The Whispers in the Walls

Chapter 3

It was cold. That was Serena's first real opinion of the Facility. Of course the truly first opinion would have to be that this place was broken after what happened in the 'Lobby'. She seemed to be the only normal one there; well, and her roommate. She'd found out that Samantha was merely shy and hadn't been glaring at her secretly.

Although they brought her into the locked area, that didn't mean that she was done with talking to complete strangers for the day. She'd had to get blood work done and then talk to her new Psychiatrist and Doctor, two different people, to figure out the right medicine to put her on. It had surprised her how many medications they wanted to give her. She merely had paranoia of going outside and jittery thoughts.

Serena made no comment on the medications and took them as need or when needed. It seemed that Ativan was going to be her new best friend within these walls. The air whooshed cooly against her skin as she walked at a quickened pace, sort of shrunk into herself, to get to the small nurses station. This too was blocked by bulletproof glass aside from a small rectangle at the bottom for them to slide a dixie cup and a smaller cup filled with pills to the patient waiting.

A man wearing yellow shaded glasses and .. combat wear turned to her as she stepped forward.

"What can I do for you," he asked with a twang. It was so surprising that Serena slightly faltered. She'd barely caught it as she had leaned her face forward to rest on the marble top outside the bulletproof glass to hear through the rectangle.

"May I get an Ativan?"

"Name?"

"Serena Thomas."

The man, Anthony, pulled down a binder with a crap picture recently taken of Serena and all the notes from the Doctors she saw about an hour prior. She knew that it at least had her prescriptions listed. She was also craving a cigarette since they took her Vape away.

"Also, is it possible I can get my nicotine patch now?"

"It looks like we're still waiting for it to be filled at the pharmacy. You'll have to wait," he answered without looking up.

Serena frowned. How long did it take to send a damn patch of nicotine up? She was sure that people died from nicotine withdrawal. There must've been something she had seen online about it. This place obviously didn't care what happened to their patients. Her shaking grew a bit more the more she had to talk to him.

"I can still get that Ativan," she asked shakily as the man seemed to take forever to figure out whatever the hell he needed to figure out with her paperwork.

He glanced up sharply before snapping the binder closed. Serena flinched as the man stalked away. She leaned against the black door she had walked through to this hell and slid down it to hold her knees. Maybe if she pressed her eyes in her legs no one would want to talk to the strange new girl.

"I'm Corrine," a female voice spoke up as Serena peeked up at the woman she had seen shaking earlier. Her rounded belly seemed to draw Serena's gaze and if Corrine noticed, she didn't say anything about it. Serena wouldn't pry.

"Serena," she croaked out and wasn't that just pathetic? The girl was still shaking and seemed as though it was a tick.

"Um, if you don't mind me asking.. why are you shaking?"

"I don't know. It started when I got here," Corrine answered before walking away in sock clad feet.

Well shit. Serena didn't want to start shaking like this Corrine.

"Serena," came a man's voice from above her. She shakily got to her feet to meet Anthony's yellow covered eyes and glanced down to where a couple sips of water and a pill sat.

Her hands quickly jumped towards the two and threw back both before holding the pill cup but pushing the dixie cup towards the man.

Anthony asked her why she had the cup and hadn't returned it. Possibly worried for her to make something to harm herself or others. Instead of answering aloud, she began pulling it apart until it lay slightly flat.

Displaying it towards Anthony, she said, "It looks like a flower. I want to color it and brighten my new room."

He said no more and ignored her. Serena quickly maneuvered around the other patients walking back and forth up the hallway or sitting at the only two chairs outside the day room but in the Hallway. Everything was white, a light grey, and brown for the doors. Completely monotone and smelling sterile. Serena was feeling nauseous. 

When she got back to her room, Samantha was there and coloring in a book that was set on her desk. There was a few pieces of blank paper and a small pencil that was barely the size of Serena's palm set on her own desk. 

She didn't say anything to Samantha and chose to sit in front of the paper before beginning a Fanfiction to distract herself. She had been really into reading them lately but since she has to do without any of her books at the moment, she decided to create her own. 

Their peace didn't last long because they were all called for Dinner. Samantha didn't move.

"Aren't you going to dinner," Serena asked a bit unsurely. Perhaps the food wasn't all that great or something bad happens if you go to eat. 

"I'm on Unit Restriction. Tried to use the sheets," she answered back without looking at Serena. 

Serena paled. What had she needed those sheets for? All sorts of nefarious deeds came to her. She ignored her slightly accelerated heart and stood to follow the other patients towards the locked black doors and the female wearing scrubs holding a clipboard. 

The woman had warm reddish-brown curls and a glow that seemed to come from within. It made Serena unsure since most of the staff looked as though they'd rather be any other place but here. 

"As I call your names, exit and wait by the elevator," she said before swiping her badge on the magnetic bar that released the door. Serena listened and waited for her name which came after the fourth person. 

Gripping her fist she tried to grow invisible so that none of the patients would talk to her for the time being. All she wanted to do was go quietly to get food and then go back to the room. 

It seems that luck was not on her side. 

"Hey, you new?"

Serena turned to see an older gentleman who reminded her of Stan. He had a little smile on his face and looked rather nice and harmless. Looks are rather deceiving but she'd give him the benefit of the doubt. 

"Yes. I'm Serena," she said as they continued waiting for the rest of the patients. 

"Cleveland but you can call me Cleve," he answered. 

Did she just make a new friend? Was it possible to make friends with someone the same age or possibly older than your own parents? Serena must've lost her mind once stepping through those doors.