Salice's Story

"What! What! What!" The female laughed as she approached the building in a taxi. The driver- the whole way- had had more than enough of this girl. She had nearly killed them with her ignorant screaming.

"Get the hell out of my car!" The driver turned looking at her and she just sat there in the back of his seat.

She pulled a hundred dollar bill from her pocket and smiled. "Here you go, this is all I have and you've been such a kind soul. So here," she she took the piece of gum off the hundred dollar bill and put it into his hair. "Thank you, for making me feel loved," she said in sarcasm.

The driver pulled a gun and put it to her head and she laughed hard. "If that was loaded, you would've done that twenty miles back." As he cocked the handgun she held it straight and her face went serious. "It would make me so fucking happy to see you paint this taxi with the sadness and pain in my soul, blood, heart, and mind."

He felt his palms become sweaty and he stared at her with a dead look. He put the gun down and sat it in the passenger seat. Salice smiled and sat the money beside the gun as a tip, stepping out of the taxi without a word except, "You better hope you aren't the one taking me home."

She walked away hearing the car pull off digging a mini trench with the hind tires. She didn't look back and she didn't feel bad about a thing. She breathed deep and she pulled a cigarette from her bra. It was a Newport. As she pulled the pink lighter from her jean's pocket she whispered, "If this experiment goes wrong, people will start dropping." She lit the cigarette and looked around. "I wonder if I am the only one here. That or I am quite late."

As Salice headed toward the front door, she looked suddenly felt a slight chill pass her. She stood on the steps and her mind lost a thought running into another; 'Cell signals don't work. There's no landlines. No television.' "Shit," she whispered taking her Blackberry from her back pocket and turning it on.

When she saw she had no bars and couldn't text or call, she shook her head. "Fuck." She said in a breath. She stood outside and took a drag of the lit Newport and touched the building. "This better work." She stayed outside finishing the entire cigarette within minutes. Flicking the butt into a patch of orange-brown dead flowers, she sighed and walked into the building humming a random tune.

Her black, steel toe, combat boots thudded lightly against the floor as she walked through and into a room seeing a male with a mohawk, but she shook her head walking passed him. She sighed and sat on the floor looking about, waiting, taking in the fact she was even here.

Seth

He stood awkwardly for a moment, his fingers fidgeting with his pack straps, as he looked about the entrance. He wasn't exactly pleased with the way things were going. Everyone seemed to be lost in their own little worlds. He frowned, growing slightly irritated. This was why he wasn't a people person. He was nice enough to put himself out and crack the ice a bit, but no one was willing to bite. He gazed about the corridor, taking note of the age of the building. It was beautiful, he wouldn't deny that, but something about the place felt..unnerving, as if he could feel eyes upon him. He shook the feeling away and mentally kicked himself. Yeah, great idea, genius. Freak yourself out. He chuckled at himself, noting his sudden uncertainty of exploring the halls now. Last thing he wanted was to stumble upon a body, or ghost, or whatever spooky shit he could think of. This was definitely the building for it.

His attention shifted as an other person entered from outside. He turned, welcoming the distraction, and smirked. Another chick. Damn, this place was going to be brimming with girls if this keeps up, He chuckled softly to himself, And people think guys have more issues.. Either this was going to be horrible, or this was going to be heaven. Stuck in a building full of females may be one man's dream, but Seth could see the downside to that. Girls had a habit of either grouping together or making their female counterpart's lives miserable, in turn making everyone else miserable, and heaven help everyone during their 'special moment', as they call it, when they become crazier than normal. They weren't human. What creature could bleed for days and not die, honestly? That and since everyone here seemed to have some sort of 'issue'..things definitely wouldn't be dull.

He watched as the new girl walked by, seemingly shaking her head at him. Well, screw you too, he thought, grimacing when he caught wind of her cigarette smell. Ugh. Definitely lost hot points. He frowned, watching as she sat down upon the floor. It was a shame too. She was kind of pretty. In fact all these chicks weren't that bad looking, he thought as he scanned the group once more. He just hoped they all didn't smoke. Last thing he wanted was to be stuck in the middle of nowhere in a place that stunk of cigarettes. That or possibly be tasting it..one never knew. Females may be one of the stranger things to walk the earth, but, damn, they could give a guy a good time.

Tam had been just standing there when all of a sudden someone walked right into her, them being allot taller and bigger than her almost sent Tam crashing to the ground.

“Holy shit what the fuck hit me, a Mack Truck or something” she said in a playful tone of voice.

"Sorry about that," he muttered, "Are you okay?" said the guy that had just walked into her.

Tam smirked, “Eh it’s alright kid don't worry about it I've had worse things run into me” she noticed that he didn't look her in the eyes but it didn't bother her and she didn't press it.

