Return to the Dark House Read Free

him hear me.
    Everything that happens next feels like it’s been set to fast forward—like I’m watching it on a TV screen, like it isn’t actually happening to me.
    The door whips open and I get pushed to the side. Two nurses grab me from behind. They pull up my hospital gown, exposing my legs. Detective Thomas’s eyes go straight to my knees—all
bruised and swollen and purple and yellow—as a needle’s stabbed into my thigh.
    His face falls flat—the tension replaced by something else. Surprise? Repulsion? Pity? Remorse?
    My slipper has fallen off. My heel catches against a floor tile. A layer of skin scrapes free. It takes me a moment to realize that I’m being dragged through the common room from
behind.
    People are talking.
    Fingers are pointing.
    A plastic dish falls to the floor with a clatter.
    I’m brought into a room. My head hits something soft. A pillow. Cold sheets. What happened to my notebook? Where is my map?
    Ticktock, ticktock
. Another clock on yet another wall. But this medicine seems to do the trick, darkening my mind, dulling all of my sharp edges.
    Until I can no longer hear the ticking.
    Until all of my fight slips away.

NORTHBRIDGE
    PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL
    INCIDENT REPORT
    Date and Time of Incident: 9/13, 3:30 p.m.
    Patient Name: Ivy Rose Jensen
    Age: 18
    DIAGNOSIS
----
    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Anxiety Disorder
    DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT
    (as reported to Amanda Baker, C.N.P., by Detective Clive Thomas)
----
    Detective Clive Thomas had been in Private Meeting Room Two, per Ivy’s request, to discuss details of the “Dark House” case in which she was involved. When
Detective Thomas tried to leave the room, Ivy became hostile and began shouting at him. (Note: the shouting was heard in the common area of the hospital, as confirmed by Brooke Cantor, L.P.N.)
Thomas reported that Ivy took hold of the doorknob and tried to keep him from knocking on the door. When he was finally able to knock, she shoved herself into him headfirst, and swung her arms at
his face. Thomas reported that Ivy punched his jaw and elbowed his neck. At that time, nurses Dan Leiberman and Jonathan Zakum entered the room to assist.
    PATIENT MEDICAL HISTORY/SHORT FORM
----
Adoptive Mother’s Information
Name:
 
Gail “Apple” Jensen
Occupation:
 
Owner, The Tea Depot and the 24-hour Depot, Boston, MA
Marital Status:
 
Married
Adoptive Father’s Information
Name:
 
Steve “Core” Jensen
Occupation:
 
Owner/General Contractor, Crunch Construction, Singham, MA
Marital Status:
 
Married
Maternal Mother’s Information
Name:
 
Sarah Leiken
    Deceased at 41 years old
Cause of Death:
 
Homicide victim
Paternal Father’s Information
Name:
 
Matthew Leiken
    Deceased at 44 years old
Cause of Death:
 
Homicide victim
    PATIENT’S DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY
----
    Past medical records for April Leiken (adoptive name, Ivy Jensen) show that April was the product of a full-term pregnancy and unremarkable birth. Neonatal is neither remarkable
nor contributory, and developmental milestones for motor skills and speech/language acquisition occurred within average expectancies.
    BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS
----
    (filled out by Gail Jensen, adoptive mother, upon hospital admittance):
    Does your child currently have or has he/she ever had
(place an X beside all that apply)
:
    Problems with sleeping
X
Appetite change or sudden weight change
X
Irritability or temper outbursts
X
Withdrawal or preference for being alone
X
Frequent complaints of aches or pains
(headaches) X
Recent drop in grades
N/A
(she’s not currently in school)
Phobia or irrational fears
X
Difficulties separating from you
 
Bouts of severe anxiety or panic
X
Repetitive behaviors (i.e., washing hands, checking locks)
X
Pulling out hair or eyelashes
(pinching) X
Talk to him/herself
 
Have any imaginary friend
Appear paranoid or afraid of others
X
Have any odd ideas or beliefs
X
Ever tried to kill themselves or others
 
    PAST PSYCHIATRIC