For Nevermore Season 1

another psychotic break, or so they said, though she didn’t remember much. Her memories of the past month were cloudy, and was pretty sure the pills had something to do with it, though she couldn’t figure out why the hospital would want to make her forget what happened, rather than helping her work her way through it.
    Maybe you’re just paranoid.
    Maybe.
    Unfortunately, the memory of Randy taking her was clear as day, and probably would be forever. She also remembered Josie and Sam being brought into the dungeon, but everything else after that was a blur. According to the doctors, Noella had managed to get to a phone to call Dr. Foster and tell him where they were being held. He showed up with another hospital worker, unsure if she were having another break or if she were telling the truth. Once they saw that she was telling the truth, they called the local police who came to rescue them.
    That was their story, anyway, though it was all a blur to her.
    When the sheriff’s investigators came around to question her, the doctors ordered them gone.
    “Good news,” Dr. Lipton said, “You have a couple of visitors today. Are you up to seeing them?”
    “Yeah!” Noella said, forgetting to shroud her excitement. Josie had been her only visitor, five days after being admitted to the hospital. But that visit had not gone well. Noella had broken down, begging to go home with her, and when one of the nurses came to see what was wrong, Noella freaked out and slapped her on the side of the face.
    She wasn’t sure why she flipped out like that, and barely even remembered it. She did remember being tired and cranky with a bottomless sadness. Seeing Josie reminded her of how alone she was, locked up like some sort of crazy, dangerous person.
    She hadn’t had an episode in two years. Hadn’t she proved herself? Who could blame her if she snapped after being kidnapped by a serial killer?
    Dr. Lipton scribbled something on his clipboard, and Noella felt a flush of anger at the way the doctor barely acknowledged her and almost never met her eyes. It was hard to get to know someone when they wouldn’t look you in the eye, and impossible to trust them. He seemed more interested in writing his notes on his pad than interacting with her, at least beyond making sure she took her pills like a “good girl.”
    Dr. Lipton’s note-taking reminded Noella of when Dr. Foster had showed her those stupid inkblot cards. And while she didn’t think she had liked Dr. Foster all that much, he was a million times friendlier than this guy — and Dr. Foster had saved her life. Noella’s other doctor was much nicer, a woman named Dr. Williams. She was an older black woman, who reminded Noella of one of her favorite middle school teachers, Ms. Austin. But most days Noella was stuck with the cold Dr. Lipton.
    She was looking forward to seeing Josie and wondered who her other visitor would be. Maybe it would be Sam.
    Josie said he’d been in the hospital a couple of days and was now doing surprisingly well. But as much as she wanted to see him, to know he was okay again, she didn’t want Sam to see her like this. And she really didn’t want him to bring Becca. That would be like the worst thing ever.
    Maybe it was Mako. That would be nice. But seeing Mako might make her even sadder. She had no idea when she’d be getting out, and seeing Mako would make the days seem further away.
    “I’ll go tell them you’re ready,” Dr. Lipton said, and he left her room. Moments later, the mystery was solved.
    Josie came in with Tori right behind.
    Tori!
    Noella burst into tears — happy tears — seeing the girl looking so cute in her red coat, blue jeans, and even a red bow in her hair.
    “No-Snow!” Tori said, running to Noella’s bedside, hugging her hard.
    Tori had been found the same morning that Noella, Josie, and Sam were saved. The girl had been wandering in the woods, lost, scared, and without any memory of what happened. In many ways, her experience had echoed Noella’s.
    Tori remembered Randy taking her in her sleep, and telling her that he wanted to show her something, and that Noella needed her help. After that, she didn’t remember anything except waking in the middle of the night in the woods.
    “Oh my God, I’m so glad to see you!” Noella said, hugging the girl and never wanting to let her go.
    She smelled like strawberry perfume, and reminded Noella of hanging out at her house, watching Phineas & Ferb , playing video