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majorgarrett93 · 5 months

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House of Mayhem

It was another day in the city of Kelso, new law passed having people detained in court-ordered rehab as an alternative to jail for drug related crimes, minor misdemeanors. Kelso Behavioral Health had just opened, the law could fight serious crime instead. Unfortunately, the staff at the facility, often little training and no degree, "mental health specialists" would be dealing with the delinquents placed there with no intension of changing their ways of life. Law had good intensions but unfortunately the staff and patients at the facility didn't whatsoever.

Spencer West: latest patient to be detained who appeared to be a typical man in his thirties, employed and had plenty of money, was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was driven to the facility, released from jail and taken in a police vehicle due to a past incident. Had never been in trouble with the law previously. Arrived in the late afternoon on a Friday. After being admitted and the doors secured in the facility, was taken out of hand cuffs and had some of his freedom given back. Looked around the building which was like a jail being locked inside but had real beds, free to roam around, patients consisting of male and female, old and young, normal and unstable but mostly unstable he would find out once getting to really know the normal patients.

Spencer was shown to his room and met his roommate Travis, seemed like an ordinary guy, didn't speak much but then would find out his backstory of what got him detained. They got along well, he thought the patients generally had more class than jail inmates but there's always one real loser with no class, Brandis: late teens, angry, hardcore junkie, badass gangster wannabe which he would have to deal with throughout his visit.

It was dinner time, he met another patient by the name of Mandy: early twenties, seemed ordinary, didn't like people telling her what to do or how to live, especially the staff. Her roommate Joan, older woman, religious nut, possibly psychotic would lecture her daily which led to physical confrontations.

Kelso Behavioral Health was a building full of never-ending chaos which he would witness firsthand, somewhat traumatic yet entertaining. During dinner is when things went south, Joan was lecturing Mandy on how she was saved from finding a higher power and how, due to her life choices will burn in the inferno for eternity. Spending time around Joan was like a real-life version of Die, Die My Darling (1965). She said something back to Joan that offended her, causing her to get up and verbally assault her, "shut your piehole, rotten, vile bitch!" Staff showed up to break up the fight before getting physical, Joan stormed off shouting and sobbing hysterically. After dinner, Spencer was watching TV with Travis until Brandis barges in and grabs the remote to change the channel. He wondered why Travis didn't stand up for himself. A. Brandis would throw giant baby tantrums, get physically violent and B. After dinner, it was time for his fix of prescription dope, he would be out cold on the couch within twenty minutes after. Waited for him to pass out to Get Hard, Spencer then looked through their limited movie collection for something decent, found Apocalypse Now and switched up the DVDs.

It was late in the evening, Travis told Spencer "Enjoy the weekend while it's here." Tells him about one of their employees, Patti who needs counselling herself that'll be in on Monday for the mandatory group therapy.

Saturday morning, Spencer got up early and turned on the TV. Was watching Twilight Zone reruns, it was a peaceful morning until around 7am when Brandis tried to get him to change the channel, "shut of this stupid, old shit!" which he refused, it became physical. He replied to his comment, "this stupid, old shit was kind of rebooted more than once and won Emmys thanks to screenwriter god Rod Serling!" Brandis smacked him with an open-hand after refusing to turn the channel to what he wanted to watch, staff show up to break it up, restraining Brandis, dragging him off screaming at the top of his lungs, "Rod Stewart can suck my ass!"

He would also prove he was totally clean and sober by reenacting the Basketball Diaries in the restraint room when having to wait twenty minutes for his fix.

Let's Go Brandis!

