An Author's Adventure

Short Story: "Mind Palace"*

*THIS IS AN ORIGINAL WORK. PLEASE DO NOT USE OR REPOST WITHOUT PERMISSION.

Here's another short story that I've been meaning to publish for a while now. It's kind of different, and to be honest, I'm not even sure if it qualifies as a short story, since it originated as an off-the-cuff poem that just sort of kept going...and going...and going...until it eventually got too long for me to comfortably classify as a poem. Despite the fact that there are poems out there that constitute whole novels, I still wouldn't call it a poem since it wouldn't be one by my standards style-wise. It's kind of in between, in my opinion, but that's really not the important issue here. The important thing is: I'm excited to share it with you!

I hope you enjoy it, and feel free to comment your reactions as you read!

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       That side of the hospital is not accepting visitors.

The patients there are in very serious condition.

Like that room. The patient there is on life support. The door is closed, and the room is always dark. Can you hear the heartbeat? Listen to the beeping of the monitor.

...

You don't have to know what it is to know that it's extremely delicate and fragile.

Some days are better than others. The doctors monitor it constantly, watching the breathing, the soothing rise and fall of the chest that lets them know it's alive and well.

Other days, the monitor screams. The graph will change wildly, the patient convulsing as a  silent storm rages on the inside.

Even now, there's no telling which direction the recovery process will go.

The ones on this side of the hospital are a little better off. There's a girl in the room on the corner, lying in a bed to which she is confined. She is hiding from the world. In truth, she could get up at any time.

But she is afraid to.

There are many patients here, with many scars and bruises. Some of them may never be fully healed.

Some of them might not even want to try.

It's quite sad, really. We give them so much care, even if a patient is a lost cause. And in spite of this, there are still some that we cannot save.

The girl is slightly better now. She was moved to a room with a window. Should she wish it, the curtains can be opened so she can see the sunlight.

Sometimes it burns her eyes, but in others, she revels in it.

She's come a long way from the wounded angel who thought she couldn't be saved.

Did you know? She has taught herself how to smile again. It's the beginning step towards her long-deserved happiness.

There are others like her, in this place--some better, some worse...but every small accomplishment matters.

After all, deep down, everyone needs to be healed.

...I don't pretend to know everything. It's true that not everything is perfect. Her condition is improving, but her mind is locked in a cage.

It can see through the bars. It can look at the surroundings beyond. It used to be unable to do even that much.

...Still.

Sometimes it cries out in pain. She will cower under the blankets when this happens. She will pull them over her head as her mind shrinks back in its prison. Sometimes this happens despite the rays of sun.

You see, just because she knows there is a light at the end of the tunnel doesn't mean she can see it there. Though admittedly, things are not as bad as they were. Compared to the state of things a year ago, she has made tremendous progress. No longer is her mind caught in an endless web of chains and mental torture. Now, it is simply confined within its walls, shivering with the occasional frailty of an old, molting bird. It sits there still, watching. Waiting. Until the next storm comes.

It stands to reason that things won't always be this way...but one has to wonder how much time it will be until then. For even she, in the back of her mind, knows that it cannot stay like this forever.

Do not let your sympathy give way to pity. Her mind is in a cage, but her heart is free. It can soar past the boundaries of cold and hate, pouring out rays of golden warmth as it glides endlessly across the bright skies on strong, shining wings. Her heart can do all this and more, and not once does she ever think of herself. There is so much love gathered in that one, beating entity, I just...I wish she could see it.

That's why I bade you to listen, before. To the beating of the darkened heart. Because as long as someone's heart beats, you know they will somehow come out on the other side, no matter how bad things get. Their heartbeats show that they still have hope, and the will to go on.  And though it may be risky, there is much to be gained from listening to your heart rather than your head.

Ah, it seems our time has come to an end. I will be taking my leave now. I trust you will have no trouble reaching your destination?

...

Very well, then. I bid you goodbye.

...

I hope you find what you are looking for.

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And there you have it! What did you think? This story is of a completely different caliber than what I usually write; I suppose it's...unique, somehow. But I'm very happy to share it with you, and I'd love to know your thoughts!

This has been another chapter in An Author's Adventure. Stay tuned for next week!