Rosebrooke's Sanctuary

[Starting now. My post will be up ASAP]

Ryan woke up in his new surroundings, still not used to his new room. He was beginning to drift into depression once again. Though it seemed like it would be hard not to in a place like this. He had only been admitted into the asylum two days ago and he wasn’t sure this place would do him any good. He got dressed and pulled out a small audio recorder from his night stand. He pushed the record button and began to speak.
“Hello, My name is Ryan. If I’m playing this message for you it’s because I have selective Mutism and am unable to speak right at the moment. Please understand that I desperately wish I were able to speak right now but I’m either nervous or anxious, which makes me unable to speak. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.” He put the recorder into his pocket. It was almost eight thirty so he left his room and headed down the hall to the cafeteria. He got there before the doors were opened for the patients but the smell coming out were not too bad, it smelled like pancakes and bacon. He stood there waiting for the doors to open hoping to meet some one to talk to that wouldn’t make him nervous.

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Tennessee Harper awoke to the sound of her alarm blaring "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin at 8:00 sharp. The single barred window in her room filtered in the brisk morning light as she rose and stretched, casually taking in the light and the sound. Ten enjoyed mornings, in part because so many others hated them, but also because it was the time of day when her energy was highest. She felt invincible in the mornings, a feeling she understandably enjoyed. She stood from her bed and began dancing to the music, mouthing along to the lyrics, rocking out and enjoying herself as she moved to the small built in bathroom. She made a motion of singing into her toothbrush as if it were a microphone and then proceeded to brush her teeth. As the song came to it's conclusion, she undressed and stepped into the shower, humming the tune to herself as she did. When she was finished, she sauntered over to the small dresser across from her bed and dressed herself in her usual fashion: low cut shirt, slim fitting jeans, and black flats. She did her makeup quickly, exited her room, and made way towards the cafeteria.

Typically, Ten was the first patient to arrive at the cafeteria for breakfast. She valued promptness and was always at least 10 minutes early. Today, however, she was the second to arrive. Standing in front of the doors to the cafeteria was a boy about her age with black hair longer than hers. He wore dark clothes and seemed to be waiting for breakfast to be served. She didn't recognize him, and so figured he must be one of the newer patients.

"Hey!" Ten called out to the boy from a bit down the hall and half-jogged to close the distance, a warm smile adorning her face as she approached. She held her hand out when she was within shaking distance. "I haven't seen you around before, so I take it you're new here? My name's Tennessee, friends call me Ten. What's yours?"

“My name’s Ryan.” He said as he reached out his hand and shook hers. “Yeah I was just admitted a couple days ago, I’ve been in my room most of that time. I figured I should come out and meet some other people if I want to get any better.” He turned when he heard the doors to the cafeteria unlock and the cook opened them. He got into the line and scooped up a few pancakes and a lot of bacon. He went to the beverage station and got a cup of coffee. He looked at the utensil basket, no knives, no forks, not even a spoon, just plastic sporks. He took one and went to go sit down. He sipped his plain black coffee and looked at the spongy pancakes, he took the syrup at the table and covered the stack in the sticky sweet stuff. He did his best to carve off a piece from the stack and stabbed the piece with the spork. He popped it in his mouth, it wasn’t too bad. He washed it down with a sip of his coffee. “Well the food is edible, not the best tasting, but edible. That’s a plus. ” He tried the bacon and that was pretty good. He sat quietly and ate his meal watching the others start to file into the cafeteria.

Colin woke up to the sound of someone banging on his door. He opened his eyes slowly to let them adjust to the light that was now streaming in through the doorway. There was a female nurse standing in the doorway and Colin watched as she came into the room. She opened the blinds and turned on the light. "You're late the other residents are already eating breakfast." Colin smirked and pulled himself out of his bed wearing only his boxers. The nurse clearly feeling uncomfortable turned to leave the room. "Get dressed and come down to the cafeteria now and I'll let you off with a warning since this is your first day." Colin grinned as he watched her leave the room and close the door behind her. He rolled his eyes, turned on the shower, and pulled off his boxers. He stepped in the shower and washed himself with his favorite Giorgio Armani shampoo and body wash. He got out and dried off. His skin was now perfumed with that delicious musky smell of Giorgio Armani that he loved so much. He was dying for a cigarette but he knew there weren’t any. He tried to sneak some in when he arrived last night but of course they were confiscated. Colin smiled at his reflection in the mirror as he fixed his hair. He looked through the clothes in his dresser and decided on a pair of acid wash jeans, and a faded red button down shirt. The jeans fit him snugly and the he left the shirt completely unbuttoned to show off his toned stomach. He wanted to make sure he caught the eye of everyone in the sanctuary. He finally began his journey to the cafeteria and walked with confidence in every step. When he arrived at the cafeteria doors he shoved them open and strutted in the room. He slowed his pace and put his thumbs in his front pockets as he gazed over the crowd looking for anyone he deemed to be worthy of his company.