Brandis was an angry young man, skipping school, dad always in jail, mom never home. He was failing in high school but didn't care as he would soon drop out and was suspended multiple times. He would often steal computer duster and CDs as he was a hardcore gangbanger, most recently stole a Slipknot CD as he was a hardcore metalhead to the bone, into the most brutal heavy metal possible and just discovered something more hardcore than Five Finger Death Punch. There was a day in school that his friend called him a pussy and referred to Slipknot as posers, he would defend himself as well as the gods of heavy metal, putting up a fight. Twenty minutes later on a stretcher with a bloody nose, unconscious. Yes, he might've gone to the hospital but was the one to get kicked out of his school for good. Most of his friends had it with his baby tantrums and wannabe gang fights. Brandis, now living in his parents' basement on the brink of being kicked out for living in a pigsty, getting high and playing Call of Duty, refusing to do any chores like bring his dirty dishes to the kitchen, place pizza/TV dinner boxes in his trash can…real hard labor. Barely keeping a part time job, working three hours a week at McDonald's and feeling overworked having to do more than just work cash register, having to sweep the floor. It was not his job, he decided to quit on the spot and wanted his last paycheck two weeks early. His boss explained that it wasn't available, not physically available, tried to calmly explain. Brandis had zero reason or common sense. Always carried a pocketknife and decided that he was the boss now…until about fifteen minutes later when the Kelso Police Dept. showed up to place him in silver bracelets and drag his ass to the slammer.

He was still a minor and would get charges dropped, nothing permanent on his record. Now wasn't living in a pigsty in his parent's basement, it was like a giant dumpster, he refused to look for a job even with six months to find one. Only way he left was his parents was when they filed a restraining order after threatening not to leave and that he would strangle them in their sleep if they kicked him out. Brandis was pure talk, no walk. He was now living in his junkie friend's basement unemployed, but he had the perfect job for him, introduced him to hillbilly heroin and told him how easy it was to get a prescription, sold more than what he took and was making thousands of dollars in a week. Unfortunately, would get strung out on the dope and sell just enough to get by his tolerance grew as well as his crimes. First would go along with his friend to elderly people's houses which they knew had pills; often came disguised as cops or meals on wheels and would steal a few pills from each house. Doctors were prescribing pills less, cracking down on the epidemic so he was now resorting to crime, robbing houses at night.

After a night of hitting houses and taking his first hit, went to Starbucks craving an extra-large Java Chip Frappuccino and nodding out face first in the whipped cream. Customer who was also a cop asked if he was OK? Brandis bailed quick, got in his car then stepped on it. Swallowed the last couple pills left to get rid of evidence. Outran cops and thought that if he made it home, he was free of all charges of driving under the influence/fleeing. Took homerun to a whole new level. Passed out on the floor, woke up in the county jail.

Brandis wouldn't let the pigs tell him what to do and had nothing on him…that was until he needed his next hit and got put in restraints for erratic behavior and began doing the Technicolor yawn. His court date, he was surprisingly only found guilty of driving under the influence, fleeing and reckless driving. Couldn't get charged for robbery or possession of narcotics, no evidence. Was given the choice of thirty days in jail or court-ordered rehab, he chose the latter.

House of Mayhem

It was a chaotic Saturday; Brandis in front of the TV all day watching stupid reality shows, patients losing braincells just by walking by. Arguments and verbal fights starting with Joan harshly criticizing Mandy for her life choices (partying, drugs, choice of clothing, music…) resulting in harsher verbal abuse back. Spencer could see that something bad was going to happen, worried Joan might actually strangle her to death at night.

Makes a bet with Travis who'll get restrained next, Brandis or Joan? Travis knew he could provoke Brandis after dinner, but he thought different, he could see Joan ready to go off like a timebomb. Brandis managed to knock over staff and patients to get his fix right away after dinner and Travis was changing the channel. He noticed a slight change from the usual. He was passing out to far more artsy cinema, too much for his taste and his brain to handle. Now passing out to Fast and Furious instead of Baby Geniuses. Plot so deep, dense and layered that he couldn't take it and needed a nap, that in combo with prescription dope put him out for hours.

It was early in the morning around three on a Sunday; Spencer couldn't sleep and could hear patients shouting/arguing only to lead up to a smack, loud bang then a woman crying and wailing hysterically. He got up to find Joan crying into the arms of a staff member, telling her side of the story while bawling throughout, barely speaking clearly, "I was giving her advice to find a higher power for eternal life in heaven! To save her soul from the burning inferno and the hell on earth she was living through! She told me I had a sick, perverted instrument used for self-pleasuring stuck in my rectum!" Joan is screaming with blood all over her hand and how she accidentally punched the wall. Staff realize soon it isn't Joan's blood, Mandy wakes up in a daze mostly unharmed. Even though she was knocked out cold, totally worth it. Loved hearing the tortured screams of torment and agony from Joan while in restraints. Finally given an extra dose of Thorazine and a little 'pam to shut her up for good after two hours of hell-like shrieks.

