2597-chapter-2
The hospital was fenced-in along the ridge of the mountain. Since it wasn’t a high-level, general medicine hospital, it wasn’t very large. It was a specialty facility for psychiatric medicine and only contained a closed ward.
Psychiatric wards are divided into open and closed wards.
Open wards are for patients with mild symptoms who are free to leave. Closed wards1 i will be using “closed” and “locked” wards interchangeably are for patients with severe symptoms or deemed to be “high risk,” and are hospitalized, or, in other words, “locked out.” Psychiatric facilities are often thought of as “white houses on a hill” – stark, isolated facilities surrounded by barbed wire- and as such, they are inevitably high-security.
‘It’s not a prison, yet the building in front of me has razor wire along the barbed fence.’
Won’s eyes narrowed as she spotted the concertina wire curled into a spring-like shape on top of the fence.
Typically, barbed wire2 sharp, twisted barbs that appear every few inches on wire; mostly agricultural use; aim is to slightly puncture used by civilians has a few, short, sharply cut wires in between. Razor wire3 concertina wire and razor wire are basically the same thing; coiled version of barbed wire; aims to hook someone/something caught in it and injures via cutting is only found at military encampments, borders, and prisons. The wires were sharp enough to tear an intruder’s, or an escapee’s, skin into shreds under contact.
“This is no ordinary medical facility, and that’s why I came to you.”
The client’s words echoed in her head.
‘Maybe it wasn’t all just an exaggeration.’
It is possible this closed ward is not like normal psychiatric hospitals. It was some kind of Hell that K Group’s matriarch had painstakingly selected for her husband’s troublesome bastard son. Even if this was an asylum run by a mad doctor who collaborated with state agencies to conduct human experimentation, Won accepted the request with the intention of completing the mission. It didn’t matter how abnormal this place was.
It was a long standing habit of hers to simulate all sorts of worst-case scenarios before the mission so she didn’t freak out; she was prepared. Even if this asylum was infested with zombies as a side effect of a clinical trial, Won would use any means to rescue her target. Well, so as long as the target wasn’t a zombie himself.
Reaching the iron gates, the private paramedics stood in front of a machine that resembled an apartment building’s communal doorbell and punched in a number. A camera lit up and a voice spoke.
“Please state the purpose of your visit.”
“This is DH Private Ambulance. We’re transporting a patient.”
Won sees five CCTVs along the perimeter fence turn towards her in unison. They were being spied on from multiple angles despite having a direct view of them in front of the gate. It was overly vigilant.
With a loud clang, the gates opened and the agents, dressed as private paramedics, dragged Won inside. Struggling, she continued to analyze her surroundings and collect as much information as possible.
Behind the fence was a pit, like a trench, and then another fence. Behind the second fence was a tall, thick wall where the agents communicated using the door phone and went through a second gate, only to be met with yet another fence.
This time, there wasn’t any razor wire with blades on top. In its place was a rhombus-shaped fence with anchor knots tied at regular intervals of about 3 meters, with cables running between the nodes. It was the typical way to attach an optical fiber sensor to a fence. If one were to try to climb over the fence or cut it, an alarm would sound.
As she walked away from the fence, she noticed motion detectors everywhere. It really was like a prison. It would be impossible for a normal person to escape on their own, much less one that is less than mentally stable.
As they passed through the thick double doors at the entrance to the ward, they were greeted by hospital staff. A security guard stood at the inner door. The doors seem to be automatic or only opened by swiping a card through a terminal, whether it was inside or outside.
“These are items packed by the patient’s family.”
The agents who escorted Won and her luggage left the ward. She was taken away by the hospital staff yet again. They placed her in a small room, only about a square meter, with green walls and ceilings. There were a few more CCTV cameras located in the room with her.
‘Stabilization room.’
Otherwise known as a Care Room or CR.
When first admitted, patients are told they will be kept here to observe their condition. It could be for only 30 minutes, or several hours long; the length of time was left to the whim of the medical staff.
Left alone, Won, conscious of the CCTV cameras, moderately fidgeted to get out, then sat back as if she were exhausted in the chair and remained still. Her mouth was still gagged and her hands were tired making her uncomfortable, but it wasn’t quite unbearable.
She wondered how much time had passed before the door to the CR opened and the hospital staff appeared once more.
“Follow me.”
One of the staff members, presumably a psychiatric nurse, led Won to another unknown location.
“Doctor, we have a new patient.”
“Leave her.”
The man who called himself a doctor nonchalantly responded, not even looking her way. He treated Won as if she were only another number.
The nurse bowed and left. Won stood still and watched the man.
The man, estimated to be in his thirties, wore rimless white glasses and had snake-like eyes. His pale skin, which looked like he never had been exposed to sunlight, reinforced his nervous, yet elite aura. Despite his good looks, it felt somewhat strange and uncomfortable to look at him.
