Post by mirandavalenz on Oct 6, 2011 14:18:15 GMT -5
This is one of three books that I have wrote. Seems all I do is write, I have yet to have anything published. 
But then I'm new at this. It's a thriller, done in first person. I would really appreciate honest feedback. Thanks to everyone in advance. Please don't worry about hurting my feelings, I'm pretty hard headed. 
May 6, 1970
It was early morning, the sun shone bright above the vast canyon and hills that blushed a deep wine red against the blue sky. I felt the warmth upon my face as I looked to the ancient building they surrounded. As though they cradled it, and were protecting it. I’d thought they’d brought it to life. But there was a stillness in the air that made me shiver. A dead silence that reminded me of the calm before a storm. One that lures you into a false sense of security. Waiting for you to let your guard down, and when you do all hell breaks loose. I wondered if the stillness knew it incited fear and exulted over it. I felt the eeriness and thought it more than appropriate. It would have been very effective, had I not needed this job. Unfortunately I did, so I shut my car door and headed across the parking lot.
Just its mere presence made me take a step back, never had I seen anything like it before. It made me wonder who needed protecting? Perhaps it devised this ploy to dismay would be intruders from finding its hidden secrets. I thought anything this old must surely have more than a few. Maybe it didn’t like strangers lurking around, poking their noses where they don’t belong. Or maybe it was the opposite, maybe it did. I shuddered at my thoughts and felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I paid no mind to the prickly sensation. I knew I’d brought on myself, sometimes I think way to much. I shrugged my shoulders and hurried along.
I reached the end of the pavement and noticed the grass overgrown onto the top and along the edges, but didn’t see a sidewalk. I paused looking to my right, then my left. I thought maybe I’d missed it, but no it’d have to be on this side to lead to the building.
The sound of twigs snapping and dry leaves cracking ruffled through the air as I walked. But I welcomed the change. It was a nice break from the silence. “Shit,” I gasped as my high heel dug into the dirt and I came to an abrupt stop. I tried to displace it by wiggling it about, but it didn’t move, it was stuck. I’d almost regretted that I’d worn these heels, but I loved them. They were my best pair, and they matched my outfit perfectly. I bent over and just about fell face forward. “Damn it…” I groaned steadying myself. I thought the last thing I needed was to break my ankle, even worst break my favorite heels. I reached for my foot and carefully lifted it out. I let out a sigh of relief when I saw it still intact, then wiped off the dirt.
As I straightened I noticed the brown misshaped bricks that held the building together. I thought they swayed, as though they were taunting me. I wondered if they were daring me to come closer. The tattered trimming was no better. I thought it screamed at me as its horrid yellow reminded me of a child’s first stool. I trembled as goose bumps ran up and down my arms and I felt uneasy. It was that feeling you get when you know someone is watching you. I knew I was a bit on edge as I drove up here, I’d thought it because I hadn’t interviewed for a job in over nine years.
I hoped that’s all it was. I hoped it was that simple. But a shadow of doubt lingered in my gut. I clearly remembered the first time I’d interviewed for a job. I was a new nurse fresh out of school. My mind had wondered about everything, just as it does now. My nerves twitched, and I had butterflies roaming around in my stomach, but it was nothing close to what I felt now. I dispelled my thoughts, or at least knocked them to the back of my mind for a minute, and hurried.
The building now seemed to move towards me as I neared it. I knew it was just an optical illusion, like the puddles of water that you see in the middle of the road on a hot day. But that didn’t help the uneasiness I felt. The closer I came to it, the more I thought it knew I was coming. Maybe it wanted me to find its dark secrets. Maybe it was more than willing to show them to me.
Imposing iron doors stood vigilant at the entrance. I wondered why? What need would there be? Maybe they were made to keep someone or something from entering, or to keep them from getting out. The hazy windows that reached the pinnacle, and almost touched the dying grass gave me a vague glimpse inside. I saw shadowy figures swaying back and forth. I smiled as their eloquence reminded me of a ballet. But I’m not naïve, I knew there was no music, no gaiety, certainly no dancing. I thought these silhouettes must be the poor lost souls that were locked inside and searching for a way out.
