The two days seemed to pass very slowly.
Anne spent most of her time sleeping because she didn't know what to do. She always tried to talk to Cindy when she came with food, but Cindy ignored her most of the time. Only important questions about the hospital will Cindy answer.
Anne wanted to talk to Emily again, but every night she fell asleep. When she tried to stay awake, she couldn't. Her eyes felt so heavy that she unconsciously fell asleep. Then, she will wake up when the room is bright in the morning sun.
Before, she had never felt like that. She was sleepy, but not that bad. Anne had suspected that something had been put in her food. She didn't know if it was some kind of sleeping pill or what. As far as she could remember, the effects of sleeping pills would work after 20 or 30 minutes after taking them. The problem was, she only felt the extraordinary sleepiness after a few hours had passed.
Maybe it's not sleeping pills, but other similar medicine.
Well, this is just speculation. However, if a week had passed and she still felt the same way, she would find out. She could probably ask Emily. Later that night, she would try to stay awake. Two days had passed and she wanted to know if Emily's invitation was still valid? She was very curious how she got the duplicate key.
Anne pulled up the covers and curled up on the bed. She was getting used to the bad smell—she didn't really care anymore. She pondered again thinking about her days here.
There's nothing interesting that Anne has known lately, other than the fact that this hospital has four floors. Cindy said that the third floor was also inhabited by patients with a more severe level of disorder (exactly as expected). While the fourth floor is a special floor for the doctors who work here. Cindy herself lived on the first floor with the guards and other officers.
The first floor is honestly quite... chaotic. The prisoners in the cells were allowed to do whatever they wanted; shouting, singing, jumping up and down, somersaulting, and so on. Nothing forbids. The man standing guard outside seemed to be just watching. Maybe if there was a fight, he would just watch until there was bloodshed.
Anne's placement in this room felt a little better. Even though she felt like she was about to die of boredom, at least she didn't have to deal with other crazy patients. Not to mention the treatment they get is very bad. The pungent smell as Anne crossed the floor was already one of the proofs.
This hospital, feels like a dumping ground.
Anne took a deep breath and turned to the window. Another problem, she can't remember at all memories of her family or the events when the massacre took place. No matter how hard she tried.
Could it be because she hasn't been given medication yet? Or undergoing therapy?
Who knows.
Anne sighed again. The faint sound of footsteps from the end of the hall rang in her ears. Cindy, she thought. Then there was another. The beat of her heels felt strong and powerful. Is it Doctor Diana?
Anne got out of bed when the door to her room swung open. Doctor Diana was standing in the doorway with Cindy carrying a tray of food. Doctor Diana's smile suddenly broke when she met Anne's gaze.
"Good afternoon, Miss Roseanne," said Doctor Diana. She walked gracefully. "How was your day?"
What question is that?
"Incredible—" answered Anne with a bland laugh. "—bad," she continued emphatically.
Doctor Diana was still smiling, apparently unconcerned by Anne's answer. "Well, I guess you just haven't adjusted yet."
"Adjust oneself? How?" Did Doctor Diana think she could have fun here?
The woman didn't answer right away, but took her place in front of Anne first. Cindy placed her tray of food on the nightstand, then stood next to Doctor Diana. Anne looked at her, but Cindy just stared back with a flat expression.
"You'll know what I mean later," said Doctor Diana. She pulled her things out of her bag and without permission took Anne's hand. "After you've been let out, maybe you'll feel better?"
"When can I go—aw!" Anne shrieked as her index finger was suddenly pricked with a needle. Her lips pursed up at Doctor Diana, who looked the least bit innocent. "You should at least give a warning."
Doctor Diana just shrugged. "Your physique is pretty good, but you still need to get out of the room so your muscles don't stiffen," she said. She took a few drops of Anne's blood and put them in a small plastic bag.
"When can I come out?" she asked.
"You can come out tomorrow."
Anne tried to look less pleased with the information. "Oh," she said dryly.
Doctor Diana frowned. "You don't seem pleased."
"I'm glad." Anne said, giving a fake smile.
