Don't Fall in Love

Doctor Quinzel

I was laying on the cold, hard, unforgiving cot. My eyes would drift to the cell across from mine.

He was still lying there. He hadn't moved. He hadn't opened his eyes.

I was a little worried. What had they done to him? I'm sure it must have been hours since they had brought him back like this, and no one had come to check on him.

Was this routine? Would I eventually go through something like this too?

I sighed as I looked up at the ceiling. What I'd give to go back out into the world, try to control my tendencies, urges. I would try. I just didn't like the uncertainty of this place.

I heard footsteps again and held my breath as I waited to see guards walking down the hall. I wonder if they'd check on him, if they wanted me,  if they wanted to simply walk down the hall to another destination

But no. They stood directly in front of my cell, ignoring him and focused on me. I could feel their eyes on me, so i sat up and stared as they proceeded to open the door.

"Alright sugarplum, let's go meet your doctor," one of them spoke, a female, as she handcuffed my wrists and pulled me out of my cell. Before I began to walk, I locked eyes with the green-haired man who had my attention and right before I could turn completely to walk away, I saw him stir.

Sighing a breath of relief, I turned my attention back to the hallway in front of me and walked with my guards.

There on the very same floor, right past the medical office, I saw doors side by side. Each had the name of a different doctor written on metal plates. They were engraved. Permanence.

Maybe they'd be here forever.

Maybe if they heard our stories enough, over time, all the crazy tales, they'd eventually go crazy themselves, and the plaques would serve as the nameplates above their cells.

No. Where was my mind wandering to again. I huffed in annoyance and was led to a door, where I stood.

Doctor Harleen Quinzel.

Such a pretty name. But I didn't know what awaited me beyond this point. Were they going to torture me?

"Alright," the guard spoke as she opened the door and led me inside. It was a dim, damp room resembling an abandoned classroom. They really didn't like to take care or upgrade anywhere here. It felt like I was living in the 1800's during a plague.

The only thing that stood out was the vibrant blonde woman in the doctors coat. She had her hair neatly up and a pair of glasses. She was beautiful. She smiled at me once our eyes made contact and watched as I was led to the chair before her.

Once I sat, the guard turned to the doctor.

"I'll be right outside. Let me know," the guard said and walked off, shutting the metal door behind her.

The doctor averted her eyes to me and smiled kindly.

"Hello, I'm your new psychiatrist, Dr. Quinzel. I'm here to help guide you through the recovery process. You're very beautiful, can I have your name?" She asked as she grabbed a file resting before her and opened it up.

I could read my name in small print on the top left hand corner of the file.

"I think you already know my name." I responded.

She looked up at me sweetly and nodded. "I do, Scarlett. But it's part of my job. I have to do my own research before immersing myself completely into your world. You do understand why," she said.

"I do. But I gotta tell you, I don't really know what you're looking for. I myself don't know much about me. It's all blank." I explained.

"So you don't remember...violence, evading arrest, vehicular manslaughter..." she quite obviously read a list. Each word pierced my heart.