Tortured - Jaele

|| Chapter Thirtyseven ||

Riele -

The robes they let you walk around in were comfortable. Creamy white material that felt like a warm hug wherever you went. My first day in this nuthouse was spent watching exotic fish swim around in an aquarium. It was supposed to bring focus and relaxation to the mind. I was relaxed, but not completely focused. I wanted to go home. 

"We're all gonna die one day. All of us. And we can't stop it, we have to lay down and just... Die eveyoen and everything you know and love."

The guy next to me had his large palms pressed against the glass of the aquarium. He's been talking to himself the whole time. My ears just happened to catch some of what he was saying. I shifted to my right a little bit and sighed. The guy looked over at me, he grinned and stuck his hands into his robe pockets.

"I'm not really crazy."

He leaned to me and whispered. I looked over my shoulder before replying.

"You're not?"

He shook his head with a giddy smile.

"Nope."

"Could have fooled me."

I said, looking into the tank as a large mound of iridescent bubbles caused the fish to shroud around a giant pineapple ornament.

"Why is that?"

He asked, his eyes were gleaming. I shrugged, tilting my head.

"Do I look crazy?"

I glanced over at him, studying his face, his build, and the semi-hardcore tattoos scattered across his upper arms.

"A little bit."

He chuckled.

"Nothing wrong with a little bit of crazy, eh?"

I nodded slowly, folding my arms. It was unforgivably cold in here, it always seemed to be cold. Or maybe that was just me.

"I'm Aiden by the way..."

He said.

"Riele,"

I mustered up a microscopic smile, walking away to explore the other tanks. Aiden chose to follow me. The surrounding area of this room had a sufficient display of marine life complete with rainbow aesthetic lights in the tanks. I suppose the temperature was controlled to keep the fish, and not the patients comfortable.

"Can I ask you something?"

I traced my fingertips against the glass of a tank that house several different types of sea snakes.

"Anything."

"If you're not really crazy than what are you doing here?"

Aiden rubbed his hand under his chin, looking thoughtful for a brief moment.

"That's a good question."

"And the answer is...?"

I looked over at him expectantly.

"Would you believe it was to keep an eye on some of the patients?"

I paused, looking around. Everyone else was scattered around this miniature museum, off in their own worlds unguarded against their problems. Bringing my eyes back to Aiden, I raised an eyebrow.

"So you're a spy."

I said. Aiden smiled, his teeth were straight and white. Like glistening pearls under the strobed lighting.

"Let's use that term loosely, and a little more quietly."

He said, casting a reserved glance over his shoulder. I turned, rolling my eyes.

"Where are you going?"

"I don't associate with spies."

I said. For all I know he could have been there just to make sure I didn't do anything stupid. It was easy for a wolf to play along with the sheep just as long as he looked like one. Aiden soon caught up to me.

"Hey wait a minute... You said spy, I didn't."

"Doesn't matter you're just like the rest of them. Those controlling narcs who sit in their higher-ups positions and play us like chess pawns."

"What makes you say that?"

I stopped walking and looked Aiden in the eyes. He had beautiful ash-gray eyes, like slivers of moonlight caught in the dark.

"You lie."

Aiden arched his eyebrows as if he was surprised.

"What did I lie about?"

I motioned to the air around us.

"Being one of the crazy people.

"That's not a lie... It's an embellishment."

Aiden replied, matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, well, if you can embellish yourself away from me that'd be great, thanks."

I said, turning around and leaving the aquarium room. As long as I live I refused to be lied to by anyone. Omitted or not. On the floor, the center had a number of activities to take your mind off of whatever ails you. There was a spa, a gym, a movie theater, a culinary arts class. I took my time walking down the hall, letting my feet guide me to wherever they were interested in going. That's when the intercom dinged.

"Attention: All interested participants in the dramatic arts department please report to room 12B. A master class will begin in less than fifteen minutes."

Dramatic arts. That sounds pretty amazing. I began weaving my way in and out of the halls, making my way to room 12B. An orderly stopped me and asked where I was going. When I told him he offered to escort me. I then followed him to the dramatic arts department. The space was already crowded when I slipped inside. There was a large center stage at the base of the room and rows of cushioned velvet seats. Like a mock theatrical theater. I was about to sit down somewhere when someone bumped into me from behind.

"I'm sorry- I-"

When I turned around, I could feel all of the blood drain out of my face. No. Is that? It can't be. He's in prison. 

"No, it was my fault. Excuse me."

Jace snaked himself around me slipped into an aisle. I felt a convulsion in my stomach and rushed out of the room. I slapped my hand over my mouth and pushed my way into the Women's restroom, bursting into a stall just in time for me to vomit into the toilet bowl. I squeezed my eyes closed and tried to breathe after there was nothing to force out of my stomach. My hand shook as I wiped the back of my hand across my mouth. I sat on the floor in that stall for a long time. He's here. He found me. Again.

Jace-

"What's wrong?"

Catalina put her hand on my shoulder as I stood up from my seat.

"I can't- I have to to the restroom."

I said.

"The master class is just about to start."

Her eyebrows puckered with concern as she stared at me. My heart was beating uncontrollably in my chest. I looked down at my hands and took a deep ragged breath, the floor under my feet began blurring together. She smelled the same as if nothing had ever happened. Everything from her curls to the golden identity bracelet on her wrist hadn't changed.

"I have to get out of here."

I muttered, surging my way through the crowd to get out of this room. I couldn't hear what Catalina said after that, I didn't care to know either. My one true mission was to get out of this room. Out of this building. Out of this country.

Thanks for reading!

Quick PSA: For everyone asking about the missing chapters I am so sorry for the inconvenience I am trying to get all of them out on time so please bear with me! All of the revisions will be done soon hopefully thanks for reading and if you're new to reading my books welcome! Please give these chapters a vote and comment anything you want, I always love reading all of your comments! Again tysm for choosing my book to read I love all of you sm! Xoxoxox - Leesey.