De Pride Isle Sanatorium

Chapter 1: Introduction

I stand at the wooden dock, waiting for someone to arrive. I look left of me, then right. A group of other people and I are waiting for our transportation to come so we can arrive at America's most prized and loved sanatorium.

De Pride Isle Sanatorium.

The sanatorium is known for its high class. The nice nurses, the clean building, the cozy dorms, the clean uniforms, and the delicious food. I have never been there, but I read a review about it online. It looks pretty huge on the outside and on the inside. "The boat is coming!" someone shouted, pointing ahead at a sailboat approaching the docks. The sailboat slowly approached the dock and people started to climb in. I decided to sit in the front of this tiny, crowded sailboat in hopes to feel less claustrophobic. Others couldn't seem to get a seat quick enough so they decided to stand and hold onto the mast. The sail of the boat was no ordinary white sail like you see in the movies, it was a pride flag. It made sense. The sanatorium is known for its super positive attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community. Hell, the sanatorium literally has 'pride' in the name!

"Hold on tight, ladies and gentleman. And non-binaries." the helmsman announced. I look behind me to see an old man with a dark red cap, dark almost black sweater, gray pants and a scruffy beard at the end of the boat. "Next stop, De Pride Isle Sanatorium." the man then turned on the engine, and we began to set sail. I started to look around behind me, looking at all the people on the boat with me. They all seemed to be anxious or excited. Don't know why anyone would be excited to go to a sanatorium, but you do you, I guess. I turned my gaze to the water ahead of me. I wonder how long it will take to get there? It took pretty long for this guy to pick us up. Maybe it's far away? Who knows? I just hope it doesn't take TOO long.