Out of Their Minds

"I'm sure you didn't do it on purpose," said Gregor. He looked at the angry bruise on Skye's wrist. "Yes Klesps, we did warn him to be polite."

 

Skye left Gregor, giving him a hug and said her goodbyes. She had revenge to bestow.

She quickly grabbed her bed frame, putting it under the grate. Just one more time, and she’d be done with the dust and the small space. Just one more adventure. She quickly climbed up her bed frame, lifting the grate to the side. She climbed up, and started forward. Her wrists hurt her greatly, but she didn’t care.

She stopped at the first grate and looked down. She could see the light coming from the computer screen all ready. She lifted the grate, and jumped down onto her desk. Papers went flying, and pencils fell to the floor, as she jumped down. She quickly began to pull at the drawers, tossing their contents all over the floor. She went through the file cabinets. She grabbed the files, throwing the sheets everywhere and tearing a few in half. Her eye gave a violent twitch.

She stopped back at the desk, taking Francine’s name tag from the front of it. She threw it against the wall, and looked down. She quickly grabbed one of the permanent markers, and sat at the desk chair. She quickly wrote in big bold letters on the screen: Learn to Believe.

She quickly climbed back up, putting the grate back on behind her. She gave a quick smile as she came back into her room. She put her bed back in it’s place and lay down. For once, she didn’t feel bad for her rotten deed. She knew the doctor deserved it. If not only for letting John hurt Gregor, but for not believing in them.

 

Glenny looked at the object unsurely and placed it in his pocket. It was probably going to be useless if he didn't find something to accompany it, but he wasn't an expert in any case. He was sure one of the nurses had something.

That reminded him of his own hated nurse. She had been quite annoying, but it seemed that something could make her a little useful. It was bad that he didn't know where she was, though, and after so many days, and the chaos, and the fires, he hadn't assumed that he wasn't going to be seeing her anytime soon.

He guessed that someone might be getting pretty agitated with his procrastination, so he walked past the playroom and made the decision to pick up the pace. Ramses wasn't there anymore, and he was anxious to get answers from anyone as to why there was a sudden upheaval in the relative calmness of the ward because, decidedly, everyone seemed to know more than he did.

 

I lassoed a Dutch hairpin on her head, and then grinned as a new aura was put light to. I giggled like a little girl and walked out of the building, feeling dreamy and cozy within. I had decided to go visit Amy, my best friend who lived at a fifteen minute distance from my house. Being slammed in so much stress could be infuriating, so I decided to drop the tension and relax, and also celebrate since John was also out of town. I might as well be the old me once more.

I entered the hospital during lunch break, as planned. I smiled at everyone who passed by, my glitzy lipstick blinding some and terrorizing some. I kept my cheeks puffy, unable to stop grinning. I was so happy today! Life was seeming like paradise on Earth.

I unlocked my cabin, hoping to relax and review some of the replies of my psychiatric assessments from London's psychiatry school. I was hoping to get a more influential job, you know. Not now though. I had a family here.

The door clicked open and as it flung to a side, my jolly smile fell flat. My lower jaw lost strength and succumbed to gravity, as I looked at my room. All the papers, well most of them, were scattered about. Some important ones were torn off, and the stationary was also carpeting the floor. I ran towards my desk, seeing if something else was wrong or missing. Nothing much, except someone had written on my computer screen: Learn to Believe.

I screamed on the top of my lungs.

 

I had spent half an hour crying and picking up my papers, disillusioned when I saw my graduation certificate and my paycheck for this month shredded into pieces. Moreover, my mother's pen which she gave me last summer was missing too. I couldn't stop sobbing and wailing as I assembled everything, and I wished just once that Martha would come back and help me out of this distress. I was having such a splendid day! Why did this happen to me, why?

I was done in about an hour, and most of my stuff had been recovered. I was still sobbing, though, and refused counseling sessions for another hour. I didn't have the mental capacity to handle myself, let alone my patients.

