Watch Your Back

Chapter 17

Obviously, sneaking out of the hospital was no easy task. Aaron had to pass his parents standing in front of the door, and all the doctors and nurses.

"How am I going to get out?" Aaron asked. Dr. Harrison smiled. He removed a panel of drywall from the wall that led to a small tunnel. The entryway was about the size of Aaron if he crouched down.

"After you." Dr. Harrison said and motioned with his hand. Aaron frowned.

"To hell with that. I don't even know what's in there!" Aaron crossed his arms and glared at the surgeon. Dr. Harrison sighed and tossed the panel on the bed.

"Put it back when you get in." He said and started crawling through the tunnel. Aaron glanced back at his parents. An angry glare crossed his face. Aaron didn't want to go back with his parents. He would rather go with this crazy guy who smelt like lavender and rain. Aaron didn't even know the guy! But he seemed familiar. He HAD seen the guy invade his dreams once. ONCE. Aaron trusted him enough. He crawled into the small tunnel and replaced the tile. Once it was in place, the whole tunnel was dark. A bright light shone in his eyes. It was a penlight that Dr. Harrison was holding in his mouth. He was making sure Aaron was behind him. Dr. Harrison continued crawling until they reached a small room. It was the lobby.

"This way." And Dr. Harrison walked out of the door. No one was watching. Aaron quickly followed the doctor and they walked down the street together. The silence was awkward until Dr. Harrison spoke up.

"Blood must stick together." He said.

"I know." Aaron replied. Dr. Harrison had told him this before.

"You choose me, someone you don't even know, over your own blood. Why?" Dr. Harrison looked at Aaron.

"I-I don't know." Aaron pondered this for a moment. Dr. Harrison was right. Aaron had chosen that crazy guy over his own blood. His own parents! Why? He didn't even know this guy. For all Aaron knew, this guy could be planning to kill him! He already killed that other kid!

"Well, I thank you." Aaron's head whipped over to Dr. Harrison, who looked at him and smiled. Dr. Harrison had a killer smile that could melt any girl's heart. Aaron couldn't help but smile back. Dr. Harrison laughed, and he smiled again, this time showing his white, straight teeth. Before long, they were both laughing for some reason.

They reached the asylum soon enough. Dr. Harrison pushed open the creaky, rusty doors. Aaron shuddered. He saw the blood on the floor where he was hit. The heavy doors quickly closed.

"I'm sorry for the state of things. I never have visitors, much less a guest." A lone bat flew overhead. The cold asylum enhanced the clouds of breath that Aaron exhaled. Dr. Harrison looked over at him and frowned. He took off his bloody lab coat and draped it over Aaron's shaking shoulders.

"Can you sneak into your house later and get some things?" Dr. Harrison asked, "I don't have much here." He walked away, expecting Aaron to follow.

"No, I'm not quiet enough. They'd notice."

"Well..." Dr. Harrison thought, "Where do you live?" Dr. Harrison walked from room to room, inspecting the state.

"Uh... south from the town hall. Go to the lamppost and walk away from it. The house is blue. It had a big tree in front of it."

"Good. I'll go later." Dr. Harrison walked into a room that was fairly clean, and had a small bed with no blanket or pillow. There was a small desk with a worn-out lamp. Dr. Harrison sniffed the air.

"This is your room," He said. He gestured to the small bed, "I apologize for the state. I'll go up to your house in a little bit. Or should I just go now?" Dr. Harrison started mumbling too himself and pacing around the room.

"Uh..." Aaron said.

"Change of plans! I'll head up to your house now." Dr. Harrison sprinted out of the room and Aaron had to run after him. As they reached the doors, Dr. Harrison spun around and gripped Aaron's shoulders.

"You must stay here. I'll be right back." And Dr. Harrison ran out the doors, leaving Aaron confused, shaken, and alone in the cold asylum, with his lab coat draped protectively over Aaron's shoulders.

The coat smelt like rain.