REGAINING HIMSELF

When Ellis regained consciousness, he found himself in a hospital room, with sunlight filtering through the blinds and the reassuring sounds of serenity filtering in from the hallway outside. A doctor in a crisp white coat was making notes on a clipboard, glancing up with a look of professional concern as Ellis stirred.

"Ah, you're awake Mr. Royale. You've had quite an ordeal, it seems. The staff that brought you in seemed quite shaken." Ellis opened his mouth to respond, but no words would come out, his throat was parched. He was given some wanted, and then the doctor continued in a gentle yet matter-of-fact tone.

"The cut on your head required stitches, and you suffered from dehydration, exhaustion, and malnutrition. But the biggest concern was your mental state - you appeared to be experiencing a psychotic break with auditory and visual hallucinations which was confirmed by the gardener that found you first. We were told that you appeared to be seeing things no one else could se