I knew it was a mistake as I turned the corner. There she lay, in a pool of blood surrounding her head. The colour red stained her baby blue dress and peaked through her snow white hair, now dyed with such a unsettling tone. Clementine Stone, the girl no one understood.
Each day felt perpetual. Wake up. Put on a warn out band shirt and jeans. Brush teeth. Find a way to make it through the day and repeat. I had walked the halls of the hospital day after day, the same tedious walk that seemed to never end. As I passed the halls, I memorised the drawings and paintings that hung tiredly against the cream coloured walls. I must admit, I never liked the colours of the halls. Painters often neglected covering parts they had missed leaving which left ugly patches and pealing paint for the patients to pick at. The place has a calm and warming environment to it, gentle songs play almost silently as a background noise to make up for the sound of bickering and chatter. If only they played better music, the only song they play was a 80's classic, same old artist, same old genre, same old everything.
I was well acquainted with many of the people here. My roommate, Vincent, has been here a little longer than myself. At the age of 32, he was placed on suicide watch after he tried to end his life on several occasions after the death of his teenage daughter. He doesn't talk much and no one knows a lot about him. He doesn't leave his room often, only to talk to the doctor or nurse. He had lost his family when he came in here, they said they didn't want to mix up the real world with this world.
I had noticed people gathering into small groups of 3-6 all whispering and glimpsing towards the entrance. I stood and wondered what was happening until the doors opened. I guess it was a new patient here for a little vacation in the hotel of crazy. The only thing I could tell about the patient was that she is female, short and incredibly thin with pale white skin. She was escorted by a nurse to her designated room and then the nurse left her to socialize with other patients. As you would have guessed, not many people in here really caught my attention, well, not that I was looking. How iconic "Teenage physcho finds love in a hospital for mental health." Ha, give me a break. Yet for some reason, this girl shone like a candle in a dimly lit room. The way her long hair fell gently against her porcelain skin. The hairpin curve of her pale pink lips. Curiosity in every glance.
It's scary at first, seeing all these people, smiling when inside they are hiding their most darkest secrets, fake smiles fill this place. I watched as her bright emerald green eyes scanned the rooms, not missing a single detail. As I approach her, my breathing became shaky and my knees felt weak. I touched her bony shoulder and she jumped as if startled. I couldn't help but notice how her delicate hair fell gracefully from her shoulder to her waist, like a leaf falling from a tree.
"Oh my, you gave me a fright" she exclaimed with a warm voice. "I'm Clementine."
"ah.. sorry.. erm" I stuttered. I couldn't concentrate on what to reply, I felt a lump in my throat and my hands became clammy. "Well, I'm er - Frankie"
She smiled. I have never really been good at talking to girls; but this girl was different, I couldn't place why.
I showed Clementine round, giving her more detail on certain areas of the hospital than she would have desired in knowing. Well, at least she can understand the positive aspects of this place as there are not so many. I showed her where everyone hangs out. There are unlimited amount of 90's board games at our entertainment. How lovely. I then led her into my most favourite place, the library. I slowly walked through the isles, I watched as she ran her fingers across the spines of books, quickly reading the title then skipping to another side. The library is the only thing that keeps me sane in this desolate place. I would find myself enticed in a book, my eyes scanning the text rapidly, absorbing every piece of literature.
