Crimson Mists

08. You, I or It?

"Untreated mental health disorders in children and adolescents are related to adverse health, academic and social outcomes, higher levels of drug abuse, self-harm and suicidal behaviour [2,3,4] and often persist into adulthood [5]. Indeed, half of the lifetime mental health problems start by the age of 15 and nearly three quarters by the age of 18 [6], creating a substantial global socioeconomic burden [7]. These short and longer term negative outcomes associated with youth mental health problems emphasise the importance of early detection and prompt access to professional treatment"___

Why do children and adolescents (not) seek and access professional help for their mental health problems? A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies, European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry by Jerica Radez, Tessa Reardon, Cathy Creswell, Peter J Lawrence, Georgina Evdoka-Burton and Polly Waite, 21-01-2020

Chikamharida's POV.

The door creaked open just as I sat on my bed. Then a head peeked through the crack and sincere eyes stared back at me.

"I heard the door lock so I came out to check," she said.

"You can come in... Thanks for checking in on me again."

"It's no big issue. I guess you don't remember my name, I'm Chilli," she said, walking in and gently shutting the door behind her. "How're you feeling?"

"Nothing I haven't felt before."

"There's nothing severed right? No big issue?" She asked, looking at the bandage on my nose.

"Nothing much," I said. "Just fractured ribs and healing ankles. I have a question though." I started removing Henry's sweater as I awaited her answer. On the ride home, I had time to garner my thoughts and they weren't pretty.

"How long have you been working here?"

"Almost five years, anything wrong?"

"No," I said, working on my the lace of my sandals. "I was just wondering if there's an history of any employee that has died in this premise?" I asked. She was stunned, then a flash of something ran through her eyes. It was so rapid I seemed to have imagined it before she comported herself and her emotions.

"I've heard rumors. I don't know true it is."

"Who was she?"

Someone closer I bet! It was something I could relate to.

"Kandle— I... I- I'm not really sure if that's her name."

There weren't that close then...

"Alright," I said, nodding before picking "the nanny contract", wearing flip flops and standing up. Chilli refused to sit so she was still standing in leggings and a bra top. Was she going for a run?

"I want to go drop something, will be back soon," I said, walking towards the door and waiting for her to come out before I shut it.

"I'll also be running some errands," she said without looking me in my eyes. I nodded and said, "Didn't know that you guys called a jog an errand here." Not that she had to take permission from me but she also didn't laugh at my joke.

Finally I was alone and left to recollect my thoughts.

Like last time, my feet took me there, to Mr Bolaji's study. I wasn't even sure he was around so I must as well have been walking blind, except that there was an improvement this time where I wasn't blind and lame or blind and hoppy but was just partaking in a blind movement.

The more time I spent around the house the more extravagant it appeared that even the outer view of a bleached mountain didn't do it justice. Blue walls of the hallway extended till we arrived at a hanger or what appeared to be a surface level tunnel with big gates at an edge and an hallway with transparent roof on the other. The gate was the main entrance of the house, and was of copper colour, of washed earth.