A Misfit

The Shrink from Hell

Point of View:

Tyler Baile

I walked slowly from the studio wincing as I went. “You okay Ty?” Caroline asked me as she walked with me. 

“Yeah it’s just my calves’ burn from the new routines. Ellen is seriously pushing us.” I said as I bent down to rub my left calf.  

“Yes, but she has our best interest.” She said as she dug in her purse.  

“Yes but she doesn’t have my feet in them,” I joked with her. She started laughing as I stood up. 

“Here this might help, it’s an herbal cream. It relaxes your muscles at night it helped me all of last year with her.” Caroline handed me a tube of lotion.  

“Thanks I got to go Mr. Thyro wants to see me for some unknown reason.”  

“Hey I wouldn’t complain he is completely dreamy,” Caroline said as she twirled a piece of her hair.  

“That’s true but he has a terrible temper, but that’s common in werewolves. See you later,” I said waving to her as we parted ways. I sighed as I made my way to the courtyard. I was surprisingly disappointed when I didn’t see Justin in the courtyard. I sat down by the fountain and pulled out my phone and checked the time.  

“It’s 3:15 I’ll give him until 3:25,” I said to myself.  

“You wouldn’t be talking about me?” Donavan said, in his usually twang, walking up to me. 

“No I am not,” I said with a small smile. 

“Hey you got a moment to talk?” He asked me as he sat next to me. 

“I’ve got time.” 

“Yesterday afternoon did you notice anything out of the ordinary?” 

“Like what?” I asked curiously. 

“I don’t know just asking,” He said sounding down yet relieved. His head twitched to the right slightly and he rolled his eyes. “I gotta go I’ll talk to you later okay?”  

“Totally see you later.” I said as he got up and left. When I was back all to my-lonesome-self I leaned back and rested on the fountain. I closed my eyes and let my mind take me away. It didn’t take long for that to happen. I was on the ground struggling for air and I could smell something burning.  

“Tyler are you alright? Do you understand what I am saying?” Evelyn asked as her face flashed in my mind. I tried to respond but instead a gurgling sound came out with the taste of blood.  

“Clayton I need help!” She screamed as she put a large amount of pressure on my chest. I jerked in pain and tried to tell her no but the words were lost in the gushes of blood that seemed to erupt out of me with every passing second. “Clayton we’re losing him! My spells aren’t working!”  

“I’m coming!” Clayton sounded a thousand miles away and things slowed down greatly. Then just as time slowed all the sound in the world became quieter and muffled. “Tyler?” Clayton asked me as I blinked slowly, “no I’m not losing you again!”  

“What’s going on?” Anastasia’s voice asked. 

“How could you do this to him? He is just a boy!” Clayton cried out in sorrow. 

“Tyler are you having another vision?” Justin asked as I opened my.  

“Ahh!” I gasped as I jumped back and hit my head on the marble fountain. “I’m clearly not,” I said rubbing the back of my now bruise head.  

“What was it about what happened?”  

“Nothing more just the same one again. You know fire and everything.” 

“There is something you are not telling me, let’s go have a talk with Dr. Andrews.” He said reaching for my hand. I stood up and back away from him. “You are going to come with me,” He demanded. 

“And I will but I am not a child! I am a seventeen year old teenager. I’ve practically been on my own for nine months I can handle walking to the damn shrink!” I yelled. Mr. Thyro took a step back with a look of hurt. “I’m sorry for yelling Professor it’s just everyone tries to coddle me as if I am going to shatter at any given moment. I get from Ian, the headmistress, Anastasia, Clayton, Evelyn, and heck even Donavan. I don’t need it from you too, though the gesture is nice.” He smiled at that.  

“You about finished with the independent speech?” He asked with a smirk. I rolled my eyes and nodded and he followed me as I made my way over to my shrink. The professor and I walked up to the office of Dr. Andrews. Once there Dr. Andrews scared the beejezus out of me when he swung the door open as I was about to knock.  

