Fiction: Group 3
This, a place of sorrow, of broken hearts and minds, especially at night. Ear-piercing screams of pain and
nightmares echo down the hallway. I always had multiple nightmares throughout the night, but that was
archaic here, we were never short on nightmares.
***
Macau, January 1969
This, was my first New Year alone, alone with only these books for company in the Asylum’s library.
Because everyone was in the lounge watching a movie, so I got a chance to sneak in.
I’ve been here for almost a year now and they’ve given me a number. So now, I am formally Patient 3209.
Other than that, I think I’ve adapted well, though occasional abuse and neglect does make me have suicidal
thoughts but I guess I’m quite used to that.
The silence in the library was chilling and the lights were fading, fading until the library became a black box.
That night, was quite boisterous as usual, but there was a typically sinister atmosphere that I’d never felt
before. Suddenly, lights flickered back on and the doors swung open. In popped a doctor’s head. He had
unruly, jet-black hair, an unlined, chiselled face, and brownish brows with bloodshot eyes piercing through
my soul.
“
年好
.”
He smiled cheerfully but it looked more liked an animal baring teeth.
“Happy New Year to you too, I don’t remember seeing a doctor like you around here.” I answered, trying
to sound amicable.
“Really? I guess because I rarely come out of my office, but I’ve been here for a long time. I am Dr. Keng
Nan but Keng is fine.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Dr. Keng, I am patient 3209. But Heong would be nice.”
I added at the end. It has been forever since someone called my name. We were all just numbers here.
“Heong then, and can you tell me why you’re here?”
And that was how the most interesting conversation I’ve had in a while begun.
***
“But Heong, didn’t you ever wonder about the Pearl River curse?”
“No, why? Its like, none of my business anyway.”
