Abandoned Insanities

Within The Walls

As I was led through the asylum I could feel the prying eyes, lusting to be me. I, Erik Ledgehem , have been trapped within the walls of this insane place for 2 years. Only the wardens could tell me to do anything, but I crave freedom! I just had to leave this place.....

I quickened my pace and went to the examination room, where they would test my sanity. The King said that I could leave once doctors believed me to be sane. which means that if I pass this test, I can get out. I walked into the room, standing tall and proud, even though it hurt my arms in the straight-jacket I wore.

"Sit down, Erik." The warden said mockingly. I had been pushed around by this man for too long. "You cannot be a women hidden in the body of a man! That is ridiculous! That is why you are here, you imbecile!"

"My mother is no liar, Sir. She taught me that I am what I am, and that is a lady, one that was cursed with the body of a man." This was always my reply when he yelled at me, but even I didn't really believe it sometimes. It's funny, I have said it so many times, yet over time I feel like it's pointless to even argue! It always ends the same way, he yells, I yell back, and then I'm locked into my room.

I sat in the heavily cushioned chair and awaited the first question.

"What is your name?"

"Erik Ledgehem."

"Where are you from?"

"I'm from a small village outside the City of Win."

"Why have you been put here?"

"I tried to be who I really am..."

"Anything else?"

"Suicide..."

"Why?"

I didn't want to answer, I couldn't. So I stared at him blankly.

"Why?" He sharpened his voice.

"..."

My silence seemed to anger him greatly, so he bent across the table a smacked me. I continued to look at him, but my blank stare turned into an angry glare.

"I will ask you one more time, why did you try to commit suicide?"

"I will not answer that. I can choose what I do and do not answer."

"WHY DAMNIT!" He yelled.

I looked at him and stood, "I said I did not want to answer!" With that, I turned and left. Once escorted back to my room, I was told that I was not allowed to get visiting time that week.

"But Mother is coming today!"I screamed. Sadly, they ignored me and left.

Feeling morose, I sat on my cot and looked at the window.

"Why am I so sensitive? That's why I'm here...I can't control my feelings and I overreact too much. No one is there anymore, except Mother, but she rarely visits me any more." All because King Malakai doesn't understand. After his ex-wife, the former Queen Paladine, showed her cursed man-body, he had the citizens like me banished to the confines of a room, never to see day. Until the doctors dubbed them clean, of course.After talking to myself for an hour or so, I realized that Camael was at the door, and he had heard everything. He came in room and closed the door. It was 4:30, the time when the interns got to go to their own rooms an rest, so why was he here?

"I'm sorry Erik, I just wanted to come in and ask you how the test went."

I looked at him with tears in my eyes, "N-not v-v-very w-well" I stuttered, trying to keep from crying heavily. But I was no match for my tears and they poured down my cheeks. Camael sat next to me and patted me on the back. He was the only person who believed me, since we were both very alone. His father was a thief who fled the city after a heist in the King's castle, and since Camael was his only son, Camael was forced to pay the price. He was banished to work here, which he hated greatly. I had some feeling towards him, but I never told him. We'd met when he was trying to escape the asylum, but failed and was forced to keep watch on me for a week. It was quite horrid those first few days, for he had yelled at me for being cursed constantly. Then one day, I yelled back. I kept asking what made him better than me, and what had given him the right to judge me. Then he cried...many tears if I might add. He then told me his life story, which included everyone he loved leaving him. It made me cry too, since I felt nearly the same. Then from that day forth, we were the best of friends. He hides it when others are around, but when it was just us, he made it so clear that he needed me.

"Soon will come the day that you are no longer tortured Erik. You will be free and you can start your own family with the man of your dreams." And with that he smiled, with a gleam of hope in his eyes.

I looked into his eyes, and with all my power, I jerked myself forward so my head was on his shoulder. This was as close to hugging as I could get, and thankfully he understood. He wrapped his arms around me and whispered soothing things into my ears. He told me how he imagined my family would look, and with the way he described it in such love and happiness, I cried tears of joy at the thought of being a part of the family he described.

"Why can't I be happy Camael? I thought I was here to become happy and healthy..."

"Oh Erik, we only make people healthy, happiness isn't something we can provide."

"I'd be a little more healthy if I could see my Mother... She was gonna come today, but they said I couldn't get visitors this week..."

That seemed to have made Camael very upset...