8/10

Do not eat that biscuit.

Really? Why not? It looks pretty normal to me.

Just don’t. 

Are you saying there’s something wrong with it? 

Yes. 

Fine. What about the tea? Can I have that? It’s chamomile. It smells so damn good and I’m really thirsty.

No.

ARE YOU ALRIGHT ANNA? YOU HAVEN’T TOUCHED YOUR TEA.

I’m not allowed to have any.

I PROMISE YOU, THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. IT’S JUST CHAMOMILE TEA. YOU WATCHED ME MAKE IT FOR YOU LIKE FIVE MINUTES AGO.

Don’t drink it. 

Sorry, I can’t drink it. 

OKAY, WELL I’LL LEAVE IT HERE IN CASE YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND. HOW ABOUT THE BISCUIT? I THOUGHT YOU LIKED GINGERNUT.

Well, you’re right, I do like gingernut and that biscuit looks tasty. I’m so damn hungry…

If you eat that biscuit, very bad things will happen. 

But I can’t eat it. Sorry.

I UNDERSTAND. IT’LL BE HERE IF YOU WANT IT LATER. ANNA, I’M GOING ON MY BREAK NOW, JUST LET ANOTHER NURSE KNOW IF YOU NEED ANYTHING IN THE NEXT FIFTEEN, OKAY?

So what’s going to happen if I eat the biscuit?

Something bad.

Like, bad? Or very bad?

Both.

To who?

You. 

What’s gonna happen to me?

Do you remember how to divide?

What? 

Do you remember how to divide?

Uh, yeah, I guess so?

With your fingers? Like I taught you?

Well it's hard to divide by more than four but yeah. I can do it. 

I hope you don’t have to. 

ANNA, I’M BACK FROM MY BREAK. SHOULD I PUT THE TEA AND BISCUIT AWAY?

You’re back already? I thought you said it would be like fifteen minutes?

IT’S BEEN ALMOST TWENTY, ACTUALLY. 

It has? Wow, guess I lost track of time. 

You should have that dinner over there.

Can I have that dinner over there?

THAT’S CARLTON’S DINNER, ANNA. IT’S BEEN MADE ESPECIALLY FOR HIM. HE’S GOT COELIAC DISEASE.

Oh.

You have to eat that dinner. Or bad things will happen. 

I’LL BRING OUT YOUR DINNER A BIT LATER THEN, SHALL I?

No, look, I really need that dinner, the one on that plate, the one that you said was Carlton’s.

I’M REALLY SORRY BUT I CAN’T DO THAT. THAT DINNER IS HIS noitisnt.

You don’t understand. Something really bad will happen if I don’t eat that dinner.

Really really bad.

Something really really bad.

OH DEAR, THAT SOUNDS AWFUL. WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN IF YOU DON’T EAT CARLTON’S your DINNER?

I don’t know, but it’s gonna be bad. Please, I’m begging you, I need that dinner.

LOOK, I’LL DO THE BEST I CAN noshewont BUT I CAN’T MAKE ANY GUARANTEES. MAYBE THE KITCHEN CAN MAKE no ANOTHER not ONE good FOR enough YOU.

Please. I really don’t want bad things to happen to me. I’m begging you. Please, I need Carlton’s dinner.

I’shM GeliOIesNdoG TnOt ASlisteK BntUoT IhTer MIGorbHaTdthi TngAKsE SwilOlhappMentE ToyIMoE, WuAE’RE VEnnRYa BUSY.

Huh? Sorry, I got distracted for a second there. What did you say? 

DON'T WORRY. JUST WAIT HERE ANNA. I’LL BE BACK SOON.

Eat it right now. Or I’ll make it even harder to divide.

I can’t! She’s coming back soon, I swear, then I promise I'll eat it.

We can wait for like one more minute, right?

Dad?

Too late, darling. Stand up.

7/10

Hi. I don’t know you.

