Crazy For You

Chapter 1: Loonies And Motorcycles

Chapter One: Loonies and Motorcycles

It was official; I did not look very sane at the moment.

As I made my way down a flight of stairs in my long blue hospital gown, I tripped over my own feet  several times.

Keep going. Yes, you do look like you've escaped the mental institute. Don't look back!

Suddenly, I started to hear voices. No, not in my head! I really did look crazy but I most certainly wasn't. Though staying in this hospital for the past two months probably drove me a little insane.

"Milicent, bring the patient in room C204 her medication" I heard from a floor above me.

That was my room! They were about to realize that I was gone. 

Don't stop! I reminded myself. They'll lock you up if they catch you!

Fabulous self-pep talk, Hallie.

So, I kept going until I reached the exit and ended up out onto the street.

The only reason I even knew about this way out was from overhearing a conversation between Drew and Maude, two other patients- prisoners- on my floor at the Victorian Hospital.

A few weeks ago, I overheard Drew tell Maude enviously: "....and he just escaped!" Maude sighed wistfully, and to my delight she replied: "I heard he used the exit that's three floors down from the cafeteria, the one you can get to by going through room C409. That exit is practically invisible!"

I butted in on their conversation almost immediately.

"Who got away?"

Drew looked at me with obvious distaste. He and his sister had never liked me since I came in because when I did, their now ex-nurse was assigned to me. Milicent really was the best. In fact, I actually felt bad about leaving her...

Focus Hallie! I made a mental note to contact Milicent once I had safely gotten away, to thank her for the great care that she's given me.

After most likely cursing at me in his head a few times, Drew replied to my question.

"Andrew Benson. He was a patient here a few years ago".

"What happened to him?" I asked.

This time Maude spoke.

"He actually managed to escape from here, though that didn't last long. Security caught him, and apparently he isn't allowed to leave his own room now."

At that point, I really hadn't thought about running away. I wanted to get better, and the place where I could do so was the Victorian Hospital. Why would I want to escape?

It was only a few days ago that I finally understood what might have driven Andrew to such measures.

Growing up with three older brothers, I had mastered the art of eavesdropping. A little sister is always looking for blackmail material against her siblings when she needs something. I knew when my brothers  were going to throw a party, who was invited, what girls they liked...I heard all. Therefore, when my parents were called in for a special meeting in the doctor's office a few weeks into my treatment, I just had to know what was going on.

Pressing myself against Dr. Wakefield's office door, I held my breath and closed my eyes in order to fully concentrate on the conversation inside the room. "We've been observing Hallie's behavior recently" began the doctor. He then paused, as if he was trying to find the right words to formulate his next thoughts.