II

Daniel spent his last day at home with Jack, venting about how anxious he was about going to the hospital the next day. He couldn't have been more panicked, and he was very grateful to have Jack with him to just listen to his worries. He was well aware that saying things out loud helped very much with dealing with things, and Jack let him vent because he knew that just as well.

"God, I don't even know what the hell I'm going to do. Jack, I'm not crazy, so I shouldn't be going to a mental hospital. I really don't know how to get out of this. I don't want to be seen as crazy, I'm not. What can I do? I can't go there, Jack. I can't go there. You know I'm not crazy, you know I don't belong there. I can't go," Daniel vented, hardly stopping to breathe. He had a habit of talking all at once when stressed.

Jack noticed over the course of his non-stop venting, he seemed very hung up on the thought that people thought he was crazy. "I know you're not crazy, everyone does. You don't need to be crazy to need help, though," he explained calmly. "You know, it's okay to need help. You're not crazy, Daniel. I know."

Relief was an understatement when used to describe what Daniel felt after hearing Jack speak. It was moments like this he just had to take a moment to thank the world for giving him someone as nice as Jack Garvey. He had this talent of keeping Daniel down to Earth and not going out of his mind, and Daniel was truly grateful.

"I still don't think I need to be helped on the level of a mental hospital," Daniel groaned.

"It's not gonna hurt anything, you know. Getting more help than necessary is far better than not getting enough."

Daniel signed, knowing Jack was right. He always was. "Why are you so good at life?" Daniel questioned his friend, changing the subject. "Like, you know everything and what's best for everyone."

"I don't know everything, or what's best for everyone," Jack laughed. "I just give advice so you know what's best for you. I don't know though, I suppose I'm just the wisest of them all. I'm the chosen one."

Daniel rolled his eyes, joining his friend in laughter. "Yeah, whatever."

"Hey, I hate to switch the subject back, but I'm gonna feel a lot better knowing you're at least a little willing to go the hospital. I don't want you to be completely unhappy," Jack said, nudging the older one. "I know I said something the other day but I'm still unsure about how you're taking this."

"Yeah, yeah. There won't be any kicking or screaming, I promise," Daniel answered, only half serious.

Part of him wanted to keep his promise to Jack and not make himself miserable and actually get help he knew he needed. Another part of him just wanted to be bitter and not even talk while there, completely refusing to be helped. He wasn't sure which part he wanted to side with. He could be quite stubborn when he wanted to be.

"Good," Jack smiled, truly happy Daniel was a little more open to the idea. He really did just want what was best for him.

"Wanna watch a movie?" Daniel asked, eager to switch subjects.

"You know it." Jack was nothing short of a movie fanatic and had seen what seemed like every movie ever.

The two spent the next few hours watching their favorite movies, laughing at stupid parts and enjoying their time together. Daniel had every intention of spending his time with his friend well, because before too long it would be gone. Only for however long the hospital decided to keep him, of course. He was just in the mentality that it was the end of the world. It really wasn't, and he knew that, but he figured he just enjoyed being dramatic. He still wanted to live a little, how long he'd be gone disregarded.

The a few days before, Sunday, Daniel's parents skipped church to bring him to his new therapist. She was to decide if he needed to go a hospital or not. Part of Daniel felt bad for causing them to miss out on church, but they really only went sometimes anyways. It wasn't any sort of huge loss.

The woman, Denice, was very nice to him and his parents as she asked a few questions about why he was there, and his parents about financial things. After a bit she had them leave the room so the session could actually begin.

"Alright, Daniel," she began. "Why don't you just tell me why you're here?" She knew he had schizophrenia, but she didn't know the depth of it or anything.

"My family is getting worried because my schizophrenic episodes are getting bad, I guess," Daniel answered. He had never opened up to anyone but Jack, so he felt incredibly uncomfortable talking to this woman. "They had me talk to you because they want to send me to a mental hospital."

"Mental hospitals can be very good things, you know. I know the media makes them out to be pretty scary, but trust me when I say everyone there's like family. They really do take care of you, I promise. But I would like to hear about your episodes more in depth."

Daniel looked at Denice for a moment, trying to decide if he wanted to tell her about this. He figured if he did, he could get this over with faster, however. He sighed before starting his rant.

"They're all pretty similar for the most part, actually. I start hearing two voices- usually two, sometimes it's just one- and they just start off by insulting me and all. Uh, they'll tell me to not eat a lot because of potentially poisoned food. Sometimes they tell me to do things that endanger me. I've gotten hurt a couple of times because of them, in fact. They're never nice. Oh, and sometimes I imagine people. Like, it's not just voices, but people with personalities and- I don't know, actual human beings. It's kind of weird, because afterwards I realize they're not real and it just feels crazy. Lately they've been getting worse and much more frequent. They've gone from once or twice a month to once or twice a week."

