Ensconce Transformers Prime AU (Book 2) (Wattys 2017)

Chapter Twenty One

The room was filled with endless chatter and nonsense. It would always get to the point where people got annoyed. The nurses would have to leave and get a break. Only one resident stayed silent. He always sat by the window and stared out it. As if hoping for more in life. The nurses loved to be around him and talk to him. Even though he never spoke anymore to them. He would rarely smile but they tried to get him to. He was probably the most gentle patient they had in the mental hospital.

Some wondered why he was even there, but knew his brother had a good reason. The only thing he ever seemed to like was Narnia and oreos. A young woman walked over with his medication and sighed quietly. She'd just had a rough time with one of the other patients.

"Hello Peter." She said as she smiled brightly and sat by him. He glanced at her and watched her set things aside.

"What no smile today?" She asked as she looked at him. He stared at her blankly then looked out the window.

"Ah. You're deep in thought today. Like always." She teased, her smile never fading. He didn't look at her as he stared off into the distance. He sighed quietly and tapped the glass on the window.

"No... I'm sorry... you can't go outside." She muttered sadly. He nodded slowly and hung his head. He felt so trapped here but knew he had to stay.

They told him that he had blackouts at times, and would hurt people. That's why he was here. He didn't want to hurt anyone. He gently set a hand on his heart as he hung his head.

"Oh Peter... I know it's hard and you want to see your family. But..." she trailed off as she saw a tear fall down his face. He clenched his other hand that stayed in his lap. They never answered his questions and he didn't know why.

"Does... does it hurt today?" She asked quietly referring to his injuries. She still didn't know how he got them. He shook his head and gripped his heart as he kept his head down. She sighed quietly and finished setting up his medicine.

"I need you to take these." She muttered and shakily gripped his hand. "Please... the sooner you do... the sooner you can go home." He didn't respond then took the pills. He looked back out the window and set his hands in his lap again.

"Thank you." She said then looked around a little. "Hey guess what?" She whispered quietly and he looked at her.

"I managed to get your favorite." She said as she put a finger to her lips and winked. He furrowed his brow a little, she then handed him some oreos in a zip lock bag. They were a little crushed.

"Oh... sorry about that." She muttered sadly. He smiled ever so slightly as he put them in his pocket.

"See? I knew you could smile today." She teased and grinned happily. She furrowed her brow as she looked at his wild hair and beard.

"You need a haircut today Peter." She said seriously. He furrowed his brow and felt his beard then stared out the window. He wanted to at least go outside. It was beautiful today and reminded him of something.

"I'll tell you what." She said as she smiled brightly. "Let's get you a haircut then we'll try and go outside today." She said. He blinked in surprise and looked at her.

"Sound good?" She asked as she smiled more. He nodded slowly and watched her intently. She stood up then gently took his hand and helped him up.

He followed her and glanced at the other residents. One man was eating a spoon as another laughed hysterically. He didn't like it here but knew it was for his own good.

She soon got to the small room and waited for him to sit down. He was silent as she cut his hair. He fiddled with his fingers as he tried to remember something. Anything. He only knew the people here and nothing outside the building. He didn't even recognize his own brother.