Rage Of Whispers

Welcome Your Sanctuary

Doctor Augustus Mori stood behind the curtain-less window of his office, face almost kissing the stained window glass.

He stared with crease forming on his forehead at the sight below. There he stood, the young doctor which he so desperately wanted, needed truth be told.

He ran a hand on his balding hair and took a deep breath. "Lord forgive me," he whispered—his words uttered with utmost conviction.

He put on his white coat and fixed the falling eyeglasses from the bridge of his nose. He prepped the folders on his table and sat motionless waiting for his new employee.

Dr Zackary Salvador walked silently behind a petite framed girl. Her nurse uniform was too short for his liking, instead of white stockings this one wore black. Her hair is tied up in a bun making her look older than her age. A stud earring graced both her earlobes.

She greeted him and Damien at the front door a few minutes back and informed him that the head psychiatrist is waiting for him inside his office. Damien bid him goodbye and took his suitcases to his assigned room. He then followed the nurse deeper inside the hospital.

On their way there, Dr Zackary took note of all the halls they passed through. The building from the outside looked ordinary but its interior is something else. It looks more like a maze than a hospital. One hallway branching twice then trice and to his observation, the other hallways that branched from the branch might lead to another set of hallways. Although utterly confused, the doctor held his tongue from asking questions.

The nurse's abrupt stop almost made the doctor collide with her back. Gaining his composure he threw the girl a snobbish glance but was greeted with the same air of arrogance. She did not ask him to enter the room immediately, she first peeked her head inside the office after a few knocks and announced his arrival to the doctor inside. Zackary heard a low toned voice that said "send him in" the nurse then turned towards him, stepped aside and beaconed him to enter.

Dr Augustus had long asked the nurse to leave the room but Dr Zackary remained standing near the door. He stared at the old man who leisurely flipped through the files on his desk. Dr Augustus Mori, he thought to himself, a well-renowned psychiatrist. His hair is now a testament to his age by the receding hairline on his forehead and streaks of white hair covering his head.

The fine lines on his face, a reminder of how time wore him out, but the intelligence that beholds the man did not fade but progressed over time. Dr Mori has written many papers about understanding the human psyche, all of them applauded and celebrated in the health care industry.

His analysis on many cases of delusion especially schizophrenia gained him multiple awards. Zackary himself dreams to delve deeper into the world of people who suffers from schizophrenia. Why? Because he had lived his life as a witness to those who suffered it, his mother and sister.

A grunt took him out of his thoughts. "Come sit here young man," the Doctor said while gesturing for him to take the wooden chair in front of his desk. The young doctor complied and sat across from him. "You're Twenty-Eight, had the highest grade in your class and even made it to the top five of the licensure exam" Mori began, keeping a stoic face with eyes fully submerged into the folder he held. "But with all these, I believe you are still wondering why I hired you, correct?" the doctor added.

Dr Zackary nodded while keeping the urge to swallow the lump of saliva that had pooled inside his mouth, yes he was excited but nervous. Hell, he is very nervous.

He admired this doctor, followed all his research materials, even wrote a reaction paper to one of his works. Now that he comes face to face with him. All confidence he held a few hours ago diminished. The Doctor before him might even see a petrified rabbit instead of a young and promising doctor, these thoughts materialized right after the old doctor released a chuckle, stood from his chair and walked towards the window, with a warm smile plastered on his face he asked "are you that nervous? "I envisioned you to be more energetic".

Scanning his brain for an answer Dr Zackary shifted uncomfortably from his chair, sighed and simply answered "the journey might have taken too much of my vigour doctor, please forgive my lack of enthusiasm" hoping these words are enough to rectify his behaviour.

"Yes, I heard Damien and you took the long route" the doctor answered. Dr Zackary raised an eyebrow which elicited a slight chuckle from his elder. "There is another route?" he asked. Dr Mori casually walked back to his chair and answered with a nod.

"Our Damien likes to give his aunt a visit once in a while, he must have used this opportunity to do so, do forgive him, Doctor. I can assure you he will face serious consequences for his action. Now, as much as I want us to get acquainted, I believe it's time for you to retire to your quarters. I will brief you with everything you need to know tomorrow. Lest you have questions that need immediate attention" the doctor added.

Dr Zackary, although baffled, and yes filled with so many questions decided to take the older doctor's advice. He does feel sore and in need of a hot bath. The grimes from the endless greens and fauna that has accumulated on his feet and coat are starting to make him feel irksome.

Dr Mori pressed a button from the telephone on his desk and asked for someone named Delfin.

Not more than a minute passed and immediately they heard a soft knock. A young man, maybe in his late teens sprang from the door. "Ah Delfin, this is Doctor Zackary, he is the new psychologist that will be assisting me." The young man smiled at Zackary before bowing his head." follow me, sir, I will send you to your quarters" he said, respect evident in his tone. Zackary stood from his chair, bid the old doctor goodbye and left the office with the young man.

After leaving Dr Mori's office he is directed towards a long narrow and windowless hallway, it would have looked like a scene from a horror movie where it not completely lit with bright white fluorescent. They walked this tunnel-like structure for about three minutes before the hall began to widen, the white tiled floor that covered the previous hallway gave way to a much darker shade of red more like magenta with yellow circular patterns.

Zackary kept following his guide barely able to take note of his surroundings. The fatigue which slowly built up during his journey is now at its peak. He kept his mind clear and eyes solely focused on the man in front of him, and before he knew it they were standing in front of a door.

"This is your room sir," his guide said happily.

"Would you like me to send your dinner here or will you be joining us in the canteen?" he added. As much as the young doctor wanted to, he can barely stand, so he sent the guide away telling him that he will have to miss dinner.

The room he was led to is fair in size. It has a faint smell of honey and orange, the walls are covered with opulent blue and white wallpaper, adorned with colourfully framed landscapes that hang proudly on the wall, complementing the bare cream-coloured floor.

Dainty white curtains draped the glass sealed windows and across it rest a four-post bed with the most intricate carvings of cherubs and flowers. Adjacent from the bed is an equally elegant wardrobe. A full body mirror, still with the same amount of intricately carved cherubs is on the left, beside it is a small door which he deemed to be the bathroom.

Dr Zackary who was still leaning against the door sighed and walked towards the wardrobe where his suitcases are neatly piled. He opened one and took out his pyjamas, went straight to the bathroom, took a shower and leisurely slept under the crisp, fabric conditioned covers of his bed. Unbeknownst to him, this night has sealed his fate.