Kaylee Fey Lewis's Story

It was 7:00 am, and the zombie apocalypse had struck. Kaylee knew it. So she did what anyone would do. Getting out of bed, she put on her boots, her jeans, her gas mask, and her t-shirt. Going into the bathroom, she tried the faucet. It ran cold, clear water. She gathered it in a pot and went into the kitchen to boil it. Then she got her father's shotgun from his room. She saw the corpses of her parents on the bed, but walked right past them, trying not to cry. Then she ate a meager canned breakfast, boarded up the windows, and hunkered down. 8:00 rolled around. Then there was a zombie outside, knocking on the door! Kaylee opened the door and fired off a shot, missing. Zombies everywhere ran for cover. The zombie at the door stumbled back and fell down. She would have shot it, but she didn't have the heart. Slamming the door again, she walked back to her sitting place on the couch. Around 8:10, the doorbell rang. Zombies couldn't ring doorbells. She walked to the door. It was a policeman. "Oh, thank God!" she cried. "You have to help, there are-"

'Zombies everywhere, we know ma'am.' The policeman sighed. 'This is the fourth time this week.' he said to his friend. 'Kaylee Fey Lewis, you are under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon. You have the right to an attorney. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say -'

"Wait, what?" Kaylee asked. "Are you kidding me? He was a zombie!"

'We know, ma'am. Hands behind your back, or we will shoot you.'

40 minutes later, Kaylee was being admitted into a mental hospital, protesting all the way about zombies. Eventually, they had to sedate her.

10 minutes later, she woke up in a room in different clothes. It looked like a uniform. She didn't quite remember what happened... but then it hit her. "Oh, no!" she remembered firing at her neighbor, resisting the police, having her zombie delusion. And now she was definitely in a mental hospital. "Oh, no no no no no!" She sat up, putting her face in her hands. And her parents were probably so worried... A nurse entered the room.

'Hello? This is your wake up call. You need to report to medications.'

"Medications?!?" But the nurse was gone. Kaylee sat, unsure that what she was seeing was real. She was now branded a looney by society. The shock hit her like a sack of flour. After five minutes of almost crying, she broke down into tears. "I'm not crazy, I'm not, I'm not!" But in the end she knew she really was. It was a terrible realization. Once she calmed down, she reported to the medication counter. "Lewis, Kaylee." She said to the nurse behind the counter.

After a few moments of looking at the prescriptions, the nurse clicked her tongue. 'I'm afraid you aren't on here. Have you been diagnosed?'

That word. Kaylee sniffed, the tears welling in her eyes again. She fought them back. "No, ma'am."

'Ah. Well that will be taken care of in the group therapy session today.' the nurse said with a crisp smile.

A tear rolled down Kaylee's cheek. It was too much. "I'M NOT INSANE!!!" she screamed. "I TELL YOU, I'M NOT INSANE!" Bawling, she was led to the breakfast room and given milk, some toast, and an egg. She sat at her table, openly crying and carrying on, refusing to eat her breakfast. A nurse sat with her, coaxing her to calm down and have some toast. Soon Kaylee's wails simmered down to sobs and the nurse left. Then Kaylee realized that everyone had seen her crying and almost died with embarrassment. Sitting down low in her seat, she hiccupped and ate her breakfast.

Robin watched the new comer enter, it was unavoidable because of all the ruckus she was causing. She had sympathy for the girl however, thinking back to the fear and pain she fet her first day at the facility...
The thought itself sent shivers down her spine.
Don't even think about it...Bobbi chimed, as Robin placed her water and plate back on the tray and stood.
Didn't I tell you yo shut up? she replied as she pushed her chair in behind her and began walking over to the girls table.
What good are you going to do? You are just as fucked up as she is.
Breathing in deeply, Robin began practicing her calming exercises as she walked over to the table.
What you don't want me to meet her? That's not very nice at all.
Robin froze where she was standing for a moment, her eyes glazed over. Almost as soon as it happened, it was over with as continued walking over the table, swaying as she moved. Bobbi plopped her tray onto the table and grabbed the crying girls milk, pulling open the seal as she glared at the girl and downed all of it, crushing the box in her hands and dropping it on the table. Leaning forward she placed her head on her hands and asked,"So what the fuck is wrong with you?


Robin
Bobbi

Nate watched as the patients shuffled into the cafeteria, one by one. The first to arrive was the girl on suicide watch. She came in the day before, covered in scars and blood. It took everything Nate had to not let Syn take over and do his dirty work. The only reason Nate could figure out why Syn didn't, because he knew he could if he had truly wanted to, was because he predicted a better opportunity in the near future. Nate was afraid of that. He watched her walk in and find a place to sit, all alone, just like most new patients. He knew she'd find her someone soon enough. They all did, or at least that's how it seemed.

