Weapons

Chapter 9: 1915 part 1

2 YEARS LATER

It's been just over 2 years since we've been at “the hospital.” Don turned 10 years old 5 days ago. Miss. Katherine brought me and Don a cupcake for his birthday. We've grown close to her over these past couple of years. She's become more of a mother to us than anything.

She's been the most caring of our feelings than anyone else here. Likewise, she should be here shortly to deliver dinner. Don and I have given up. We feel alone. All we have is each other. Miss. Katherine has been there for us, although, she's still one of them.

I want to believe there's someone looking out for us…someone who can save us. I know there isn't, the only people that can save us are ourselves. So much has happened to me and Don. We've grown numb to the emotional and mental torment “the hospital” has put us through. I'm not sure what season it is.

I only know how long we've been here because I've been keeping track of the days in a small journal I have. “What do you suppose Dr. Morbien has planned for us this evening” Don asks from his bed? “I'm uncertain, he gave us these odd gowns to wear. He told us not to change into our pjs after dinner, so maybe he's going to take us somewhere,” I reply. Don and I hear a knock on the door and Miss. Katherine pushes the chow cart in.

“Good evening Miss. Katherine, what's for supper?” Don asks her. “Good evening Mr. Don, tonight we have spaghetti squash with a marinara sauce and Italian sausage,” she answers. “Good evening Miss. Willow,” she says while setting the dishes on the dinner table. “Wonderful evening,” I respond. “You wouldn't know where Dr. Morbien intends to take us after dinner tonight, do you,” Don asks her.

“I have heard nothing of it,” she counters. I help Miss. Katherine set the table and move the food from the cart. Dr. Isaac walks through the open doorway. “Good evening children, I'm here to inform you that after you both finish your supper, you will be required to put on the gowns you were given yesterday. Dr. Morbien will be here in the next 30 minutes to escort you,” Dr. Isaac says just before he exits the room.

“That was a brief encounter,” I say to Don and Miss. Katherine. “I agree that was odd,” Miss. Katherine responds. “Maybe this time will be better than the other times we've left the room” Don says. “For both your sakes, I hope so.” Don and I sit at the table and serve spaghetti squash on each of our plates.

The noodles have an odd texture and color. They're more yellow than white and not as soft as wheat noodles. “Have a wonderful rest of your evening,” Miss. Katherine says, as she pushes her cart toward the doorway. I take the serving spoon sitting next to the medium-sized red pot, dip into the thick red sauce, and serve it over the noodles. The sauce already has the sausage mixed in with it.

We've got used to the way “the hospital” makes their spaghetti. At home, mother used to make everything separated. Mother would separate the meat balls from the sauce. Miss. Katherine exits the room just as Don starts to eat his meal. “Where do you think they may take us after dinner” I ask Don?

“It's probably just another session with Dr. Lancaster,” Don answers. I begin eating my dinner. The spaghetti squash tastes just like pasta noodles. Spaghetti was one of my favorite meals before we left home. I shouldn't reminisce about the past.

Our life in Tennessee is gone. It's never coming back. Is it wrong for me to wish we would've stayed? Don and I wished to leave and go somewhere far away, although the circumstances of our situation were not our desire. Don finishes his dinner and stands from the table. “I'm going to change into the gown Dr. Morbien gave,” he says as walks toward his dresser.

Don and I had set our garments on each dresser so we would be prepared for this evening. The garments are identical. They are both white with small blue polka-dot all over. They also have blue trim around and bottom, armholes, and neck hole. Likewise, they look like night gowns, just with different material. I quickly finish my dinner. I didn't realize how much time had already gone by.

Don has made his way to the loo to change. I walk over to my dresser to get my hospital gown. The material isn't very soft, it feels itchy. I gaze at the black lace around the bottom of the chin length gown. The attire is black with short puff sleeves and 2 long ribbons that tie in the rear.

I untie my bow in the back and take off my dress. While putting on my hospital gown, I look at the black dress I was previously wearing. It appears to be an attire someone would wear to a funeral or a social gathering. It made me feel like royalty. Dark colors aren't very accessible for dresses, but that's why I love it.

Though the color isn't popular, it doesn't make the dress any less beautiful. Some of the most beautiful things you'll find in this world are the least understood. I've been trying to stay positive since arriving at “the hospital.” As each day goes by, it gets harder. Don has always been more optimistic than I am.

Lately, I've noticed, Don has been feeling more pessimistic than anything. I can understand why, given all we've been through…all he's been through. I slip into the hospital garment. The consistency is firm and itchy. The gown's texture resembles a table cover or curtains.

What an odd choice of material to use for this attire? Don walks out of the loo in his gown. “Dr. Morbien should be here shortly” he says as walks over to his bed. “I know, I just finished getting ready,” I reply. “I'm not too sure how I feel about this, although it's not as if we have a choice in the matter,” he responds.

“No matter what, no matter where, no matter when, no matter who we encounter, we always stick together,” I say with optimism. “Always” Don replies. I fold my black dress up and set it at the end of my bed. “It's going to be okay; at least we still have each other,” I say. “I suppose you're right.”

We hear a knock on the door and Dr. Morbien walks in. There are 3 other men in white uniforms accompanying him. “Good evening children, I see you're both ready,” Dr. Morbien says as he motions me and Don up. “These men are here to escort the both of you,” he continues. Don and I stand up and move toward the doorway.

Two of the men have short blonde hair and blue eyes. The other man has short black hair and is dark in skin color. All the men have to be at least 5 feet and 6 inches tall. They're all wearing identical white uniforms. Dr. Morbien's long brown hair is tied in a low ponytail, normally he has his hair down.

He motions me and Don out of the room to follow 2 of the men down the corridor. The other gentlemen trails behind with Dr. Morbien. I grab Don's hand as we follow the 2 men down the hall. I'm not sure what's happening. Not only that, but I have so many questions that I don't ask because I know they will not be answered.

Likewise, I glance at Don with the hospital gown flowing behind him. I wonder what he's thinking. He seems confused and sad as well. He's given up, just as I have. We get to the end of hall and make a right down another long hall.

What an incredibly large building? It seems it could be easy to get lost in here. With Dr. Morbien and the other gentlemen following behind us, my mind begins to ask more questions. We've never had to have escorts before. Are they going to kill us? Is this when it finally happens?

I want to cry; I'm so scared. I might feel differently if they answered our questions and were more understanding. The 2 men in front of us stop in front of gray double doors and scan their key card. The 6 of us walk through the double doors and approach another set of gray doors. Dr. Morbien walks to the front of us and scans his key card.

He directs Don and me through the doors as the other men remain outside. We stand inside a spacious metal room. Two metal tables with seemingly brown belts attached stand in the middle of the room. Two small silver carts with strange objects rest beside each table. “Good evening, children,” a familiar voice calls from our right.