De Pride Isle Sanatorium

Chapter 24: Talking

"Johnson?" I snap out of my thoughts and look over at the door way. It's Jaxton. He starts approaching me. "You okay? You look exhausted." He asks. I shake my head. Jaxton sits down next to me.

"Darlings, after you are all done with your meal, please place your empty plates on a table next to the kitchen before leaving the cafeteria! Thank you!"

I guess breakfast is over now. "What's wrong?" Jaxton looks at me with sad eyes. What kind of question is that? Everything is wrong. This asylum sucks. People are dying. People are turning into cannibals. There is no cure and we're all just going to die here. I don't say that to him though. "Everything." is all I manage to get out. "What do you mean by that?"

"This asylum is full of cannibalistic people who have no control over turning. The holy water is only temporary relief. We're stuck here until we die."

"...I know. You have every right to be sad, but listen, we're not always stuck here. Sometimes we go visit the village down the hill. The people there are nice, but at night, they're never there for some reason."

"Jaxton, I mean that we're stuck here. We're never leaving. There is no cure. We're never gonna see our loved ones again."

Jaxton is quiet for a second. "We all know that, Johnson. We just never talk about it."

"Why not?"

"Because it's depressing. Sometimes some patients are allowed to see their families, but only on holidays. Only a select few get to leave. They're given different clothes, masks, and holy water."

"Masks...?"

"Yep. I think it's to prevent spreading, but nobody really knows how this virus thing works."

I don't say anything else. I just stare at him. "Is that all that's bothering you?" He asks. "I'm just depressed. I only came here for help. Looks like I've fucked myself over." I laugh coldly.

"Don't say that. The nurses can help you with that. They host therapies and if you need to talk to them immediately, just ask one of the Aides."

"How am I supposed to know which ones are the Aides?"

"Their pins. Aides have small pins in the shape of crosses on their shirts. Trainees have white aprons."

"Oh. Thanks.."

"No problem!" He smiles at me. I can't help but to smile a little back. "You're smiling!" He says excitedly. "Stop pointing that out every time!" I stop smiling and huff in annoyance. Jaxton laughs and wraps his arm around my shoulders. "You're funny. I just find it rare to see you smile! Then again, I don't think I've ever seen anyone else smile as much as me. I must be the best patient here."

"Didn't you get into a fight two days ago?"

"Haha, we don't talk about that. That guy deserved it anyhow."

That is true. That guy started it in the first place.

"Oh my! Looks like we have time for a holy activity! How about some library reading? Head upstairs to the library! Follow a nurse if you get lost!"

"Wanna go?" Jaxton asks. "No. I wanna stay here. I don't want to be around other people right now." I say. "Oh.. I'm sorry."

"No, no, you can stay. You're fine. I'm...comfortable around you." Jaxton looks at me with surprise. "...Really?"

"Yes. Please, stay."

He smiles at me, softly. "Of course, Johnson. I'll stay." He pulls me closer to him. This is nice. This feels comforting. I like this. Jaxton is just looking up at the skylight, admiring the rain. He's so...

He's so nice.