Work Text:
EXCERPT FROM THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE INTERVIEW WITH PATIENT A
Notes: [REDACTED], who will be referred to as Patient A (16, M), is the child of the criminals [REDACTED] and [REDACTED]. Patient A has been diagnosed with dissociative amnesia no doubt caused by post-traumatic stress disorder and drug misuse. Despite forgetting the events that lead to his hospitalization, Patient A still clings to Patient B (17, M) and vice versa.
DOCTOR
Hello, [Patient A].
PATIENT A
Hi.
DOCTOR
I would have to record our session for today. Is that alright with you?
PATIENT A
It-it's okay. Is [PATIENT B] around?
DOCTOR
Your friend is on the other side of the glass, watching us right now. Do you want him here with you?
PATIENT A
N-no, it's alright.
DOCTOR
You don't see him, but he sees you. You can wave to him, if you like.
DOCTOR
Now can we continue on with the interview?
PATIENT A
Okay.
DOCTOR
First things first. How have you been feeling?
PATIENT A
Not well. I've been having trouble sleeping, but [PATIENT B] is always there, and that's almost as good as sleeping. I can't calm down if he's- if he's not with me.
DOCTOR
You must be happy he's just on the other side of the room.
PATIENT A
Yeah.
DOCTOR
Okay, I'll ask you now about your memories okay?
PATIENT A
I-.
DOCTOR
Hey, hey. No need to get tense, don't worry. It's okay if you don't remember. It's alright.
PATIENT A
Really?
DOCTOR
Yes.
PATIENT A
Okay.
DOCTOR
Do you remember anything from the hospital?
PATIENT A
Not really. It's- it's all a blur. [PATIENT B] is always there though.
DOCTOR
Okay.
PATIENT A
There's one- there's one clear memory that I remember though. A man who came to visit. He looked old, but not that old.
DOCTOR
There was a man who came to visit? [*CANNOT BE CONFIRMED - HOSPITAL CCTVS ARE ALL WIPED CLEAN]
PATIENT A
Well, not visit, visit. He said he thought he got the wrong room. [PATIENT B] was with me, but he was sleeping.
DOCTOR
What was the visitor like?
PATIENT A
Nice. Friendly. He gave me a pat on the head. He promised me everything will be okay.
DOCTOR
Do you believe him?
PATIENT A
I do.
DOCTOR
Is there anything else he told you?
PATIENT A
He said I looked like his son. And then he gave me candy and left. He was nice.
DOCTOR
Okay.
DOCTOR
Do you remember anything before the hospital?
PATIENT A
I do- I do now.
DOCTOR
Really?
PATIENT A
Yes but it's all- I remember having parents but I don't remember- they have no faces. I remember things but I don't remember them proper.
DOCTOR
And what do you think of your parents?
PATIENT A
They're nice and kind and patient and good to me. I- I don't remember anything else. I think they're good people. They must have been.
DOCTOR
Even if you don't remember who they are?
PATIENT A
I think they loved me. That's good enough for me.
PATIENT A
Doctor, is it bad if- is it bad if I prefer not to remember?
DOCTOR
And why is that?
PATIENT A
I get this weird feeling in me that if I remember, everything I know comes crashing down.
DOCTOR
It's okay to be feeling like that.
DOCTOR
Okay, now tell me. What is the earliest memory you remember?
PATIENT A
Earliest?
DOCTOR
Yes.
PATIENT A
I- I'm three or four.
DOCTOR
Go on.
PATIENT A
It- it doesn't start as a proper memory- it didn't happen at first.
DOCTOR
What do you mean?
PATIENT A
The memory starts with a nightmare. I think- I think maybe, I remember this one because of the nightmare. I was having a nightmare.
DOCTOR
What was the nightmare?
PATIENT A
I was alone. A big lonely house and a small three year old. I was crying, in the dream. I couldn't find my parents everywhere. I've climbed the stairs and opened all the doors I could find, but my parents weren't there. I thought they'd left me.
DOCTOR
So you woke up scared?
PATIENT A
Yeah. I woke up scared and immediately ran to my parents' bedroom to make sure they were there. The relief I felt to see them sleeping in their bed was- it made me cry. I think I slept with them that night.
DOCTOR
You really don't remember their faces?
PATIENT A
I don't, I'm sorry.