Out of Their Minds

Skye looked up with bright eyes at Ambriel. She hopped off her lap just as her eye gave a violent twitch. She ran towards the blocks, closing her eyes as she randomly thrust them back in. She slid the lid on, making sure she didn’t look at the imperfect pile of blocks.

“I would like that very much.” She said with a smile.

((Ack! My shortest post yet.)

 

Light wafted into the cell and Mortimer looked up, there was one of those white dressed people again.
"C'mon Mort, time for your daily stroll," said the nurse with a strong tone of apathy.
Mortimer stood up and allowed himself to be led by the nurse to the social room. There he saw a woman speaking with a very young girl. This young girl caught Mortimer's attention unlike any of the other patients. There seemed to be something very special about her. He broke away from the nurse and charged to their table.
"Good f***ing God! It's you! Why are you here? You must run m' lady, run while you still can! These f***ers are going to kill us all!" Mortimer fell on his back and was thrown into a laughing fit. The girl and lady seemed very upset with his behavior, but Mortimer didn't notice a thing.
"All going to die... all of us f***ing pigs will die. I'll kill you all..."

 

Gregor nodded towards the door. Quickly Charlie came back in and grabbed his cell phone. The ress of a few buttons and the phone's call log was deleted. Handel tossed the orderly the two pill bottles and said, "Remember what I told you a going out of business sale. Dr. Klesps will be watching you closely. You are a nice boy Charlie, stop spending so wildly and you won't need to sell medication. I'm worried about you. Take control of this sitaution before surgery is needed."

The orderly nodded as he held his cell phone in a white knuckled grip. Afraid to turn his back on Gregor, Charlie slowly backed out of the room.

Gregor frowned. "You were right all along. About what? You know perfectly well. You are really going to make me say it, aren't you? Fine. There was a secret viewing slot in the door. Yes telling me to just motion for the orderly to come in instead of calling him was a stroke of genius. What? No I will not call you the lizard king.

"Oh please, that wasn't a serious bet. Did we shake on it? Oh ... we did. Did we pinky swear? What's a pinky swear?! Come now Klesps, it's when you touch pinkies wrap them around each other and pull them apart. Hurm ... it's practically a legally binding contract. Well it isn't my fault you don't have pinkies. What about that little claw thingie at the end of your paws? That's close to a pinkie. It's a what?! You do WHAT WITH IT?! Oh ... sorry old man. I had no idea. I'm only human."

 

Skye looked at Mortimer with angry eyes, quickly running away from the mad man. She quickly climbed into Ambriel’s lap, burying her face into her chest. Her eye gave a twitch as she held onto the woman. She didn’t like Mortimer one bit.

She turned around, and looked at him with wide eyes, “You go away you naughty!” she yelled.

 

Ambriel wasn't sure what to think about Mortimer's behavior. She only knew it was upsetting to Skye and she needed to get her out of there immediately.

This man was a patient she knew little about, yet what he said caused her to feel concern for her safety and the safety of Skye.

"It's okay honey....we are leaving this room now...how would you like to go see Gregor?" She knew the child would feel better once she saw that he was alright.

"Skye, look at me sweetie...I want you to know that I am never going to let anybody hurt you again...ever...do you understand me?" Skye looked at her and nodded as she buried her face into Ambriel's chest.

Picking her up and carrying her out of the room, she looked back at Mortimer...he was being surrounded by a couple of nurses and some orderlies.
"You should listen to him Ambriel...you should listen...listen." The voices again...she picked up her step as she headed for the corridor.

Once outside she stood Skye on her feet..."Okay, hold onto my hand...we have to be quick if we are going to be able to see him before bed check." Ambriel was glad that Skye was able to match her steps.

It took only a few seconds to reach the corridor where Gregor was being kept. There was orderly standing in the shadow with a guy she had never seen before...it looked as if they were making an exchange or something..."Who knows what goes on in this place?" She thought..."Ask no questions, you get told no lies."

Outside of the door Ambriel felt Skye grasp her hand a bit harder...it almost hurt. Just as she put her hand on the door to push it open...."Hey, wait...you can't enter here...there is no entering Mr. Handel's room."

Ambriel was flustered. "You mean to say that this child isn't allowed to see the one man who has been kind to her this whole time?" She waited for a response.