She noticed other people coming up and stopping at the door, one was a girl that looked to be in her own little world, and another stepped into the first corridor of the house as Tam was preoccupied with the guy that had walked into her. Then she noticed a guy with a Mohawk come in as well, not wanting to be the last one in she stepped in behind him.

"So", he said as he entered, "Anybody have a look around Bates Motel yet?"

Tam chuckled a little “Yeah it’s creepy as fuck, but it’s free” she then proceeded to make the Psycho noise and doing stabbing motions in the air. “Ree ree ree ree!”, she couldn't help but laugh a little at the sound echoing in the room a bit.

The house was old and everything that was in it appeared to be old and expensive there was an old painting of a guy dressed in Victorian clothing.

Tam walked up to the painting and smirked, “So where do you get your clothes?” she said to the painting, it was one of those weird ones that looked like their eyes followed you wherever you go. Tam decided to ignore it and move on to something else. Another girl walked in and sat down on the floor,

Tam looked around at group of misfits, “This is gonna get interesting” she said as she found a chair in a corner and sat down. She was beginning to wonder where this doctor was, shouldn't he be here to greet them.

Looking up at the male she had passed earlier, she saw the expression on his face and spoke up. "I don't know you, I'd say hello, but I'm still wondering about the taxi driver that tried to shoot my brains out with an empty gun. Tried," she repeated to herself.

She looked around and she stood to her feet, she had a small fear of women and yet she found every one of them to be quite attractive.

"Mohawk!"

She smiled at the girl that blurted out to the mohawk-sporter. Seeing the girl's face become embarrassed, Salice said to her, "It happens to everyone. As long as you don't do that during sex, things will be pretty good." She spoke in a joking manner and she smiled a little more.

The look on her face became a little more 'pleasant' to be around. She asked both the mohawk male and the Japanese female, "What are your names? I'm Salice." (Sal-iss) She hadn't really cared for the ones that she didn't see. Her mind was stuck on the two near her and she asked another question. "Why are you here?"

As she looked at them, her head began to feel heavy, but she kept a decent smile to her face. This was only normal for her. It only happened when her mind felt it necessary to switch to what she called, 'lying impulsiveness'.

This means, very much like an addict would be addicted to any kind of thing, she was addicted to lying. She couldn't help it and the fact that she had been working on being more truthful- well... that in itself became instant trouble.

Seth

“Yeah it’s creepy as fuck, but it’s free.” The new voice drew his attention and he turned to the girl who now stood beside him. He tensed some, startled by her sudden appearance, and took a step back. He didn't like that she snuck up on him without realizing, but he managed to keep himself composed and merely smiled awkwardly upon her Psycho impression. Free? Did he hear her right? Was she here as some kind of test subject or was she here for help? He knew he wasn't paying for any of this, it was all coming out of the state's pocket, so he was unsure just what exactly she meant. If she was some sort of test subject that wasn't going to sit well with him. What sort of place would endanger a volunteer by sticking her in with a bunch of possibly violent psychopaths? Not anyplace he wanted to be 'treated' in that was for sure. He opened his mouth to ask her straight out, but she seemed to have other things in mind. So, instead, he watched, in confused amusement, his head tilted some, as she bounded away and began conversing with an old painting. Well, that settles that question, he decided, snickering as she eventually sat down. He shook his head and shrugged. Not like he was one to judge, him being here as well. This was a place for crazy people. Who knew what she thought. For all he knew, everyone else here was thinking they were standing in friggin' Candyland, singing with cartoon kittens and such. He laughed at that thought, turning once more as more newcomers made their way into the building.

His smiled disappeared upon seeing the male and was replaced by a look of distrust and disapproval. The way he held himself, his ragged, sickly appearance..either this guy was sick or he was coming off something. Growing up with drug-addicted parents made things a bit easier to see in that area. Junkies weren't hard to point out. That and seeing as this was supposed to be a 'treatment' center, he could bet this guy wasn't suffering from the common cold. Though that in itself made him think twice. The guy wasn't twitching or spazzing out, so he possibly wasn't that hard of a user. That and him being here meant either he or someone was trying to change something in his life. Either way he supposed was good, but that still didn't take away the unease he felt of there being a possible drug abuser in the building. He unconsciously traced his fingers along the scar which tore across his neck. Drug addiction was no game. It fucked with people's lives.

"Mohawk!" Again, he was jolted out of his thoughts as yet another girl made herself known. His smile returned with full force, realizing she appreciated the hair. It was something he was usually scorned about. Knowing that there were some people who understood the term 'different' made his hope for humanity raise..just a little bit. "I was just admiring the hair. It's awesome." He nodded his head in agreement as she stepped up to him. "I know," he grinned, shifting his pack. He didn't like most people, but that didn't mean he didn't like being the center of attention. He was about to say something more, when the girl from before spoke out. "It happens to everyone. As long as you don't do that during sex, things will be pretty good."