I reached the doors and my nerves jarred my body, like a thousand pin pricks, but I knew there was no turning back now. There were only two hospitals in Paradise Flats, and I’d already relinquished my position at one of them. I grabbed the latch with both hands, thinking it was going to be heavy. I almost fell over as it easily clicked and the bar slid down into the notch. I wondered if it opened so freely because it wanted me to enter. More unnerving… Was it going to let me leave? I shook my head and grinned at my crazy thoughts, my childish notions. After all I’m a grown woman, and I thought a brave one… at least I hoped. I drew in a deep breath, pulled the door and walked in. I’d only taken five steps into the entry when my stomach turned. It was that nasty feeling you get just before you puke your guts up, and you can taste it deep in your throat.
Its foulness reminded me of the time I ate tuna that had gone bad, I almost gagged. I took two huge swallows and continued to the corridor. Reaching it I was taken aback by the blinding effect of the white walls and floors. I gasped at the length of it. “Damn….” I thought it looked like a street covered in snow that stretched from one end of the hospital to the other. Tap-tap-tap, I heard echo from behind. I smiled casually glancing over my shoulder, thinking it a patient or staff member I’d say hello.
My heart sank into the pit of my stomach, and I felt a lump in my throat as I gasped. My eyes quickly wandered over every inch, and I thought I’d saw a shadowy figure at the end of the corridor scurry across. I thought it looked like a small black bear standing upright and trudging through the snow. My feet spun me around like a top, but just as quickly as I turned it was gone. I wondered if my mind were playing tricks, teasing me with my own uncertainty. Maybe it was just a patient. “God I hope so….” I whispered and tried to convince myself that it was nothing.
I turned and with my next step I heard it echo in front of me. “What the hell?” I mumbled and thought my mind could not be this cruel. There was nothing there. The only poor soul I saw in this damn corridor was me. I hurried and the echoes seemed to chase me. I thought this crazy, I don’t need the job that bad. I stopped dead in my tracks with every nerve in my body screaming to leave. The echoes stopped and I glanced down. Oh you dipstick! I thought when I realized it was me. I’d almost regretted that I’d worn these high heels when I got stuck in the dirt, now I just felt like an idiot. I breathed a sigh of relief, almost laughing at myself and continued.
I reached the nurse’s station and the tall slender woman, or what quickly came to my mind, bones with a thin sheet of skin, quickly caught my attention. Flaming red hair stuck out like a sore thumb. It was teased up high into a beehive, and her make up was heavier than she was. She stood just past the door tossing her arms about, just as fast as her mouth. Chattering, from what I could see to a short bald man.
I felt a little awkward interrupting their conversation, but then I thought if they’d wanted privacy, I’m sure they would have closed the door. Tapping lightly on the frame as politely as I could I said. “Excuse me, I’m Aiyana Crenshaw. I have an appointment at nine with Miss Sullivan.”
The woman looked at me with her dull blue eyes and replied. “Yes, Aiyana, such a strange name, but a pretty one. I’m Miss Sullivan, please come in,” she gestured with a curving motion of her finger. “This is Dr. Franks, he’s our medical director.”
Walking towards them with a smile I reached out my hand, first greeting Miss Sullivan. “It’s very nice to meet you,” then extending to the doctor, who I now had a clear view of. I chuckled, silently of course, at his huge gut. I wondered how in the world I missed that, since the one who obstructed my view was thinner than his arm. And yeah short and bald was right on the money. He had more hair on his pale square face then on his head. His small brown eyes, magnified to the size of a cookie, one of my favorites, a vanilla wafer, by his thick bifocals. Nondescript with a crocked grin on his thin lips, and totally lacking any sense of pleasure, cheerfulness, or contentment. “Hello, how are you?”
