Out of Their Minds

John was sitting in his lounge, drinking coffee. The news was blaring on the TV, about another riot in Palestine, Darfur genocide reports, elections in US and all the same stories. He kicked back and turned off the TV.
"These stories are told as though they are so original. Ha, all cliched stories in a creator's head."
He then thought to himself.
"Provided I knew who this creator was."

The phone rang. He groaned and walked to it, picking it up.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Francs, we were going to ask about the mission progress."
"Going great. Dr. Francine will have the urine samples tomorrow, and since she will, I will get them tested on emergency basis. Then, we'll know the good from the bad. Tada."
"I thought we discussed the flaws in the plan earlier. The aliens may try to trick us."
John grinned.
"That won't be a problem, sir. We've taken...precautions."
"I hope they work."
"Oh, they will. They will."
His voice was shallow, and the officer was not interested in much conversation.
"Well, bye John."
"Bye."

He then walked back to the TV, and picked up a checklist from the top of it.
"Shooting stinky head - check. Urine samples - check. DNA samples - check. Dr. Francine's 'amendments' - not check. Killing stinky head - not check."
He frowned, but then scribbled something on the paper.
"By Saturday - all checked."

 

"So Chloris, I know you like to help people, would you mind helping me?"
"I don't so much like it as I have such a profound duty to it." She layed her hand on the table. "Full House. Anyway, I'll do my best to help you, if helping you means also to do what's right. Not to sound like a stick-in-the-mud, of course, but I must take care of all three of us, you know." She had never rambled so much in her life, but she still felt she had one thing left to say. "If you don't mind keeping what I tell you to yourselves, doctors, I'd much appreciate that. I generally keep it to myself, but there's an end coming and what I know can be used."

 

"Larnor, you said that aliens were in this building!" The counselor looked very grave. "Everyone knows that aliens don't exist."

"I'm not so sure anymore," Larnor replied. "I..I"

"What Larnor, is there something else you want to tell me?"

"Yes there is. Almost every night, I have had some kind of nightmare. Almost all of them involve aliens cutting into my brain or trying to dissect me. The worst part is, it feels so real."

"Larnor, take these pills, I believe they may solve your problem. I have another patient to see. Thanks for your time."

Larnor left the room and went back to the game room. Looking around, he saw uneven chairs. As he began straightening them out, he saw two people playing cards. "Why does everybody have to play cards? Is that the best thing one can do around here?" Pausing, Larnor realized that he said these words out loud. "Worst of all, it's that creep doctor guy again." Oh no, did I say that out loud too. "What has gotten into me?"

 

Gregor waved to Larnor. "Yes Dr. Klasps, I heard what he said and am choosing to ignore it. He's having a tough time, I'm sure he didn't mean it. Besides, he's probably jealous of you aftershave." Oh Klesps, thought Gregor, you are such a vain man. He then patted Chloris' hand lightly. "I will keep everything you say between us. I just could really use a mirror. Could you please find one for me? I would be eternally grateful. Any size would do." Gregor winced as he got up. "Now if you'll forgive me, I have to see to a few things."

 

Noah felt a little better now. A nurse had been nice enough to bring him a little something to eat and a small pill he had to take with water.

He was still a little groggy but he'd been allowed to stand from bed and walk. Yesterday, no, he didn't want to think about yesterday. Yesterday had been a terrible dream. But he felt a lot better now, a lot healthier.

"Maybe I'll go out today..." Noah muttered to himself as he stepped out to the hallway.

 

Gregor hobbled over towards Noah. "Hello Noah," he said with a smile. "I was wondering if you'd help me play a trick."

 

"Huh? Oh, Doctor. Sure, I guess, what kind of trick?"

 

Gregor leaned over and whispered into Noah's ear. "Now don't tell anyone, but I need you to ....."

 

"Uh-huh? Uh-huh. Oh ok. Sure, I'll do it." Noah gave Gregor a little smile, like a child. "Can I ask, whatever for?"

 

Gregor chuckled. "It's a secret right now but, I promise I'll tell you just as soon as I find out myself."

 

"Ok. Do you need it right now? 'Cause I dunno how long it might take. I...kinda had a breakdown yesterday..." He explained.

