We All Fall Down

I've Become So Numb

Chapter 5

"Your son is suffering with severe depression," Alex heard the smart-ass psychiatrist through the thin walls say, "I think it would be best if he stays here for a while. We provide an excellent social atmosphere that would be brilliant for Alexander in his current state..."

Bullshit.

His parents had brought him to a camp for 'troubled children' as they said in their brochure. His mother had threatened to bring him here if the cutting didn't stop; Alex hadn't believed she would do a thing like this but he guessed that she was desperate.

This place was essentially summer camp for young serial killers and Alex knew for a fact that he didn't belong here.

The office door opened with a deafening squeak and Alex's parents emerged followed by the patronising psychiatrist. He stood up, pulling his ruck sack onto his shoulder,

"Are we going then?" He asked impatiently, turning towards the door where the rain pounded on the thin glass and echoed around the small room. He already knew the answer to his question.

"Alex, you're going to be staying here for a while," his mother said, wiping her red eyes with a tissue.

"You're not serious..." Alex retaliated, shaking his head at the prospect of being left here with all the child lunatics.

"We've been assured that you'll be well looked after and the people here want to help you." Alex's father said calmly, although his eyes were clearly puffy from crying while in the office.

"I can't believe you'd just leave your own son here!" Alex yelled, silently praying that if he made them feel guilty enough, they'd take him back home with them.

"I'm sorry, baby." His mother burst into tears and began to walk past him, purposely trying not to make eye contact with him. "Be a good boy," and with that, she walked out into the rain.

Alex's dad followed behind her, he gently patted his son on the shoulder as a silent 'goodbye' and then left.

Alex suddenly didn't even have the strength for tears any more. He was so tired, the rest of the night was a blur.

The last thing he remembered was his head hitting the pillow and the world going black.