Mental (Part 2)

     I gasped.
     "What do you mean by young meat?" I asked her.
     "That's what they call those who haven't been sliced open!" she replied, cackling and walking away. I froze in silence, my breath stuck in my throat. What kind of sick joke is this?
     "You don't know anything, girl," the woman continued, "this is not just an asylum. It's a butcher market."
     "What are you talking about?" I asked not believing a word she said. Initially I thought she was sane, but her words are proving her insanity.
     "They take you in young and fresh," she continued, deliriously, "then they wait for the right time, when your case is forgotten, then they cut you up and leave you to die in your cell."
     "Stop it!" I cried out to her, closing my ears, "stop talking rubbish!"
     "Don't you understand!" she leered up to me, her breath rancid in my face, "Why do you think I'm here? I'm left here to die, after they cut me up!"
     I stared at her, and walked to my cement bunk, deciding to ignore her. Her words were getting slurred together.
     "But there is a way to escape after they slice out your life, yes there is," she seemed to be talking to the ceiling, "Only a brave and strong person is able to do that."
     "You mean there's a way to escape?" I asked interestedly. The woman, looked at me as if suddenly noticing me there.
     "Yes, but it's almost impossible," she whispered loudly.
     "Why?" I asked.
     "Because after they operate you, you have no will to survive, and you'd want to give up!" she said hoarsely, "I wanted to escape so many times, but I couldn't. So I stay, here, and wait my death."
     "How do we escape?" I asked her, but she seemed not in the mood to continue, "Come on, you have to tell me! I have a daughter out there!"
     My pleas fell to deaf ears as she stared at the wall opposite her and started humming a song I don't know of. Once again, i felt hopelessness enveloping me. I lay down, trying to sleep, but I couldn't. Finally after tossing and turning, I guess I finally did.
     "Wake up, you!" a loud boisterous voice shook me from my slumber. I woke up and focussed my eyes on a big sized warden who looked almost like a man, "Come on princess, get your butt up!"
     I got up as she pushed me roughly out the cell and led me out of the cell area into a lift. We went down to the basement and into a dimly lit hallway. I was wary of my surroundings. No matter how I try, I couldn't push my cell-mates stories out of my mind. Will I get slaughtered here? Is this the end of me?
     We finally stopped at a room that looked like a surgery room. My stomach knotted up inside of me. Beads of perspiration fell down my cheeks, I could taste the saltiness of it in my mouth. I wanted to turn away and run, but she was standing right behind me, giving me no escape. I could hear voices from inside, and when the door finally opened, I was surprised to see the young doctor of yesterday.
     "There you are," he smiled at me and took me to follow him inside the operation theatre. I felt uneasy. Although he was smiling at me, I sensed something amiss. I was welcomed by three nurses. One was holding up a big needle and I could see her smiling at me. Dreadfully afraid, I stopped in my tracks.
     "There's nothing to be afraid of," the doctor said, guiding me towards the operating table, "It's just routine check up. We have to make sure you get better."
     "But I'm okay," I said, "I'm not mad. This is a mistake. You see my husband..."
     They didn't let me continue, instead, the nurse with the needle injected my arm without my knowledge and in a few seconds, I blanked out.
     When I opened my eyes, I was alone in a hospital ward. My whole body felt sore, and I feared the worst. I looked down at my body and was thankful I had all my organs with me. It must have been some kind of check up, I was just too influenced by what my cellmate said. Taking a deep breath, I tried to get up on the bed, and a sudden searing pain from my lower abdomen made me gasp. I pulled my robe up to see what made the pain, and I was shocked to see a long incision on my waist. I touched it lightly, and immediately knew what happened. It was my kidney, they took of my kidney. That was what my cellmate was talking about and I have heard this things happening but I never thought it would have happened to me. I stifled a cry, and slowly got off the bed. I walked to the door and silently opened it, and when I saw no one in the corridor, I walked out slowly, because my injury hasn't healed and it was so painful I had to grit my teeth from crying out loud.
     I knew then I had to get out of this place. I didn't want to die in here. I knew if I returned to the cell, I would sooner or later die of internal hemorrage or infection for I am sure, they didn't stich me up methodically. We were just some sicko which they used to make money out of. I had to get out, and by my luck there was no one around. Where is everyone? I wondered. I reached a window and pushed it open, and greeted the fresh outside air with great breaths. Taking a chair nearby, I slowly climbed out of the window and limped across the lawn to the gate. I was even more surprised to see no one in the yard. It was as if my escape was inevitable. I prayed to the Lord for my good fortune and half limped, half ran out of the cursed asylum into the woods nearby.
     I was almost laughing because I had made it. I had escaped. I was strong enough to run away. I started planning what I was going to do when I got back to town. I'm gonna fight for my daughter and run off to another country so that my husband can't find me. I trudged on deeper into the woods when I felt the searing pain again in my lower abdomen. I looked down. My dress robe was slowly turning crimson. I panicked, and then it settled in. No one was looking for me because they knew I'd never survive if I ran away. Once they took our kidney out they made sure that they didn't stitch us up properly and so even if we did escape, we'd die in the woods, bleeding to death, or worst, eaten by wild animals. I pressed my hand to my wound and cried out. I wanted to slow the bleeding but the pressure of my hand made the blood come out more.
     My head started spinning and I felt faint. I tried to walk but I was too weak, finally i dropped to the ground, dried leaves filling my throat. I whimpered for I have lost all hope. I would never be able to see my daughter again. I'm dying, bleeding and crying. It's too late for me to be saved. I hope all those who did this to me will suffer for what they put me and those other inmates through. My last thought before I left this world was my daughter.
.....

