asylum lane au (m.c)

4.

My eyelids felt heavy and my back ached. Once I finally regained the strength to sit up, I looked around the room and my eyes met with a tall curly haired boy. I jumped slightly at his sudden presence and held on tightly to the plastic sheets covering the hard bed I was forced upon.

"S-sorry.. I didn't mean to startle you..." He said in whisper and started to gnaw at his bottom lip nervously.

"Where am I?!" I began to look around frantically, trying to recall what the fuck happened. The boy whimpered at my loud words and cowered away slightly. Then, I finally realized that this is one of the boys from the asylum, "Wait... who are you?" I said in a softer tone.

"A-ashton..."  

"Okay.. um I'm Clarity..." 

"Oh I know, you're the newbie. Welcome to this shit hole." He gave me a sweet smile and I wish I could smile back, but I was so confused and stress and I just wanted to leave everything.

"What do you mean by newbie?" I got up from the bed and started to approach him. He started to back up with a worried expression on his face,

"Y-you've been transferred to this asylum..." Ashton wouldn't look me in the eyes and I knew that I was making him uncomfortable, but I needed answers and I didn't care how I was going to get them.

"But... Why?! I'm not mentally ill! I'm fine!" I started to shout unknowingly. He cringed and step back even further.

"They s-said you have psychosis..." 

My head started to spin with thoughts and fears. What is psychosis? Why can't I go home? Where is my family? Why am I locked in a room with a mentally ill boy? As I was asking these questions in my head, I lunged forward towards the door and started to bang on it. I started screaming for help because I absolutely did not want to be here. I heard Ashton yelp, but I didn't care, I couldn't stop crying or pounding. I wanted out. I don't belong here.

"Stop please stop! Please!" Ashton shouted with quivering lips and tears filling his eyes. He tried to pull me back in attempt to stop me. I struggled in his grasp for awhile then eventually gave up and stopped throwing a fit. I took a deep breath and tried my best to calm myself. I don't know what got a hold of me because I usual don't have crazy outbursts like that. Ashton was looking at me with pure fear now. I felt bad now because he was just a gentle guy and I came at him like a maniac. He shyly wiped at his tears with small sniffles. 

"I'm guessing you're not a fan of noises." 

"I'm glad you're aware of that now," He muttered as he rubbed his temples. All of a sudden the door was and unlocked and began to open. I was frightful because my first assumption was that it was some guard about to torment me for having a dramatic episode. Instead, I was met with the emerald eyes that gave me chills every time I saw them.

"What was all that banging? Already starting shit, huh newbie?" 

"I'm not staying here." 

"What makes you think you're leaving?" 

"I'm not one of you."

He laughed slightly and shook his head at me. I raised his eyebrow confused by his actions.

"Your disorder is worst than mine."

"I don't have a disorder!" I snapped at him and forgot about Ashton, I gave him an apologetic look, hoping he'd forgive me for that one. Then all of a sudden a very giggly blonde haired girl pranced into the room and latched onto Michael's arm.

"Hi Mikey," She giggled and nuzzled his neck. A felt a pang of jelously hit me because why would Michael be into a nut like her? My eyes widened at my rude words and I quickly shook my head.

"Hi Maddie..." He said with a forced fake smile while tried to shrug her off. She pouted slightly once she got the hint, but then quickly formed the familiar grin back on her lips. 

"H-hi Maddie," Ashton blurted out with a shy and somewhat excited smile. I smiled at his cuteness and also because it was obvious he had a thing for her. She was very beautiful for an asylum patient. Maddie kind of gave him a weirded out look and a lame wave in response which wiped the smile off Ashton's face. She turned her attention to me and gave me a raised brow.

"Who's this?" 

"I'm Clarity," I gave her a smile, hoping she would like me because I wouldn't want to make enemies with crazy people. Sadly, she just nodded and gave Michael a smile.

"Babe, you're late for therapy," She giggled and poked his chest. Michael grimaced once she called him her 'babe' and so did I. 

"Just tell Taryn I'm showing Clarity around," He looked over at me and I felt a light pink blush fall upon my cheeks. Maddie whined and tugged on his arm. 

"B-but but, this is the second therapy circle you missed this week! And I get lonely you know! Ashton can show her his circle, huh Ashy?" She said then fluttered her pearly blue eyes at Ashton. I also turned my head toward Ashton, hoping he'd say no, but he, of course, couldn't reject Maddie's pouty lips. 

"O-of course!" He whisper shouted and smiled at the mention of his name. Maddie smiled brightly and started to tug Michael out the door even though he protested. I sighed once he was gone from my vision and angled my attention towards the gentle curly boy. 

"So.. What's up with her?" 

"What do you mean?" 

"What's wrong with her?" He scowled at me and crossed his arms.

"Nothing is wrong with her! She's perfect!" He whined softly at me. I rolled my eyes and placed my hands on my hips.

"Then why is she in the looney bin?" 

"She has schizophrenia.." He muttered with a sigh and I nodded then put my hands back to my side.

"Okay now what are you going to show me?"

"My therapy circle," He grabbed my arm and started leading me somewhere. I shivered at all the odd noises and also because I was surrounded my lunatics. He stopped me in front of a room and knocked on the door. Slowly, a very tall blonde boy opened the door and tilted his head slightly at us. 

"Hi Luke... Remember me? Ashton? Your therapy buddy?" Ashton talked as if he was talking to a kindergartner. Luke thought for a second then nodded and smiled which made Ashton sigh in relief. 

"Who's this? Do I know her?" His index finger extended towards me.

"No, she's new. This is Clarity and Clarity this is Luke." 

I waved at him and finally got to smile back at him. He smiled back then Ashton started leading the both of us to what he called the therapy circles. We entered this large gray room with no windows just blinding bright lights. There was a long line and I looked forward to get a better look at what they're were doing. I was appalled when I saw they were being put in handcuffs and what looked like to me, shock collars. My limps started to tremble again once I realized I was stuck here against my will. We started edging closer to the table and I just got more nervous. Around us were tables labeled by letters and most of these people looked like they were on the verge of tears and so was I. I glanced at table C and Michael along with a clingy Maddie were seated. I cocked my head in confusion because Michael had a security guard next to him and sturdier handcuffs and leg chains as well. He looked miserable and I don't understand why he needed extra security.

"Ashton," I whispered and nudged him with my elbow.

"What?"

"Why does Michael have more chains and stuff?" 

Ashton got tense and chewed his bottom lip like he did when he got nervous. It seemed like he was searching for the words to say and I patiently stared at him for the answer.

"He tried to kill himself several times."