Susan watched the doctors through her eyelashes as they passed her cell. This was the second time today they'd come to the Female Ward to collect some poor sap. She stared curiously as they stopped at the cell next to hers. The cell belonged to a woman who sat in the corner, rocking back and forth and muttering to herself. Her red hair was a ratty mess and the dark under her eyes made it obvious the woman didn't sleep. But Susan didn't care, honestly. She grew bored as they practically dragged the woman out of her cell and down the hallway, screaming the whole way.

This had been happening ever since she'd arrived at the secluded asylum a few weeks ago. Doctors would hurry buy, pulling one insane lady after the next down that hallway. She began to notice quickly that they never returned. The first day she'd screamed her voice out as they passed.

"I DON'T BELONG HERE!" she screeched at them. "I'M NOT MAD, THERE'S BEEN A MISTAKE!" Yet the doctors never paid her any mind. Eventually, she'd given up trying to convince them. Hell, who'd believe her here anyway? She much preferred jail to this place, at least there had been sane people to talk to.

Snorting, Susan went back to staring at the ceiling. By now she'd become accustomed to the random din of the cell block. But she was surprised. For a female ward, there weren't many patients, even before the doctors took some away. All she could do was sleep and eat. Closing her eyes, she let the unsettling sounds drift her into a troubled sleep.

"Get up!"

Susan practically jumped as she felt something jab her ribs. Sitting up, she wasn't surprised to find the group of doctors standing in front of her cot. Her brown hair cascaded down her chest as she moved.

"My turn to disappear, huh?" she mused as the doctors ushered her out of her cell. The group walked down the long hallways, muttering quietly to themselves. Susan could only catch a few words here and there between a guard pushing her forward.

"… the surgery…. see how this one reacts… reproductive system… hook her up to the engine."

Eyes widening in shock, Susan stopped in her tracks. The guard shoved her forward.

"Keep moving, Valenti!" he growled, pointing his rifle at her. Susan shook her head and tried to make a break for it. The doctors caught her arms. Her screams echoed through the hallway. What the hell kind of place was this? She could feel the doctor's grips slacking and made a final tug. As soon as she was released from their arms, the guard slipped in front of her. She felt the butt of his gun make contact with her cheek and she fell to the ground. As her vision went dark, she heard the doctors make a final comment.

"Make sure this one gets secured properly."

Susan's eyes slowly opened and a weak groan escaped her lips. The lights from the room almost blinded her and she reached to cover her eyes only to find her arm was strapped down. Tugging at the restraints, she found all her limbs were tied down. Her jumpsuit was crumbled on a chair and she was dressed in a hospital gown.

"The hell…" she murmured. She felt her lip curl up at the idea that these men had undressed her. Looking around, her eyes finally focused more. The room wasn't very big. It was around the same size as a doctor's office, with a cabinet in the corner containing numerous medical instruments. Looking closer, she noticed blood stains on most of them.

Susan jumped as the door opened. One of the doctors that had escorted her from her cell waltzed in with a clipboard, writing as he approached. She glared at him, ignoring the slight throbbing on the side of her face.

"Well, your vitals look excellent," the doctor said, half to himself. He was a middle-aged man with a bald spot and big glasses. He looked up at her finally. "Says here you were in jail for beating a man to death. No wonder you were brought here, you're crazy like the rest of 'em."

Susan glared at him. "I'm NOT crazy." The doctor ignored her words, marking down more stuff on his clipboard.

"Alright, this will only sting for a little bit," he drawled, walking over to the cabinet. Susan gulped as he picked up a scalpel. "We're going to remove part of your ovaries and hook you up to the Engine, see if you can handle it and stuff." Susan fought at the restraints as he came closer.

"No. No! Get away from me!" she shrieked. The doctor moved her gown up, exposing her lower body. The scalpel was brought inches away from her stomach and Susan closed her eyes. The doctor was just putting the blade to her skin when an alarm sounded. The doctor backed away, frowning. He placed the tool on the table next to her bed.

"What the devil is it now?" he grumbled, leaving the room. Gunshots and distant screams could be heard as the door closed. Susan panted, waiting until he left, and reached for the scalpel. If she could just reach it…

She cursed as her fingers brushed the tool and sent it crashing to the floor. By now, the commotion was closer and the air was beginning to feel colder. Susan began twisting her wrist at the ties. She felt in cutting into her skin, but it was starting to slip through. Something slammed into the door, causing her to jolt forward. Her hand came loose, bleeding from the scrapes. Susan attacked the other restraints. She glanced at the door and could see shadows passing through the frost-pane glass. The alarm blared, but that was now the only sound she could hear. It had become oddly quiet. Susan slid onto the floor, staring at the door. She tiptoed to her jumpsuit and quickly slid it back on. Still she heard nothing. Finally, she grabbed the scalpel. She didn't care what she had to do. She wanted to get out of this place.

Opening the door slowly, Susan peered into the hallway and almost threw up. The walls, the floor, everything was covered in blood and entrails. Bodies littered the floor in pieces. Susan stepped out, gagging at the sight. Other than the horrid scene, the hallway was empty. Then again, she had no idea where she even was. But she didn't want to stay there- not with all the bodies. So, stepping lightly over the pulpy mess, Susan made her way down the hallway. She shivered at the feeling of the stickiness under her feet.

"It's alright, Susie," she muttered. "Just find an exit. There's always an exit."

Turning the corner, the air got colder. She stopped in her tracks and slapped a hand over her mouth. A hazy fog had settled and the outline of a dark being was just visible. It looked distracted by something at its feet. Quietly backing up, Susan felt behind her for a door knob. The creature, whatever the hell it was, wouldn't stay distracted long. She turned the knob and fell backwards into the room. The door slid shut with a click and she stumbled against the wall, shaking. The sharp intake of a breath made her turn her head and she felt dread once she realized she was not alone in the room.