With that, I started to think about the alien issue again. I was certain there were aliens in my ward, no doubt in that. But the tragedy was that who was the alien? I darted my thoughts between Skye, Ambriel, Gregor, Niel, Olena...so many others occupied my head. Then I decided. It was time I took matters in my hands.

I walked to the reception and asked the receptionist for a mike. Once I had one, I cleared my throat and spoke calmly:
"Hello, everyone please, listen to me. Leave whatever you are doing, and listen to me."
After I saw some patients in the hallway stop, I smiled and continued:
"I am Dr. Francine, head of psychiatry department. I am going to tell you that we are under threat of alien invasion right in this ward. Yes people - there are aliens in our hospital. And that is the very reason military has been snooping around this place. As human beings, we must defend our race. If you find that anyone in this building is acting weird, please report to me and me alone. Do not forgo even your closest friends."
I then waited before I spoke softly:
"Thank you."

 

Skye lay in bed, listening to the sounds coming from Francine’s office. Her heart skipped. She actually was feeling bad, no matter how angry she had been at her. Her heart sank, and she almost wished she could take it back. Had it been worth it?

She didn’t even understand her own actions that day. She hadn’t acted like her normal self. Skye had pounced at John, kicked Jason, and now torn apart Francine’s room. She dug her nails into her arm, angry at herself. Why was she becoming so angry? This wasn’t like her. Not that that extent at least. She frowned at herself.

She dozed off, until she heard the announcement in the hall. She watched from her door. An alien? She giggled at the thought, were there even such things? She ran towards Francine as she walked back towards her office.

“Miss Francine.” She whispered, “I heard your cries.” She bit her lip as her eye gave a twitch.

“Oral Enthusiast!” she screamed.

“I’m sorry.” She said, “I can’t help my anger sometimes.” She looked up at her, her teeth biting painfully into her lip. She knew she had done the right thing, but she wasn’t sure what price she would pay.

 

I started sobbing again, but this time I was happy and confused rather than angry and miserable.
"Oh sweetie, it's alright."
I then hugged Skye, seriously craving for a hug and some consolation. I missed my mother, my sister, my brother, my best friend...and increasingly my father too. I had nowhere to go these days. I finally let go, since a question confused me.
"But why are you angry, honey? Is it because of Gregor being shot?"
Before Skye could answer, I replied guiltily:
"I'm really sorry about him. I wanted to help him, really, but I had no choice."

 

Skye welcomed the hug and looked at her in shock. She had never seen the doctor like that before. Her heart wrenched with guilt, it had been her fault after all.

“I know.” She said finally, “But he didn’t exactly have an office to destroy.” A pang of guilt hit her as she ended her sentence. Think before you speak. She thought to herself.

She looked back up at Francine, her eyes apologetic but serious.

“If you can believe in Aliens Miss Francine,” she stated, “Then why can’t you believe in Klesps? There’s just as much proof that Klesps exists then there is Aliens.”

 

I considered Skye's words a couple of moments. She was right, I had no proof either existed. But it is true - sometimes proof does not define what is right and wrong. According to proof Skye is a dangerous girl to be with. But I'd rather say, she's a loving creature, one a million on the face of the Earth. Proof is limited to logic, but emotions are unlimited; their power and essence is what makes us believe in God and in turn, in things which don't exist. I still remembered the beautiful quote from a book I once read.

"It was only a smile, nothing more. It didn't make everything alright. It didn't make anything all right. Only a smile. A tiny thing. A leaf in the woods, shaking in the wake of a startled bird's flight. But I'll take it. With open arms. Because when spring comes, it melts the snow one flake at a time, and maybe I just witnessed the first flake melting."

I kissed her forehead and spoke reassuringly:
"I believe you."

 

Skye grinned with glee, quickly wiping a tear from Francine’s eye with her thumb. She was quite happy with herself as she parted herself from the doctor.

“It’s good to believe, specially in someone as amazing as Klesps.” She said with a smile, as she trotted from the room. She quickly turned back.

“Do I get a punishment?” she asked. Though she knew she didn’t want it, she knew she probably deserved it.

