Demented | n.h

F I V E

As the loud ring sound echoes trough the walls, I lean towards the wall behind me.

All the patients got in a line on the other side of the room, waiting to get back to their rooms.

I can see Niall is looking at me trough the corner of my eye but I'm still focused on Kate while she's talking to me.

"I can't believe this was my last meal with Harry. I'll miss him so much. "- she says and I see a little tear rolling down her cheak.

"Heyy girl" - I fast pull her to a hug. As I do that I can't help but let my eyes connect with his. I thought he would look away but... He didn't.

"Where will he be going to?" - I ask as I let her go.

"Well," - she cleans her tears. "He has to go for about 2 to 3 days to what we call here, the integration phase. It's like a room, much better than the ones here, down the building that connects to the city. They get to spend the day going to the mall or the park and come back at night. Spend those 3 days getting a job application or see where they'll live per example. After that, we let them go."

"Oh so, every patient eventually gets released to the world? After that phase?

"I mean... The ones that get better, yeah." - she gives a little smile.

What happens to those who don't?

My thoughts get interrupted as she starts walking.

The doctors room appears in my vision and I get that there's where we're heading.

"Why are you sad tho? You can see him in the real world."- I say to her.

"I won't. He's going away, live with his sister. I think I fell for him. With all this experience, I can't believe I was stupid enough to fall in love with my patient..."- she says in a low tone.

Yeah, it's kinda bad, but it happens.

"I'm so sorry Kate. I know it can be hard now but you'll get trough it. I'm here if you need me"

"Thanks Em. I can call you Em right?" - she asks and we both giggle.

--------

It's 6 AM right now. I feel like a truck just hit me. I get up and start getting ready.

It's been 1 week since I started my dream job.

Since my first day I haven't got another single word from Niall. I'm starting to get worried... For me and for him.

For me because I can loose my job if I'm unable to help him. And he can't get any better if he doesn't open up to me.

As I let the hot water hit my back while the air fills up with the shower smoke I start to think of therapeutic ways of getting him to talk... There's one that I haven't tried yet.

Should I?

----

I finally arrived. The rainy days seem to not have an end...

I put my uniform on with my name on it and somehow I remember the first day...

How did he knew my name?

"Good morning Em" - I hear from behind me. I already know it's Kate.

"Hey Kate. How are you?"

"Good... Ready for my session with Louis."

"Oh yeah... First time right? Did you got in contact with Harry?" - I ask.

"Ehm.. No. I tried to call him, he left me a note with a number but... No one picks up. I guess he just doesn't want to talk to his therapist anymore." - she says as she looks down.

"I don't think that's the case. I saw him looking at you, I immediately saw how much he appreciated you. Keep trying, I'm sure he'll eventually pick up. Maybe he's just busy or getting stuff together."

"Yeah... I will. How's Niall by the way?" - she asked.

I then explained to her the last week. How he kept looking at me and not saying a word after our talk in the refectory.

He said he would be my friend. Right?

---

As I walk towards his room I start to get this feeling at the bottom of my stomach.

This has to work.

"Hey Niall, how are you today? "- I ask knowing that I won't get an answer.

"I thought we would be friends... Remember? That's what you told me. And to not regret it... You're not giving me a chance here."

I see his body slowly turn to me. I get closer to him while leaning on the wall behind me.

It's cold.

He sits in the beginning of the bed with his knees touching my legs.

" Well, I want to share something with you. I think it's only fair. "

He remains looking down and I can see him closing his eyes.

"I was once pregnant. I lost my baby at 8 months. His name was Edward. It's been 4 years and I miss him so much. Do you miss someone too?"-after saying this I feel my throat getting dry.

I can't believe I shared this. I can't believe the story is so close to what he did to that pregnant lady.

"Why are you doing this to me?"- he says in a low rasp voice.

What?

I ask but my voice doesn't work.

He gets up and gets in front of my face. There's nothing between us but a thin layer of air.

I can see all the details in his face. His eyes are darker than the first time I saw him.

"Do you want to hurt me, Niall?" - My voice comes out lower than I thought in my head.

He suddenly gets his hand up and I quickly grab the wall behind me.

He holds a piece of my hair out of the bun and places behind my ear.

"Right now I would want to do so many things to you. But no, hurting you isn't of those things."- he whispers in my hear. I can feel his lips there and all I can do is close me eyes and wait.

I don't have the physical strain to move.

"Wha-What things Niall?"-I hear a little laugh and he quickly sits back down.

I can't help but shift from a leg to another while regaining balance.

"We're done for today Emily."