Arnolds cell phone vibrating in his pocket woke him up. He winced at the pain radiating from his back and neck, sleeping in a plastic chair all night was not a good idea. He glanced at the bed where Helga was still sleeping peacefully. He turned on his phone stifling a yawn.

"Hello?"

"Arnold, it's Claire." She said on the other end.

"Hey, What's up?" He asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Irene had a relapse last night. She tried to hang herself with her bed sheets." Claire said.

"Is she okay?" Arnold asked.

"Yeah, Leon found her. He cut her down and everything. We have her sedated for now." Claire said.

"Alright, I'll be in as soon as I can." He said.

"Where are you?" Claire asked.

"I'm at the hospital with Helga. I came to see her and she didn't want me to leave her." Arnold admitted.

"You seriously are the most dedicated doctor in this practice." Claire said.

"Thanks." Arnold said.

"How is she?" Claire asked gently.

"She's bad, but I got her to eat something. She won't say a word I think it's more out of stuborness than anything else." He said.

"Well any progress at this point helps. How long are they keeping her there?" Claire asked.

"A few days." Arnold said.

"I'll get a room ready for her." Claire said.

"Thanks, a private room would be best for now." Arnold said.

"No problem." Claire said.

"I'll be in as soon as I can." Arnold said with another yawn.

"Don't worry about it. Leon is with Irene and she's sedated she's not going anywhere." Claire said.

"Thanks I appreciate it." Arnold said.

"Not a problem. You're the best doctor I got." Claire said.

"I'll be in as soon." He promised.

"Sounds good. See you then." Claire hung up.

Arnold slipped his phone back into his pocket and looked up at Helga. She was still sleeping peacefully her blonde hair spilling all over the pillows and the bed. Her skin was almost translucent it was so white, and he realized she probably hadn't gotten much sun in that basement. He pulled on his jacket as he stood wincing at his sore back, and cramped legs. He found a tablet and pen in the drawer of the nightstand and wrote a quick note for her. He promised to be back and left it on her pillow beside her before rushing out of the hospital.


He walked into the institution and went straight to his office. He tossed his briefcase onto his desk, and took off his tie just as Claire walked in.

"You didn't have to rush over." She said.

"Helga was sleeping, and I don't want Irene to feel neglected." Arnold said pulling a new tie from his desk drawer.

"You're so dedicated it's disgusting." Claire said in a teasing tone.

"I know. You should make me a partner." Arnold said shedding his jacket.

"I told you I have to run it by the board, but I'm going to try." Claire said.

Arnold pulled on his doctors coat while smiling at Claire. He really liked Clair as a person and a colleague. She was probably a good thirty years older than him, but she had aged well. She was smart, and had a great personality. As head doctor of the institution she gave the patients everything she had. She had hired Arnold when he was fresh out of school and he wouldn't be anywhere without her. She had shaped and molded him into the doctor he was today and it was their hope he would be named her partner very soon.

"Okay, so fill me in on Irene. What happened?" He asked leaning against his desk.

"Leon was here working night shift this week. He found her, she had used her sheets to hang herself. He cut her down and called me immediately. I had her sedated and called you. I thought her treatment was going so well." Claire said.

"It was I don't know what happened. A relapse I guess." Arnold said.

"It happens sometimes. I know it hurts you when it happens, but that's the job. Two steps forward and one step back." Claire said gently.

"I'd like to talk to Leon, is he still here?" Arnold asked.

"He's in the lounge. I told him to stick around." Claire said.

"Great, I'll catch up with you later." Arnold said exiting his office.

He walked down the long white hall ways passing a few patients on his way to the faculty lounge. He opened the door using his key card and stepped inside. Leon was sitting at the table alone staring into a cup of coffee that looked hours old.

"Hey Leon." Arnold said sitting across from him.

"Doctor Shortman, I'm real sorry about miss Irene." Leon said.

"Hey, it's alright. I just wanted to talk to you about it." Arnold said.

Leon sighed and went back to staring into his cup. He was a large man well over six foot tall, and muscles in abundance the problem was Leon was a teddy bear, The most gentle guy Arnold had ever met despite his size. His all white uniform made him look official, and his clean shave, and short cropped light brown hair completed the look. He was from Mississippi and his slow southern drawl often made him sound less intelligent than Arnold knew he was. Currently Leon was working on becoming a child psychologist.

"What did you want to know Sir?" Leon asked finally.

"Why were you even in the womens ward Leon?" Arnold asked.

