Die, Die My Darling

2

     Lillian stretched awake and glanced to her clock beside her bed. It read 8:30 AM, and she sighed. Her yawn resonated through her small room as she scratched her head and laid back frustratedly. Last night her thoughts were plagued by Michael. His dark eyes haunted her yet they also brought curiosity. She couldn't stop thinking about him, so much that she stayed up well over her usual bedtime.

After making breakfast, Lillian took a quick shower and then got dressed for the day. In Smith's Grove, you are not to have laced shoes or jewelry that can be used as a weapon. She grabbed her crimson and white printed turtleneck sweater and tucked it into her loose-fitting high-waisted jeans. She slipped on her laceless sneakers and left her small apartment, but not before grabbing her bag filled with necessities for the day.

Being covered is important in Smith's Grove as a female. When she had first arrived a week ago, the only patient she had seen was Michael. Now there were many lurking the hallways with guards and nurses behind them. Some men would give suggestive looks and whistle, others would make vulgar remarks as she passed despite her modest clothing. Lillian ignored the screams and calls from patients as she neared her uncle and Michael in a small, confined office.

Michael's head snapped in her direction as she smiled and neared the table in the middle of the room. Loomis has trusted Michael enough to not touch Lillian, though he was still weary. The older man smiled up at Lillian and Michael stayed silent as usual.

"Hello darling, we just started. Please take a seat and bring out your notes." Loomis grinned up at her.

Despite Michael's sessions being frivolous, Dr. Loomis thought it would be a good start to her future career. He wanted her to be weaned into it, so he chose his own patient. Michael was unresponsive to all questions until one caught his ear.

"Michael, look at me. Stop staring at Lillian." Loomis barked, "Now, soon I will be retiring and I want your permission before I go. What do you think of Lillian taking my place as your psychologist?" Michael turned to Lillian, his dark eyes stared at her as if he was contemplating. No response came from him as he turned back to Loomis.

Lillian's eyes widened at the sudden proposal, though she didn't have the heart to turn it down. A sweet smile graced her face as she looked into his eyes. Though they were intimidating, the very thought of them brought warmth to her face.

"Well, I leave in two weeks. We will continue daily sessions until my time is up, then Lillian will be with you." Relief was evident in Loomis' shoulders. He had been caring for Michael for 14 years and it has taken a toll on him. For the first eight years of care, Michael had been in sessions. Now Loomis only works to keep him confined. It was almost a lie to Lillian to have her do sessions. It was like passing a sickness to someone else.

Loomis continued with the session, asking questions and getting the usual silence back. The only interaction Michael had shown was to stare at the girl in the corner furiously writing notes. To him, she was strange. He could tell just how much she cared. Michael hasn't felt like anyone truly put their time into him for years. Though he himself could not feel much, a speck of appreciation had formed inside of his being for her.

An hour later, the session was over. Lillian gathered her things and stood up, pushing her chair back in. The guards stood and brought Michael to his feet harshly. A scowl formed on Lillian's face as she saw the way they treated him. It upset her to see such a thing. Loomis squeezed her shoulder affectionately as they walked back to his cell.

"Do not worry, Michael is a strong boy and the guards here don't listen when it comes to playing nice." He whispered lowly. Lillian's lip quivered at the thought of so many patients being mistreated.

As they neared his cell once again, Michael's head snapped in her direction to get one final look at her before his door shut with a bang. Lillian gave a small wave to him before all she could see was rust in her face.