Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 2

Mildred's POV:

"So.. I ran into a Miss Lana Winters on the way out.." Mildred paused for a brief second, giving Dr Hanover a chance to explain why he had hired someone without consulting her first; but she was met with complete silence. Odd for a man who sure does love the sound of his own voice.

The nurse sighed heavily, her patience wearing very thin. "When were you planning on telling me about the new addition?"

At that, Dr Hanover finally looked up from his desk. "I don't have to run everything by you, Nurse Ratched."

Mildred rose a perfectly shaped eyebrow, a small smirk dancing on her lips as she leant forward, placing both her hands on his desk, using her intimidating manner to her advantage. "You do if you want me to keep quiet.." she said, her voice dangerously low.

Dr Hanover didn't even flinch, his own smug smirk tugging at his lips. "Is that a threat?" He questioned.

The woman slowly straightened as she thought about it. She had no choice but to keep quiet, she was just as guilty as Dr Hanover for what went down in this place, she was head nurse after all. Mildred ignored his question, and instead asked one of her own. "Do you think it's wise? Hiring an outsider? Considering recent events?"

Dr Hanover paused his actions, placing his pen to the side and clasping his hands together as he met Nurse Ratched's penetrating stare, his gaze rather accusatory. "I think recent events is exactly why another nurse needs to be hired."

He still blames me.

"Yeah well.. it was a mistake." She mumbled, smoothing out her uniform, Dr Hanover's harsh glare burning through her. As much as she tried to act nonchalant about the subject, it was hard to hide her shame.

"A mistake?" The man chuckled, as though amused, before his expression became more serious and his voice rose an octave. "It was a little more than a mistake, Nurse Ratched."

Mildred felt her cheeks heat up a little, a mixture of guilt and anger consuming her. How dare this man act like he played no part in what happened. Then what he said next made her blind with rage.

"You're a liability. I should have never let you into this hospital." He muttered, tearing his gaze away from her.

"Letting me into this hospital was the best decision you ever made." She almost screamed, but just about managed to keep her voice low enough that nobody else heard, but loud enough for Dr Hanover's head to snap up.

"I think we're done here, Nurse Ratched." He spoke, gesturing for her to leave. "You will be nothing but welcoming when Miss Winters arrives on Monday."

The brunette had already turned to leave, pausing in the doorway when she heard the doctor speak again. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal." She mumbled before sauntering out of his office, slamming the door shut behind her.

♡ ♡ ♡

Lana's POV:

"I hope you know what you're getting yourself into.."

Lana couldn't fathom what the older woman meant by that statement. Ever since her run in with the mysterious brunette, Lana couldn't help but replay their entire conversation over and over in her head. Although the woman seemed well put together, there was something slightly off about her. For one, she didn't bother to introduce herself; did all the women in that place lack manners? And two, from the moment Lana laid eyes on her, the peculiar woman sent chills running down her spine. It was too early to assume things, but maybe she was the one responsible for the deaths of her patients.

The brunette flipped open her laptop, a luke warm cup of coffee nestled in her hands as she stared blankly at a picture of Lucia State. On the outside it looked friendly, welcoming, a place that puts their patients needs above their own, and goes above and beyond to help them. But on the inside, Lana had yet to discover their true intentions.

Yes, they may be a logistical explanation, the patients just simply.. died. People die every day. But, Lana refused to believe that. It was a mental hospital, people were in there to get help. Unbeknown to them, once they were in, they would never leave alive.

Lana may be a journalist but she had to think like a detective. The brunette discarded her coffee to the side and pulled out her notebook and pen. She couldn't write much about the place until she had actually started working there, but for starters, a profile on each member of staff would have to do. Well, the ones she'd already met.

As the journalist hit pen to paper ready to crack on with her research, her phone rang. Lana sighed heavily as she looked at the caller I.D, making a mental note to turn her phone off later so she had no other disruptions.

"Oliver.." her voice was curt with a hint of annoyance as she greeted her boss.

"So, you're in huh? What's your plan to "take down" Lucia State then.." Oliver, chuckled bitterly when he mentioned taking down Lucia State, followed by a whole chorus of laughter from some of the other guys. They could mock her all they wanted, she was over it.

"You're just pissed that you didn't think of this." The brunette rolled her eyes, flipping off her boss on the other end of the call, something she would be able to do to him in person when she proves him and the rest of those jerks wrong.

"Lana.. this is real life.. not a crime drama. I give you two week tops.." and to that, the brunette responded by hitting the end call button.

Prick.

Lana switched off her phone, tossing it on the sofa so she wouldn't be tempted. Time to do her research, and first she was going to start with the mysterious brunette.

—
The Ratched tv series was set in 1947, but this story is going to be more modern. (It's just easier for me to write stories that are set now rather than ones that are set decades ago) 🙈

They may also be some similarities to the show, for example, some of the lines that are said may be used, and some may be altered to fit my story. However, this is solely my writing and my own ideas, using the show as inspiration.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a comment or any questions you may have. Thank you for your support.
~T ♡~