De Pride Isle Sanatorium

Chapter 21: Dinner

I look around the cafeteria, waiting for the nurses to announce serving. Marissa and Jaxton are talking to each other about stuff. I'm not really paying attention. I just can't stop thinking about what that person said. Why would you wanna raid? These nurses work so hard. "Should we do a raid?" I hear someone say. "No! Are you crazy? We'll die!"

"It'll be worth it. These nurses never listen."

"The last raid we had was last year. We weren't allowed to go outside and we kept getting early dinner for months. Plus, a lot of people, including nurses, died. I don't think so."

"Fine... No raid, I guess."

I can't help but to eavesdrop on their conversation. I want to know what happens during raids. So, I get their attention. "Excuse me. I heard you two talking about a raid."

"Ew, are you gonna snitch?" One of them asks. "No, I just wanna know what happens during a raid and how it happens. I'm new here."

They both look at each other, then back at me. "Well, patients who want to raid never drink the holy water given to them. They give it away. Then, when the nurses aren't looking, they sneak out of the lecture hall and grab the jar full of red liquid."

"Red liquid?"

"Yeah. It does the opposite of holy water. It makes people turn quicker. Nurses guard it until shortage is enlightened, but they trusted us enough to not guard it last year, big mistake. Over ten people got ahold of it for two days and drank it."

"Then what happened?"

"Well, at night, they didn't go to their dorms. I know that. I think they were hiding somewhere. I'm not sure what else happened. People say they started attacking nurses who were walking around the sanatorium looking for roamers. The alarm was pulled and we were all told to go to bunker. A lot of people died. Three nurses died."

"That's terrible..."

"Yeah. We hosted a funeral basically. The nurses didn't, but some were crying. We prayed for those who died during the raid. I'm not sure why the nurses still deny it. Maybe they're trained to act that way? Seems kinda sad."

"Okay, thanks. I was really curious."

"...You're not gonna raid, are you?"

"No! Absolutely not! I would never wanna eat another human being."

"Good.."

I turn away from them. I notice that Jaxton is staring at me, and so is Marissa. "You shouldn't talk to people about raids. They're gonna think you're trying to raid and snitch on you." Marissa warns.

"I'm not though? I was just curious."

"Still, be careful. Some people are snitches. I don't blame them though. I wouldn't want a raid happening either. I don't wanna die."

"Do you all smell that? Smells super divine! Tonight, we are having some delicious jellyfish and tea! Enjoy!" A nurse announces. "Oh, we haven't had tea in forever! I missed it so much." Jaxton says excitedly.

I start to notice that the nurses are moving a little quicker than usual. "Why are they moving so fast?" I ask. That one little sentence..

I wish I never said it.