I fixed my curly brown hair in the cracked mirror; it was getting out of control, steadily looking like a lion’s mane instead of actual human hair. I noticed the bubblegum pink highlights in my hair were beginning to fade out. I sighed, not knowing how I would redo them. Even in the dirty mirror, I could tell that the chocolate colored skin I call my own was paler than normal. My brown eyes had lost all light they once had. Then again, an asylum sucked the life out of anyone who walked through its doors. I probably lost 75 pounds in the time I’ve lived here, which has been two months; that’s a weight lost program if I've ever seen one. I mean from 175 to 100 in two months? Sign me the hell up. Granted, I’ve been here longer than that; it’s been a lot of come-and-go action. I break out and they find me again, simple stuff. The all white dress I was forced to wear everyday was like snow; the cotton gently hugged my frame, as if I would break with too tight a hug. I decided to rip the lower half of the skirt and the sleeves off. I rummaged around my cramped, snow white room to find a blue necklace, carefully fixing it around the collar of the dress. If it was too tight, I’d be put into isolation. If it was too loose, I’d be put on probation. It was the perfect lose-lose situation, if you didn’t know loopholes. The ribbon had to look like the dress was meant to have it attached; the dress had ribbons on it anyway. Its colors were slowly flowing out like a river, but they were hanging on by a thread. I took one last look in the mirror. If anything, I thought I looked like a precious gem, able to shatter at any moment with the slightest touch. But I knew how sturdy a gem could be; even after I’d been thrown into this asylum, I had to last somehow.

I walked out of my room and into a foyer area; I noticed the unknown faces of people all staring at me as I scowled. I never cared about any of them; they were just all in my way. The murmurs were driving me insane as my name was drug through the mud. I’m not the best kid, I know that. I knew what they all said about me; I was the girl who heard voices to them. No one else in this place heard them, but whatever. My meds stop them all from being seen, but no from never hearing all of them. When I was in first grade, a voice told me that it would be a good idea to stab the school bully in the back with scissors. Of course, I did it and was put in this hellhole. Ever since then, I’ve been steadily medicated, but it doesn’t do anything for hearing a certain voice. I let out my exasperated breathing, leaning on a wall. “Go on; I know you want to say something about how much of a bad kid I am.” There was a bell-like chuckle. “If you just act right Samantha, you could leave.” I shook my head as the silk-like female voice invaded what little privacy I had left in my head.

“You know what’ll happen if we leave?”

“No.”

“We’ll just end up back here.”

“Whose fault is that?”

“Yours Lapis.”

“Right, because it wasn’t you who attacked your mom.”

“Mom hates me.”

“Then why has she tried to get you out more than once?”

“She doesn’t care. She just wants the check that comes with me.”

“What check? Besides don’t you care about her? Or are you afraid to face her again?”

“…You take that back.”

“I’m right aren’t I? You're scared that she’ll be tired of you. Believe me, I know-”

I dropped to the floor, yelling and screaming incoherently as she only sighed. “You’re 20 years old. Stop being such a big baby.” I kept screaming and kicking as four men in all white came and grabbed me.

“LET US OUT! C’MON I KNOW YOU HEAR ME!!!” Lapis groaned, covering her ears. She had a grin like a mourning parent; she was happy, but on the brink of tears. The wild black hair my friend had really did resemble a lion’s mane. Her skin was the same color as mine, same with her eye color, height and weight. “They won’t let us leave; you know that.” I glanced at her. “You happy now? I can’t take the meds while I’m in this place.” she shook her head. “I feel constrained.” Lapis snorted. “That’s funny coming from the girl in the strait jacket.” I glared at her. “Do me a favor? Fuck off.” She smiled at me. “None of this would’ve happened if you would’ve calmed down.” I threw my head back; the padded wall cushioned any impact. “Yeah, yeah. You’re right; happy now?” Lapis shook her head. “I’ll be happy one you get out of here.” there were echoing bangs on the iron door. “Hey!” The door suddenly made way for the man on the other side. “Who are you talking to in there?” I groaned. “Really!?! So now you wanna hear me!?! Bad enough I’m seeing this idiot, but now you're the dumbass that just now hears me!?!” Lapis was nowhere to be seen. I rolled my eyes. “And the one time you go ghost on me!” The man was probably 30 years old with the face of death; thin, with hate in his eyes. “C’mon, don’t look at me like that.” I mocked. “I’m a helpless little g-what are you doing?” He undid my straight jacket; without a word, he lead me into a room with metal walls; it was more-so a cage than a room. There was a small bed, a sink and toilet, but nothing really fancy. When I entered the foreign place, I stretched, my bones cracking and muscles stretching to the point of nearly breaking. “Thanks I guess. Maybe you're not a total dumbass.” He smirked at me. “Let’s see if you still have that mouth with the lights out and no more meds.” he shut the lights and slammed the door.

An alarm would wake everyone up at eight every morning. This happened three times. I was fed, but my meds had been cut off. I was in a ball on my bed, my lungs not following orders to expand; I felt eyes boring into my skin while I began to tremble. I heard growls, and creaks coming from various directions. Were they from me or was something with me in this room? The walls shrieked as what I assume to be nails were tantalizingly dragged down. Despite a toilet being near, I was ready to piss my pants in sheer terror. A loud bang near my ear made that a problem no longer; even though it was a tight space, I sprinted to the toilet, and quickly finished my business. “Psst.” The unknown voice sent me to the door as I pounded on it for dear life. “LAPIS! LAPIS YOU GOTTA SAVE ME!” I heard a light laugh; I froze. It was very clear that a real person was in here with me; but it wasn’t Lapis. She would’ve made some smartass comment; that voice… it knew I was terrified and it was loving every moment of my quickened breathing and sweat bathed skin. The laughter increased and sounded like multiple voices now. I sank to the ground next to the door, covering my ears; I rocked back and forth in order to try and soothe myself. “Go away… go away… GO AWAY!” the sounds got louder as the trembling could’ve been mistaken for an earthquake. The howl I released sounded like a wounded animal; someone had to hear me. “LAPIS!” I heard a soft chuckle. “I’m here. You have to relax Samantha.” I shook my head. “I-I can’t! T-There are so many voices that I-” Lapis cupped my face in her hands; I felt nothing when she touched me, but her calming humming did everything else I needed. All other sounds faded away to make room for the new sound. Suddenly, the heavy iron door swung open; there was a blinding white glowing in front of me. Lapis stood in front of the open door with two women in all white. “Come on. It’s time to go.” The women said; I walked out, taking Lapis’ hand in mine, afraid.