“Bout time you showed up for your appointment,” He said with a scowl.  

“Sorry I had plans,” I said pointing my thumb back at Professor Thyro.  

“Ah very well, come right on in you two so we can be done with this and head to supper.” He said ushering us both into the small office. “So, may I ask why you are accompanying Mr. Baile to my room Justin?” Dr. Andrews asked. I smirk at the fact he used professor Thyro’s name.  

“I was going to question him on a reoccurring vision that he has had since last night.” He said as he took a seat.  

“Isn’t that interesting? A hybrid that can have visions haven’t had one of those since Albert Einstein. Wonderful man though he went insane to his very end, it’s very tragic but he was a great man nonetheless.” 

“Can we quit the small talk and get on with this thing so I can do my history?” I asked as I laid out on the couch.  

“Very well do you want to discuss the vision?” He asked me. 

“No.” 

“Your anger?”  

“No.”  

“Your attitude?” 

“No.” 

“Perhaps your parents?”  

“…” I opened my mouth to said go to H E double hockey sticks but nothing came out. I went rigid and I felt cold and clammy on the inside.  

“It appears I struck a nerve.” Dr. Andrews said calmly. “Well no matter. What would you like to talk about?”  

“Nothing. I am going here because I was told to or it was my life in exchange.” I said as I felt rage chase away the cold clamminess.  

“We have to talk about something.”  

“Look doctor, I appreciate this you wanting me to be softer and nicer toward people but I like myself this way.” 

“But did you in the beginning?” he paused to see my reaction, “when you went on the run?” 

“I don’t know,” I said as tears stung my eyes, “I didn’t know who I am, was, or how I should be. I learned to like myself this way. If that’s all then I believe it is time for supper.” I said standing up sharply.  

“Yes yes of course but first look at this lovely watch. Look at the color of it, look at how it shines, and look how it spins slowly. Now watch it sways back and forth. See how the light changes the watch?” Dr. Andrews said. I sat down as I watched the watch move and dance in the light. As I stared more intently on the watch I felt myself slowly slipping into the dark. “Are you watching the watch?” he asked me. 

“Yes, but I am feeling tired.” 

“That is quite alright Tyler, go with it. Take a nap before suppertime.” Dr. Andrews said as his voice drifted off. My eye lids disobeyed my commands to stay open as I looked to the watch. I could feel myself falling back onto the couch but I just felt as I just passed through it and kept falling. “Wow this is amazing!” I said as I opened my eyes. I was free falling from the moon down to earth.  

“Tyler can you hear me?” Dr. Andrews’s voice drifted into my mind. 

“Yes,” I whispered. As I fell I looked for the doctor but saw nothing but the ground coming closer.  

“May I ask you some questions?” 

“I guess just ask the ones I can answer.” I left my brain to do the words as I focus in on the ground that came rushing faster and faster. 

“Who are you?”  

“Tyler Baile.” 

“Who is you mother? 

“Wrong question Doctor.” I wonder where I am landing. 

“Where am I, Dr. Andrews?”  

“You are in my office it is a safe environment.”  

“Tyler, what happened in Paris?”  

“My first encounter with Death.”  

“Do you care to elaborate?”  

“A woman who was once my mother, now a stranger, shot in front of me. She,” My voice cracked, “died protecting me. I was the assassin’s target, which was made clear from his choke hold and many attempts of strangulation. Thanks to Anastasia, she saved me from him. There was another death that happened near me. He was a great man and father, but now a forgotten stranger. I was in the alleyway when the second assassin slashed his throat.” “What are you saying? How do I know this?” I cried out as I crashed into the center of a town square in New England area. “What were their names?” 

“Do you know that or, is that what people tell you?”  

“No I know that is the truth but he doesn’t know that?” 

“Who is he?”  

“My witch version?”  

“Well what version of Tyler are you?”  

