The Creature

Chapter Four: The Patient

A few weeks had passed since I first started working at the institute. Every since I started working there, I had tried to keep a professional relationship with Jamie. Sometimes his sarcastic comments would slide their way into our talks but for the most part, he seemed to be genuinely concerned for me. Of course I wasn't going to open up to him though. He was a patient, and he could try to use whatever information he got from to his advantage and I refused to relent.

Today, I had been informed when I walked in that I would be working till closing though. Which means that for the most part, I would be here from 9am to 9pm. Visiting hours would have been over by that point and then I'd have to do some final rounds before I could go home. I honestly wished I could get the overnight shifts as that would mean most of the patients were asleep and I wouldn't have to deal with the gawking eyes at me. But it's fine. I could get through this today. They took a chance on hiring me and I would do whatever I had to do to keep this job.

I made my rounds, as per usual and then came to Sector F where Jamie had been awaiting me. " Yes I'm safe and fine" he answered before I could even ask. I'm guessing he had heard my foot steps. " Why is it that you have to be such an ass? " I snapped at him.

" I'm sorry.." he apologized which I was not expecting. " Um..well..thank you? " I responded, slightly concerned that he would give in so easily.

" Are you sure you are okay? " I asked. Technically it was my job to ensure he was safe and happy and if he wasn't, then I needed to continue the conversation.

" Don't worry about it. I'm not going to do something stupid. I'm just apologizing. You seem like you've been through a lot and I haven't been making your job any easier" Jamie explained through the door.

I almost felt bad. I mean he was definitely an ass but he didn't need to feel bad about making my job more difficult. It was to be expected with this line of work.

" Its fine..don't worry about it " I said, I didn't want to say much more with it because I knew I wasn't suppose to be talking to him for longer than needed.

" If you need anything. Feel free to buzz me " I responded. Each room had a buzzer, which was used to contact the employee's. Each room had one. " Sure " he answered, to which I smiled slightly and walked away. I knew he wouldn't buzz me though. Out of all the patients here, he never buzzed me. He never really seemed to talk to anyone, even getting as much as I did out of was impressive to my fellow workers. It seemed like he preferred to keep to himself. Or maybe he just felt like there was no point in making friends when he was locked behind the door. It was a sad life. But then again, I don't exactly live a super social life either. Most of my life had been school, and spending time with my parents. Well that was before Dennis. And then everything became about him.

I went through pretty much the entire shift without any trouble whatsoever. Everything seemed to go over really smooth, And every time I had to pass by Jamie's section, he didn't really have anything else to say. If only came down to my finall rounds of the night, and I had been thinking of the right thing to say to him. I knew I needed to say something.

I approached his door, and knocked on it softly.

" Yeah? " Jamie answered the knock, as I turned and sat down, leaning my back against the door.

" I know..I've been working here a few weeks. And I know that we haven't always gotten along. But I want you to know, for what it's worth, I wouldn't have locked you behind that door. Maaaaaaybe behind a door..but not that one " I said, I was tired but I did need to get this out. It made me uncomfortable to know that he wasn't being treated like everyone else. It didn't matter what he did, it didn't exactly seem fair.

" Well. Thanks" he answered. Of course he didn't have much to say to me. It sucked but I understood it on some level. I didn't have alot of friends and the few that I did have, I lost when me and Dennis got together. They all said they couldn't watch me be with him and just left. Even if they were concerned, they shouldn't have left me.

" So. Why were you upset before? " he asked, changing the topic to something that happened weeks ago. " It...was...I lost someone I cared about" that's really all I could say. Dennis hadn't talked to me in weeks and I had Noone else I could talk to about these things. My parents were happy that I was away from him but they also were never going to understand the pain that came with losing him.

" I'm sorry to hear that.." Jamie answered.

" Yeah. It is what it is I guess. Now I've got a question" I had been wondering this for weeks now. " How are you so well spoken? Haven't you been trapped in here for like 15 years or something like that? " there was a silence for a solid minute or so before he spoke again.

" I read. Every so often I get the chance to read and it kind of helps" he confessed.

" What do you like to read? " I asked, enjoying his company even if it was against protocol.

" Mainly the dictionary" he answered which made me laugh. " The Dictionary? Have you read an actual book? " I almost couldn't believe it. I pictured some brooding man reading out definitions aloud and laughed.

" No" he answered, and that made my heart sad a little.

" Well..I'm sorry. Books are really awesome. I don't really read that much anymore but..they are great. I'll see if I can get you some books or something " I felt like of I talked to Ms.Phillips, I could get her to see reason.

" They won't let me have them. Trust me. A danger to the staff " he explained which made no sense.

" You'd be a danger because of reading? That is ridiculous " I mean sure, knowledge is power but he was still limited by being trapped behind the door.

" I'm gonna talk to my boss and see what I can do. You deserve to be able to read books just like the rest of us. No matter what you did" and I really do believe that. I mean if they aren't going to let him do anything else, the least they could do is give him that.

" You are...kind. But if they find out you are looking to give me things, they will fire you. And not to mention, you don't owe me anything. It would not be risking your job over. Just let it go. I'm fine with what I have " He answers.

" Yeah well..its my job so I'll risk it if I want too" I didn't actually believe I'd lose my job over this. I mean it's just freaking books. There is no way they are going to freak out that much just over some damn books.