Hikikomori

Dr Tao was a psychiatrist with over 20 years experience in his chosen field. He lived in a small town not too far from the city making commutes easy and sometimes saw his patients from the comfort of his own home. He was a polite man and very well respected in the community. He never had a patient he couldn't help and he would quiet happily help even if you wasn't a patient.

He was the kind of man you could call on for a cup of sugar or to help you change a light bulb, a real family man who would do anything for anyone no questions asked. So of course he was the first to greet the new neighbours that moved into the house opposite him. He asked if they had needed help unloading the moving van and even offered to cook them dinner if they hadn't unpacked everything yet. He was politely turned away and he excepted that some people are just introverts and he would speak to them once again when they had settled in.

It was only 2 days before the screaming started. He was sat on his porch when the old lady started shouting about how good for nothing someone was and all they did was lie in bed all day. Couldn't be bothered to even unpack their stuff. He headed straight over and rang the bell.

'Hi there, I heard some shouting and I just wanted to make sure you were all right?'

'Yeah' snarled the old woman 'Just my lazy good for nutin son, that boy don't know how lucky he is'

Dr Tao nodded 'Alright then, you have a good evening ma'am'.

And without a word she slammed the door closed and continued her bellowing for all the street to hear.

That's when the old man came out. He sat on the porch with a wind up radio and stayed there until the woman had ran out of breath then calmly walked back inside. This happened the next night, and then the next. Dr Tao watched the old mans coping methods every evening, silently making notes for almost 3 months. The screaming and shouting had gotten louder and longer and everyone was looking at Dr Tao for answers. Dr Tao knew that the son was a hermit. The term back home was a hikikomori. Someone whom never leaves their home. Most indulge in games and he had experienced and helped several patients with this issue but none as bad as the couples son. He tried to explain to the neighbours she was probably as fed up with her son as they was as her but deep down he knew this family was starting to grate on his last nerve also.

He waited until the old man was sat on the porch with his radio again and headed over.

'Is everything alright in there?' he asked

The old man shook his head. 'You're a doctor arnt you? he asked

'A psychiatrist, yes' Dr Tao nodded

The old man nodded. I may have a new patient for you doc. See I'm too old and too tired to keep moving around. Please can you help?'

'I will certainly try'

The old man led the doctor through the house and up the stairs. He motioned towards the door. 'In there' he sighed

Dr Tao opened the door 'Is it your son?' he asked walking in to the room.

The room was cold and dusty. Boxes from the movers were still around the room and clothes were strewn around the floor. The man on the bed was wearing a hooded top and jeans and was facing away from them toward the window. Dr Tao walked round the bed to face him but was surprised to see not a man but a mannequin doll.

'No Dr Tao. The patient is my wife'.