Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 5

Lana's POV:

"This is where we do conversion therapy.."

The last stop on the tour of the hospital, Lana stepped inside a very dull looking room, containing various devices that were clearly used for.. conversion therapy?

I'm sorry, what? The younger woman tried to mask the look of alarm on her face. She knew that this place was rumoured to hospitalise certain people to specifically 'cure their gayness' but now she was here, seeing it for herself, alarm bells were blaring inside her head. Especially considering her own sexuality.

The brunette felt a cold chill running down her spine, the hairs on the back of her neck standing to attention. "Isn't this.. illegal?" Lana frowned slightly as her eyes wandered around the room, taking in all the different contraptions, wondering how many people had been subjected to this kind of torture; and how many people had died because of it?

"Illegal, no.." Mildred paused for a moment as though thinking of the more appropriate way to end her sentence. "Although it is frowned upon." She finished with, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly to form a small smirk.

"You seem.. perturbed?" She then stated, breaking the sudden silence. The younger woman noted there was a hint of amusement in her voice. Like she was enjoying the brunette's bewildered state.

"I just wasn't aware that this," Lana gestured around the room, "Was still a thing."

The older woman hovered in the doorway, a rather impatient look on her face. "There will always be a gay to cure." She mumbled, examining her perfect, manicured fingernails as though she hadn't a care in the world. How ignorant could one woman be?

"Excuse me?" For a moment the younger woman forgot why she was there, finding it rather difficult to conceal the irritated tone to her voice.

Nurse Ratched's cold gaze slowly lifted to meet the brunette's, brows knitting together in a look of confusion as she eyed her suspiciously. She then stepped further into the room, the door swinging shut behind her. "Being gay is a sin.." she stated, as though Lana should already be aware of this. "If people choose to be gay then they should suffer the repercussions that are to follow."

The younger woman fought hard to keep her temper at bay. Was this woman for real? Just because someone didn't live what society deemed a 'normal' lifestyle, they should be tortured in such a way? "Being gay isn't a choice." The brunette kept her tone calm, but on the inside she had this rage, reserved specifically for ignorant, small minded people like the guys back at the office, and now Mildred.

"People don't just wake up one day and think 'ah yes, today is a good day to be gay!'" Lana's voice rose an octave, her tone mocking as she stood up to the other woman. "You're foolish if you think that's what happens!" The younger woman was practically shaking with anger now, completely forgetting that she had a job to do, and yelling at Mildred wasn't part of it.

Suddenly, taking her by surprise, the brunette's face stung after connecting with the palm of the older woman's hand. The loud slap echoing around the room. "I don't know who you think you're talking to!" She growled, although there was no sign of anger evident on her face.

Lana was unable to form a sentence, clutching the side of her face as she stared at Nurse Ratched in complete shock. Only now realising that she had been backed into a corner.

"If you don't like or agree with the kind of treatments that go on in this place then I suggest you leave, because your opinion is not needed nor validated, Miss Winters."

For a moment, the younger woman wondered if all this would be worth it. Just for a possible story. Lying, pretending to be someone she wasn't. Although she had spent half her life doing exactly that. If this was how she was going to be treated, she'd rather just leave. But then she thought about going back to the office and having to face Oliver and the other guys, proving them right. She would never hear the end of it. What about all the patients currently ongoing this treatment? Future patients too? She had to put a stop to this.

Mildred was a piece of work, she was rude, cold hearted and clearly homophobic, and tried her very best to intimidate the brunette whenever she had the chance. But Lana had dealt with people like her most of her life, and she was not about to let the older woman chase her away, not when she was only just getting started.

"Do you understand?" Nurse Ratched said, when the younger woman didn't so much as blink.

The brunette produced a tight lipped smile, muttering a quiet, "Yes." As she lowered her hand to her side, cheek still stinging a little.

"Yes what?" Mildred's lips quirked up into a malicious smile as Lana fought the urge to roll her eyes.

There was a long pause before the younger woman spoke. "Yes.. Nurse Ratched."

The brunette was starting to develop such a strong hatred for this woman, and she couldn't wait to see the look on her smug face when this place was shut down. By the time Lana had finished, Lucia State would be no more, and she would stop at nothing to make sure that the older woman was facing a prison sentence once she proves that's she's responsible for the hospital's recent deaths.

—
Hello! Sorry this chapter is a little short, I thought that was the perfect way to end it. Also, I would just like to say that I apologise if I make any mistakes throughout this story regarding facts about conversion therapy and other aspects to the story. This is something different and I'm not used to writing this kind of stuff but I'm trying to do as much research as I can. I'm making this up as I go along. Anyway, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it!
~T ♡~