 

"Take whatever time your need ... but not too much," said Gregor as he patted Noah on the back.

An orderly walked by the two patients and passed Gregor a white box. Handel dropped some pills into his hand. "Thank you Charlie." The orderly nodded and picked up his pace.

Gregor reached into the box, pulled out a piece of fried chicken, and handed it to Noah. "Here, eat it while it's hot .... and thank you."

 

Skye walked from Ambriel’s room, and headed towards her own with the box of blocks in her hands. She was ready to try and face her fear. She wanted to be strong like her friend. She turned a corner and her eyes met Gregor. The young man Noah was next to him. She briskly walked towards him with a smile on her face.

“Good evening Doctor Gregor, Klesps, Noah.”

 

"Oh! Thank you!" Noah took the piece of chicken, taking a small bite out of it.

"I'll try to hurry as much as I can, I promise. Hi, Skye!"

 

"Skye, I am so happy to see you. Klesps was hoping we'd run into you. I was wondering if you could help me. You'll have to be brave, but I don't know anyone else we'd trust with this."

 

Ambriel looked at her watch it was time to meet Niel...on her way out into the hallway she saw Gregor...she threw her hands up and waved at him.
walking over towards him she wondered what he would say to her proposition.

"Keep it together Ambiel...keep it together." She smiled in spite of her nervousness and for a second she was actually glad to see him. Leaning in close as if to give him a hug she said, "Can we go somewhere and talk?"

She was sure the corridor wasn't the place to discuss what she had in mind.

 

She looked at him quizzically, but a smile escaped her lips as her eye gave a twitch.

“Of course. I can be brave. Specially for you and Klesps.” she said.

 

"Of course Ambriel, right after I finish a little chore. Now Skye, please come with me. I need you to lock me in the room with Mortimer. Don't unlock the door, until I tell you. CAn you do that for me? Ambriel, you're welcome to join Skye."

 

"I'll go do that thing you asked me, Doctor. See ya later all, maybe we can play cards again."

 

Ambriel knew it was in her best interest to follow along..."Yes Gregor, anything for you."

Looking around she searched for Niel and Chaos...he was late, she hoped nothing happened to him...she needed him to help her...she needed him to be her friend.

"Where are you Niel?" She thought frantically.

Gregor looked at her with a nod...it was time to go.

 

Skye’s eyes went wide. She didn’t like Mortimer. He wasn’t a good man, Messiah or not. She looked up at Gregor and gave a nod.

“Okay.” She said.

She quickly grabbed Ambriel’s hand, and followed Gregor.

 

Gregor smiled and waved good bye to Noah. The three stood before Mortimer's door. Handel opened the door and pressed the key into Skye's hand. "No matter what happens, don't let me out until I tell you. If something happens, just walk away and forget I am even in there. I'm going to leave Klesps out here to keep you two company." WIth that, Gregor stepped in and closed the door behind him.

He looked at Mortimer and kneeled. "I brought you something, my Lord. Let me undo those straps." It's now or never, thought Gregor.

 

Chaos started walking down the hallway when he saw Skye and Ambriel standing there at a door. "Hey guys, what up." says Chaos. Ambriel runs to him and hugs him. She says "You're late!" "Relax, you're one of the very few people in here I can trust, I would never let you down." says Chaos.

 

Skye held on close to the key, and looked in through the window. Worry filled her, as she looked at Mortimer’s face. She didn’t like him one bit.

She took a look at Chaos and Ambriel, and looked to their side.

“Klesps” she said, “You think he’ll be all right?”

There was no answer, but somehow the silence from the good Doctor made her feel better.

 

Ambriel was terrified of what might happen to him...alone there with that...maniac. Mortimer wasn't just any psycho...Mortimer was dangerous...he believed himself invincible.

"God, Gregor...I hope you know what your doing." Sighing softly, she looked up and down the cooridor..."Where are you Neil?" She knew he would find her....if he was alright.

Then she saw him...she was so happy he was okay, she didn't even hear what he said.

"Okay this is the plan"....quickly she whispered in Niel's ear...everything.