The pain was unbearable, as every ounce of her being screamed out in agony. There had to be some remedy out there to ease her pain, some capable doctor she could trust enough to put her life in their hands. The doctor currently "helping" her was nothing but a twat. The only thing he could do was pump seemingly endless amounts of useless drugs into her body before calling the nurses to hold down and inject sedatives into her spasming body during one of her, what the doctor described as, episodes...
Oh, and let's not forget about the Shock Shop.
"Did you hear about the girl who escaped the asylum down in Capeford?"
"Yes, but only a tad bit. I am acquaintances with Lillie, the girl's cousin. Though last I saw her she had no intention of speaking about the matter. I didn't press her to tell me, in fear I would upset her further. Do you know what happened?"
"She was deemed clinically insane, and the doctors have no hope for her to recover. I heard she had arrived to a hospital claiming she had contracted an illness that had caused her bouts of extreme pain, yet she was clueless as to the cause. Rumor is that she had nearly killed her nurse during one of these fits. I also heard that she had started cutting crosses into her forehead when she was left unattended. Apparently, after that they had to remove anything shiny from her room, otherwise she would become hysterical and start ranting of memories from a past life and some other nonsense. Of course, at that point they had already moved her to an asylum. It sounds like the doctors had decided to use electroshock therapy on the poor girl. They probably ended up scrambling her brain even more than it already was".
"Well no wonder she escaped. If I was in her shoes I would have done the same thing. Those institutes have no idea what the hell they are doing. Electroshock therapy doesn't actually work. They just say that so they can hurt their patients. I swear to God that those insane asylums are really just torture chambers for the mentally ill. When did this all happen?"
"She escaped within the past week or so. The authorities have put out a warning to the residents of the town that she must be found and detained immediately, because she is a danger to herself and others."
Roki had been sitting on the bench at the train station for nearly an hour, and for the past twenty minutes she listened to these women from the next bench over. These women who were gossiping about her. Roki had to admit she was slightly surprised that the younger lady of the two actually knew her cousin, but upon further inspection it didn't seem that farfetched. After all,she was just like Lillie. 'Just another stuck up daddy's girl who could buy anything the world has to offer from her father's fortune.' Her family had disowned her after this, to put it lightly, little misunderstanding. They were just another wealthy family trying to rise up in the rank of social classes the best they could. The most likely reason that Lillie was upset about this was because of bad press and gossip. Though, this was a great opportunity for them to cut ties with her.
The reason being so was because of the fact that Roki was a bastard child. The woman she called mother, was not related to her by blood. But that hadn't seemed to bother either in the slightest, for the loved each other very deeply that blood ties did not matter. Her mother was barren, unable to have children of her own. 'Mother knew right from wrong, and decided to place blame on father's faltering loyalty instead of me. Though even in the midst of an affair, she still forgave father for his sins. That pig of a man doesn't deserve her forgiveness.' Oh how Roki missed her mother. They hadn't seen each other since she had become sick. At the time her father had very insistent that Roki was ready for the courtship of men, preferably those of a higher social standing. Of course, that what he and the rest of her damn family was worried about. Moving up the ranks in social class to improve their worth. Her mother had told her not to worry about her father and just choose the one who was the most good to her. Roki had preferred to not choose at all, which ended up happening due to her failing health. 'That was the only good thing that came out of becoming sick.'
That was when it all started. When she started having throbs and pains all throughout her body. Her bones would ache and creak steadily along with the pulsing headaches. She was boarded up in her room for days at a time trying to endure such agonizing periods of misery. Eventually she had stopped eating or drinking any food or water, which was when her father had sent her to the hospital. It only got worse as the days went by. She heard voices in her head, only to realize that a shadowy creature from another realm that resides within the mirrors was the one talking to her. At first she was terrified, and had truly believed that she did go crazy like the doctors were suspecting. But after a while, it just became annoying. It would talk about things that she didn't understand with such a hopeful tone in its voice, like it had big plans in store for her in the future. 'It's as if a fly were stuck inside of my head buzzing around in my brain. I could try and get it out. I could scratch at my scalp and bash my head against the wall to try and silence it, but it would still be in my head buzzing away without a care in the world and ultimately drive me insane. For real this time, of course.'
