Chapter Text
Virgil jerked awake to the jolt of the ambulance speeding down the pavement. The uneven thump thump thump of his shoes hitting the bed annoyed his ears. Distantly he could hear someone telling him to breathe. A paramedic, his mind supplied. Wait, where was he again? Everything was foggy, the bright lights of the sky trailing around his vision. Is that, someone sobbing? Who could be crying? Rolling his head over he takes in his mother's blotchy red face. He wants to comfort her but he’s just, so…..tired.
Virgil doesn’t notice the blood on her hands, his blood, before he passes out again.
The first thing Virgil became aware of was an unusual weight on his arms. Did he sleep in his hoodie again? Virgil shifted around in his bed to try and get rid of the sensation to no avail. With a disgruntled sigh, he slowly opened his eyes and– hang on. wait. Where the fuck is he?? Anxious eyes scoured his surroundings to see that Virgil was very much not in his bed.
“Shit” he muttered, trying and failing spectacularly to contain his panic. Thin white sheets tumbled from his body as he jolted upright. There was a steady beeping coming from behind the blue curtains surrounding his bed. Holy heck is he in a hospital?? Last night's events come flooding back to him as he starts to hyperventilate. The insomnia, the anxiety, the drinks, the knives, his arms-
the blood.
With shaking fingers Virgil rips back his blankets to see both his forearms swathed in bandages, wrist to elbow. To say he was freaking out was an understatement. What was he thinking?? Had someone found him? someone must have seen it and oh holy shit what was he thinking it didn’t work he was so stupid it didn’t work and they knew theyknewtheyknewtheyKNEWTHEYKNEWAND—
“Virgil please breathe for me, in for four, hold for 5 and out for seven.” A feminine voice broke his panic, someone prying his fingers away from his arms. He hadn't realised he'd moved them. “Just follow my breathing, that's it you’ve got it. In, Out. Amazing, just keep going like that.” The soft voice soothed. Virgil kept breathing with the gentle encouragement of the person for a few minutes until he opened his eyes to look at them. A middle-aged black woman smiled down at him, her grin showing off her various wrinkles. She was dressed in dark blue scrubs with a red watch on her left wrist
“Hello dear, my name’s Jeanne. I’m one of the nurses on duty tonight” she explained whilst walking over to some beepy machine. “If it’s alright with you I need to check your vitals.” After a pause Virgil gave a stunted nod, staring into his suddenly fascinating blankets. Oh god, this is embarrassing, Jeanne must think he’s so incompetent. Whilst she bustled about with some machines, Virgil let his gaze wander to the other person by his bedside.
This man was short and tan with stubble framing his feet. Virgil could tell he hadn’t slept in a while due to their hunched shoulders and soft bags under their eyes (which honestly, mood). He had on bluey-green scrubs that were clearly too big for him and was holding a clipboard stacked with papers. He noticed Virgil staring and cleared his throat.
“Good morning Virgil, I’m Dr Dern. You’re currently staying at the Gainesville Public Hospital in our emergency department.” He checked something on his clipboard before speaking again. “Now before we further discuss your treatment, I’d like to ask a few questions. How are you feeling physically? Any aches or pains?” Virgil shook his head no. His arms did still hurt a fair bit, and he could feel a migraine coming on but he really didn’t want this to take any longer. “And how are you feeling mentally? Any anxiety?” Another head shake. Dr Dernn raised an eyebrow at this. “None at all? Not even considering you just had a panic attack?” Damn, well that was embarrassing. What is this guy's problem? Virgil shrugged his shoulders and continued to pick at his blanket whilst Dern scribbled something on his clipboard.
“All done” Joanne exclaimed, breaking the nervous air. She passed some paper to Dern before addressing Virgil “I’m going to get you your breakfast while you talk to the doctor, kay?” she smiled at Virgil once more. She was trying so hard, so he gave her a little smile back.
“Thank you” Dern acknowledged, and with that, she walked behind the blue curtain and into the unknown. “So Virgil, I’m just gonna give this to you simple.” Dr Dern met his eyes before continuing “You attempted suicide and have now been in emergency for 27 hours recovering from bloodloss” SHIT SHIT SHIT he’s lost so much time!! “However, we can’t keep you here and you clearly aren’t safe enough to go home. We contacted your psychologist, Dr Araignée, and after going over your situation we’ve decided you should be admitted to a psychiatric facility.”
What.
Hang on one second, please.
He’s going to be sent
to a mental institution?! But he's not crazy! I mean, sure he might have crippling anxiety that keeps him inside, and sure! He may have just tried to end his life but he sure isn’t crazy!!! But that’s what crazy people say, isn’t it? Crap crap crap
“Virgil? Virgil, I need you to stay with me. Just Breathe.” mmm very helpful asswipe! Jeez ok just calm down Virgil, try and calm down, in and out, in and out.
“..ok” he near whispered better to get this over with.
“As I was saying, you will be admitted to a psychiatric facility where the staff are equipped to better help you. We’ve arranged a transfer to come in two hours to take you over to Sanders Unit, and they’ll take it from there. Any questions?” Two hours is not a lot of time, but it’s all he’s got. As for questions, yes Virgil has a few questions thank you very much.
“Ok, do I get to bring my clothes with me? Like, um, the hoodie I arrived in and stuff? Cause I’m just in a gown right now” He better be allowed to dammit. He was not going to walk around in this glorified 80s shower curtain. Dr Dern just looked like he was fighting a smile at Virgil’s scowl, the prick.
“You don’t have to wear that forever, don’t worry. Actually, your mom dropped off some clothes for you. You’ll get them when you leave. Anything else?” Oh, crap his mom! Why hasn’t he thought of her yet?! She must be worried! She dropped off clothes, so that means she cares right? But then again why should she? He’s not important.
“No that's... That's all.”
“Great! Well, your vitals are stable which is good. It’s still quite early so try and get some rest before the transfer. All the best Virgil” The blue curtain swished behind him as he left, leaving Virgil alone with his thoughts.
Great.
The Sanders Unit must be close to the hospital because the ambulance ride was really short. Although to be fair, Virgil was very much stuck in his own mind for the duration of this ride. All sorts of questions littered his mind. What was it going to be like there? Was he going to be put in a straight jacket? When will he next see the sun? What if someone there tries to eat him? What if–
Virgil’s spiral was cut short due to the click and heavy drags of the ambulance doors. The eight AM sun blasted through the opening and left him squinting.
He has arrived.