Okay, so, I'm trying to write a longer multi-part Amnesia: Justine story for all you folks who really dug my oneshots. It will have Malo in it later with Patience, but probably not for a while. I do not want to rush into any lovey dovey anything in this particular story. It will probably have kind of a high rating for gore and stuff…seeing as this is Amnesia we're talking about. Anywho, I hope you all enjoy, happy reading! :]

The first thing Patience noticed was pain. A distinct aching sensation consumed her entire form; body and mind. It hurt her to think and it hurt her to breathe. Such simple things caused her so much pain that she was reluctant to even consider something as small as opening her eyes.

"What…what is going on? Is this a dream?" she thought; cringing. The pain seemed much too real to be the result of a mere nightmare however. Growing restless and unable to continue lying there and doing nothing; Patience forced her eyes open. Her vision was terribly blurry at first. She couldn't make out anything of significance around her; all that appeared to surround her was shadowy masses of varied size. She tried to blink away the fuzziness but the effort seemed futile.

"Why can't I see straight? What happened to me?" Patience wondered helplessly; shutting her blue eyes once again. After what seemed like an eternity she opened them again. To her surprise, she could see her surroundings more clearly this time.

She was relieved to realize that she hadn't lost her eyesight; but her slightly uplifted mood quickly sank once again. She was staring up at a damp, stony ceiling; nothing like the warm cream color she was used to waking up to in her own room. It clearly was not the sight she had expected to wake up to…and the sheer unexpectedness of it showered her with unease.

"What the…?"

With painful effort, Patience moved her head to look around herself better. What met her eyes filled her up to the brim with dread. There were slimy stone walls that surrounded her on three sides. One held a metal attachment and chains with restraints. A wooden make-shift bed was sitting in a far corner accompanied by a rickety looking table. A fancy looking contraption of brass and wood sat in the corner opposite the sketchy furniture. On the other side of her was a row of rusted metal bars. A door could be distinguished from them; and a huge padlock with a rope was located on the other side of it.

Patience felt her heart jolt harshly in her chest. What was this place? Was it a prison? What had she done without knowing? Or, what had been done to her without her knowing?

"Where am I? What is going on here? Where am I?" she thought frantically. Her thoughts were racing like a whirlwind. She furrowed her brow as she squeezed her eyes shut tightly; trying her best to reduce the pain that was ripping at her mind once again.

"This is a dream! It has to be! I just need to wake up…wake up, wake up!" the hissed to herself. She pinched the inside of her elbow; but to no avail. She opened her eyes to find the same disturbing room. She frantically pinched and pinched her fair skin until a small trickle of blood formed; and indication for her to stop.

Reluctantly she realized that this horrid situation was no dream. The cruel realization made her heart race like the wings of a humming bird. A cold sweat began to form itself on her pale, exposed skin as she started to panic. The sudden sight of what she was wearing only made her anxiety worse. She was stripped down to nothing but her white linen undergarments and stockings. They had already been sullied by the dirty, damp floor she was resting on.

Patience willed herself not to scream. Who had done this to her? What other harm had they caused her?

Unable to stay still, Patience slowly pushed herself upright. Her body screamed in pain as she did so; but she did her best to ignore it. She curled forward as her head swam with the sudden movement. She tried to take slow, deep breaths to relax; but her lungs rattled and stung slightly as she did so. Swallowing her pain; Patience boldly tried to stand up.

Her pale, thin legs shook so violently at the effort that she nearly tumbled back to the floor. Finally standing erect, Patience tried walking. Her cold feet stumbled over one another and she pitched forward. She narrowly missed wiping out by grabbing the bars of her cell. The rough, rusty material scraped her fair palms as she swiftly grabbed a hold of them. She gasped quietly in pain and stayed still.

It took her a while to even dare to attempt more movement. Slowly she shuffled over to the odd machine in the right corner of her cell. She stood over it with an expression of curiosity and fear.

"Is this a…phonograph?" she thought. Patience leaned over a bit to inspect it further. There was a hand crank on one side of the elevated wooden base. The crank was attached to a rope connecting to the padlock on the barred door. Patience raised a brow and peered into the huge bronze flower-like part on top. It was dark inside…and there didn't appear to be any strange finds there. Patience based her assumption on sight alone…for there was no way she was going to reach a hand inside.

Patience reached for the crank; but stopped before actually touching it. Her delicate hand hovered over the crank for a few seconds as she contemplated what the consequence of using it would be.