I rummaged through my drawers, a feeling of peace trailing through me as my fingers skimmed over the cotton shirts and other pieces of fabric. I pulled out a fitted black sweater-like shirt with long sleeves and purple skinny jeans for contrast. I slipped everything on and topped it off with my usual worn black boots, ashen and scuffed from age. My hair was messy and my nails were bitten raw, so I combed my hair and.. Well I couldn't do anything with my nails exactly. I insecurely stuffed them into my pockets and exited my room with haste, not prepared to miss breakfast. It was a lengthy walk to the cafeteria from my assigned room, but as long as I had the privileged suite, it was completely fine by me. I entered the cafeteria and a cloud of breakfasty aromas wafted through my nose like a burst of warmth. I promptly snatched my trey of food. Bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns sat delightfully on my plate as I carried them to a rather desolate table. I didn't keep myself waiting. Who was I gonna pause my day for? Yeah, uh no one. Happily. I pushed my azure hair from my face and ate, used to the average taste of the food here. I've been around this place for years. I've been locked up in the privilege revoked room before, too. More than once. My eyes trailed wistfully to a barred window, peering out to the very edge of this place where high barbed wire fences restrained us all. Even if I was finally better; finally able to leave.. Where would I go?

My eyes flew open in a panic, taking in every overwhelming sight around me. Where was I, what was happening? I could feel an episode coming on and pressed my palms into my closed eyelids, repeating my life mantra. "Fear is a friend thats misunderstood, fear is a friend thats misunderstood." After whispering these words to myself several times, I felt my heart beat slow to a normal pace. That was close. I could NOT lose my privileged room. Not right now. I had just started to engage one of the nurses on the topic of hair care. I knew I could get her to help me out if I just held on. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of weak, feminine knuckles rapping against my door frame. "One minute, sweet cheeks." I groaned, not quite ready to pull myself from the warmth of my covers. I received a scoff in response, waiting for the sound of retreating foot steps to disappear before getting to my feet. I dragged myself over to my drawer, grabbing a black wife beater and red skinny jeans. I paired it with a pair of black converse before beginning my seemingly endless trek to the cafeteria. Breakfast was long overdue. I could feel my stomach roaring at me, demanding something hot and immediate. I could smell bacon, and my spirits immediately lifted. Arriving at the location on auto-pilot, I scanned the sad, bitter faces that would join me today. I saw several faces I didn't recognize, but one stood out to me. A young girl, her arms covered in scars and her long, dirty hair hanging in her eyes. Wasn't anyone taking care of her? I grabbed my own tray of food before going over to sit next to her, offering her a kind smile as she turned my way. Her face remained expressionless, a cold distance in her eyes that stabbed through my heart. What had she seen that had made her so icy? Just as I reached her, she lunged, giving me time only to gasp as her hands grabbed at my throat. I yelled out, panic and fear blinding me temporarily. As I fell to the floor, my tray smashing onto the tile beside me, I felt the hands lift from my neck. I quickly jumped to my feet, ready to defend myself from the young girl that had seemed too strong for her age. Except,...where was she? As my eyes flew back and forth between the faces surrounding me, I realized that such a little girl didn't exist. I knew she looked strange. She looked like me. I sat in the nearest seat, staring down at my lap as I felt tears rise and my face get warm. What a great start to the day.

Quinn woke, sleeping though his alarm. He sighed reluctantly getting out of bed, leaving the warmth of his bed. He walked over to the radiator still in a sleepy haze. He couldn't be bothered to have a shower, like most days. His hair falls in black locks to about his chin, begging to get rather greasy. He didn't have time to shower anyway after being so reluctant to get out of bed earlier. After dressing into the clothes he had put on the radiator last night, a white v neck top and a battered and rather threadbare denim jacket. He then pulled on some black denim jeans and some well loved trainers. Combing through his hair with his fingers he looked out of his window at the sun rising over the horizon. He made his bed, taking the locket from under his pillow, he turned it over and over in his hand, it was a birthday present he had given to his little sister for her birthday this year after saving up the money from his paper round for months, inside was a photo of him and his sister together when she was a bit younger. He put the locket in his pocket before heading to breakfast, a lot of the food had gone by the time he got there but he didn't really care, he didn't care about anything anymore, not since what happened to his sister. Grabbing a tray he got some toast and a fried egg, taking a seat near the kitchen looking though the little window at the gas rings wishing he had a lighter or anything he could use create fire and give himself a break from everything.

