many many many years ago, I had been a young, thoughtful man, who put work and effort into his career, and had a loving worthwhile family that cared for him like nobody else ever did. I had a decently sized house in a good neighborhood, which was hard to come by in a state like this. I considered myself a lucky person.

so how did I end up in the nuthouse?

I believe it started with the rain. the damn rain. Rain wasn't unusual, it just seemed more... unwanted that day. it sprinkled itself on my shoulders and nestled its little drops in my neatly gelled hair, and sprayed my face as I hustled to my car. it slammed drops itself on the sidewalks everywhere around me, on my car's hood, and the white fence that was newly painted the day before.

I stuffed my black leather bag aggressively into the backseat and sighed. my wife, who sat under the shade of the porch, sobbing baby in hand, waved me goodbye, and I gave her a tired weary smile, before gripping the steering wheel and leaning back into the fluffy cover of the seat. I picked up the pace and drove off the driveway, running fingers through my hair, as I breathed slowly. "It's fine. everything's fine. just calm down, and keep driving."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

it was still raining when I got to the tall looming white building, the droplets seeming like an apocalyptic swarm of invaders crashing into the earth. it felt like it too, because, with every plink of rain on the window, my heart picked up the pace. my fingers tightened around the leather, my fingers turning a pink that looked like a watermelon that's been out too long.

"no... keep it together. keep your cool. "

I unpacked myself from the box like red car, the red paint seeming less cheery than when I got it the very first time. didn't matter. i had to get ready for work. i worked as a surgeon after all, and I couldn't be late.

as soon as I got in, I was overwhelmed with things I haven't noticed. the smell of bleach that reeked in every room, hallway, and floor. the blinding LED lights that glared at me as I walked under them. how ... annoying and evil everyone seemed today.

"hello Mr Greatwon. thrid floor as always?"

I didn't respond. because I knew under those pearly white teeth, and pretty blonde locks that she was a monster.

i was already on the path to the elevator, when I another person smiled at me, their deepst desires hidden with a fake greeting

i growled making no eye contact, but still gripping the leather handle of my suitcase.

no one was in the elevator thank god, because if anyone was, I think I would've had another patient to reassmble...

i remembered, I was working in room 409 today. it would've been find, if it wasn't for that damn thundering rain....