"Heh," He laughed at her unexpected bluntness. He was surprised to see things already heading down that road. He couldn't help but raise his brows upon her remark about the driver pulling a gun on her, quickly casting the Asian girl a questioning glance. "A gun, huh?" Whether the chick was telling the truth or not, he didn't really care, but he supposed he'd try to keep things nice before they all really got to know each other. Thus, deciding it would be in his best interest to skip the "Why are you here?" part, he introduced himself. "Name's Seth," he nodded, unconsciously clicking his tongue, "I dunno about you guys, but I'd like to hold onto my little bit of privacy whilst I can. I'm sure we're all gunna find out our 'dirty little secrets' later." He emphasized 'dirty little secrets' whispering sarcastically.

Theo felt her nervousness disappear just a little as the guy with the mohawk not only grinned at her, but nodded as well and agreed with her. Not that he wouldn't, but an 'I know', was much better than a 'yeah idiot, that's why I have one'. Not that she didn't appreciate sarcasm she was just...not in the mood or mindset.

She smiled at the girl that blurted out to the mohawk-sporter. Seeing the girl's face become embarrassed, Salice said to her, "It happens to everyone. As long as you don't do that during sex, things will be pretty good." She spoke in a joking manner and she smiled a little more.

Her attention was quickly pulled away when she heard another girl's voice. She recognized her appearance from one she'd blankly looked over from before, and scoffed out a laugh. "That's names. Particularly the wrong one."

She went to sit as she placed her stuff down and looked up at the new girl. Salice...that was interesting. "I'm Theo," she explained, but her accent gave a little twist to it.

She caught mohawk-guys questioning glace when the girl talked about a gun, and her small eyes went wide when she shrugged slightly.

She herself was actually going to answer the question about why she was there, but after Seth's answer and a quick glance towards him she agreed. So she turned her eyes back towards Salice. "Sorry but...I gotta agree with him..." Before the girl got a chance to answer, a large door opened, demanding the attention of the room.

Theo turned slightly to look as an older man entered the room.



Dr. Jones strolled into the room with a smile on his face, surveying his little group of misfits. He was extraordinarily pleased with the turnout.

"Hello everyone," he stated with a little nod as he made his way to the front of the room. "We should all be here. But I'll leave this list here to sign yourselves in after a moment." He healed up the list for everyone to see before sitting it down on the counter.

"First of all, the bedrooms are all on the top two floors, so you will all be choosing these on your own later. I you feel like you need a certain bedroom, let me know and we will discuss it. You've all seen the entrance, and here we are in the greeting hall. To the left is the dining room. Everything is stalked, but if you need certain foods due to allergies or intolerance, we can fetch them for you.

"To the right is the living room and a library. Please do not abuse the books, but feel free to read them. There are outside entrances to all the ground floor rooms. The living room is where we will have our group therapy meetings. At the end of the hall behind the stairs is the family room..." He pointed to the double grand staircase when he mentioned this. "This is the largest room in the house and will be a great meeting place. It connects to the grand kitchen and the breakfast nook."

"Upstairs there are two utility rooms, one on each floor. The bathrooms are all the same size and equip in each room. There are also two hall bathrooms, one on the top floor and one in the hall here. In each upstairs floors there is a game room, which would be a good place for you to convey."

He leaned back on one of the side table and crossed his arms loosely. "You can all look around later. Our sessions will not begin until tomorrow. Privet, at first. Once everyone gets used to each other we will begin to work with groups. There will be no curfews as to when people have to be in bed, but I myself will be asleep around ten or so. Therefor respectable levels of sound would be greatly appreciated. Are there any questions?"

He had been on Methadone for the last twenty four hours - though admittedly not under a doctor's care and definitely not during scheduled times - under the impression that it would help him going into this 'treatment program.' It wasn't the brightest idea, but he was desperate. Sadly, the effects of the Methadone only slightly helped with his withdrawal symptoms and he feared he had not get enough in his system. He ached, he wanted to vomit, his head felt like it was repeatedly being rammed into a wall, and his bones felt like they were breaking over and over again. All he wanted was to shoot up again: to leave this house and find the nearest dealer. Of course, he wouldn't because what he truly wanted, in his heart, was to be clean.

Kieran noticed the uneasy stares he had gotten from two of the other people in the program. He hadn't even been here for twenty minutes and people were judging him. Not that he was any better, because he had already begun to judge the others as well. The girl who had introduced herself as Salice came across as untrustworthy, though she was stunningly beautiful. Mohawk boy had stared at him like he was some sort of filth. The girl who bore a striking resemblance to Nina Dobrev, could barely look at him at all. The Japanese girl, well he didn't have enough time to make any judgments about her because the doctor had came in.

