Save Yourself, I'll Hold Them Back

"Wake up." The two words echo in my head. I see nothing but darkness, no sign of any light. "Wake up." The same two words were said but in a different voice. "Wake up." It seems that the voices in my head are wanting me to see the world, see reality. But why? I feel just fine in the dark. Why would I want to ruin this moment by opening my eye lids?
"Frank Iero." This wasn't in my head.
My eyes opened. I was staring up at a white ceiling. I looked over to my left side to find a man. He glanced at me, "You're awake. Good. My name is Dr. Laguna. I will be your doctor for a short period of time. You have a tight schedule so I assume we should start now."
I was staring at him, trying to adjust what was going on. I was really here. I swallowed, my eyes searched around the room. White walls. Nothing but white walls, a mirror, and the bed I'm in. I looked over back to Dr. Laguna, "I...I'm so confused...I was in my apartment just a few seconds ago and now..." My voice trailed off.
He sighed, "To you it was a few seconds, but to everyone else it was hours. Now, get up. I will be taking you to the changing room so you can pick up the appropriate attire."
I got off the bed, "Where's all my stuff?"
"Stuff? Oh no, Mr. Iero." He added, "We don't allow anything from the outside be allowed in such a fragile place with fragile people," he began to walk toward the door, "Are you coming? You want answers, I'll give them to you."
I stood there for a brief moment. My gut was telling me to follow him, the voices in my head was telling me to kill him, and Ray was no where to be seen. I walked close behind him. He said as we walked down the hallway, "After you have changed, you will be bunking with a roommate."
"Wait, the room I was just in wasn't my room?"
"Oh, heavens no. That room is only for people who were needled. You resisted, didn't you?"
I didn't reply.
He smirked, "Shocker."
Dr. Laguna turned to a room filled with folded white clothing with tagged numbers. He stopped in the middle of the room and asked, "What number are you?"
I gave a puzzled look, "What?"
Dr. Laguna sighed, "Everyone has an assigned number. Again, what number are you?"
"I don't recall anyone giving me a number."
666.
Dr. Laguna sighed as he grabbed my arm. I was about to punch him, but he rolled up my sleeve and revealed a number imprinted on my right wrist. #304. I stared at it, "When-what-" there were too many questions until I finally blurted, "Is this tattooed?"
Dr. Laguna almost smiled, "Yes." He then went through the numbers before snatching folded clothing labeled with a tag with my number. He handed me it, "Change. I'll be outside. I'm giving you three minutes before walking back in and taking you to your room."
The door shut behind him.
I did what he told me and changed into the white clothing. It's just my eyes couldn't leave my first tattoo. I stared at it for the longest time. I feel like I wasn't going to be treated as a normal human being but as a prisoner.
The door swung open. Dr. Laguna signaled me to come outside and follow him. I did. It wasn't long until he told me to stop. "Wait here." He said. He walked over to a man wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase. The two kept glancing toward my direction until they both walked toward me. I felt nervous, really nervous. The man with the briefcase smiled, "Hello."
I gave a one nod response.
He stuck out his hand toward me, "My name is Mr. Stump. But since we're going to be together for a while, why don't you call me Patrick?"
Hit him with his own briefcase.
I shook his hand, "Hi..."
Patrick replied, "I know you might feel uncomfortable at the moment, but I assure you, there's nothing to be scared of. This place is very well guarded, cozy, and who knows, you might make some friends." He smiled.
No ones that nice. You should find out what his game is.
I smiled back, "Thanks..."
Patrick said, "We'll be seeing each other soon. But for now, go on and get settled in." He shook my hand one last time before leaving the scene. Dr. Laguna signaled me to follow him once again, and again, I did. We turned a few corners before hitting a hallway with men and female wandering the halls. I inspected the clothing they were wearing-the same as mine. Dr. Laguna led the way and said, "This side of the building is for you, our clients. The side where you woke up from is the staff's side. Stay on your side." We turned a few more corners and walked down another hall before stopping in front of an open door. Dr. Laguna said, "Your roommate will show you the rest of the schedule. Have fun." He smiled before leaving.
Go inside. A voice said.
I walked in to find a man lying on the bottom bunk. He was a red head, reading a book...upside down. He glanced up at me, but paid more attention to his reading. He finally shut it and asked, "You're my new roommate?"
I scratched the back of my head, "New roommate? What happened to the old one?" I chuckled.
"He killed himself."
I looked up to red head. He showed no empathy which scared the living shit out of me. He was just smiling, looking at me. He said, "Watcha in for?" His voice was cheery, pleasant.
I replied resting my body against the wall, "I have schizophrenia...my mom said I needed care and sent me here."
"Oh you were enrolled by a family? Ouch. I was enrolled by a judge."
"Judge?"
"Yeah, you know, court." Red head looked toward the ground, "I killed my neighbor."
I feel like I'm going to throw up. As weird as it was, curiosity took over me. I asked, "Why?"
"She tried to rape me. You see, I went over to her house when he parents weren't home. I gave her brownies and her hand touched mine. It was self defense so I pushed her inside and beat her to death...people say I did that because of PTSD." He laughed, "They said I was sexually abused as a kid." He chuckled, "So I was sent here instead of prison...little did anyone know, this is prison." He grinned, "My name is Gerard. Gerard Arthur Way."

Notes