Muted

Chapter 22

The next few days were unbearably boring. I basically slept and drew on paper with felt tip pens. It was so boring. When the same police officer came in, I was actually excited. “Hello, Officer,” I read his tag, “Doyle. How has everything been going?” “I’m busy, you?” “Bored.” “Well, the chief granted your request to be brought back to Dr. Allen; also, the police are investigating your psychiatrist. She may be hit with a malpractice issue, so you will be leaving tomorrow. The other patients' families will be contacted. We’ll have an organized ride for you.” “Wait, how’s Monroe?” “I’m unaware of his condition, Ms. Dilon. Now, I hope you survive your last day here.” He gave me a smile and left the room.

Grace was upset that I was leaving, so I told her about the investigation. “Damn, I hope she gets in trouble. That bitch deserves it. I'm glad my brother and I are finally getting out of this hellhole!” I laughed. “She’s probably not very happy about it, but frankly, I don’t give a damn.” “So, you’re going back to your old doctor” “I’m not really sure. I mean, I hope so, he’s awesome. How did I even get here?” She shrugged. “I have no idea to be honest. We all just kind of showed up it seems.” “Well, I’ll miss you. Hopefully you and Terrence make do with what you have.” “Yeah, I think our grandmother loves us.” We shared a laugh and went back to playing cards.

I couldn’t sleep at all. I kept having nightmares about Monroe and Ren. In one, Monroe was dead and Ren kept shooting at him. In another, Monroe was Ren. He kept raping me and had tied me up. When he cut me up, my entire insides poured out. Then he cut off all my limbs and my head, leaving me an empty shell. That’s what Ren left me, an empty shell, incapable of real love. I curled up into a ball onmy hard mattress and tried to focus on a future with Monroe, but nothing came. I focused on my breathing and prayed Monroe was alive.

I guess I dozed off during the night because I woke up. I was blinded by light. I went to try and eat breakfast. Today’s breakfast was scrambled eggs, fruit salad and bacon. I could barely eat. I was too excited to get out of here. Plus, the food was terrible and I don’t usually eat anyway. I went back to my room and just sat on my bed and waited for someone to come get me. They came ten minutes later. Officer Doyle came to get me. “Let’s go. Sadie.” I walked outside and I stood on the stairs, dumbfounded. “Holy-” I ran to him. “My God, Monroe, you’re alive!” I kissed him. “So are you.” He moved my head to look at my neck. “The bruises are almost completely gone.” “Screw the bruises! Monroe, you were shot twice. Your bruises aren’t fading.” “I know, but it was a small price to pay for you.” “You could have died!” “But I didn’t.” “I know, but you scared me. I thought you were dead.” “I thought you were dead. Dan told me about what you did.” He grabbed my wrists and pulled them so he could see them better. “Aww, Sadie, I was going to make it all along. You worry way too much." He pulled me into a hug, but I was careful not to squeeze him too hard and he did the same. "I don’t care if you attract danger, I like danger.” “You guys have to sit in the back, because I don’t want to get into trouble.” Officer Doyle said.  We got into the car. “I feel so badass. I'm in the back of a police car." Officer Doyle and Monroe laughed. "Yeah, because as of a few weeks ago, you weren't talking. You obviously wreck havoc upon the town." Monroe stated. "So when did you get released?” I asked Monroe. “Yesterday, Officer Doyle set up this whole reunion.” I saw him smile in the mirror. “You said you didn’t know about his situation.” He laughed. “It wouldn’t have been a surprise then, Ms. Dilon.”

We got back to my house and my mother was showering me with kisses and hugs. “Thank God you’re home!” “Yeah, I’m glad I’m not still in that stupid place.” “Are you hungry, dear? I can make you something.” I nodded. “Sure, I’m starving. The food there was nearly inedible. Seriously, I thought hospital food was supposed to be healthy and tasteless." I was still trying to get used to this 'loving mother' in my life. My mom made spaghetti and let Monroe eat with us. “Mom, did you get me a lawyer?” She laughed. “Yes, I did. George is one of the best lawyers in town. You can talk to him if you’d like. He’s already caught up on the case and he believes that Ren should be locked up for his crimes.” I nodded. “That’s great. He deserves to be locked up. I don’t think he should be allowed to be in the real world.” “Well, you can tell George that.” I pick at my food. “When does the trial start?” I asked. “In two days.” Monroe said. I dropped my fork onto my plate.