There was something about Dr. Jones that immediately made Kieran uncomfortable, and like he should just run away from this place and never look back, but he knew that if he did that he would never get better. He knew that if he left he'd likely die on the streets from an overdose, with no one ever knowing his name. He'd be just another junkie, another statistic.

When the creepy doctor brought up a library, Kieran perked up instantaneously. He loved to read, almost as much as he loved painting, and loved tattoos. Speaking of art, he wondered if he would have any access to art supplies.

He coughed, clearing his throat. "Dr. Jones, if we wanted something like paints and canvas, is there anyway we'll be able to get a hold of these things? Or will we just have to wait until the program is over?" His voice was confident, a little on the deep side, even though it was a tiny bit weak from being 'sick.'

Salice peaked over Theo's shoulder and as she did, she watched the doctor step into the room. At first, she thought, 'Wow, he looks just as insane as I am.' but as he spoke she shut down the thought after hearing he was the doctor.

As Dr. Jones finished with Kieran and Theo, Salice asked, "Yes, I have one," speaking after Kieran. "All I want is an acoustic guitar and grapes. I understand the grapes can be dealt with, but I need some kind of music. If it's possible, I'd like it to be red. Please." She crossed her left arm over upper abdomen and used it to prop her left arm as her fingers tossed in her short, black hair.

"And about the noise, what happens if we wake you up? I can see where it would be quite rude, but I am just wondering. And what is a group session? Can we skip out on it?"

She laughed inside as she came up with constant questions, but she couldn't help herself. She knew what she was doing as the annoyance level of her own soon annoyed herself. She stopped and smiled. "Sorry, a bad habit of asking questions without getting answers to the one I asked before."

She looked down at her shoes, 'playing' a pretty convincing innocent embarrassment. "Sorry folks," she whispered.

Seth

He watched as the older man finally introduced himself. Everything about this whole damn situation seemed scripted: a group of young, crazy kids, a creepy, old house in the middle of nowhere and some old coot.. Call him superstitious or just plain paranoid, but things just didn't feel right. Add that on with the fact that he didn't want to be here..he was finding it difficult to keep complacent. However, he didn't feel much like sticking his neck out and bringing unnecessary attention at the moment, thus, he held his tongue and listened to the man's words. He was actually surprised by the old goat. He was sure this place was going to be co-ed and he figured rules were going to be much stricter. Considering he was here due to rather unpleasant circumstances, he could only assume others were as well. Thus, the leniency this guy was giving them seemed a little too good to be true. That and these so called 'punishments'?-Things will be taken away if someone is 'bad'? He scoffed the thought. He wasn't a child. None of them were. At least, physically, emotionally or mentally he had no idea where some of these people stood. How was this doctor going to keep everyone leashed? Surely, he couldn't be the only one here? What's to stop he and the others from joining up and causing some kind of riot? One thing for sure, if someone pushed him far enough, it was going to take a lot more than a slap on the wrist to keep him from what he thought was right.

He wasn't going to push his luck, but he wanted to know more about this place and what it was he was getting into. At least therapy would start off private. It wasn't anybody's business why he was here and he sure as hell didn't feel like walking on eggshells or having to explain himself. He was happy the old timer was allowing questions and he perked up some. He was happy to hear someone else had some interest in art, so at least that would be taken care of. He impatiently waited his turn, when Salice barraged the poor guy with her questions. He rolled his eyes and scoffed, "Grapes, really?" Though her onslaught of questions were irksome, he couldn't help but find some of her desires amusing. Just how spoiled was she? She must've grown up lavishly, if she thought she could bark out exact details of what she wanted and expected to get it that way. He did agree with her on music, though. If anything, that was one thing which helped him cope. When she finally stopped yammering he took his chance to ask his questions, before she started up again.

"So, uh..who else is gunna be babysitting? You're not the only 'caretaker' here are you?" He pulled his pack higher up on his shoulders and shifted his weight. "And just how much are we allowed to look around the place? Can we go outside and are there any places we're not allowed?" Regardless of rules, he wasn't going to allow himself to be locked inside. He wasn't a prisoner, that was what he made sure of by choosing this instead of jail. He had a darkness and it needed to be kept in check.

Tam

Tam sat and watched the others as the doc, went on about the rules. Tam wasn't really worried about it as long as everybody left her alone she'd leave them alone it was as simple as that. But seeing the percentage of females that was unlikely to happen. Over the years Tam had come to really not like the company of other females. The back biting, the name calling the just all around evil towards one another. At least guys just walk up to each other and start beating the crap out of one another, girls liked to hurt more than just skin or bone. She wasn't really paying attention to him till he said something about going to town for some things. The only thing she could think of need in was a carton of cigarettes and speaking of cigarettes.