 

I chuckled. That girl was amusing.
"No dear. I deserved what I got."
Though congesting, the emotional moment did account for a long smile on my fac.

 

Glenny stopped in his tracks at the sound of a voice on the mike:

"I am Dr. Francine, head of psychiatry department. I am going to tell you that we are under threat of alien invasion right in this ward. Yes people - there are aliens in our hospital. And that is the very reason military has been snooping around this place. As human beings, we must defend our race. If you find that anyone in this building is acting weird, please report to me and me alone. Do not forgo even your closest friends."

The current announcement meant three things. One, he finally knew Francine was there, and he could finally talk to her, yet two, now he knew why the hospital was in a state of constant panic; there were aliens running loose in the ward. And three, the hospital was in an upheaval because aliens were in the ward.

"Oh, dear." he thought out loud.

It made him shudder slightly that the doctors were on to something as potentially devastating as aliens in the hospital. Soon, the news could be leaked onto screens across the globe for all he knew. That would be bad news indeed.

Glenny then remembered the item in his pocket, and his current destination. And Gregor, soon all the people he knew, or at least thought he knew - why hadn't he known this sooner! He thought back to what Francine had just said. The items he had been asked to retreive were particularly strange. What if Gregor wasn't an alien? He'd only be helping a cause he wasn't sure whether to stay with.

"Ramses?" Glenny asked desperately, hoping that someone would respond, but received no answer. He needed him there for more answers, but knew he had to confront Francine sometime.

 

Ambriel...heard the announcement over the PA...she knew that it wasn't a hoax...she had seen and heard the thing in Mortimer's room...that dark and terrifying presence. She was lucky she could run away from it without being seen.

Listening to Francine made the situation very real, for a moment she had wondered if there was a way to escape. "Surely I could just sneak out...nobody would ever find me." Skye, Gregor, and Niel came to mind..."You can't just leave them here Ambriel...you have to get them out if you go through with this thing."

The whole damn world was becoming a nightmare...suddenly Ambriel realized something...if she saw that hideous creature...then that creature saw her..."Why didn't it kill me?" The question burned in her mind. She needed to talk to Gregor and Mortimer...she needed to know what they knew.

 

Dr. Francine's announcement echoed through the hallways and the game room. Gregor looked up from his cards. "Yes Dr. Klesps, I do believe the pressure finally got to her. Maybe we should offer to help. What? Oh Klesps no, there isn't any time for you to get a new pair of sunglasses. Huh? How did you get a gift card?"

 

Ambriel went to the Playroom, she knew there was a good chance she would find Gregor and Klesps playing cards. If anybody could help her find answers, it was him.

Walking into the room she saw him sitting there...she hoped he would agree to help her.

Approaching the table she said..." Gregor, Klesps how are you two?"

"Oh, I am fine...my friend Klesps here is wanting to purchase a pair of new sunglasses...seems he has a new gift card."

Ambriel held back a laugh, and simply replied..."Well, I bet a new pair of sunglasses would look wonderful on you, Klesps, you know...it's not every guy who can pull of such a dashing look, and am I smelling a new aftershave?"

Taking a seat across from Gregor she leaned in and whispered, "I need to ask you a question...would it be okay if I talked to you about Mortimer's...visitor?" She paused and continued..."Gregor, I have seen him."

Gregor never missed a beat, he simply shuffled the deck of cards as she spoke.

 

Gregor put a finger to his lips. "Not here. Klesps has noticed more than a few people listening into other conversations. Meet me later. By the way, can you think of any medical reason why a human with split personalities would exhibit a change in eye color?"

 

After playing cards with Belleth for awhile, Chaos went back to his room. As he lays on his bed, his eyes go from dark to light. As he lays there, staring at the ceiling, he hears Dr. Francines announcement.

"Aliens, that isn't possible is it." says Niel. "With everything else happening here, I really wouldn't doudt it." responds Chaos. "We shouldn't even be here. I just wish I was home with our friends. I don't know how much more of this place I can take." says Niel. He hears Chaos say "Niel just calm down. Getting upset won't do us any good. We will get out of here eventually. For now we can't worry about the past or future, we must focus on the present." "I guess you're right." says Niel.