WELL, THAT’S BECAUSE WE HAVEN’T MET BEFORE. MY NAME’S STEVE AND I’LL BE YOUR NURSE FOR THE SHIFT. NICE TO MEET YOU, ANNA.

What a smartass. Don’t shake his hand. Stop looking at his arms.

WELL, IF THAT’S HOW IT’S GOING TO BE. THAT’S FINE THEN. HOW’S YOUR WOUND?

Easily offended, too. Don’t be fooled by the hair and the smile and the jawline. He’s weak.

I think it’s fine but it still hurts.

CAN I HAVE A LOOK?

No.

Uhhh…

Say no.

Yeah, sure. 

THANKS. WELL, THEY WEREN’T LYING. THAT’S A NASTY ONE. I’M GOING TO CLEAN IT UP AND CHANGE THE BANDAGE, ALRIGHT? THE ANTISEPTIC WILL STING A BIT. 

I’ll be fine. It seems like you know what you’re doing, anyway. 

SO, I SAW ON THE CALENDAR THAT YOUR SISTER IS TAKING YOU OUT TODAY. WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED?

She’s taking me to the mall to buy some new clothes because everything feels too small on me these days. I’m worried I might be getting chubby, do you think I’m getting chubby? 

WELL, THE MEDICATION CAN CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN FOR SOME PEOPLE. DO YOU WANT ME TO TALK TO THE DOCTOR ABOUT ADJUSTING THE DOSE?

That would be nice, actually. What did you say your name was again?

SyouTregoingtEodiVeE. 

What? 

SyTouregEoinVgtodEie.

Oh, right. Steve. Uhhh… I’m feeling stressed out. Can you get my vape?

SORRY, WAS IT SOMETHING I DID OR SAID?

No, I just need my vape. 

SURE, BUT I HAVEN’T FINISHED - 

I need it now. 

FINE. I'LL BE BACK IN A SEC.

You’re going to die. 

I’m sorry Dad, I didn’t mean to, I won’t ignore you again. It was a mistake. I’m sorry, forgive me, please. I won’t do it again, please, Dad, please.

Dad?

HERE’S YOUR VAPE. IF YOU DON’T MIND, WHAT STRESSED YOU OUT ALL OF A SUDDEN?

If you use the vape, you’re going to die. 

I, uhhh… I can’t actually use this.

BUT YOU WANTED IT JUST A SECOND AGO. 

I know, but I can’t have it, I just can’t. Could you put it back?

ANNA, IS SOMETHING WRONG?

Nothing. Well, okay, maybe.

If you say anything about me, or if you use the vape, you’re going to die. 

WELL, IT’S OKAY, YOU CAN SHARE ANYTHING WITH ME IN CONFIDENCE. AS YOUR NURSE IT’S MY DUTY TO LOOK AFTER YOU. 

Thanks Steve, I appreciate that. I guess there’s one thing. 

If you say anything about me, or if you use the vape, you’re going to die a horrible death. 

Well not something, but actually someone. 

GO ON. I’M LISTENING. I’M HERE FOR YOU.

If you say anything about me, or if you use the vape, you’re going to die a horrible death, and so will your sister. 

I don’t want to die. 

I’M SORRY?

I don’t want to die and I don’t want my sister to die so I can’t tell you. 

YOU’RE SAFE IN HERE, ANNA. IS SOMEONE THREATENING YOU?

It’s time to do division, Anna. Stand up.

No. No no no no no no.

ARE YOU SURE?

Is seven a prime number?

Uhhh… yes. Yes, yes, yes I think so.

Not great for division, is it? I like six better.

ANNA, WE’VE TALKED ABOUT THE DOOR. YOU NEED TO STEP AWAY RIGHT NOW.

Don’t you?

ANNA, STOP! 

6/10

I remember the day you were born, Anna. Did you know I chose your name? I wanted it to be a palindrome because I knew no matter what you did in your life, whether you went forwards, backwards or upside down, the way I adored you would never change.  

