In the dark- An Alice and Jasper story

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It had been one week since I saw the nurses in action, and I still had no plan. What could I do to save the patients? If I tried to execute a jail break I would be letting loose people - Angry in particular - who could and probably would hurt innocent bystanders. But I couldn't just leave them here. I sighed angrily at my utter uselessness.

I stormed down the corridor - I had just arrived for a new day of this maddening place - and was stopped by non other than the infamous Doctor Zelner.

"Hello, Doctor Zelner." I said through clenched teeth. He smiled at me and put his arm around my shoulder, leading me towards his office.

"Jasper, my boy, how are you enjoying your position at this fine institution?" I snapped my mouth closed to suppress several things I wanted to say, all of them ending with my resignation and a few choice swear words.

I smiled winningly at him. "It's been wonderful, thank you, Doctor Zelner." He didn't notice the false not in my voice which tipped off my lie.

Zelner opened the door to his office and my eyes went directly to the large wooden cabinet that must have held the files on the patients. My fingers itched to get a hold of them.

Doctor Zelner dropped his arm and sat behind his desk. I took the opposite seat and shifted uncomfortably when I saw him observing me over his steepled fingers. Oh God, he had heard that I broke the only rule.

"I'm sure you're wondering why you're here, Jasper." Doctor Zelner started, "Many of the other employees think that you aren't suitable for the jobs you are currently charged with."

Shit.

"Really? I thought I was doing an okay job..." I said, my voice weak. Doctor Zelner leaned forward and rested his forearms on the desk.

"Well, they thought differently." He said darkly, and my heard started to race. I would never see Seer again. I wouldn't be able to help the patients escape. I had failed.

Suddenly, Doctor Zelner was laughing. Not a regular laugh, but a side-splitting laugh of insanity. Dear God, the entire asylum was contagious.

"Your face!" Doctor Zelner choked through his laughter, his face turning red through the exertion. After what seemed like hours he finally got a hold on himself. He straightened himself in his leather chair and smoothed out the wrinkles out of his white coat.

"What I mean is, the other staff members think that you excel at all your given tasks. With much consideration, I have decided that you deserve a promotion."

"...After only five days?" I asked incredulously.

"No! You've been with us for two weeks." He corrected.

"No, I was with my mother for a week and a half." He frowned, deep in thought and then he shrugged.

"Oh well."

I stared at him blankly, but my thoughts raced through my head at breakneck speed. A promotion. Maybe that could help my cause.

"Are you not excited?" He asked. His face fell slightly, like a child who has been denied his favorite toy.

"No, I am excited. Thank you very much, Sir." His face lit up.

"No need for 'sir', my boy. Just call me Mortimer. Mort for short." He chuckled, "That rhymes!"

I sat in stunned silence. Was everybody in this place mad?

"What would my job be?" I asked impatiently. This delusional man was delaying me from the duties I had to do before I could visit Seer.

"You will be my new assistant." He announced happily, but I failed to see how that would be a promotion.

"And what would I do as your...assistant?"