Alice's Asylum

Chapter Six

My second day in Recovery was more interactive. I was allowed to sit in on Jack's sessions with all the patients. Each patient had a different session. Henry was allowed to play with toys. Jack tried him on different toys but he got confused and upset once he was on ten plus toys. Samantha and Teresa were both questioned on their ghostly friends. Both girls said that they hadn't seen them lately. Franklin was given an exercise session where he had to run and do silly sports. He also painted pictures which he explained was his mummy and daddy. Shannon read books to Jack. He assisted her on some words but other than that, she read well. Lauren was told to paint a picture but she refused. She was then given breathing exercises. She finally decided to paint... And it was a picture of herself dead. Jack swallowed before sending her back out.

In the afternoon, I supervised the patients. Once they were more awake, I helped Henry build a castle. Franklin got jealous and started to wreck the castle so I settled him down with building his own castle. The little girls got interested and they made a human castle, big enough for them both to sit in. They were squashed but happy. Shannon wanted to join in but she had to read and Lauren looked over but didn't make any move to join in.

At the end of the day, Doctor Roude was very impressed.

"I'm quite amazed, Jasper!" She told me. I smiled at her.

"Thank you, Roo."

"You'll be leaving us tomorrow to join Depth. If it doesn't work out over there, then you'll be coming to stay as a permanent member of staff in Recovery!" She beamed at me.

"That would be amazing. Thank you for these past two days."

"You're most welcome. Good luck in Depth." I left Recovery and walked to the car park. I was unlocking my car when I dropped my keys. I bent to pick them up and when I was upright again, Jack was stood in front of me. I clutched my chest, leaning against my car for support.

"Sheesh!" Jack smiled slightly.

"Sorry."

"You okay?" I studied his face closely as my heart slowed. He looked calm but his eyes were worried.

"I don't think you being in Depth is such a good idea."

"Why ever not?"

"Jasper, I've been in that place once before and it's not healthy for the mind. The patients are ruined, the staff are cruel. It's not the place for you. It will make you... Become sick. Like them."

"Why did you go into Depth?"

"One of the patients had been showing signs of recovering at long last but it turned out that she was still just sick." He shuddered at the memory.

"I have to go there." I told him, shrugging. Jack sighed, his shoulders slumping.

"Okay. But if you decide that you can't take it then make a mistake on purpose. They'll send you straight to Recovery." He told me. I nodded, opening my car door.

"I'll remember that." I got in and put my keys in the ignition. The engine started and I pulled out of the parking space. I could have sworn that I saw Jack saying 'May God be with you, son...' But I had drove off before I could ask.