“The unknown.” “There are two versions of me?” “Dr. Andrews I have a question of my own?” “What is going on here!!!!?” I screamed as I beat the ground. “Someone help me damn it!” I cursed as I set a nearby tree on fire. “ 

WITCH!”  

“Huh,” I asked puzzled as I turned around. I saw a woman dressed in a very very old timey fashioned puritan dress. 

“Yes what is your question?”  

“What happens when one under goes hypnosis? I mean I’m here but where did my witch go?”  

“That depends on the person. Why?” 

“The witch is being burned at the stake.”  

“What are you talking about?”  

“The witch is in Salem and being brought to the town square to be burned and made an example of in twenty…nineteen…” “You have it all wrong I’m a good witch. I don’t curse people. I don’t even know how to. I never hurt anything or anyone!” I pleaded with the ground as they tied me to the mass. 

“You set a tree on fire, what’s to say that thou won’t do it us?” 

“That is a complete misunderstanding!” I said louder as they added bundles of wood and hay to the mass. 

“Enough Satan’s servant!” yelled a man with a torch. 

“Tyler listen to me carefully you need to wake up.”  

“Sorry doc but there is a question that needs to be asked and answered, nine…eight…seven.”  

“Tyler can you place the witch into a safer environment such as the school grounds.” 

“It can be done…” “Please sir servant of God, please don’t kill me. I am an innocent please don’t sear my flesh with the hellish flames set by you.” I pleaded as he came closer. 

“Too late demonic child of Satan. This is the payment you deserve for betraying the holy lord.” He yelled as he tossed the torch into the flames. The hay caught fire in seconds and soared high consuming not only the sticks and wood but my clothes and me.  

“AHH!”  

“AHH!” I screamed as my body jerked and thrashed.  

“Tyler get out of there!”  

“Oh god the pain,” I cried.  

“Oh god the pain!” 

“Hold him down before he hurts himself!” Dr. Andrews ordered Justin. Justin leapt from his seat and cradled me in his arms and rocked me back and forth. 

“Shh it’s just a bad dream. I’m here Tyler.” Justin whispered. 

“JUSTIN!” I cried out as I heard his voice. 

“That’s good he isn’t screaming anymore,” Dr. Andrews said. 

“Justin,” I whispered as the flames died out.  

“He’s controlling the flames everyone run!”  

“JUSTIN!” I cried out as lightning struck me.  

“Ah,” I winced. 

“Tyler where are you?”  

“I don’t know but the flames are gone. I’m on a cloud. I’m safe.” 

“Tyler I am going to ask you one more question and please be honest.”  

“Mhmm.” 

“What was the vision about?” 

“Which one?” 

“The one from last night and today,” Justin asked as he rocked me again.  

“I’m not supposed to tell. It gives off the wrong message.” 

“What message?” Dr. Andrews asked. 

“If I tell you’ll try and stop it from happening. It needs to happen for the freedom of the magical world.”  

“Fine don’t give us all the details but can you...” 

“No I can’t say anything about it but I can relive it.” 

“Doctor isn’t it painful to relive visions?” Mr. Thyro asked.  

“Terribly.” I replied 

“Tyler do not relive it,” Mr. Thyro said. 

“No we need him to, and then we can find out why he lied to you.” 

 “’Someone please tell me this is not why we are trucking through the forest at night,’ I said as he pointed to the insignificant object. 

 ‘I believe it is,’ Evelyn said as she bent over trying to look at it.  

‘Why can’t I see it?’  Clayton asked. 

 ‘Don’t know but you know what to do right?’ Anastasia asked him.  

‘Of course I’ve been going over the spell like all week.’ 

 ‘Good,’ I said, ‘Clayton give me your hands. I’ll be your eyes.’ I grabbed his hands and placed them on the shaft and smiled as he gripped it hard.  

‘Now,’ I said as my hands were off of his, ‘snap it.’ Clayton jerked it to the right and a black vaporized mist seeped out and came for me and Evelyn.  

