The Phantom of Scranton Hill

21

The next morning, Justine skipped school. She needed a day to comprehend everything. So she went to the only place that she could seek both advice and sanctum. Justine went to visit her father at Scranton Hill Asylum, only this time, no one knew where she was. Instead of hopping on the bus to Scranton High, she waited an extra thirty minutes, avoiding all the nosy students.

As she walked up the three steep steps, Justine greeted the driver, a long-time friend of hers. "Good morning, Mrs. Johnson. To the mental institute, please. I am due for a visit to my father." Knowing not to ask questions, Mrs. Johnson drove off for the asylum, no one on the bus as Justine had assumed. She passed the guards again with ease like the last time and headed straight for the visiting room.

While waiting, Justine had received dozens of unread texts and missed calls from an extremely paranoid Charlotte. Minutes passed and Justine hadn't responded, nor had she seen her father. She began to tap her foot anxiously, feeling like she did that day in front of the office, though this time, it was ten times worse. The stress was on her, and when Charlotte sent a text saying 'If you don't answer, I will call the police and report a missing person ;),' Justine knew she had to respond.

Relax, she sent. I'm visiting my dad and would prefer not to be on the news yet again.

Ok, she replied. Be there in ten minutes.

Justine rolled her eyes, but refused to argue thinking that maybe it would be better if Charlotte was here. After all, she had the car. Justine shook her head, shut off her phone, and hid it away inside the comfort of her backpack. Soon enough, she was called in.

Okay, Justine. Here it goes, she thought as she stood up.

She mentally dreaded having to explain everything to her father, but she couldn't think of anyone else. Her mother wouldn't understand; she was the most ordinary person Justine knew.

She sat down opposite her father, heavy bags under his lifeless eyes. He analyzed her, taking note of her evident stress and worry.

"I heard about Daxius," he stated. "Word travels slowly when you're locked up." She remained silent, trying to hold back the sobs that fought to expose themselves as she held her knees close to her chest. "The family gift," he began, his voice of the same octave: monotone. Justine's brows crinkled in confusion. "You must find the Futuresight of your generation before it's too late."

They both sat in complete silence. Justine didn't know what to say, how to explain what's been happening. She needed it off of her chest, but didn't know how or rather where to start.

"Do you still have the present I gave you during your last visit?" her father questioned. She nodded, reaching into the smallest, most hidden pouch of her backpack and pulling it out of its hiding spot. He shook his head vigorously and bent over the table. "No!" he shouted, his eyes quickly diverting around the metal-based room. "Do not show anyone, especially not your mother. She hates old objects."

He began muttering an enchant, and Justine didn't hesitate twice to ask, "Dad, have you been taking your medication?"

He stood up abruptly. "I'm not crazy!" The chair he once resided in flung backwards and hit the walls.

The guards were quick to rush into the room with sticks. "We can tie him down if you just-"

"No," she refused. "He's fine. It's okay."

Her father saw the guards, ready for anything, and sat back down, and Charlotte arrived just in time. The guards wouldn't allow her to pass, but Justine assured them that she was trustworthy. Hesitantly, she was granted access, but no one was prepared for her father's reaction.