has been thinning out recently, but there are still groups passing through on their way south. The Grackles come for a quick snack (here showered in sun rays), the Cowbirds usually take a bath. While I love them all, it is nice that the bird food budget gets a little break right now.
Excerpt from an alternate universe Michael Myers/Jake Park wip where Jake works at Smith’s Grove. ∠( ᐛ 」∠)＿
Smith’s Grove had two head doctors on staff. Dr. Carter and Dr. Morel were complete opposites: Dr. Carter rarely left his office while Dr. Morel was only in it to visit with patients. The rest of the time she often walked around the rec room to socialize with patients or even supervised medicine give-out time. Her friendly casualness was a stark contrast to Dr. Carter’s intimidating persona. Where she wore cheap button-up shirts and flats, he wore a full, three-piece suit. They were both smilers, but Dr. Carter’s never reached his eyes. The bad feeling Jake got when the huge man noticed him in passing only increased the first time Jake heard his oddly high-pitched laugh at nothing.
He gave Jake the creeps.
Dr. Morel, or call me Claudette, was almost too genuine at times, even asking after Jake’s progress in nursing school (slow) and the other techs families or hobbies.
As Jake prepared to dole out medication under the supervision of head nurse Smithson, Dr. Morel approached with a cheerful smile.
“I can help Jake today, Sally,” she said. “If you don’t mind?”
Dr. Morel didn’t react at Smithson’s glare, but the nurse only nodded before gathering up the medication bottles for storage with one last narrow glance at Jake that communicated he better go put them up once he was finished.
Once Smithson was gone, Dr. Morel stood beside Jake to chat with each patient as they came up.
First was Philip, a tall and skinny man who never smiled, who took his medication in one hand and the accompanying cup of water from Jake with the other. His droopy demeanor gave the impression that a rain-cloud hovered over his head, rendering Dr. Morel’s disposition even more bright and sunny as if to compensate.
“Have your been sleeping all right, Philip?” Dr. Morel asked. Now that she mentioned it, Jake noticed the shadows under Philip’s eyes were even darker than usual.
“Yes, doctor,” he answered, then swallowed and showed her his empty mouth without prompting. She smiled and nodded.
“Remember our exercises, Philip, and have a good day,” she said as he murmured an agreement and turned around. He side-stepped whoever was next and hurried towards the brightly lit rec room. From where Jake stood behind the counter, he couldn’t quite see who it was until they stepped forward.
It was Michael. If Philip was sadness, Michael was a blank slate. His hair, long and tangled, hung in his face and didn’t quite hide his lack of expression as Dr. Morel said hello. Michael was as tall as Philip, but packed with muscle to match his broad shoulders. He might have been handsome, if he wasn’t so unsettling. Luckily, he was well-behaved and the only time Jake had to interact with Michael was during medication time. Jake was happy to let Dr. Morel direct him to take the pill cup labeled with his name.
“You’re looking well, Michael,” Dr. Morel continued, “I hope Herman is a better fit for you than Dr. Loomis was, but please let me know if you have any problems.”
Michael didn’t reply, but that wasn’t anything new. The man was not only mute, but didn’t attempt any form of communication. His thousand-yard stare went over both of their heads. He took the medicine from Dr. Morel. Jake offered water, and then almost dropped the plastic cup when Michael’s large fingers brushed against his. The brief contact tickled.
Jake was known for his ability to stay calm in all situations, a must for anyone working in a mental hospital, but Michael was different. If Dr. Carter made Jake nervous, Michael was downright spooky. He couldn’t help the little flinch at the feel of his skin. Michael abruptly looked down at Jake, dark eyes piercing right into Jake’s.
His focus was like a spotlight, blinding and making Jake’s heart pound with stage fright. He quickly tried to cover his mistake with a shaky smile.
“Here you go,” Jake said, somehow sounding more confident than he actually felt. After a long pause, Dr. Morel leaned between them, making Michael shift his focus to her.
“Please take your medication, Michael,” she said. The man silently obeyed. He placed the empty cup back in Jake’s hand, this time without touching him, and then lumbered away without hesitation.
“Are you okay?” Dr. Morel asked before the next patient came up.
“I’m fine,” Jake said quickly, embarrassed at his slip up.
“Just remember, they’re more scared of us than you should be of them,” Dr. Morel murmured as the next patient limped over.
Yeah right, Jake thought. Michael didn’t look like he knew what fear meant. He didn’t know the full story of why any of the patients were at the hospital, but he doubted Michael was at Smith’s Grove for anything benign, if the caution he had received about being alone with him meant anything.
“Hello, Max,” Dr. Morel’s smile grew wide again. Max grinned back. Child-like, Max was socially stunted to go along with the birth defect that marred his face, but he was always happy to see Dr. Morel. He held a crumpled piece of paper in his hands, which he quickly unfolded to show her.
It was a drawing of a landscape, with two stick figures close together, surrounded by yellow squiggles.
“Look!” he mumbled, pushing the drawing across the counter.
“Is that for me?” Claudette asked, and giggled when Max’s head bobbed up and down. “Thank you, Max!”
Jake half-listened as she praised Max’s talent, unable to help looking to where he could see the open area of the indoor rec room. He spotted Philip fiddling with the chess set, waiting for his usual opponent, the burly Evan, to join him. Others watched television of sat and stared out at the sunshine streaming in through the windows.
He blinked when he noticed Michael standing next to one of the thin, round pillars. He was staring back at Jake. Instead of looking away or attempting to disguise it now that he’d been caught, Michael refused to look away. Caught in a staring contest, Jake tried to ignore the chill that swept down his spine. Michael hadn’t given him a second glance before today.
Dr. Loomis used to claim that Michael was beyond therapy, describing him as pure evil whenever reassessment was discussed. It had gotten him reassigned to other patients, and then out of the hospital entirely.
Staring into those bottomless eyes, Jake got a sense of what Dr. Loomis meant.
Of course Myers is going to eventually break out and terrorize Jake if I ever finish it lol. ( ᐛ )و