But, you know what they say, 'curiosity killed the cat'. In the midst of all her fear, Patience's mind was much too inquisitive to just let this go. She had to crank it and see what would happen…it couldn't make the situation she was currently facing any worse, right? Besides, why was it attached to the rope and the padlock? Perhaps it was a way out…A rather unique and cryptic way out, but a way out none the less.

Patience sucked in a breath of the cold, musty air and bit back a cough as she gripped the crank. She turned it one, two, three…six times. As she was about to continue turning a voice suddenly sprang from inside the phonograph. Startled, she stumbled back a bit and let go of the handle. She listened to the voice in awe. She had heard of these contraptions but never actually witnessed a working one…it was so strange.

"Bienvenue my young mademoiselle! You are now listening to the sound of my disembodied voice! It'll do you no good to look for me; for this is only a recording. I myself am located elsewhere. But that is not important to you right now. What is important is why you are here. You've been wondering that yourself haven't you? Well wonder no more, mon amie! Your purpose is to contribute to my study of the human psyche. There are many obstacles waiting ahead for you. Try to keep a level head…though it may not be very easy. Remember, they can all be saved; but will you bother to try? Good Luck, au revoir! " The phonograph spoke. The voice from within sounded hollow and far away. It was a woman's voice…a very familiar woman's voice. But Patience couldn't quite put her finger on whom it belonged to. Something about the woman's all too cheery tone mixed with her words made Patience very uneasy.

A chill slid its way up and down her spine as the message crackled and ended. What did the woman mean by 'study of the human psyche'? Or 'there are many obstacles waiting ahead for you'? Or 'they can all be saved'? Patience clutched her head, long fingers burrowing themselves in her waves of ebony hair, and tried to calm down. Nothing was making any sense…why was this happening?

She inspected the phonograph one last time before moving on to the bed and the table. She shakily lifted the thin mattress and peered at the bare bed frame beneath. Nothing. She peeked under the table and on the floor surrounding the two pieces of furniture. Still nothing. Assuming that there wasn't anything of importance left for her to find in the cell; Patience tried her luck at opening the door again.

To her surprise it swung open with ease. A loud creak echoed through the outside room as it opened. Patience wrinkled her nose at the sound and gingerly stepped out of her confinement. The room beyond the prison cell was much larger and had pillars going up to the ceiling. Wooden boxes and barrels were strewn about the space randomly and there was a large wooden patch of floor and a trap door in the center of the room. A long table was laid out against one wall with a chair or two; but the rest of the room was bereft of furniture.

Patience noticed more cells like the one she had woken up in lining the outskirts of the space. The only light was provided from a few dim hanging lanterns placed along the walls. Patience squinted her blue eyes as she peered around; unsure of what to do. She wanted to explore and find a way out…but she wasn't looking forward to any of the 'obstacles' she would come face to face with. Who, or what, might be lurking around ahead of her? This seemed very much like a scene out of a horror novel…and she was likely to be the victim of some unknown terror later on.

Patience shook her head. She didn't want to think about that now; this place gave her the heebie jeebies enough as it was without letting her imagination run rampant. She softly tiptoed out into the open and peered around. Deciding to be brave, she went over to another one of the cells and peered in past the bars. There didn't appear to be anyone in there…and there was no lock to keep her out. She gingerly eased the door open with minimal creaking and stepped inside. It was nearly identical to her cell except for the haphazard arrangement of the furniture. Upon further inspection, some of the stones in the walls were pulled out. The spaces where they had once resided were stained with blood. She spied a hammer and a few other tools on the floor. Furrowing her brow, she inspected the hammer. Something inside told her not to touch it, so she left it there.

Patience cringed inwardly at the sight of the crimson liquid and odd tools and quickly exited the cell. She moved on to the next one. It was also unlocked and easy to enter. It was fairly neat and the only extra item was a black leather bound bible resting on the bed. Patience flipped through it quickly incase her captor had left any clues in there for her…but there was nothing out of the ordinary. She placed it back where she found it and moved on.

The next cell seemed a bit colder and darker than the other ones. Patience didn't like the feeling she was getting from the particular space and opened it with extreme caution. She gasped loudly and covered her mouth as she stepped inside. Splotches of blood and chunks of what looked like raw flesh littered the stone floor. The furniture was all flipped over and pushed to one side of the room as well. Patience felt the burning sensation of bile rise in the back of her throat at the gory sight. She turned to leave; but something else caught her eye. In a pool of shadows at the far edge of the cell sat a violin. Something about it demanded her attention so she walked towards it, warily stepping over the stains blood. She bent down and picked it up. She turned it over in her hands and examined it. It was a bit scratched up but appeared to be from a master craftsman. It was beautifully carved and looked very professional.