He glared at me without a greeting what so ever, his mustache twitched as he quickly replied. “This hospital is run like a well oiled machine, no repairs need to be made, and little maintenance is required. As long as you keep that in mind you should have no problem fitting in,” he then turned to Miss Sullivan. “I need to finish making my rounds now so that I can get back to my office. Douglas is meeting with the owners, he’s going to have lunch catered, and I do believe he said it was going to be a buffet. I hope that you will be able to join us.”
“Yes… Dr. Franks that sounds lovely. I look forward to it. And I’ll certainly be there. Thank you,” she spoke softly, in a flirtatious way.
“Splendid…” he answered, and as much as he was drooling, I’m surprised he didn’t drown. “We can continue discussing that matter, you know the one before we were interrupted.” one eye seemed to glance at me as he waddled and went on his way.
“I have your application right here,” she said reaching for a folder on the desk. “You have quite a bit of experience in the acute setting, but have you ever worked with patients that have diagnosis of dementia, schizophrenia, for that matter any psychiatric disorders?”
“No I haven’t, but I’m very familiar with the characteristics and medications associated with the disorders. I’m flexible, a fast learner and have a keen insight with any patient that I work with. If given the chance, I’m sure that my experience as a nurse will be beneficial to the patients here.”
“Aiyana from the vibes I’m getting from you, I don’t doubt that one bit. I think I will give you the chance. The job is yours. Now how does fifteen dollars an hour sound? Is that agreeable?”
I was surprised, tongue tied, almost gasping for air. I couldn’t believe it. God fifteen dollars! That’s a hell of a lot more then I’m making at the hospital. My mind immediately threw up a red flag. Why so much? Alright what’s wrong with this picture? The interview, hell I couldn’t even call it one, it was way to short. But then I’d only had one before so I thought I couldn’t really compare the two. I know the director of nurses from my first job interview had asked me a ton of questions. Not just about myself, about everyday functions of a hospital. She drilled me with different scenarios, the what would you do if… type. I wondered if I were just reading to much into it, and with my mind I probably was. So I nodded my head and tried to answer without sounding to astounded by her generous offer.
“Yes it’s very agreeable, and I thank you for the opportunity.”
“Can you start orientation in the morning?”
I thought that was hell of too soon. I wasn’t expecting that. Another surprise that only made me wonder, or should I say, question the urgency. But I wanted the change, just a slower pace so I could have more of a social life. Which according to my older sister Kaya, apparently I didn’t have. Plus, how could I resist the money?
“Yes I can. And by the way, what are the hours and rotation?”
“You will be on the day shift, which starts at six, ending at two thirty. All the nurse’s rotate on a seven on, three off, then seven on four off schedule. I hope working seven days straight won’t be a problem for you.”
“Not at all. Although it’s different then my rotation at the hospital. I love the days off. I can’t remember the last time I had a weekend off, especially a four day weekend!”
“Yes, the nurses love it. It gives everyone a four day weekend every third week, and three days off in the middle.”
“Sounds really good. But I might be a little lost and not know what to do with all those days off,” I chuckled.
“I’m sure you’ll think of something. At your age and as pretty as you are, you’ll find plenty to do. Now why don’t I give you a quick tour so you can get out of here.”
“Alright, thank you.”
“This of course is the nurse’s station, not to much to show you around here. Lets walk down the corridor,” she quickly walked through the door, heading left. Arching my brow I thought how weird a stick moving forcefully from side to side. She moved, and not so gracefully, with a sway in her thin hips. I almost had to run to catch up to her. “First I’ll show you the break room, and where the bathrooms are, those are important,” she said twirling her finger about.
“Yeah I agree. When natures calls it’s always best to know where to go,” I said jokingly. But by the look on her face, I doubt she thought it funny.
Coming to a door almost halfway down the corridor, she reached up for an odd looking brass key that hung atop the frame. It reminded me of a Skelton key, the kind used to open every lock on a door. She unlocked it, pulled it open, and replaced the key. “This door is always to be locked! It’s for the safety of our patients. They could tumble down the stairs and get hurt. Watch you step,” she headed down, and I heard the creaking with her every step.
