RED

three

DR. ALEX STORM

My heavy heart pounded in my chest as my eyes were glued to the door that Dr. Wells had just exited from. There is just a small glass window to see through to the other side. The patients obviously do not get much freedom here but it is expected of a mental asylum for the mentally deranged.

I slowly turned to take a look at the piece of work that I had laid out for me. Literally.

Her head was still laying on its side, facing me, her eyes still open but her mouth stayed emotionless. I removed the rubber gloves from my hands and threw them in the waste bin that sat the corner of the room next to the door.

I smiled a small, comforting smile, "hi, sweetie."

No response. I cleared my throat.

"Do you happen to know where you are?"

Still no response. Not even a blink.

"I am a doctor. My name is Dr. Storm and right now we are at Millwood Asylum," I spoke slowly, and clearly.

I decided to approach her at a closer proximity. She was all strapped down anyways, not going anywhere. I could see her eyes rapidly following my movements. It was as if she was studying me as if I were about to attack her.

"What is your name?" I questioned.

Not a muscle in her face or body was moved. I knew she was responsive, though, by the look of her pupils following my actions. I sighed and decided to pull up a chair, seeing that this was going to take a while. I squinted my eyes, studying the girl that lay before me.

In a blue and white hospital gown that was clearly forced onto her body — due to the small tears and wrinkles formed into the fabric — laid a tiny snow white body. Four extremely skinny and bony limbs were outstretched to each corner of the not so comfortably bed. The straps were buckled all the way to the last hole due to the tiny circumference of her ankles and wrists. Collarbones protruded exaggeratedly from her chest area, and her snow colored face remained clear of emotions. Long, messy, dark brown hair cascaded far down her back. It was clear from her skin and hair that she was malnourished. Her eyes were the iciest blue I've ever seen that could be seen from a mile away. Her nose was tiny and her lips were dark pink.

This girl was silent. Totally silent as I examined her. I had already grabbed a clipboard and recorded it all down. If only she would speak to me and tell me what is wrong.

"Now, I am well aware that you can speak. I know you can because I could hear you screaming earlier," I rose my eyebrows.

"In fact, I think the entire ward heard you," I smirked.

However, she did not find it funny as her lips stayed in the same straight line.

"You are going to have to talk to me, sweetheart," I spoke softly. "You are already here and keeping quiet is only keeping you farther away from getting out of here. And trust me, nobody wants to be here."

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. She is going to be a hard one to crack. I don't even know her name. Don't even know where she is from. I don't even have a clue of what the hell is wrong with her. I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't have given her a sedation shot. Maybe she would have given some answers in her wild state.

I could see her chest rising up and down in small rapid breaths, as if trying to make it go unnoticed. Everything else in her body stayed still.

"Sorry about earlier," I pointed to her upper arm, that held a little smudge of blood now from the injection.

I licked my thumb and approached slowly, wiping away the dried blood. A sigh left my mouth as i stood up and returned the chair back to the side of the room.

"I will see you later," I firmly said, and left the room.

Pulling out a set of keys from my pocket, I locked the door before walking back down the corridor and taking an elevator back down to the first floor. I met up with Dr. Wells.

"How did it go?" He questioned curiously.

"Fine. She's harmless," I replied, shrugging.

Dr. Wells scoffed, "How could you be so sure?"

"She didn't move one centimeter the entire time I was in there, but she was indeed alert. Maybe there is nothing wrong with her," I paused. "Where did you even find her?"

Dr. Wells eyes looked around the lobby before speaking.

"Someone apparently saw her crawling down the side of an empty road and called the police. Police came and said she was unstable and sent her here," his fingers came up and stroked his small length, grey beard.

"No one knows what's wrong with her."

"Which is why I said, maybe there is nothing wrong," I said.

"Doctor, she was sent here for a reason. She's on the top floor, how could you possibly think there is nothing wrong with her?"

I sighed, "Dr. Wells, I just spent half an hour in there and she did nothing to threaten me, didn't even speak a word! I think she is just frightened."

He shook his head, "that girl needs to be treated, Alex."

When Dr. Wells calls me by my first name, which is rare, I know he is serious. I almost rolled my eyes but stopped myself. He is my boss.

"Well someone needs to figure out what is wrong with her because she wouldn't even make a sound for me," I sighed tiredly.

"Doctor, you love what you do and you are good at it. Don't let this case discourage you," Dr. Wells patted my shoulder before walking away to his office.

Maybe I could bribe the girl with food. She appeared as if she was starving so maybe I could get answers out of her by feeding her.

I made my way to the cafeteria of the facility and stood in line to order a meal. I'm not sure of what she would like, so I got a plain peanut butter and jelly sandwich on white bread, and a bottle of water. Just something to bait her into giving in to me.

I exited the cafe and checked down at my wrist watch: 6:37 PM. Still another 3 hours and 23 minutes of being here until I can go home. And then do the same exact thing again tomorrow.

Getting up to the third floor, I walked down the long hallway with a takeout box in my left hand. I reached for the keys in my pocket and picked out the right one to unlock the thick hospital room door. I smiled slightly as I opened it and entered the room, only for the smile to disappear and my eyes widen.

Maybe Dr. Wells was right.