The third floor was completely dark, no flickering of lights, no dimly lit rooms. Fear struck my heart the instant the elevator door closed, not only because Heather had our only light, but because the shaft drifted away. It was being called to another floor. We weren't alone in this shithole. A chill went down my spine, but I reminded myself that I had the tall, mouthy blonde to get me through this. Her hand laced around my arm and she slowly began moving her feet. The hall we were in wasn't very long, I could see a clearing up ahead. But just beyond that clearing, I could hear noises. They weren't at all human, but they didn't sound like the nurses that had threatened Heather's life. It was a groaning, dying sort of sound. It made my blood run cold.


"The break room is up here just on the left. There should be some clues in there."


She released her grip on me and took a few steps ahead. I knew it was my job to stay close, because without her, I had no idea what was coming for me and I had no light to see it before it struck. Her boots stopped making noise just in front of the break room and she shot me a warning glance. Her face told me there was nothing inside, but it also warned me to get in quick or I'd be left for dead. She slowly twisted the knob and stepped into the room, where I quickly followed after and closed the door behind us.


Heather ran her fingers along the wall until she found a switch. I was surprised to see a lamp flicker on across the room. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust, but once they did, I noticed several things around the room. A fridge, with a note written on it not to put meds inside, a table that was stacked full of books and notes, random things strewn across the counters and a white board, with small notes written as reminders.


"Gather anything that seems important. Patient notes, anything from the staff, anything about the hospital. If it seems important, it is."


The blonde set to work on the counter so I set my sights on the table. She was much better at this than I, not even having to pick up every sheet to read it, to know if it was worth our time. She had one paper in her hand and was moving on to the memo board, while I still sorted through things on the messy table. Eventually, Heather got tired of how slow I was and handed me the forms she'd already found, while taking over my job for me.


I began reading the files and memos, not understanding how a single one of them had any relation to me or my being here. The only thing that made any sense was a passcode to the lobby door, which had been given out and set up because some of the more dangerous patients were trying to escape. I shoved that note in my pocket and continued reading. That's when a nurse's memo stood out to me. Chills went down my spine as I read the words.


I've brought in another child, who I believe was seeking medical care. I have placed him in the childrens ward, but he refuses to stay put. He keeps sneaking out at night and wandering to Alessa's room, it's like she's calling for him. I've never seen anything like it. The doctor keeps talking about putting him in lock down, but I don't believe that's fair. I caught him in her room once, talking to her. He's the only person she doesn't mind.
I'll do my best to keep him safe from the cruelty of this place, but I'm not sure how much longer I'll be around. I'm not like the rest, they can sense it.

My sweet Alex, if you ever escape, stay safe. It's a dark and cold world out there, but you have so much beauty in your heart.
-Lisa


Dropping the paper, I glanced to Heather who had finally finished sorting. Something about that note just didn't set well with me. I'd never been to this place before in my life, there was no way I was the Alex she was talking about.. But Lisa, it couldn't have been her, either, could it? No, Lisa was my age. And she was never a nurse.


"That one freaked me out a little, too. There's been an Alex trapped in our town before, but he didn't stay. He went back to his own town when all was said and done, since that was the root of his Hell. I know for a fact this isn't the Alex she was speaking of. I think, maybe, you've been here before. Do you know a Lisa where you're from?"


My throat went dry. There are dozens of women named Lisa, it wasn't possible for them to be the same one. Yet, there was a nagging in my gut, something telling me that Heather was correct. I still needed proof, though. A picture of sorts, just of the nurse, to settle my nerves.
"My, uh, girlfriend," I managed, shoving that note in my pocket as well. "But that's not possible. These notes are old and Lisa is in my age group. This nurse would have to be what? Forty by now?"


"You are kind, aren't you?" Heather giggled, shaking her head. "Alex, you would not believe how many things are possible when you're tied to this town. Here. Go through these, tell me if anything makes your skin crawl."


A sigh fell from my mouth as I started going through the old, dirty sheets. There was a lot of random things about other patients, and yet again, only one thing stood out to me.


Patient Name: Jack Bassam Barakat
Reason For Admittion: Mentually unstable, head injuries
Room Number: 313
Release Date: TBD
Notes: Jack seems like a good boy, he's just a little lost. We're having trouble tracking down his family, so unfortunately, he will be released to the orphanage. He has befriended another young boy named Alex, who I personally brought in for medical care. Alex has requested going to the orphanage with him, since we have no located his family, I have no other choice.


