to mention, we were finally beginning to relax. Two days ago I couldn't even brush my teeth without being on edge.
''Well then, glad to see that all three of you are still in one piece!'' Mr Aceberg joked causing the blonde girl (whose name I found out to be Lauren) to scoff.
''You know what, since you've all been obedient today I will reward you. I'll introduce you to my favourite patient in the entire hospital, how about it?''
''Whatever, but that better mean you'll let us get some proper sleep tomorrow'' Lauren sassed. I sighed. She had that high school bitch vibe down in aces.
''Sure sure, lets go! It's been a while since I've paid him a visit!''
We followed Mr Aceberg down the corridor.
We arrived at a huge, metal reinforced door.
Instead of a key it required a code.
''This is where psychotherapy sessions take place as well as interrogations at times'' Mr Aceberg explained and unlocked the door with a press of six digits.
Before entering I noticed a plate next to the door that said –
Session in progress. Patient 165. Do not disturb!
The room seemed to be busy at the moment, but I didn't want to get left behind while spacing out, so I followed the others inside.
On the left side of the room there was a large two-way mirror that nearly covered the entire wall. It was looking into a brightly lit room which resembled the standard white, padded patient rooms only bigger. There was a smaller metal door connecting the two rooms as well as a great deal of TVs, wires, buttons and other technology everywhere.
The sideburn guy from my group (whose name I found out to be Rick) gasped.
''This is amazing! So advanced! I bet this is where all the questioning gets recorded!'' he squeaked pointing out multiple cameras within the room.
I noticed that there were three other adults wearing lab coats already in the room and they didn't look pleased.
''Aceberg? What are you doing here? Did you not see the notice outside?'' one of the men grumbled.
''I did, but you see...I'm showing these three around and I can't afford to let them miss out on the most interesting place in the entire hospital'' Mr Aceberg responded.
''Aceberg! You may have a higher position than us, but you will not disrespect us in this way-''
''-You're exactly right! I do have a higher position than you, which means you ca-''
The men raised their voices at each other and I turned away, focusing on something other than their pathetic ego-driven squabble.
I noticed that there was someone behind the glass sitting in the very centre of the room
Curiously, I walked closer to the glass to observe the person.
I recognized him!
He was the black haired man I saw lying in the cell a while ago. I still couldn't see his face because he was hunching over, but I recalled his name to be Jeff.
He was wearing a straitjacket, but didn't appear to be restrained in any other way and was sitting on a normal brown chair.
''-Fine Aceberg! Do what you want as always, but if you keep this up for much longer you will lose your position sooner or later! I guarantee it!'' the man shouted and grabbed his briefcase ''-and when that day comes, you will receive no sympathy from me you crazy bastard!'' he finished and stormed out of the room, followed by the two others.
''Language! Language!'' Mr Aceberg's overly dramatic voice followed.
I could tell there was a great deal hostility between the two men, but I didn't really care.
''Now that that's out of the way, for the main attraction of the day!'' Mr Aceberg sung walking up to the glass and pressing a button on one of the keyboards.
The glass appeared to turn a shade lighter.
He then pressed another button and spoke ''wakey wakey Jeffery boy! You have visitors!''
The raven haired male twitched and slowly began raising his head.
That day, a sequence of events was set in stone.
Because by the time our eyes had met.
It was already…far too late.