Next to scurry in was the PTSD patient, the one who would flinch at the slightest noise, it seemed. Syn knew he'd get to play with him soon enough. He just hadn't figured out how yet. He wanted it to be perfect, as always. Trailing behind him was the other multiple personality patient, Robin. Both Nate and Syn found her intriguing. Nate watched her slender body float across the cafeteria. She got the same thing as always, toast and water, and sat in her usual spot. He watched her battle her own “other.” It seemed that Bobbie, as she seemed to be called, stuck around and spoke with Robin more than Syn did with him. Syn preferred to remain quiet and wait for his turn, only piping in when he felt something to gain from it.

“SHUT UP BOBBI! LEAVE ME ALONE FOR ONCE, PLEASE!” Nate looked up from his plate of eggs. So did Syn. He could feel Syn sliding past his forces, but it was no use trying to fight him when he mind was made up. Nate has left the building. Syn was in. He smirked, placing his hospital safe fork on the table, his breakfast barely touched. He scooted back in his chair, loudly propping his feet on the table so that everyone could hear, enjoying the view as Robin quickly retreated and avoided all glances. Perhaps today would be interesting after all. It had been awhile since Syn had any fun.

Felix soon followed into the cafeteria. He was a known rapist and killer, and Syn had taken a sort of liking to him. Although they've never really interacted outside of group therapy or the occasional recreation activity, Syn always watched from a distance. Nate would normally try to avoid guys like him, especially given his past. Syn has a sort of love-hate thing for Felix. An urge to destroy, as well as an urge to swap stories and become pals. This was part of the reason Syn mostly kept his own distance. He hadn't made up his mind yet.

Down the hall, screaming could be heard. A girl, a voice unrecognized. Syn had a knack for recognizing voices, so this girl was obviously new. His theory was proven when she was escorted into the cafeteria by a couple nurses, tears running down her face. She quietly ate her toast and kept to herself. Typical, no fun. Then, Robin stood. This peaked Syn's attention. He watched patiently, wondering what was going to happen. He saw something in her change. The switch had happened. He knew all the signs. His smile grew, became more menacing, taking full control over Nate. He watched Bobbi walk over to the new girl and down her milk. “So what the fuck is wrong with you?” Maybe this will be fun after all.

Finally, the guy with a bad attitude and a limp joined the group. He watched him as he scanned the cafeteria for a decent spot to sit. Please not here, please not here, please not here. I'm not liable for what happens to you if Syn decides to take over.. Unfortunately for all parties involved, he stumbled his way over and plopped into a seat at his table. As he sat, he glared at Nate, as if to threaten him. This made Syn mad, and eager to show his power. He wanted everyone to know what he was capable of. He wanted the others to shudder at his name, tremble at the sight of him. He hungered for that look that people give when they're afraid, he thirsts for screams and tears. Overall, however, he just enjoyed fucking with people.

He kicked the chair next to him and stood. Pushing up the sleeves of his plaid button-down, he made his way across the cafeteria. He grabbed a chair, flipped it around and sat in it backwards, right across from the new girl. He looked at Robin, well, Bobbi. “Hey, Bobs, how's it goin'?” He gave her a cheap and malicious grin as he grabbed the girl's butter knife and picked his teeth. He peeked over at the new girl, almost forgetting what he had come over for. Fresh meat. He gently placed the knife under her chin and lifted it up, giving her a smirk. “Welcome to the looney bin, sweetheart.” He snapped his teeth like a dog and got up. The nurses had seen him and were hurried over. He put his hands up, halfway surrendering. The nurses thought he had calmed down, this being one of the less intense outbursts Syn has ever had. They asked him to step out of the cafeteria for a moment. “Awh, come on, ladies, I just want to see the freak show!” He began laughing that laugh that most everyone who has ever been around Syn before has heard. It's deep, dark, and creepy. The nurses warned him that if he didn't settle down, he would be forced to be restrained for the rest of the day and would require an escort to all activities. It also meant no outdoors at recreation time. Syn backed off, having had his fill for the moment. Nate came to and looked into the cafeteria. He knew what had happened, but could only imagine what Syn had actually done. He looked down at his hand, still holding a butter knife. He quickly dropped it and retreated to his seat, avoiding glances.

