Mute

Foster's head for Imaginary Nightmares

That night she spent another night in the dead cold of the hospital only clinging onto her teddy for warmth. The soft and endearing eyes watching over the poor girl vanished into the darkness. The police officer, having the heart for the girl, could only care for so long. She went home and forgetting the case and the girl like it was nothing. Another case and another person would be there to replace this one.

She was drenched in sweat and shaking from head to toe at the moment of her wake. She was right to feel nervous. Another pair of eyes were in front of her, meaning another stranger entered her life. Oh, how she dreaded the sight of new people. She wanted to cling to her mommy but the furball had to do. She squeezed so tight almost squeezing out an eyeball.

Mommy please, please, take me with you. I'm tired.

"Hi, darling. I am Nancy and I am your social worker. Do you know what that is?"

The girl shook her head no and turned the other way. She felt she couldn't even blink without someone disappearing and being replaced with another stranger.

Mommy, why are there so many weird people?

"Mhmm, well it means I'll be taking care of you. Is that alright?"

The girl did not react only staring at the space in front of her. After a boatload of paperwork the lady filled out and gave to the doctor, she led her out of the hospital. She arrived at a car where a car seat was awaiting her. She looked out to the town around her. She never quite saw so much of it.

At the end of their journey, they settled at a run-down building. On her way in, she saw piles of files and people as anxious as her. They seem to try their best to hide. She was thinking maybe she should hide hers too.

"Can you sit here for me?" Nancy pointed to a red chair that was much larger than the child. She climbed into the chair and noticed her feet did not reach the floor and her head didn't reach the top. It reminded her that she was in a world not meant for her.

Mommy, I miss you.

Nancy typed on the computer for what it seemed hours carrying the google into the pit of boredom. She wished she could avoid these aching thoughts with a nap. If only sleep was the solution to her problem. They were only filled with nightmares of the night a couple of days ago. She had to stay awake or Doss could get her too.

"Sweetie, are you alright? I've been calling your name for a minute now."

Of course, she didn't feel right. The girl resented her for asking such a dumb question she watched her mother leave before her eyes. Instead of showing this pain, she was going to hide her anxiousness like the workers before. She nodded and displayed a slight smile.

Nancy accepted this and didn't question the girl further. She led her to another room. She was shown an assortment of fo images. She asked the girl what she saw. She only stared at her feet and not once did she reply. Nancy was at the point of desperation. She turned to simple questions that only required a yes or no. The girl finally responded but only with a shake or nod of the head. Her lips only parted to take a deep sigh.

She finished the session with many notes and handed them to a man in a white coat. They discussed a few things and Nancy's facial expression changed to a sort of fear. She tried to ignore her and play with the toys instead. She could escape with her imagination. The dreams she could control. Her dream was to marry the two toys and then in the middle one of the dolls fell out of the dollhouse. Its fragile head popped off leaving only the body by the girl. She ran from the doll into the corner of the room. Her breathing was as heavy as her. She tried to scream but nothing would come out.