Joan's Town

Joan started off with a family, loving husband and two children. It was one day that everything went wrong while her husband was gone on a business trip, and she was left to take care of her kids. Friend came over and introduced her to a higher power…got her to join a cult. Joan was someone that believed everything people told her, gullible, brainwashed. Her lifestyle changed instantly, burnt her records and tapes as they were evil satanic recordings. Stopped letting her kids watch any TV as it would corrupt their pure minds and wouldn't let them listen to the radio as there were so many rock bands that were a sign of the end times. Sang about committing the most heinous acts known to man like implied drug use and premarital sex, way worse than anything going on in the '60s, far worse than the war in Vietnam. Took them out of school and began homeschooling but found out that it was too late and needed to sacrifice them before their souls and minds become tainted with evil and to get them to the pearly gates.

Husband came home and was in shock of how she was acting, pissed off that she dumped his vintage, collection of "liquid evil" but soon found out her plan. Took off with the kids in his car only to have her chase him down with a kitchen knife screaming about how he'll burn in the lake of fire with eternity and is responsible for where their kids will go when they die. He didn't press charges on her, but she'd be alone for the rest of her life. Never saw her husband or kids again, most of the members of the cult were arrested and it began to deteriorate but she became hardcore committed.

Joan was feared for decades and there were countless urban legends, barely left her house until one day when she was remembering being with her husband and kids fifty years ago and gave into the liquid evil. Found an old shotgun and shells and decided that it was her time to free the sinners from eternal damnation in Kelso, starting with the block she lives on. Fortunately, it was a weekday afternoon, she shot at vacant houses and stop signs confusing them for people.

Cops showed up and arrested her only to have her soon taken to the hospital as she made no sense even when sober, reason for going on a mass shooting which she managed to not even harm one person. Blamed the alcohol for her actions and said that she had visions of her neighbors frying in hell for eternity and how she must set them free. Got her pumped full of Thorazine and 'pam to get her to stop wailing and screaming, became somewhat functional and was detained in court ordered rehab, believed that her long drinking binge was the main reason for her co-occurring illness.

Rehab center was the best decision for sure and not the mental institution as she arrived sober, only to shout at and refer to staff as whores and the devil's servants that shall be eradicated from earth…normal behavior. Tried to stab one staff member with a serrated plastic knife. Psychiatrists had to double her dose of psych meds which only reduced symptoms and she was no longer allowed plastic knives during meals.

My Struggle

Mandy was the perfect daughter, could do absolutely no wrong. Grew up I'm a strict household, mother and father believed rules and discipline would lead their children to success, be respectful of others and go far in life. Somehow wound up involved in a criminal case later in life. What went wrong? According to her, she did absolutely nothing wrong and it was literally one hundred percent her parents' fault.

Raised by parents that went by strict rules and knew that she could never do anything wrong if they contributed equally to be the perfect mother and father. Unfortunately, could only shut her out of the real world for so long and by elementary school, found out that most people didn't live like a rerun of Andy Griffith.

Things went south by high school. Attitude changed, started using obscene language, listened to different music and hardcore goth bands with lyrics that reeked of incredibly dark and evil subject matter such as Black Veil Brides. Parents blamed it on her juvie, delinquent boyfriend; Believed that he was a bad influence on her from the start.

Parents decided to move away from the city and moved to Kelso. Didn't want her boyfriend around her, didn't approve and said it was for the best. Also mentioned that her friends were leading her to a life of sin, leading a pathway to hell. Unfortunately, they unleashed hell due to their actions which she would make them regret until the day they died. Had a complete breakdown verbally assaulting/abusing both calling them "hateful, heartless bastards", tore her and her soulmate apart, murdered her social life at school and has nothing to live for, slamming her bedroom door shut hard enough to make the family pictures fall off the wall and shatter. Locked herself in her room for two days.

Later made friends at her new school who would give her rides to the city and go shopping and would go see the love of her life secretly. He was just being discharged from juvenile detention, did little time for possession of drugs, still being a minor barely. Nothing like forbidden love, picking up her soulmate from the county jail. Got a part time job at a local store, lied about working certain hours to get away from her parents as every time she was away from her boyfriend was like being deprived of oxygen and dying slowly.

