Alyssa's Asylum

To Ashes

Chapter Five:

The ring of the bell signaling the end of the Torture chilled me along the spine. I was supposed to have killed Jayk and ran away a long time ago.

I know that I couldn't have done that.

"I have to go," I tell him with a whimper. I wish I could save him. But is Jayk even a "he" anymore? Or some stupid creation of the Vigilants? Tears well up in my dull green eyes. "Goodbye,"

Jayk looks away, and does something I never thought he would ever do. He looks into my eyes, bites his lip, and leans in to kiss me.

It is hard to breathe. His skin tastes like metal. I try not to focus on that, but the love that is underneath his harshness.

"Ally Flatt..." He says after I pull away. "I'll miss you," he finishes. A lump builds in my throat, and I say the thing I thought I was least likely to say, and the rudest thing to say.

"Why?"

Jayk looks up, his milky black eyes looking at me like a child to his mother. "You don't know how I feel in here. You are the first familiar face I have seen in ages. When I ran away to say goodbye to you in third grade, they punished me, and it.. It is a worse punishment than the prisoners here. To live forever, torture after torture, and there is nothing you can do.

"When you came, I felt happy for the first time since I was a kid. I really wish you could stay. But I know better. I know you belong out there, in your home, with your family, with the fresh air. I was bred to stay here, stay here alone,"

"And that was why you... You kissed me?" I said under my breath. I needed to know before I went.

"Yeah," he says, blushing a little.

Then my eats pick up the patter of feet in the hallway. It's now or never for my escape. People are probably already wondering why I wasn't at the Torture. I pull away from Jayk's embrace. "Thank you." It is the least I can say.

And then voices.

"The Flatt girl and the Oliver guard... Weren't at the torture,"

"When we find out where they were..."

"I want her for the next torture day,"

"Can we downgrade Oliver even mor than he already is?"

Guards. Both Peasant and Vigilant, escorting their prisoners back to their cages. By the way Jayk stiffens, I know he hears them too.

"Come with me,"he says, tugging my hand. I hesitate. I will have to trust him. "Ally! Now!" He tugs again.

I let him pull me into an office stemming off the side of the hall. He shuts the door with a bang. The office is quiet, its imposing grey walls staring down at me. A large gold safe stands in the corner. It is decorated with painted designs, old and new alike.

I imagine how much money that it could sell for, and how much food it would buy for my family.

My thoughts are whipped out of my head as I see Jayk working on something at the lock of the safe. The door creaks slowly open, and a storm of dust flows out, causing both of us to cough violently.

When the dust clears, I see rows and rows of files covering the racks in the gold case. Jayk rummages in them for a second while I watch the door for guards. He takes out five files and places them in my hand. His eyes turn fierce and he tells me,

"Alyssa. These files are very important. You do not know it now, but these are top secret for a reason,"

He brushes a strand of red hair away from my face.

"Remember, Ally. Do not lose these,"

I know he wants to kiss me again, I can see it. But he smiles and kneels to the ground. At first, I am confused, but I see that there is a trapdoor in the floor. "Wow..." I murmur.

"Get in the tunnel. It leads outside. And then, Ally, you RUN. Run, got it?" He smiles.

I nod my head and set my jaw. "Got it,"

When I am about to close the trapdoor on my head, I remember something. "Jayk! What about your punishment?"

He turns around, a lot match in hand. "Don't worry, I'll deal with it," His mouth is a determined line. "But first I have to destroy these files. You HAVE to keep your two safe,"

"Okay," I whisper. "Bye,"

As I close the door, I hear a whooshing sound come from above. Jayk started the fire. I imagine the beautiful golden safe burning to ashes. I pray Jayk doesn't get hurt.

The tunnel is small, narrow, and dark. Just so I can feel better, I reach my hand up to my neck, so I can feel the pennant and imagine that Papa is here with me.

But there is no silver chain around my neck. I start panicking, but then I remember placing the necklace gently on the side table by my cot. Oh no.

Despite Jayk's sensible warnings, I will go back into the Asylum. I will find the thing holding me together- the reminder that I am loved.

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Author's Note:

You may think that the fact that she has to go BACK to the Asylum is corny and already used, but she has to go back for the story to work out. Ive been asked how you pronounce Jayk's name. You can pronounce it like Jake OR Jack. Now, I would be happy if you read my new book, Destiny and voted and commented. Thanks for all those who are following me and voting! Keep it up, and I will keep writing!❤

~Phoenix

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