Out of Their Minds

Ambriel frantically made her way through the firemen and the debree....as she looked for Skye.

"That poor girl has to be woried sick."

Making her way towards the playroom, she saw her coming out, holding her box of blocks.
Ambriel breathed a huge sigh of relief as she waved at her.

The little girl ran and hugged Ambriel tightly...
"Oh Skye, I am so glad your okay!"

After a moment, Ambriel pulled back and looked down into Skye's face and said..."We need to go find Gregor and Klesps ...have you seen them?"

In the back of her mind she worried about Niel too..."Chaos will keep him safe..God speed my friend."

 

Skye shook her head.

“No, do you think they’re all right?” she asked.

She took Ambriel’s hand, “I have to finish my adventure. Let's go find them.”

 

Gregor was stood over the wreck of his room. Calipto's scared, he thought, he only starts destroying things when he's scared. What's going to happen when he loses control?

 

Skye held on close to Ambriel’s hand as she led the way through the firemen and the people. Her heart hammered as she noticed the fire had damaged Gregor’s side of the building. She crossed her fingers, and hoped her would be okay.

She took a turn and noticed down the hall, near what remained of his room was Gregor.

“Gregor! Klesps!” she yelled as she ran down towards them, letting go of Ambriel’ hand. She gave him a hug, and looked up at him with bright eyes. She rose herself on her tippy toes, and whispered into his ear, “I’ve finished my adventure.”

 

The orderly had slapped her in return. Then her big eyes had gotten wider, but were stony, not wet, and he'd said.
"Whatchya' gonna do? Kill me?" She'd stood there a moment, her cheeks growing red from embarrassment, and then she regained her confidence.
"No," she replied, "but you'll wish I had." Suddenly, the alarms and sprinklers went off, and Vira could see fire. Panic filled her heart and she began to run as fast as her legs would carry her - there were patients running everywhere, but even under the great stress, she didn't yell: "GET OUTTA MAH WAY!" She wanted unnaturally to help them.
"THE DOORS! THE ESCAPES ARE THIS WAY!" She bellowed, grabbing some by the arms and letting her clipboard fall to the ground. She led them in the right direction, and then she felt a tug at her core, and she let the tug have it's way.

 

Gregor smiled. "Thank you my dear. Dr. Klesps and I just wouldn't know what to do without you. Klesps kept saying you were the only one for the job. Now, could you please give us the items?"

 

Brenda ran towards Francine's office, her brittle eyes looking as though they'd shatter any minute. She pushed her beautiful curls behind and burst into the office.

"John!"
She screeched in joy and went over to him, hugging him. He embarrassingly handled the lady, while I curled my hair into a bun, least interested.
"Are you alright?"
She asked, tears bubbling out of her oceanic eyes.
"I was so worried about you. Did the fire get to you? Please tell me it didn't!"
She then kissed John at which I turned away and started packing her purse. John noticed my plans to leave and put off Brenda.

"Francine! We need to talk."
He gasped, letting himself free of Brenda. I didn't even look at him, ready to leave and do some doctor work.
"Later, John. If it's about the urine being burnt, I'm terribly sorry. We can do the tests again and this time have them better stored."
John shook his head, unable to breathe well enough. He croaked:
"No, not that...we need to talk otherwise."
"Then, you can find me free during the lunch break. Right now, I have a job to do."
I walked out of the room, hearing John curse under his breath and slap his forehead.

******​

"I'm greatly disappointed in you, John."
"Sorry sir. It isn't my fault. Someone put the room to fir - "
"I don't want that rubbish. Get evidence, and tell me who that someone is."
"Yes sir. I - "
"And I want the urine samples again by Wednesday! You hear me, vermin?"
"Yes sir. All will be done by Wednesday."
"Good."
The phone went dead. John groaned and took a seat, meditating over the fact.