Sky woke up sitting up in bed her stomach rumbled, she has been here a few days and has refused to leave her room or eat anything. She got out of bed into the chilly air, walking into the bathroom she turned on the shower looking at herself in the mirror, well the plastic mirror like the kind they give you in school when learning about reflection. Undressing she got into the shower the hot water warming her body making it feel like it was burning but she liked the feeling, it gave her something to focus on. She herd a banging at her door and she sighed getting and drying herself before pulling on some blue jeans, a blue and white checkered shirt as well as a cream coloured woolen cardigan. All her brand scars were hidden other than the one on the side of her neck, she moved her still damp hair round to cover it, putting on her favorite purple lace slouchy beanie style hat. Walking back into the main room she looked at the empty space on her bed.
"Celia it's time to get up lazy" She joked laughing a little. Celia, the girl she see's most of the time because of her schizophrenia and traumatic childhood got up and walked over to her smiling.
Her bedroom door opened, a nurse and two helpers at her door.
"Skylar, you need to start leaving your room, we've been lenient so far but if this continues we'll have to make you leave, also we advise you start eating, not doing so won't get you anywhere other than revoked and on a drip. So are you going to leave your room today?" The doctor said in a rather annoyed tone.
Sky shock her had the idea of meeting the other people setting her anxiety off. The two helpers took Sky by her arms practically dragging her out of her room before locking her door after her.
"It will be fine, I'm sure you'll get on with the other patients..." One of the helpers said.
Sky looked at the empty space beside her and whispered to Celia. "I'm sure they're not allowed to do this..."
"We have permission from your foster parents... the cafeteria is down that corridor and you don't have outside access untill you start taking your medication..." She said before leaving, the helpers following her.
Sky walked into the cafeteria, keeping her eyes to the floor, when she's anxious she can't look at people, she sits down at a table closest to the door unable to stop her feet tapping on the floor.
"It's on Sky, no ones looking at you I promise, and I'll get 'em if they do anyway..." Celia said to Sky, no one else able to see or hear her. "But please don't let them take me away by taking the medication..."
Sky smiled a little looking at the empty space beside her. "Of course I won't besides your the only reason I'm only slightly sane..." She joked. "If only they could see that your real..."
To anyone listening or looking over it would seem she was talking to herself.

The day was young. The changing of the seasons left the skies grey, the sun hiding behind the overcast and clouds. Flakes of white dusted the already snowy earth, each and every minuscule, intricate pattern floating down to kiss the rosy noses of children and the hoods of cars alike. The land around this area was coated in this thick layer like a blanket that laid autumn to rest for another year. And what took its place was death, to some. The trees that were once full of vibrantly coloured leaves are now barren trunks that poked through the blanket like peeking eyes that were curious about the world beyond it. The "sanctuary" was a good distance away from society. Away from vehicles screeching on the concrete. Away from the thousands of conversations from the thousands of people walking those beaten sidewalks. Now this was asylum. The sanctuary used to have a thriving forest around them. Now the barren trees surrounding it made it look like a setting from Nightmare Before Christmas. And technically, that's what this was. This Halloween Town was packed with people that have suffered (and is still suffering) all kinds of ills. And their Pumpkin King? More like a bumpkin queen that remained idle most of the time. At the front desk, reading the latest issue of "things no one gives a sh*t about". Meanwhile, the eldest of the protagonists rested her tired eyes against the lumpy pillows of her quaint little home. The walls of this room were still a bleached white, same with the sheets. These were her first few days here, proof of her existence was absent everywhere else in the room. The blankness of this room would drive the greek woman mad, attempting to bring some colour in using anything she could get her hands on, gravy, ink, charcoal, paint, blood. Luckily for her sake, she hasn't gotten that desperate. But she was on the edge. In order to "silence the voices" as she puts it, she would smoke cigarettes. That was her medicine, her fuel. Her way of coping. And ever-so lucky for her, this place is non-smoking. At least in prison, she would be able to smoke. Here, Diana hasn't even seen one of the nicotine-filled bastards. You'd think that a pure white room and nicotine withdrawal would keep her mind awake and raving, but it was more like having a really heavy cry and then taking a nap afterward. Good, there was one thing she knew for certain: she wasn't an insomniac. This woman could hear everything. Being jolted awake with the jamming of the keys into the lock, the more-than-audible clank it made and the turning of the iron door knob. Her hazel eyes were the first to awaken. Then it was her upper body, her arms forcing her to push the body into a seated position. Her long chestnut brown hair was frazzled with some strands awkwardly sticking straight outward. Her "natural" makeup had been smeared all over her face from tossing and turning. The dark olive eyeshadow that ended up all around her eyes and the pale lipstick made her look like the Joker's evil stepmother. She looked up at her intruder with a blank, unamused expression. "You can glare at me all you want, Ms. Leventis, but that doesn't change the fact that you've overslept." Said the nurse. Diana stayed silent, not breaking eye contact. "Time?" She asked simply, her voice a tired growl. "Past breakfast. The most you could get at the cafeteria is maybe half a bagel." The nurse answered with a frown. "Your job to wake." Diana growled again as she got to her feet and moved past the nurse. "You're in your mid 50's, Ms. Leventis. I hardly doubt you need your mommy to call you down for breakfast." She scoffed as she followed the greek to the showers. Diana turned around and grinned a tired, sarcastic grin. "Yet, here you are." She said, then continuing her journey. "Tell me, mother, will you be back again later to tuck me in bed and read me a bedtime story? I do love a good nursery rhyme." She jeered as the nurse scrunched her face. "Just get ready." She said as she ran back and locked Diana's room. In the showers, Diana undressed and stepped in, letting the steaming water wash over her and calm her, almost to the point of fatigue. After a good 15 minutes, she stepped out, put her face and clothes on and went to the cafeteria in search of her promised half-bagel. Diana wore a black collared shirt with a brocade vest of the same primary colour, grey being secondary. Worn athletic shoes protected her little feet and a pair of beige cargo pants clothed her petite lower body. Her hair rested on her back and her face was properly made for public. Around her neck was a silver chain, its pendants were hidden by her clothing.

