Patients of the Ward

Prologue (Part 2)

“Miss Anna Lawson,” she read aloud; her voice incredulous and quiet. “Your credentials show that you are highly qualified to work for St. Samuel's Psychiatric Ward and Mental Hospital as a full time nurse. As we are short on hands, we request that you come in tomorrow to be trained immediately.

Medical Ward Director, Head doctor Samuel Shaw.”

Her heart stopped. Or at least she felt the impact of this new development as her phone nearly slipped from her hand. She fumbled for it clumsily and set it down on the table with a feeling of satisfaction. A job in one, two... Three! It was perfect and tomorrow all she would have to do is claim it.

The address to the ward was unfamiliar. It definitely wasn't one of the main streets in the city, but she couldn't complain. It only made sense in her mind that the patients weren't exposed to the loud city life that she had grown accustomed to. They were trying to heal. That's what she picture. A lush green garden. On the stone pathway would be name of volunteers, the founders, and steeping stones that spelt out nonsense and calming things like “peace” and “serenity”. On all sides would be flowers and tall growing shrubs. In the center with a paved accessibility all around would be a large fountain. Next to this garden would be the facility, a large white colored building with lots of windows and light. It would clean and well kept. The lawn which was mowed that morning would smell fresh- like newly cut grass. The interior would be polish stone and very natural earthly colors that made the place look more home like and healthy. Soft music would play in the dining room, but the place would be mostly filled with silence as to give people the ease of mind when they wished for it. So in every hallway there would have to be benches along the walls with pictures of landscapes and trees- of people enjoying life and loads of inspiration. Yes, this was it.

Simple. Beautiful. Bright. She was already picturing the best for the patients. Still, she had no idea what to expect- just that it had to be an interesting working environment.

Tomorrow would come quickly, so after eating dinner, Anna decided an early sleep was in order. Her bed was not yet delivered, so a blanket and a pillow would have to suffice for the night. The meagerness of her living style wouldn't last long. She thought in anticipation.