Clipped to the note was a picture of Jack and Lisa. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at their faces. That was, in fact, my best friend and girlfriend. But how could that even be possible? I've never been here before! I've been with my family my entire life! I didn't even meet Jack until I moved to Baltimore! What the fuck was going on here?!


"You know them, don't you? It's starting to make sense now. There's just one thing I can't figure out.. Why would Alessa call to you, or give you the gift of a makeshift family?"


"Who the fuck is Alessa?"


"I'm really sorry to say this, again, but I'll explain later. Come on, we've got enough of your secret for now. We need to go to room 313."


I didn't want to go to that room. Didn't want to consider the possibility that I had a whole life before the one I know now and I damn sure didn't want to think that my best friend was declared mentally unstable and shipped off to an orphanage.. With me by his side. It was scary, seeing these people who, once looking at Lisa's outfit, should have been old and wrinkled by now. How had we made it to the world I live in now? How had my nurse became the love of my life and this poor, injured boy became my best friend? I was starting to physically get sick.


Heather didn't seem to care about how reluctant I was feeling. She grabbed me by the arm, shoved the pipe back in my hand and tugged me toward a door opposite of the one we came in. We ended up in an office, which obviously belonged to the head doctor around this place, but everything was locked up tight. Nothing to see here.


When we reached another door, the sounds outside reminded me of what Heather had said in the elevator. Metal was scraping along the foor and I could see a paleness take over Heather's face. Gulping, I pushed open the door for her, just wanting to get out of this place.


"Run as quick as you can to the door. Alex, I'm serious. Don't stop for anything, not even me."


I eyed her closely, but she shoved me out of the door and we both took off running. The sad thing is, there was nothing in the hall with us, but that noise was getting closer, I could feel it. We stumbled to a stop in front of the door and Heather shoved me out of the way to open it. We were quick to close the door behind us, though I almost wished we hadn't. The other half of the body was placed on the bed, on the wall behind the bed were child scribbles, with the initals J.B. That body was on my best friend's bed. Cringing to the sight, I stepped closer, almost reaching the body when I found a note on the bedside table. Glancing back to Heather, I saw her give me a nod, telling me to unfold the paper.


Think we'll be friends forever Jacky?

I'll follow you whever you go, Alex!


Well, it wasn't anything dramatic, but it did break my heart a little bit. I had a nagging feeling in the back of my mind, almost like a memory, telling me wrote these things because the nurses didn't like us to talk when the lights went out. Shaking the thought, I shoved the letter in my semi-full pocket and continued on to the bed. Up close, through the sheets, I could see the blood and guts that were left behind when this body was pulled apart. I gagged, slightly, and leaned forward to search around the bed.


What I found didn't bring me much hope. It was a brass key, but there was nothing written on it. It was much too big to match anything in this hospital, but I took it anyway, I'm sure we'll need it wherever we end up next.


"Alex, it's getting closer," Heather whispered, the light shaking in her hands. "We need to get out of here, now."


She turned to the door and I had to bolt after her just to keep up. The noise was so loud out here it was almost painful to hear. Heather ran faster, making my heart nearly pound out of my chest, but I managed to keep up. To be such a skinny girl, Heather was quick. Probably because of her height, though. She wasn't much shorter than I.


I followed her to a door we hadn't been through, but she didn't even bother to try to open it. Instead, she stepped back from the door and slammed her foot against it as hard as she could, at least three times. On the third kick, it went flying open. She motioned for me to tag along and we ran as quickly as we could down the stairs. By the time we reached the first floor - the lobby - I thought we were both going to fall to the floor with our hands over our ears. I couldn't figure out where the sound was coming from. There was nothing in this place that could make that sound, at least not like it was.


"The code? Alex, what's the fucking code?!"


"Wh-" I blinked, realizing Heather had been screaming over the sound to make noise. When my mind finally figured out what she was talking about, which was the keypad by the door, I dug around in my pocket until I found said code. "4653."


"I suggest you cling to that pipe, it's going to be a long trip back to the motel."

Notes

Wow. I haven't updated this in forever. Comment if you're still reading, lol.