Hello, all my fellow writers, I hope everyone is healthy, happy and creative especially around the holidays. I’ve been away for a while trying to do something different and challenge myself. With all the crazy and sometimes sane ideas in my head I decided to try my hand at writing short stories. So, the next few posts will be chapters from different short stories I’ve started writing over the past few months and years. I hope you all read, follow along and offer any feedback you have please and thank you.
The first story starts out at New Oasis mental hospital where the two had been admitted. Cliff was an older gentleman in his late 50’s, tall and athletic built, with greying hair. Cliff Jorden had a history of psychotic behavior due to a 10-year stint in the army. Often bothered by PTSD and war flashbacks. When he returned home from the army, he didn’t want to leave his apartment for weeks. When his best friend of 7 years tried to visit him, it turned violent. On that day, police responded to what seemed to be a normal domestic dispute. When the police arrived at the scene, they noticed Cliff sitting on the sidewalk just rocking back and forth. When asked what happened he just kept shaking his head. In his apartment they noticed his friend was unresponsive with what looked like a broken neck.
Kim Watts was much younger in her mid-30’s, slender build with long model like legs. Nicknamed Kimmie, she struggled with having multiple personalities. Her dad admitted her after noticing her problems in her early 20’s. In her case her problems were hereditary from her mom. Her mother always declined help or treatment. When Kimmie was fourteen her mom committed suicide, which took a mental toll on her. She found her mom in the bathtub with both her wrists slit. She never thought to call police, she just hid down in the basement. After several hours passed Kimmie’s dad and the police found her balled up in a dark corner. As she got older, she ran through a slew of doctors ranging from shrinks to neurologists. She often stopped going and refused help. One day her father was driving around the old neighborhood and spotted her walking around aimlessly talking to herself. Fed up with her progress her father admitted her a few days later. The two were admitted a week after each other.
In that week apart cliff managed to try to escape several times. The hospital ended up having a staff member constantly watching his every move. Kimmie’s first couple of weeks were rough as well. Not only did she try to escape, but she also tried taking her own life. One day she was frustrated that she couldn’t escape and was quiet and antisocial. The first week was challenging for the staff members as they shadowed the two. They tried to keep the two away from the other patients for their safety. The only times the two left their rooms were to go to the cafeteria and an hour of outside time. The two often seen each other passing through the halls, and noticed they were only patients with personal staff members.
A month passed with no incidents from either party. The two were cautiously introduced to the hospital’s social group. This is where the patients all gather in the rec room and talk about problems three days out the week. In the social group the two kept their distance. Kimmie sat in one corner of the room and Cliff was in another. The two kept up this antisocial behavior for a week. Eventually they were given an ultimatum to either participate or no break time for a week. One day in social group the staff member asked if anybody wanted to say anything, Cliff and Kimmie looked around the room then locked eyes. Suddenly Kimmie stood, spoke up first and said, “Hi everybody my name is Kimmie.” The staff member smiled as the rest of the group addressed her. When she sat down the room shifted to Cliff. He was hesitant at first but was subtly reminded of the consequences. He was hesitant and stubborn at first as the group continued with class. By the end of the class, he introduced himself from his corner. The staff member asked for any ending remarks, cliff forcibly shouted, “hey my name is cliff.” The rest of the group responded while Kimmie just smirked at him.
When the group ended the staff, member called both of them to see him. He praised them for participating and informed them that some of the staff are leaving. He also told them that because of that they will be moved in the same section of the hospital. This means that the two had to share a personal staff member. The next day Cliff decided to stroll around the hospital at 2 am as he normally does. This time Kimmie bumped into him and asked, “hey Cliff why are you in here?” He smiled then answered, “well they say I have psychotic behavior brought on by my PTSD.” He continued, “sounds kind of cool I guess, what about you?” Kimmie laughed and replied, “yeah sounds cool, I have multiple personalities they say and I’m severely depressed.” Cliff smirked then laughed. They spent that morning as well as the rest of the day getting to know each other. The next few weeks the two grew fond of each other after that day and even started talking and hanging around. In the hospital hallways, the cafeteria, and in social group these two were inseparable.
