The Lost Patient

A Story by Shygirl

"Hey Josh! Look at this!" Marvin picked up the leather-bound journal. It must have been from a previous patient. He flipped through the pages. The book was filled with journal entries.

"What is it, another straight jacket?" Josh was getting tired of Marvin's stupid jokes and pranks. Marvin dragged him over to the insane asylum to visit his great aunt Clara, because he knew asylums freaked Josh out. Josh had watched every horror film in existence and knew that bad things happened in asylums...and cabins, but that wasn't important.

"No. It's a diary. Says here it belongs to some dud named Travis McConnley," Marvin looked serious.

"Well we could check if anyone's missing it," Josh felt a chill down his spine. Something bad was going to happen. He always got chills when something bad happens, like when Marvin got the Flu and they ran out of pudding cups in the cafeteria.

"Or we could take a look inside, find out the crazy guy's secrets, and then return it...maybe," This always happens. Whenever something like this happens it's always 'Josh lets do something stupid and get in trouble!' Then when Josh said no, Marvin would play the 'Josh is a wimp' card, which then Josh would have to go as a matter of dignity.

"Come on! You know you want to! Besides I'll just read it with out you, anyway. What's that? Is Josh a chicken?" Marvin would continue to insult Josh until he caved so the only way to stop him was to do it, which he did.

"Fine! Whatever! Jeez!" Josh exclaimed.

Marvin opened the book.

Tuesday September 14th, 1968

Day One:

Wendy Carter was found dead at the Elleswood Pychiatric Hospital on Monday. I arrived at the scene this morning. Ms. Carter was single and had no bad history with anyone. In fact, she barely had a history at all. She was practically invisible. Average high school grades, average college grades, average income, average job, and so on. Officer Dale and I have interrogated everyone, however most of the witnesses were insane, while the others were...unreliable. This case will be tougher than I originally thought. Though one witness stands out from the rest. John Doe, could his name be any more sketchy. He was tall and had a five 'o clock shadow. He had long jet black hair that swept over his eyes and a dark tan complexion. He wore a black trench coat and a forest green fedora hat. He seemed stuck in the shadows. He was shifty and mysterious. He was quite close to Mrs. Carter, apparently.

Thursday, September 16th, 1968

Day Three:

This place is getting to me. Apparently, there are no records of John Doe. John Doe does not exist, And yet, I spoke with him and saw him around the hospital. He could be an illegal immigrant. Boy, wouldn't border patrol love that. They hardly get any action and jump at any and every case they can get.

Friday, September 17th, 1968

Day Four:

What's happening to me? I must be seeing things. I distinctly saw John Doe and pointed him out to Dale, but Dale didn't see anything, or anyone for that matter. Dale doesn't have the keenest vision, but Doe was a few feet away. Dale isn't blind. Why am I the only one who sees John Doe? Am I going crazy? Was I drugged? Is John Doe just a figment of my imagination?

Monday, September 20th, 1968

Day Seven:

I understand now! Everyone does see John Doe, it's just that they want me to think that I'm crazy! It all makes sense I pose a threat to discovering the truth, not just about Wendy, about everything! They are afraid that I will reveal the truth. I must learn more before I can expose their corruption. To do that, I ill need to go to the center of the deception.

Tuesday, September 21st, 1968

Day Eight:

I uncovered the truth! I spoke with John and he confirmed my suspicions. John told me that Wendy knew too much also, and that's why she was murdered! THEY were going to kidnap her and interrogate her so THEY could figure out what she knew. To save her from THEM, John Doe had to kill his true love before THEY could get her. I underestimated Doe. He is a good man.

Thursday, September 23rd, 1968

Day Ten:

THEY got me! I must protect my knowledge from THEM! I could never to it myself, so John will do it for me. He is a good man.

"What's it say next?" Josh was now curious.

Marvin frowned. "Nothing,"

"That's weird."

Yeah," Marvin's furrowed his brow.

"What is i, Marvin?"His face paled as he pointed out the window. Josh followed his finger to the courtyard where standing in the shadows was tall man in a black trench coat with a dark green fedora hat, staring straight at them.