Title: Realities
Featuring: Dusk
Date: ReV 149
Location: Here and There

Montgomery looked at his long-time patient. There is pity in his eyes as he has been down this road so many times before. Craig just lies there on the floor, straight jacket wrapped around his body, and his eyes staring lifelessly at the wall in front of him. Montgomery could still remember the first time that he met Craig.

Eleven years ago, Montgomery was a man who knew nothing about the world around him except for the misconceptions he had created in his own head. Having graduated from college at the top of his class, then doing it again when receiving his Doctorate, Montgomery thought he knew it all. Craig had been his first case all of those years ago. After spending six months traveling the world, Montgomery decided it was time for him to actually practice the craft that he thought God had so graciously given him.

Meeting Craig changed that opinion mightily.

There was blood all over Craig’s torso, face, and clothes. At this time, Montgomery was working the psychiatric ward at UCLA Hospital when he was called for a consultation. Montgomery couldn’t deny it at the time, how excited he was to finally meet with his first patient. As he entered the room though, his entire world was turned on its ear and shattered to pieces. All of Montgomery’s clinical work took place in a very secure environment, in an office where people were not stained with blood.

Montgomery had cautiously worked his way to Craig’s bed and watched as he laid there, the nurses trying to get him to relax, calm down, and then he had been called for a psychiatric consult so everyone knew exactly the kind of person they were dealing with. With his wrists slashed, Montgomery knew exactly the kind of person they were dealing with; a crazy person. He committed Craig that very day, determined to fix this man’s mind, but as time went on, Montgomery found out there was no fixing it. Craig’s mind was severely destroyed and there was nothing that could be done about that. Still, Montgomery kept working, dilligently.

He looks at Craig and motions for him to come over to him. “Come on. Talk to me. It will be okay.” He had been called here for an emergency. Usually, this involved Craig trying to viciously commit suicide. Only after a few months would they release him from his straight jacket, but without failure, a few months would go by and then Craig would go off the deep end. Montgomery had tried to time these occurences, but nothing made sense so far. Montgomery could only come to the conclusion that either Craig’s mind was so warped or there was something that was triggering these episodes in Craig’s mind.

The only problem with tonight was that Craig was placed in his straight jacket exactly a week ago. Something else had happened and he wasn’t quite certain of what it was.

Montgomery looked at the seemingly catatonic Craig and slowly moved over to him. He looked deep into his brown eyes, almost pleading with the man to say something.

“Craig?”

Slowly, Craig’s eyes focus upon Montgomery. “Save me,” Craig pleaded with the man. Montgomery just looked him as Craig spoke with certain clarity in his tone.

This was a first.

***

The waves crashed against the rocks, repeatedly. It felt so serene as the sun rained down upon him. Craig tried to shield his eyes, but he was unable to do so due to the thread of rope that bounded his hands together. Moments ago, he had been inside of his home, and now he was here. It didn't make any sense. Nothing was making any sense.

Wasn't that the point of all this? That nothing made any sense in his life? It was true, that's for sure. The life Craig had led up to this point, how could any of it be true?

"Let me ask you something."

The man's voice reappeared, seemingly out of nowhere. Craig frantically looked around, hoping to see the man again, but the man stood just outside of his periphereal vision.

"I don't think I have much of a choice here," Craig responded, fighting furiously against his restraints.

"Stop that. It won't do you any good."

Craig shook his head. "My alternative is to let you just keep me tied up. Sorry, but I refuse to be your Anastasia Steele."

"Moving along," the man said with a certain curt tone to his words. "Have you ever wondered why so much shit seems to swirl around you? You seem to live in an everlasting shit storm. Does that not intrigue you?"

"Not really. Especially considering the last few years have been perfectly calm without any kind of issue," Craig spoke, his words even in temper. "You know, until you decided to show up and kidnap me."

"Kidnap you? Is that what you think this is?"

Craig looked down at the white sand. "I'm sorry, but I think we can all agree on the universal definition of kidnapping and this fits the profile easily."

"Even without these restraints, you would still be trapped, Craig. You are not free. You never have been. You have always been a prisoner."

Craig's frustration continued to grow. "If that's the case, let me go." And just like that, his hands are free. He stood up and looked around only to find that he is all alone. Craig closed his eyes and shook his head. This wasn't possible at all. At his home, he had seen the man. Here on this mysterious beach, he heard his voice. Yet, he was alone. All alone.

"You are worrying about the wrong things, Craig."

"Such as?"

"Such as who I am or where I am right now. Those things are so inconsequential to the real issues at foot here. Like your freedome."

Craig took a deep breathe in. "You mentioned that before. What's the deal on that?"

"Simple, Craig. You are not free. You are being held captive, even as we speak."

"Fine, I'll play your game. By whom?"

There is silence around him. Craig spun around, wanting an answer immediately.

"Well?"

"Are you sure you want to know this answer?"

Craig lowered his head.

"Your captor is you, Craig. You are holding yourself hostage."

***

Montgomery looked at his patient, pleading with him in the process, as he wanted more information on the words Craig just spoke.

"Save you? Save you from what?"

Craig looked deep into the eyes of Montgomery. "Save me from him."

Montgomery shook his head. "Craig, there is no one here. Who are you talking about?"

Craig turned his body and looked towards the empty and blank wall. Montgomery never had been able to get this much out of Craig and the fact that Craig was speaking said volumes to this specific moment.

"Craig, I can't help you if you don't talk to me. I can't help you understand the issues that are going on in your mind if you don't let me in. Please, just let me in already. You have come so far in just these few moments."

Craig turned back and looked at Montgomery. "I need you to free me."

"You know very well that I can't do that. You have to talk to me first. This is a process. It is not something that can just happen overnight. If you talk to me though, we can get to the root of your problems and fix you."

Craig laughed. Then he laughed some more. As Montgomery looked at him, he could see that Craig was even worst then he imagined after all of these years. Craig began to laugh so hard that he tears streamed down his face.

"Do you not understand it? You can't fix me. There is nothing to fix."

"I beg to differ, actually," Montgomery interjected. "There is much to fix in your mind, Craig."

Craig shook his head. "There is a problem with your theory."

"And what is that?"

"You're not real. You can't possibly be real."
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