He briefly looked up, noticing the guy sitting at his table. When had he gotten there? How long was he out? He stumbled over his words, looking for the right thing to say. “I- uh... sorry.” “Don't be sorry you worthless fucking hero.” “Don't fucking call me that, you fucking demon.” “You'd be wise to watch that pretty mouth of yours. You don't want me to be upset, do you?” “Go fuck yourself, Syn.” To someone who had never met Nate before, it'd seem like he was just talking to himself, but in reality, or at least in Nate's reality, he was talking to another actual person, only he knew this person lived within himself. He took the image of a real person, just as the guy sitting at his table, Syn sat right across from Nate. Nate moved his now cold eggs back and forth on his plate, his appetite depleted. Today was sure to be a hell of a ride.

Alise sat up. Tear streaks marked her cheeks, and her hair was matted slightly from the damp. Swiping a hand across her face, Alise pulled her wheelchair over and struggled to get into it. Suddenly, the wheels slipped on the smooth floor, and Alise fell to the floor, crying out in pain. After more struggling, Alise finally got into her wheelchair.

Just then, a nurse walked in. Alise looked up at her, annoyed. "Can't you even knock? Ever heard of privacy?" The nurse shrugged. "Here, privacy is not important. What's important is your health." "Who cares anyway, I'm gonna die soon. Just stay the hell away from me," Alise muttered irritably. With much reluctance, she let the nurse push her over to the nurses' station to take her medication.

After Alise had her meds, the nurse wheeled her out of the station. "There we go," she smiled cheerfully. "Now go have your breakfast." Alise scowled, but kept her eyes trained on her lap. Keeping her head down, she moved quickly down the hall.

Watching the other people in the cafeteria cautiously, Alise maneuvered her way around them. Spotting a table which was not so crowded, she pushed herself over to them. These people looked familiar... She'd seen them around. She's also heard the nurses call one of them... Jeffrey, she believed. "Morning," she mumbled, staring off at the ceiling. "May... May I sit with you?"

#"Sight a Robin from a tree, from a tree, from a tree
catch a robin in your cage, in your cage, in your cage,
create the cage from the tree, 'cause it's mine."#

Felix had already picked up the paper cups. He began walking to the cafeteria again. Taking a seat at a lone table next to a wall. Placing the paper cups in the centre of the small four-person rectangular white table.

Then more screams came to Felix's surprise, what a coincidence to have two separate people scream within minutes of each other. "Who was it?" Felix thought. He turned around in his chair, arm resting on the bone of the chair, to see who comes in screaming.

It was a new girl, Felix had never seen her before. "Very Vulnerable." He thought again, knowing due to her screams and cries. Standing up from the seat and making way to to the canteen, intensely watching the actions of this newcomer.

Water, fruit and yoghurt. It would be a small breakfast, but the entertainment will fill the rest of his stomach up. The next part was about to begin, Robin and the newcomer.

"Birds of a feather flock together"

As a side-entertainment, Nate started his show, making noise with the furniture. Sitting back down and beginning to eat slowly the climax came, the vulnerable ones are victimized, always so loud Nate was, but always so entertaining.

Felix was grinning, intensely, as if his scar was away to rip. Although it wasn't as if anyone could notice unless they were at the table with him, typically with Glasgow smiles, it looked as though Felix was always smiling. He could get away with smiling in gleeful entertainment at anyone and everyone without raising suspicion and he knew it, as long as they weren't too close.

"Today is going to be a good day.

Kaylee watched in shock as the girl squished her milk.

'So what the fuck is wrong with you?'

Kaylee blinked a few times, hiccupping. "I don't know." she answered. She opened her mouth to say something else, but another guy came over. He seemed to know the other girl. But then he gave Kaylee the most disturbing greeting she had ever received. Quaking, tears - now tears of fear - rolled down her face. Then the man walked away rather oddly. Then Kaylee realized - everyone in here was crazy. Like, looney-crazy. Not just kinda crazy like her, but really, scary insane. Kaylee looked back at the bullyish girl sitting across from her. "I'm not insane. You have to believe me."

'She won't believe you. No one will ever believe you.' The familiar voice of The Form crawled into her mind. 'Just give it up before you do something stupid.'

Kaylee flinched, her face twitching as she tried to block out the Form. "Sshh." she said sharply, then went back to pleading. "You do believe me, don't you?"

"I don't know." she answered.

