The Butterfly Project

Chapter 2~ AH! Crazy People

“Julia? Julia wake up.” A nurse leaned over Julia.

“Get the hell away from me!” Julia yelled. Her voice was strained. For a moment she couldn’t remember a thing that happened. Now Julia believes that she is dead.  There are a couple flaws in being dead. Unless, she’s in hell. Though, her room is too cold.  The pain shoots from her head straight to her arms.  It feels like a thousand fire ants running through her body. “Julia, wake up. You need to take some medication.”

“No.” Julia wheezed. “I have no idea what you plan on putting in my body.”

“Relax dear. See, you are kind of in the hospital.”

“Wait. What? Why the hell am I in the freaking hospital?” Julia interrupted.

“Well, you got very hurt. And I plan on giving you some medicine to help the pain.”

“Fine. Whatever, nurse. DRUG ME UP!”

“Well, it doesn’t work that way, dear.”

“Give me the drugs.”

“I’ll grab the therapist.”

“I don’t want no gawd damn therapist. Mother fuckers gonna go and rape me.”

“Julia , please calm down.”

“Okay. I was just kidding.”

The nurse rolled her eyes, and smiled to pretend that Julia was funny. She wasn’t sure what it was like to be fifteen and woken up o be in hospital when you expected to die.

She walked out of the room, and back in with a small cup. The cup was very little. It was white, with pink flowers, yellow swirls, and bluish, purple butterflies.  Inside the cup were three little pills. The first two were small and blue.

“Those are some anti-depressant and anxiety pills. The last one was somewhat bigger. “That would be a painkiller.” The nurse sat on the end of her bed by her feet, “Drink some juice. It’ll help it go down.”

“Thanks.”  Julia smiled and choked down her medication.   “There is no possible way for me to down a whole bunch to OD, is there?” Julia said that very seriously, but inabout fifteen seconds, she had burst out laughing hysterically.

“No, not one bit. We monitor every little thing. EVERY. LITTLE. THING.”

“Whoa. Kind of creepd out.” They shared a laugh, but then it had to get very serious. “You do have to see a therapist.” Julia started fiddling with the paper cup. “What is he like?”

“She is very nice. Completely understanding. I think you will like her.”

“Great. Let’s go.” Julia stood up to leave. She got extremely dizzy and lost track of her sight. She would have fallen, if not for the nurse to catch her. “I’ll help you walk.”

The nurse walked Julia down the hallway, with her hands around Julia’s wait, guiding her along. She had seen multiple movies, where the hallway would be long and narrow. With only about three light working, the middle flickering, about to go out. The thought the walls would be molding and a terrible floor where as the floor tiles would creak, and patients behind doors, glaring, plotting a murder.

It was nothing like that. To start off, the floor, it was carpet. The walls, they had pictures. Like a white wall became a piece of paper for the people who got bored.  It wasn’t A long walk until we had to turn the corner. Admiring the view of all of the paintings, Julia had gotten distracted, and another patient had caught her off guard.  “Oh my goodness! I’m so sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going…” said the random girl. “It’s alright, Mackie. “ said the nurse. “Jordy, who is this?” This is our new friend.” Jordy looked at me. “Would you like to tell Mackie your name?” Why not. I thought. I’m sure the people, staff or patients, talk about each other enough, that nothing is kept a secret here. “I’m Julia. And I didn’t know your name.” She looked at the nurse. “Oh, Sweetie, Im sorry. I’m Jordan. But everyone calls me Jordy. I’m sorry I forgot to make the introduction earlier.” I’ts fine.” Julia replies.  Mackie looks at Julia. It is a weird smile, that states, I’m crazy. I have been here way to long, and I need out. But instead she says,” I can show you around. I mean, after you meet with your therapist.”

“How did she know I was going there? Julia asked Jordy. “I started out that you were new. Therapy is where all the new comers go.” “Oh. Is it okay if I walk with her for a tour then later?” “I think that would be fine.” “See you around, Mack.” “Bye guys.”

    “Sadie?” Jordy rapped her knuckles on the door. It was slightly ajar.  The therapist named Sadie leaned back in her chair. Through the crack, Julia could only see one eye.  She looked down at the floor, freighted at what she had brought herself into. The door flew open, and both Jordy and Julia were greeted with a smile.  The therapist moved her smiled to focus only on the teen.

 “Can I help you?” She asked. “Yeah, Julia said. “I was supposed to be dead. What the hell happened?” “You were saved. And now you are receiving help, so you die naturally,  at a decent age.” “Thanks for clearing that up.” “I’ll leave her with you.” Jordy walked away to leave Julia alone with the stranger who she was suppose to open up to about everything.  “Come, sit.” She gestured her to a chair diagonal from her. “Don’t ask questions.” Julia spoke before her therapist. “I know exactly why I am here. I tried to kill myself. I know why I tried to kill myself. I slit my wrists, and hung myself. Now, that was terrible, and I am okay with consequences. I’m already living one. And it’s not being here.” Sadie’s jaw was hung open. “ You made great progress. I’ll see you tomorrow. If you have anything at all though, let me or Jordy know, okay?” “Sounds great.” Julia sneered.  “One second.” Sadie whispered. She picked up the phone and dialed two numbers. “We are done if you would like to come get her. Yes. Yep. Yeah. I don’t know. Thanks. Bye.” “It will be a minute.”

On the walk back, Julia was able to walk much better. Her voice crackled, and it hurt to spoke. “Your doctor says your voice crackling will be permanent.  In a month or two, it should stop hurting.” “Wait, a month!” “You did some very serious damage.” Would you like to call your father, or anyone?” Yes. She so badly wanted to call Liam. But how could she? “No. I’m good. “What do you want to do?” “Well, If I am going to be here a while, I wouldn’t mind finding that one girl, and take the tour.” That sounds good.”