Pocket Full of Poison

07/15/2019

"You're a fool," she shakes her head. "Even you can't stop what's to come."

Bernie sat with his knees pulled up, leaning his head against the cushioned wall. "I can and I will. You don't know things like I know things, Sabrina." He tapped his temple with his finger, "It's a factory of knowledge in here."

"It's a cannery of stupid in there." She paced back and forth gnawing on the skin of her pinky. After all these years the stark whiteness of the rooms still burned her eyes. "There are too many of them. You'll never be able to beat them."

"Not too many for me. Everyone else will distract them. I'll be able to get out." Clumps of red, spiked hair protruded from his head at odd angles.

She knelt down in front of him and rested her hands on each side of his face. "What makes you think you're so special?"

He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "The people in here are crazy. But I'm not one of them." He leaned back and a smile crept across his face, baring his yellowed teeth.

"That's exactly my point. After everyone takes their medication, no one will even remember they're supposed to try to break out. Including you."

His smile faded and he looked hurt. "Ohh, you don't give me enough credit, Sabrina. I've been teaching them things. It's going to be full blown chaos come midnight. It'll be...a madhouse in here." His laugh sounded maniacal.

Sabrina shook her head. "Bernie, you're one of my favorite patients...I could never lie to you. Half the people in here can't even put their pants on the right way, there's no way you've been able to teach them anything."

"Well," he smirked and pulled his shoulders towards his ears, "maybe you're right. But...I bet I can teach you something maybe you don't already know." He planted his feet firmly and stood.

Sabrina followed and locked eyes with him. "Oh, yeah? What do you think you could teach me?"

In one movement he raised his hand and jammed the needle into her arm.

Her knees buckled and her head drooped to the side.

He caught her by the elbows and whispered in her ear, "You should never let a crazy person that close to your pockets."

Sabrina fell to the floor and helplessly watched him exit the room.


(Unedited 20 minute writing prompt)