Parents got suspicious eventually, mom worried sick, up all night crying until she got back at around three in the morning. Asks her what she did? Then what she really did; Interrogating her, finally replying, "Go to hell, Nazi bitch!" earning herself an open-hand slap. Mother and father didn't know what to do, felt like they failed as parents. Started having even more strict rules, no going out on school nights, need a copy of her work schedule, trying to listen in on her phone calls, considered a tracking device.

Found out months later that she quit her job, lying to their faces, skipping school and going to the city with friends. Decided that she was not allowed to leave the house for two weeks except school and come straight home. Stayed locked inside her room, borrowing her parents' computer that she said was for her homework. Just discovered social media and was blogging as well as filming a project about her life and how it was literally the closest thing to hell on earth. Wanted the world to know how she suffered everyday living with her parents who are literally the antichrist and how she was a total saint, completely innocent and did absolutely nothing wrong.

At the end of her project about walking the pits of hell every day, compares hiding away in her room to Ann Frank hiding in the attic and understands what oppression she had to suffer now as well as Holocaust survivors. Posted the last part of her project that she poured her heart and soul into, the horrible reality that was one hundred percent honest and not exaggerated whatsoever. Directed the film, wrote all the script, produced, acted, scored and was almost as talented and believable as Tommy Wiseau.

Parents totally humiliated, laughed at by several in Kelso but fortunately, most didn't take it seriously and thought it was a little dramatized to put mildly. Eventually she was no longer a minor and by the time her parents had enough of being constantly tormented, she had moved into a house with her boyfriend and began getting involved indirectly with his crimes. Recently out of the slammer for a second DUI but she would often be his designated drinker. He was on the brink of going right back to jail, on parole and she knew nothing about his crimes. So, what if he committed felonies to be able to get basic needs that they're entitled to? Dom Perigon and fine dining to traveling?

One day she was hanging out with friends, boyfriend called her up saying that he's in trouble and coming to pick her up, they'll have to flee the state and probably the country. He had been up for nearly a week with no sleep, after jacking an expensive car and parking in his garage, began hallucinating sirens outside everywhere, believed that his neighbors next door were snitching on him to the cops when in reality, were gone but he believed they were watching him, wanting him in jail and possibly trying to kill him as a human sacrifice, believing they were part of a satanic cult. Took several pills that would knock him out, various colors and sizes like he was Heath Ledger, washing down with cheap liquor. Unfortunately, he became less inhibited as the drug/liquor cocktail kicked in while still paranoid, wandering into his neighbor's yard shouting threats and obscenities, breaking their lawn ornaments and flowerpots. Eventually breaks through their window, bleeding all over the floor and suddenly becomes too doped out and sedated to think clearly, believing he's home, taking his pants off and falling asleep on the couch. Woke up suddenly, realizing what he did, ran back home as he heard sirens and got in the stolen vehicle, stepping on it while highly impaired still.

Mandy got into the stolen vehicle, in shock to see his face all covered in blood. Decided they were fleeing the state, planned on different methods but weren't even close to the state line when they were busted. Why didn't they get away? He thought he was Richard Kimble and would get away but failed in every way such as driving recklessly while under the influence, in a car completely totaled from dents everywhere to broken windows.

He was arrested for a third DUI, car theft, fleeing, possession of narcotics, destruction of property, disturbing the peace, breaking and entering... She was taken in as well, believe to be aiding to his crimes but had absolutely no knowledge. Later makes a convincing story that he held her down, forced her to do drugs and is now a hardcore addict. Breaks down crying and blaming it on childhood trauma/abuse, suffered from every abuse known to man. Would give quite a performance in court that Aileen Wuornos wouldn't have dreamt of, getting her charges dropped to misdemeanors and would do little time agreeing to court ordered rehab. It was all because of her traumatic childhood and was completely innocent, her parents fault and did nothing wrong.

Discharged from the county jail and transported to Kelso Behavioral Health which she knew would be a cakewalk.

House of Mayhem

Sunday was the calm before the storm, Joan loaded on enough meds to kill an elephant. Then it was Monday morning, the arrival of Patti as she entered the building around seven in the moring. All of a sudden, there was feedback from the loudspeaker all over the building having her announce "Good morning, time for meds, line up!" shouting loud enough to wake up all residents of Kelso. Goes to every patient's room shouting at the top of her lungs, "Good morning!" Expecting them to reply and get up until she shouts in Mandy's face who ignores her, "I said good morning!" she shouts again in anger and frustration to put mildly.

