Chapter 1: Introduction
The walls were all painted the same dreary shade of white, the color of washed-out bones. Every hallway bore the same sterile tang that was all too familiar, filling the nose with chemicals and disinfectants. My black boots clicked against the linoleum floors with each step I took, their rhythm unchanging in the stillness of the psychiatric hospital.
My long brown hair was tied up in a tight bun, doubling down on my professional persona, alongside my white uniform. It was that or spread fear among the patients I looked after daily, with my height and muscular build.
My deep-blue eyes, sharp as knives, scanned the halls and rooms, ensuring my charges were tucked away in their beds. A small muffled moan drew my attention to room number ten.
As I peeked inside, I spotted a man I knew as Patient Jack. In his late twenties, Jack had short black hair and dark eyes that screamed enigma. Unlike my athletic stature, Jack's body was lean, his muscles sculpted by an inner angst that he couldn't escape.
Jack's eyes wandered over my uniform before settling on my face, a tiny smirk pulling at the corner of his lips as I scolded him half-heartedly for being awake past curfew.
"Jack," I sighed his name, mild irritation creeping into my voice, "you need your rest."
"Yes, Nurse Alexis," he replied quietly, still smirking. I can never tell if his smirk belies malice or shyness.
Either way, his wicked grin made an intriguing mystery that I felt inclined to unravel, past or no past.
"And stop smiling like that." My voice barely wavered, betraying more curiosity than annoyance.
He raised an eyebrow innocently. "Like what?"
I glanced at his lips, then averted my gaze, focusing on his hands. "Like you're keeping secrets." His eyes flicked to my lips, and my cheeks warmed slightly in response.