Enervation

Chapter 15 Freedom at last

I woke up to the doctor talking to my parents and the tv was also playing. It looked like the news was on and a couple anchors were talking, but the sound was turned down.

Dr. Burt: Oh, you're awake?! That's good to see

Diana: Oh son! Ooohhh!

My mom came and hugged me.

Barney: We thought we were going to lose you kiddo!

Terrance: ... Uh... what happened?

Dr. Burt: You had a severe seizure, we thought you were going to suffer a stroke but good thing nurses at Burns were quick to act and get you to the hospital.

Barney: I'm going to sue that damn place, swear!

Diana: Shh! Barney, calm down

Dr. Burt: Well, we're going to let you rest now and you should be out of here by tomorrow

Diana: Thank you doctor

Terrance: Hey... am I going back there?

Barney: Hell no!

Dr. Burt: Well, no; you will be released back to your parents. Is he staying with you two?

Diana: He's staying with me

Barney: Wait, he can stay with me

Dr. Burt: Well, you two or you three can work it out. But, no Terrance. You are not going back to Burns okay; you all have a good day!

We talked for hours, think it's the longest we ever talked in a long time. After they left, I slept peacefully. The next day, I was discharged from the hospital. I was finally going back home after all this time. I often wondered if I was just dreaming or my mind was making this all up, but it seemed like I wasn't going crazy for once.

The doctor did prescribe me Seroquel though and I have been taking it. As I got back to my mom's house, we all had dinner and got ready for Christmas Eve. The news was on and I turned up the volume. I saw Dr. Namez's face, he was being arrested?

Anchors: At 9:30pm last night, Dr. Namez a well known neurologist has been arrested in more than fifty cases of attempted murder. The well known method of electroshock therapy was used a lot at Burns Psychiatric, but many former patients who previously were admitted there came out saying that Dr. Namez abused the procedure.

Anchors: Many saying that he allegedly took it too far when having patients undergo the controversial procedure.

Nurse1: You know, I've worked at Burns psychiatric for almost four years and I've known Dr. Namez for a couple years. But lately his whole demeanor has just changed

Anchor: What do you mean by that?

Nurse1: I mean, he used to love his job; Don't get me wrong; But he just changed. I don't know, he just got to a point where he just didn't like dealing with the patients anymore

Anchors: Dr. Namez has been accused of turning up the power on the electro Therapy machine, and in a few instances has caused patients serious harm. In one case a thirty four year old patient Terrance Durren was hospitalized as he suffered a series of seizures. Many others have come forward and are now seeking compensation from Burns psychiatric.

Dr. Namez was sued for around a few million dollars and Burns psychiatric and their lawyers fought the cases to try to survive. But after a year, Burns psychiatric had to file for bankruptcy.

Burns was closed and sat empty and vacant for another year. Eventually and ironically, the building caught fire. The fire was said to be an act of arson by a couple of ex-patients. The old derelict building sat for another several months before it was ultimately demolished. The city eventually put a park there and a memorial to honor all of the lives lost from an archaic era of psychiatric care.

I've been doing pretty well these past few years. I've been taking my medication as prescribed and I even got a job at a grocery store stocking boxes and food items. I moved into my own apartment and have been finally living life. I haven't heard from Mort or Chuck in a long time, but I hope they are doing well.

I did eventually talk to the nurse that got me to the hospital a few years ago. We haven't talked in a while, but I definitely have him to thank for saving my life.

Dave came by the store one day and saw me putting stuff away and recognized me. We talked for a bit.

Dave: Oh? Hey? Is that you Terrance?!

Terrance: Oh, hey Dave?! Haven't seen you in a while

Dave: I know, it's been a long while now hasn't it?

Dave: Are you working here?

Terrance: Yea.. I'm working as a stock and inventory clerk

Dave: Oh that's great! I'm glad for ya buddy

Terrance: How have things been with you?

Dave: Oh, I'm doing well... I left the whole psych ward field and I'm just working as a psychiatrist now

Terrance: Oh that's good to hear

Dave: Hey... um, I just wanted to say hi and also apologize for sticking a needle in you back then. I feel so bad for how Dr. Namez treated you and other patients. If I would have known that, I would have done things differently. I'm sorry Terrance...

Terrance: Oh... it's okay Dave.. it's in the past now

Dave: Well, if it brings you any solace.. Dr. Namez was given a lengthy prison sentence probably be in there for at least fifteen to twenty years

Terrance: ...

Dave: you take care Terrance... was nice talking with you again

Terrance: You take care too Dave

I hurt my back a few days ago and I've been seeing a doctor, but they prescribed me some over the counter pain meds. So I went to see an old friend and they hooked me up with some oxycodone. I was ecstatic and decided to take it when I got home.

But something feels off? I collapsed on the floor. I'm struggling to breathe and I feel so very tired. I tried to reach for my cell phone, but it's to hard. As I take my last breaths, my life flashes before me.

Maybe this isn't such a bad way to go. I close my eyes and dream, I dream of Harry and I goofing around like we always do. And I dreamed about Cherry and I walking through the park. I feel cold and the blackness is closing in. I'm terrified, but I'm also at peace... I don't know where I'm going, but I hope it's better than this life I've lived...

Those who cry out for help are the ones who hide it most of the time...

988-lifeline.org

National Suicide prevention lifeline

1-800-273-8255