It wasn't me

CHAPTER 2

Rose

  To say I was nervous about my first day of work still couldn’t describe enough of how I was feeling. Sure I was nervous but I was also on edge, I felt like there was something more but I just couldn’t describe it exactly.

  I made my way down the stairs and saw that my mailbox was full but decided to pick the contents after coming back from work tonight.

  The hospital was full with other staff walking around, not like yesterday. Walking up the driveway I could also see patients walking in the park, if it wasn’t for their bracelets, you could easily think that they were normal people. Yesterday Dr. Madden explained to me the bracelets color system so I could easily recognize where each patient belonged.

  Light blue for the patients that belonged on the first floor, the ones who suffered of depression or mild addictions to either alcohol or drugs.
  Sage green for the patients on the second floor, the ones who have had suicide attempts.
  Pastel yellow for the patients on the third floor, the ones who have started a serious medication program and go to therapy sessions.
  Orange for the patients on the fourth floor, the ones who have escalating problems and that needed the intervention of a special team.
  Burgundy red for the patients on the fifth floor, for the patients in a extremely critical condition, that have tried to harm themselves or others in a not so grave way.
  And deep purple for the patients on the sixth floor, the ones who have no longer control over their mind, the ones that achieve a sense of proudness from committing grave crimes.

  Of course only the first two categories were allowed to go outside without assistance and sometimes if a patient from the third category was improving, it could go out with a nurse.

  For the other three categories, the hospital had another ways of letting them see the outside world but I find them a bit barbaric and old fashion, especially for the patients on the sixth floor, they could almost never see the natural light.

  I made my way inside and signed myself in on the board, smiling at the kind lady from the reception’s lobby.

  After changing myself into my uniform I felt a little more confident, if that was what I was feeling, and got ready to do the chores for the day.

  The first thing I had to do what give them the morning medication, so I made my way to the supply room, picking everything I needed before getting into the elevator and pressing number 6. Once arrived I put the password in and a buzz sound signaled me that the door was opened for the next 10 seconds.

  Taking a deep breath, I entered the first room, Kyle’s room. I have found him laying in his bed and by the looks of it he didn’t even notice me entering.

  “Good morning Kyle. It’s meds time.”

  As if he was zapped, he jumped at my voice, that’s when I realized that the small window in the room didn’t help me at all in seeing him. A guy that didn’t seem older than 20 came towards me, tall, blonde hair and electric blue eyes.

  “Finally, I swear someone up there finally listened me and finally got rid of that sour woman.” He said a bit sassily.

  “Yeah? Seems like the odds were on your side. Have you had your breakfast?”

  One thing that I have learned to be very important in communication with the patient was that if he or she was in a good mood, it would be perfect to not ruin his mood, less risk for both their mental health and my physical health too.

  “I did but it was bad.” He suddenly sat on the ground, a bit more further away from me, like he was giving me space.

  “What was it?” I asked since this morning I had checked the menu so I could make sure they weren’t lying and I was safe to give them their medicine.  I moved closer to a little desk the room provided so I could put his pill on it along with a bottle of water.

  “Some sort of eggs with veggies but it was all cold and soggy.” Kyle said with a disgusted face. He wasn’t lying, that was the menu but without the cold and soggy part.

“I’m sorry buddy. Maybe lunch and dinner will be better. Can you swallow these please?”

  Without questioning he did and showing me that he did swallow. I made my way towards the door, wanting to leave and tend to the next patient since there couldn’t be a big window from them taking their medicine.

  “Wait, who are you?” he asked me.
 
  “We’ll talk more in therapy, hm? I need to go to your floormate and give him his dose before noon.”

  Kyle nodded and I exited the room.

  While walking towards the other end of the hallway my steps got smaller and slower. Why was I so scared of something or maybe better said someone I have never met?