HEADLINES:- WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN THE WOODS

Last evening, a group of hikers found a half-decomposed body of what seemed to be a young woman, probably in her mid-twenties. According to the coroners, she was said to be dead for almost a week. Investigations to the wound on her abdomen and her clothing, which resulted in her death seemed to lead to an asylum nearby. It is believed that her she was the victim of illegal kidney surgery for the black market. Police has apprehended the lead doctor as the main suspect and all the staff of the asylum for assistance on the medical misconduct. Further investigations are pending for the inmates of the asylum, on whether there are other victims or not.

     The victim found in the woods is believed to be the daughter of a distinguished man in town. Her next of kins declined to comment. More updates on the evening news.

    

Mental (Part One)

     I awoke frantically to the sound of tiny feet scurrying in the darkness. It was everywhere, on the floor, in my bed, in my clothes. I struggled fiercely with the enveloping darkness, and fell onto the hard cemented floor, hitting my head hard on the cold surface, and blacked out.
     When my eyes fluttered open, I felt like I was asleep for a thousand years. I looked around the room I was in. It looked unfamiliar. I can't remember what happened, and why I am here. Suddenly the door open and a distinguished looking man entered. He wore a white coat, I'm guessing he's a doctor. Following him was a woman around her mid-fifties, probably his nurse. So, I must be in the hospital then, I thought to myself.
     "Well, looks like she's finally conscious," the young doctor said, taking a look at me, and addressing the nurse, who gave me a look of contempt.
     "What do we do with her?" she asked him, as he read from the clipboard that was attached at the end of my bed.
     "Get her back to her cell," he said, and walked away. The nurse looked at me and said something, which I didn't comprehend.
    My mind was swirling with questions. What did the doctor mean by cell? Am I in prison? What did I do? What's happening here?
     Within half an hour, I was pushed and shoved by the old nurse to another floor in the building. It had rows and rows of prison-like cells. As I passed by each one, weird looking women peered out from inside, some glaring, others grinning. They looked insane.
     "This is a mistake," I told the nurse, "I didn't do anything wrong. Why are you locking me up?"
     "Just shut up!" she said, nudging me forward, into cell number 11. I looked inside with trepidation. It was dark, and it reeked with the smell of sweat and urine.
     "I don't belong here!" i cried out to her as she pushed me in and locked the cell.
     "Oh yeah," she said, smugly, "that's what they all say."
     "Who!?" i demanded.
     "All you mad people!" she said and walked away.
     "NO! It's a mistake!" I yelled out to her, "I'm innocent I tell you! I don't belong here! I'm not mad!"
     "Yeah, me too!" another voice yelled from another cell.
     "I'm not mad!" someone else shouted. And next, the whole place grew noisy as every cellmate shouted their sanity. I sat down dejectedly, feeling hopeless. I closed my eyes, trying to remember my past. And everything started coming back to me. I really am not mad. I was sent here by my cruel husband, because he and his family wants all the money that I have inheritance to. I remember it just like it was yesterday.
     I am married for almost ten years, and I have a lovely daughter aged nine. I thought that I built this marriage out of love, but I realized everything that I shared with my husband was a lie. He knew that my parents were rich and they had given me everything after their death. My husband will get his share too, but I was on the verge of a divorce with him, and he knew that if we were divorced, he'd never get even a cent out of me, so he concocted a scheme to get me convicted with insanity. It was told in the will that if I died or went mad, then all the money would go to my husband to take care of my daughter.
     He then accused me of torturing my child and even produced prove for it. He had help from his relatives, and he told the judge and jury that I was demented and unable to take care of myself and my daughter, which resulted in me being sent to an asylum, and he living his life in luxury.
     I have to get out of this place. My daughter's life is in the hands of that criminal I married. I banged the door numerous times, and slumped to the floor wailing and crying for i was trapped in this void of despair.
     "You can escape, you know," a voice whispered from the shadow. I gasped, as I thought I was alone in the cell. The figure moved out of the darkness and came closer. I looked at her aghastly, because, she was no more than a skeleton. She was so thin, her bones were portruding. And her hair flew in every directions wispily. Not only that, she also barely had any teeth left in her jaw. I was repulsed, yet curious of what she had to say.
     "How do I do that?" I asked.
     "It is tricky, but it can be done for young meat." she said, looking at me.
   
To Be continued....

Sapphire

     Sandra sat alone at the edge of the pier overlooking the vast ocean and blue sky.

No one seemed to be around, but she expected that, as today is Valentine's day. No one would just sit around a boring old pier with nothing to do. They're all probably be out there somewhere doing something fun, proclaiming their love and being in love, as she sat all alone, the salty wind of the sea caressing her cheeks, dark brown hair blowing in the breeze.

