The Mind Borrower

I lay on the bed and watched the staff change over carefully. The incoming staff member arrived and signaled he was there and ready whereupon the staff member on duty stood up and gave a summary of what had happened during the shift. Then they both signed off but as they did so they both glanced at me.
"Have to get someone more senior Sam." Said Joe who was going off duty. "There is something strange about that one." and he nodded towards me. I was in bed at the other end of the ward 50 yards away.
I only knew what Sam had said because I could read his thoughts. His attention had been been focused on me ever since I had been admitted to the emergency ward two hours ago. He could not read my mind though. He was sensitive but he did not understand about reading thoughts as he had never been taught. I diverted my attention from them both and tried to get some sleep

I had always been able to read thoughts to some extent, depending on the circumstances.
Dogs were easy as they lead very simple and straightforward lives.
Birds were useful because they gave the best warning of there being danger around. It depends how they sing. One has to learn to understand.
Babies and very young children also were easy to mind read. Usually a series of pictures, though some of these could be very frightening. Just uncontrolled fear and aggression.
Most humans are very similar to dogs with simple needs easily satisfied. Not all though. I could feel some people probing my mind as if trying to turn over the pages of a book; they made me feel uneasy.


My mind was drawn back to the nurses desk. "Haven't put anything about this in the report," said Joe. "I've been told this is a bit hush hush. I suggest you contact Central Exchange."
"OK," said Sam "Will do."
"Oh dear me," I thought on hearing that. "They may have rumbled me! Despite my attempt to avoid detection"


My ability to read thoughts was something I had decided to keep to myself long ago. When I was younger I had tried to explain it to several people. Such explanations always led to misunderstandings and painful separations. Of course it was something I could only share with those people who were close to me at the time. Some of them became very afraid, feeling insecure, threatened and invaded. They left me. Others thought of it as some secret power that they could use to their own advantage. I left them.
As a result I had led a rather lonely life in some respects. I was known locally as a kind of tramp, down and out or hobo. I lived on the streets and in the parks and alleyways. In many respects my life was very rich. I could always speak to the animals and birds who surrounded me all the time and I could feel the happiness of the children playing in the play park. I knew every dog in the area and took part in their very simple conversations. I tried to help them when they needed it.


I was woken up by Sam speaking to someone quietly.
"In our opinion this one needs someone very senior."
"OK," she said "I will pay careful attention and we'll decide this evening;" She looked young and fragile in a print dress. I had met her type before. All caring and pretty pretty and then they would try and wangle their way inside my head.
"Just trying to help you," they would say "Now tell me about what is troubling you."
I shut my thoughts down and went to sleep. In my dream I felt some hands grab me roughly. I was marched to an office and interrogated. Where did I live? Did I hear voices? Could I talk with the animals? Could I read thoughts? And so on. I never said a word.


Later on after supper there was the evening ward round. Sam and the same young woman came to my bedside. .
"Good evening Mr Jones, I am Dr Kate Dalomen," she said. "You've had a bit of a funny turn. Best for you to be in hospital for a day or two."
I nodded not wanting to make a fuss or draw attention to myself. I remembered nothing about why I was here. I did not want to ask about what had happened. It would only encourage more questions. They passed on to talk to the next patient.


A little later that evening I became aware of Sam on the telephone. It was difficult to make out all of what he was saying, but I could tell he was anxious and nervous.
"I need to speak to Higher Authority please. This is very urgent indeed. This is the second time I have phoned you this evening."
"No I am not authorized to talk to you about it. Please put me through to Higher Authority! "
" No I can't give you a number to call back on. I'll hold on then." He looked around rather furtively in my direction, and seeing me appearing to be asleep, relaxed a little.
Then he stiffened and talked rapidly....................
"My Lord, I am pretty sure we have a case of, - well, what you have been looking for. I can't be more specific on this line. You understand?" There was a long silence and then he said: "The name's Abe Jones. How long will that take?.............good. Tomorrow afternoon then, thank you very much My Lord."
I slept until 5am and then got up to make tea in the ward kitchen. The duty nurse was busy elsewhere. I sneaked a quick look at my notes. On the inside of the front cover there was my name and the diagnosis: Abe Jones, vagrant /acute schizophrenic episode; I nodded to myself thinking, yes, if that is what I am. I will play the part. I returned to bed and slept well until breakfast.



The morning dragged, I missed the open air and my conversations with the animals;
In the afternoon Sam was on duty and I saw Joe come in and gesture for Sam to follow him. I could hear them talking very faintly. Then all of a sudden there was a third person very clearly saying. "This is a wild goose chase. I am wasting my time here."
"Just keep an open mind, Sir," said Joe. "We are both convinced there is more to this than meets the eye;"
In a minute Sam returned with the newcomer. He was an unprepossessing stout middle aged man in a dark suit. They went to the nurse's station and looked at papers there. The newcomer filled in a form and began to move towards me.
I could feel he was uncertain of himself and in a hurry. I kept my eyes shut and pretended to be asleep. I sensed him come over to my bed and stand as if he were listening intently for a very quiet noise. I shut my brain down, as if meditating, relaxing and breathing deeply. After about a minute of silence he grunted and turned to Sam. "There, I told you so. Nothing at all. He's just a wino who hasn't been taking his medication."
Sam said "Well, Joe and I both came to the same conclusion independently:" The man shook his head.
"I don't believe so, Just another old laggard off the streets." He smiled at Sam in a fatherly way then he shrugged his shoulders and left, nodding to the other nurses in passing.


After a few minutes Joe returned,and sat down beside Sam and the two of them had a long and very animated muttered conversation. I continued to be quiet, diverting my attention from them and, keeping my brain switched into low gear. I did not want to raise their suspicions again. They had both clearly picked up something about me when I was admitted which had raised their suspicions and had led to these further investigations. I went to sleep and the next thing that woke me was the arrival of the evening meal.
I needed to get myself discharged as soon as possible. I decided I would do as they expected and behave myself. For the rest of the evening I just sat and watched TV with the rest of the inmates. I kept my mind pretty much in neutral and my thoughts mixed in with those the others. Joe was on duty and a couple of times I felt his gaze on me, but I did not react.


I slept well. I think I was relaxed after clarifying my situation and deciding on my course of action.
At breakfast time it was very busy, many patients were to be discharged today, but not me. Both Joe and Sam were on duty, half hidden from me by a screen. I was suddenly aware of an urgency and a questioning between them.and then there seemed to be third person there with them. Someone they were afraid of and who I could feel quickly scanned the people nearby and rapidly identified me. This Being, I know not if it was a man or woman, or indeed if it was human at all, detected a resistance to its probing my thoughts. In an instant it withdrew itself, as if it felt vulnerable and afraid; knowing full well that I knew too.


It turned on the two hapless male nurses. "Idiots! You bring me half across the Universe to show me this stinking thing." It masked its fear with action. "I will not stay a moment longer. Expect another visit from the High Lord himself soon!" Then it was gone.
Joe and Sam looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders and continued with the morning clearing up. Occasionally they glanced at me but I lay still as if watching the morning television. I was reflecting on the recent events, trying to recall a similar occasion but I could not. I had always been able to avoid confrontations, my concentration slipping away without the other understanding what was happening. I felt a strange mixture of fear and exhilaration. As if it was the confirmation of the truth of all I had half known all along.




To be continued................