"How can I be substantial if I do not cast a shadow? I must have a dark side also if I'm to be whole." - Carl Jung.

11:08 P.M.

Dr. Bailey approached the gates of the huge building that stood before. It was ancient, some of the pillars crumbling away, but that only added value to its mysterious aura. A group of nuns had come together and resided there, and in the process, opened a mental facility for the misunderstood.

Or so they preferred to call them. 

Dr. Bailey had a special task to perform. He had to discover one of the most puzzling cases that occurred in this quiet town.  Certain people; friends and families needed their closure. And the key to it solve it was in one of his patients. 

A short and plump nun walked up to the gate, delivering a heartwarming smile as she let him in.

"Glad you could make it," she said and led him up the cobblestone path, through the dimly lit halls and corridors until they got to their destination. It was a spacious room, with one source of light that hung from the ceiling, swaying back and forth. The furniture consisted of a long rectangular desk and two chairs on either side.

Dr. Bailey took his seat and waited on his patient. He didn't remember much about the individual, but her files and their past had a lot of information to deliver. Soon the door creaked open, and in walked a young girl, with weary blue eyes.  The only sound heard was the soft padding of her bare feet as she walked to an empty chair. The nun who escorted her in smiled at him and left silently. He was beginning to think it was all they did in here; smile and nod.

Dr. Bailey pulled a handkerchief out from his pocket. It was a bit wrinkled. As he wiped the lens of his glasses, his dark brown eyes peered curiously at the young girl who sat across him. She wore a dainty looking white dress, her thick black curls gathered to the back of her neck. Her expression showed anything but an interest in being here. However, she stared right back.

Dr. Bailey wondered what was on her mind. Their session hadn't started yet, but he felt drawn to know her more than ever. He placed the handkerchief back in his pocket, adjusted the glasses on his face and resorted to opening a folder he'd brought along with him. Inside was a portrait of the young girl. She looked rather different there. She was smiling there. She was happy there.

"Miss," he started. She merely blinked. "Do you understand the importance of this?" She didn't respond. "If this goes well, you'd be free." A lapse of silence passed between the two. Dr. Bailey decided it'd be best if he got to business at once. "As usual, we'd start with the simple questions. What's your name?" The girl's icy stare made Dr. Bailey second guess coming here, but he had a job to do and a promise to keep. Besides, he already knew all the answers to most of the questions he was about to ask. It was just protocol.

"Emily," she somewhat whispered. He nodded whilst flipping the pages of his file. Too early to call this progress? he thought.

"Excellent. You can call me Charlie." He closed the folder. "Do you know why you're here?" Emily's eyes seemed lifeless as they gazed up at Dr. Bailey. She nodded, showing clearly that she'd rather be anywhere else but in the current room. "Would you like to talk about it?"

"I really don't have a choice, do I?"

"Emily, no one is forcing you to do anything," Charlie said with a frown. "From what I've read in there," he pointed at the folder placed on the desk between them. "We're doing you a favour. If you succeed in our meetings, you'll be able to live a normal life. Don't you want that?" Emily scoffed. 

"People like me don't deserve normal Charlie," she seethed. The doctor shook his head in disagreement. 

"How about we talk about your friends."

"I don't have friends." Charlie narrowed his eyes. "They're all gone."

"And how do you feel about that?" Emily shrugged. "How do you feel about their absence?"

"I don't know doctor," she finally said with a dark chuckle. "How am I supposed to feel?"

***

Thanks for reading!

Taja D'amore.