‘Clayton start the spell,’ Evelyn cried out as Anastasia used a lighter and a can of hairspray to fend off the mist.  

‘Anastasia!’ I cried out as it consumed her. ‘Clayton hurry up for Pete’s sake!’  

‘You guys run okay! I’ll be fine I’m gonna save us just draw it away.’ Evelyn and I turn on our heels and run like hell for our lives until we heard Clayton cry out in pain.  

‘I have to go back,’ I said as I turned around. 

‘Tyler wait up.’ I heard my heart pumping and I felt the wind against my face as I ran to defend him.  

‘Stay away for him or so help me god!’ I cried out as I drew my wand on the horrid creature. ‘Clayton continue the spell I’ll handle this.’  

“Tyler, what are you seeing? What is the spell? What is Clayton breaking?” 

“Can’t tell you that Doctor you just have to listen to what I allow you to know.” I couldn’t breathe, I’m being choked. I can feel small dainty hands choking me as I helplessly kicked at my attacker. “Enough!” I heard Evelyn scream as she grabbed the attacker and threw her to the ground.  

“Ty you okay?” I heard Clayton yell from off in the distance.  

“Yes she’s possessed! Clayton you have to destroy it is the only way to save us before it…” my words were cut off by a sword popping out of the center of my own chest. Everyone cried out. I was on the ground struggling for air and I could smell something burning.  

“Tyler are you alright? Do you understand what I am saying?” Evelyn asked as her face flashed in my mind. I tried to respond but instead a gurgling sound came out with the taste of blood. “Clayton I need help!” She screamed as she put a large amount of pressure on my chest. I jerked in pain and tried to tell her no but the words were lost in the gushes of blood that seemed to erupt out of me with every passing second. “Clayton we’re losing him! My spells aren’t working!”  

“I’m coming!” Clayton sounded a thousand miles away and things slowed down greatly. Then just as time slowed all the sound in the world became quieter and muffled. “Tyler?” Clayton asked me as I blinked slowly, “no I’m not losing you again!”  

“What’s going on?” Anastasia’s voice asked. 

“How could you do this to him? He is just a boy!” Clayton cried out in sorrow. 

“Is that it?” Dr. Andrews asked me.  

“Yes.” 

“Okay not Tyler when I count to three I want you to wake up and forget everything you just told me. Ready? One two three.” I inhaled deeply and opened my eyes.  

“Why are you holding me?” I asked Mr. Thyro. 

“Oh you were thrashing through the exercise. Justin was simply holding you down,” Dr. Andrews said as he wrote some notes down.  

“Thank you but I…” I cried out as I felt nails scrape down my forearms, legs and stomach.  

“Dr. Andrews what is going on with him?” Mr. Thyro asked him.  

“This is the price of reliving visions.” He said as he watched the blood gush out of the wounds.  

“What did you do to me?” I cried out in pain.  

“Tyler calm down okay the doctor will heal you okay.” 

“No magic only fuels the blood and pain,” I sobbed as I clenched to Mr. Thyro. 

“No student magic does that,” Dr. Andrews said as he placed his wand on Tyler’s chest. “Illcrah.” I winced from the heat of the wand but I stopped once I saw the blood flow back into my wounds.  

“This will never happen again you understand,” I thought Mr. Thyro said to me but he was actually talking to Dr. Andrews.  

“I understand your concern for the boy but you are not his therapist but you need to understand I am doing this for him.” 

“So every time he comes here to you I should expect him to be in pain whether it be physical and mentally?” He asked him. Dr. Andrews stood up, walked to the door and opened the door.  

“I’ll see you next week Tyler. Nice to see you again Justin, stay back and we can continue the conversation.” I slowly climbed out of Mr. Thyro’s arms and walked out of the room. Dr. Andrews closed the door and I debated walking to dinner or waiting for the professor.