Lost in her thoughts about the whole ordeal, Roki had failed to notice the young boy who had sat himself down next to her on the bench. She continued to listen to the two wealthy women gossip about her, talking as if they knew her and her ordeals only to speak with sympathy oozing from their disgusting voices. Roki didn't any pity from anyone, especially false empathy from two gossiping rich girls. Of course, they were dumb enough to not realize that she was right under their noses. Roki wasn't stupid, she knew that she had to disguise herself. Due to the baggy attire and chest binding cloth she wore, Roki could be passed of as a young poor teenaged boy. Her attire consisted of a heavy brown button up coat, tan trousers, large black shoes that were very clunky for her feet along with a grey cap that was deep enough for her head to make the bandages wrapped around her forehead less noticeable. Her medium length red hair had also been messily tuck into that hat of hers. Earlier she had even considered cutting it all off. She didn't look very well put together, but it's not as if she had a choice. She stole all of these clothes from different men on the streets. She had to get clothes that allowed her to blend in fast. So, as she thought, beggars can't be choosers. Stealing from drunkards was a must if she were to survive through this ordeal. With no money or belongings other than the clothes off her back, Roki had to beg and steal for days in order to receive enough money for a train ticket. It was a humiliating task, begging for handouts on the street that is. There was pure humiliation and disappointment residing within her when people would spare her a pitying glance or when she had to sort through the wallets of the people she had stolen from. The girl had even been beaten by one young gentleman after getting caught red handed. The fool had said something along the lines of having to burn his clothes because a "street rat" such as herself had contaminated them. It was almost ironic and humorous to her, considering she had been born into a rich family. Not to mention that she had just pocketed all of the money that man had on his person like a true street rat.
"They are talking about you, aren't they?" said a voice so shy and quiet she could barely make it out. Looking over, Roki saw a young boy sitting next to her. He looked to be around the age ten or eleven and wore baggy pants tucked into work boots along with a coat draped over his striped sweater. The most prominent feature was that he wore a mask over his nose and mouth. 'He must be sick, like me. Surely this boy must understand how I feel.' Still, Roki decided to play dumb. She couldn't be figured out now, she had to find a doctor that could help her with this disease.
"I haven't even the foggiest idea why you'd think that boy." Roki said in a friendly tone with a fake smile, "What reason did you think that I was this person that those two swine over there are talking about?"
The boy seemed surprised at the insult she through at the two oblivious ladies sitting a few feet away from them. He leaned in closer to whisper in her ear so nobody else could hear him.
"Don't worry, I won't tell. I can see the bandages under your hat and noticed the way you looked at them when they were talking about you."
'Oh yes, the bandages. The doctors thought I was somehow mutilating myself, even though I was drugged and restrained. No one believes that I'm sick the way I claim to be. They all think I'm batshit crazy, like I have a mental illness of some sort.'
Roki lifted her finger to her lips and let out a slow smooth shhhh. She knew that he knew who she was, whether she admitted it or not. So, dropping the act, she decided to take another approach, "Oh, what a clever little boy you are." She said in a playful tone while lifting her hand to gently stroke his sandy blonde hair a few times, as if it were a reward for figuring out, "But remember to keep your promise to not tell~" Roki was being extra nice to try and win the boy's affection. She didn't need anybody blabbing to the police on where she was or where she was planning on going.
"I promise!" the boy said a little too excitedly, which surprised Roki seeing as most children would probably be terrified finding out that they were really sitting next to an allegedly insane and very dangerous asylum escapee, "My name is Eeez. What's yours? Oh, I have a lot of questions I want to ask you if that's okay."
'What a strange boy, but I guess I'm one to talk. We make a great pair.' Roki realized that she was already starting to grow fond of the boy from only five or so minutes of conversing with him.
"I-I'm… My name is Roki." She responded hesitantly, still unsure of whether he could be trusted or not. Though she figured that since he already knew who she was it didn't matter whether or not he knew her name, "What exactly do you want to know Eeez?" His pale face brightened up considerably.
"Well, I was wondering what you are doing here at the train station? Why did you break out of the mental hospital? Are you really crazy? How did yo-"
"Woah, slow down there kid. One question at a time. I'm here at the train station so I can get out of this town. You see, I'm going on an adventure."
"An adventure?" Eeez looked at her in confusion.
"Yes, an adventure! I'm going on a journey to find a doctor who can cure my sickness. I'm not crazy, but the doctors here were too stupid to notice that. They did more harm than good, so I had to get out of there." Eeez sat there quietly, as if lost in thought. Then, snapping out of his trance, he turned to me with a serious look in his eyes.
"Roki, do you think that if you found this doctor who could cure your sickness that he could c-"
"Eeez, what are you doing?" A low voice sounded from behind Roki. She turned to see to young man that looked to be a few years older than herself standing tall above her. He had glasses so thick the Roki couldn't see his chocolate brown eyes very well, and long curly black hair that framed his face nicely. His pants looked much too big for him and if it weren't for his suspenders his pants would probably be gathered at his feet. His white long sleeved shirt was riddled with stains from dried mud and soils, hinting towards him being a miner. After all, this town was well known for its mines. Young men from all over traveled here to mine in hopes of getting fat paychecks for their hard work, but rarely anybody was rewarded so.
Upon seeing him, Roki had an almost immediate infatuation with the man that it was downright scary.
'What's wrong with me?' Roki thought, 'This has never happened to me before. Why do I feel as if I have butterflies in my stomach? And why is my face burning so hot? Is my sickness going to get out of hand again?'
