“To forget life’s
tragedies and triumphs; this is the essence of death.”
Nepenthe
Excerpt from Doctor Henderson’s Report—January 11th,
2037
A new patient came in today,
requesting a prescription of memory suppressant. As per protocol, we had him go
through the standard tests. Preliminary brain scans showed scar tissue in his
hippocampus, so we filled the prescription, given to him by Dr. Charles Spencer.
Reminder: Request new shipment from Pharmaceutical Inc. The current stock of
Nepenthe will be insufficient based on our weekly consumption.
Personal Log: Snyder, James T—Entry 24.
I went to the market today to fill
my prescription, and I picked up some bananas, and some food for Fish as well.
Fish seems to be adjusting to his new environment, which is more than I can say
for me. I did said “hi” to that cute chick next door, and even more
surprisingly, she said “hi” back. I was so surprised that I almost forgot to
feed Fish. Dr. Spencer called and made me start journaling again. At least this
device comes with a dictation function, or I’d never get any of this [expletive
omitted] down. Hey. Did you just censor me? It’s my journal I can put whatever
I want in it and if I want to say [expletive omitted] I’ll say [expletive
omitted] as much as I…
…Oh my God. Did you…No. Stop. Go away. You’re gone. Please
leave. Or at least do something that’s not just staring into space. LOOK AT ME.
See these? They’re memory drugs, “Nepenthe” or some [expletive omitted]. I’m
going to cut you right out of my head. You’ll leave whether you want to or not.
Where’s a cup of water? You know what? Screw it.
…There. I feel better already. What was I doing?
Psychiatrist’s Report, January 18th,
2037—Spencer, Charles PhD—Patient 58
James did much better during
today’s check-up. The lacerations on his arms and the burns on his chest are
healing apace, but the psychological impact of the event is still weighing on
him. We are still making progress though; today I reminded him to make friends
that weren't fish, and he only told me to go and [expletive omitted] myself. So
as I said, he’s doing much better. From now on though, I’m going to start reducing
his weekly prescription. Nepenthe is nasty stuff if you’re on it for too long.
Police Report—01.21.2037—Residential Call, Code 415. Status:
Unresolved
A resident of the east district
reported a disturbance in a neighbor’s apartment, based on “loud screams
interspersed with sobbing.” Car 26 responded, but by the time they approached
the area all was quiet. The caller was convinced that the suspect was screaming
about ghosts and a prescription drug called Nepenthe, but the suspect tested
clean. Officers gave both the caller and the suspect a verbal warning, and then
responded to a possible 419 on 5th Avenue.
Personal Log: Snyder, James T—Entry 25
I wanted to talk to that girl today
but—running out again tried to renew prescription nurses said I didn’t need as
much as last week wrongwrongwrong how can’t they know surprise! I still need
them had to cut the pills in half not working still seeing ghosts everywhere
the cute-neighbor-girl is maybe a ghost Icantell because she can’t see me
ghosts can’t see real people just ghosts just ghosts just ghosts justonlyother
ghosts so why do I see ghosts amIaghosttoo? No not ghost just broken drugs
still help call doctor make better help from Spencer a little more Nepenthe
please master
But hey, who knows? Maybe I’ll talk to her tomorrow, she’s
still cuteevenifghosts.
Transcript of personal communication—Snyder, J to Spencer,
C.—January 5th, 2037—04:08am
“…I’ve explained to you before,
James. Nepenthe does not destroy memories, it was never designed to do anything
that dangerous to your brain. It merely suppresses undesired memories. I can
write you another prescription, because I can tell you’re in a bad way. Maybe I
miscalculated the dosage. Either way, I’m going to continue decreasing your
medication. Nepenthe has a limited time frame before your body becomes immune
or gives up, and then ALL of your memories will be affected, not just the bad
ones. And for God’s sake, talk to that girl. She’s not a ghost and your fish is
not your friend. Please don’t call my personal phone again this late at night.
