Chapter Three

Milou's Perspective on Chapters One and Two

PART ONE

Milou never really was very good at being on time for things. She was, however, usually the first to admit that for Dr. Brown she didn't really make the largest of efforts. If Dr. Brown didn't respect Milou, Milou figured Dr. Brown didn't deserve her respect.

It was on that note that Milou, now five minutes late for her so called very important meeting with Dr. Brown left her room, looking suspiciously at the door next to hers as she passed down the hallway. Matilda was a bit of a creeper, and Milou wasn't really very confident when passing though the hallway that she wasn't being watched.

She figured the feeling was warranted, however. Milou had walked down the hallway only to learn Matilda had been watching her one too many times for her comfort.

Milou began to speed up slightly as she walked down the hallway, feeling as though her cheeks should be at least kind of pink so it would look as though she had at least sort of made an effort to get there on time.

Milou continued on her way to the appointment, making her way down the hallway with a slight amount more haste as she approached the room, only just noticing the tall, chestnut haired man clothed in the standard doctor lab coat standing at Dr. Brown's closed door. Maybe she was going to be off the hook? Perhaps the doctor had double booked himself? Dr. Brown's appointment with this doctor likely (rather, hopefully) took precedence over her appointment with Milou. Milou had more important things to do, as far as she was concerned. She could be doing something potentially important with Parker instead of sitting in an office with a doctor who (quite frankly, in Milou's opinion) could use an evaluation of her very own mental stability... like playing Cribbage, for instance. Exponentially more interesting and adventurous than delving into her mind and why she works the way she does.

Finally at the door beside the doctor, the door opened, revealing the (evil) Dr. Brown.

“Good morning, Ms. Tanning. Late again, I see?” The doctor goaded, angling her body at an angle that indicated Milou should be entering the office. Milou was not impressed- she had been hoping for a more interesting afternoon involving Cribbage and other various forms of entertainment. A moment later Milou heard the doctor address the man in the lab coat. “Dr. Fiddler. I trust you had little to no problem finding us? Please, step inside.”

The doctor that had been in the hallway just moments earlier stepped into the room, scanning the pictures framed on Dr. Brown's desk. He examined the room briefly, not appearing to be too terribly concerned with the contents of the room. He seated himself in the unoccupied chair next to Milou, placing his hands on the arm rests.

“Dr. Fiddler, I would like for you to meet Milou.” Dr. Brown introduced. “Milou is going to be your first patient here at Sunnybrooks.”

Milou stopped for a second. No... Dr. Diaz is my doctor was the primary thought running through Milou's mind.

“Hold the phone.” She voiced her confusion. “What happened to Dr. Diaz? I liked the old guy?”

Dr. Brown's gaze on Milou sharpened, if that were even possible.

“Dr. Diaz.” She began shortly, pausing for emphasis. “Is on leave.” Her gaze on Milou further burned holes through Milou, telling her without word that Milou should not even try to go there. Milou understood the message... loud and clear. Dr. Brown never had been terribly fond of Milou, so it was a look she received often. No big deal, or anything...

“Is it because he didn't think I was crazy?” She asked, deciding the challenge the system for the time being.

“Ms. Tanning.” The doctor said shortly. “I hope you realize the expression is ridiculous. Here at Sunnybrooks...”

Milou knew what was coming next before the words exited the doctor's mouth. She had heard this part of the speech so often, she could actually recite it.

Here at Sunnybrooks nobody is crazy. The entire notion is ridiculous- you're not here as a punishment, or because you deserve it, or for any negative reason at all. The reason why you're here is because we wish to know what separates you and the collective I. We want to narrow the differences and in the end develop a stronger group of people who are more able to do what they must.

Which sounded like brainwashing to Milou. Or selective breeding of some sort. Narrowing the differences was really the creepiest part. She decided to put the doctors (she included this Dr. Fiddler person in the statement. She had absolutely nothing against this fellow as of yet) out of their misery and interfere.

“I know. I know. Nobody's crazy.” Dr. Brown and Milou both knew the statement was a right out lie. Rather... Dr. Brown knew it was a right out lie. To Milou, it was the truth.

I'm not fucking crazy, at least... Milou stewed, crossing her arms as Dr. Brown pursed her lips. If anyone here's off the wagon it's the good doctor herself...

“I would very much like...” The doctor began once again, this time through some very clenched teeth “For this patient doctor relationship to be significantly more successful than your last, Ms. Tanning.” She finished. “You may be excused. Dr. Fiddler will be in contact with you for your first meeting.”

Milou stood up dramatically, flipping her hair back and scraping her chair against the cold, impersonal stone floor. She never did like stone floors. She shot a cold smile at Dr. Brown and turned around, marching to the door and slamming it just slightly for the dramatic effect. Really pound in the idea that she was pissed off, you know?

Milou began to make her way down the hallway, her thoughts now focused on the new doctor she met briefly in Dr. Brown's office- Dr. Fiddle or something of that sort. He had seemed nice enough, though Milou supposed she hadn't really had too much of an opportunity to get to know him quite yet.

More than enough of that's coming later, I suppose. She figured. Which was typically true. She had been through so many counsellors by this point it was fairly routine for her. Spill her beans, they tell her she's nuts, and get a new therapist after she just doesn't change. It was a way of life.

Except Dr. Diaz. He was a bit different... Always open minded. Milou had liked him,he didn't rule anything out. Even though he couldn't see Parker (though Milou didn't quite believe that) Dr. Diaz had never outright said that Parker didn't exist, unlike Dr. Brown who outright ruled out the possibility.

Milou was, at least, fairly sure she wasn't completely crazy.

Unlike Matilda... She noted as she passed the open doorway of her neighbour. Her stalker neighbour. Her creepy stalker neighbour who had a picture of Milou on her night stand.

“Milou!” Matilda called as Milou passed. Milou stopped hesitantly. “Where were you?” She asked, leaning against her door frame. Milou frowned.

“What do you mean, where was I? Am I not allowed to leave without your permission now?” She inquired, raising an eyebrow as she leaned against the wall opposite her own door. “Did my absence worry you?” She teased, pushing off from the wall and walking into her room, not waiting for an answer.

“You'll regret this someday, Milou.” Matilda shouted from outside. “Other people aren't going to treat you like I do!”

“I hope they don't! That would be creepy!” Milou responded, closing the door to her room and turning, grinning when she saw Parker sitting on her bed, a smile on his face.

“She's still doing it, huh?” He teased, pulling out the Cribbage board. “That's a shame. And kind of creepy. Ready for your butt to get owned?” He pushed, pulling Milou's empty bedside table in front of him and placing the board on it. Milou grinned.

“Oh, you're the one on the receiving end of the owning this time, I think...” Milou commented, pulling Susannah's chair up to the table and opening the Cribbage board to retrieve the deck of cards hidden within. “But... you know. Whatever lets you sleep at night.”

Parker rolled his eyes, beginning the game. “You know I'm the champion at this game.” He reminded her all too correctly. Parker was good at Cribbage, almost eerily so. Milou, on the other hand, wasn't. She liked the game, though, which is why she still played it.

“Not this time...”