Doctor Diana sighed. "Ah, fine. So Cindy will be watching you, while you're outside to see how you're doing. How you interact with other patients. Then, we'll decide whether or not you should be treated."
Of course. Cindy would watch her like an eagle.
Anne glanced at her again, but Cindy was still expressionless. It's like a statue.
"You still can't remember anything?" Ask Doctor Diana.
Anne shook her head. "No."
"Something familiar, maybe? Maybe when you see something? Somebody? Or anything."
Anne was silent for a moment. Should she say it? Familiar feelings for the new prisoner?
"Miss Roseanne?"
"Not. Nothing," answered Anne lying. For some reason she couldn't tell Doctor Diana that, even though she was going to take care of her. Anne just couldn't believe it. She'd better check it herself.
Doctor Diana nodded once, then packed her things. "Okay, today's checkup is enough. I'll visit you again next week. Hopefully something changes."
Doctor Diana smiled sweetly and stood up from her place. She turned to Cindy, then gave a kind of code with a movement of her hand. Anne's eyes narrowed in concern, but she didn't understand what the two of them were doing.
They started walking out of the room and Anne continued to watch. When they arrived at the doorway, Doctor Diana suddenly turned around. "Oh, I almost forgot," she muttered.
Anne raised an eyebrow. "What?"
A smirk suddenly appeared on Doctor Diana's lips. "Soon there will be an annual game. New members like you will definitely be included. So as my patient, I want to say good luck."
Then the door closed.
Anne blinked on the spot. She couldn't ignore the intensity of Doctor Diana's voice as she said the last part.
'Good luck'.
What does it mean? And what game was she talking about?
Anne couldn't help but watch the mentally ill prisoners at work. Her assumption of those who were given something to obey without doing anything else seemed... plausible. Is it some kind of medicine? Or something else? She didn't know. But, it must be something strong; that can affect a person's mind. Anne continued to dig the ground with her shovel and occasionally looked around. The prisoners are still working non-stop in their respective sections. The guards were still watching outside the construction area. Cindy was there too. Watching her every move with a sharp gaze. It was as if Anne would disappear if she looked away for even a second. The sun was almost overhead. Anne was thirsty, hungry, and tired. Sweat flooded her body. The hospital clothes she was wearing were dirty, covered in mud everywhere. She regretted having taken a clean shower in the early morning. After returning to her room, she had to scrub her body again. When Anne went back to digging, her shovel hit a bo
A little more though. She just needs a little information to know what game is actually given. If only Cindy hadn't approached too quickly, she would have known the answer. Anne sighed in frustration.That woman—Fake Marie Antoinette was an old patient. She had passed the game and... survived? It's possible that this is just a small game that won't cause any casualties, perhaps. Anne wasn't sure. Her hunch said otherwise.Anne couldn't stop thinking about it. Her legs also couldn't stop pacing in front of the window, even as her calves started to feel sore.She only stopped when her muscles felt cramped and she had trouble supporting herself. With great difficulty, she climbed into bed and pulled the covers off. Her vision was dizzy with dizziness. There are many things going through her head.This hospital stresses her out.Looks like pretty soon, Anne's really going crazy like the rest of the patients.She curled up on the bed and pulled the blanket up to her neck. Fatigue gnawed a
It feels weird.Really weird.Anne meant that this was only their second meeting, but both she and Emily looked like two best friends who had been in a relationship for years. Moreover, Emily's attitude is so friendly, making Anne can easily accept her presence.Maybe because the attitudes of the two are similar? Or are they facing the same problem? Their status as prisoners is pathetic, perhaps?She didn't know what the reason was. But even at the first meeting, she and Emily could talk fluently without feeling awkward at all. Moreover, Emily seems to have considered Anne as a friend, remembering how she barged into her room without permission. Then proudly displayed her stolen duplicate key as if she had brought a present for Anne.Anne would have considered the key an extraordinary gift if the idea of escaping had been realized with it. Unfortunately no. Until whenever it will not be able to.Emily firmly said 'there is no way to escape from this hospital' because of the microchi
