The calling shadow

The calling shadow part one: Seeing red

The first thing to meet my eyes was the familiar colour of crimson red, it ran across my face like water over a river. I could barely think to sit up let alone stand, all I could think of was the horrible ringing in my ears. It felt as though someone had taken a flute and played it like their life depended on it directly into my eardrums. I tried to wipe the red from my face and seeing it on my hands it became abundantly clear it was blood. My blood.

Even without the bloody impairment of my vision everything was still blurry, all I could see was outlines. I thought it would be wise to try and stand, the movement of each muscle was agonising. Almost akin to a child taking their first steps I slowly but surely rose to my feet. This however did not solve the pressing issue of my blindness; I pressed my fist into my eyes as though I were trying to wipe the blur from my vision. Slowly moving my hands from my face, I could finally see what Infront of me was, I immediately wanted to return to my blindness.

I was stood in a kind of waiting room. The type you might find in a hospital or hotel, but I was sure this was neither. The room was dark with no clear light source apart from a very annoying fluorescent light that sat in the centre of the room. Aside from the darkness the room had a green sofa and a couple of wooden chairs, both looked ruined with missing legs and torn fluff. The other features of the room were a large desk with a computer sitting atop, a sign overhead reading "Admissions" and a carpet that looked like it had last been used in the days of the pyramids.

I had no idea where I was, and this room certainly gave me no clues to my whereabouts. I stood like an idiot trying to take in my surroundings and waiting for the impairments of my scenes to dissipate. I used a great deal of my energy to turn around, to my joy I saw a door. No light came from its cold metal exterior, I took a single step towards it. Apon further inspection I found the door was held shut by a chain and padlock with wooden planks nailed to each other side to secure it. I was certain that whoever had set this up was either trying to keep something out or keep something in. The worst part was I wasn't sure which. After coming to this realization my vision and hearing had cleared. My first thought was to explore.

I turned back to face the so-called admissions room; I walked step by step being careful not to trip over, to the desk. Maybe the computer would help me figure out where I was. Only once I had reached the computer did I realise there was a set of filing cabinets behind the desk, this could be useful. I also found a black leather chair, the fun spinning kind that you would play with as a child. Sitting down I pressed my finger on the power button of the computer. No response. I sat and waited, maybe it would just take a while. Again, no response. I concluded the computer was probably not going to turn on, so I turned behind me for the next best option.

Luckily for me the filling cabinet was not locked like the door. Opening the lid was a bit difficult but I did eventually pry it open. Inside I found a lot of papers, I pulled one out, it was a file. "Notice of admission to the Happy hill mental Institution" The name on the file was "One Lysandra Parker" I looked over the file trying to make sense of the words on the page "Young Lysandra has experienced so called night terrors for a period exceeding two months. These terrors include Demonic encounters, voices and an Unknown figure stalking her in many locations. This is an example of lunatic behaviour and admission has been decided based on unchangeable insanity. Potential lobotomization is being considered as a cure."

After I read that last detail, I almost felt sick. The girl was only 12. I put the file back in the cabinet and slammed it shut. The sound echoed through the room and what I can only presume is further into the facility. At least I knew where I was. I didn't know if that was a good thing or not. A mental asylum isn't exactly the best place to be trapped alone in.

That's when I realised, I can't remember anything.

"I can't remember my name, I can't remember where I am, I can't remember why I'm bleeding hell I can't even remember how I remember how I got here." Then I was scared. I needed to find a way out of this place, and I needed to find it quickly.