Colin observed more and more people pour into the cafeteria driven by the smell of breakfast. He got on line for food to see if anything looked appetizing and of course none of it did. He settled for a cup of black coffee and looked around for a place to sit. His eyes met the gaze of a guy that looked about his age that sat alone across the room. Colin could feel the corner of his mouth curl up into a sly smirk at the sight of him. He is definitely nice to look at and now to find out if he's alright with conversation. He sauntered over to his table keeping his eyes locked on him the entire time. He placed his cup of coffee on the table and pulled out a chair from the table, spun it around, and took a seat. He did all of this without saying a word and he now rested his arms on the backrest of the chair. "Hey, I'm Colin. I don't believe I've had the pleasure of speaking to you yet." He picked up his coffee from the table and took a sip as he continued to maintain eye contact with this boy that sat across from him.

Ryan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. This guy was certainly a nice piece of eye candy. However he had to remember this was an asylum. “Umm… hey, my name’s Ryan. I just got here a couple days ago, so that’s why we haven’t met.” Ryan managed to force the words out. He wasn’t very anxious, but he did think this boy was cute which was cause for slight nervousness, the fact that he could even speak was an accomplishment at that point. Well he was already this far in, might as well push the envelope. “So, not to sound cliché, but what are you in for?” He asked before taking a sip of his own coffee and munching a crispy piece of bacon.

Colin smiled he could practically smell the anxiety emanating from Ryan. He was like a lone wolf that can detect weakened prey. He had surely found the perfect target. "I just got here last night. So you're the first person to be graced by my presence." Colin's words rolled off his tongue smoothly in his enthralling British accent. Colin scoffed at his question and rested his chin on the palm of his hand and tilted his head slightly. "I'm not here for being well-behaved, that's for sure." Colin couldn't help but admire Ryan and he gave him another quick once over. He stared into his eyes alluringly and smiled that devious smile that could melt your heart. "It was either try and 'get better' here or got to jail. I'm starting to regret my decision at least the grub in prison would be edible." He leaned back and put his hands behind his head to stretch a bit. His unbuttoned shirt opened up further while he stretched exposing his pale tattooed torso. He rested his arms back down onto the back of the chair and began to speak again. "You know of anyone that can get me some stogs? I'm dying for a smoke." He ran is fingers through his hair and glanced around the room for anyone else that looked appetizing.

With that display of narcissism Ryan was suddenly not nearly as attracted to the guy as he was jus seconds ago. And with that he no longer felt any kind of anxiety so his words now flowed freely. “Ah, well I’m here for trying to kill myself. I have major depressive disorder, or mono-polar depression as it’s more commonly known.” He said as he flashed his own sly grin. “Sorry, I don’t know where to get any smokes, but if I see anyone with some I’ll point them your way.” He leaned back in his chair and started chewing on the handle of his spork, his oral fixation kicking in, tapping it against his teeth and running his tongue along the handle.