"You don't know yet you sit here crying like a child? What do you fear? Fearing the unknown is such a childish thing. she said while running her fingers across the table. Nate strolled over, and Bobbi watched intently, biting her lip and twirling her hair. As he was dragged away she turned to the newcomer and said, Oh the dirty, wonderful things I would do to that boy. I would fuck him till the walls turned colors, she laughed,"It's a shame Robin won't let me use her pretty little body."
Standing she bent over the table, sticking her rear out provocatively and resting her breasts on her arms, "I believe you honey, Robin and I, we don't belong here either."
She reached out and lifted the girls chin with her finger, looking her deep in the eyes,"But you know...the loonier they are...the better they fuck...too bad your not crazy, I could teach you a thing or two."
As she suggestively ran her fingertips along the girls lips, Bobbi's face went blank. Then she blinked a couple of times and shot back, clutching her hand to her body as if had just been touching a snake or a spider. Horror plastered to her face she said,I'm so so sorry! I'm so sorry, I should have never have come over here...What was I thinking!"
Robin's face turned a bright red as she turned, and ran over to her table in the corner and sat facing away from the majority of the room. She pulled her legs up in the chair and clutched her arms around them and began crying softly into her knees.
"Don't be like that Robin...I was just having a little fun..."
"You knew I was going over there to comfort her...you knew! But when I come to...you're juts messing with her like everyone else. You're a bitch Bobbi and I don't want to talk to you anymore!
"You don't need anyone but me! Don't you dare say that to me! After everything I did for you!
As Bobbi ranted on in her head she saw a strange man...he had scars on his face that made him look like he was smiling. Looking closer however she noticed that it looked as if he was actually smiling, but pushed it out of her mind. When he looked over at her, she buried her face back in her knees.
"And lastly you don'y even know what I was doing!! Maybe she liked it."
"Just leave me alone Bobbi...Let me sit here in peace or I'll go get the drugs that make you shut up"
"Fine...but you should stop being such a little tight-ass all the time. Nate says hi by the way.

Robin
Bobbi

Suddenly oddly composed, Kaylee frowned at the girl. She was obviously a jerk. Then she started talking about Nate. What is wrong with him, I wonder? Kaylee thought. Before she came to the institute she was fascinated by psychology. Now she was starting to be scared of it.

'It's a shame Robin won't let me use her pretty little body.'

Ah. Kaylee realized. Dissociative Identity Disorder. Funny, I thought that wasn't supposed to exist. But soon Kaylee was shrinking back in horror at the girl's lewd suggestions and her sick touch.

'I'm so so sorry! I'm so sorry, I should have never have come over here...What was I thinking!'

Shocked, Kaylee realized that she had just met Robin. For a while when she was fourteen through fifteen, Kaylee had been obssessed with psychology, especially dissociative disorders. This one had been her favorite until someone told her it didn't exist. Well, apparently it did. After exhaling and putting her face in her hands, Kaylee got up and walked over to Robin, who was crying in a chair. "Hey," she said softly. "I understand. Multiple Personality, right? It's okay. I just met Bobbi. What's your name? I'm Kaylee, by the way."

The linen fabric was wet with her tears as she lightly cried. "You always have to ruin things for me Bobbi...always...
"Hey...I understand. Multiple Personality, right? It's okay. I just met Bobbi. What's your name? I'm Kaylee, by the way."
My name is Robin, and I'm really sorry for anything Bobbi said or did to you.. she mumbled a bit from her knees as she looked up, "I know she can be terrible...but I need her the most sometimes...
"That's right sweetie, you will always be my little girl,"the voice sneered in he head.
"I didn't mean to ruin your breakfast..." she said lowering her feet to the ground and leaning over her tray. Breaking off a piece of toast she said,"I'm sorry to have bothered you..."
Staring down at the white paper plate, she counted the crumbs mad by the toast ...1...2...3...4....5....6....7....8... brushing pieces aside with her finger as she bit into the piece she broke off.
Eyeing the smiling man out of the corner of her eye, a chill ran down her spine.
Turning she said, "Actually...would you like to sit over here...?"




Robin
Bobbi

Felix had finished his small meal by the time Robin and the new girl had changed tables to the corner closest to him. Only now tow tables away on the same column. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself down, regaining control of his smile as he relaxed his face. He gathered his food gubbins into a pile, putting fruit cores into empty yoghurt containers and such. Standing up and pushing his chair in.

He got himself into character.

Leaving his gubbins on the table, he put another smile on, but a calmer smile, a more open smile, a more caring smile. He started to walk over to the girls in the corner, with an arm resting against his chest, ready to give a friendly wave if they happen to notice him before he gets to their table.

Cheerfully as he got to the table he greeted them. "Crying yourself out is not going to do much good in helping, you've got to open up on how you feel by telling other people, most of us will listen." He sat down while saying this. "Please, call me Felix, and please don't judge me by my scars." His smile showed more than just a polite smile that anyone would do when meeting someone new, it showed openness and if noticeable, understanding.

