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Mountain View Hospital

Mountain View Hospital

THEY PUT ME IN MOUNTAIN View six years ago. They said I was crazy. But I could see things no one else could. I sat in a padded room with dingy gray walls. I acquired one black crayon that I used to draw symbols on the walls. Protection symbols. But after six years, the black of the crayon has grown dull. In some places, it blends away into the wall and disappears.

Every night for six months the same thing happened. I heard it lurking. A low purring sound, like a large cat, came from outside my door. It stopped by my door and smelled the crack at the bottom with long, sucking sniffs. The sound of it made my stomach turn. I pushed myself into the corner. My toes curled involuntarily. I trembled. I heard a faint scratching that sent my flesh tingling and my heart pounding.

The doors to the rooms along the hallway all have a barred window near the top, almost too high up to see through. A dark shadow appeared in the window. Red eyes glared at me. A twisted mouth with sharp teeth and long fangs opened and a low, long rattle issued from within.

I turned my head away and wrapped my arms around my body. I prayed for it to go away. I squeezed my eyes shut tight and tried to melt into the wall.

The doorknob jiggled, and I jerked my head to look.

“No!” I cried. I jumped to my feet and grabbed the doorknob, keeping it in place. The doors were supposed to be locked. They were supposed to keep us safe in here. It twisted beneath my hand, and I squeezed harder. It dug into my flesh. The beast outside looked suddenly to the right and fled.

I swallowed hard, my hand gripping the doorknob. I pulled it away and flexed my stiff fingers. I took a deep breath and tried the knob. It was unlocked. I backed away a few steps. It was supposed to be locked. I was supposed to be safe here. Tears burned in my eyes and nose. My breathing quickened. I felt panicked. My knees shook, threatening to buckle. I had to get out. This place was no longer safe for me. I ran to the door and tried to look out the window. On my tiptoes, I could just see over the bottom edge.

The black form appeared suddenly in the window, knocking me on my back. I scooted into the corner as the doorknob slowly turned and the door creaked open. I gasped for air. My face felt hot, blackness threatened my vision. The dark shape loomed closer, rattling and sniffing. The red eyes glowed. The fangs dripped saliva that singed the floor.

I screamed for help, knowing no one would come. No one else could see them. Only I could see them. My scream was mingled with the cries of the other patients as the beast ripped into my flesh.