The guy that looked like he was going through withdrawal ask for paints and stuff, the girl that had introduced herself to everyone as Salice started spouting off a list of shit she wanted. She couldn't help but mentally chuckle at this chick seriously where did she think she was the Four Seasons. Tam shook her head and waited for the best time to say something, when the guy with the mohawk made a good point. Was the doc the only person of authority here, it was a good point from what Tam did pick up from the rules there weren't many and they were pretty lenient. How did this doctor expect to keep a hand full of crazy people in line all by himself. He also made the point to say something about where they could and couldn't go. This was another good point Tam wasn't the type that liked to stay cooked up inside for too long.

Tam finally decided to ask her own question, "Hey Doc I got a questions can we smoke inside or do we have to smoke outside. I mean I hope we can smoke cause if I don't have TV or internet well that's the next best thing besides my ipod. But if it's a no on smoking I'll live I've done it before" she shifted in the chair waiting for the doctor to answer her back.

After looking down and hearing all of her questions answered, she smirked, but felt the eyes of more than one person on her. Growing uncomfortable, she pushed her hair back again- this had been a habit of nervousness since she was young.

She turned to see if anyone was looking at her and she spotted Amelia and her eyes passed her to dart toward the others and she looked to Seth as he said, "Grapes, really?".

She whispered to him, "I can't eat anything else." Her eyes darted around the room again, passing each person; Stella, Theo, Kierun, and stopped at Tam who was behind her and seated. After Dr. Jones answered her question she looked to him and asked her final question, "Doc? Would it be possible to turn me invisible?" Of course, her question was a simple joke as she continued in a slightly sarcastic manner, "A lot of people here tend to keep staring at me, I'd rather not go through that. It makes me kind of... anxious." She smirked and shook her head a small laugh escaped her lips and she didn't care who looked.

"Sorry, Doc. I am a bit... well... my oddity takes over with my insanity. It happens." She turned and she looked at Seth and Tam. "Don't worry, I will be sure to keep my jokes in around you two. You guys seem so uptight about whatever it is you're here for. I mean come on, face it. You're here and if you wanted to leave, you'd be gone. I could be one of those people who go around killing for no reason and only came here to do that, but am I? Nope." She kept a serious, yet playful tone as she said those last two sentences: 'I could be one of those people who go around killing for no reason and only came here to do that, but am I? Nope.'

Her face was dedicated to that half lie. She didn't enroll into this place to kill, but she didn't have a problem doing the Devil's bidding either. She turned around and grabbed a pen from her combat boot and smirked signing onto the sheet of paper. After she signed she turned and was now facing everyone, but she just stared into air in thought.

"This will be fun." She walked toward a hall to her left and smirked. "And interesting. Fun and interesting." Not once did she feel embarrassed, but she knew if she stayed she would become angry feeling stared at. After she had signed the paper she had a small flashback of herself at age 15.

Flashback [Flashbacks are short and are only used to give a piece of my character away]:

"Hey! Give that back!" Young Salice- age 15- screamed at the top of her lungs. A child, only seven at the time, had taken her guitar and coloured all over it with black marker.

"Salice!" Her foster father had yelled at her from the doorway. "Salice leave June alone! She's a child!"

"So! It is mine and this bitch fucked it up!" She caught sight of a little girl and boy that had been laughing the whole time. They were twins- age 9 at the time. Salice was angry and she looked up at her foster parent and dropped the guitar strap mumbling, "She can have it. I have other things to do anyway."

"Thank you, Salice." The foster parent spoke with a smile to keep calm. Salice walked out and eyed both twins with an angered look.

After dinner, Salice met the twins in their room. While foster father was tending to the other children, she closed the door. They smiled and waved to Salice and Salice just grinned. She led them to their closet having told them about a treasure and they followed without worry. The closet was walk-in and Salice closed the door behind them. She smirked and grabbed each by their long blond hair.

Immediately, they screamed for help, but it was useless. Salice smashed both of their heads together knocking them out cold and she pulled a kitchen knife- her favourite weapon of choice- from the front of her pants. She smiled and as she had done to her sister a couple of years back, she slit their throats clean and left the closet, closing it again and running the knife to her room.

Kieran was under the impression he was the only one taking this seriously, but he was sure it was because most of the participants didn't look much older than their teens and he was twenty three years old. His attention was quickly brought to the girl called Salice, and he cocked an eyebrow. His eyes briefly met with hers as she looked from person to person. This girl sure loved to talk, and even though she said she felt 'anxious' with all the eyes on her, it seemed like she enjoyed the attention. He also got the feeling she was totally and completely insane, though what else should he expect from the type of program he had enrolled himself in?

