Red and Black (A Harlivy Story)

Chapter 12: A Heart

With her eating privileges and free-time revoked, all of Ivy's time was spent in her room, staring at the mould-ridden ceiling. This isn't that bad; I like the solitude. I don't have to spend time listening to those rats talking crap the whole time and I get to read in peace. I should have assaulted that guard sooner. Banging on the door caused her to jump in her bed, she wasn't excepting any visitors; it was 4 in the afternoon.

"Grubs up, darling" a shrill voice snickered, pushing a tray full of porridge-like mush into the cell. Her nose wrinkled at the food, if it could even be classified as food. Sighing, she sat with her back towards the door, and stabbed at the slop in front of her. Getting frustrated, she slammed the food across her room, splattering everywhere.

Dr Quinzel, after hearing a loud crash coming from one of the cells, decided to investigate its origin. She stopped in front of a metal cell, with the word "CONFINEMENT" written on the door. She knew that the only person kept in solitary was Pamela, so she proceeded to knock on the door.

"Dr Isley. Is that you?". The words startled Ivy; she didn't anticipate anyone other than the guards to be in this section of the asylum. She smiled, remembering who the voice was associated with. A loud clank rang around the room, implying that the door had been opened. Surprised, Ivy jumped to the other side of her room, covering her eyes from the sudden intensity of light.

"You've been left in the dark?", Harleen asked, shocked at the situation that Pamela was in, "Wait here, I'll just be back". With those words, she left, leaving the woman in the dark again.

A few moments later, she knocked again, this time with a lamp in her right hand, and a wrap in the other.

"I thought you might want this; they are from my room; the lamp and the food. But it seems you need it more than me". Removing the plug socket covers, she plugged in the lamp, which immediately illuminated the entire room.

"Why...Why are you nice to me?", Ivy interrogated, "I did nothing but criticise you. Yet you're still here. Why?"

Harley sat down, staring at her hands before answering.

"I guess, I..." She sighed, pausing to think her answer through, "Everyone needs a friend. You might not want it, but I could use some company".

"Company? Of all the people in this asylum, you want me, someone who is hellbent in destroying the human race, to be your companion. Pfft, that's hard to believe".

"Unlike some people in this place, I can see you have a heart. Outside, when we were scattering those seeds, I saw you. Not the mask that you put up to isolate yourself from others. I saw the real you. The one who is compassionate and cares for the environment and-"

Ivy, visually confused with the psychiatrist's openness, didn't like this vulnerability. She immediately put up her defences and contradicted the statement.

"The real me! I don't know what you saw, but this is the real me. The cold, uncaring plant hybrid who seduces people into doing her bidding. I don't care about anything except myself and my plants. You're not a very good at your job if you can't see that"

"Look. I've read your files; I know the struggles you've faced. And before you start arguing about how I don't understand your life, just understand that we have faced the same things. No, I didn't get seduced and abused by my professor, who tortured and conducted experiments on me. But I did get abused by my gymnastics coach throughout my teenage years" She rubbed her neck while she looked down at her lap, unable to look the woman in the eye. "He...", her voice cracked at the very recalling of her memories, "he...um...wanted something in return for my successes. He said that I only win my competitions because he helped me, and he...he asked for things that...a fifteen-year-old shouldn't experience". She closed her eyes, rubbing her temples, as she trailed off.

Ivy didn't realise the complexity of the psychiatrist before her. She was just as abused and cracked as anyone else was, except she didn't allow her past to drag her down. She didn't know what to do, she had never been in such a situation like this. She walked towards her, in an attempt to comfort the hurt woman. But before she was able to, Harleen stood up.

"Well, I should go. I could get in trouble for being here...goodbye Dr Isley. I hope you enjoy the wrap; it's vegetarian"

She left in a hurry, unable to open up anymore. She hated vulnerability, but she knew that unless she left herself unguarded, Pamela will never trust her. She just hoped that Isley could do the same.