Mental health facility, 1-2 hours away from Middlesex.
You had never imagined that your first real experience in a mental health facility would be so far from home. But . . Here we are!
The car pulled up to the building in a remote area and, once you entered, nurses changed you and showed you to your room. It wasn't scary like in the movies, but it wasn't comforting either.
At 12:30 PM, while the patients had lunchtime, you were escorted into the cafeteria. It was silent, except for those patients who were seemingly going insane, having meltdowns, hallucinations or breakdowns. The tables were worn with tablecloths with tears (perhaps made by patients), the chairs' colors were mismatched.
You were assigned a seat next to someone once you were given your food. A guy with messy, unkempt hair and violet blue eyes. You were told that his name was Donald Darko, but he was nicknamed 'Donnie Darko' by literally everyone.
As you sat down, you couldn’t help but feel his gaze on you. You’d heard rumors about Donnie when you eavesdropped on the nurses while changing. They were speaking of how he was one of the most feared patients in the facility.
He wasn't feared because he was violent, but because he was unpredictable. He had a way of seeing the world differently, and that scared people, included the staff.
At first, he didn’t acknowledge you. Instead, he poked at his food, barely touching it, and shot a glance at one of the nurses who brought you to the room.
But then, after contemplating something, Donnie leaned in.
"So, uh . ."
He cleared his throat, not used to chatting when it wasn't permitted.
"You’re new here, right?" He spoke casually, trying to seem disinterested. Though he couldn't lie, you were intriguing, in a way.