The stairwell was not very wide, two feet at best, and the decrepit wooden steps did not hide there aging well. I thought at any second they’d collapse. At the bottom was a large entry way, and to the right I noticed two yellow doors that were just as old. Argg, I grimaced. They were the same ugly color of the trim outside. That’s pretty original, but then from the look of the peeling paint, outside, as well as inside. I doubt if this building had seen a new coat of paint in years. Big signs hung in the middle. “Gents” “Ladies” in bold blue lettering. Wow! I thought no way can I miss the bathrooms.
She began to point, almost aimlessly as she spoke. “The bathrooms as you can see are there, drinking fountain there, and in there is the nurses getaway.” she walked into what I thought resembled a giant egg, it was the strangest oval shaped entrance.
I followed. Upon entering the staleness that lingered in this cavernous room quickly found it’s way into my nostrils, and down the back of my throat. I reached my hand covering my mouth as I coughed. “Akem, akem.” then brushed it against my nose as it itched, hoping that I didn’t have a sneezing conniption.
“Are you alright?” she asked.
“Yes, my throat is just a little dry.”
“Maybe you should go and get a drink of water.”
“That’s alright, I’m fine now thank you.”
“The air down here is just a little dry, but you’ll get used to it.”
Hmm, that’s an understatement I thought as I swallowed to coat my throat, while attempting to maintain my smile. “I don’t see any doors or windows down here.”
“No theres not any, this used to be the basement, but it was remodeled into the break room. That’s why the nurses love it down here. Complete privacy no one can see a thing.”
“Good thing I’m not claustrophobic.”
She actually laughed, if you could call it one, it was more like a snort. “That’s a good thing, because we have quite a few rooms around here like this.”
To the right of us grey dull lockers, roll after roll aligned the entire wall. A ceiling plain, and bleak with no particular shape, just flat, was high above the cracked cement floor that more than showed its wear. Huge round, strange looking lights, not like any I’d seen before, suspended from what looked like long shiny metal poles. They extended straight down the middle from one end to the other. I wondered who would build a place such as this. Was it’s original intent a hospital? If so, I’d yet to see a resemblance to one, its structure reminded me of a fortress.
But then I'm new at this. It's a thriller, done in first person. I would really appreciate honest feedback. Thanks to everyone in advance. Please don't worry about hurting my feelings, I'm pretty hard headed. 
May 6, 1970
It was early morning, the sun shone bright above the vast canyon and hills that blushed a deep wine red against the blue sky. I felt the warmth upon my face as I looked to the ancient building they surrounded. As though they cradled it, and were protecting it. I’d thought they’d brought it to life. But there was a stillness in the air that made me shiver. A dead silence that reminded me of the calm before a storm. One that lures you into a false sense of security. Waiting for you to let your guard down, and when you do all hell breaks loose. I wondered if the stillness knew it incited fear and exulted over it. I felt the eeriness and thought it more than appropriate. It would have been very effective, had I not needed this job. Unfortunately I did, so I shut my car door and headed across the parking lot.
Just its mere presence made me take a step back, never had I seen anything like it before. It made me wonder who needed protecting? Perhaps it devised this ploy to dismay would be intruders from finding its hidden secrets. I thought anything this old must surely have more than a few. Maybe it didn’t like strangers lurking around, poking their noses where they don’t belong. Or maybe it was the opposite, maybe it did. I shuddered at my thoughts and felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I paid no mind to the prickly sensation. I knew I’d brought on myself, sometimes I think way to much. I shrugged my shoulders and hurried along.
I reached the end of the pavement and noticed the grass overgrown onto the top and along the edges, but didn’t see a sidewalk. I paused looking to my right, then my left. I thought maybe I’d missed it, but no it’d have to be on this side to lead to the building.
The sound of twigs snapping and dry leaves cracking ruffled through the air as I walked. But I welcomed the change. It was a nice break from the silence. “Shit,” I gasped as my high heel dug into the dirt and I came to an abrupt stop. I tried to displace it by wiggling it about, but it didn’t move, it was stuck. I’d almost regretted that I’d worn these heels, but I loved them. They were my best pair, and they matched my outfit perfectly. I bent over and just about fell face forward. “Damn it…” I groaned steadying myself. I thought the last thing I needed was to break my ankle, even worst break my favorite heels. I reached for my foot and carefully lifted it out. I let out a sigh of relief when I saw it still intact, then wiped off the dirt.