"No, absolutely nobody is getting past those doors...not the brat or you lady."

"I think you are making a mistake here, I think Mr. Handel would want to see her." Her cheeks turned red with anger. "Look, Charlie...that is what it says on the your name tag, right you piece of sh#t?...Tell me, why am I having to argue with you...just let me in the God damned room!!" She didn't know why but a seething anger stirred within her and in that moment, Ambriel was sure she could have choked him with her bare hands.

Charlie...turned white...ghost white, Ambriel was almost certain he was terrified...this caused her to fear, for the anger was something she had never felt in the entirety of her life. "What is happening here...what is happening?" She looked down at Skye, who didn't seem to notice anything...she smiled up at Ambriel and grabbed hold of her waist.

Something strange was happening in that place...Ambriel needed to seek the one who once held power over her.

 

Chaos could hear Niel talking in the back of his head "You know, you could have been a bit nicer to that doctor." Chaos responds by thinking "Sorry but it irritates me when I talk to people that think I don't exist." Niel says "Why didn't you tell me before that you think I'm was also created on the day we met." "I didn't think you could handle it. Uptill now, you thought you were the original." "Chaos, you can keep control for awhile, I just want to rest for now." Chaos says "You have been resting a lot lately, is there anything you want to talk about." Niel says "Its just that I'm starting to lose faith that we will eventually get out of here." Chaos says "Hey, I told you we are getting out of here and I ment it." Niel doesn't respond.

Chaos decides that a change of scenery would be good for Niel. Chaos leaves his room and goes to the playroom. When he gets inside he sees a guy who is surrounded by a couple of orderlies. "I'm guessing that it is probably a bad idea to sit near that guy." Chaos thinks to himself. Chaos goes to the corner of the room and sits down.

 

When finished in the bathroom, he walked back down the hall to his room and placed the cup on the dresser by his bed. Eyeing the room, he saw nothing of interest. It was pale and idle and he needed a breath of fresh air, and he really wanted to make sure that things hadn't escelated and one of his fellow patients wasn't dying right now.

He walked out of his room, and smiled at his orderly halfway, telling him where the cup was. The guy nodded, and he continued forward, to the girl named Skye's room, and again, noone was there.

"Looks like they started their days a lot earlier than you my friend."

Compared to the other day, the halls were a ghost town. He felt lost with bordness. After a moment of walking, he remembered that Gregor - and most everyone else - had found the playroom quite popular, so he figured he had no choice. He would simply go and see if there was anyone there, or anything to do.

The playroom was on the other side of the hospital, so he'd have to go now.

 

Ambriel opened the door to Gregor's room with out waiting for a response from Charlie..."What the hell does he know anyway?" Ambriel thought.

She was holding Skye's hand as they walked in together. The young girl looked up at Ambriel and asked, "Is he hurting...do you think Klesps is hurt too?" The question was so innocent and there were tears in Skye's eyes.

"No honey, I am sure Gregor is very strong...and Klesps, he is able to take anything...he is very strong too, you know." Ambriel smiled gently.

Skye let go of her hand and walked over to Gregor's bed side...he seemed to be sleeping peacefully, Ambriel almost hated to wake him. Watching him...she wondered about the life he had once lived...she considered his family, friends...it was odd but, suddenly she felt a bond to this man, a bond she had never expected or wanted.

Stirring, he opened his eyes...immidiatly he looked turned and looked at Skye standing by his bed. She lit up as soon as saw he was awake...he smiled too. Ambriel couldn't help but feel the same joy and relief that he was alright.

"It's time to talk to him Ambriel...he has been waiting for you." Damn, that voice again. She was never sure when it was going to speak to her. No sooner had she heard the voice when Gregor turned to look at her. His eyes were kind...she wanted to reach out to him...but, apprehension and paranoia was stronger than her need for comfort.

"Hello, Gregor...how you are feeling today?...I hope you don't mind our visit...but a certain little girl needed to see you." She wanted to add, "As did I"....but, thought better of it.

Gregor just looked at her...she needed to ask him the questions concerning her first few weeks...did he see anybody there with her...did he notice anything odd or strange?
"Yeah...Ambriel, your in a freakin' mental institution for God's sake, of course everything is odd and strange." She took a deep breath and walked up to his bed...she would know soon enough what he knew.

