The lying eyes

Chapter 1: The beginning

"So, you will be the new psychologist!" An old frail man said. He had a medical coat on, nice work pants, and an ironed shirt with a tie. His shoes were brown and shined. I nodded," Yes, I am very excited about my new job." I was sitting in his office. It was quite large and had many bookcases, and storage filled with files. He was sitting in a leather chair, with a pillow behind his neck. "Mary will show you around a bit later." He smiled as he leaned back. On his desk was a small sign that said 'Dr. James Cornal' with a big font. I assumed it was his name.

A nurse came in, she was older and Asian. Her hair was in a ponytail and had a little blush on her cheeks, and mascara on her eyelashes. Her eyes were so beautiful, a beautiful brown that went with her hair perfectly. Dr. Cornal announced. "This is Mary! She's been working here since the '90s." Mary gave a joyful expression and said," Come with me, Ms. Bethanie."

We walked through the hallways, and she pointed out a really old man." That's Eddie, be careful he is quite... How do I say this? Not liking anyone but himself. He was a CEO of a company and had a mental breakdown so his wife sent him here. "I looked at Eddie and smiled. In return, he yelled some insults at both of us. Mary sighed and continued walking down the long hallway.

She opened a door to a room, with an old lady petting a cat. "This is Bernice." The old woman was in a rocking chair, with her cat. "Hello, dear! I am Bernice."She gave a kind, warm grin. She was a white woman most likely in her 80s. She had cuts all over her legs and arms. Bernice had coloring pages all over her walls. They were mostly My little pony. I smiled and asked," Do you like to color?" Bernice seemed so happy as if no one has ever asked her something so kind," Yes, I used to paint.' Mary went over to her and said," This is Ms.Bethanie, she is a new psychologist." Mary turned to me," We better get going." Bernice waved goodbye and we left.

When we left I asked Mary why Bernice was here. "Her husband cheated on her and it sent her into a deep depression. He sent her here of guilt and sadness. She is super sweet, after we got her a cat Mary hasn't tried to hurt herself." Mary answered simply. I felt a surge of sadness for Mary. This sweet old woman, who should be visiting her grandchildren, is stuck here.

We turned to the hallway where a very young woman was. Most likely 20, was being taken to her room by orderlies. Mary whispered," She is Schizophrenic, she believes that a demonic owl-bug Thing is trying to kill her." The woman was screaming and crying as they took her away. The fear in her eyes made it almost seem real. "Her name is Emma, she mostly is quiet and doesn't talk. But, she loves reading so if you want to get on her good side just read to her." Mary said grimly. She hurried me past her.

Mary took a deep breath and showed me around the teen area. Nothing that off. She then took me to a bunch of offices. "This will be your new office." Mary showed me around an exquisite office. A bookcase with mostly empty shelves. A sofa with many pillows and a soft throw blanket, which I was assuming for the patients was near the entrance. My desk was a large desk, with different drawers. It was an older desk with scratches on the back of it. A large comfy chair with a coral-colored pillow on it. "There is a button on the desk if you need anything" "She pointed out. This was my new office.

Mary left to leave me alone to settle. The silence almost hung over me like a cloud. The room was beautiful but off-putting. Everything was huge and seemed to leer over me. Maybe it was my nerves, it was most likely my nerves. I was the least qualified person for this job. Hell, I think the orderlies were more qualified than me. The overwhelmingness of it all seemed to collapse on me. I sat down on the chair behind my desk and let out a sigh.

"You can do this Bethanie," I told myself. I looked through the drawers of my desk. Most of them were empty. Except one, which had a notebook in it. It was a red spiral-bound notebook, look one you would use in school rather than as a professional. I opened it up, and on the first page it said in big, bold letters "DONT LET HIM FOOL YOU". A chill ran down my spine, who was this about? Why was this written here? Who left this for me? I shook my head and thought, 'Maybe it's a patient's notebook'. It must be, who would leave this?

I closed the notebook up and put it in my leather bag. I heard a knock on the door. I went to open it and it was Dr.Cornall. "How are you liking it so far?" He asked with a friendly smile on his face. He was holding a yellow file in his hand. "This is your caseload, you won't start till tomorrow officially, I suggest you look through it." Dr. Cornall informed me as he handed me the file." I need to get going, just wanted to stop by." Before he left I quickly said," Wait! I have a question." I got out the red notebook and showed him the first page. "Do you know what this means?" He furrowed his brow and shook his head." No, I think it's the patients. Give it here." He reached out for it. "Oh, okay I just wondered." I handed Dr. Cornall the notebook, and he left.

Part of me regretted giving it to him. I don't know why; it was just a silly little notebook. I sat back down at my desk and opened to folder. I had about 20 patients, not a lot, but I was the newbie. I had Bernice, Eddie, a few more elderly patients, a young girl named Amelia, and a teenage boy named Tyler. His page was filled with different diagnoses, and things about him. Paraphrenia, NPD, ASPD, OCD, MDD, and more. A long list for a 14-year-old boy. I felt bad honestly; he was barely a teenager. I read the reason for admission was apparently a suicide attempt after his parents, sister, and a dog died in a fire.

I looked over the other patient's files. Amelia's struck me as odd. In notes, someone wrote that she had a fear of Tyler, and couldn't be in the same room as him. I mean, it's not that odd, some kids don't like each other. 'Will get violent if in the same room as Tyler' was the catch. Why did she fear him? I set down the files and leaned back in my chair. "This is your new life," I told myself with a slight smile. I would admit it, it was exciting, I was finally getting my head-start in life. After all the turned-down applications for being too new, I got one. I got one at a fancy ass hospital. I looked out the large window in my room, it was pouring out. Despite the rain, everything was beautiful.

I stared at the large garden they had, patients were allowed to help and play in the garden. Of course, they were closely watched. A boy with an umbrella and two orderlies stood out in the garden. They were coming inside. The boy looked my way and flashed me the biggest grin I'd seen. It was off-putting‌. It was almost as if he could tell I was watching him, and before that, I didn't notice him looking at me. I continued to stare blankly at the garden; it was all so peaceful. Everything in this moment was peaceful, calming music played over the speakers that were put all over the hospital. No screaming, no howls, and no meltdowns. I was going to do my best here; I knew it.