As I straightened I noticed the brown misshaped bricks that held the building together. I thought they swayed, as though they were taunting me. I wondered if they were daring me to come closer. The tattered trimming was no better. I thought it screamed at me as its horrid yellow reminded me of a child’s first stool. I trembled as goose bumps ran up and down my arms and I felt uneasy. It was that feeling you get when you know someone is watching you. I knew I was a bit on edge as I drove up here, I’d thought it because I hadn’t interviewed for a job in over nine years.
I hoped that’s all it was. I hoped it was that simple. But a shadow of doubt lingered in my gut. I clearly remembered the first time I’d interviewed for a job. I was a new nurse fresh out of school. My mind had wondered about everything, just as it does now. My nerves twitched, and I had butterflies roaming around in my stomach, but it was nothing close to what I felt now. I dispelled my thoughts, or at least knocked them to the back of my mind for a minute, and hurried.
The building now seemed to move towards me as I neared it. I knew it was just an optical illusion, like the puddles of water that you see in the middle of the road on a hot day. But that didn’t help the uneasiness I felt. The closer I came to it, the more I thought it knew I was coming. Maybe it wanted me to find its dark secrets. Maybe it was more than willing to show them to me.
Imposing iron doors stood vigilant at the entrance. I wondered why? What need would there be? Maybe they were made to keep someone or something from entering, or to keep them from getting out. The hazy windows that reached the pinnacle, and almost touched the dying grass gave me a vague glimpse inside. I saw shadowy figures swaying back and forth. I smiled as their eloquence reminded me of a ballet. But I’m not naïve, I knew there was no music, no gaiety, certainly no dancing. I thought these silhouettes must be the poor lost souls that were locked inside and searching for a way out.
I reached the doors and my nerves jarred my body, like a thousand pin pricks, but I knew there was no turning back now. There were only two hospitals in Paradise Flats, and I’d already relinquished my position at one of them. I grabbed the latch with both hands, thinking it was going to be heavy. I almost fell over as it easily clicked and the bar slid down into the notch. I wondered if it opened so freely because it wanted me to enter. More unnerving… Was it going to let me leave? I shook my head and grinned at my crazy thoughts, my childish notions. After all I’m a grown woman, and I thought a brave one… at least I hoped. I drew in a deep breath, pulled the door and walked in. I’d only taken five steps into the entry when my stomach turned. It was that nasty feeling you get just before you puke your guts up, and you can taste it deep in your throat.
Its foulness reminded me of the time I ate tuna that had gone bad, I almost gagged. I took two huge swallows and continued to the corridor. Reaching it I was taken aback by the blinding effect of the white walls and floors. I gasped at the length of it. “Damn….” I thought it looked like a street covered in snow that stretched from one end of the hospital to the other. Tap-tap-tap, I heard echo from behind. I smiled casually glancing over my shoulder, thinking it a patient or staff member I’d say hello.
My heart sank into the pit of my stomach, and I felt a lump in my throat as I gasped. My eyes quickly wandered over every inch, and I thought I’d saw a shadowy figure at the end of the corridor scurry across. I thought it looked like a small black bear standing upright and trudging through the snow. My feet spun me around like a top, but just as quickly as I turned it was gone. I wondered if my mind were playing tricks, teasing me with my own uncertainty. Maybe it was just a patient. “God I hope so….” I whispered and tried to convince myself that it was nothing.
I turned and with my next step I heard it echo in front of me. “What the hell?” I mumbled and thought my mind could not be this cruel. There was nothing there. The only poor soul I saw in this damn corridor was me. I hurried and the echoes seemed to chase me. I thought this crazy, I don’t need the job that bad. I stopped dead in my tracks with every nerve in my body screaming to leave. The echoes stopped and I glanced down. Oh you dipstick! I thought when I realized it was me. I’d almost regretted that I’d worn these high heels when I got stuck in the dirt, now I just felt like an idiot. I breathed a sigh of relief, almost laughing at myself and continued.
