Nightmare

It was dinner time. Ugh... I slipped on a pair of jeans, tank top with Avenged Sevenfold symbol, and my converse. Luckily patients are permitted to wear their own clothes. As long as there was nothing harmful attached to them. Riley and I sluggishly made our way down to the cafeteria, taking our sweet time.

As soon as we stepped into the room, all eyes were casted on me. Not only the eyes of the living, but the eyes of the dead as well. My face settled into a cold stare. The mood changed in the room. Tension seemed to rise. It was thick and dark. Ghosts hovered about us and began to speak to me. I walked past to the food. I was not going to deal with this right now.

The food layed sprawled out on a sheet of ice. Salads, yogurt, wraps... Nothing looked appetizing as of now. Sighing, my body moved of its own accord. Seconds later I was seated at the corner table. Farthest away from others present in the cafeteria. In my hand lay a terriaki chicken wrap which was soon nibbled on then trashed.

A shrill voice rang out into the stuffy air. The head nurse stood in the middle of the room. "We have some new people here to volunteer-", then I zoned out. Why should I care if we have some new people here to volunteer? So I walked out. My footsteps echoed down the empty hallway. Doors lined the walls. Each room held medical supplies and such. Except for a few Riley had pointed out.

One was a library. Riley smiled as he saw my face perk up. Stepping forward, my nose pressed against the window of the door. My smile fell as I saw a sign reading 'Only for employees'. "You remind me of a little kid outside a candy store window", a voice laughed behind me. Spinning around, I came face to chest with someone.

My eyes traveled up to their face. Now I know I belong in here if I am seeing Brian Elwin Haner Jr. standing before me. His thin lips held an amused smile. His brown eyes flooding with amusement to match. I do have to give my insanity a little credit. It has got every point down about this mans features. His strong jaw bone and high cheek bones. His straight nose and piercing. The scruff on his chin. Even his hair and tattoos were spot on. Maybe I have too many posters of Avenged Sevenfold if I can get this detailed...

"You look like you've seen a ghost." His laughter mixed with his words. Riley gave a slight snort, "He has no flippin' idea how true that is." I blinked... Riley saw him too? So he is real? Nah, my mind has to be playing with me. "Hellooooo, anyone home in there?", Brian bent down a bit to get eye level with me. His elbow nudged my arm, which seemed to snap me out of my confused daze. Flying Bohemium Brothers, he is real! "Sorry! I'm just rather stunned that you are here."

He stood up straight again with the smile still present, "It's okay. Nice shirt, you have good taste kid." A nervous smile over-ran my face. "So, do you volunteer here as well?", he questioned. So he is one of the new volunteers. Why would he be volunteering here? Why would one of my two favorite guitarists to ever walk the almighty Earth be a volunteer at a mental hospital? Maybe zoning out when the head nurse is announcing news is'nt the brightest idea.

Before I found my voice again to respond, a male nurse approached us, "Maive, why are you out here? You know patients are not permitted to walk the halls after hours without the supervision of a nurse." Realization hit Brian as the nurse spoke. Understanding then that I was not a volunteer. I was a crazy freak stuck in this nut house. I tensed and walked away without another glance at either of the two.

Riley followed me as he released a heavy sigh. Brian's eyes followed me down the hall as well. I could feel the stare the entire way until I fled around the corner. Once Riley and I were safe in my room, I leaned against the shut door. I do not belong here! I see ghosts and they are everywhere! But no one else has the ability to! So no one believes me and I am judged unfairly!

The moon was bright outside the chicken wired window on the wall. Its light filled the room like a rush of water fills a crevice in a rock. My chest ached as I basked in its glow. How I longed to be outside during the night. Just like when my father used to take me for a drive when I was not tired. He would drive anywhere and we would make an adventure out of it. Then we would find the perfect spot and just gaze at the stars and moon. Oh how I missed that...

A rattling came from my right. Riley was shaking my pill container to grab my attention. The energy he can focus to actually grasp physical objects amazes me. Sighing, I took the four pills I was required to take before bed. I laid down on my bed and Riley joined me. I placed my head on his chest as he pulled my body close. The blankets were warm and soft. Sleep soon lulled me into its comforting atmosphere. But the calm, happy memories of my father slowly brought me to nightmares of his death.

Notes