Sane

17

2 weeks later•°.

I was starting to get a little more accustomed to the area the more I made my daily explorations. Of course most the time I was wondering it was when and where I shouldn't have been so being escorted back to my room became pretty common. A part of me was telling myself that this place isn't so bad; more like a jail without the bars and at times I needed those imaginary bars to desperately be opened. I felt like an underdog being the youngest person here and at the same time it felt a little unsettling. Some people here I've gotten used to which I never thought I would ever find myself thinking. If I ever needed help looking for somewhere I tried to find someone from the little groupie that Jake has going on. Even me and Kyra aren't clawing at each other's throats so I'd say it isn't too bad other than it feeling like I'm by myself from how quiet it gets. I just need to manifest my plan and get a one way ticket out of here and away from anyone else who had a part of being in here forever.

During Leisure time I sat at the card table like usual watching Kyra win over everything before I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked over to see the head of the institute all high in mighty making direct eye contact with me. His face gave me a pit of fire in my stomach that made me want to retch all over his shiny black shoes. I wasn't the only one because the rest of the women around me held expressions of just as much distaste.

"And to what do I owe you the pleasure of your rather awful presents?" I hope my words stung but from the smirk he held I doubt the did.

"You ma'am need to come with me." His words were short yet serious and I didn't need any more persuasion than the deadpan look in his eyes.
Sighing, I turned my head back to the women around me. I noticed Minnie throwing me a worried look and even thought Kyra didn't wanna admit it I saw a hint of it in herself too.

"This way....to my office." I followed him sluggishly and stepped inside the familiar small yet, cozy room. The air was warmer than the hallways which brought a little comfort. As I walked inside, my reflection bounced off of the many golden certificates and awards that hung securely against the walls for display and I couldn't help but gaze at them in amazement.

He stepped behind the unorganized desk and cleared his throat before opening up a file. Great. Another one.

"So, what's this all about? I've got a good bet going on at the momen-"

"Miss camp you should really take this place seriously. We've given you time yet you still choose not to go to the meetings or make progress."

"How did cards lead to all this?" I didn't need a whole lecture on what I'm lacking at in a place I don't even belong in.

"Listen, despite being here you're still a kid..." A glow ignited in me at the way this conversation was turning, I was desperate to hear him mention somethin about letting me go.

"State regulation's state that you must go through a learning program in order to stay here." My hopes sunk along with my heart as I felt stupid for even thinking of them being that considerate.

"So starting tommorow you'll have a nurse chaperoning you until you pass the necessary courses into adulthood with your teacher. He or she will come here for an hour and a half everyday and get you caught up on what schools are appropriately teaching other kids your age."
Despair set in more and more as the topic suddenly felt frustrating. This place seemed to be in control of my whole life and until I get out there's nothing I can do about it.

"If you fail to cooperate Ms. Camp I have no other choice but to keep you in solitary until you pass. "

" Sorry Jake, Kyra went to solitary confinement for fighting with another patient over food and wasn't served any for two days"

A shudder went through me as I remembered the conversation Ryan had with Jake about Kyra being so snappy. The last thing I wanted to do was have to experience it especially with how unpleasant it sounded.

"Why?"

"Excuse me?" He asked not understanding completely the basis of my question.

"Why are you going through all of this just to keep me here? It's obvious I don't belong in the first place so why do you go out of your way to keep me here so bad?" A deep chuckle resonated around the room as he clearly found my serious form amusing.

"When you're as powerful as me...you can do whatever you want..."

~~~~~~~~~~

Nicholas's POV

I seethed as I stood in the lounge next to Maddie trying to get a drnk from the vending machine. It was both quiet and awkward considering my mother called her out.

Flashback:

"You too are both utterly stupid if you don't think that I know you two are sleeping with each other." All silverware was dropped and Maddie choked on her drink. I couldn't help but look over and see my father's eyes wide before he came to the blondes defense.

"You've dranken too much, why don't you go and lie do-" a heartless laugh escaped my mother's cherry lips.

"Don't even think about telling me what to do when you decide to show off another bimbo OUR home. I wasn't born yesterday Dean, I can tell that look in your eyes more than anything else. It feels just like yesterday when you would looks at me like that...take me out somewhere or show me off. Now you can't even show up in time to a FAMILY dinner. Pathetic."
My father's teeth were almost creating sparks from the grinding and clenching. Maddie kept her gaze to the floor but I couldn't help but feel satisfaction radiating off of her from what she was causing. If it weren't for me looking hard enough I wouldn't have noticed the small smirk that troubled her think lips.

Thoughts of that day flashed themselves into my mind and I felt like I was gonna lose it if she even so dared as to look at me. I don't think I could dislike someone as much as I do her right now. After everything my mother had to put up with this was only the topping on the cake and discuss settled within me as the thought of my father sleeping with one of my ex's couldn't be absorbed into my mind. I was shocked and felt betrayed and I couldn't even do anything if I wanted until I get this program over with. Now with Maddie taking the promotion over I would have to work longer and extra hard to even graduate at her level.
I felt her eyes on me and I wanted so bad to turn around and yell every word in the book at her. I just wish she could feel the amount of pain she was causing on me and my family.

Right as she turned and tried to utter a word my phone went off which was a mistake in my part cause phone are to be turned off with staff. Thsnful for the distraction I answered it quickly without even checking the name or number.

"I've got another spot for a promotion opening up. You better listen and you better listen good..."