~ end_of_day_1 Relaxing in my assigned recovery room, I pondered on today's events. Screening the patients was as tough as I had expected, but I had overestimated how rewarding it would feel. Commons expressed gratitude, but were above all drenched in fear. Abnormals only communicated with alien, thinly veiled threats. Still, I gobbled down my Republican-standardized meal with satisfaction, and switfly fell asleep. My dreams were hazy, full of anxious metaphors and hopeful allegories. => END ~ end_of_day_2 I felt wearier than yesterday. After hastily swallowing my nutritionally optimized ration, I lied down and soon went into a deep slumber. My dreams were embroidered with disturbing events. Dusky shapes lurking in the background, alluring whispers flowing down my ears. I didn't feel scared however. I was warned this could happen to newly-trained psychiatrists. This was all part of what I had signed up for. When the alarm clock rang, I was already up and eager to tackle the next batch of patients. => END ~ end_of_day_3 Although I hadn't screened that many patients today, I felt drained. I forced myself to gulp down my quite tasteless food, and drifted off to the world of dreams. I had my first nightmare. The whispers were getting louder. I could catch glimpses of shadowy silhouettes crawling towards me, disappearing as I tried to examine them more closely. I woke up glittering with perspiration, my heart pounding in my chest. I had to get to work. => END