The Assylum's Monster

C1: The Asylum

" Row, row, row your boat. Gently down the stream. Merrily merrily, merrily, merrily. Life is but a dream... "

Garfield barely shook is head in the voice's direction and groaned still in pain from the doctor's beating.

" Row, row, row your boat. Gently down the stream. Merrily merrily, merrily, merrily. Life is but a dream... " The voice sang again.

He gently opened his eyes and scanned the area. He wanted to know who was signing this childish song in an asylum run by mad scientists. He tilted his head trying to focus his vision on the silhouette that was walking up to him, well... to his cage. She tilted her head, as if... imitating his movements.

" No wonder they didn't want me to see you. You're all roughed up... " The girl pouted. " Who am I supposed to have a conversation with, now? "

Gar didn't respond, he was still squinting his eyes trying to focus on her face. When he succeeded, he was surprised to see a blond, 5'2, girl and her dark brown eyes staring back. While inhaling he couldn't help but flinch has every of his body parts screamed in pain.

The girl made her way calmly to a desk nearby, poured a glass of water and took a sip of it, making sure he saw her do so. She then made her way back and passed the water through the bars of the cage. To her wonder, he didn't move an inch towards her. She sighed.

" I am trying to help you, Garfield Logan. Could... you do the same for me? "

He kept his eyes on her, warily. He knew that nothing was free, but he didn't expect someone to blackmail him in exchange for a cup of water. On top of that she seemed pretty young to be in an institution like this one.

" Well... Physically I am 19 years old but thank you for the compliment. "

He frowned, not knowing what was going on.

" I would have brought clothes, but i am not really allowed to talk to you right now. "

Another thing to add on the embarrassing moments he lived through since having left the Caulder House!

He tried covering himself up like he could. His muscles complaining against every move he made.

The girl turned her head to the only door of the room and waited. A few moments later, a guard came in, giving her a key before leaving silently where he came from. She played with the little metal object and then inserted it in the cage's lock. With a flick of the wrist and a hard thud the door opened. She walked calmly, without any words and sat on his side, handing him the glass.

" Drink, before I change my mind... " She said quietly.

And he did! He rapidly took the glass from her delicate hands and drank greedily the cool liquid. It felt good despite his shaking arms and nerves that were screaming in pain. When finished, he gave back the glass to her and dared to talk back:

" Thanks... who are you anyway? " He didn't bother to be polite; he was too tired to even smile at the moment.

" Anais. " She responded simply.

" 'Anais'...? "

" I don't have a last name. "

There's silence after that. A calming silence that the pair don't really want to break. Garfield even started to fall asleep again but stopped himself before he could. He was still sitting aside from a potential threat; it would be ridiculous to fall asleep now.

" So... Anais what is a 'physically 19 years old' doing here? "

" I was born here about... 10 years from now. "