Chapter 6

He was gone!!! Without a trace... I looked everywhere... Strangely enough, everyone else didn't seem to really care. They told me that people come and go all the time. One warden even teased me about how distraught I looked when I found his room empty.

"What Gina? Did you fall in love with the man? Good grief girl you need to get out more!" The sarcasm in his voice was too much.

I felt suffocated by the place. The hauntingly white walls, the smell of sterilizer, and the echoes of distant screams; I felt caged by it all and I needed to get out. I need to be outside, where I felt free...

I ran... I ran down the snowy streets; just like how I ran the first day of work only harder. For some reason, I felt as if I had no restraints. The world sped by in a hazy blur. My vision was only focused on what was in front of me.

Suddenly, I had an eerie sensation that I was being followed. I took a quick glance behind me and found several people wearing white chasing after me. They were shouting for me to stop. I didn't know why they were yelling at me but my gut instincts told me to keep running. I needed to get away. I kept running...

The world started to blur. Everything looked white and before I knew it, I was falling. I felt myself hit hard upon the snowy ground. Before I could catch my breath, they were upon me like scavengers on a fallen beast. I tried to struggle free but their vice like hands gripped down upon my limbs.

An unfamiliar female voice invaded my ears: "Ms. Gina Lee this is for your own good. Just try to relax."

The next thing I knew, I felt a jolt of pain in my arm as she injected something within me. I screamed. My voice pierced through the cool air; sending shock waves of energy all around. But it was too late... I felt my self falling... falling... farther and father into the dark abyss...

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I woke up and found myself in my room. I looked out the window. It was still dark out; a thin, reddish light peeked over the tree filled horizon. Thank goodness it was just a dream...

Slowly, I carried my aching body toward the bathroom. In the mirror I saw my plain refection. Still didn't see any thing beautiful... I wonder what Gordon was referring to?

It didn't take me long to shower and change into my scrubs. Yet another day, I wonder if Mr. Gordon would like another dozen roses... It had been several weeks now... roses may be strong but they couldn't live long without the roots.

By the bus stop was a flower shop. A cheerful sign hung upon the front door that read: Roses R Us. With some degree of difficulty, I finally managed to open the glass door. A small bell chimed innocently as I stepped inside. The sweet scent of roses filled my senses. Like Gordon said, the smell was divine. It didn't take me long to find a bunch I liked. They were white. I didn't want to get him yellow roses again. He said he liked to be surprised. Plus being cooped up everyday in the same room must be very dull; a little variety couldn't hurt. Suddenly, the thought of Derek in his stark room made me feel sad. Poor Derek... I hope he eventually would get to leave. The world needed more kind souls like his...

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At the Goodmen House...

I am still in the asylum. The cool breeze brushing against my face causes tingly sensations to run down my spine. I must have been dreaming earlier. I must have fallen asleep while looking out the window.

During a brief moment, I thought I was going to leave this place. But I guess I'm still trapped behind these white walls. I can see the scratch marks from those who have been here before me. This is a sad place. But I don't know how to leave. I don't even know what is truly beyond these walls. I can see out the window. However, until I'm physically outside, I am only experiencing the world though filtered eyes. I want to live. I want to be free. I want to see the real world.

"PLEASE LET ME OUT!" I am shouting from the depth of my soul.

This is the first time that I have heard myself scream. I am no longer dreaming. I kept screaming, louder and louder until the screams cannot be ignored. Yes! Listen to my voice. Release me! Take me out of this mind prison! You have the power to set me free!

Suddenly, I am no longer sitting in my asylum room. I am beyond the walls, beyond the streets, beyond all bounds and restrictions. I am completely free...

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He was truly gone. This wasn't a dream. I walked into his room carrying the white roses and all I found was an open window and an empty bed. I dropped the roses upon the ground. I didn't care to look at them. I needed to speak to someone, anyone. But to my amazement, the building was achingly silent. The usual noise and bustle of people had suddenly ceased.

I was mystified. The sound of my steps echoing off of the white walls added to the growing fear within me. What happened? This place was full of people a few moments ago! I saw them with my very own eyes! Every corridor, every room, every corner was empty, and all the doors were left unlocked. How could this be? How could everyone evacuate so suddenly... impossible!

Then, the sound of footsteps caught my attention. I quickly turned toward the direction of the sound. A figure was walking towards me. At first I couldn't make out who it was, but when I caught sight of the white lab coat and I immediately knew...

"Dr. Goodmen! Where is everyone? Where is Mr. Gordon?" My voice sounded desperate but I didn't care. All I wanted was answers.

"Why are you still here?" Her demanding voice caused me to flinch involuntarily; it was hauntingly familiar.

"I... work here... Dr. Goodmen..." I tired very hard to suppress the fear within.

"Ah I see... you still haven't seen the truth... pity... I suppose I'll be the only one left." She let out a cruel laugh and started to walk away.

"What is that suppose to mean?" I yelled.

She stopped walking and commented over her shoulders: "You are just not cut out for this job Gina. Maybe you should just disappear... like Derek..."

The snide superiority in her voice made me extremely furious. All my life, that same voice kept telling me how weak, cowardly, and slow I was and that I wasn't cut out for anything. How dare she say that to me! I was not going to take anymore of this crap from her! Nor from anyone! Damn it! Derek said I was beautiful! He appreciated the roses. He saw my potential and liked me for who I was. I don't need some snobby scientist to tell me what I can and cannot do!

"Lydia Goodmen! You are not superior to me! I am qualified to do anything as long... as long as I believe in myself! I am strong! I am intelligent! I am beautiful! And I deserve to exist... more than you!"

I couldn't believe the words that I had just said. Dr. Goodmen only let out a chuckle and continued to walk away. I wasn't going to get her get away. I chased after her. When I was within range, I grasped at her lab coat. As soon as my hand touched the rough fabric, she began to fade. Within a matter of moments, she was completely gone. I stood alone, in an empty hallway, with opened doors and eerie silence.

I took another dumbfounded step and felt something hit my feet. I looked down. To my surprise, my dozen white roses were scattered carelessly upon the floor in front of me. Suddenly, a large gust of wind swept through the halls hitting me with such force, that I had to kneel down upon the ground. I watched as each petal from the roses became dislodged and began to float around me, enshrouding me with their purity and divine scent. A smiled invaded my face and I whispered softly:

"Beautiful... And now I understand the truth... With the truth, I can finally set myself free..."

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A change of scene...

Warm summer light blanketed the small hospital room. Flowers and other trinkets of thoughtfulness filled the shelves and any flat surface where things could be placed. There was a rhythmic beep coming from a large complicated looking machine that was hooked up to a person lying in the hospital bed.

Everything was calm and peaceful. Suddenly, the beeping became faster and faster. The once presumed lifeless body began to stir. At the base of her hospital bed was a clipboard and written upon it were the following words:

Patient: Gina Lydia Gordon

Illness: Massive trauma to the brain.

Status: Comatose

--The End.