Psychosis.

Chapter 12

Trigger warning: disturbing content
                                                              1954. 56 Main St. Bakerland mental institution.

Elizabeth Woods POV.

I was called into room 110, where the boy was. Ever since the electric shock therapy he hasn't been eatin, sleepin, or speakin'.

I guess they thought I could change that. But if a teenager don't wanna speak, they ain't going to.

Trust me, I know.

I walked in to find the boy laying on the bed on his back lookin' upward.

Not wanting to startle him, I stayed in the doorway and spoke up in a soft, non-threatening manner.

"Hi there, Joshua. I'm just here to check on you. Is that okay?"

He didn't answer, I don't blame the boy. He's been through hell and back.

"Listen dear, you don't have to speak to me if you don't want to. But you certainly have to eat and sleep, no use to make the situation harder on yourself, hun."

He sat up, did I do somethin' right?

Then finally he spoke up,

"Why did my parents have to die?" His voice cracking at the very last word.

Your heart breaks when a child asks you such a question, for you can never answer them.

"I don't know, dear." What else could I say?

"And why does everyone here hate me? What did I ever do to you!?" He sounded more angry than ever

"Oh, dear. I certainly don't hate you." I said calmly.

"As a matter of fact, you remind me of my son."  Which was true, same blonde hair and rambunctious mannerisms.

"Really? Why?" He asks me calmin' down,

"Well, when you're a parent someday, you'll understand. You see little bits and pieces of your child in all children." I say smiling at him warmly.

He smiles back at me but then his smile fades, along with mine.

"Why did you leave that day, miss?"

I know he is referring to the day he underwent the electric shock therapy.

I need to tell him the truth,

I can't have him thinkin' one more damn person in this place doesn't care.

"Because I couldn't watch." I state truthfully.

"Oh..." he said,

I remember what happened that day, how could I forget?

It was traumatic, to say the very least.

I can't even fathom what it was like for this poor lad.

                                                                          🕐🕐🕐🕐🕐🕐🕐🕐🕐🕐🕐🕐🕐🕐

It was like any other mornin', the sun shinin' brighter than all hell, the birds  singin a tune unknown to humans, beautiful day, at first anyways.

But then I got called into work and saw every little detail about what they were doin' to the poor boy.

As soon as they strapped him down, I knew I couldn't stay in that room,

It was was admittedly, too much for me to handle, I ran out feeling sick.

"For heavens sake, Elizabeth. If you're going to get emotional then don't bother coming back."

Mr. Gilliard told me that day,

I guess he's right. I can't bring my emotions to work.

"Be more like Mary, she's the perfect nurse for this institution. She doesn't let things get to her, neither should you, Elizabeth." He ordered.

I almost quit that day, maybe I should have done just that.

But of course, I didn't. I couldn't.

I had to stay and endure it for the sake of my son.

He is the ONLY thing keepin' me here.

I need to do it for my Trevor, he's all I have left on this earth.