 

Ambriel nodded in response to Gregor's request.

The hospital had ears and she knew discretion was of great importance...she also knew time was against her...if that creature came back she might not be so lucky to escape next time.

 

After an hour of cards and interesting conversation between Klesps and Gregor concerning sunglasses, and how Klesps was able obtain a gift card...and the new after shave, Ambriel decided it was a good idea for them to head back to her room...so they could talk in private.

"Gregor, do you think Klesps would mind if we called the game and headed to my room so the tw...uh...three of us can talk?"

 

Gregor nodded. "Come Klesps. What? Oh I don't believe you. Fine. Yes, I fold as does Ambriel. Now can we - Huh? Oh, I didn't know you were bluffing. Yes you are ready for the World Poker Tour. No, I still won't call you the lizard king. Now we really have to go."

 

She heard the announcement, and one thing came to mind: I must not let Vira find out. Vira would simply be too excited that she was "proven right" and try to solve the whole thing, and in turn would only cause trouble. Olena would be frightened, but would mostly think Francine had lost it. She herself, however, knew there was only one thing to do, even if it was what everyone else was doing, and that was to talk to Francine. But she'd go about it in a completely different way, just for originality.

 

Ambriel opened the door of her room, took a quick look around and invited Gregor and his friend to have a seat.

Her apprehension must have been obvious to her friend because he immediately urged her to relax and just say what she needed to say.

"Gregor, the other night I was in Mortimer's room, and I saw that...that creature come to him...it was huge and seemed to be greatly intelligent." Ambriel stopped long enough to pour herself a glass of water, and then she continued.
"The thing that trouble's me is, if I saw it...then it damn sure saw me too...why didn't it kill me...it could have so easily taken me out right there, but instead, I just backed slowly out of the room and ran back here." She searched Gregor's face for an answer...hoping there was something he could say that would shed light on the creature and why she was still alive to tell the tale.

"What if it comes back for me...what if it is only waiting for the right time to come and kill me....Gregor, I am not safe here in this place...I am not safe at all." Tears ran down her cheeks as the feeling of hopelessness washed over her.

 

He had a few trinkets and a lot more junk, so he supposesd that he would only look for one more thing, in case any ideas didn't work. He hoped he'd find what he needed. Something handy, and the more obvious choice, to make the plan simple.

He went to the desk at the reception. People there still seeemed to be in a fluster, and some were craning at the ash right on the other side. It didn't look that it was very eventful, so he peered into the room and looked into a desk when noone seemed to notice. His nurse had gone here often, so finding what was needed was, though still unexpected, surprisingly easy. A few other things there and he'd finally be finished.

 

Gregor sighed and looked over his left shoulder. "Yes Klesps. Yes I agree. Before I answer you, I had the most interesting conversation with Chaos. He seemed to know all about me ... or at least as much as would be in my files. Now Chaos doesn't seem that subtle .... but you do. So, why were you looking at my files Ambriel?"

 

Ambriel was taken back by the question...she realized it seemed shady but it wasn't intended to be.

"Gregor...I am running from large, massive creatures who are talking about tearing souls and haunting dreams..I think I am entitled to have my question answered first, but since you want to know, I will tell you...Niel wanted me to get my hands on the information so he would feel better about trusting you...he has been having a hard time deciding who to trust, so I thought...why not, I figured it would calm him down...Beside, I didn't find anything too much on you anyway." Ambriel knew she was holding back, and she felt badly about it.

"You know what...that is only partly true, the truth is this, Gregor...you know more about what is going on in this place than the people who run it know...that scared me, I mean...my life is on the line here. Can you blame me? I am sorry, I am just not to good at picking honest people to befriend...I mean you see what happened to Jason...he tells you he is there he with you and strings you along...and then...you come undone and completely lose your mind...I can never trust like that again Gregor."

Ambriel hoped he could understand...she hoped he would forgive her.