Spencer was already up having coffee and watching TV, having already taken his pills for the day and witnessed the chaos of the line that made black Friday at Walmart look tame. Brandis knocking down patients, Travis refusing to let him cut in front of which ended in physical violence. "You want to fight, motherfucker! I'll bury your punk-ass six feet under!" He shouts, only to be taken out with a fist. Brandis now on the ground throwing a toddler tantrum.

Somehow staff didn't even notice as Patti was making such a deal over Mandy ignoring her, making her come to her room personally, "That was extremely, incredibly rude and inappropriate; Completely disrespectful!" She continues yelling with various adverbs and adjectives that gave Robert Palmer a run for his money.

Multiple staff members along with Patti circle around outside her room like 1939 Poland. Shouting that she needed to apologize then Patti's typical AA/NA intro, "Clean and sober ten years, m'kay!", like she won an Olympic trophy or something. "Don't smoke cigarettes, don't even drink coffee, got my shit together! I would do unspeakable things for my next fix, followed by swallowing pure liquid sin 'til I passed out, hated myself, didn't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out; Didn't care about my life, had no respect for myself! Ten years clean and sober, live a happy life, married with two children and enjoy every living hour of my life! M'kay!" She shouts and sounds downright happy and satisfied with her life and job. Angry and pissed off with satisfaction and pure joy.

After her life story about supporting her kids, stress and primal scream therapy in front of a public audience, demands an apology again. Mandy just remained silent until they continued harassing her, "fuck off, Nazi quacks!" she responded and multiple staff members started going off the rails, Patti trying to mad-dog her into a formal apology only to take off to go outside to her car to scream.

You could tell that the mental health specialists were real pros, not just by their fancy badges but because only real specialists of mental health go mental on a daily basis.

It was time for group therapy, Patti finally calmed down slightly then goes on about her story again, "Ten years, clean/sober, M'kay?" Goes on about how pathetic excuse of existence she was and everything typical. She said that she wanted to hear everyone's story but what she really wanted was a propaganda story, life stories recut like Requiem for a Dream. Brandis had his typical, mommy and daddy rejected him bullshit and Joan had her typical higher power story heard countless times. Mandy told most of her story only to get cut off by Patti. Tells her to leave the room, not taking addiction seriously, both get into it. Patti stormed out of the building without saying a word. Never showed up the next day.

End of the day, Spencer and Travis got into a conversation and how they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Travis tells him a little of his background, upbringing and what led to it all, nearly going permanently insane.

Erow-Idiot

Kelso Police Dept. got a disturbing call, "white male, early thirties, seen on the highway, half-naked, distressed, possibly armed and dangerous…"

Travis grew up in a strict household. Did well in school, not many close friends but got by. During his teens, parents moved away from the big city believing that it would have the wrong influence on him. Friends he'd hang out with, pressured to use drugs, engaging in immoral and sinful acts. Moved to the small town of Kelso, made a new friend who were close and hung out all the time. Problem is that there was almost nothing to do in Kelso, high school took a whole new meaning and despite little-no dealers, kids that Travis went to school with got very creative, a little information online known as Erowid.

He was going to get pressured, had no knowledge of the effects of different drugs, certainly wouldn't ask his parents and they were so against using and drinking that it bordered on terrorism. Told him he'd rot in hell for eternity for experimenting. Didn't fear hell, he was already living it and feared his parents more than anything. Would go with his friend to various parties, have a drink or two but was careful. Found out what people would do at parties to alter their brain, found it terrifying yet comical when they'd huff gas to get high, one guy at a party hallucinating a famous baseball player in the kitchen. Got to a point thinking trees outside had minds of their own, power to kill him by making his head explode like Scanners…that was the last they saw of him, found out he was in the looney bin in a state of delusion.