Robin's heart beat in her chest, Felix gave her the creeps...she was frightened. In an instant, Bobbi was free.
"Hmmm, and who might you be pretty boy?" she asked leaned over the table, "And what's up with your fucked up face?"
laughing she sat back and lifted her feet onto the table, crossing her ankles ans resting her head on the hands. As she stretched a bit of Robin's porcelain midrift, her shirt clinging to her skin as her robe parts and the strings dangle just above the surface of the tiles.
["I feel like you have creeped my sweet Robin out before in the past, you're gas mask guy right? Weird fucker." Snatching up the rest of the toast she took a bite and chewed it, staring Felix down.
"Robin will be upset if she finds out I wasn't civil...so I'll play along...for now. The name is Bobbi, and Robin. She is just asleep now."

Robin
Bobbi

Felix was taken aback by the sudden, unplanned change of Robin into Bobbi. At first when Bobbi started talking it showed in his face, a quick expression of panic and comfusion, before realising the situation and losing his act. Laughing, loudly, not across the whole room, but louder than the average laugh. Some faces looked toward the table's direction, others further way didn't notice.

"You want to give me more entertainment? How awfully nice for you to come out."
Becoming more casual, he put his folded arms against the table.
"My face is like any other, it reveals my feelings, I've just lived through enough that I fucking love to live."
He was staring Bobbi in the eyes, with a manic smile again.

Turning his head towards the newcomer.
"What I said may be true, but don't think any of us are normal."
He slammed a hand down onto the table, pushing himself from the seat and leaning across the table, face close to the newcomer.
"Nice to meet you, tell me your name. And try not to get fucked by just anyone."
He flung himself back into the chair, arm over the back of the seat while the other leaning on the table, no longer a cheerful, friendly posture.

Kaylee watched the interaction between the guy in the suit and Bobbi. Robin had slipped away again. But then the attention of the German man was directed towards Kaylee. Leaning back uncomfortably, Kaylee replied, "Um, I'm Kaylee Lewis. And I'll try not to." She looked the man up and down, judging him to be... disturbing. And not only that, but there was something under it that she really didn't like. Was it... arrogance? No, more than that. "So... why are you here?" she asked him as calmly as she could. She got the feeling these people were trying to freak her out, and she would not let him succeed.

“May I sit with you?” Nate looked up from the table to see a frail girl in a wheelchair. Her hair draped over her shoulders, which were mostly bones. Before Nate even had a chance to register the question, Jeffery told her she could join them. He watched silently as she went to grab herself some breakfast and joined them at the table. He wondered why she was here. Anorexic? It's a good chance, but usually new patients that were anorexic wouldn't eat for at least the first couple days. Perhaps that was only a small part of the demons she carried.

Peeking up at the clock, he saw that it was near time for breakfast to be over and recreation to begin. He knew that after his outburst, he wasn't going to be able to go outside after all. Nate sighed, craving the fresh air that he hasn't breathed in as long as he can remember. He watched the other patients finishing up their breakfasts. Nate had barely touched his. His appetite was gone after waking up to find himself surrounded by nurses with a butter knife in hand.

He watched the two girls, Robin and the new girl. He never did catch her name. Felix had decided to join them. The thought of what that man had done sent shivers down his spine. Syn could only chuckle. He watched Robin, her soft blonde, almost white hair falling gently on her shoulders, framing her face. He felt like she was the only one who could ever possibly stand to understand him, but he never had the nerve to talk to her. He had a feeling that Syn had probably scared her off a number of times, so he didn't even bother. Even her “other,” Bobbi, while a complete different personality from Robin, was beautiful in her own way.

The jingle of a bell woke him from his daydream. The nurse announced that breakfast was over and that recreation was starting. She listed out the rules, more for the newbies than for anyone. It was the same as always. No one is to be in their rooms, no causing problems for any other patient, no one is to be outside without permission, blah blah blah. Nate had heard it about a thousand times since he had been admitted. He could recite it in his sleep.

Nate got up and emptied his tray into the trash can, then put his tray on the tray cart. He left the room, not looking at anyone else. He wasn't sure what he was going to do during recreation. He had his heart set on just breathing in the summer air since waking that morning, but that dream was long diminished. In the main room, there was a tv surrounded by several couches and chairs, several tables with board games and sets of cards, a decent sized selection of books, movies, and video games, and an area for arts and crafts.

Nate decided he would do what he normally did, which was arts and crafts. He made his way to the table and rummaged through the art supplies. He picked out a sheet of paper and some drawing pencils. He had no idea what he wanted to draw, so he just doodled whatever popped into his head. He loved drawing eyes, so there were several of those on the page, as well as random things he saw in the room, like the television, and even quick sketches of patients.