"I thought you might ask that...I wasn't do nothing I shouldn't." Leon said.

"Okay, can you tell me?" Arnold asked.

"I...wanted to take miss Irene some candy." Leon said with a shrug.

"I'm sorry candy?" Arnold asked.

"Yeah, a few days ago I saw her in the common area reading a book. She was crying because of something or other. I gave her some candy that I had in my pocket for the kids down on the first floor. It made her smile...like a real smile..."Leon said.

"I see." Arnold said.

"I just thought if anyone in the entire world deserves to smile, it's that woman. So, I started taking her candy at night when I do my rounds." Leon said.

"Every night? and she eats it?" Arnold asked.

"It won't hurt her or nothing I promise." Leon said suddenly.

"I know, I just...you take her candy every night?" Arnold asked.

"It's not like that. I haven't touched her doctor Shortman I swear it. I wouldn't let anything inappropriate go on." Leon promised.

Arnold laughed. He believed Leon completely, above all else Leon was a gentleman by default. Arnold also noticed how much worse his accent and southern slang got when he was stressed over a conversation.

"I believe you Leon, but she eats what you give her?" Arnold asked.

"Oh yeah, she sure does like it a lot." Leon said.

"When you cut her down last night did she say anything?" Arnold asked.

"Yeah, she said her life was over. She thinks it's over because of her husband and everything. I think she's afraid nobody will want her after what he's done to her. I told her if he hits a woman he 'aint a man in my book." Leon said.

"Leon do you talk to Irene a lot?" Arnold asked.

"I try not to honest. I just talk to her a little when I give her the candy and if I think she's having a rough day I might say a few words." Leon admitted.

"How long have you been here? tonight?" Arnold asked.

"I started at six last night...I found miss Irene at about ten. I guess I've been here about sixteen hours. Why?" Leon asked.

"Go home Leon. Shower, and get some rest." Arnold said standing and placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Am I being fired?" Leon asked.

"No, no Leon." Arnold promised.

"I can come back tomorrow?" Leon asked his brown eyes looking hopeful.

"Of course. In fact I may have a job for you tomorrow." Arnold said.

"Alright Sir." Leon stood moving to the door and Arnold had to look up at him.

"Doctor?" Leon paused at the door.

"Yeah?" Arnold asked turning to look at him.

"I'm sorry if I did something to make miss Irene..."He trailed off.

"No, Leon. It wasn't you." Arnold said.

Leon left the lounge while Arnold sat staring at the table. The entire time Irene had been here Arnold had pushed her to interact with people. She had isolated herself, Arnold all but begged her to eat and she refused. Maybe, Leon was the key to saving her.


The next place Arnold went was to Irenes room. He opened the door and stepped inside. She was asleep on her bed, which was now stripped of sheets and blankets. He felt sorry for her,but the treatment was for her own good. Her neck had a red mark around it the width of his palm.

"Irene." He said her name softly, and she opened her eyes to look at him.

"Doctor Arnold." Her voice was soft, and scratchy.

"What happened?" He asked leaning against the door frame.

"I had a bad night I guess...I just got to thinking..."She said.

"About what?" Arnold asked.

"Nothing." She said shaking her head.

"Irene...I want to help you, let me help you." Arnold said.

"I know doctor Arnold, you've been real good to me." Irene said.

"Okay, why didn't you tell me that you've been talking to Leon?" Arnold asked.

"I didn't think it mattered. He's just a nice guy." Irene said.

"He's a very nice guy, but he's the one that found you last night and he's pretty shook up." Arnold said.

"Oh." She didn't say anything else.

"I need you to tell me if he's done anything that is inappropriate with you." Arnold said.

"Leon? No, he just brings me candy." Irene said rolling her eyes.

"Alright, I'll let you get some sleep. Tomorrow I'll give you your blankets back, and tomorrow you'll eat you lunch." Arnold said.

"I can't gain any weight doctor Arnold."Irene said.

"Don't worry about that right now. Get some rest." He said.

"Okay, night doctor." She said hugging her pillow closer.

"Night Irene." He pulled the door closed, and locked it not bothering to tell her it was morning not night time.

He walked slowly back to his office formulating his plan. He opened the door to his office and left it open as he collapsed into his big leather chair behind his desk. He opened his briefcase and pulled out Helgas file. He had just cracked it open when he hear the screams in the hall way.

Another resident began screaming after the first one and he surged to his feet. It looked like it was going to be a very busy day.