Travis and his friend read different stories online and decided where to draw the line, even OTC highs could be dangerous. Allergy meds, McCormick extract, cough syrup…Travis made his own hot chocolate often with extra vanilla extract to give it a kick. His friend told him about how his mom's against him being on any meds, doctor wanted to prescribe him some pills years back in elementary school, couldn't obtain a prescription, so he made his own instead. They would do a lot of that together as well as drinking homemade liquor. Unfortunately, there was a line his friend crossed and gave into the Montana madness which was the straw that broke the camel's back. No, Travis didn't wish he died a brutal death in a car accident on the way to the party instead of making it, he did regret his decision though and was given false information.

He was told it was just a party drug and not addictive, didn't know what he was using, misinformed. Led him to be a regular user for years, parents never knew, he moved out before his addiction got out of control.

He was living in an apartment, going to school, working part time and supporting himself. Would go days without sleep but he went for over a week, would have a few days off from work and school. It was his Friday at work, ready to kick off the weekend and take a break. Travis would not make it to work the next week.

Sort of started when he was at work, when in his boss' office saw all the security camera videos as well as Vaseline on his desk. Thought maybe he had some advance technology, personally likes to watch him, being the creep he is. Would do anything to catch his boss, get that perv behind bars.

Next day was reading text messages, it was secret codes and realized that his boss was actually in on some plan with the CIA and sending secret messages to him. They had a plan in a few weeks to use synthetic opioids as chemical warfare to wipe out the population with only few remaining humans to repopulate with an alien race that had been living on earth for centuries. Even though he was one of the chosen, wouldn't let them get away with it and would warn the whole town. Knew where a fallout shelter was, built during the Cold War era by an old, abandoned house.

He had little recollection of what happened after that, later found on the highway strung-out, cops questioned him who said that he was involved with the CIA and warning the people…ambulance showed up as he wasn't making any sense. Couldn't be charged with anything aside from disorderly behavior. Taken to the hospital and starts shouting how the staff are using their human disguise, performing sexual acts to impregnate him…goes into more graphic and obscene details. Doctor ordered extra psych meds and 'pam to knock him out, eventually fell asleep. Upon awakening, could remember very little after going home from work, aside from being suspicious of his boss. Agreed to go voluntarily to Kelso Behavioral Health, admitting he needed help.

House of Mayhem

Had been a couple weeks now, patients being discharged, new ones brought in. Spencer was being discharged finally and thought it was unfortunate no one got to really hear his story, more interesting than any of theirs. Remembering the insanity of how he wound up there, what got him detained, where it all began…

The Grand Delusion

Spencer West had an unstable upbringing growing up. Family were typical but deprived him of a social life and he'd have them as the only company who as he grew older, felt he had less in common. Eventually moved out and went off doing his own thing, living his life. He would see his family every once in a while, noticed over the years that they became a watered-down version of their former selves but happened gradually. No longer the family he knew that would occasionally have fun like going out drinking and stuff. It was like a shirt being bleached until all the color was gone, everything on autopilot. Yes, he had multiple fights with family growing up. Patronizing and degraded him verbally like he was an imbecile but at least back then they were occasionally fun to be with. That was all gone. He especially wasn't buying their cheap apologies for the past, knew their whole being reborn saints act was bullshit. Parents sheltered him from the world and deprived him of any enjoyment throughout his teens, they didn't like the idea that he was actually living life.

There was one specific incident when they had enough of Spencer, yet he already had enough of them. Went out for lunch one day which was supposed to be their special day together but drove him away after. They just weren't interesting anymore, no sense of humor, nothing. Acted weird about him having one drink with lunch. He was often drinking and high while around them just to deal. Never knew he was on anything for years but eventually got suspicious and finally found out.

With a family like that, of course he was going to ditch them and go out on his own to have an experience far more epic and superior. Ingested multiple substances washed down with a small bottle of vodka, later running down the street shouting like the Wolf of Wall Street; scene where Jonah Hill talks Leo into trying crack.

Spencer was having a great time but then when meeting up with family again, got ideas that they were following him around all day. Thought they might've been involved with the DEA, monitoring him wherever he went and wanted him in jail.

He didn't regret ditching them after lunch as their plans were predictable; go home, take a nap, play video games, watch TV…totally lame.

There was the point where he began acting unhinged, family confront him, going on a non-stop lecture of how he's living in sin, self-obsessed, superficial, arrogant but he already knew it and didn't care. Tell him that he's leading a life towards hellfire and damnation, using fear to control him like how the Nazis did on all of Europe. They were just boring, lame, white bread cringe…but it wasn't for him to judge.