He ran a hand through his pale brown hair, taking a deep breath. He was glad he hadn't eaten on the trip here, because if he had he would have lost it all right here in the middle of everyone. He stuffed his shaking hands into the pockets of his leather jacket. All at once he felt hot and cold, like his body couldn't make up its mind. It was horrible and it only got worse with every passing moment. If only he hadn't been foolish enough to pick up such a horrible habit, he wished he could go back in time and choose a different path for himself.

He was extremely happy at the news he could have his paints, and it was enough to put a smile on his face. This doctor, though slightly creepy, now had his respect. He now had hope that his entire life could turn around and it could be like the drug addiction never existed.

Of course that was unrealistic, and he was already giving himself and overly grand perception of this place...but that was him. He either hated something or he loved it, and either notion could change in a heartbeat. He wasn't very stable in that regard.

"Oh, I have another question. What happens if we get sick or break a bone or something? Are there supplies here for that, or will we just be rushed to the hospital?" He was curious and it seemed like a valid question. I mean, this place couldn't be prepared for every little thing. Could it? What if someone had an allergic reaction? Or a heart attack? Or God forbid tried to commit suicide? With no access to a phone...what would they do in a emergency situation like that?

Seth

He raised his brows in surprised satisfaction. Free roam, eh? He could definitely live with that. He was beginning to like this whole therapy idea. What was better than 'paying for your crime' than a vacation? This was guna be a walk in the park. Sure, he'd be surrounded by some freaks for a bit, but honestly, that seemed to be the only downside for now. If worse came to worse he knew how to handle himself. He doubted one old guy would be much of an issue, if it came to that; especially considering his pals were 'in town'. "Just how far is civilization, anyway? Any chance we'd be able to tag along instead of giving you a shopping list?" He'd enjoy this time away. A little break, never did any harm, but if things started going haywire, he wanted to be prepared on just how long of a hike it would be to reach town.

His eyes scanned over to the 'painting whisperer' and made a face when she brought up smoking. Though everything seemed to be as if he stepped back in time, he was happy to hear that indoor smoking was still a no-no. At least he wouldn't have to worry about too much smoker's stink. His eyes turned to Salice, seeing as she was a smoker herself, and caught her gaze. "I can't eat anything else." She whispered at him. He knotted his brows in confusion. Can't eat anything else? How could someone possibly survive on grapes alone? "What? Are you allergic to everything or something?" He was genuinely curious as to why she could only eat one specific fruit. His curiosity was nipped in the butt however when she took offense to his inquiries. Jokes? When was she joking? And what the hell was she talking about, he and that Tam-chick, being so uptight? What did she even do?

"Whoa, bitch much?" He commented as Salice continued ranting, growing more irksome as his reasons for being here we're pulled into the conversation. Her behavior was really starting to get under his skin. "Wow," he scoffed, anger now slowly becoming apparent in his words, "Okay, first, it's not anybody's damn business why I'm here. Second, maybe you had the luxury of being able to choose coming here, but some people might not have been so lucky. So, get your facts straight before you start flipping out." He watched her sign in and leave, thankful he didn't have to continue dealing with her retarded accusations and so called 'oddities'. "Fuck," he groaned, rubbing his hands down his face, "It is way to early for this shit.."

It was starting to look like a house full of women was going to be a bad thing. If this was how chicks were going to act..things were going to get ugly quick. He wasn't good at dealing with stupid. People who boast or demand things or become overly-emotional, yet pretend they don't like the attention that obviously comes with it, were going to be in for a rude awakening. He wasn't one to sit idly by, especially if he was the topic of discussion.

"Oh, I have another question. What happens if we get sick or break a bone or something? Are there supplies here for that, or will we just be rushed to the hospital?" He chuckled upon hearing this question. The guy seemed to be clairvoyant. Seeing as he already arguing, who knew when things were going to get really ugly. If someone came swinging at him, he was going to make sure they would never think to again. That's just how he was. You let people slip by with minor scoldings, they think they can do anything. You give a person a reason to be afraid, now that would lessen the chances of them making the same mistake. He hoped so anyway, in the outside world, logic at least had some influence. Here it seemed to be lacking..

As Salice left, she'd pay no attention to anyone anymore. Walking around the halls she looked around at everything. She was in no rush to pick a room seeing as the only time she slept would be in a bed owned by someone else in foster care a few years back and recently, she'd been sleeping outside. She wanted to be alone as well, so if everyone picked a room before her, she'd know where to be farthest away.

"This place isn't so bad I guess." She had spoken to herself and her eyes closed as she shook her head- ridding her tears. "Sheesh Bartolé, get yourself together." She looked around and stopped. "Ooops," she said quietly realizing she was a little lost. Shrugging, she kept walking knowing eventually, she'd find her way back.

