Mental ~ H.S

Chapter 1

Annabelle-

Deranged screams and shouts could be heard down the corridor of Waverly Hills Mental Institution. Curious eyes glanced out of their offices to catch a glimpse of what was possibly happening. I was no different, poking my head out to try and get a decent understanding of the situation. The clattering of the chains and doors echoed through the barren hall. Whispers spread through the building like wild fire. My curiosity stole the best of me and I stepped out of my office. The shouting and cursing was getting much closer and it made me cringe with each word. " Annabelle, stay in your office please," Ms. Stalin, the warden of our building said to me. I nodded and retreated back to me office.

I sighed and took a seat on the spinning chair behind my office. It was killing me not knowing what was going on. Ms. Stalin was never one to share information, anyways. She always kept to herself about the stories here at Waverly Hills. Patients came and go. Some stories were open to the workers but the juicy ones would always remain secretive. So I know this one had to be good. Stalin was making everyone head back into their offices but we all knew a new patient was being admitted today.

Henry? Harold...maybe was it? My co-worker, Jenny had revealed that to me. She always got the information first and I really wondered how she was able to play her fingers on such interesting stories. I was snapped out of my thoughts, when the shouting seemed to be just out my door. I sprang to my feet and poked my head out the door. " Let go of me!" The man being held down by guards, huffed. He styled dark hair and a rather tall figure. It was only when he turned around that I could see he was around my age or a couple of years older. From where I stood I could his eyes were either a green or blue shade. I wasn't close enough to be exact. He had a journal gripped in his hands tightly. 

I froze in my spot, once he looked up and his eyes bore into mine. He stopped shouting for a few seconds and it caught the guards by surprise. Their hands snapped into my direction and they all stared at me. I felt embarrassed and that augmented the pink shade in my cheeks that already seemed to be a rosy color. Quickly, I stepped back fully into my room and sat at my desk. I tapped my pencil impatiently. Call me crazy but I loved working here. Many patients held such fascinating stories even if they were considered to be "mental". However, you couldn't be sure they were telling the truth either.

Minutes ticked by and I had nothing to do. I was in the clear for today. I would try to make patients feel better, assist with injuries, engage in calming outbursts by some of them, and overall made sure everything was going as well as it needed to be. I think I do a rather fine job of completing my duties. Some really took a toll on you though. I remember this one time I was shoved into a metal door by this one patient. Yeah work could be pretty gruesome at times.

I was surprised, when Ms. Stalin walked into my room, later that day. " Annabelle, may I talk with you?" She asked, showing no emotion at all. " Of course," I answered and motioned for her sit down. She gave me a head nod and that was her usual way of saying thank you. " Am I in trouble at all?" I asked worriedly. She usually doesn't stop by my office. She shook her head quickly. " No no, my dear," She said with a very light laugh. I sighed in relief. " As you know, a new patient was admitted in today," She said handing me a file. I nodded, as I took it from her hands.

" Yeah. Who is he?" I asked her. " Harry Edward Styles," Ms. Stalin answered. She continued, before I could say anything. " Born on the first of February in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, England. He moved to the United States at the age of 18. I will not say anything else about this man except that he was declared mentally insane by the judges in Connecticut and brought here." 

I nodded, fidgeting with my fingers a little. " Not to be rude or anything but where do I come in to this?" I ask her and she nods, getting ready to answer my question. " You Annabelle will look after him. By that I mean, you will be the main worker to assist him. I know I can trust you because you're one of the best workers here. You will do things like bring him his food, walk him back to his room, try to talk and learn what he is thinking, and overall observe his progress. Can you do that, Annabelle?" She looked at me with hopeful eyes.

This was a lot to take in all at once. That man seemed so frightening but yet this would be an interesting experience. And if I do well, there's a chance I could be promoted. What could I lose eh?

" I'll do it," I replied with a nod of my head and she gave me a warming smile. " Glad to hear that. Thank you, Annabelle," She said, getting up to leave the room. She turned around, before walking out. " Just one more thing. I don't want you to bring up his past or what he has done to be here. Can I trust you not to question him about what he has done?" She asked me and I nodded slowly.

I mean I was supposed to let him open up to me but I wasn't supposed to know what he did?

This was pretty mental if you ask me.