Orphic

Chapter 5

It was extremely early. I yawned as I glanced at the view beside of me. Hills, everywhere. Those West Virginia hills were breathtaking.
The sign I passed said, "Weston, 23 miles". The drive hadn't been unbearable, but I was aching to get out of my car.
The silence was interrupted by a Thomas Rhett song. It took me a second before I realized that it was my cell phone. I looked at the screen. Meghan.
"Heyyyyy girl! Have they admitted you to the nut house yet?" I giggled.
"Actually I haven't arrived yet. Almost there though."
"Well, I wanted to wish you luck. Try not to die or anything. I don't like funerals."
Typical Meghan, trying to find the humor in things. I giggled again, this time it was little less genuine.
"Well, thank you. I will try my best not to inconvenience you by dying."
"Great! Text me if you need anything. Love you. Bye."
"Okay, thanks, Meg. Love you, too."
The call ended.
Perfect timing. I looked to my right, and there stood one of the most beautiful buildings I had ever seen. I had arrived.
I pulled in and parked in the closest available slot. I checked my phone. 8:02, I was right on time. As I walked up the steps and through the giant doors at the entrance, I realized that this building was just as pretty on the inside as it was on the outside. A man approached me.
"Welcome to the Weston State Hospital. Our next tours begin in 30 minutes. You can register at the booths to your left and sign the waiver at this table, here."
"Actually, I'm here for research. Is Arthur Ramirez here?"
"Oh! You're the young woman he's expecting. Right this way."
He led me through a hallway and into a door that said, "Employees only" on the front of it. It was an office. Sitting in the desk was an old man. He had white hair and a long gray beard. His eyes were kind, but not as kind as his smile. I smiled in return.
"Is this Miss Selena?"
I nodded.
"You have grown since I saw you last! You're beautiful as ever! Tell me, dear, how have you been?"
"I've been good. No complaints. And you?"
"I have been wonderful." "Well, If you will follow me, I will show you around and explain some things about your stay here."
       That was the convenient thing about having a grandfather who managed an insane asylum, you had special privileges. My grandfather had worked here since he was 32 years old. His grandfather had been the head doctor when the asylum was still running. When he had heard that the asylum was reopening for tours, he decided to come and work here. Once my father had completed high school, my grandfather wanted him to continue with the family tradition and work at the asylum, but my dad had no plans on staying. He and my grandfather got into a huge argument and my dad left. Needless to say, my dad doesn't invite Granddad to many family dinners.
    I followed him into a long hallway full of doors.
"We are so excited to have you here. You are the first student who has requested special tour for research. You have permission to interview any of the employees here. I will try my best to answer any questions that they cannot. You have permission to go throughout the entire building, but at your own risk. You have to do all of your research during our business hours. I have a hotel room reserved for you about a mile and a half up the road. I will pay for your room, my treat. Anything else, just find me and ask. I am usually in my office, but if not, you can call me on my cell phone. Here is my number."
     He handed me a small piece of paper. I smiled at him.
"Thank you so much. I appreciate all of this."
"It's my pleasure, really. It's not everyday that I get to spend a full 3 weeks with my granddaughter."
I smiled, again. I couldn't help but smile. I was full of joy. These next 3 weeks were going to be incredible.