     Has it already been a year? She thought to herself. A year of misery and heartache. Of pain and sorrow, when all you can think of is ending your own life. No one knows the anguish she feels, no one can know for she hid it deep within her and it only appears when she's all alone feeling despair.

     Sandra looked up into the sky as a seagull flew overhead and her memories took her back to a year ago, February the fourteenth.

     That morning she woke up to the sound of the telephone ringing. Answering the phone groggily, she was a little but annoyed to hear the sound of her boyfriend, Kurt as he gleefully wished her good morning and happy valentine's day.
     "Wake up sleeping beauty!" he yelled into the phone, "look outside, the sun is shining and the birds are singing for its  a brand new day for us."

"I'm up," Sandra answered curtly, looking out the window to find the sun shining through the trees in her backyard, "What do you want?"
"I want my baby to be up, for we have a busy day ahead of us," he was unnerved by her tone, "I'll come and get you in an hour, get ready."
    Before she could reply, he hung up. Placing the phone back, she got ready for Kurt unenthusiastically. She know he's doing all these just to please me, nay, to cover up for his other flaws.
     Before knowing Kurt, Sandra was this introvert young girl right out of high-school. Her parents were very strict people so she grew up without ever going on a single date with any guys. Then after going to college she met Kurt. Anyone could see that he was the total opposite of her, but like they said, opposites attract, and before long, they started dating. She fell instantly in love with Kurt for he was the nicest guy she had ever met. He was outspoken and friendly and always had throngs of girls giggling around him. And he had the most magnificent eyes ever. It melted her heart, along with all the other girls in college. She felt so lucky to go out with him. And well, like people always say, don't count your blessings too early, so she learned the hard way going out with a guy as charming as Kurt. There were always problems in their relationship. If it was not about other girls throwing themselves at him, then it was his busy schedule as President of many clubs in college. There wasn't a day that went by without them arguing.

     But still they stood by each other, trying to mend each broken pieces. It was a lovely yet heartbreaking relationship and it was taking a toll on them.
    And on Valentine's day three years after they've been going out together, Kurt wants to make amends for his mistake to Sandra for taking her for granted and for all the fight they've been through. As Sandra waited at her front porch for Kurt to fetch her, she reminisced on the good memories she had with Kurt. The times when they weren't fighting was the times that she treasures. She remembered all the long walks they took by the beach, and the parks where they sat and
talked for hours at times. Those were the memories worth cherishing, and she decided against holding a grudge towards him and decided that she was going to enjoy today as she can.
     Looking at her wristwatch it showed half an hour past eleven and Kurt still haven't arrived. She became impatient as this had happened many times. Kurt always failed to be punctual. She tried calling his cell phone but she couldn't get through. Typical of him to either turn his phone off or forgetting to charge its batteries. She decided to wait another hour. But by one in the afternoon and Kurt still haven't showed up, Sandra was beyond furious and left several nasty messages in his voicemail, hoping he'll get the hint and stay away from her. Her patience had finally wavered, and without second thought, she went back into her house and turned on the television.
     On TV was a new about an accident at the main-road nearby her house, where a car was hit by a huge trailer. The driver of the truck survived but the same cannot be said for the car driver as the car had swivelled out of control and crashed into a shop and burst into fire. No one in the shop was injured because it was empty at the time. Sandra wasnt interested and almost turned to another channel, before something caught her eyes, a blue Mustang, eerily familiar. Fear
gripped her throat as she looked at the wrecked car which looks exactly like Kurt's vehicle.
     "No, it's not true," she half-whispered to herself. Suddenly the phone rang. She quickly got up to get the phone, fearing the worst.
"Hello," she whispered into the phone.
"Hello, Sandra," she thought Kurt was the one who called her and felt so relieved.
"Kurt," she blurted out.
"No, i'm his brother Kevin," he replied, washing away the relief to a renewed fear, "Its about Kurt. Did you watch the news?"
     Sandra felt her world spinning and she blacked out. When she opened her eyes, her mother was looking down at her, worry etched on her face.
     "Mom," Sandra said, her lips dry, "i had a bad dream."
     "Honey," her mother said, looking sideways at her father, "its not a dream. We just came from the hospital."
     Noooo....Sandra cried out inside for she had no strength to voice it out. It can't be. Her Kurt can't be gone. They still had a lifetime in front of them. She can't believe that this is happening.
     "They found this gripped tightly in his hands," her mother said, holding forward
a small burnt box. Sandra sniffled as she took the box and opened it. She couldnt believe her eyes, because lying in the box was the most beautiful sapphire ring.
Her birthstone. Inside the ring was carved 'Sandy and Kurty Forever'. Sandra gasped and new round of tears pored down her cheeks.
     She felt devastated, because he had wanted to propose to her and it had caused his life, and all she did was get angry with him. From that moment she had felt that her life has ended as a huge part of her soul had died together with Kurt.

Sitting at the pier, Sandra looked at the ring on her finger. She wears the ring, the blue sapphire ring to remind herself of the man she would love for the rest of her life. Although he was no more, his memories shall forever remain in her heart.