The Disguised

Recruited

I woke up, noticing my mother not at my side. I panicked and got up from the inflatable bed. My vision started to get spotty as I got up quickly. When I regained my strength I questioned where I was.

But then I remembered that this was our new "home". I looked around for my mom and found her in the kitchen with my dad. They were standing near the cabinets because there wasn't a table yet set. They were staring blankly at nothing and were having concerned looks on their faces. Plastic coffee cups at their hands. It was deadly quiet and you could feel the tension in the room. My mom was the first to snap out of her daze, and forced a smile.

"Sweetie, good morning," she said as she placed her cup down. My dad did also. "How did you sleep?"

"Fine," I rubbed my eyes. "I was just a bit uncomfortable because of the house."

"That's normal to experience when you move to a new house." My dad reassured.

I leaned on doorway. "So, after breakfast are we unpacking?"

"Umm, there won't be need for that." My dad said.

"Why?" I asked.

They looked at each other for a minute, deciding who would talk first. Finally, my mom spoke. "We have something to tell you."

The thought of the divorce papers hit me. "You two getting divorced?" It wasn't really a question.

Surprised, she nodded. "How did yo-"

"I found the divorce papers in the kitchen at home." I interrupted. More like our old home, I thought. "Why though? Why are you two getting divorced?"

"You sure you don't want to tell her?" My mom's voice stung as she glared at my dad.

He looked away and didn't say anything.

My mom looked back at me. "There are two reasons why we're getting divorced. First, your dad, as you know, has been drinking a lot and that has caused a problem at his job. Despite me telling him to stop, he won't listen. Second," my mom paused. She looked straight at me, and I could tell something hurt her. Her eyes full with pain. Her pain made me feel overwhelmed so I straighten my back.

"Your dad has been having a affair with another woman." She said quietly and looked at the floor.

"What?" I almost shouted. I looked at my dad. I couldn't see him the same way. The loving father and husband, cheating on his wife. Then a memory kicked in. My dad taking his ring off as he left the house. And then he said goodbye and I love you to both my mom and I as we saw him leave. As he left, my mom glanced at the wedding ring, but didn't say anything. I instantly became enraged.

"What the hell dad?!" I glared at him.

"Hey! Don't use that language!" He yelled. He looked more furious than me.

"Don't," I snapped, tears stinging my eyes. "Don't tell me what to do while you have another woman out there."

"Honey-" my mom came closer to me.

"Look I'm sorry okay?!" He shouted. "It just.... happened."

I laughed meaningly, "Yeah, totally, it just happens. So what, have you already had sex with the slut? What's the other big news? You have other children now? Or are you going out with other women besides her?"

My dad stopped being angry and instead seemed sad. He leaned against the cabinet for support. "I'm so sorry. I really am. It's just I don't feel anything for your mother anymore."

My mom looked away. I sat down on the cold floor, tears streaming down my eyes, and stared out the window. Rays of sunlight were spilling into the room making the kitchen seem brighter. Birds were singing outside and the gentle breeze made the leaves on trees sway slowly. Other than this, the day seemed calming and beautiful.

"We have something else to tell you. Another reason we moved into this area." My dad said.

I didn't look at him.

"A guidance counselor at your old school suggested we move to this area because you were showing signs of.... mental illness."

"Wait- but I'm not crazy. What mental illnesses?" Now I did look at him.

"Supposedly, depression. And you show signs of physical self-harm. Mostly depression and schizophrenia. The school nurse stated that you have been seeing things and you are paranoid about someone chasing you when there wasn't anyone there." He looked out the window as if there might be a man standing there.

This doesn't make sense. I have never done any of those things. Nothing has happened to me. "But I have never-"

"We reviewed these symptoms with a real psychiatrist and that is why we have moved here. You're going to the Black Rose Mental Hospital. It's quite secluded here in Naidre. Deep in the woods. That's where you will be driven by a doctor from the hospital. We aren't able to go." My mom said, worried.

"When are they coming?" I asked.

"Tomorrow, maybe this—"

There was a knock on the door. All three of us walked to the foyer and my dad opened the door. A man in a long lab coat stood there. Behind him were two men in black clothing next to a black suv. The man in the lab coat extended his hand towards me and smiled.

"Hello, Noah. I'm Dr. Erwin."