Later has a breakdown after sleep deprivation shouting obscenities about how he wished they'd drop dead and then he'd burn their house to the ground so no one will have to suffer from the knowledge of their existence.

Family took it as a threat, called the cops but he was long gone and would be the last they saw of him.

Spencer had moved across the state, lived in an apartment with roommates. Was working full time and been working at the place for a while. He was making more than minimum wage but people were curious how he could afford things from a personal bar to suits and expensive electronics. He knew how to get what he wanted and had no limit, only a thief if caught and only idiots get caught which he wasn't one of them. He had more intelligent methods of obtaining free merchandise, wasn't the guy downtown with his pants falling down, tripping himself while running. He was living the life; certain people he would hang out with like co-workers and people he'd meet at bars/clubs. Stopped hanging out with any inferiors, people either "had it" or they didn't. He often laughed about his family and the older generation, how they were like dried prunes shriveling up to nothing, die nothing and soon be rotting flesh, six feet under.

Roommates were concerned by his unhinged behavior, suspecting he might be using drugs and getting high while out. He didn't care and was a responsible user, only pathetic idiot junkies that are hurt and in pain, numbing out are the ones that die and if they do, deserved it and had it coming.

He never thought of it as numbing out, quite the opposite. Experimenting gave him this emotional connection that felt foreign to him, wondering if that's how people feel normally? Understood people better and knew how to get the upper hand.

Recently been getting into arguments, confrontations with roommates calling him inconsiderate. Would always have an interesting story about his day and was always twice the story that any of them had. Roommates never found his stories boring, quite the opposite and started to disturb them. Often ignoring him and things began to go south from there on. Spencer storming out of the apartment and not coming back until the next day.

He began being verbally abusive towards his roommates or ignoring completely which led up to another confrontation. His roommate's ex-wife died, overdose and was in tears. He was going to take off, couldn't handle cringy, emotional people. Asked him for emotional support, "sorry you married a fat ugly bitch who stole your money for drugs because she was a junkie crackwhore! Sorry she ruined your life because you're an idiot and that she's six feet under! "

He could care less about his roommate after being ignored on multiple occasions and it was the perfect time to hit him where it hurt. After refusing to apologize, turned into a brawl, Spencer getting a bloody nose, roommate a black eye…eventually other roommates breaking up the fight.

Months later, they felt threatened by Spencer. He was working on a project, writing a story about his life. They just wished their life story was like his, didn't understand what an icon he was and that it would get published into a best seller and made into a film by one of his favorite directors. They told him that it was ordinary and uninteresting. Things got to a point where they had enough, kicked him out.

He was too good anyways for them, didn't get his obsessions and couldn't understand his taste in finer things from expensive liquor to his extensive music collection. Couldn't enjoy fine dining, sat on their asses playing video games, Door Dash fast food…an embarrassment to society.

Now, basically on the streets barely sleeping, only occasionally renting a hotel room. Living a double life, working by day and going out to bars and clubs at night, experimenting to stay up night into morning. Had some extra days off from work along with the weekend. Give him more time to meet various people, find ways to make money and get into trouble.

Time of day becoming less clear, hours felt like minutes. Last day of work before the long weekend, wanted to find a room to finally crash but in a small town like Kelso, there were little options and no vacancy at every place.

Was ready for another all-nighter, had plenty of obscure drugs from pills to powders, uppers, downers, empathogens. Often used designer chemicals, not technically illegal.

One that he was an avid user of due to it's both stimulant and empathogen effects. Washed down a high dose with a couple Redbull vodkas and a little 'pam to mellow out. Hit a local bar that night, favorite on Friday nights. Still had some belongings left at the apartment but basically had everything he needed in his bag and briefcase that he carried.

Spencer knew he was homeless, no one could tell, not like the others at all. People had no idea when he would be at places, often wearing a suit and tie, carrying his work around with him. He had class, decency. Most people thought he was traveling for business, particularly the girl he would meet at the bar that night by the name of Audrey who asks the exact question.

He replied, "yes." Telling her that he's a professional writer, successful locally and becoming recognized globally, working on getting his latest work published. Ordered two double vodka martinis and time went by like minutes. She was talking about being in abusive relationships, ex who she suspects is stalking her still and probably in danger.

