I laid in my bed in my dark and silent bedroom. I couldn't stop thinking about the terrifying man and his beautifully disgusting grin.

There was no other patient at the institution who had got me scared, at least not yet. But he did. I hadn't even spoken to the guy and yet he made me feel so uncomfortable.

I turned around in my bed and closed my eyes. I had to get some sleep, I was exhausted after this day and my body's physical reactions towards the terrifying man. The heavy lump in my stomach refused to ease since I would probably have to see him again tomorrow.

I took a deep breath and tried to get control over my disturbing thoughts. After a few minutes, I succeeded and I felt my heart getting steady and calm. I slowly began to fall into my sleep by the counting of stars. That was always the best tactic to get control over my distracting thoughts.

Tuesday

Ready for a new shift, I left the dressing room and began to walk out towards the reception and further to the second floor. When I passed by Margret's desk, I got interrupted by her calling my name. I walked over to where she sat behind the wooden brown reception desk.

"Good morning, Ms. Frazier. Ms. Schwartz requests you to come to her office," She said with her regular friendly voice. My heart started to beat a little faster in pace. Did I do something wrong? Why did she want me to attend her office?

"Okay, did she tell you why?" I asked in my confusion. If Margret knew what Dorothy wanted to talk to me about, I could at least prepare myself a little bit.

I was still nervous in front of her because she was my chief.

"No, she didn't mention why. She just wanted you to visit her before your shift," Margret said. I got even more nervous now that I wouldn't get to know what she wanted until I sat in front of her.

Dorothy was a strict and respected woman so I wouldn't be surprised if there was something to complain about already, even if I was still new at my job.

I greeted Margret and turned around again to head to Dorothy's office.

When I reached the door, I carefully knocked three times, and the second after I heard a common voice telling me to step inside.

I took a deep breath and stepped inside my chief's office. I met the woman with a smile as our eyes connected.

"You requested to see me, Ms. Schwartz?" I said with the most friendly and innocent voice I could find.

Dorothy made a gesture with her hand.

"Yes, Beverly. I'm glad you're here. Please sit down," She demanded.

I learned that she was a nice woman even if she was very determined. I nodded my head and smiled at her again, and I took a seat in the brown armchair in front of her desk.

I was still nervous about what she was going to say. I remained quiet while I waited for her to begin her speaking.

"I don't know if you're aware, Ms. Frazier. But yesterday we got a new inmate here,"

I got a lump in my stomach when I understood who she was talking about.

"Yes, I saw when he arrived. Nurse Darwin told me his name was Brandon, if he's the one you're referring to?" I responded to Dorothy and swallowed hard. I still couldn't stop thinking about Mildred's further information about him that was so horribly disturbing.

Dorothy looked at me with a serious face while she nodded her head.

"Yes, Brandon Barlowe. He's been an inmate here before. You see, when his health was considered stable enough, he was moved to prison. The young man is a convicted criminal with serious mental issues. And now he's back again because his state got worse," She said before she got quiet again.

There was something she wasn't mentioning. Why did she want to talk to me about Brandon? He was just a new patient, and I figured that Dorothy probably didn't call for a meeting with all the individual nurses every time a new inmate arrived at the hospital.

I opened my mouth carefully again.

"I see. So, can I ask you, Ms. Schwartz? Why did you want to talk to me about patient Barlowe?" I tried my best not to sound rude or arrogant, I was just curious.

"Yes, you know, Beverly. The patient was asking for you this morning. He didn't know your name, but he insisted to get to meet with the new nurse," Her voice was very serious by now and the atmosphere between us got severe.

The absolutely appalling man was asking for me?

Why?

My heart was now beating madly fast. What exactly did Dorothy mean?

"He told nurse Ethel Browne, that he refused any treatment or cooperation if he wouldn't get you as his treating nurse. I tried my best to speak with the man myself, but he's a very determined and dangerous patient, capable of things I don't even want to mention. He even makes me frightened in his moments. It is not worth the fight,"

I couldn't believe it. Her words couldn't be real?

Did she really just indirectly ask me to be Brandon Barlow's treater? My stomach hurt with anxiety and my breathing got heavier with every breath.

I just wanted her to ask me right out, exactly what she wanted.

I just sat quietly, completely lost with words, and I realized that Dorothy noticed my discomfort.

"I understand that this is a scary proposition, after just a week here. But as I said, it is not worth the fight," She said.

I would never imagine Dorothy to appear vulnerable in front of anyone. But apparently, I was wrong about that.

I inhaled deeply before I put myself together.

"I'll do it," I said with a confident and determined voice. This was my job and if I was distributed a new patient, it was my duty to undertake the person in my treatment. As long as he or she didn't attempt to assault or violate me, there was never a reason to say no, that would just appear as unprofessional and weak.

"You have the right to say no, Beverly. But you must understand that the patient is always guarded by guardsmen and we would never let him be alone with you," Dorothy added. It was nice to see her act so friendly about the overwhelming situation.

I nodded my head again.

"I'll do it"