Twisted Asylum

The Courtyard

The cool air fills my lungs as I take a deep breath, observing the surroundings.

There were multiple patients from different wards just lounging around. I can faintly make out a few guards following behind high profile patients, aka the aggressive or trigger happy ones.

I don't get to move into the yard very far, before I hear a commotion. "Hey- wait! Don't move too fast-!" A panicked voice pipes up, as a body barrels into me.

A mop of white hair is all I see before I fall to the ground, the figure on top of me embracing me tightly.

"Ack- Doctor Yuu, I'm so sorry!" A frantic guard says as they run after the patient. "Jasmine, you can't just run like that! You'll hurt yourself!"

Wait... Jasmine?! I quickly look down at the patient hugging me, seeing teary yellow eyes looking up at me.

"... 'm sorry..." She whispered, slowly pushing herself off of me and sitting on the grass. She groaned from the slight pain in her joints as she moved. "I- I..."

My expression softens. "Hey, Jasmine" I say to her, offering the jittery patient a smile as I stand up.

I offer her a hand to help her up. She lets out a soft sob as she grips my arm tightly, shakily standing up. "How have you been since the switch..?" I ask hesitantly.

She didn't look well. Her eyes were puffy, and a few of her blisters were scratched raw. "Mmh.." She whimpers out, before moving closer and resting her forehead on my collarbone, her horns lightly pressing into my coat.

The guard stands there awkwardly. "Uh... She's not usually... This friendly." He says slowly, seeming shocked at her actions.

I let Jasmine rest against me, offering her an arm to hold so she didn't have to stand without support.

"Oh, I'm her old doctor." I say with a friendly tone, giving the guard a smile. "I've heard her new one isn't the best for her." My tone is sarcastic as I mentioned Aren.

Jasmine gently traces patterns on my arm as I talk with the guard, her head gently nuzzling against my skin. "... Yuu?"

Her shaky words catch my attention, I look down at her. "Hm?"

"Did you... Switch?"

I'm caught off guard by her question. And every second I didn't respond, she seemed closer to breaking down against me.

"No, I- I didn't agree to this. I was fine to stay as your doctor. It was Aren who sorted this stuff." I say slowly, hoping she understands.

"You didn't do anything wrong, okay?" I say with a warm smile. She sniffles softly, nodding into my skin and squeezing my arm.

The guard tenses slightly as another figure approaches. Fern moves to stand next to me, his eyes flicking from Jasmine to me. I offer him a smile.

"Hello Fern... Long time, no see, huh?" I say to the mer, his pupils dilating. From my time looking after him, I knew this was his way of showing he's happy without a smile.

"Yuu." He says simply, his antennae twitching softly. "... Jasmine. Okay?"

"Yeah, she's okay. Just a bit emotional." She turns her head to look at Fern, smiling softly at him as I speak.

The guard clears his throat, earning him a nasty glare from Fern. "S- Sorry to interrupt, but I have to get her back inside soon. The cold isn't good for her joints."

"Oh, that's okay. I'll leave you to that then" I nod curtly to the guard, Jasmine giving me a soft squeeze before shakily moving back.

She looks at me with a crooked smile. "... You're not mad at me."

"What? Why would I be?" I say in confusion, causing her to chuckle softly. Fern walks over to her, offering her his bound hands to hold onto for support. Jasmine grips onto him, avoiding his skin.

"... Just. Thinking too much." She murmurs, before letting the guard and Fern help her back inside. I give her a small wave as she goes. Her smile gets warmer at the sight of it, before she disappears behind the heavy doors.

I sigh in relief, happy that I had a chance to see those two after Aren hijacked the system.

But, seeing Jasmine looking so sickly was so... Upsetting. I should have told her about my office, I think she'll be able to visit me while she's allowed out of her room.

I look around the yard once more, before heading towards...

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Choose the outcome!!! Y'all get to pick where to go first!

-- Move left, along the wall of the building

-- Move right, towards the outer fence

-- Move over to the therapy gardens (where patients garden to feel calmer basically)

-- Walk along the middle path towards the outdoor tables

-- Walk to the central fountain

-- Walk over to the trees near the corner