'Pleasure~' There was that voice again. It had been quiet for so long that Roki almost thought it was gone. 'Pleasure~ it's Plea-' 'I get it. Now shut up!' Roki thought angrily. In all honesty Roki did not understand what it was trying to say, but the voice in her head scared her. It was as if the more it talked, the more it attached to her. It was as if it were trying to become apart of her, or more she was becoming apart of it. She could feel it happen with every word it uttered. Every time it whispered sweet nothings into her ear she could feel pieces of her sanity float away.
"Tyki!" Eeez said happily before getting up to hug to the man's side, "I was just talking to Roki about…" he trailed off before looking at her. Roki in return gave him a look of desperation, pleading with her eyes for him not to tell, "... about the train." He said simply turning back to Tyki.
Tyki looked at Eeez with suspicion, but decided not to question it. They seemed to have been talking about a private matter and Eeez didn't seem like he was going to tell. He turned to Roki and smiled.
"Hi, I'm Tyki. I assume that Eeez has been keeping you busy. He is usually shy towards strangers so I wasn't expecting to walk out here to see him chatting you up. Sorry about that." He should have been watching him better. There was confusion some between him, Momo and Clark as to who was going to watch Eeez while they got their train tickets straightened out.
"Why are you apologizing? I actually enjoy this boy's company very much. My name is Roki, by the way. It's nice to meet you." Roki stated in a friendly manner. She figured she might as well introduce herself properly since Eeez already told him her name.
"So, what brings you to the train station if you don't mind me asking?" The young man asked, before sitting down next to Roki. A little too close for comfort… The young girl could feel her heart pounding in her chest from being so close to Tyki. 'Pleasure~' the voice once again proceeded to say. 'Stop!' Roki thought sternly, 'I am in no way pleased with this man. Be it emotionally or physically. I don't even know him.' There was a slight pause before it responded in an almost sinister tone, 'Oh, but you do…' The bone chilling statement glided across her thoughts. It was almost as if it had known something she hadn't, and the way it had spoke made the color drain from her face. Instead of responding, Roki opted to ignore it and instead scoot to the edge of the bench to put some distance between her and Tyki.
"She's an adventurer!" Eeez exclaimed in child like wonderment. Tyki raised his eyebrows in slightly.
"She?" He questioned, his face feigning slight surprise. He had already known, hadn't he? 'Dammit! Is my disguise that bad?' Roki thought frantically. Surely her efforts to cloak herself from suspicious gazes hadn't been for naught. Though that was not what Roki was entirely concerned about right now. If Eeez had kept letting information slip about her then she'd be caught in no time! She knew he wasn't doing it on purpose, but she couldn't trust this man and Eeez was giving him her secrets.
"Yes… I'm a girl." She huffed, slightly annoyed at the situation she was stuck in, "I would prefer it if you didn't ask." It was obvious to Tyki that something strange was going on under his nose. She would only be able to trick empty-headed idiots with that outfit and Tyki was no fool. Honestly, most people in this town were. Tyki knew that there was something suspicious going on since the moment he saw Eeez talking to the girl in had to admit though that she was quite beautiful, even when dressed as a boy. From her auburn red hair, to those peculiar mismatched eyes; The left being blue while the right green. However, her skin was a rather sickly pale and there were heavy bags under her eyes, as if she hadn't slept in days. Not to mention the bandages… He had felt Joyd hum in satisfaction upon sight of the girl.
"An adventurer, eh? Are you heading to any place in particular?" He asked, not pressing further on the matter. Roki released a huge sigh of relief at that, glad that he had left it be.
"Just to the next town over for now." She vaguely replied, wanting this conversation to end quickly. Eeez had settled at the opposite end of the bench, looking quite glum that Tyki had stolen away the conversation between the two. His head rested in his hands as he stared almost solemnly at the floor. Suddenly, the loud clanking of a bell could be heard in the distance, along with the occasional high screeching whistle. 'Finally!' Roki had thought excitedly. She had been sitting on this bench patiently for about an hour and a half now. Many watched as the distant machine steadily grew closer along with a steady and quick thump thump thump. Steam poured from the tops and sides of the metal beast, trailing behind to form long clouds of smoke. The ground rumbled as it screeched to a halt and let out a long hiss.
"Goodbye, Eeez." Taking this as her cue to leave, she bid the young boy farewell so she could continue on her way. However, not before feeling guilt from seeing the boy's face as he was clearly upset that she was fleeing from them so quickly. This conversation was getting her nowhere and quite frankly, she was very afraid of being discovered by this man. Roki stood up quickly to stride off in the direction of the train. At least, until a strong handed grip closed around her wrist and tugged her back sharply.
"Wait." Roki turned around quickly to shoot a glare at Tyki, he responded by staring intently back and tightening his hold on her wrist even further.
"Since it sounds like you don't really care where you end up," He paused as his mouth curled up into a smirk…
"Would you like to travel with us?"
So…. This is my first story ever so please be good to me. I've worked long and hard on it and am hoping for the best that it'll turn out well. Also, keep in mind more than half of this was written a year or two ago before I went on a hiatus for writing until now, so if there is a change in the text then that is probably why. I will definitely be rewriting this in the future. I hope you all will enjoy!