Psyche

"There weren't always dragons in the valley" muttered the voice in Psyche's head startling her awake . The bed she lays on is hard, the room is dark, and her arms hurt stretched out above her lank body. She tries to pull them over her chest but feels only restriction, moving her legs she feels the same. Fuzzy headed and confused she arches her neck, her eyes adjusting to he dark enough, to see, in shades of grey, the restraints that bind her before falling back to sleep.

The Doctor without emotion glances at the chart. "Has anyone spoken to her after she was admitted?" "no she's been out cold since the injection, we left her in the restraints. She was.." "Good, good "said the doctor dismissively, "please inform me when she's conscious" returning his attention to the woman's chart. Jane Doe-admitted June 4, 2001 approximately 25 years of age .5 ft 4 120 lbs..brown hair.. green eyes. Was found on the beach, naked in the water, screaming and pounding her fists at each oncoming wave. Has small cuts all about her body, presumed to be self inflicted. She was assumed to be foreign as she was speaking in a language the police didn't recognise..until after they had detained her through much kicking and biting, she said in perfect unaccented English "fuck you". After that she seemed confused and agitated, rocking and mumbling to herself. She refused to answer any of their questions and no identification was found on her person or in the backpack nearby. It did contain the following: 25 dollars, half a pack of cigarettes, leather pants, black tank top, an ornate dagger, a necklace, a journal, and a book of mythology and symbolism.

The psychiatrist brought her into a room to have a session "What is your name" her face is blank, but her eyes flashed with an almost frightening intelligence. "Psyche" she says softly, and then her eyes drifted into herself. He motions to her cuts, "Did you do this to yourself?

”No”

"who did”

"It was consensual ..that’s all you need to know"

"Do you see things, hear things that aren't there?"

"No, I see things that are there, you just can't see them yourself"

”Can you explain?'

"no" The white room of interrogation, will it ever end?

“Well..Psyche.. Do you want to hurt yourself or anyone else?”

“Of course not”

“I’m going to keep you one more night for observation. You seem pretty lucid to me but just to be safe”

" Can I not sign myself out? I don’t belong here."

“Well seeing as you were indecently exposed and resisted the police officers you’re a very lucky woman you landed here.

“Point taken”

The doctor stands and ushers her out the door. “You are in room 12 to the left bed B. I will see you tomorrow and if all goes well tonight I will discharge you in the afternoon” Psyche nods and ventures down the hall.

As she is about to walk in her room a torquoise short haired waif of a girl walks out nearly running into each other if psyche hand reached out her hands to steady the nervous girl. “Well hello” “ I guess we are Roomates” The girl smiles wide into Psyches eyes.

“The names Angie..nice to meet you… do you smoke cigarettes?”

" I do and my name is Psyche"

as they extend hands to make acquaintance Psyche notices the track marks all over Angies arms.. '

" Is that why you are here?”

"In a way " Angie lowers her eyes " I tried to kill myself because I couldn’t get off the shit. But it was a blessing in disguise.. today is 8 days clean and 2 days without being totally dope sick. By the way its time to smoke…lets go... We only get 10 minutes."

Psyche followed her new friend to the nurses station where they procured a couple cigs and then proceeded to follow her onto the patio with high grey stone walls surrounding it. There was a contraption on the wall in which they lit their cigs then Psyche took a look around her. Everyone was smoking and in conversation with others or with themselves except for one woman leaning against the back wall seemingly staring straight at psyche.Their eyes locked for a second . She wore ripped jeans had long blackhair. Psyche's gaze dropped first and the girl flicked her half smoked cig across the patio and dashed toward the entrance brushing Psyche's arm as she walked past her.

"Bad news" thought Psyche.. The girl looked back at her glaring.

"Mind what you think lady! you never know who’s gonna save your ass one day! After all there weren't always dragons in the valley." Then turned and went inside

Psyche was shocked..” Did she just…” she said audibly and looked at Angie. “ She just fucking read my mind” Angie kinda squeaked a little then muttered something undeciferable..both taking a long drag of their smoke and flicking them to the ground before wandering back inside.