Edge of Reality

By Shaun Hume

"A great character driven drama, with a surprising supernatural twist!" - Amazon Reviewer

Stanley doesn’t want to be in an institution for the mentally unstable. But he has to be. It’s the the only way. The people he meets in there are the only ones who can help his daughter. But that’s all in the future, and so is she, well, for now ...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shaun Hume
• Release date: Aug 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463272770

Shaun Hume

Shaun is an internationally popular author of several books containing mystery, intrigue, talking primates, girl spies, time travel, suspense, alternate dimensions, hospitals, mystery, teenage warriors and monsters - including the "Ewan Pendle" fantasy adventure series, which has been widely compared to the HARRY POTTER and PERCY JACKSON books. When not writing, Shaun is a filmmaker and photographer, as well as an amateur chandelier hanger and part-time uphill tobogganing enthusiast.

Book preview

Edge of Reality

Magenta: Book One

SHAUN HUME

Popcorn & Rice Publishing

Digital First Edition

Copyright © Shaun Hume 2018

Shaun Hume has asserted his moral rights to be

identified as the author of this work.

* CHAPTER ONE *

Magenta

Stanley Rue and Doctor Vivian Eldridge sat opposite each other at the far end of a spacious hospital treatment room. In truth, it was an office, Eldridge’s office. But she was so new to the role that there hadn’t been a suitable office made up for her before she’d commenced her position. Instead, she had ended up taking what would normally be a group consultation room as her now regular work space, and as a result the decor of her new office still possessed the remnants of a less than private and personal space. Colourful posters designed to engage children still hung on the walls, a slap dash pile of pamphlets for family therapy sitting on a small table pushed into one corner.

The dull light of the day ebbed in through the tall window behind the Eldridge’s desk, tapping her gently on the back as she shifted her posture a little more upright, facing the seated Stanley over her wide desk.

Doctor Eldridge was sharply dressed, wearing a traditional white lab coat over a perfectly tailored grey suit skirt and jacket. On her legs were thick black tights, her feet within deep brown ankle height and heeled boots.

His face only mutely visible to her, Stanley was sitting a little hunched, wearing a fluffy white dressing gown over drab looking checkered pyjamas. On his left foot he wore a pastel pink sock, on the right foot a bright purple sock. He wasn’t wearing any shoes.

Eldridge looked keenly across the desk at Stanley.

Do you know why you’re here? Eldridge said, the clinical wisp in her voice clear.

Stanley was turning his hands over in his lap, the spot where his eyes were presently fixed upon. The words reverberated through the air and there was a pause as he looked up from his hands, turning his attention away from the prim doctor and instead towards the window behind Eldridge. Outside the window a bird sat mutely on the branch of a large tree, the feathered creature peering into the room with inquisitive attention, its eyes right on Stanley.

My family think I’m unsafe, Stanley said slowly after a moment, not yet looking at Eldridge.

You’ve done some things that have made your family members feel unsafe, Eldridge replied.

Nothing I did had anything to do with them. Eldridge looked down onto her own lap, consulting her notes briefly before continuing.

I understand you drove your father’s car into a tree … the trim looking doctor went on, while he was in it.

He wasn’t listening to me. It seemed like the only thing to do at the time that would get his attention. Eldridge straightened up in her seat again after Stanley’s words.

You tried to kill yourself, Mr Rue.

That … was a mistake, Stanley said, a sombre wake bobbing in the air behind his words.

You tried to stab yourself though the heart with a kitchen knife, Eldridge reiterated.

It wasn’t sharp enough, said Stanley, darkly jovial. Next time I’ll check.

Next time? Eldridge replied, clear concern in her tone.

Look, right now this is best place for me, I know that, Stanley said, a little stern, but I don’t intend on living here forever. There are things I have to do.

Well, Mr Rue, Eldridge said, holding her ground, that all depends on you, and how you respond to treatment and medication.

Medication? Stanley said, a trite of worry in his voice now. I’m not taking any medication.

You’ve been placed here – Eldridge began to say, before Stanley cut her off.

"I placed myself here."

Eldridge was only slightly perturbed at being interrupted, continuing on after no more than a baby sized pause.

Be that as it may – even for self admitted patients, Mr Rue, once here, this treatment isn’t voluntary. If, after time, you begin to show improvement, the medication may be able to be taken back to a lower level.