Experimentation
Chapter 3

The first night in the asylum was blurry, terrifying, and lonely. My head was pounding due to the transfer from the hospital to here, The Malignant Asylum for the Mentally Ill. I am not I'll but they don’t believe me, I just wanted peace. The van pulls up to the patient entrance in the back, this is because the doctors believe we will upset the visitors and pull their family members out and they want the money. What a selfish way to live, just wanting the families to keep their patients there for the money. Before we could get out of the van, I am restricted to a wheelchair, strapped down by my hand and legs. The nurses pull out a ramp from the back of the van pushing me out slowly, trying to simulate that they will be gentle and for me to relax, it works. As I am set outside there isn’t a sound around me, and peaceful silence fills my body with chills. How is this right? Not a car pulling out of the driveway, not a cricket to make a creak in the woods surrounding me. The nurse’s voice is heard from behind me causing me to flinch back in fear, she places her hand on my shoulder and a feeling of demise courses through my body. What have I gotten myself into?

The nurse rolls me up to the door slowly increase the fear in my mind, my breath comes out in short fast wheezes. They are supposed to help me but all I am filled with fright, my mind is swirling with possibilities but I know they aren’t real, this isn’t a horror movie Irisa. Calm Down! The door opens, and she pushes me in the hallway, the walls and floor are a bright white color, the lights shine brightly on the floor causing a glare to hurt my eyes. As we passed the doors in the hall I can’t help but look in and when I did it cause my heart to stop. People are chained to the walls with chemicals pulsing into them, you can see their eyes are filled with the need for death, their bodies beginning to shut down from the pain. After seeing them I begin to thrash around trying my best to escape the impending doom that is coming my way. The nurse acts like this is normal and keeps strolling me down the hall and then we abruptly stop in front of a door. She walks in front of me and leans close and whispers “Follow the rules.” and she pulls the restraints off and walks me into the room.

The room’s walls are a slight beige tint with white floors, in the far-left corner is a small cot, stripped of bedding with only a pillow on top. There was a desk on the right wall, with a chair and a glass case blocking a computer and a black spin chair tucked in. There was a small brown bookshelf, to match the desk and bed frame, at the foot of the bed filled with what looked to be school books. At the center is a wooden table and two chairs, I guess this is where I’m supposed to be living. Maybe my mind just saw those people being tortured, maybe I am insane but I don’t feel like I’m losing my mind. The nurse leads me to the table and gestures me to sit down, I quickly followed her instructions and fold my hands waiting patiently for whatever is to come.

A gentle knock is heard from the door and in walks a tall man with a clipboard, his eyes focused on the information that lies on the board. “Hello Irisa, may I call you Ria?” I nodded my head gently while avoiding eye contact completely. He walks over to the table and seats himself in front of me. “Well Ria, my name is Doctor Edwin and I will be taking care of you for your duration of time here. I understand based on your psychiatric exam you have been diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety, both of them on the highest stage causing many unpleasant symptoms, because of this we will have to use other methods besides medication to get your illness into control, back to where you can have a normal life again. Your family has requested not to visit until I deem it to be encouraging for your healing process, Therefore, we know being in here can get lonely over time when you see the same people every single day. Now we have decided you'll be a part of this new program called ‘Healing Buddies’ you will meet with another patient who is further along in their recovery process and help you with your mental recovery process. Are there any questions so far?” I shake my head no as I let all this information settle into my mind. This seems like a really good program, one can cure or at least mend my diseases, this can be beneficial for myself.

Doctor Edwin rambled on about the rules and schedules of Malignant and other sorts of “interesting” facts. I just sat there in my wooden chair until there was the door was opened and in walked a petite girl with her hands bundled in her pockets. Her hair hazelnut brown with light streaks of blonde, her arms are filled with old scars, even a word spelling strong. When I saw her face it, just drew me in, her cheeks slightly puffed with light freckles, her eyes filled with excitement may be at the thought of having someone to mentor in this place, or to be out of her room. An aura of peace and kindness comes off of her, she seems very relax and at peace. She must be almost done with her time here, I guess she will be beneficial for me. “This is Katrina she will be your buddy will you are working on the disease.” I walk towards her and as soon as our hands' touch I get a sensation of death and fear, what is this place?