Mentally Deranged (a.i.)

Chapter 2

I wandered around in the dark, alone, because the lantern that had been lit was somehow blown out by an unknown source, only a few hours prior to me aimlessly wandering around.

I hadn't seen the boy that had greeted me when I had awoke for such a long time. I was getting lost in the endless, black, tunnels. Although the boy scared me, I wanted him back here. He was someone who knew what this place was, and knew his way around. When I was with him, it gave me a sense of comfort and safety.

"Hello?" I called out softly, as I continued to walk, wondering how long it had been since I had breathed in the natural air from outside.

I jumped at the feeling of two cold hands on my hips, similar to the ones that had dragged me into here. I spun around to face whatever was holding me. I could see the silhouette of a person just inches in front of me.

"You seem lost," his voice grumbled from deep in its throat.

I knew this wasn't the boy I had met earlier, I wasn't even sure this thing was human. Its eyes glowed bright, blood red in the darkness of the cave, and its teeth were illuminated white. Its sharp nails pinned into my skin.

"No, I'm fine," I speak shakily, trying to sound confident, but scared of what this might be, and what it might capable of.

"You seem lost," it repeated again, in the same deep monotone voice.

"Leave her alone!" I heard a loud, raspy, voice call out, and I recognized it as the boy's.

The thing that was holding me hissed and gave me one last look before materialized into the humid air, disappearing into the dark.

"Are you okay?" He asked, sounding quite drained.

"Yeah," I responded, although I wasn't sure, due to all I've been through in the past twenty hours.

"Good," I could almost hear the smile on his lips as he talked.

I felt his hand slide down my arm and grab ahold of my hand, lacing my fingers with his. He pulled me in the direction I came in, and we walked until we got back to the lantern.

"What's your name?" I asked, breaking the silence between us, although it felt unusually comfortable.

"Ashton," he said as he lit the lantern once again.

"And how do you know my name?" I asked, as he sat down, pulling me down next to him.

"That's not important," he spoke slowly, as if he was carefully picking the right words to say.

I furrowed my eyebrows before looking away from him. I didn't know what to think of all that's happened.

Ashton wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and hugged me to his chest. He was warm, and I could hear his heart beating. It felt reassuring to know that he was actually a person.

"Why are you here?" I asked, looking up at him to see his expression.

He opened his mouth, then closed it again. He looked down at me, and stared into my eyes.

"Because I'm deranged," he whispered, "I escaped from an insane asylum, after I had burned it down."

"Why were you in the asylum?" I asked, getting more curious about his past life.

"That is a story for another time," he told me, as I hesitantly wrapped my arms around his waist.

I was scared that he was going to leave me alone again. I didn't want another encounter with what I assume was 'They'.

"You're going to be okay," he reassured me, pressing his cold, chapped lips to my bruised, cut up forehead.

"Don't leave me alone again," I whispered to him softly, as my eyes grew heavy.

"I won't let anything or anyone hurt you," he murmured, stroking my now knotted hair.

* * *

"Reese," I heard my name being said, accompanied with someone shaking me gently.

My eyes fluttered opened to meet the ones of Ashton. My head fallen into his lap while I was sleeping, and he was slightly leaned over me with a smile that revealed his dimples

"Sorry to wake you, but I need to do something, alone. If you need anything, or are in trouble, just call for me," he told me.

"I don't like being left alone in here," I complained, sitting up and wiping the sleep from my sleepy eyes.

"Here, wear this. I'll be back before you know it," he handed me a thick, black leather coat that I had failed to notice he had yesterday.

I reached up for it, and hugged it to my chest. It smelt like him. I recognized the smell was similar to that of old spice cologne and pine needles.

"Don't move, and stay here," he smiled before leaning down and kissing my forehead, then he disappeared into the darkness where the lantern failed to illuminate.

I did as he told me, and wrapped myself in his jacket. I closed my eyes and imagined that he was sitting next to me, with his arms wrapped protectively around my shoulders. It helped distract me from what could be roaming the corridors of the cave.

I don't know how long I had sat there alone, but soon I started to hear heavy breathing around me. It was impossible to tell which direction it was coming from, if it wasn't coming from both, and who or what made the sound. I got an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

The lantern was just barely holding the flame, limiting my view in all directions. I could no longer see the wall across from me, which scared me to think that something could pass by going undetected.

"He left you alone again?" The monotone voice spoke, the same one from yesterday.

I heard footsteps coming towards me. The lanterns light slowly faded out, leaving me in the darkness.

"Ashton!" I screamed, squeezing my eyes shut and pressing my hands over my ears.

"He better hurry," the voice laughed.

It was like the voice was inside of my head. As if whatever was talking was speaking directly to my brain. No matter how hard I pressed my hands to my ears, and how loudly I hummed to myself, the voice remained as loud and clear as it did before.

"Not you again!" Ashton's voice echoed through the cave angrily, "leave her alone."

I rocked back and forth, hugging myself tightly. I refused to open my eyes, despite knowing whatever was talking to me was gone. My whole body was shaking and had turned completely numb.

"Reese, it's okay. You're safe now," Ashton spoke softly, as he lifted me into his lap and held me tightly to his chest.

Tears started to rush down my cheeks, and hiccups escaped my thin lips. I couldn't shake the sound of the voice out of my head.

My arms found their way around Ashton's neck, and I hugged him, hiding my face in the crook of his neck. Taking deep breaths trying to calm down.

I just desperately wanted this all to be over. To be in my own bed in my own home.