Normally, no one would join him at the art station. Most of the others played cards, watched whatever was on the television or read. No one had ever seen his sketches, except the nurses, who were supposed to look at them to make sure he wasn't drawing anything that would hint at anything dangerous. They all thought they were wonderful, but Nate only saw them as sketches. Quick glimpses of what was going on in his head. Rarely would Syn come out when he drew, which was probably one of the reasons Nate enjoyed it so much.

"You want to give me more entertainment? How awfully nice for you to come out...My face is like any other, it reveals my feelings, I've just lived through enough that I fucking love to live."
Bobbi simply stared him down as he spoke, as she always has for Robin. Anytime she fet threatened, Bobbi would come to save her, and existed as the emotional buffer Robin depereatly needed in her time of need. However, there is one thing Bobbi fears, and that is Robin letting her go forever...because in order for Bobbi to truly exist, Robin has to accept her. As she stares into the cold eyes and the ominous smile, a little sense of pride fills her, At least I'm still needed...

Her eyes flicked back over to Kaylee, her lids low as she spoke, "I'm sorry for the way I treated you earlier, it was out of line and it made Robin very upset.
Flicking up to the clock as she heard the bell, "She truly is an amazing girl though" she smiled, "And you are about to see some of her talent."
With a sincere wave, her face gazed over as Robin returned. The smile lingered as she saw the time, and she said, "It was so nice to meet you, I'm allowed outside for activity time...if you st by that window..." she said motioning with her outstretched arm, "You can listen if you want."

The smile still clung to her lips as she stood, with a distant look in her eye she walked over to the garbage and dumped her tray, sliding the tray across the counter before turning to the nurse.
The young woman smiled at Robin, "Are you going to play again today?" as she handed her a black case.
Yes, I was wondering if I could use one of my outdoor activity days this week." Her eyes crossed over to the window, and the colorful world just beyond the doors.
The nurse gave her a nod and opened the door for her, letting the intense sun fill the open doorway and spill across the floor.

Gripping the case with two hands she made her way across the stone blocks and onto a green field. Some of the other patients were taking walks, or playing basketball, but she payed no mind. The far off look still lingering on her face. As she reached a large tree, bursting with blue flowers she placed the case on the ground, and flipped open the locks. The routine was pleasant, and one of the only times Bobbi would sit back and listen, truly allowing Robin time to herself. The name of the institution was sprawled across the inside of the case, taken from one of the music therapy rooms. Out of the velvet cradle she lifted a beat up, faded violin. The woods was worn, and the strings had been replaced many many times, but she truly loved it. It was the one thing she truly enjoyed during her three year stay. The melody she wanted to play flowed through her thoughts as she rosined the bow, and lifted the instrument to her shoulder.
Please Robin...that one is my favorite...Bobbi cooed, and Robin began to play.


The melody danced across the strings, as it did everyday at this time. The sound is carried across the field, and can be heard faintly inside the building if one pays attention. Smiling as she plays, Robin thinks about life after the institution, and her fast approaching eighteenth birthday. Images of Nate flash through her head, she knows how Bobbi feels about him...but Syn frightens Robin, plus Bobbi won't let her get close to him. Robin longs for the day she can be close to someone else...longs to experience the things other girls get to experience. A blush forms on her cheeks, as she thinks about the day she can finally have a true first kiss, one without Bobbi cutting in. Glancing up to the window, she wonders if he ever listens to her play.



Bobbi
Robin

Felix sat patiently as Bobbi's attention went back to Robin before answering. As Robin came back and walked away.

"I'm here for my own reasons, as all of us are Kaylee ."
He stood up and walked back to put away his tray.
"You should come outside at every chance you get here, Once you've come to appreciate the out-doors it will do more good than just make you physically healthier."

He let his gubbins fall into the bin and placed the tray away. He decided he would do chalk drawing outside today. The nurse had already opened the door first for Robin, she stood there checking that it was only those who have been behaving were getting outside. As he walked towards the door the flesh air hit his face, taking it in as a relieved deep breath, refreshing. The sun was strong shining through the door, making from the inside anyone who stands or passing the door appear with a dark silhouette.

He did not look at the nurse as he got closer, despite her staring at him only to bring to mind whether Felix had been behaving. Robin started as Felix got to the door, he stopped to listen, as most people around did. Standing beside the nurse, who was also now looking out, made Felix's low height more noticeable to anyone behind him, particularity with the contrasted out-line of his silhouette next to the average height nurse. He folded his arms, left on top, as he stood there listening for the first song. Feeling as though time itself had stopped.