With every bit of courage she had, Ambriel said, "Gregor, I need to talk to you if I may...I need to know about when I first came to stay here at the hospital"

 

Gregor stirred and opened his eyes to see Ambriel and Skye looking down on him. He carefully propped himself on one arm. "Are you really sure you want to go down this path? We could forget the entire episode." Handel turned towards the empty wall. "I've never seen Dr. Klesps so serious. Yes ... I really think this would be better left alone." He sighed heavily. She wasn't going to leave and had every right to know the truth. "Very well Ambriel, ask me a succinct question and I'll answer you truthfully."

 

Ambriel cleared her throat, took a deep breath and asked, "Did I have any visitors the first few days after I came to stay here, and if you so, did you ever hear any names being spoken...like...Jason...?" She wasn't sure why her dead husbands name came out it just did...she decided to leave it in the air.

 

"Yes I think Klesps is right, you should sit down." Ambriel took a seat at the foot of Gregor's bed. She was careful to stay clear of his bandaged leg. "Tell me," said Handel, "what do you remember about how Jason died?"

 

"Hey, Haze. You have a visitor?"

"Oh?"

A visitor? Noah stood and walked to the reception. A visitor? Well, damn. He knew he hadn't told anybody he was coming. There was a pretty lady there, tall, well dressed, beautiful auburn hair. Her melancholic face turned into a light smile as Noah approached.

"Oh....Noah..." she exclaimed, walking closer.

"Hello. Do I know you?"

"Noah? Noah, it's me. Mom."

"No, my mom doesn't look like this..." Was this lady confusing him with someone else?

"Noah, it's me. I'm your mother. Honey don't you remember me?"

"Lady, I think you're confusing me with someone else..."

The lady almost lunged forward and clutched Noah's shirt tightly into her hands.

"I'm you mom, Noah! Why don't you remember me!"

"Ma'am I seriously don't--"

"You're my son! You're my baby, Noah."

"Ma'am..."

"Noah!"

"Ma'am seriously..." Noah was shaking a bit now. This lady, whoever she was, was confused. His mom was right here, she was close and she wasn't this person clutching to him.

"Noah! Son!"

"I'm not your son!!" Noah exploded, pushing her away.

"Noah?"

"I'm not your fricking son!! You are not my mother!"

"That's not true! I AM you mother!"

"No no! Lies! Orderly!!"

"Noah!!"

"Orderly!!"

An orderly finally came and took Noah away from the woman, while a nurse knelled next to her.

"Ma'am, I'll have to ask you to leave now."

"But, my son..."

"He's in a very altered state ma'am, we can schedule another visit soon."

"I want to see his psychiatrist."

"But..."

"I want to see whoever's in charge here!"

Meanwhile, the orderly had taken Noah back to the playroom and given him a small cup of water.

"Relax, okay?"

Noah nodded dumbly, staring at the water in his hands. That lady wasn't his mom. That lady wasn't his mom. That lady wasn't his mom. His mom was....His mom was.....

"Mom...."

 

The question...caused Ambriel's stomach to knot..."Uhm...well, I...I can't really remember much...I think they told me his plane went down while he was coming back from an overseas charity case." Ambriel, felt her eyes tear up as her throat burned.

She had never seen the body or even reviewed the documentation concerning the crash. Shortly after the news of his death she began to have nightmares...soon the paranoia became unbearable...that is all she could remember.

"Gregor"...she almost whispered..."do you think I am crazy?"

 

Gregor smiled kindly. "Oh I do hope you don't mind Klesps patting your knee. He is trying to reassure you. Yes Dr. Klesps, you did say this was inevitable. The mind is a wonderous thing. When something is too painful, the mind reaches for something less painful. Usually it graps for similar words that are safer. A plane crash you say? Might it have been a plain crush?"

 

Skye watched as they both talked. She didn’t want to listen on in their conversation, not that she much understood it. She waved to Gregor and walked from his room. She walked up and down the hall, looking at every space of the ceiling and walls. She counted 10 more spots to add to her list. The dust was oddly low in his area of the hallway.

She went back to the room, peeking in. She noted that Ambriel looked upset, and quietly walked back in. She pulled herself onto Ambriel’s lap as her eye gave a twitch. She quickly leaned in and gave her a strong hug. She looked up, and lay her head on Ambriel’s chest. If anything, she hoped she could add some comfort.