Looking up and down and every-which-way possible, she sat under a portrait and stretched her legs out in front of her. "Why get attached?" she said to herself- thinking out loud. "Everyone that gets near you dies or tries to kill you. I mean, for god sake you scared the piss out of the taxi driver. You can't help it, but you know you're doing it. I don't get it. How can someone so traumatized end up so afraid? So broken and yet hurt people at the same time? You'll be okay. You came for help. Just steer clear of everyone and you will be good for the time being."

She leaned her head against the wall and took a deep breath, closing her eyes and crossing her arms. "It'll be alright." She whispered again and again repeating the words.

Tam watched as the girl named Salice just walked away from the group, Tam shrugged her shoulders and her attention went back to the guy going through withdrawals. She had seen the symptoms enough in her life that she could pick it out a mile away, her mother had tried to quit and failed miserably every single time. She didn't know why she felt sorry for him but she did, maybe it was all those years of sitting next to her mother's bed putting a cool wet cloth on her forehead trying to give her some relief as she shook and shivered in bed. Many time Tam would have to make sure her mother was safe especially if she went into convulsions. All of those things and more had taken a toll on Tam her entire life. Even though she tried to act tough at times certain things really tugged at her heart.

She stood up from the chair, "Well I don't know about you guys but I'd like to check out the bedrooms" she walked up behind the guy with the lite brown hair. He looked worse now than he did when he came in, she knew he probably felt like he was either gonna puke or pass out or maybe both.

She stepped up to him and placed her hand on his his shoulder. "Hey man you don't look like you feel to hot, I'll carry your bag. You just tell me what room you want it in once we get up there" she said quietly not wanting to speak to loudly knowing, more than likely his head was probably pounding along with many other unpleasant feelings at the moment.

Kieran watched Seth and Salice's exchange, not really wanting to butt in as he had no interest in getting involved in any drama that may occur...though he knew it was likely there would be some. He wanted no part in it, especially when he knew everyone in the house wasn't exactly stable and could snap at any moment: himself included. Not to mention the loud voices weren't doing anything positive for his aching head.

He was just about to pick out his bags when a girl who looked like she was in her late teens approach him. She was pretty with her short dark hair and vibrant blue eyes, but he couldn't help but notice how thin she was. He suspected she was here for some form of eating disorder, and probably several other things - something about her didn't exactly scream 'I'm so happy with my life.' And it saddened him that someone as young as she obviously was, though he wasn't much older at 23, that she had to join this restrictive program.

"I think I'll be okay. In fact, I should probably be helping you with your bags," He told her quietly, giving her a smile that was just large enough to show the dimple on his left cheek. He must have looked as awful as he felt. It wasn't often people offered a hand to an obvious drug user in withdrawal, and though he was grateful to her for asking his pride wasn't going to allow him to accept.

"Thank you though, for wanting to help. I'm Kieran." He added, introducing himself as he picked up his bag with shaky hands. In the back of his mind he wanted to run out of the building and find the nearest person willing to sell him heroin, or anything. The thoughts simply wouldn't subside. "I wouldn't mind if you came with me though, just to make sure I don't fall down the stairs or something horrible." He smiled again, but knew he was serious despite the fact he wished it wasn't. He could collapse at any moment and hurt himself, and that was something he definitely didn't want to happen.

After a few minutes, Salice had been thinking. I can't make enemies. Not now, anyway. I have to apologize. "HA!" She laughed shortly out loud and smiled standing to her feet. I'll go and apologize.

While she walked down the halls, she followed the pictures she had been looking at prior to seating herself. She tripped a couple of times and stopped. "Get it together. You are just tired." She walked again and eventually she found where she had started.

As she stepped forward she noticed Seth immediately, his hair drew her attention- positively. She smiled for a single second and then her face drew back to a content look. "Seth?" She tapped him with her pointer finger on the shoulder as light as a fly landing on a table. She had walked up to him after he'd asked the doctor about asking questions.

Her stomach churned and she closed her eyes breathing in deep. "I apologize." She spoke before he even turned around and made a self-confused face thinking, Huh... maybe that really is a problem- speaking before getting an answer.

She wasn't apologizing to make friendship, but she was apologizing that way she didn't have enemies. Of course, it would be awkward considering she started that one out of paranoid action.