It ended.
"Depressing." He let out. Then turning to the nurse with a friendly smile.
"Please, get some chalk from the arts area, and some gloves as well?"
The nurse stared at him for a few seconds before accepting with a "Wait right here."

As she walked back along the corridor Felix took her place against the wall at the side of the door. Imitating the nurse until she returned, checking those who attempt to go outside, although with his small silhouette still dark from the the bright incoming sun, it was hardly frightening coming towards the door from the corridor.

"Her talent?" Kaylee said in surprise. Then Robin came back out and said that she was going to play some sort of musical instrument. So there is music here! Kaylee's heart leaped up with joy at the mention of any kind of music. It soothed her emotions and made the Form go away. At least for a little while. Robin left and then a short while later beautiful violin music started. Kaylee closed her eyes and let her soul drink in the music. Felix's advice was lost in her ecstasy and she sat for a while. Then after a little bit she made her way into the recreation room. She saw all of the choices and decided on the television. No Lord of the Rings. No Star Wars. What was wrong with these people?? She asked a passing nurse, "Hey, I guess 'Frances Farmer' isn't in here, right?" The nurse gave her a weird look and walked by. "What about 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?' " Kaylee called after her. Shaking her head, Kaylee turned her attention back to the room. She didn't belong here. At least, that's what she kept telling herself. Soon her parents would come by and it would all be over. Surely.

She turned away from the TV and viewed the whole room. There were art supplies! Interested, Kaylee walked over. Glancing at the two other people's drawings, she noticed that the skinny girl was drawing a very nice picture of an anime boy, and the boy who had almost threatened her with a knife was drawing a girl playing the violin under a tree. After a moment he stopped, staring at something... Robin. He was drawing Robin. Amazed, Kaylee stared at the picture until he folded it up surreptitiously and put it in his pocket.

Pretending like she didn't see any of it, Kaylee came up behind him and sat down at the art table across from him. She began to draw some of her hallucinations. An asian boy walking away down the hall with books under his arm, a reptilian-man pointing straight at her accusingly, a demonic looking baboon. All of them came alive on the paper in her crude sketching form. Their rough edges seemed to vibrate as if they wanted to peel off the page. Then she looked up at the boy across from her. "Um, hello." she started timidly. "I'm Kaylee. I uh... I don't think we met very well earlier. Do you want to have another go at it now?"

Nate jumped slightly when he looked up and saw the new girl from breakfast appear across the table from him. He glanced down at the table in front of her and saw that she had been doodling, which meant she had been here for a little bit without him noticing. He looked longer at the pictures on the pages, demented drawings. Perhaps this girl was more than just depressed after all. They were really fantastic drawings, very detailed and interesting. He shifted in his seat, the paper in his pocket crinkling as he moved. Just how long had she been there? Long enough to see the drawing, or was he in the clear?

"Um, hello. I'm Kaylee. I uh... I don't think we met very well earlier. Do you want to have another go at it now?"

Nate flinched. So she was the one that Syn had his way with. At least she was brave enough to confront him now. Usually if Syn got a hold of anyone, they wouldn't even look at Nate for a day or two. He scratched the back of his head and smiled nervously. "I'm terribly sorry about what happened. I... wasn't really myself. I'm Nate, it's nice to meet you. I guess I didn't give you a formal warm welcome, but it's better late than never, huh?" He chuckled lightly, feeling a little more at ease. He hadn't really had casual conversation in god knows how long.

He picked up his pen and began to doodle again, no real purpose for his pen strokes. What appeared on his page was a sad excuse for a lion, or at least he thought. He was never as good at animals, especially from memory as he was sketching people. He sighed, and put the pen down. "I, uh, like your drawings. Very intriguing and extremely well made. Are you an artist or do you just draw for fun?"

"That's okay." Kaylee said. "I don't think anyone can really be themselves around here. It's nice to meet you too, Nate." Then the boy went back to drawing. He seemed to draw whatever came to his head, not really drawing anything specific like she was. It was obviously a lion. For a moment Kaylee felt incredibly foolish, sitting at a table doodling during "recreation time" like a kindergartener. She shook that feeling off. But not before The Form had seized the opportunity - the moment of weakness. All other sounds went away except for a strong staticy sound behind her head. Her vision went dark as she squeezed her eyes shut tight against the vision the Form was about to show her: Another face - not her own. It was young, maybe 5 years old. It was streaked with tears, and next to her was a shabby stool with the word "rainbow" spelled like "reignbow" on it. Kaylee heard her own voice in child form speaking to the crying girl. "No, that's wrong. You're so stupid, Danielle. You're always wrong. Your drawings are all wrong. Your drawings, your drawings, your drawings..."

