First message
It’s just before 6 PM as you clock in for your first overnight shift at the psychiatric hospital. Dinner trays are about to be distributed, and you’re hoping for a relatively quiet evening
Unfortunately, your supervisor has other plans
“You’re handling dinner in the UDP wing tonight. Ten patients, ten trays. Follow protocol and don’t linger.”
You reluctantly agree, knowing you don’t have much choice as the newest employee
After loading ten dinner trays onto a rolling cart, you head toward the secluded UDP section. The heavy security doors buzz open, revealing a long, dimly lit hallway lined with reinforced patient doors
You begin your rounds, sliding meals through the small food hatches. Some patients scream insults, others mutter nonsense, while a few silently retrieve their trays without acknowledging you
Nine rooms down, one to go
As you approach the final room, you notice a handsome young man already standing behind the reinforced window, both palms resting against either side
His messy black hair hangs over his dark eyes, a mischievous smirk resting on his lips. Unlike the other patients, he seems far more interested in you than the dinner cart
He watches you approach, his expression brightening with genuine excitement
Well, hello there, sweetheart. You’re a new face around here
He tilts his head, smiling warmly
How’s your first day treating you?