Short story: The scream

The audio files presented in the next few paragraphs relate with the unexpected death of Samuel Jones.

Audio Diary Log 4

(bzzt… click) It’s funny how life messes with you. One moment, you feel like you’re at the top of the world, then the next thing you know, the weight of the whole world is on your shoulders. You see, I used to have a great life. I had a wonderful family and a powerful job. People used to look up at me with respect and admiration. But then, life hit me. I lost it all. And now I’m trapped in this cage.

These people wearing white overcoats come in everyday and run tests on me. “Mr. Collins, would you please draw a picture of your family?” “Could you please match up this sentence for me?” “Who is smiling and who is frowning Mr. Collins?” Pathetic… I use my pen to sign contracts, not to draw you fools! I am not a lab rat! I want out! NOW! OUT! OUT! OU(siren wails, sound of heavy door opening, and a voice on the intercom) “Nurse! We have a problem at room…” (Jumbled messages and sounds… bzzt click beep) TRANSMISSION ENDED.

   From The Doctor’s Desk

(bzzt… click) Subject: Samuel Jones, age 25, calls himself John Collins. Mr. Jones has a severe case of depression and paranoia. He has convinced himself that he is John Collins, a highly successful businessman. He seems to deny the fact that he is Samuel Jones. Most people that show similar symptoms have usually experienced something very painful in the past. Their way of escaping their mental pain is to forget and rely on their imagination. They would enter an imaginary world that would block out any kind of mental pain that they are experiencing. As this dependence on their fantasy grows, it becomes increasingly difficult for the person to distinguish the real world from their imaginary world. They will try to cling onto that fragile dream, and when the dream is shattered, most lose all hope and end up committing suicide. I still require some more background information on Mr. Jones to understand his full story. Hopefully we can wake him up before it’s too late. (bzzt… click beep) TRANSMISSION ENDED.

   Audio Diary Log 11

(bzzt…click) Samuel Jones? Ha, who is this Samuel Jones? It’s just another phony game of theirs isn’t it? Ha, I’ll play your game. I’ll play each and every one of your silly games. But you can’t fool me! AHAHAHAHA! (sound of heavy door opening) Oh, dang it. (ruffle ruffle) Why hello there! It’s nice to see you Mrs. Anderson! (sound of woman speaking) Hello Mr. Jones. It’s time for your morning walk. Would you like me to assist you on the way? (Collins speaking) Well, I appreciate your offer Mrs. Anderson, but I’ll do find myself, thank you. (ruffle ruffle) Whew, that was a close call. My cover will be blow the moment they find my audio logs. Anyways, my clever acting has left them thinking that I’m “getting better”. I’ve even got the privilege of taking a walk outside each morning as “therapy”. Those fools will never get me! (bzzt… click beep) TRANSMISSION ENDED.

   From The Doctor’s Desk

(bzzt… click) Jones seems to be getting better every day now! It’s a great improvement that he has made. Of course there are those short moments when he laughs or murmurs with no apparent reason, but everything seems to be fine.

   I’ve figured out some things about Jones past. Both Jones’ parents passed away due to a car accident when he was 3 years old. He was then sent to an orphanage. Numerous records show that Jones didn’t get along well with other children. Later on, Jones was adopted at the age of 13. His new parents abused him and so Jones left home. At the age of 18, Jones dropped out of high school and started looking for a job. No one wanted to take him in, so he fell into deep despair. Later on, he was caught by the police while robbing a convenience store. He was 22 then. The Police Department sent Jones to receive mental treatment. He was sent from hospital to hospital, and now into our hands. It’s a man’s life that depends on us and I’m willing to do my best. Jones used to carry a sack doll wherever he went. It was from his orphanage, and he called it Sammy. Maybe this might be useful for further treatment. (bzzt…click beep) TRANSMISSION ENDED.

   Audio Diary Log 13

(bzzt…click) It can’t be… No… NO! NO! NO! THIS IS ALL A LIE! ALL OF YOU ARE WRONG! ONLY I AM RIGHT! I AM JOHN COLLINS! ARGH! (deep breath) Ok. Calm down. This… this was quite unexpected. So, they’re playing a new game now. This is just another one of their “mess with your mind until you lose” kind of game. I can deal with this. I’ve done this hundreds of times. So, Sammy the sack doll is here isn’t he? Well I don’t know you SAMMY! (deep breath) So Sammy and Jones are supposed to be buddies, right? Well, how about this! (RIP!) Now where’s your buddy Sammy? Isn’t he supposed to stop me? HAHAHA! (ripping again) Ahahaha… Sigh… (sobbing) No, no , no , no… (bzzt… click beep) TRANSMISSION ENDED

Audio Diary Log ??

(bzzt… click) I’ve lost my audio diaries. I’ve searched my room today and I couldn’t find it. The doctors must have took it. I guess all my plans are ruined then... Sigh...You know, I never looked up at the sky before. All just blood red, contradicting the blue of the river. It's just like Jones and Collins contradicting each other... I'm just no one... Huh? Oh no! It's the shadow of two doctors coming to get me! (screams hysterically) What am I going to do? Um.. Right! The river! (Splash! gurgle gurgle...) TRANSMISSION ENDED
   Samuel Jones was found dead from drowning in a lake during his morning walk routine. On his body were a sack doll sewn together, and a tape recorder.