Them

Chapter 6

I was seated back in the same room, this time in the far corner, Lynn, tired man and fancywoman between me and the door. That was inevitable I supposed. I drew my legs up to my chest, my black trainers teetering on the edge of the seat head firmly angled towards the floor. Phil had drawn a chair up close to me and was grasping my hand tightly, his knuckles white. I could tell he was scared too, but what of? Did he realise this was all a mistake?! What did he know that I didn't...?

"Daniel" the man interrupted my stream of thoughts. "We are a little concerned about you. Would you be able to tell us why you ran away just now?"

I eyed him suspiciously before turning to Lynn, who gave me a reassuring nod. "I...dont.. I um... I'm not...err..."

//THEY WANT TO HURT YOU AND PHIL//

I trailed off. What was I thinking telling them why I was scared?! They already had the advantage.

"He was a little panicked because I mentioned the possibility of staying. I think thats a result of him feeling that you...um...I mean doctors in general...are going to hurt him" said Phil, squeezing my hand. I noticed that he seemed to have regained some composure. His grasp now just a soft pressure reminding me that I was safe.

"Okay..." muttered the man, scribbling some notes on the clipboard and nodding toward the woman who smiled knowingly and left the room. "Well Dan, that's okay. We often see people who are a little scared of staying but, all the same, we feel like staying here might be in your best interests. Mr Lester...err Phil... said that you had been off your meds for a while so we are going to get you back on those and see how you are then ok?"

My ears rang with those last words. My heart racing as I fought for air. Stay? Meds??

//GETOUTTHEY'REGONNAKILLYOU//

"No. No. No. No. No."

Phil's hand was no longer on mine.

//THEY'RE HURTING PHIL//

I became aware that I was shouting now, screaming no as Lynn crouched in front of me, attempting to get my attention. Her hand made contact with my arm and I panicked, hitting as hard as I could, my surroundings blurring as my breathing quickened further.

//DON'T LET THEM TOUCH YOU//

"Dan I need you to calm down" a voice said. But I couldn't. My head was spinning, black spots obscuring my sight. I kicked out desperate to get free of this crushing feeling that was stopping me from breathing.

"...He's not calming down... 10mg yeah.... you hold his arm...okay..."

Words floated through the ringing and I was faintly aware that my limbs were pinned to the floor, as someone pulled at the waist band of my jeans. A sharp pain flooded through me as the needle pierced the skin of my butt and then my brain began to become foggy.