I reached the nurse’s station and the tall slender woman, or what quickly came to my mind, bones with a thin sheet of skin, quickly caught my attention. Flaming red hair stuck out like a sore thumb. It was teased up high into a beehive, and her make up was heavier than she was. She stood just past the door tossing her arms about, just as fast as her mouth. Chattering, from what I could see to a short bald man.
I felt a little awkward interrupting their conversation, but then I thought if they’d wanted privacy, I’m sure they would have closed the door. Tapping lightly on the frame as politely as I could I said. “Excuse me, I’m Aiyana Crenshaw. I have an appointment at nine with Miss Sullivan.”
The woman looked at me with her dull blue eyes and replied. “Yes, Aiyana, such a strange name, but a pretty one. I’m Miss Sullivan, please come in,” she gestured with a curving motion of her finger. “This is Dr. Franks, he’s our medical director.”
Walking towards them with a smile I reached out my hand, first greeting Miss Sullivan. “It’s very nice to meet you,” then extending to the doctor, who I now had a clear view of. I chuckled, silently of course, at his huge gut. I wondered how in the world I missed that, since the one who obstructed my view was thinner than his arm. And yeah short and bald was right on the money. He had more hair on his pale square face then on his head. His small brown eyes, magnified to the size of a cookie, one of my favorites, a vanilla wafer, by his thick bifocals. Nondescript with a crocked grin on his thin lips, and totally lacking any sense of pleasure, cheerfulness, or contentment. “Hello, how are you?”
He glared at me without a greeting what so ever, his mustache twitched as he quickly replied. “This hospital is run like a well oiled machine, no repairs need to be made, and little maintenance is required. As long as you keep that in mind you should have no problem fitting in,” he then turned to Miss Sullivan. “I need to finish making my rounds now so that I can get back to my office. Douglas is meeting with the owners, he’s going to have lunch catered, and I do believe he said it was going to be a buffet. I hope that you will be able to join us.”
“Yes… Dr. Franks that sounds lovely. I look forward to it. And I’ll certainly be there. Thank you,” she spoke softly, in a flirtatious way.
“Splendid…” he answered, and as much as he was drooling, I’m surprised he didn’t drown. “We can continue discussing that matter, you know the one before we were interrupted.” one eye seemed to glance at me as he waddled and went on his way.
“I have your application right here,” she said reaching for a folder on the desk. “You have quite a bit of experience in the acute setting, but have you ever worked with patients that have diagnosis of dementia, schizophrenia, for that matter any psychiatric disorders?”
“No I haven’t, but I’m very familiar with the characteristics and medications associated with the disorders. I’m flexible, a fast learner and have a keen insight with any patient that I work with. If given the chance, I’m sure that my experience as a nurse will be beneficial to the patients here.”
“Aiyana from the vibes I’m getting from you, I don’t doubt that one bit. I think I will give you the chance. The job is yours. Now how does fifteen dollars an hour sound? Is that agreeable?”
I was surprised, tongue tied, almost gasping for air. I couldn’t believe it. God fifteen dollars! That’s a hell of a lot more then I’m making at the hospital. My mind immediately threw up a red flag. Why so much? Alright what’s wrong with this picture? The interview, hell I couldn’t even call it one, it was way to short. But then I’d only had one before so I thought I couldn’t really compare the two. I know the director of nurses from my first job interview had asked me a ton of questions. Not just about myself, about everyday functions of a hospital. She drilled me with different scenarios, the what would you do if… type. I wondered if I were just reading to much into it, and with my mind I probably was. So I nodded my head and tried to answer without sounding to astounded by her generous offer.
“Yes it’s very agreeable, and I thank you for the opportunity.”
“Can you start orientation in the morning?”