Seth

"Yes, of course, follow me." Seth was ready to do just that when Salice reentered the room. "Seth?"He froze when she spoke his name, already having her horrible voice committed to memory. His back still facing her, only the doctor could see just how dark of a grimace he wore. Aw, fuck.. He mentally groaned, preparing for an other onslaught of pointless rants, What now? Unaware just how close she was, her light touch was unwelcome and unexpected. He turned quickly, anger rising once more. He didn't like people entering his bubble, especially someone he didn't like or trust. Who knew what they had in mind? His first intention was to break that finger. However, hearing her apologize, his anger quickly became displaced. He quirked his brows in confusion as he moved his hands to his pack straps and stepped back. "..What?" He was caught offguard. Didn't they just have an argument? He still wanted to scream at her, hit her, do something unpleasant to her, and here she was already apologizing.. He looked over to the Dr. who seemed to be just as confused as he was and returned his gaze back to Salice.

She seemed to be in a genuine good mood again..and he wasn't sure whether that was a good or bad thing. "Okay.."He fumbled, unsure of what to say, "Um, me too..I guess." He was very confused. Was she bipolar? Was this something she did on a normal basis or was this just natural girl behaviour? He failed to understand how people thought. He was still struggling not to snap at her. He didn't like the way she held herself and she made it clear a few minutes ago that she didn't like the way he held himself either, yet apparently she was able to get over it. He mentally frowned. She was nuts, definitely no doubt about that, but she stepped up and owned her wrong, so he couldn't remain too upset. He didn't trust her though. Regardless if she actually meant it or not, he still didn't know her and seeing how easy it was to get under her skin and see how she acted, he wasn't going to go out of his way to make friends. He'd accept her apology and keep things civil, but that's as far as things would go for now. "Well, shall we?" He caught the old goat's gaze and immediately answered, "Yeah." With a goodbye nod towards Salice, he quickly turned to once more follow the Dr., happy to have the man lead him away.

She caught the look of the doctor and then the look of Seth himself. She was tempted to say something, but that would defeat the purpose of an apology. She nodded and as they both turned, she would then turn her own way as well. She, again, ventured off down another hall. This time she kept track of where she was going.

"That wasn't so bad," she said to herself- thinking out loud again when she paused in a dead stop. She stared off into the air just as she did after signing the paper. It was a flashback of her sister and herself.

Flashback:

"You are connected to an operator, what is your emergency?" A sweet voice on the other end of the telephone spoke quickly and understandably.

"Yes, yes, yes," the 12 year old's voice was cracky and quiet. Scared. So it seemed. "My sister is dead. My father killed my sister." She began to push tears from her eyes and kept her voice quiet- as if she were hiding from someone.

"Okay sweetheart, I'm going to need to know your address, talk as fast as you can. Is he still in the home?"

"N-no, he left, but I am s-scared to leave the house."

"Alright dear, keep yourself where you are and let me know your address."

As she told the address in a whisper, but loud enough to be heard, she slid herself down in the closet and began kicking at the door and then screaming blood-curdling screams. "NO! NO! PLEASE DADDY! I'M SORRY! I DIDN'T MEAN T-" She hung up the telephone and smiled sitting up in the closet.

Before she called 9-1-1, Salice had locked the closet door from the outside and closed it. Then she tied a necktie around the two doorknobs as if to 'keep out the angry father'. In reality, her father wasn't there. She hadn't seen her father for three years and yet, somehow, she brilliantly framed him for a murder she committed.

She sat in the closet bored as ever. She'd played with her hair to make it seem as if she'd been in a struggle and within ten minutes- because of where she was located at the time- the police and paramedics were busting down doors and searching for a man that wasn't there.

One of the officers had noticed a brewed cup of coffee and half-smoked cigarette, but never thought anything of it. Salice had her act together again and she watched through the crack under the door as a pair of combat boots strolled in discovering the dead older sister, Melody. She smirked and then watched the boots walk toward her unlocking the door keeping his gun prepared and Salice whimpered. It was fake of course.

As he heard the whimper, he knew who it was and he said, "It's okay, Salice. It's Uncle Reggie. Open up."

She untied the necktie and he opened the door. She kept her frightened face in check and she dashed up, giving the family friend a hug."

Salice snapped out of her flashback, but she stayed still. She didn't feel any remorse for anyone and yet the apology to Seth made her scared of herself. She didn't know if she meant it, but she tried to mean it. She knew she started off rocky with him and possibly scared away some others.

Her eyes were glossed with a natural fear and gazed down as she tried to remember what she was doing now.

Having had her back to the girl, Salice flinched very lightly. She turned her head and then her body as she nodded to Amelia. "I will be. This happens sometimes when I remember things. I just... I forgot exactly what I was doing."

Salice looked over the female and she asked, "You were the quiet one. From earlier. Do you have a name?" She shook her head and laughed inside at her own question.

'Of course she has a name, everyone has a name!' she said in thought.

As she looked over the female she noticed there was something about her. Something different. She didn't know what it was yet though, but she fixed her own face and she gave a warm smile revealing deep dimples upon her cheeks.

"I'm Salice," she had smiled. "Salice Bartolé."