 

The thought of what Gregor was saying was hard to comprehend..."Noooo....I am sure they said plane crash...I think...well, I am not sure...wh..what...th..." Ambriel's voice trailed off.

Suddenly her mind was back at the house she shared with Jason...she was sitting on the bed and he was talking about a trip..."You know Ambree....I might not be able to call home for a few days....reception is terrible out there." She could see him standing there...wearing his favorite pair of blue jeans and a button down shirt, with the tine stripes and the cuffs rolled up...He was so handsome. She remembered something else too...something she had forgotten until this moment...a gold signet ring, with a simple initial stamped in the center...she had wondered about it...but, never got to ask him.

"Dr Klesps...she purposefully directed the question to the one who clearly was in control of her answers..."Are you saying "Crush", as in a relationship?" Her breath caught in her throat.

 

Glenny walked into the playroom, and was relieved to see that he was not the only one there. A few patients were sitting and playing around, with a few nurses. He wasn't sure where to go first, because he wasn't used to being in there.

"Why are we in here Glen."

"Because I wanted to come."

"I told you to stay away."

"You didn't have to follow."

"Maybe I want to keep you out of trouble."

"Ramses, don't you have someone else to bother?"

Glenny barely waited for an answer and saw a kid in the corner of the room, sitting in a bewildered state, clutching a glass of water. He shooed away at Ramses and approached him.

"Glenny!"

"Leave me alone!" he shouted, pushing him away and leaving him behind.

"Hey there!" Glenny said, grinning down at the kid.

"Watcha doin'?"

 

Chaos looked up and saw the orderlies escorting a man into the playroom. He looked like he was completely lost in thought. Chaos thought to himself "Why don't you go over there and cheer him up." "Are you actually suggesting that we talk to someone." responds Niel. Chaos thinks "Cheering people up makes you happy and you've been really down recently."

Chaos' eyes go from dark to light. Niel walks over to the man, smiles and says "Hi there, my name is Niel. You seem pretty lost in thought, is there anything you want to talk about."

 

Noah looked up at the person talking to him.

"Uhmm, sulking...? Wanna sit?"

He looked at the other person talking to him, he'd seen him before, right? "I...just had a visit...."

 

Gregor patted the space just above his arm. "Yes Klesps, it's time for her to know the truth. We must be strong. Will you please give me your left hand." Ambriel reluctantly stretched out her hand. "Look carefully, there isn't any indentation on your lfet ring finger. Notice how the skin is an even color. There isn't any lighter areas ... like what you might expect when wearing a ring for a long time. Are you really sure you want me to continue?"

 

"Sure! I'd love to." Glenny cautiously glanced over his shoulder to make sure Ramses was nowhere in sight. Happy to see him nowhere, and relieved to be at least temporarily free of his nagging, he sat down next to the kid.

"I'm Glenny." he said, and bowed his head in greeting.

"Sulking, huh? You upset or something?"

 

"I'm Noah. Umm, this lady came and....said I was her son or something. But, I know she's not my mom..."

Noah shook the glass of water a little. He reached for his pocket and took out the bottle of pills, popping out one, he placed it on his mouth before taking a big gulp of water.

 

"I didn't think they let the patients keep pills with them, the nurses must really trust you." says Niel, "And that lady must be crazy. You woud have known her if she was really your mom." Niel really hoped he could brighten Noah's mood. For some reason, Niel always enjoyed helping others.

 

Ambriel...looked down at her hand...he was right, there was nothing...no sign that she had worn a ring at all. She tried to speak, but there were no words to lay her tongue to. Her mind was blank and she felt cold almost numb.

Then she realized something...everyone at the hospital had been calling her McSean...Jason's last name was Preston. Suddenly she felt ill...as she hung her head in the sink...Ambriel realized she didn't even know who she was...everything was lost and all she wanted to do was curl up and vanish into the black void which now claimed her heart.

 

"Ummm, I don't know who she was....but apparently I was supposed to know her. She said she was my mom but, she wasn't my mom. I know what my mom looks like and that wasn't my mom. My doesn't call my name in that voice, in that tone....I dunno who she was..."