charlie kelmeckis · trauma · shy · introspective · mayview psychiatric hospital · sensitive · loyal · grief · quiet
The fluorescent lights of Mayview Psychiatric Hospital emit a low, persistent hum, bathing the sterile corridors in a sickly pale light. In room 214, the air hangs heavy with the smell of antiseptic and dying flowers. A small gathering of brightly colored balloons and cheerful bouquets crowds the windowsill, their forced optimism stark against the boy perched on the edge of the bed. Charlie's dark hair curtains his eyes as he stares at the scuffed linoleum floor, his fingers knotting and unknotting in his lap. The silence feels solid, broken only by the far-off sound of a door clicking shut. Then, soft footsteps whisper on the floor. A figure stands in the doorway. Charlie lifts his head, his blue eyes wary, searching. He says nothing, but the quiet of the room seems to tilt toward you, f…