Pyromaniac Reader X Grillby

Chapter 27: Maintain Calm

Stiff like a plank or just frozen which ironically the AC that is blowing on to you directly as the cold bites and licks your bare skin of your face and hands from the blowing fan. But that is not the main attention your mind focuses on.

It was focusing on a building you never expected to enter again anytime soon.

A hospital.

You remain put in the passager's seat of the car refusing to move a muscle as your stare out from the window at the building. Grillby in the driver's seat looks over to see the discontent in your dead gaze at the hospital.

Pangs of regret start to climb up your spine from agreeing to go to a mental hospital, but you said yes so you have to.

The building you are driving to was not the same like your old one that is near the open woods. But instead, has a large parking along with other buildings that surround it. In size, it was smaller since it was a branch of the main building although is still attached. Besides that, you are over whelmed by the number of stories it has towering in your point of view on the overall hospital itself.

Once Grillby was able to find a parking spot open carefully drive sandwich between two other cars and an extra one in front you, you hesitantly unplug your seat as you reach for the handle. Gently pulling towards you popping the door open and push forward exiting the car.

It turns out at the same time Grillby was telling you to be careful with the door.

Too late you bump the door against the car on your side that responds to his warning with a light thump from the contact of metals.

Grillby: "............."

The spot where it happened wasn't too noticeable nor any damage too severe, but it still causes a blemish if looked at carefully. You stared at him waiting to speak about the scene that took place. There was no word being spoken but his sigh knowing at least you were careful at least he thought.

Your attention went back to the hospital again scanning over the surface to see a huge number of windows greater than the old one too. You started to count the windows out of curiosity until you felt warmth enveloped your hand. You jumped startled at the feeling that wraps around the palm of it. You relaxed to realized it was just Grillby that you are sensing responded with a gentle squeezed as you smile at the sweet sensation at your heart.

The fear is no longer present as long as Grillby is by your side. You two walked to the entrance entering through one of the double glass doors. Grillby is ahead of you leading you like a parent figure he always seems to act around you. There was a gush of cold air from the indoors.

And just as you enter curiosity perks up you allow your eyes that are taking in all the details of the new environment with quiet awe.

The inside was quite similar with the blandness, but it's more than bland since there is more color despite it being quite dull. The colored tiles can be over look under the familiar lighting of fluorescent that blurs out by its brightness. Many chairs and couches to sit and tables with magazines to read. There are plants to give life to the area. The walls are colored beige so it will not harm sensitive eyes and there are lots I mean LOTS of people than you expect.

You are in a public hospital, yes, but the atmosphere is the same and yet so different. Dead and yet lively at the same time. You saw there are visitors and patients, many sit in silence while some chat and others are glued on to the glowing screens of their phones.

The walk came to a stop at the front counter. There is an employee who turned when she quickly notices Grillby. Her eyes shown a quick gasp of shock from the monster she sees before her. It may be her first time seeing a fire type for there are very few monsters who are attending this hospital that is exponentially outnumbered by humans. Many are animal-like monsters overall only a couple does not have animal features but of objects. No elemental types are to be seen in sight.

From what your eyes have scouted out. You saw some of the other workers of the building taking quick glances at the fire monster which may be the first that stepped onto their hospital. As they pass by, but it would just be the same from all the other humans.

Grillby must have felt the many eyes that lay upon him despite how composed he is speaking to the lady at the desk. A nurse brings both of you to a branch of the building that has those with mental or psychological problems. But before that, they must take a deep inspection and check up to see if you have any drugs on you or any possessions that can harm yourself or others in a room alone with two other workers.

You were hesitant to leave Grillby's side. He told you not to worry he will wait in for you. He did frown at the thought of you taking your clothes off in front of strangers when it is evident you are clean and have no thoughts of taking any drugs. Or even with anything that would relate to a hospital unless it is extremely needed. He has no choice but follows the policy the judge has given him for if not he will lose you for sure.

You felt uncomfortable but reluctantly do the inspections since this is quite normal for you at your old hospital. You were a nuisance to the staff because you always have a hold of something just anything in that can assist your escape. Most of the time being at the hospital for over an hour is paper works and assigning you to a room. Strangely and luckily if you add Grillby's thought, you have room to yourself for the segment of the building you are in has only three other people in a hallway of 10 rooms that each are for two people. After that, he can discuss with a worker about the things the staff should be aware of.

Deciding to zone out on the conversation between the two. You thought of the many things you saw passing through the halls. First, you noticed the reasons why the atmosphere feels dead around in some parts. People have died in hospitals due to diseases or some form of illness. Some people are worried, stressed about their loved ones' condition. Some mourn. Sometimes it's the patients who go are going through the worry and stress. Fighting for their lives or thinking what will happen if they are gone. But besides those you can't help but pay attention the most is those who do not have anyone to visit them, to show the care the other patients get from friends and family or a lover.

They are quite similar to the ones in your hospital just not so mentally ill, many you seen are physically weak. Some are very young, old or in between from adult to teenager. But that doesn't mean they felt miserable being in their beds hopelessly and are unable to leave for many. It's like their tombs.

The feeling of life you are not for sure where that is coming from you felt taps on your shoulder from Grillby taking you back to reality. You almost wanted to roll your eyes at the man who was startled by Grillby making contact with you was in shock his face just screams how the heck. The other patients had the same reactions when you and Grillby hugged goodbye on your first day of the scheduled stay in the hospital.

Grillby nagged you again on maintaining calm for the last time. You responded, "I know! You're not my parent. OK!" This was over the 100th time he has this kind of 'pep' talk, but they are nags. It seems like you really need more of his nags to maintain calm now that you felt the stares of patients and nurse are on you.