"Who the hell did this stupid thing!"
He asked the plate, and then threw it into the bin.
"Now, I can't go back tomorrow. I have to wait for the stupid Wednesday to come. Oh, my election campaign!"
He gritted his teeth, and then eyed his daughter's picture dearly.

She was just six, and John had left her alone in care of government officials. She called him every Friday, Sunday and Wednesday. He missed her too, despite his greed for money and power. Suddenly, his mobile rang. He bit his lower lip when Scarum's number flashed on the screen. He picked up the phone and started walking in his lounge.

"What is it Scarum? When did you get my number?"
He spoke in a language other than English.
"Had to, sir. Took it from Everic."
"Okay, but why?"
"She's ill, sir. Very high fever. Her cells will succumb to the heat soon."

John jolted all of the sudden, inquiring angrily:
"Why was I not informed earlier!"
"Everic said you were busy this morning, sir."
"Stupid girl!"
He cried out, worried to his heart's core.
"Why don't you get a doctor?"
"We would, but people are being hostile to your political campaign. They demand you explain your purpose for going to USA, and to explain the revolutionary solution to our problems. They won't let Everic go into a hospital."
John's eyes were filled with tears.
"How could they! That girl will die! MY DAUGHTER WILL DIE!"
"They argue that you murdered several daughters before."

John sat down on the sofa, thinking. He had no choice. If Everic would die, something very important to him would be lost.
"I'll be there tomorrow morning."
He shut the phone, and then waited for a couple of moments to recollect his decision.
"Hello? Francine?"
"Uhh...yes, who is this?"
"John. Look, I won't be in town for a couple of days. Have to go to Bosnia, my...aunt's very ill. You handle everything, okay?"
"Uhh...okay."

******​

"Please don't do this. Please spare her."
"I said Jerry, that I will not take this junkyard talk of yours."
"But, first promise me nothing will happen to her."
"I won't promise me. Now get outta here."
"Please - I beg of you!"
"GET OUT you newt! Otherwise, I'll kill you and your stupid sister as soon as I can."
Jerry's breath stifled, and he backed away. The woman lowered her gun with a sly smile on her face.
"Happy holidays, Francine."

 

She blinked her eyes, and smiled at the scene - she had the wrists of four babbling patients in her hands - she was helping them to the exit, and Vira had started this. Vira had a heart - so much so that she'd even given up her clipboard. Chloris hurried the patients outside, and then she went to look around - to see if there was anything to be done on her part.

 

She looked up at the vents. Part of them had been burned, she was glad she had put them on the other side, no matter how much time that had taken. She grabbed Gregor’s free hand.

“We’d have to go to one of the rooms to get them. I hid them in the ventilation system. I can get them for you in my room. But where will you hide them when I get them?” she asked.

 

"Klesps has a place. It's where I've been keeping some important things. The fire didn't even get close to Klesps' hiding spot. Now, what exactly did you find?"

 

Skye nodded and lead the way to her room. They entered and she quickly locked the door behind her.

“I found quite a bit.” She said.

She went to her bed, knocking the mattress off to the floor. She scooted the bedframe under the grate of her vent, and put it at it’s tallest point. She struggled to keep it steady.

“Do you think you could keep a hand on it, just in case it gets wobbly?” she asked. Gregor gave a nod as she began to climb it. She quickly took the grate off, and climbed down, setting it on the floor noiselessly. She climbed back up and pulled herself into the vent. She quickly crawled forward, until she reached the turn in the vent. She went left, and came upon her hiding spot. She took two of the cooking oil and two of the wine bottles, and struggled to pull them along with her.

She stopped at the open grate and peered down. She reached down with one of the wine bottles.

“There’s more back there, if you need it.” She said with a grin.

 

One by one Skye handed Gregor the items until her secret stash was gone. As she climbed down off of the table she stared at Handel. The items were no where to be found. Before se could ask, Gregor smiled and said, "Klesps hid them for me. Thank you Skye, you've done more than you know. If there is ever anything Dr. Klesps or I can do for you, just ask."

