Inside the Asylum (Book 1)

Chapter 19 - New Management

It hadn't even been a week since Grace got out of the hospital and she was already saying she wanted to be back at work. Apparently, she was already bored of sitting around. I think she just misses talking to people as the only person she can talk to at home is her mum. So, when she found out she could go back to work the next day she came bounding into my room with the biggest smile on her face. Back to her usual self, well apart from the bandage on her leg that when up to her knee.

"Hi." She giggled. "I am so happy to be back. I get to see you and my brother, my favourite people." We sit and talk for a while. Then somethings bad happened.

I blacked out.

I awake with no idea where I was or what was going on. I look around and come to a realisation. I had hurt them. I look up and see Grace and Max have moved away from me. Grace has scratches on her face, bleeding. Max has scratches on his arms and body. Both of them giving me the same terrified look. I get up and move to my corner away from them. I look at my hands and see blood underneath my fingernails. Part of me was questioning what I had done, while the other was glad I had done it. I didn't know what side was stronger, but I felt glad and bad all at the same time. Why did I do that? Why was I glad I had done it? Why was I like this? Why was I so insane?

"This is why they locked you up isn't it?" Grace asks quietly. I almost didn't hear her. I look down ashamed. "Isn't it?!" She shouts.

"I know you didn't mean it. I also know that you are sorry. But I have to ask why you did that?" Max says looking very confused. He looks at me. I didn't know what to say. I didn't have an answer for him I look back down at the floor.

"I'm sorry. I really am. I don't know why I did it. I don't remember any part of what just happened. We were talking about how Grace was happy to be back and then nothing. Until now. That's the problem. I don't know what happens or why. It just happens sometimes. I black out. I have bits missing out of my memory and every time I 'wake up' I can't remember what has happened. That's why I am here. That is why everyone thinks I am crazy. That's why everyone leaves me." I say unable to look at either of them. We sit silent for the longest time.

A few hours later

I sat counting the padding. Max had forgiven me as had Grace, but she had to go back to work. We sat in silently as Max was trying to go to sleep when suddenly we could hear a commotion from down the hall. The door opened and in came Grace with a worried look on her face.

"The new manager wants to have a meeting... with all the patients." Without another word she heads towards the door. I give Max a worried glance as we follow through the open door unsure to expect, hoping it will be better than it has been.

Every door was open. Every padded cell open. The patients a long line of misery. The nurses walking beside their patients. The doctors looking on from behind, looking through us as we slowly waddle past them. The halls white as the ghostly people that lived here.

We enter a vast hall big enough to fit at least 20 of the biggest cells in! We are told to sit in lines, like back in primary school, and will only be allowed to move if we are called upon or when the new management team are finished talking. So, we sat for a good forty-minute waiting for them to start their talk but when they started, I couldn't wait for it to be over.

The new boss, the big boss was not what I had expected. He was about my age if not slightly older. There was something else.

I knew him.

His name is Andrew Jones. He was my best friend when I was little. The whole way through primary school it was me and him always. In high school however, he changed and began to pick on me for every little detail he could, and he knew every one of my secrets. So, I hated him.