Something about the violin seemed eerily familiar…but Patience didn't know why. Her head was still a bit fuzzy and she couldn't think very straight. She put the instrument back down gently and rushed out of the cell; closing the door behind her.

As she was about to check the next cell; a voice sounded from out of nowhere.

"Hello? Who's there…is anyone there?"

Patience jumped, nearly launching herself into the ceiling as a shriek caught in her throat. Where had the voice come from? She whirled around but no one was there. Was she hearing things? Patience began to sweat again as she thought about the possibility of running into some unknown person. Would they prove to be friend or foe? If they were even there at all… Perhaps fear was just getting the best of her?

"Hello? I swear I heard someone…please tell me who you are! Perhaps you can help me!" the voice called out again. It was a male voice with a slight French accent. "If you could help me, I would be much obliged."

Patience was silent a little while longer before deciding to try and help the mystery person out. They sounded so desperate…she'd be heartless not to at least find out where they were and assess the situation.

"Well…m-my name is P-Patience Scattergood…who are you?" Patience called blindly; not knowing where she was calling out to. She peeked into another one of the cells and gasped. A man was lying on a table. He was tied up and a sack was covering his head.

"I am Dr. Victor Fournier. I'm afraid I've been trapped in here…are you in the same situation as I?" The man said. Patience could see him wriggling in his restraints within the chamber. Who had done this to him? Was it the same person who had imprisoned her? The woman from the phonograph? And why was he tied up when she hadn't been? Things just seemed to be getting more and more confusing…

"Um…I suppose I might be…I honestly do not know what is happening here; but, I was stuck in a cell like you only moments ago!" Patience replied. She suddenly realized just how awfully her hands had begun to shake. She clasped them tightly together as if in prayer to calm the tremors.

"Really? My, how did you escape?" this Dr. Fournier seemed thoroughly impressed.

"Well…I wasn't tied up like you. I'm not sure why though…but there was some sort of pulley-like system connected to the door and a phonograph in my cell. I cranked the phonograph and it somehow opened up the door."

"Oh? How strange…alas, I do no think that will work for me. Is there a key out there? Or something to break the lock?"

"H-hold on…I'll check." Patience vowed. She hoped that she could find some way to release the man…he must be so frightened; being all tied up like that. If she had woken up in restraints…well, Patience quickly tried not to dwell on the extra horror she would have felt. She needed to focus on helping out Dr. Fournier at the moment; nothing else.

Gingerly stepping around the large room, Patience searched every available spot with her sky hued eyes. She went over to the long table and searched on top of it and then under it. She couldn't see anything that could be used as a means of help for the imprisoned stranger. All she found was a glass bottle with nothing inside. Drat.

Patience continued her search in the remaining cells that she had yet to venture into. The first one held nothing of importance. It housed the same creepy, old wooden furniture as the others and no distinguishing differences or objects that could be useful. There was so much furniture…but surely Patience wouldn't be able to move it all by herself, and it was all too big and bulky to be used in breaking the padlock.

Hopefully the last cell she had not checked contained some sort of clue as to how she could help the doctor. She wanted to let him out before she ventured off to any other parts of…well, wherever she was, so that she had a companion. Going it alone sounded close to unbearable. Patience had always been a fan of dark, gothic stories and plays…but now that she appeared to be in an akin situation; it was no longer so deliciously mysterious and fun.

She stepped inside and looked around. The furniture was all moved up against the walls and to the edges of the room. The odd layout left a wide space in the middle where the dingy floor was scattered with what looked like hay. Patience's attention was soon caught up by the top of the table near the entrance. She leaned over to investigate and quickly reeled back against the other wall. Scrawled crudely in what looked like blood were the words 'forgive me'.

Patience coughed and felt weak. The words were so haunting…especially considering the substance they had been written in. Who had been stuck in this cell? Was that their blood? Who was the message directed to? Were they still alive somewhere?

Groaning, Patience sank down the wall a bit. So many questions, and yet, no answers. Her mind was getting to be a mess.

"Why is this happening to me?" she thought. Her move to France was supposed to be a grand and exciting change in her life! She had moved there exactly one year ago at the age of eighteen to start anew and see what the beautiful country had to offer. She had said goodbye to her family in her native England and set off for what she hoped to be a wonderful, and possibly romantic, adventure. Everything had been fine up until now. She had explored, met new people and even gotten a good job! But now…her whole life seemed to lie in unexplainable tatters.