Spencer felt this emotional connection, like meeting her was destiny and they were meant to be. Thought it could be the psychoactive substances he ingested? Excessive serotonin released in the brain yet wondered if it was a normal emotion? If everyday people feel like that normally? Used the bathroom and came back, she was gone. Bartender told him that he left his phone on his table, handing it to him. Said that some guy picked her up, sounded pissed off.

Early morning, began experiencing rapid shift in emotions, like he was betrayed but then noticed he couldn't make a phone call and that it had been hacked. SIM card was missing and was almost sure it was the girl's jealous ex, tracking his personal information, wanted him dead and would wait until he was alone with no witness. Cops didn't believe him.

Spencer was no longer feeling ecstatic but paranoid and hypervigilant. Late one night was losing touch with reality, even when liquored up at the bar, still acted odd, fearing that one of the customers might be in on whacking him. Saw a man with a strange bottle, suspected to be a cologne bottle full of cyanide and would spray it in his face like Richard Kuklinski. Ambulance showed up due to his odd behavior, highly intoxicated yet alert.

After several hours of sleep, would wake up in the hospital thinking clearly but not quite all there. Remembering scenes from gangster films where people get iced in the hospital, defenseless and vulnerable. Later, doctor sees him and tells him that he's on a mental health hold, being detained and how the cops are going to investigate, they found what appeared to be illicit drugs in his bag. Realized that they used that as an excuse, probably in on some plot against him and want him dead and if not, he would do time in jail and he was too good for that. When no one was around, he'd get dressed and take off from his room, leaving the hospital like his life depended on it. Security tries stopping him until he pulls out a knife and continues running, getting away.

Now on the run, realizes that maybe he was delusional after all. Girl at the bar, emotions intensified by drugs as well as the paranoia. Her abusive ex was no intelligent cold-blooded killer with CIA-like training. Nothing but an uncivilized neanderthal that uses her for a punching bag when his feelings get hurt, nothing but a man child throwing toddler tantrums.

He continued on the run as he feared going to jail, he was better than that. Stayed under the radar until one day, accidentally running a stop sign and the cop realizes that he had been legally detained, asking him to step out of the vehicle. Spencer knew, stepped on the gas, going off the road, into the woods, crashing and continuing fleeing on foot. After running through the woods all night, finally gets caught. Arrested for a DUI, reckless driving, fleeing…but the 5150 is where it was at, what got him off easily.

He would spend two nights in a cell with hardcore junkies vomiting on the walls and having explosive diarrhea on the toilet all day. After witnessing it all from the cellmates wailing in pain, wanted to get away from the lowlife scum on the streets and never have anything to do with again.

Court day, lawyer promised to get him off from doing time but brought nothing but disappointment. Found out his only other choice was rehab aside from jail. Judge tells him how he's seen countless people like him, Spencer loses his temper, "Comparing me to vomit spewing, pants shitting scum? Don't even!" Beginning to shout and go on a rant about himself as he and his cellmates don't belong in the same sentence ever…judge finally slammed his gavel to shut him up. He would respond with the third unofficial option, "fuck that!" he yells while running out of the courtroom. When cornered by security on the second story, jumps to the first. He was no Ted Bundy, injuring his left foot but continued limping fueled by adrenaline and hatred of the inferior beings he had to spend 48 hours with. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough and before getting to the exit, was subdued by security.

Days later, Spencer shows up in court again but now in handcuffs/shackles and security surrounding him. Judge was firm yet surprisingly forgiving, "You even think about escaping again Mr. West, I'm giving you a year in the county jail." Gave him one last chance, he chose court-ordered rehab. Released and transported straight to the Kelso Behavioral Health Center.

Epilogue

Another day in Kelso, people being admitted to the facility against their will, some would change their way of life, many wouldn't and continue after being released. Law had good intentions, it was a better alternative to jail, unfortunately people like Spencer would realize that one month isn't enough to change someone, especially if they had no interest themselves. It was a vicious cycle, detaining people including the repeat offenders that had been in multiple times. Insanity is doing the same thing every time and expecting different results. Who were truly insane though? The people continuing their lifestyles or the law detaining them at the same facility for the tenth time?

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