 

She passed Skye's room, and thought about the girl. She and Olena had a mutual desire to be her friend, but with the happenings, hadn't gotten a chance to speak with her much. She heard Doctor Handel's voice from inside, but she couldn't make out what it said, and she knew it would be unkind and cheap to eavesdrop, so she scrawled a note, and folded it neatly. On the outside, she wrote: HANDEL.
She left it outside the door.

 

Skye climbed down and put her bed back in it’s place. She looked at Gregor with a smile. A favor. Not that she could thing of anything at the moment.

“Will you come play cards?” she asked, “It’s been a bit since I’ve played cards with you and Klesps.” She looked over at Gregor’s side.

“How’s Klesps doing? And for that matter, how are you doing Gregor?” she pointed at his leg as she unlocked her door.

 

Gregor leaned on his cane. "I'm doing much better than I thought I would. Dr. Klesps is a genius. Though I think he may be working too hard. Perhpas, you're right Skye, a game of cards is just what the doctor ordered. DOn't you agree Klesps? A note? For me?"

As Skye and Handel walked to the game room, Gregor read the note.

 

If you are where you're not, then I'll be where you are.

 

She felt an tight grip grab her arm as she entered the playroom. She turned around, and looked at Jason directly.

“You weren’t suppose to leave.” She said as he led her into the playroom. His grip was strong, and her arm ached angrily.

Her eye gave a twitch.

“Let go.” She said. He shook his head and let her go as he sat in a chair near her.

“You’re due for more medications soon.” He said.

She ignored him and sat at the card table. She looked over at Gregor.

“Fish? Or War?” she asked him, as she reached for the cards in the middle of the table.

 

She smiled widely as she saw Gregor and Skye coming towards the card table. An orderly grabbed Skye, and she started to get up to get him off of her, but Skye seemed to be in controll. Skye sat at the card table.
"Fish? Or War?"
"Hello, Skye," she said, as warmly as she could. "Doctors." Then she turned to the little girl. "Do you mind if I play, too?"

 

Gregor smiled. "Please do. I think Skye, I'd like to play war. What Klesps? Oh yes, I guess it is a bit ironic .... isn't it." Gregor turned to Jason. "I'm sure you can politely bring this young lady her medication when it is time without interrupting our card game. Now shoo, I'm sure there are other parients who need your services. Seriously Klesps, how did he get a job here? Really? But he's so .... funny looking. Well - if you say so. I guess there really is someone for everyone."

 

WHile Klesps dealt, Gregor leaned over to CHloris and whispered. "I got your note but I'm afraid I am particularly dense today. Would you care to explain?"

 

She laughed.
"I thought since you're here, you understood. That's fine, though. What it meant was, here is where you always kind of . . . are. Even when you're someplace else. I heard you in Skye's room - don't worry, I only heard it was your voice as I passed, I didn't hear a single word you said - and so that meant you weren't here. But you still were here, because as I said before, you always are, even when you're not. And so here I am."

 

"My you are a clever young lady. So, if I may be so bold as to ask, what are you doing in this place?"

 

She knew he meant in the mental institute, but she had a better answer for a different question.
"I like to play cards."

 

Skye smiled at Chloris, and began dealing out the cards. She hoped Jason would listen to Gregor, though she doubted it. She knew he hated her ever since the shirt incident. If only he had ironed it before he left.

She listened to the conversation half-heartedly as she finished passing out the cards. She stacked her pile neatly and set out her first card. She waited for the other two to do the same.

She looked over at Jason, who still watched her closely. Her eye gave a twitch.

“I’ll kill you!” her voice screamed. She gave him a smile and turned back towards the table. She loved when her tics helped her.

 

"Well then, you've come to the right place. Just be careful Klesps cheats." Gregor's head turned sharply to the empty chair. "You do so. Then would you mind telling me how you ended up with five of a kind last week?"