Just like that, faster than I humanely thought possible, I was back. The metal around my wrists stung my exposed skin, rubbing against the bandage from my wound. Ernie was the first to greet me when I was ushered over by the police, he looked less than amused (which I prepared for), but something in him almost looked relieved to see me come back alive.

He politely asked the police to unlock my handcuffs, and ushered me over, but didn’t grip my bicep like I imagined he would. He thanked the officers and told them he would handle it from here on out. He asked me to follow him, saying he knew I would have to be stripped down and go through the intake evaluation again. Instead of pushing me into an elevator to that floor, we ended up in the cafeteria, where he bought me a cup of coffee.

“I know, Jade,” he said calmly after I took the first sip, my hands shaking with anxiety. I raised my eyebrows trying to fathom what he knew, but I figured everything I had ever kept secret to myself at the ward had been spilled. Adrian probably spilled about out pill passing and casual sex in the midst of nurses changing shifts; knowing any information anyone had on me, or Genevieve, would get them a gold star—and a pass to anywhere in the facility. Knowing Adrian, he took that idea and ran with it.

“What happened to Genevieve?” I asked, avoiding his gesture.

“She came back on her own accord,” he answered,

I nearly spat my coffee out at him in disbelief.

“Her father’s estate, the one she was entitled too, with the remainder of his money, would not close to her, unless she was legally discharged from the hospital with a full treatment plan.” he whispered, almost like he had been wanting to tell me.

“She came back a day later,” he added, quietly.

She never changed—she went back because of money.

Ernie allowed me to finish my coffee in peace, he chatted about some things in his life, but I wasn’t listening all too well; things about his rebellious years. When he told me it was time to go back up to the floor, I took a deep breath and followed him.

Ushering me down the hallway was more painful than initially leaving my group of self proclaimed therapists. Snarls from people who shouldn't even be considered humans, crept around me, and in through my ears.

“Look who's back in town!”

“I knew she couldn’t stay away!”

“The monster only returns to feast!”

Genevieve was sitting at one of the idle tables, with one of the largest grins I had ever seen her sport, eyeing me stalking down the hall, with Ernie’s hand now gripping my bicep. I shrugged at her as I passed, feeling an overload of emotions. Ernie stopped about five feet short of the nurses station, and asked me to wait here, while he got some paperwork.

“I see you, just couldn't stay away,” Genevieve sneered from behind my back. At that point, I had lost all control.

I turned around and brought my tightly clenched fist up to meet her nose, cracking under the pressure and sending her spiraling backwards. I lunged onto her body, kicking, pulling her hair and punching.

“You nasty fucking cunt you never changed, I can’t believe you never changed. I never want to see your fucking face ever again. You hear me? I will kill you if you ever come near me again!” I kept screaming in her face, losing full control of my body and letting my emotions take over.

It took not only Ernie to pull me off, but another unnamed orderly who had yet to meet my full potential. Excess patients watched, astonished, thinking we were always the closest of friends.
I was pulled off of her, her face red, bloody, and mostly perplexed. She muttered something but I couldn't make out what she said, which, quite frankly was probably a good thing. The two nurses dragged me back to my dwelling, I was attempting to get free, the endorphins and adrenaline running through my veins still, but it was pointless. They tossed me into my room and closed the door, locking it from the outside; as if the beast was back in her cage.

I peered around my room, it was completely vacant of all of my belongings, even the bed was stripped of everything. I must’ve punched the wall almost a hundred times before my hand became too numb to continue, trying to match what I was feeling on the inside.

I heard the door unlock and I turned around to have Ernie looking at me.
“You’re being moved,” he said, almost like a drill sergeant.
“Where?” I squeaked out.
“A hospital that can provide better care for you, we no longer can provide treatment.” he said, firmly.
“Ernie,” I started. “This is my home,” I said quietly.
“Get that idea out of your head,” he said. “This place is the furthest thing from home you should feel; its New York State Psychiatric Institution, Jade, it’s the closest thing to hell for some people.” he added.
“But—“ I tried to protest.
“You’re not flourishing here, dear.” he said, calmly.
“Its not cabin fever?” I said, slyly. “Five minutes is enough to put anyone over down here, Ernie. Look at Genevieve, look at me,” I said.

“And Genevieve came back,” he mused with a smile. “Let’s go, kid, you’ve got a future ahead of you, and you don’t need this place anymore.” Ernie added.

Notes

Trigger warning: violence.

***Note: I apologize for being absent recently, I'm trying to update more frequently, but life/treatment is getting in the way. Wishing everyone all of the best.***