Two Worlds, One Mind

Chapter 4

As Elliot and the woman walked down a hallway, it occurred to him that he had no idea why he was there or how he even got there. Everything seemed foggy while he was in the bed, but now that he was up and walking, the world felt clearer.

Her hand hovered near his shoulderblade as she glanced around the hallway. She seemed almost as confused as Elliot.

The concrete walls and floors echoed with the sound of her heels. The clicking stopped as they approached a narrow wooden door on their left. Did she expect him to go in?

Another woman came from the opposite side of the hallway. Elliot noticed the way she huffed and groaned while hobbling before he heard the thunderous sounds of her heels exploding under her weight.

"What's wrong with this one?" Her voice sounded like an asthmatic dog bark,

Elliot faced the door as they conversed. He didn't really know what else to do. The blonde woman spoke gently, "His father explained that he, I guess, can't understand what's going on around him. His disconnect from reality causes him to brcome violent. That's about all I know."

"Miss Lunsford, you gotta get this cleared with me first before you take these bastards in. We barely have enough money to take care of the ones we have."

"I'm sorry, the father just seemed so desperate. He told me stories of how his son would destroy things in the house and not remember how or why he did it and he-"

"-please," she snarled as if she were polite enough to use the word, "we'll stick him in the room with the ones his age, it'll be fine."

"Wait, Mrs. Caritov, the father said that he shouldn't be surrounded by others because when people touch him-"

"-I don't know what you're about to say, but we can't make special accomidations for one brat. You'll put him in his respective room."

"Yes, ma'am." Miss Lunsford opened the door, watching Mrs. Caritov tumble away.

Elliot had started to focus on the noises coming from behind the door. A pale arm reached around him to open it. The noises from the kids inside became much louder.

Miss Lunsford gently touched Elliot's back to lead him in. He screamed as if he felt 5 indivudual needles punctured his flesh.

He was far from the only one in the room experiencing that much pain.