A/N: So this was just going to be a one shot buuuuuuuuut I have decided to continue it due to peer pressure and just a desire to do so (but mostly peer pressure). So expect another chapter sometime soon.
Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own Merlin, no matter how much I may want to
His footsteps made no sound as he crept down the dimly lit, sterile white hallway, bare feet light upon the cold tiled floor. Shadows thrown across the floor played games with his mind, so impossibly still that they moved, taunting him with their threats, their promises of small cold white rooms. Rooms with nothing but a cot and a toilet, maybe restraints if he didn't cooperate with the hospital staff. A cell was a more appropriate description. A prison within a hospital, a hospital that is a prison, it all came to the same meaning.
Merlin wasn't crazy. He wasn't insane. It was all a fabricated lie coupled with drug-induced hallucinations, a way to keep him locked up and under constant watch, no longer a threat. The drug was in his food and later, when he refused to eat, starving himself until he all but collapsed in a pile of skin and bones, added to his water. In the end they had made sure that if he wanted to live, he had no choice but to take it. It caused him to see things, to imagine people, monsters, and beings that weren't there. But his thoughts weren't jumbled or so intertwined that he couldn't distinguish fantasy from reality. Because no one knew they were the same thing. The fantasies and myths that the nurses read about, discussing in light carefree conversations in the corridors, and tried to convince him were nothing but a figment of his overactive scrambled imagination, were reality. The magical creatures in disguise that came wandering into the compound or worked here as the overseer, flashing him a knowing cruel smirk every time she watched the nurses inject him with sedative or restrain him in his room, they were real. No, the problem lay with figuring out what was reality and what were hallucinations. They both conveniently contained the same magical and non-magical beings. And that's where the heart of it all lay.
He had long ago given up the attempt to convince anyone that his condition was being unwillingly thrust upon him. He was alone in his truth. It was his and couldn't be passed on to others no matter how hard he tried. Didn't stop the painful treatments, the experiments, the therapy. No. They would never stop. "Cured" or not, he was here and here they were determined he would forever stay.
But even those thoughts couldn't diminish his determination, his almost manic need to escape the hell that had become his life. As he made his way silently down the empty corridor, keeping an eye out for nurses, guards, and hallucinations alike, he knew if he didn't get out now, he wouldn't last much longer. There was only so long he could hold the real insanity at bay before it finally took over. The hallucinations had started blurring even more frequently into his real life to the point where he had refused to talk to anyone in fear that they were a fabrication of the drug. He didn't need to give the doctors any more incentive to keep him locked away, and talking to someone or something that wasn't there was definitely an incentive. So he kept quiet and defiant.
A soft noise to the right brought Merlin's attention to the door he was currently passing. He paused in his silent movements, stilling his breathing and listening hard. Silence. Maybe he had imagined it. Wouldn't be the first time. Every one of his phantoms seemed hell bent on destroying any sort of sanity he may still possess. There was one of his hallucinations that had decided to scream in his ear all through the night, keeping him awake and barely holding on as he huddled in the corner of his room. That had been the worst. The others just talked to him, or silently stalked him down the hallways before lunging at him in a mock attack.
He reached the end of the corridor where it broke off into a T. He knew from experience that to the left he would find the lounge while the right he led to the unknown. Well his direction of choice was obvious. Cautiously, Merlin peered around the corner, only to immediately pull his head back. A security guard was wandering the hallway ahead. Merlin cursed silently. He had hoped luck would run with him tonight but of course it was too much to ask for. Luck hadn't really been on his side as of late.
Taking a deep breath, Merlin steeled himself for what was to come. Upon arrival to the facility, the overseer had clamped a patient tag on his wrist, a knowing smirk flashing across her lips. It actually turned out to be an iron band that locked his magic within his body. He could still feel it thrumming deep in his chest but unable to reach it for the most part. It was only with an extreme life-threatening event that he discovered he was able to pull off the most simple of tricks with only the counter effect of shooting pain lacing up his arm and through his veins, all but incapacitating him. The first time it had happened, Merlin had collapsed in shock and agony but thankfully no one had noticed his magical trick, only assuming he had had a fit. It would be the only time he would be thankful for the schizophrenia cover he carried. If anyone had discovered he could still use even this minimal of magic, he was sure they would revert to more permanent measures to prevent anymore slip ups. Now though, he was prepared to throw caution to the wind. He would escape tonight. It was now or never.
Merlin braced his back against the wall and with a whispered word, his eyes flashed gold and a soft thud sounded from around the corner. Not a second later, fire shot through his veins, licking up his right arm and quickly engulfing his senses. He gasped involuntarily before viciously biting down on his lower lip to keep from crying out. His legs gave out suddenly and he slid down the wall where he sat, knees pulled up and head shoved between, trying to calm his erratic breathing. He didn't have time for this. No time could be wasted now. Any second someone could wander upon the now slumbering guard and then all would be lost.
With that thought in mind, Merlin made to stand, only to fail spectacularly as the pain spiked and he slumped back to the floor. It was only after a precious minute that the pain ebbed to a manageable throbbing ache. He shakily got to his feet and staggered around the corner, swiping the key card from the unconscious guard as he passed down the hallway. He peaked a little less cautiously around the next corner before hurtling down it. He knew he was getting sloppy, with his breathing more than audible and even his footsteps not entirely silent anymore, but he was running out of time. Every second that passed increased his chances of discovery.
Right, left—no backtrack—straight, stop, wait out the guard, ok good, key card for the door, straight—wrong way, backtrack—knock out a nurse with a spell, pause for a minute, ok go. Finally Merlin found himself rounding the corner to find himself entering a corridor that ended in big double doors with a neon EXIT sign placed invitingly above the frame. He sighed in relief at the sight. The pain had grown with his continued use of magic, to the point where his arm felt like it had been broken and the fire in his veins refused to completely leave. But he had made it, freedom was almost within his grasp.
Merlin stumbled down the hallway, his senses on dulled from the pain but still trying to keep alert for any staff. He couldn't get caught now, not when he was this close.
He was just about to swipe the key card to open the doors when she appeared out of thin air in front of the doors. He immediately whirled to face her, ready to let a burst of magic out no matter how weak he was nor the pain it would cause. He was so close, his desperation peaking to an all-time high. No way in hell he was going let anything stop him now. He let the remaining magic he could sense fill him up with its meager supply. It would have to be enough.
"Out for a little stroll, are we?" she sneered, a smirk playing across her lips. Her dark eyes filled with cruel confidence. "But we were having so much fun here, Merlin. I would hate to see you leave the party so early." She raised her hand in a halting gesture.
"I'll show you fun," he stated, ready to unleash his magic upon her.
It was at that moment that a large beefy hand clamped down on his shoulder and he felt a sting on his neck. He whirled around, shaking the hand off his shoulder in the process, and found himself face to face with one of the large nurses. The man smiled at him, pity in his eyes as Merlin suddenly swayed. It was then that the young warlock noticed the syringe in the man's hand.
"No," he breathed. Despair filled him. His hand went subconsciously to the side of his neck, to the point he felt the sting.
Merlin made to take a step but stumbled. Suddenly the corridor was tilting and turning and he felt strong arms on his back, flipping him over. He stared up at the shifting white ceiling as his vision blurred in and out. A dark haired pale face with piercing dark eyes made appeared above him, the smirk still plastered to her face.
"Sweet dreams, Merlin," she cooed viciously as his head lolled to the side. The last thing he saw before the darkness claimed him was the blurred outline of a taunting neon green sign.
A/N: So there ya go. Hope you enjoyed it. Please review if you so desire, it would really help me know what you guys think and how I'm doing so far.
Until next time!