Author's note: If you haven't already, make sure you read the prologue on the previous page, there's a hidden significance hint in there.
ACT 1
Sea Side Hospital
So far it has been a smooth morning at Sea Side Psychiatric Hospital for women. Not the usual chaotic bliss of trying to get the patients to eat their breakfast and take their daily dosage of medications. Kale Lamar got there at the crack of dawn, happy to be at work again, away from his empty home. Though at work, he is surrounded by people with mental illnesses, nevertheless he was happy to be there. His usual chores at work are feeding the incapable patients, help with medication distributions, and just about anything to keep the ward in order.
On the East Wing of the hospital, the residents greeted Kale one by one as he and head nurse, Bertha made their daily rounds down the hall and distributed medications. He waved and smiled happily at them as he walked behind the nurse. They stopped at Mrs. Jane Roy's room, an eighty year old retired beauty queen, grandmother of twenty children who thinks her dead husband is still alive. The head nurse handed Kale the small cup of medicine and continued filling other cups as Kale walked into Mrs. Roy's room. Kale got inside and greeted an old woman who was sitting on her bed knitting. Her grey tangled hair was loose and wild hanging down her wrinkled and slouched back.
Kale - Well, goodmorning beautiful! How was your sleep? I've got something for you, sweetie.
Kale held the cup to her mouth and gentle allowed her to gulp down the pills along with a cup of water.
Mrs. Roy - Ahhh... I couldn't sleep a wink last night. Jack kept snoring! I oughta let that old geezer sleep on the couch next time. And me cat keeps tinkling me with his tail.
Jack is her husband who died from a stroke last year, which left Mrs. Roy mentally unstabled and her Alzeimers was getting worst and worst, so she has been in the care of Sea Side Hospiral ever since.
Kale - Mrs. Roy, I'll be sure to tell Jack to ease up on that congac, so maybe he wouldn't be so tired wen he goes to sleep okay?
Mrs. Roy - Thanks dear. Make sure you come back when he gets home, you hear?
Kale - Yes, Mrs. Roy. I'll be back with your lunch as well. Today, we are having chicken soup!! Your favorite.
Kale winked at her and left the room and continued to the next room with head nurse, Bertha. The next room lived Marrisa, a burn victim who is the only survivor of a horrible house fire. Her parents, two sisters, and a brother all died in the fire. She was left with horrible burn scars and even with a skin graft, Marrisa's face is still left disfigured. She hasn't been the same ever since the death of her family.
There was a big sign on Marrisa's door; KNOCK BEFORE ENTERING OR DIE! Kale knocked it a few times and was greeted by Marrisa from the other side.
Marrisa - Who is it?
Kale - Marrisa, it's me Kale.
Marrisa's got a little crush on Kale, so the presence of him excited her very much. The door then swung open and she quickly grabbed Kale's collar and pulled him in and quickly shut the door. She let go of hs collar and gave him a long hug.
Marrisa - Ohh.. I'd thought you never come! I was starting to worry. It's so...frightening.
Marrisa looked left and right, held her hand to her mouth, and then whispered to Kale.
Marrisa - They were here last night, Kale. They were all around me. I...I...I'm scared.
Kale - Marrisa... I'm here. If you need anything, you know you can call me. Here, take these, it'll make you less scared okay?
Marrisa tipped the little cup into her mouth and swallowed the pills dry.
Marrisa - You promise??
Kale - Why would I lie to you? Sweetie.. I'll be back okay.
Marrisa hugged him another time and reluctantly let go of his hand as he headed toward the door.
Head nurse, Bertha and Kale continued their rounds. Each patient was very happy to see Kale. He brings the light into their dark rooms and lives and his gentle nature and kind heart always seemed to lift their spirits up. Kale paid attention to each and every one of his patients on this side of the hospital. He knows all of their names by heart and knows each and every one of their situations and treats it with consideration and compassion.
After going through each rooms, they finally made it to the last room down the hall. The patient who occupies that room just arrived a couple of days ago. Annie Rose is still a mystery to Kale. He knew her name, but hasn't gotten a chance to interact with her yet, since she wouldn't come out of her room, even when it was activity tiime where the patients gets to play various games in the lounge, get to work on arts and crafts, or just lounge around watch TV.
When they stopped in front of Annie's rose, before the head Nurse handed Kale the cup of pills, she warned him.
Bertha - Careful with this one, Kale. We've got a schizophrenic who suffers from hullicinations. She has recently killed her dog, knife to his throat and supposedly, her sister did it.
Kale - Hmmm? How can we be sure that she isn't really telling the truth? What if her sister did do it?
Bertha - Well, you see...Kale. Liezel, that's the name of this supposed sister. You see, Annie is the only girl in the family. She doesn't have a sister.
Kale frowned with confusion and knocked softly at the door.
Bertha - She's not going to open it for you, so go ahead.
Kale opened the door and poked his head in and looked around the room. He then spotted a girl sitting in the corner on the floor by the window. She looked deshevled and blank. Her hair was wild and tangled like a spiderweb. He walked in, and slowly approached her as he made his way around the bed and towards her. He stopped a few inches away from her. Even though he's standing only a few inches away, Annie didn't seem to care or ackknowledge his presence. She kept on looking out the window with a blank face. Kale cleared his throat to get her attention.
Kale - Ahem.... Annie? Annie Rose?
No answer.
Kale - Annie? My name's Kale Lamar. How are you today?
Still no answer.
Kale - Uhh... I've got your medications here. Whatever you're feeling, it'll make you feel better.
Annie kept her glance out the window, but out of no where, she grinned. And began to mumble something inaudible.
Kale - What did you say Annie?
Still, she didn't look at him. She just kept mumbling something to herself. Then suddenly she stood up. This started Kale a bit, which caused him to back up slightly. And then that's when she turned to him. Her eyes were blank, but piercing. Kale then saw her face clearly for the first time. He noticed how scared she looked, but nontheless, he also noticed how beautiful she is. Those big eyes stared right at him. And she finally spoke.
Annie - I don't want your filty pills!!!! Those things are poison and it will just make me crazy!
As Annie said that she also hit his hand, intentionally knocking the cup of pills out of them.
Annie - Get out!
Kale - Annie?? Why'd you do that??
Annie - I said get out!
Annie screamed at the top of her lungs causing the head nurse to enter the room to see what's going on. Bertha came in and realized that she had knocked the pills to the floor. She then grabbed Kale and pulled him out of her room, and shut the door behind them. A confused Kale then questioned the nurse.
Kale - What we going to do? What about her medication? Are you going refill another cup for her?
Bertha - No, this one is dangerous. We're gonna have to wait for the doctor to show up. I say she needs solitary confinement, she could hurt the staff or other patients.
Somehow, Kale couldn't help, but feel sorry for Annie. The scared look in her eyes got to him. He now feels even more concern after learning that Bertha is going to suggest solitary confinement to the doctor.
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Annie grabbed her hair and brushed it back from her face as she sat on the bed. She was furious at Kale for bringing her those damn pills.
Nothing is wrong with me! They can't make me take anything, those bastards! I'll show them.
Annie was then started by Liezel's voice. She looked to her right and saw Liezel sitting next to her on the bed.
Liezel - I told you they're gonna get you; told you they're gonna get us. But don't worry dear sister, I will help you. All you have to do is refuse anything they give you okay?
Annie nodded and laid down.
I'm so glad you're here with me, Liezel, Annie whispered.
Liezel then laid next to Annie, stroked her hair and hugged her.
Don't worry, my sweet girl, I will always be here, Liezel whispered back.
*ACT 2 will up Soon*