'I, uh, like your drawings. Very intriguing and extremely well made. Are you an artist or do you just draw for fun?' Nate's voice pulled her out of the vision and she opened her eyes, breathing deeply. It was like she had been underwater and he had pulled her up. Like a hero.

"Oh, um, my drawings?" She looked down and saw the drawings, remembering where she was. "Oh, right. Yes, I, um..." The Form threatened her with another vision, and she flinched. "Sh!" She said sharply. Then she went back to talking, oblivious to what she had just done. "Yes, I just draw for fun. And thanks." she added. "These are some of my favorites." Her face suggested otherwise. Whenever she looked at them, her face looked slightly as if she was in pain. "I draw them a lot. These are the things I see."

Listening to herself, Kaylee was surprised. She really did sound like a looney. Maybe she belonged here, after all. Wasn't this what she had wanted all along, anyhow? She shook that thought from her mind. It was ridiculous. They all told her - her parents, her teachers, her friends - that she was sane. So what would suddenly make them wrong and her right?

"Wow. I wish I could play the piano here, but I've never asked." She paused. "Do you think the nurses would let me play the piano if I asked?"
Lowering the instrument to her side she replied,"Well, in order to use the instruments you have to behave yourself. I'm sure the doctor will explain the whole system to you in group today since we have many newcomers today."

She lifted her hand and blocked the sun as she looked up at the blue sky,"Cherish days like this, you don't know how lovely colors are, but you will. The white...drives me more insane than Bobbi sometimes." With a chuckle she bent at the knees and returned the instrument to its case, clicking the locks shut.
"I'm only allowed to play for the first 20-30 minutes, the Doctor says I have to socialize, and if I'm playing I usually don't talk to anyone." The case was light in her arms as she gripped the handle, gesturing to Alise,"I have to bring this back to the nurse, and talk to at least four different people. Looks like you are number one," she smiled as she spoke, hopeful that this would be her last year at the facility, "You can come with me if you want."
With the turn of her heel she began walking toward the door, her blond hair bouncing on her shoulders.
"That was beautiful dear," the nurse said as she took the instrument with a smile.
"Thank you!" Beaming she looked around, noticing Felix she felt her breath get heavy.
"I'm not ready for that yet..." she said, clutching her heart and dipping her head shamefully. She wasn't sure why he frightened her, but Bobbi most defiantly did not like him.

Dipping back inside she noticed Nate and Kaylee sitting at the art table. Robin was no good at drawing, but loved to do origami. Donning a small quaint smile she walked over to the supply cabinet and pulled out a few pieces of colored paper. There was quite a selection of origami paper for her to choose from. Her step-fathers, sister whom she called Aunty Carol, send her gifts every now and then. It was the only family she still had communication with, and she happened to be the editor in chief of The New York Times and felt extremely guilty about her brothers actions. Robin received gifts every year for her birthday, and Christmas and various other random holidays throughout the year. The nurses opened them at first...but after they got to know Robin and Caroline, it was the one thing she got to open herself-with supervision of course. Last Easter she received the paper, though it had to stay out in the supply closet. Robin didn't mind, it was enough to share; two long rows of colors, patterns, double-sided, and even some with eyes, she settled on two pieces, one with fading red and orange on one side, and the other one a greenish-yellow.

Robin...come on...let me talk to him, I'll have him in your bed tonight!
Shut-it Bobbi.
Fine but I'm watching you...

Pulling up a chair she nervously glanced over at Nate, wondering how long Bobbi was going to control herself. She started to blush a little bit, to her he was mysterious. Though they had both been treated here for some time, they never spoke. Anytime Robin tries to Nate, one of two things happens. One, Robin's heart starts beating faster, and her mind wanders...thus Bobbi steps in to interrupt and always says something crude. Or two, Robin begins talking to Syn, who absolutely terrifies her. Bobbi is out in an instant...and Robin really doesn't know what Bobbi does after that point...As she began flattening the paper she said,"Hi again Kaylee," glancing her amber eyes over to catch Nate's she smiled sheepishly,"Hi Nate, Bobbi told me you spoke with her earlier. I'm sorry if she was rude."
Quickly she averted her gaze to the drawing on the table, folding her own paper gently.
"Wow, you guys are pretty good, I can't draw very well."
Her hands worked nimbly on the second paper now, as she smiled at the two.




Bobbi
Robin