Judging by his white coat, the doctor must be at least a clinical psychologist. He was surprisingly indifferent to Won. She couldn’t stand the way he ignored her and continued to glance through the documents. There was still a gag in her mouth, so her ability to form words was restricted, but she managed to make some uninterpretable noise.
Finally, the man lifted his head and looked at Won.
She could feel his long snake-like eyes behind his glasses lingering over her mouth. Saliva dripped from the corners of her mouth as the round, gag ball prevented her from speaking.
Just as Won felt like she would choke under the intense observation of her degradation, the doctor spoke.
“You look good.”
The corners of his mouth lifted upwards and he licked his lips as he continued to observe her.
“I wish you were wearing a leash.”
Not only is his joke not funny, but it’s also in bad taste.
“I’d love to see you bite more, but I have to take it off for you to answer some questions.”
The man chuckled as he walked over and removed the gag. It was a deft touch, like he has done it more than once or twice before.
Won’s mouth twitched a few times and she warned him, “Don’t make jokes like that. It is offensive.”
The man’s eyes widened, surprised by the direct requisition, but then he briefly let out a deep smile.
“You have quite a way with words.”
“Don’t ignore my words and be polite.”
“I like the way you’re standing up for yourself…”
The man grabbed Won’s chin and jerked it up.
“You’re a patient. A psychotic patient, too. Who is going to believe you if you say I offended you? Who would believe you if you accuse me of something worse than that when you aren’t even in your right mind? Huh?”
A glare reminiscent of a snake facing its prey poured over his face. Won met the gaze and returned it.
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re an abnormal patient here, and even if you are sane and dragged here with no choice, don’t feel too bad. You’ll end up as a real patient, soon.”
‘This isn’t a normal mental institution after all. How many medical professionals would say such a thing?’
Won kept her mouth shut. The man returned to his chair, satisfied that he had managed to keep her under control.
“What’s your name?”
“Lee Won.”
“Age?”
“Twenty-eight.”
“How many people have you had sex with?”
A question that crosses the line.
“What kind of play do you like to do? Do you have any unusual sexual preferences that you can’t tell others about? Like you can’t be satisfied with just one person, or you prefer to be fucked from behind? Do you like to be choked?”
Wanting to avoid a confrontation, Won chose to remain silent. The man recited a made-up story as if she were listening.
“You experienced it countless times. You have a severe case of nymphomania4 a woman with an uncontrollable or excessive sexual desire , so I’ll need to be careful.”
“What the hell kind of guy are you to give me such a bullshit diagnosis like tha-”
“Okay, let’s do a pat-down. Come this way.”
The man ignored Won’s comments and quickly moved on. Standing in front of a metal detector, he dumped her suitcase on the table. All sorts of little things spilled out of it.
“I see you’ve packed a lot of things, so let’s start with the prohibited items here.”
He began to inspect the items in the suitcase one by one.
Psychiatric hospitals, especially closed wards, have strict restrictions on belongings. Even everyday items like scissors, nail clippers, tweezers, toothpicks, earplugs, threading needles, and cotton balls are considered harmful tools and not allowed. Spiral notebooks are banned because the metal springs can be removed and used for self-harm, too. Glass and stainless steel items are prohibited, so no mirrors. They can be broken and used to harm themselves or others.
Shoes with laces, such as sneakers, are also banned. For a similar reason, scarves, stockings, belts, handkerchiefs, headphone cords, and plastic bags are prohibited. Loofahs are a no-no because when unfolded, they can create a long string. If there is a book or diary with a string, the string must be cut in order to bring it in. If someone cuts a few straps and weaves them together, they are also thrown out. Shopping bags also need to have their handles removed.
Finally, cell phones, laptops, and tablets are prohibited to prevent distractions.
“I see your guardian has packed well using our list.”
Won packed the items herself, not her guardian. The fact she was forced to be hospitalized by her family was just a ploy to be able to enter the ward.
After examining the basic cosmetics in plastic containers of various sizes, the man touches her tumbler.
“This is plastic, too.”
If it was stainless steel, he’d throw it away.
“I have no reason to be hospitalized. I’m perfectly normal.”
“A radio and an MP3 player. Every hospital has different policies, but this facility doesn’t allow them.”
“Have you ever been admitted without consent? How is this even possible in a democratic society? This is unjustified suppression of personal freedom and confinement!”
“Do you want me to allow you to listen to the MP3 at my discretion?”
“If you keep this up, I’m going to complain to the Human Rights Commission…”
“Ah, I guess I can’t do it. You’re too vicious and can’t control your emotions.”
“Well, of course! That’s what happens when you’ve been dragged and locked into an insane asylum without your consent…!”
“If you remain agitated like this, we’ll have no choice but to sedate you.”
As he said that, the man nonchalantly tossed the radio and MP3 player into the trash can.
“Do you want me to inject you while you’re tied to the bed on your first day? If you want, I can stick thick, long needles all over your body, over and over again.”
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