I thought that was hell of too soon. I wasn’t expecting that. Another surprise that only made me wonder, or should I say, question the urgency. But I wanted the change, just a slower pace so I could have more of a social life. Which according to my older sister Kaya, apparently I didn’t have. Plus, how could I resist the money?
“Yes I can. And by the way, what are the hours and rotation?”
“You will be on the day shift, which starts at six, ending at two thirty. All the nurse’s rotate on a seven on, three off, then seven on four off schedule. I hope working seven days straight won’t be a problem for you.”
“Not at all. Although it’s different then my rotation at the hospital. I love the days off. I can’t remember the last time I had a weekend off, especially a four day weekend!”
“Yes, the nurses love it. It gives everyone a four day weekend every third week, and three days off in the middle.”
“Sounds really good. But I might be a little lost and not know what to do with all those days off,” I chuckled.
“I’m sure you’ll think of something. At your age and as pretty as you are, you’ll find plenty to do. Now why don’t I give you a quick tour so you can get out of here.”
“Alright, thank you.”
“This of course is the nurse’s station, not to much to show you around here. Lets walk down the corridor,” she quickly walked through the door, heading left. Arching my brow I thought how weird a stick moving forcefully from side to side. She moved, and not so gracefully, with a sway in her thin hips. I almost had to run to catch up to her. “First I’ll show you the break room, and where the bathrooms are, those are important,” she said twirling her finger about.
“Yeah I agree. When natures calls it’s always best to know where to go,” I said jokingly. But by the look on her face, I doubt she thought it funny.
Coming to a door almost halfway down the corridor, she reached up for an odd looking brass key that hung atop the frame. It reminded me of a Skelton key, the kind used to open every lock on a door. She unlocked it, pulled it open, and replaced the key. “This door is always to be locked! It’s for the safety of our patients. They could tumble down the stairs and get hurt. Watch you step,” she headed down, and I heard the creaking with her every step.
The stairwell was not very wide, two feet at best, and the decrepit wooden steps did not hide there aging well. I thought at any second they’d collapse. At the bottom was a large entry way, and to the right I noticed two yellow doors that were just as old. Argg, I grimaced. They were the same ugly color of the trim outside. That’s pretty original, but then from the look of the peeling paint, outside, as well as inside. I doubt if this building had seen a new coat of paint in years. Big signs hung in the middle. “Gents” “Ladies” in bold blue lettering. Wow! I thought no way can I miss the bathrooms.
She began to point, almost aimlessly as she spoke. “The bathrooms as you can see are there, drinking fountain there, and in there is the nurses getaway.” she walked into what I thought resembled a giant egg, it was the strangest oval shaped entrance.
I followed. Upon entering the staleness that lingered in this cavernous room quickly found it’s way into my nostrils, and down the back of my throat. I reached my hand covering my mouth as I coughed. “Akem, akem.” then brushed it against my nose as it itched, hoping that I didn’t have a sneezing conniption.
“Are you alright?” she asked.
“Yes, my throat is just a little dry.”
“Maybe you should go and get a drink of water.”
“That’s alright, I’m fine now thank you.”
“The air down here is just a little dry, but you’ll get used to it.”
Hmm, that’s an understatement I thought as I swallowed to coat my throat, while attempting to maintain my smile. “I don’t see any doors or windows down here.”
“No theres not any, this used to be the basement, but it was remodeled into the break room. That’s why the nurses love it down here. Complete privacy no one can see a thing.”
“Good thing I’m not claustrophobic.”
She actually laughed, if you could call it one, it was more like a snort. “That’s a good thing, because we have quite a few rooms around here like this.”
To the right of us grey dull lockers, roll after roll aligned the entire wall. A ceiling plain, and bleak with no particular shape, just flat, was high above the cracked cement floor that more than showed its wear. Huge round, strange looking lights, not like any I’d seen before, suspended from what looked like long shiny metal poles. They extended straight down the middle from one end to the other. I wondered who would build a place such as this. Was it’s original intent a hospital? If so, I’d yet to see a resemblance to one, its structure reminded me of a fortress.