the sunrise and your sins

𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒻𝓊𝒸𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒾𝒹𝒾𝑜𝓉, 𝒽𝑒'𝓈 𝓁𝓎𝒾𝓃𝑔

Osiris Idona Reine

THE FRIENDLIEST PATIENT?

MIDNIGHT MEADOW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL

First, there were lines, then shapes, then finally my eyes focussed, my retinas burning. I had to keep my eyes closed for a few moments longer, calming the burning sensation. But as my eyes properly began to open, I was shocked. I was expecting to wake up in the darkness of my old cell, with Arny sleeping on the other side of the room. I was in an all-white room, on a relatively comfortable bed and a duvet that was warm and soft, not cold and scratchy. The room was a lot cleaner than solitary confinement, if I didn't know this was a hospital, I would find it rather pleasant- as if i were on holiday instead. I was also much cleaner too. It appeared I had been washed and changed in the time that I was out. My blood-stained gown was no longer to be seen and in its place was a fresh, new, white one, with a pair of matching socks.

I sat up in the bed, pain seared through me and I had to lie down again. The majority of the pain was located in my head and neck. I started to massage the sides of my neck and tried to sit up again to inspect the room once more. With all the strength that was within me, I sat up on the bed and looked at the room. There was nobody else here but me. I wonder how long I've been here for? What's happened to Arny? Where is he? Is he okay? There were a million and one different thoughts racing through my brain, most of them including the well-being and safety of Arny. My sudden likeness to him confused, angered, and excited me and my brain didn't know how to react to it. I scowled at the wall, confused by my body's reaction to him.

The banging of the metal door drew my attention away from my thoughts. A small metal hatch about eye level had been pulled back, revealing a pair of steely eyes. I didn't move from my seat on the bed, the pain was too intense to even think about more than sitting up. I watched the pair of eyes disappear as the metal hatch shut again. Very quickly after the eye level hatch closed, one on the floor opened, a white tray sliding on the floor. With a loud smash, the hatch was shut, leaving me alone again.

Forgetting the searing pain that my entire body was now feeling, I lunged at the food. I hadn't realised just how hungry I was until just this moment. My body stayed on the floor, not willing to waste any precious time in moving the plate into a more appropriate position. I was like a wild animal, consuming what little food was on the plate in front of me. As I scraped the remains of the food off of my plate, my eyes turned to the tiny paper cup. Instantly, I knew what that cup contained. Pills.

They want us gone. To be silenced. Don't eat them.

The voices were disgusted by the sight of the multitude of colours in the pot as I fumbled around with them. I grimaced at the sight and thought of them. My head turned to the metal toilet on the other side of the room. I slithered my body towards it, in too much pain to stand up and walk. It took an enormous amount of strength to dump the pills into the bowl and pull the chain. I watched as the drugs were swirled around in the water and down into the drains. A smug smile covered my lips as the voices praised me for my good work.

The metal of the door once again rung out through the room. The door was fully opened, revealing the security guard that held me in place during my torture. He stepped into the room with purpose, taking in my position on the ground. I flipped myself around and stood up, facing him. The guard stepped closer to me, smirking. I, however, was not amused.

"Lounge time, Miss Reine." The guard informed me, keeping eye contact away from mine. "The doctor says that if you're a good girl, you won't have to wear these anymore."