The Broken Places

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Dr. Owens stopped by the room to talk to Carrie after an hour. Carrie followed her to her office peaceably and answered the questions she asked, not putting up a fight and just going with everything she said, even though she really just wanted to go. She was tired of all the people asking her why she'd done what she'd done. She didn't want to think about it anymore.

“I can tell you're tired, Carrie,” Dr. Owens said with a slight smile across her pretty face, “so, we'll finish up early now. I know you don't want to talk to me, but talking it through truly will help. Now, though, how are feeling about staying here?”

“I'd rather be home,” Carrie answered flatly.

The doctor laughed lightly and nodded. “Yes, well, I suppose that's not overly surprising. I see you're rooming with Serenity? Are you two getting along?”

Carrie couldn't help grinning just a tiny bit and nodded. “She's very nice. Somewhat, umm, well, she's interesting.”

“That she is,” Dr. Owens said with a laugh. “I think it would do you well to try and talk with her, if you feel comfortable. You need a support system, and peers are a good place to start.”

Carried nodded her assent, though honestly she couldn't care less about a support system. She was incapable of making friends. She'd never really had one in her entire life and now, Serenity, a girl she'd met in a fucking psych ward, seemed to the closest thing she'd ever had. And ever would have. Carrie had no plans on living for much longer after she got out of the ward. But, if she made that obvious she'd never be allowed to leave. So she nodded and played her role as the sad girl looking for a light

and hoped to be allowed to go home as soon as possible.

“Remember, Carrie, there's group tomorrow at ten!” Dr. Owen's called as Carrie was leaving and she felt her heart constrict in her chest. The idea of having to talk to a group of people about her issues... no, thanks. She swallowed the lump in her throat, though, and bobbed her head and down quickly, knowing that if she spoke her voice would be shaky and full of cracks. Carrie quickly rushed from the office and back to the room she was sharing with Serenity.

“Hi,” the other girl greeted Carrie from where she was seated, upside down on the bed with her head hanging off the edge and her hair flowing down below her and onto the floor. “Someone brought by some of your stuff.” She nodded over towards a small stack of clothing that included a few pairs of sweatpants, some T-shirts, and slippers. “They're really strict about what's allowed in here.”

“How'd you get your book in here, anyhow?” Carrie asked Serenity. Serenity's mouth pulled up into a mischievous half grin as she sat up from where she'd been laying, her face beet red from the blood that had rushed into it.

“I have my ways,” Serenity whispered conspiratorially. “You wanna head to the Rec Room?” she said immediately after, all hints of capriciousness completely gone and replaced with excitement once more and Carrie couldn't help but think she was going to get whiplash if she didn't get used to Serenity soon.

“Rec room?” Carrie asked in confusion, which made Serenity laugh.

“Yeah, you didn't think they kept us locked up in here all the time, did you?”

“Well, um, I didn't really think about it-”

Serenity laughed again and jumped off the bed. “Well, I'm getting restless. So you wanna come with? I can introduce you to the other crazies?”

Carrie's stomach started doing flips and she thought she might get sick at the mere thought of having to go stand out there and meet other people. They'd all know she was the new girl... no. She didn't want to do that. But she also didn't want to admit to Serenity that she was scared and have to disappoint the girl by saying no. Her heart beat took off like a rocket and the next thing she knew, Carrie found herself struggling to breathe normally.