The night wind was blowing very fast. Cold pricks the skin. Anne's hair flew everywhere, covering her face so much that she had to roll it up and tuck it into the collar of her hospital uniform. She didn't know the wind would be this strong, but she felt so excited to get out.Anne hugged herself and followed Emily to the front yard of the hospital. The full moon shone so brightly that they could see clearly without the help of the hospital lights which had mostly been turned off. Surprisingly, not a single guard was to be seen, either outside or downstairs as they passed. Anne assumed they were asleep, but Emily said some of them might have gone somewhere to drink. She always smelled of alcohol when the guards came to open the door to her room.Anne wondered where it was, because it was obvious the hospital was so remote. The two walked towards the side of the hospital and stopped at a long bench. Emily motioned for Anne to sit down first. Anne didn't really know what they were goin
Anne had just finished taking a shower when Cindy walked into her room like a ghost, again without making a sound. This time, Anne didn't take a clean bath and scrub her body like yesterday, she just splashed herself three times, remembering she was going to work. By noon it was very hot and her body would surely be covered in mud everywhere.Without a word, Anne followed Cindy out of her room and they returned down the same hall. Cindy seemed quieter today, even her expression was cold. She no longer wears feminine dresses, but casual clothes as usual. Cindy led her into the backyard of the hospital and had her wrist checked again by the guard.Absence maybe? She thought it was like routine attendance to calculate patient attendance at work.Anne began to work in silence; digging the ground and occasionally watching Cindy, who stands guard outside the construction area. She just realized that Cindy rarely interacted with the guards. Though, some of them seemed to be the same age as C
Anne lay on her bed with overlapping feelings after dinner and took the medicine Cindy brought her. From now on—because she said there was no change in her memory at all—Doctor Diana started prescribing medicine for her.Two white pills of different sizes.Anne only had time to pay attention for a few seconds, because Cindy angrily ordered her to swallow it immediately. Cindy's eyes keenly watched Anne until the medicine completely passed down her throat. Then, Cindy left without a word and locked the door of her room.Anne took a short breath, then rolled over to face the window whose curtains were deliberately opened. She stared at the full moon shining brightly outside, wondering what time it was. Maybe only nine o'clock. She plans to leave at midnight. The guards were probably still out there, so she had to wait until it was quiet. Anne really wanted to meet Emily and ask about the game that Doctor Diana was talking about.Tomorrow, she thought. Tomorrow the game will start.Deep
Early in the morning before sunrise, all the new prisoners were taken to the front yard of the hospital to assemble. There are 15 prisoners. 10 women and 5 men.Anne had just realized there were a lot of new patients coming—all she knew was Manson Miller. They were all ordered to line up neatly in the middle of the yard for inspection. Several detainees who did not heed the orders were immediately whipped hard on the calves. For the first time in weeks, Anne had seen how patients were punished. But apparently, their punishment method wasn't just that.Anne was at the very back and noticed the many guards surrounding them. All the guards seem to be gathered here. When she left her room and descended the stairs to the first floor, all the prison cell doors were locked tightly. Not a single guard in sight.She still didn't know what they were going to do, how the game would go, but seeing how tightly guarded they were, she was starting to feel worried. Her heart pounded as if it was goin
Why was Manson Miller giving her that look? The man had turned his head the other way, but Anne was sure that the earlier expression had been directed at her.His intense gaze… the mysterious glint in his eyes… also his devilish grin… it was all ghastly.Was the man trying to scare her?Anne suddenly felt wary. She didn't want the incident in the backyard to repeat itself, so she absolutely had to avoid him. She wondered if the guards would come if the man decided to finish her off in the forest?There have been no instructions whatsoever as to what they will do. Twenty minutes passed in silence and not a single one of the guards spoke or moved in their place. Even Cindy had turned into a statue standing stiffly beside the gate.What are they waiting for?The familiar sound of heels came from the main door of the hospital, followed by another set of footsteps. More than five people, thought Anne. Her head automatically turned there. Her eyes narrowed as she saw Doctor Diana pass thro