When he woke, the fog lifted slowly, revealing her face. She smiled when she saw he was awake–the smile of a predator, not a friend.
“Where am I?” he asked as he tried to wipe the sleep away, but realized he could not move.
“You’re in room 101b at Bethlem Royal. You’re lucky he found you in time.” Her malice toward him was palpable, and as she reached above him to press the call button, he could not help flinching from the close contact.
He looked past her, through both window and bars, and saw only the barren signature of an endless winter. Searching for signs of life, he found only his reflection. The face staring back at him had darkened eyes and mania etched in its features; and the head was bald!
“Those bastards cut off my hair!” He again tried to touch his head and was unsuccessful. Now, fully awake, he realized restraints had been attached to both of his wrists and began to panic.
She laughed at him as she sat down next to the gurney. “They didn’t do that you idiot; you did.” She reached out and rubbed his head. “I wish he hadn’t stopped you. You’ve always been so selfish and hurt everyone around you.”
“You have to take these off.” He was still trying to get out of the restraints.
The predator smile returned, “He said you were a danger to yourself and others, and under no circumstances was anyone to let you loose until he had seen you.”
He strained hard against the straps; all thought of panic fled as the rage pumped through his brain. A vision filled his mind, of his hands around her throat, ending that smirk and malevolence forever. When his breathing slowed, she stood and walked to the door.
Before she turned the knob, she said, “By the way, he’s on his way here, so if I were you, I’d calm down.”
The threat had the effect she was hoping for. The thought of who was coming was unbearable. He hated him, but feared him more. He began to pull at the restraints again. not in anger or frustration, but in terror. He thrashed in the bed and began to cry. He wanted to beg her to protect him, but she had already opened the door and walked outside.
His body tensed, and he felt something warm spread through the sheets when he heard her voice say, ” Hey daddy, he’s awake now.”
Digital Duality 