Doctor Augustus Mori stood behind the curtain-less window of his office, face almost kissing the stained window glass. He stared with a crease creeping on his forehead at the sight below. There he stood, the young doctor which he so desperately wanted, needed truth be told. He ran a hand through his balding hair and took a deep breath. "Lord forgive me," he whispered-his words uttered with utmost conviction. He put on his white coat and fixed the falling eyeglasses from the bridge of his nose, then prepped the folders on his table and sat motionless as he waited for his new employee.

***

Dr. Zackary Salvador walked silently behind a petite-framed female. Her nurse uniform was too short for his liking and instead of white stockings, the woman wore black. Her hair was tied in a bun which made her look older than her age. The stud earring that graced both her earlobes looked too small for the size of her ears. She greeted him and Damien at the front door a few minutes back and informed him that the head psychiatrist was waiting for him inside his office. Damien bid him goodbye and took his suitcases to his assigned room. He then followed the nurse deeper inside the hospital.

On their way there, Dr. Zackary took note of all the halls they passed through. The building from the outside looked ordinary but its interior was something else. It appeared more like a maze than a hospital. One hallway branched twice then trice and to his observation, the other hallways that branched from the branch might lead to another set of hallways. Although utterly confused, the doctor held his tongue from asking questions.

Not long after, they reached their destination. The nurse's abrupt stop almost made the doctor collide with her back. Gaining his composure, he threw the girl a snobbish glance but was greeted with the same air of arrogance. She hadn't asked him to enter the room immediately, she first peeked her head inside the office after a few knocks and announced his arrival to the doctor inside. After, Zackary heard a low-toned voice that said, "Send him in." It was then that the nurse turned towards him, stepped aside, and beaconed him to enter.

Dr. Augustus had long asked the nurse to leave the room but Dr. Zackary remained standing near the door. He stared at the old man who leisurely flipped through the files on his desk. Dr. Augustus Mori, Zackary thought to himself, was a well-renowned psychiatrist. His hair was now a testament to his age by the receding hairline on his forehead and streaks of white hair that replaced his once dark locks.

The fine lines on his face were a reminder of how time wore him out, but the intelligence that beholds the man did not fade but progressed over time. Dr. Mori has written many papers about understanding the human psyche, all of them applauded and celebrated in the healthcare industry. His analysis of many cases of delusion especially schizophrenia gained him multiple awards. Zackary himself dreamed to delve deep into the world of people who suffers from schizophrenia. Why? Because he had lived his life as a witness to those who suffered it, his mother and sister.

A sudden grunt paused him from his musing. "Come sit here young man," the Doctor said as he gestured for him to take the wooden chair in front of his desk.

The young doctor complied and sat across from him. "You're Twenty-nine, had the highest grade in your class, and even made it to the top five of the licensure exams, " Mori began, keeping a stoic face with eyes fully submerged in the folder he held. "But with all these, I believe you are still wondering why I hired you, correct?" the doctor added.

Dr. Zackary nodded as he kept the urge to swallow the lump of saliva that had pooled inside his mouth. Yes, he was excited but nervous. Hell, he had been on edge from the moment he received his employment contract. He admired this doctor, followed all his research materials, and even wrote a reaction paper to one of his works. Now that he finally came face to face with him, all confidence he held a few hours ago diminished. The Doctor before him might even see a petrified rabbit instead of a young and promising doctor, and those thoughts, unfortunately, materialized after the old doctor released a chuckle, stood from his chair, and walked towards the window.

With a warm smile plastered on his face, he asked, "Are you that nervous? I envisioned you to be more energetic."

He desperately scanned his brain for an answer. Then shifted uncomfortably from his chair. Failing to find an appropriate retort. He took a long drag of breath and simply answered, "The journey might have taken too much of my vigor doctor, please forgive my lack of enthusiasm," and hoped those words were enough to rectify his behavior.

"Yes, I heard Damien and you took the long route," the doctor answered. Zackary raised an eyebrow which elicited a slight chuckle from his elder. "There was another route?" he asked. Dr. Mori casually walked back to his chair and answered with a nod.

"Our Damien likes to give his aunt a visit once in a while, he must have used this opportunity to do so. Do forgive him, doctor. I can assure you he will face serious consequences for his action."

Zackary may have felt offended and cheated, but he kept his mouth shut and bobbed his head in a mute agreement with what the doctor said.

"Now, as much as I want us to get acquainted, I believe it's time for you to retire to your quarters. I would brief you on everything you need to know tomorrow. Lest you have questions that need immediate attention," Mori added.

Dr. Zackary, although baffled, and yes filled with numerous questions heeded the older doctor's advice. He did feel sore and in need of a hot bath. The grime from the endless greens and fauna that had accumulated on his feet and coat made him feel irksome.

When Zackary nodded to indicate his acceptance of the suggestion, Dr. Mori pressed a button from the telephone on his desk and asked for someone named Delfin. Not long after, they heard a soft knock. A young man, perhaps in his late teens sprang from the door. "Ah Delfin, this is Doctor Zackary, he is the new psychiatrist in our hospital," Doctor Mori said to the young man. Instantly, he smiled at Zackary then bowed his head and said, "Follow me, sir, I will guide you to your quarters." With that, Zackary stood from his chair, bid the old doctor goodbye, and left the office with the young man.

Upon exit, he was immediately led toward a long, narrow, and windowless hallway. It would have looked like a scene from a horror movie, were it not completely lit with bright white fluorescent. They walked through this tunnel-like structure for about three minutes before the hall began to widen. The white-tiled floor that covered the previous hallway gave way to a much darker shade of red, more like magenta with yellow circular patterns.

Zackary silently followed his guide, barely able to take note of his surroundings. The fatigue which slowly built up during his journey was finally at its peak, but he battled to keep his mind awake and eyes solely focused on the man in front of him, and before he knew it, they were standing in front of a door.

"This is your room, sir," his guide said happily. "Would you like me to send your dinner here or will you be joining us in the canteen," he added.

As much as the young doctor wanted to, he could barely stand, so he sent the guide away informing him that he would have to miss dinner.

The room he was led to was fair in size. It had a faint smell of honey and orange. The walls were covered with opulent blue and white wallpaper, adorned with colorfully framed landscapes that hung proudly on the wall, complementing the bare cream-colored floor. Dainty white curtains draped the glass-sealed windows and across it rest a four-post bed with the most intricate carvings of cherubs and flowers he had ever seen. Adjacent to the bed was an equally elegant wardrobe. A full-body mirror, still with the same amount of intricately carved cherubs was on the left , and adjacent to that stood a small door that he deemed to be the bathroom.

Dr. Zackary who was still leaning against the door sighed and walked towards the wardrobe where his suitcases were neatly piled. He opened one and took out his pajamas, went straight to the bathroom, took a shower, and leisurely slept under the crisp, fabric-conditioned covers of his bed. Unbeknownst to him, that night sealed his fate.