Call the office. They’ll help you. I’ll see you Monday.” —Communication Ends—
Personal Log: Snyder, James T— Entry 26
Do I hear drums or is that just my
heart? Am I still breathing? Where’s Fish? I thought he went out for a walk but
he should be back by now; it’s nearly dawn. I told him, “the ghosts start
coming out as soon as the sun comes up,” but he wouldn’t listen, he’s so
stubborn that way. But there aren’t any ghosts at night. I’m safe when I’m
asleep. Why do I have to wake? In my dreams she’s still there, but she’s not a
ghost because she looks right at me and she can see me. At least I have all the
Nepenthe I’ll need. A man gave a lot to me last night, or maybe he was a god.
Yes, he was a god of the night, because he was dressed in black and he gave me
sweet forgetfulness. Unless maybe…unless maybe he was a ghost too? He never
spoke to me…but he saw me, I know he did, so he can’t be a ghost because
ghostscan’tseeotherpeople just ghosts that’s why they come out at day to see
each other and be ghosts together like a big ghost family that makes me the crazy
uncle because sometimes I just want to be one of them so they will look at me
but I know that’sjustcrazy I’m no ghost neither’s my fish not sure about Doctor
Spencer though because he looks at me and I don’t think he can see me.
That cute-neighbor-girl’s no ghost though, she can see me
because she saw me and then she screamed when she saw me but at least she’s no
ghost.
Police Report—02.04.2037—Silent Alarm, Code 487—Status:
Under investigation
Doctor Henderson’s practice was
broken into at approximately 02:46 this morning, exterior security cameras show
a man dressed all in black fleeing the scene with what appeared to be a fish-bowl full of
medication. Henderson reports that the drugs missing are memory suppressors,
commonly known as Nepenthe. Henderson has agreed to supply a list of patients
that have recently filled prescriptions for Nepenthe at that location, from
which the investigative team will base their search.
Personal Log: Snyder, James T—Entry 27
A ghost came today that looked like
Fish. Oh well. I guess they got him. I can still see her when I close my eyes.
I can’t remember why though. Wait, I think I saw her once before she was a
ghost. We must have been very close. I wonder what made her decide to be a
ghost? She probably ate too many sweets and it rotted her brains and her teeth
and then she was so stupid she decided to be a ghost. No, that’s a zombie not a
ghost. I guess it does not matter.
Look, white ghosts! Hello, have you seen my friend Fish? I
know you can’t see me, but can you hear me?
“Sir, please remain calm. We can see and hear you just fine.
We’re here to help you.”
“Oh God, what is that smell?”
Don’t lie. I hate it when they lie to me. Spencerlied
Motherlied Cuteneighborgirlprobablyliedtoo liars all of them Fish lied too but
that’s not his fault he must have picked it up from me goodness the things I
bring home from work these days.
“Doug, fetch an anesthetic will you? It’ll be easier if he’s
out.”
“He seems pretty out to me…”
“Just do it.”
Fish went out and came back a ghost. What’s in that needle?
Nepenthenamenicide? It won’t work on me, I’ll still see you ghosts everywhere
but you can try it if you want. Just close the door behind you when you leave,
I wouldn’t want more ghosts getting in and not paying rent and just taking up
space. I saw space once but there were still ghosts…
Oh look it’s cute-neighbor-girl. Hi. I think you’re cute.
“Jesus! I thought you had him knocked out!”
“Ma’am, please step away from him, he’s very ill.”
We should have coffee. Do ghosts still drink coffee?
Ghosts.
Police Report—Subject: Snyder, James T—Status: Admitted to
St. Judith’s Memorial Asylum
Criminal Record:
Grand Theft (Medication) (02/04/2037)
Breaking and Entering (02/04/2037)
Vehicular Manslaughter (2)(11/29/2036)
Subject’s vehicle collided with
Cynthia Marsh (aged 32) and daughter Melody (7). Released into Dr. Charles Spencer’s
custody for psychological evaluation and reparation.
Nepenthe
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