Shadows

Chapter 4: The Hospital

The only thing I saw was darkness. This wasn’t one of my normal dreams, no this was different. I was walking alone in a room that was empty. I hear foot steps behind me, turning around I braced myself for the shadows. Instead I saw Shaun, he was sitting in a dark blue plastic chair. He was staring off at something that I couldn’t see. He had tears in his eyes, and a worried expression on his face. “Shaun!” I yelled out, yet he didn’t hear me. Suddenly everything started to become fuzzy. A bright white light came into view, shutting my eyes once again, I groaned. “Devin!” I hear a voice yell, “Doctor, she’s awake!” adjusting to the light I look over and see my brother standing next to me. I go to sit up but he pushes me back down, he tells me “please take it slow Devin. I don’t need you hurt.” I look up at him like he’s crazy then finally realize where I’m at. I was in a hospital room, but with no memory as to why. Shaun noticed me starting to panic and he held my hand, causing me to look at him “shh its ok” he said while smiling at me, “you were just dehydrated and must have been under too much stress.” “You should really take care of yourself Devin,” said a tall women, with grey hair in a white coat. She was reading over a paper clipped to the clip board making notes here and there as Shaun and I stared at her. She finally looked up and I could see her coal black eyes. She studied me for a minute before turning to Shaun with a smile “seems like she’s all good to go. Just remember she has to keep taking her medication and to eat right.” Shaun looked as if a weight has been taken off his shoulders. “Thank you so much doctor. I’ll make sure that’s exactly what she does” he replies while glaring at me out of the corner of his eye. I smile sheepishly at him and sit up fully. Shaun hands me my clothes, as he walks out of the door he turns around and points at a chair. ”your shoes are right there” he says before he leaves. I turn and look at the chair and see the chair from my dreams. I stop and my body is consumed in a cold sweat. I quickly look around the room and see no other chairs. Quickly I put on my clothes and leave to find Shaun.

On our way home I can’t stop thinking about the chair. Glancing over at Shaun, I noticed he looked impatient and kept fidgeting. “What is it?” I asked him while watching the city scenery zoom by. “Devin I want you to start seeing a specialist for your dreams.” He finally spits out. Whipping my head towards him I stare at him, waiting for him to say he’s joking, but he never does. “After this hospital ordeal, you not taking your medications, and this morning I found you wandering the house at 5am, I think it’s the best. This isn’t healthy for you and I just want the best for you. There will be no arguing in this, I’ve already scheduled an appointment with a therapist that specializes in chronic nightmares.” He states, while pulling into our drive way. I sigh and know there is no point in trying to sway his mind, “fine I’ll go to one appointment, but if it’s no help then I’m not going again.” I mutter. We get out of the car and Shaun puts his arm around my shoulder, “ok fair enough. I can work with that.” He says with a smile. He goes into his room once we are inside, and I’m left alone with my thoughts once again.