Spirit

The New One

I woke up with a start. Cold sweat was drawing lines down my face, so I must've looked ridiculous in front of the nurse who was waking me.

"Good morning Mr. Anderson!" Alice said with a smile on her face. "Here's your morning pill."

"Of course..." I mumbled, rubbing the sleep off my eyes.

As I was taking the sour medicine, I remembered that poor fox. Why was I crying so hard over him? I mean, sure the thought of it would make me sad, the sight of it will make my throat close a bit... but cry?

I tried to shake the questions out of my head by trying to focus on what nurse Alice was saying.

"What?" I replied dreamily

"I was saying I am so happy you're joining our staff, maybe" she said, winking at me.

I looked a little confused until I understood what she said.

"Oh! Yeah I don't think..."

"What? Why?!"

"I mean can you imagine all the responsibility throwing itself at me?"

"Oh come on! It will all be okay." Alice reassured me. "You know why I wanted to be a nurse in the first place?"

I seriously wanted to say 'I don't care' but I bit my tongue. I nodded so she can continue.

"It's to help others. Simple as that. I know it's too corny, but I want to help others so badly. Just seeing them smiling at you because you helped them accomplish something they care about is truly a gift."

I thought about that for a long moment.

"You make it seem lovely." I said with a hint of a smile.

"Well it is," she replied. "Just now, seeing you smile... or trying to."

I made a face at her, as a sign of ending to the conversation. I watched the blonde nurse take her tray and walk away.

I made my way down to Dr. Paul's office.I had to make a decision, take that stupid job and become someone's buddy, or just stay wait until my medication program ends. Both ideas made me shudder. I stopped in front of his door, still unsure of my choice.

"You can enter if you want." I heard him say. He must have seen me through the glass.

"I don't know if I want to." I immediately answered.

"We can discuss your decision here, don't worry."

"It's not that, it's just I'm not sure I can handle you."

"Just enter, funny man."

I opened the door, and found him on his usual chair behind his desk.

"Sit." he motioned the chairs in front of him.

"Feeling quite bossy today." I noticed.

He didn't answer as I made my way to one of the chairs and sat down.

"Okay," I started, "I'm still not sure about this whole thing. What's the catch?"

"You can get out of here earlier." he simply stated.

I couldn't believe my ears.

"Please tell me you're not screwing with me."

"Why would I?" Dr. Paul asked me. "I'm straight and married. Besides, if you can take responsibility of Jack, it means you are more than able to take care of yourself."

Oops, there it is again. 'Responsibility'. I was pretty sure that word came out in bold from his mouth. But to think that I would be leaving this hell hole once and for all... wow. Plus, I felt curious. I wanted to experience whatever nurse Alice was talking me about.

"Show me his file." I finally said.

He gave me a light blue folder. I opened it. The first thing I saw was a photo of the so-called Jack. Blond, blue eyes, wide smile, white teeth... If we weren't in a mental hospital, he would be the famous guy, and I would be known as "Jack's friend". His full name: Jack Drake Black. Parents: Both dead from a car accident in 2006. I already felt bad for him. He was a few months younger than me, but we were both 18.

"Wait, I'm babysitting-"

"In charge" Dr. Paul interrupted

"I'm in charge of someone the same age as me?"

"Umm, if you haven't noticed you're in a mental hospital, take a look." he replied ironically.

"Oh my God. He's that damaged?!"

"Can you stop panicking? He's as fine as you, only a bit happier. You're in charge of him because he's new."

"Okay so what's his problem?"

"His parents died."

"Ten years ago..."

"Yeah..."

"Shouldn't he be in here ten years ago?"

"Well," the doctor stammered, "he started showing anxiousness signs recently."

I swear he was red and sweating. I felt something's wrong, but I didn't ask too much. I didn't have the energy for weird Q&A half an hour after I just woke up.

"Okay, fine." I finally gave in, "I will babysit-"

"Be in charge of!" Dr. Paul yelled.

"Be in charge of Jack."

Dr. Paul sighed in relief. I didn't know why he was so interested in me taking care of this guy. Something was way off. But I didn't show any sign of it as I was leaving his office to go meet my... I don't know what I should call him.

I saw the guy from the picture sitting outside, staring at the sky. I didn't know how I was going to introduce myself, but I didn't have to, because as soon as he saw me, he jumped right out from his chair, grinning like crazy.

"Oh my God, oh my God, you must be Luke!" he said enthusiastically. "I'm sooooo psyched to finally meet you. I'm-"

"Jack," I replied barely keeping up with him. "Nice to meet you too, I guess."

"Oh, we're going to have so much fun here."

We started laughing, but I was actually laughing at him. Like you could actually have fun here.

I started showing him around, but my patience wore thin, with him being interested in the slightest detail of every room.

When we arrived to the art room, I started showing him some of the good paintings a lot of the patients here did hanging on the wall. We arrived to one painting near the window when it happened:

"WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?!" Jack yelled pointing to the other end of the room.

I freaked out and turned to see what he was pointing at, but I saw nothing. But when I turned back, I saw something that freaked me even more.

Something was entering through Jack. Right where his heart is.