Free The Dark Horde by Brewin

conversation? I can assure you that the recording is kept strictly as a private and confidential discussion between us, except in cases where there are serious concerns about harm you might do to yourself or others. The recording is primarily to save me needing to take notes.”
    “And it makes it easier to analyse every word I say,” Danny replied.
    “Yes.” Bernard laughed. “But only so that–”
    “You can help me with my illness.”
    Bernard placed the tape recorder on a nearby trolley and held up a cautioning palm. “No one is saying yet that you have an illness.”
    “So can I leave then?”
    “Once we’ve made an assessment and determined that you are in good health and fully recovered.”
    “So how can I convince you of that? I’m really keen to get out of here as soon as possible.”
    “Do you feel threatened in any way here, Danny?”
    Danny smiled. “If you’re trying to establish that I’m suffering paranoia that is leading me to fear being here, you’re wrong. I merely wish to get back to school and resume my normal activities.”
    Sounds reasonable enough, but something isn’t quite right about this child’s nonchalance towards the psychosis he allegedly suffered last night. Mental note: Patient’s symptoms of psychosis appear to have subsided and mood is substantially different from yesterday and perhaps previously. Need to establish mental history of the patient through consultation with parents. Possible long-term psychotic, schizotypal or bipolar disorder.
    “So you like being at school then?”
    “Well, I’m not sure whether like is the appropriate word, but obligated yes. Just as I imagine what work is for many people, they may not particularly like it, but they’re obliged to do it.”
    “What don’t you like about school?”
    Danny shrugged his shoulders, looking relaxed under the microscope. “Nothing in particular.”
    “Do you get along well with the other kids at school?”
    Danny shrugged again. “Well enough.”
    “What are your favourite subjects?”
    “Hmm.” Danny pondered the question for a moment. “They’re all about the same, I guess.”
    Mental note: Subject displays apathy, a precursor to various personality and mood disorders.
    “How about your family? How are your relationships with them?”
    “Fine. There’s never been any problems there.”
    “Would you mind if I spoke to them as well? I’d really like to meet them.”
    Danny smiled again. “No need to pretend you’re genuinely interested, Bernard. Ask them whatever you like. I’m sure you won’t discover any evidence of mental disorder in my past.”
    “Is there something you’re not telling me, Danny? You seem to be evading something.”
    “Well, I s’pose I haven’t reiterated to you that I have no recollection of anything that happened last night and today I feel fine and in full health.”
    “Yes. About–”
    “Oh, and that I’ve never had any feelings of persecution, humiliation, isolation, anxiety, depression, delusions or hallucinations.”
    Bernard chuckled. “And yet you seem to be defensive about my questions–”
    “Only because I’m trying to save you time and get this over with. Oh and before you ask, I’ve never taken any kind of drugs either, nor had any prior medical condition that could be relevant.”
    Bernard folded his arms. “So what would you say caused your experiences yesterday?”
    “Well, as you know I can’t remember them, but they were probably just the result of shock or concussion or something. Regardless, whatever it was, it’s gone now.” Danny smiled.
    “You smile, why?”
    “Because you amuse me.”
    “Amuse you, why do I amuse you?”
    “Because you think I’m crazy. You think I’m seeing demons and hearing their voices.” Danny’s smile grew wider.
    “Well you were–”
    “You think I’m schizophrenic, or a manic depressive. Maybe I’m a split personality. Or maybe I’m all three. Or maybe I’m none of these at all. Maybe