- ARE QUITE WORRIED ABOUT YOU. THIS RECENT PATTERN OF BEHAVIOUR HAS BEEN CONCERNING FOR US AS WELL. WE’VE BEEN DISCUSSING AN INCREASE TO YOUR MED - 

You refuse to believe it, but everything I’ve done is out of love for you. As a child you needed discipline, and I knew I had to provide that in the most effective way, just as my father taught me. You also needed unnecessary distractions like friends, electronics, and worst of all, boys, surgically removed from your life like a sixth finger, so you could remain razor-focused on your future success. I see it as my own failure that your life has not panned out the way I envisaged.

- THAT WE’RE HOPING IT’LL MAKE YOU FEEL LESS DISTRESSED WHEN THE VOICES BECOME OVERWHELMING. I DON’T THINK ANY OF US WANT ANY MORE, UH, INCIDENTS. WHAT DO YOU THINK? 

Even though I’ve passed on, I will always be here with you, urging you forward. You are still a child, Anna. You need a firm hand to guide you from behind, to pick you up when you fall, and, when necessary, administer discipline in the face of disobedience. 

ANNA?

Remember, darling: Dad knows best.

ANNA, ARE YOU WITH ME?

Doctor, could you talk a bit quieter please? My head hurts. 

SORRY ABOUT THAT. IS THIS BETTER?

Not really.

HOW ABOUT NOW?

Uhhh… yeah, that’s fine. 

SO, AS I WAS SAYING, WE WOULD LIKE TO INCREASE YOUR MEDICATION TODAY.

Absolutely not. It’s poison. 

I don’t want any more of that poison in my body. 

I PROMISE YOU, IT IS NOT POISON AND IT DOES WORK. YOU TOLD ME JUST THE OTHER DAY THAT THE VOICES WERE GETTING EASIER TO IGNORE. EASIER TO SEPARATE.

I did? 

YES, YOU DID. IT’S ALL DOCUMENTED IN OUR NOTES.

No, you didn’t. He’s lying. Those can be easily faked. 

I don’t believe you.

AT LEAST TAKE THE ANTIBIOTICS, ANNA. I’M WORRIED THE INFECTION MIGHT SPREAD TO YOUR BONES. YOU COULD GET VERY SICK OR EVEN DIE. 

I don’t want to die. 

NOBODY WANTS YOU TO DIE.

I think he does. 

Anna. 

WHO DOES? 

Him. 

Anna, I’m warning you. 

WHO, ANNA? WHO WANTS YOU TO DIE? IS IT THE VOICE?

Six is such a good number, Anna. Please don’t force me to cut it off so soon.

Nobody. It’s nobody, doctor. I just don’t want to die.

THAT’S WHY IT’S VERY IMPORTANT WE TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR WOUNDS. YOU NEED TO STOP PICKING AT THEM CONSTANTLY BECAUSE THEY GET IRRITATED AND THE BANDAGE WILL KEEP FALLING OFF. THAT’S PROBABLY HOW THE INFECTION STARTED TOO.

More lies.

Okay. I’m gonna try. 

I KNOW YOU’RE DOING YOUR BEST.

It’s just so hard. Dad keeps telling me that if I don’t take the bandages off then he’ll make me do division again but it’s itchy and it hurts and also I’m running out of fingers so it’s hard to do that anyway.

DAD? DID YOU MENTION YOUR DAD, ANNA?

Oh shit. No, I didn’t. No, I have no idea what you’re talking about, it’s not my Dad, it’s no one, there’s no voice, I’m completely fine, honestly.

Stand up.

IS YOUR DAD THE VOICE YOU’VE BEEN HEARING?

No, please stop. Just shut up, that’s not what I said. I didn’t say anything. 

Go to the door.

ANNA, YOU NEED TO SIT DOWN RIGHT NOW. WE CAN’T RISK ANOTHER INCIDENT HAPPENING. 

Slide your finger into the gap between the door and the wall.

YOUR FINGERS ARE IN BAD ENOUGH COND- 

Now slam the door shut. 

ANNA, NO! STOP!

I love you, my child, but you must learn discipline. 

5/10