The Upper-Class

Chapter 3: A Doctor's Appointment

Kamiko sat on the cot in the doctor’s office. She was nervous. The shots and blood tests didn’t faze her at all. In fact, she was interested in them. She was curious about them and it didn’t hurt when they drew blood or gave her the shots. She figured it was something that everyone around here did.

She was worried that a health problem would come up and that the doctor would tell the Trescotts. Then, she would be sent right back to the clinic. But nothing ever did. Or, at least, the doctor never told her if something did.

“Alright, Kamiko,” the doctor said as he finished taking notes on his clipboard. “You’re doing great. Now, all of the physical stuff is done. I just have a question to ask you, and then we’ll call your family back in and speak with them, alright?”

Kamiko nodded slightly. Her heart started to beat fast. This question could be the end of me!, she thought frantically. If they find out my secret, that’ll be it! I’ll be sent right back to the damned clinic!

“It’s a simple question, really,” the doctor said with a small smile towards Kamiko. “You don’t have to act so nervous.”

“O-okay,” Kamiko replied quietly.

“Now, Kamiko, I want you to answer this question honestly. Please remember that we are only here to help.”

“Okay.”

“Do you have any mental illnesses that you know of?”

Kamiko’s heart stopped. She froze in place. She couldn’t even mutter a response. Her mind went blank. She looked up at the doctor with pleading eyes. Her eyes were glazed and she could feel the tears welling up. All she could do was just sit and stare up into the doctor’s brown eyes.

“I can’t read minds, you know?” the doctor said after a while.

“I-I don’t k-know what it’s c-called,” Kamiko choked out, trying her best to hold back her tears. “I-it starts with an s I t-think…”

“Could you tell me a bit more about it, please?”

“T-there are these t-things that talk to m-me and tell me what to d-do and if I d-don’t do what they s-say, t-then they h-h-hurt me. I-I know they’re n-not real b-because I d-didn’t always s-see them…”

“Schizophrenia?”

“I-I think so…”

“Alright, Kamiko. That’s all I needed to know. You did very good. I’m going to recommend that you see a psychiatrist to help you with your schizophrenia though, alright?”

“D-do you have to t-tell them?”

“I’m afraid that I do. But, I’ll make sure that they know it’s nothing to make a rash-decision over.”

“O-okay.”

“I’ll go and get them now.”

The doctor left the room and Kamiko burst into tears. She let her head fall into her hands that rested on her lap and wept. She sat there and bawled her eyes out.

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Damian was the first one to stand up when the doctor came back out into the waiting room. He could tell that there was no good news for them. If there was good news, Kamiko would be with the doctor. Oh, no, Damian thought. I hope nothing really bad is wrong with her. Then, Dad will want to send her back… Well, I don’t care what he has to say anymore! I’m done listening to him. He’s not going to take Kamiko back to the clinic, no matter what may be wrong with her.