The Wolf Within

Chapter 3

When I regained consciousness, it took me a minute to figure out where I was. I opened my eyes and was immediately blinded by fluorescent lights. When my eyes adjusted I realized I was in a hospital bed. I looked around the room and saw my Mother napping on the couch. I didn't see my Dad. He must have stepped out. Lacey was sitting in a chair looking at the floor. I was puzzled when I saw a tear roll down her cheek. 

"Lacey" I croaked. Her face immediately shot up. She looked upset. Was she worried about me? What happened?

"Carrie!" She stammered. " I…. I'm so sorry." She said as she burst into sobs. I wanted to comfort her but at that moment I realized I couldn't move my hands. My arms and feet were in restraints. 

"What's going on!?" I yelled, starting to panic. 

"What happened? Why am I in restraints? Mom!!" I was losing it at that point. I was terrified. When my Mom heard me cry out for her she woke up and looked at me and rushed out of the room. She didn't even say a word to me. 

"Mom!" I screamed. "Help me! Take these off!" Lacey sat down as her sobbing continued. 

"I'm so sorry Carrie." She kept whispering through her sobs. Sorry for what, I thought, but was too panicked to even voice the question. Then my Mom came rushing back into the room with a Doctor. 

"See! She's awake!" She said as if the Doctor hadn't believed her. 

The Doctor looked at me first with shock then his face changed. I wasn't sure what his expression meant at that time. Now I realize it was pity. He knew what was about to happen. He went about examining me. Asking me to look this way and that while he checked my vitals and such. 

"Please take these off!" I pleaded, referring to the restraints. 

"I'm sorry Miss Phillips. I can't. Not until you've been evaluated." 

" Evaluated!? By who?" I was nearly shouting. "What happened!? Someone tell me something!" I could feel my eyes starting to tear up. Lacey rushed out of the room, still crying. My Mom looked uncomfortable but came to stand beside me. 

"Calm down Caroline. Honey, do you remember what happened yesterday?" She asked, taking my captive hand in hers. 

"Yesterday? I've been out for an entire day?" I asked. 

She nodded. "Do you remember what happened?" She persisted. 

I furrowed my brow, willing myself to remember. 

"I remember being in the lunch room with Lacey. Malorie was being nasty, as usual. She poured milk all over Lacey. Mom, it was horrible!!" I said. She nodded. Her eyes started to well up. 

"Do you remember what happened after that?" She asked. 

"No. Did I pass out or something? I remember being there and next thing I knew I was waking up here." I was so confused. 

My Mom looked clearly uncomfortable and didn't seem to want to say more. 

"No, honey. You didn't pass out. You attacked Malorie." Tears were running down her face now. 

"No. I wouldn't. Come on Mom! You know me! I wouldn't do something like that!" 

"There were witnesses, Carrie. A lot of them. The entire cafeteria saw it. You attacked her. Teachers saw what was happening and stepped in before you did any serious damage but they said you were in a rage. You were calling Malorie names. Threatening her. Telling her you would rip her throat out. It took four teachers to hold you down." She turned away. I could see the shame on her face. 

"No. This has to be some kind of sick joke. Mom! You can't believe this. I don't remember doing any of that! Mom!" I cried. My Mom stood up, turning her back to me. I watched her back shake as she started to sob. Then another Doctor walked in. 

"Hi Caroline." He greeted me. "I am Dr. Morgan. I need to ask you a few questions."

"Ok.." I said hesitantly. 

" Do you remember anything about the attack yesterday?" He asked. 

"No. I didn't do this! Please! What is going on?" I couldn't believe this. I hated Malorie, sure, but I could never attack someone like this. This was absurd. 

"I'm sorry to say Caroline that you did indeed attack that girl. Thankfully there wasn't any serious damage. Now, have you been hearing voices Caroline? Please be honest."

The color drained from my face. Why was he asking me this? How did he….Lacey. This is what she was apologizing for. She had told them about the voice. 

"I need you to answer Caroline." He persisted. 

I looked at him and my eyes narrowed. "I am not crazy. " I said.

"That's not an answer Caroline. Have you been hearing voices?"

" It's not voices. It's just one voice" I blurted, instantly regretting it. My Mother gasped. The Doctor started to take notes. 

"What did the voice say? When did you first hear it?" He asked. 

I hung my head nervous to say more.  

"I only heard it the last few days. Only when I was…..upset." 

"What did it say?" He insisted. 

"It… it…. Look. I…" Oh God. This was bad. How could I tell him what it said? This was so bad. Why was this happening?? 

"Was the voice encouraging you to violence?" He asked. I threw my head back realizing how screwed I was. Lacey had clearly told them everything. They just wanted me to confirm it. This was so bad. 

A tear slipped down my cheek as I nodded to the Doctor, unable to say the words. 

"Ok." He said. "Thank you Caroline" He stepped away and went to my Mother and asked her to talk outside of the room. 

They went out into the hallway but I could still hear a word here or there. I heard the word "disturbed". I heard "possible schizophrenia" and I heard my Mother start to sob as I heard the word "committed". No way! They couldn't. She couldn't let them. My Mom came back in the room still crying. 

"Mom. No! Please No?! Please Mom! I'm not crazy. Don't let them do this, Mommy! Please! I cried. 

"Carrie honey, it's for the best. The Doctor says you need help honey. The Andrews also agreed not to press charges as long as you are treated.This is what needs to happen. "

"No!!" I screamed. And heard the voice again "They aren't taking us without a fight" it said. 

"Caroline, please" my Mom pleaded.

"No. I won't let you do this!" I screamed. I started pulling at my restraints. 

"Caroline! Stop!" My mother shouted. 

I felt my arms grow stronger and a power seemed to flow through me as I pulled again and was able to get my right arm free. Just then the Dr. rushed in, having heard the commotion. Before I could free my other arm I was being held down by the Dr and nurses. They injected me with something and suddenly everything went black.