Inside the Asylum (Book 1)

Chapter 24 - Investigation

Sitting here I was reminded of him. I could hear him in my head. I could see the moon at night from here and felt closer to him. In truth I missed him.

It has been 3 months according to Grace, but the pain still stabs me like a knife.

The good thing to come from all of the pain is that the police have opened an investigation into Nick's death. They said they were going to interview the workers first then speak to the patients.

They came at night and caused panic. No-one knew they were coming and once they arrived no-one knew what to do. There were dozens of them. Policemen. I was awoken by their sirens. They screeched in the silent night. Their lights came next flashing blue steaming through the broken window. The shouting came next as they ordered every door, including the cells, to be opened and for everyone to go to the hall and wait for further instructions. They searched every room pulling patients out into the corridor. That's when they found me sat in the same place as I had been for the last 3 months. Andrew had told me I could go back to my cell when I was ready, but I could never bring myself to leave.

As they entered, they stopped dead clearly not expecting anyone to be there. They were clearly surprised when I didn't move when I saw them. I just looked back out the window towards the moon. When they tried to get me to leave, I lost it. I kicked out, screamed and shouted. Eventually, the police officer asked me why I didn't want to leave. The tears streamed down my face.

"He died here. Not his body but his soul. He died here." The youngest police officer, a male only about 25ish, then did something I didn't expect. He hugged me. I held on tight and cried. He told me that he was sorry but that I had to co-operate so they could make what happened to Nick mean something. So, I did.

As I walk into the hall where everyone was sat waiting, I was surrounded by a hug. I instantly relaxed feeling Max, Grace and their mum hold me close.

"Thank goodness. You are okay! I was beginning to worry." Their mum said as she let go. Everyone in the room was a buzz trying to find out what they could about what was going on. Soon after we sit down the police walk in with Andrew in tow looking nervous. I couldn't help feeling slightly nervous too.

Andrew takes a deep breath. "You may be wondering why you were summoned here." I could see him trying to calm himself. "There was a death. My brother's death." He looks like he is about to cry. "This was the 5th death in the last 3 months. This is worrying as this is a hospital and clearly our care, we have been giving is not good enough So, something needs to be done." He looks at me and I shiver in anger. I was furious. He was trying to cover up what they do here. He was lying to try and save his own skin.

I go to stand up, but Max catches my arm. He shakes his head no.

"Don't they won't talk to you if they see you attack him. Please try to stay calm for Nick. Let him lie. They will find out the truth when they speak to the 'patients. They will find out the truth. Promise." I relax slightly and try to block out what Andrew is saying. I move closer to Max, hoping he will grab me if I lose it. Andrew continues to talk rubbish, every word a lie. I try to push my anger down but was slowly winning. I could see flashes of red cover my vision. I grip Max's hand tight, probably hurting him, hoping for a miracle. Hoping against hope something or someone would stop what I was about to do.

Black.

I open my eyes and curse myself. Angry that I let it take over once again. I look around and find that I am in my cell and Max is here too. I was about to ask what had happened when I see scratches down Max's arms. I feel awful. I knew that I was the one who caused his that pain. They were still bleeding.

"I'm so sorry Max!" He looks up smiling.

"It's okay. I knew that you were struggling to keep calm and I knew you wouldn't be able to sit there and let him lie so I grabbed you as you lunged at him. Well I tried. I tried to stop you, but you got away from me and got him. He has black eye now. Nice punch by the way. Oh, and several scratches on his face and arms. I managed to pull you off of him before you got the chance to kill him. That was when I got the scratches. Although I did leave you for a few seconds longer, he was purple by then. The guards brought both of us out and locked us in here. They said something about letting you cool down and laughing that you may kill me before they came back." I look at him in shock.

"Did I really make him turn purple?" He nods and I couldn't help but feel happy that I had made him suffer a little. Just as he had done to Nick.