Instead of taking notes, Denice just nodded and listened. "Well, then, I do agree a short trip to a mental hospital might be very helpful for you. They're very good with schizophrenic patients, really. I could recommend you for one, if you'd like?"

Daniel nodded, following his parent's wishes, as well as Jack's. He promised himself he wouldn't fight this. He had to cooperate.

Denice smiled politely. "Alright then, I'll get that done. We still have a while before the session ends, so you can talk about anything you'd like. Nothing you say leaves this room unless I believe you're a danger to yourself or others."

Daniel hesitated, but eventually gave in and opened up to Denice, talking to her like he would Jack. It felt so good to be able to open up to someone else.

Back to the present, Daniel was back to dreading the hospital. He'd done his research, and learned he likely wouldn't have to stay much longer than a week. He still thought that was far too long to spend locked up in there.

The next day, he had to get up far too early to get taken to the hospital. His parents spoke to the front desk lady while he looked around and took in his surroundings. White walls. White everything, in fact. All the windows had bars over them, the doors locked. It didn't really look like somewhere he'd enjoy being for very long.

Daniel frowned at the hospital atmosphere. He knew it was a hospital, so of course it had that type of feel. He didn't enjoy it at all. He hated hospitals, he hated feeling sick and he hated being treated like he was sick. He wasn't sick. He didn't think he was.

He nurse at the desk smiled at Daniel after she talked to his parents. "I think you'll like it here," she said. Daniel silently disagreed.

He didn't intend to make his mind up before he was there, but he couldn't really help himself. He did promise to go in peacefully to Jack, and he intended to keep that promise. He wasn't going to pretend to be happy about being here (he wasn't the best actor anyways), but he wasn't going to start any fights. He was really just doing this for Jack. He felt like Jack gave so much to him, the least he could do was keep all of his promises.

The woman led him into the place where he'd sleep and where the other patients stayed. She handed him a change of (white) clothes and quickly explained where everything was and how everything operated in there. She was really explaining too fast for Daniel to take it all in, but he obeyed her orders wordlessly out of what he picked up from the "conversation."

A couple of nurses took his vital signs, weighed him (they made him stand backwards on the scale) and such before taking him to see his newly appointed psychiatrist. His name was Dr. Joseph. He seemed very nice, and like an actual person. He just assumed the doctor would seem more like a robot.

"Hey," he said with a smile. "I'm Dr. Joseph. Why don't you start by telling me your name?"

Daniel didn't answer. He didn't particularly want to talk. Besides, Dr. Joseph already knew his name and Daniel knew that. Asking him for it was just a formality.

"Not much of a talker, then. That's fine, a lot of people don't talk when they first get here. By the second or third day they usually open up. I'm sure you will as well, you'll find talking is very helpful."

Daniel just stared at the man, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. It took everything in him not to glare at Dr. Joseph. He promised he'd be civil and just take it all. He promised he'd start no trouble. That meant being nice. Glaring was not nice.

Daniel shifted, looking around the room. It was still white, but not as bright. Meanwhile, Dr. Joseph noticed and took note of Daniel's discomfort and silence.

"There are a couple of questions I do have to ask you, and I'd really appreciate if you answered. You don't have to be too detailed, in fact they can be a word each. They're just some standard questions I ask everyone every session."

Daniel nodded, agreeing to cooperate. He could do that. He had to do that.

"Good," Dr. Joseph said with a smile. "Alright then. Do you feel like hurting yourself?"

"No."

"How are you feeling?"

"Out of place."

"How have you been eating and sleeping?"

"Fine."

"Are you on any medication?"

"Yes." Daniel told him the name of his medication as well.

"And I trust you have every intention of helping us help you get better?"

"Yes."

Dr. Joseph scribbled down Daniel's answeres, adding his own notes and comments when necessary.

Everything else Dr. Joseph discussed with Daniel was more or less a repeat of the session with Denice. He told him why he was there and how his schizophrenia affected his daily life. Talking about it made him feel like he was crazy or sick, and he kept trying to change the subject because of it. Dr. Joseph noticed this and managed to keep him talking.

When they were done, Daniel was allowed to his room that was shared with someone else he was told was named Rick. On the way there, he saw another patient for the first time and was more or less fascinated. He seemed so normal, Daniel couldn't help but wonder what got him here before moving on.