Page 5 of Twisted Heathens
“Those damn hospitals have no respect for timing,” Mike grumbles, shuffling through papers and sliding me a stack. “Sign and let’s get this over with. I’m late for dinner. The rest of the formalities will have to wait for tomorrow when the shrinks are back in.”
I snort, flipping through the forms and signing without bothering to read them. I don’t give a damn about his dinner, nor do I care what I’m signing. I have no intention of sticking around for long, it hardly matters. At least my lateness has saved me from facing anyone else tonight. Me and doctors don’t exactly get on, especially not when I’m tired and running low on fucks to give.
Mike files away the signed forms before clicking his fingers at one of the guards, beckoning for him to join us. “Check her over, and be quick about it.”
“Seriously? I just came from a place like this. You really think I have anything on me?” I groan, taking a step back. If they touch me, there’ll be hell to pay.
“Standard procedure. We gonna have a problem?”
One of the guards snatches my bag, swiftly unzipping it and depositing the contents on the reception desk. I watch with gritted teeth as he rifles through my meagre possessions, regardless of any semblance of privacy that I have left. The other marches towards me, preparing to do a pat down.
“Don’t fucking touch me,” I warn.
My resistance proves futile as I’m shoved onto the desk, my face pressed against the wood. It’s humiliating, the hands patting me down and searching my pockets, all while the cute receptionist watches in distaste.
“Shoes off,” the guard grunts.
“Piss off,” I reply shortly.
After a short tussle that has my cheeks burning, he tosses my battered Chucks back at me and declares that I’m all clear. I curse under my breath while lacing them, and a hand appears to help me up. Those hazel eyes stare down at me, waiting expectantly for me to accept the offer of help.
“I’m Kade. Welcome to Blackwood.”
Some fucking welcome that was.
I ignore the pair of them while repacking my bag, glaring at the confiscated toiletries dumped in a trash can. The remaining items are simply left on the side for me to sort. My fingers graze the stitching at the bottom, hiding the stuff that I actually care about. Thankfully, they didn’t notice anything off.
“She’s in Oakridge dorms, here’s the temporary pass until she gets her ID.” Mike slides a key card over to Kade. “Can you sort the rest of the arrangements in the morning? That’s the important stuff over with.”
“I’ll take her up now before I clock off. It’s too late for a tour, but I’ll do it with the other stuff tomorrow during my free period,” Kade replies.
Mike disappears into the office, leaving us alone with the guards still watching me closely. I shuffle my feet, waiting for Kade to gather some booklets and his jacket. He meets me on the other side of the desk. “Ready? Let’s go.”
Anxious sweat coats my palms as we head towards the exit, my head beginning to buzz with the rising panic of the unknown. It took me so long to adjust to life at Clearview, now I’m stuck in the vicious cycle of doing it all over again. I cannot wait to be free of it all, no longer beholden to the laws and control of others.
Kade leads the way, leaving me to trail behind. “You’re over in Oakridge. Same as me.”
I shove my fear aside and focus on him, eyes locked on his tall, lithe body and trim waistline. They certainly don’t look like that where I’ve just come from, that’s for sure. He’s in good shape. That stupid shirt and tie are definitely hiding a firm chest.
Then I catch onto his words. “Wait, same as you?”
“You thought I worked here, didn’t you?”
Well, fuck me sideways. Preppy’s a patient? Or more accurately, a prisoner. This place looks impressive but there’s enough CCTV cameras dotted around to tell me otherwise. We’re being watched closely with every step we take.
“Don’t worry, most people do. I just volunteer a few hours in the office each week. Keeps me busy and in the good books with management. It’s fun to help out.”
“Sure,” I reply sarcastically. Fun? Really?
What kind of secure unit lets their detainees work for them? I’m given no further explanation as he scans his ID at the door, guiding me out into the dark night. I automatically tighten my jacket against the chill. I think it’s Autumn, but who can tell? Time loses all meaning when you’re separated from reality.
“What date is it?”
Kade gives me an odd look. “Uh, September 23rd.”
Fuck. Where did all that time go? Nearly a year of my life, vanished into thin air. It’s like I stopped living overnight and became a ghost to the world. The anniversary is close, a mere two months away. I can’t live to see that day. No matter what it takes, I’ve got to be dead before November.
“It’ll be easier to see in the daylight, but this is the quad. It’s the centre of the institute, everything else surrounds this,” Kade continues.