"What am I to do? I need to find a way to…" Before Patience could finish her thought, an odd sound met her ears. She looked up and strained to listen. It sounded like wheezing and labored breathing. Where was it coming from? The ominous sounds continued and Patience bravely peered out of the cell to investigate. Whatever she was hearing, it didn't sound completely human. For once, she actually hoped she was just hearing things; she didn't want to come face to face with whatever was making that awful noise.

A strangled scream clawed its way to escape from her throat as she saw the source of the sounds. It appeared to be a…person? She wasn't absolutely sure if the figure that met her eyes was all there. Upon closer inspection, Patience realized that the figure was naked…and most definitely male. He had long, tangled hair that at one time must have been blonde. The being walked with a pronounced limp as he stumbled around the main room. It was too dark and shadowy to see much of his face. The sight was just too horrible to look away from.

Eventually, Patience tore her gaze away from…whoever, or whatever, the frightful being was. She tucked herself away in the corner of the cell and prayed that she would not be found. Being too scared to go or call out, she hoped that the doctor would be safe as well.

"Please don't find me…don't find me, don't find me!" she repeated desperately in her head. Her heart was beating so fast that she was afraid it could be heard from outside of the cell.

"Is that you…my love?" a hollow sounding voice called out from outside of her hiding place.

Patience's breath caught in her throat. Was…was that the strange figure speaking? He sounded so haunting and sorrowful…the mere sound of his inquiry tugged violently on Patience's heartstrings. She didn't know quite what to think of all this…her entire being was a tangle of odd emotions and dire questions. She wouldn't be surprised if she simply had a coronary before anything else. Luckily, she didn't hear Dr. Fournier say anything and assumed that he had the same idea of staying quiet.

"Oh….why did this happen?" the same voice said more quietly. It seemed familiar…but Patience could not for the life of her figure out why. There were so many blank and fuzzy spots blocking out certain thoughts from her mind. She had the strange feeling she had heard that voice somewhere before… "Come on…think!" she told herself.

She continued to sit there, frozen in her hiding spot, and unable to move. A small flame of curiosity burned within her. It was hard for the flame to survive though, for every time it nearly flourished a part of her would snuff it out to a flicker. She wanted to see what that being was, but she was too scared. What if it was another person who just needed help? Patience had always had a sweet and helpful nature, even towards strangers, so it was hard for her not to immediately see what the problem was, and if she could be of assistance.

She steeled herself to take another peek. It took everything she had not to let out a bloodcurdling scream at the sight before her. All that escaped her lips was a small squeak that she hoped wasn't too audible.

The figure was closer to her now. She could make out a sea of bloodied lacerations covering his form. They varied in size and depth…but they were all equally gory and horrifying to look at. The worst was a big 'X' shaped one across his chest.

Patience felt her stomach churn further as she noticed dark sockets where his eyes should be. They had been…gouged out? Dried blood caked the empty spaces.

"Oh…oh my God!" Patience said breathlessly, her voice cracking. She scuttled backwards away from the entrance.

This seemed to get the being's attention. Though he couldn't see her, he could hear her erratic movements. He stumbled towards the cell's door.

"N-no!" Patience screeched as she tried to get away. Since he couldn't see her, perhaps she could make it past him. He was skinny and frail looking…it was likely that he wouldn't be able to run after her very quickly. But would she be able to go through with that plan? It didn't seem so…her muscles had seemed to quit functioning properly as she stayed down against the far wall.

"What do I do?" she thought frantically. Dr. Fournier couldn't help her…no one could. Was this the end of her already? She hadn't even been able to help one person…was this one of the obstacles the phonograph had told her of? Or possibly…one who could be 'saved'? She wasn't sure…she would just have to wait a moment and see…he was almost inside of the cell with her.

"Is that you I hear?" he spoke again. Patience wondered who he was referring to….it sounded like he was hopefully searching for someone. What had happened to him anyway? Had he been a prisoner down here too? He looked much, much worse off than Dr. Fournier or she. Why?

"You came for me!" he continued.

Patience tried to stay calm and quiet, a task she was not sure she could successfully complete.

The man touched the doorway and gingerly felt his way inside. He was coming closer…closer…Patience could smell the stench of blood radiating off of him. She opened her mouth to cry out, but nothing happened. If this being had bad intentions towards her, there was no hope for her. She was trapped, again.