Page 3 - LUISA FERN

Trying to reach my face and find the source ofthe pain, I realized thick

grey straps restrained my wrists.

"HELP!" I screamed, my voice muffled by gauze stuffed in the sides of

my mouth. "HELP! PLEASE!"
A young man with ebony skin and a clipboard in hand rushed through

the door.

"HELP! I can't move my hands!" My heart slammed in my chest.

He gave me a warm smile. "lt's okay. lt's for your own safety, Azure."

Fiery pain shot through my jaw. "My own safety? Where am l?"
The man set the clipboard down. "1'm Doctor Chambers. Do you

remember being admitted here, Azure?"

"Admitted?" the panic in my voice becoming more audible with every

word. "Where am I and who the hell are you?"

"Azure, you were brought here after you overdosed on heroin. When the
police found you in an alley, you had a pliers in your hand and had

pulled out most of your teeth."

My head swam with pain and confusion. "l don't use heroin!"

"We are here to help you, Azure. With overcoming your heroin use and

your Injury."
I exhaled through my nose and balled my firsts until my knuckles turned

white. "My mouth hurts and for the last time, I do not use heroin or any

kind of drug! I live at the Velacross Women's Shelter. You have to be

clean to stay there, it's one of the rules."

"Azure, I think you are experiencing some agitation, which is normal. l'm

going to give you something to help you relax. When you're feeling
calmer, we can talk again. Okay?"

"NO! THIS IS NOT OKAY! GET ME OUT OF THESE STRAPS NOW!" I

screamed.

"Nurse Chavez," called Dr. Chambers. "Please bring the syringe!"

A woman in scrubs ran into the room with a long needle in hand.

"Thank you," said Dr. Chambers as he accepted the syringe and took