As their bond grew, the two started becoming comfortable with their routine. They began to open up more in group, participated more, and even chose to help out around the hospital. The two started to feel safe, which wasn’t as good as it first seemed. Since there was less hospital staff the two were able to get away with little things here and there. One day Kimmie met up with Cliff in the laundry room to help fold sheets. Cliff smiled and said, “are you here to help or talk?” Kimmie first shrugged her shoulders then smirked and started helping. While folding she blurted out, “aren’t you tired of this place by now, I mean it’s been what like about six months now?” Cliff stopped and replied, “what do you think, of course I’m sick of this place but where are we gonna go?” She started shaking her head and said, “that’s not what I’m worried about, how are we gonna get outta here?” She continued, “I’m gonna work on a way to get outta here, are you down?” Cliff started folding again and said, “of course I’m down.” Kimmie finished folding then nodded and left the room. The two planned on getting married in Vegas as soon as they broke out.
Another month passed with the two on their best behavior, which really impressed all of the staff. Eventually the hospital decided that they didn’t need a staff member appointed to them. This gave the couple even more freedom, which was apparent to Kimmie’s plan. One early morning Kimmie went to cliff’s room and frantically woke him up with important news. “What the hell, who?”, Cliff confusedly grumbled. Kimmie whispering responded, “calm down it’s just me, sorry for abruptly waking you, but my plan is almost ready to go!” Cliff replied, “ok what time is it?” Kimmie checked the clock in the halls and said, “its 3:27 am, so let’s go.” Cliff just nodded and slowly got out of bed. They raced down the hall to the staff main office where all the key cards, files, and walkie talkies were stored. There was an overnight security wandering around but told him that they were just doing early morning cleaning. The security guard didn’t think much of it given their good reputation. Once the two were finally inside Kimmie looked around for the files and stuff while cliff acted like he was cleaning. She carefully looked through all the cabinets and drawers she could see. When she finally discovered the radios and key cards, put everything back meticulously like nothing was ever touched. Cliff got her attention and pointed to a locked storage locker where the patient files are probably stored.
Frustrated Kimmie started looking for anything that resembled a key like somebody possessed. She eventually ran across a cabinet underneath the main desk in the office. Cliff whispered, “just take ’em and let’s get the hell out of here!” She shushed him and replied, “it’s only two sets of keys if I take one, they’ll know something!” She quickly grabbed a set and ran over to the locked file cabinet. She fumbled with the lock as she nervously tried to open it repeatedly. With cliff rushing her she almost gave up, then all of a sudden, they heard it unlock. She carefully looked through the files for her and Cliff’s. She found her file first then desperately looked for Cliff’s when He blurted out, “I think I hear someone coming please hurry up!” She angerly asked, “what’s your damn last name again?!”
Cliff answered, “its Jorden!” As the sound of jingling keys got closer, Cliff noticed the shadow of an overnight guard. He started to act like he’s cleaning around the door as he snaps his fingers at her. Kimmie was trying to be careful and not rush because she knew that someone would notice so she took her time. One by one she flipped through at least two hundred files.
When the doorknob starts turning and keys entering the lock, both of them paused. Cliff looked at Kimmie and mimed her to hurry up and he got on his hands and knees in front of the door. Kimmie started to rush and finally found the file and put them both behind her back and in her waistband. She quietly closed the door back and put the keys where she found them. The door opened but only a crack as Cliff was keeping it closed with his feet. Kimmie hurried and got out her towel and started cleaning again. Cliff replied as the door slammed into in feet a second time, “Hold on sorry!” Cliff got up as the door swung open. The security guard asked the two, “hey what are you too doing in here?” Kimmie answered, “we were put on the overnight schedule to clean the offices.” The security guard replied back, “oh okay well make sure you keep the doors open at all times.” The two nodded their heads and finished as the security guard left the office.
The two quickly turned off the light, closed the door and ran back to Cliff’s room. Once they were safely inside, Kimmie took the files out of her waistband. She gave Cliff his file and said, “now hide that in a safe place, its only part of the plan.” Cliff nodded and replied, “so it this a good time to let me know what the plan is?” Kimmie responded, “I’ll tell you in due time, meanwhile over the coming week stay in your room more act antisocial.” She saw the confused look on Cliff’s face and continued, “the less these people see and interact with us the better chances of escaping.” Cliff smiled and nodded then started ripping up a section in his mattress to hide the file. Kimmie ran down the hall back to her room and did the same with her mattress. The following week the two stayed true to their plan and rarely came out of their room. The only times the two would be seen was for lunch and when the two visited each other.
realtalented 