Not wanting to be around my father, I walked downstairs and crossed over into another building. I ascended the stairs of the other building and came up to a floor on the same level as my room. From there I hoped to find a crack in the wall through which I could watch my father's actions.

When I entered a room, I found it inhabited by an assortment of decrepit, sick people, and I made some slight noises, causing everyone to jump as if they feared I would hurt them. Some people were lying on their beds and some were slumping in their chairs. The miasmic air made the room seem like a leper colony. Dirty trays and plates lay scattered on the floor; the place reminded me of the Gallipolis State Institute, a mental hospital near Gallipolis. Not wanting to stay, I turned to leave. A hollow-faced man sat up in his bed and watched me exit.

I hurriedly raced down the stairs, wanting to get out of here before I became infected. At the bottom of the stairs I bumped into two men (each about 20 years old). They seemed intoxicated on alcohol and wanted to pick a fight. I looked through the hall out into the street where I could see two uniformed men.

I managed to make it past the two belligerent men and back out into the street. I reentered the building where I lived. It seemed like a hotel and a desk clerk were here. The two belligerent men overtook me and were preparing to beat me.

Copyright 2008 by luciddreamer2k@gmail.com