Wrapped In Madness

Chapter One: Madness Is Not a Disease

"Men have called me mad; but the question is not yet settled, whether madness is or is not the loftiest intelligence– whether much that is glorious– whether all that is profound– does not spring from disease of thought– from moods of mind exalted at the expense of the general intellect."

- Edgar Allan Poe, Complete Tales and Poems

The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the lonely desk lamp to the side, up against the wall. Avante rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she took another sip of coffee, picking the pen up once again when she had placed the mug back down on the desk. She had been signing prescriptions for hours now, and when there was a series of knocks on the door to her office, she was relieved. Releasing a sigh, Avante stretched in her chair, yawning softly. "One moment." She mumbled, moving across the room and grasping the elegant silver handle, opening the door. All of her relief melted away at the sight of Seth Everett, one of the few guards that patrolled her corner of Arkham Asylum. He shot her a sleazy smile, his black hair plastered to his scalp with hair gel and his brown eyes, the color of roaches, were leaking with lust. "'Ello there, Doctor." Avante forced a smile onto her face, tucking back a loose piece of coffee brown hair. "Hello, Mr. Everett. Is everything alright?" He placed his right hand on her left shoulder, chuckling. "I thought I told you to call me Seth," And I thought I asked you to never speak to me again, Avante thought darkly. "Oh, yes, I'm sorry. Is there something you needed?" she asked, desperately trying to escape the conversation she had found herself trapped in. "All I need is you, babe." With that small sentence, Avante was immediately aware of how far away she was from anyone, inmates included. Her heart rate accelerated, and she began to move backwards slowly. "Um, Mr. Everett, I have a lot of paperwork I need to finish so-" The hand holding her shoulder tightened its grip. "No, I don't think you do," he growled, pulling her closer to him. "I think you're schedule's pretty free right now." Avante shook her head, grabbing the hand that held her. "Please, just walk away," she whispered. Seth chuckled, moving his face closer to her own. "I don't think so." Avante closed her eyes, breathing deeply. "Please, just, walk away. While you have the chance." This only seemed to amuse him, and he pressed his body against her's, his hands sliding up her waist.

"You heard the lady, back off." A deep growl pierced the tense air, causing Seth to jump. Avante couldn't see past Seth's large form, but the voice was rough and low. "Touch me, and Lang'll hear about it." Seth threatened, squaring his shoulders and obscuring even more of Avante's vision. Suddenly, Seth was yanked away from Avante, and she finally got a clear look at the body who belonged to the voice. His sandy hair was kept close to his scalp and his ocean blue eyes were trained on her with concern. "Lee, bring her into the room." He called, and Avante immediately felt the tension fall from her shoulders. Familiar hands grabbed her shoulders and guided her into her office, shutting the door with a dull thud. Lee Thompkins locked the door and turned around, her short black hair bobbing frantically. "Ava, what the hell?" She asked, embracing Avante firmly. "Did that son of bitch-" Avante peeled Lee off of her, a sad smile on her face. "I'm fine, you guys showed up just in time."

Knock. Knock. "Ladies, it's me." The rough voice had returned and Lee unlocked the door, stepping to the

side to allow the tall man to enter. Now, in the faintly lit room, Avante could see his features more clearly, and noticed the grey Arkham Asylum guard's uniform he was clad in. He appeared to be in his mid-to-late thirties and his expression was somber. He offered his hand in greeting, and Avante noticed his bloody knuckles before shaking his hand respectfully. "James Gordon, but you can just call me Jim. It's an honor to meet you. I'm sorry it had to be under these circumstances." Avante felt the sides of her mouth quirk up. "Doctor Avante Valerion, and I'm glad someone found me. I don't live close to anyone, so it was a blessing." She glanced over to Lee, who was picking at her white coat nervously, and returned her grey eyes to Jim. "There's no way you guys were just out for a midnight walk, is there something you needed from me?" Jim shuffled slightly, pulling at his collar. "This is probably bad timing, but we wanted to know if you could help us." Avante's eyebrows furrowed slightly; no one usually asked her for help, her great intellect more than usually overridden by her young age. "What do you need?" Lee strode over to the two, a nervous smile on her lips. "One of the patients has been attacked. Electrocution. While they were in their room." Jim cut in then with an outstretched hand. "And the only way into the rooms-"