Skarlett sighed loudly from the back of the station wagon. Her hair fell in her face as she leaned over and wrapped her arms around her knees in comfort. It had been a long and stressful drive that day. She felt awful, almost like she was severely hung over. She knew she had fucked up big time. She wasn't heading to paradise, not anytime soon that is. She was being taken to Smiths Grove sanitarium, for an attempt at suicide. Her parents had found her locked in her bedroom, knocked out from an overdose on pills. She had been almost certain it would work, but her parents found her just in time for the hospital to save her. When she had woken up, she was handcuffed to a hospital bed, with police gaurding her door with a surveillance camera pointed at her. She was put on strict suicide watch and was told by the doctor that by law she had to go the looney bin for a while. She was terrified, she had seen those movies of what they did to mental patients, sure they were just movies she saw in the theatre, but it still freaked her out going in with no idea. Her attempt at suicide was a build up of a lot of things. Her parents weren't abusive, but they pushed her a lot. She was always pushed to make perfect grades, act perfect, never go out or have fun. The people she went to school with sucked, despite her being and outgoing and getting a long with everyone, she hated them all. They all had the same personalities, the same shitty ideas of having fun, the did stupid things, talked stupid. Everything about them annoyed her. On top of that, she also had chronic depression. It was honestly just a matter of time. The man driving the station wagon was safe and secure, as there was net barrier between them. Not as if he was in danger anyways, she wasn't going to hurt him, she could never really hurt anyone, not unless given a reason to defend herself. "How ya doing back there?", the brunette man asked her. "I've been better, would much rather drive around in this car forever than go where I'm going", she said with sadness in her voice. The man frowned, "don't worry, sweetie. It's really not that bad, and as long as you show signs of improvement, you'll get out of there in no time". Skarlett tried to force a smile, but it was nearly impossible. She felt the car slow down before taking a turn and stopping. The man pulled out a card and rolled down his window, she heard him swipe and the sounds of a gate opening, "we must be close", she thought. She felt the car move again, but only for a moment. She felt the car stop and another man's voice, "Hey Jim, how are you this evening?". Skarlette looked up and saw a man wearing a security outfit standing at the window. There was small booth and another gate in front of them, "pretty good, Bill. Just taking Ms. Skarlett up to her new home". She felt her stomach get sick at those words. The guy named Bill looked in the back seat, he smirked, "Pretty little thing, aren't you?", Bill said. "Thanks", she said, raising a brow at him. He smiled and looked back at Jim, "Well, talk to you in a few then". Jim nodded and rolled his window up as Bill walked away back to the booth and pressed a button opeing the final gate to the hell hole she was going to be stuck in. The car moved and after driving for about a minute, the turned a corner and the hospital came into view. It looked like a typical building. It wasn't as scary looking as she thought it would be. It was a well kept building, with nice green grass covering the lawn, and even a few flower gardens around it. There were steps up to the front doors, including a ramp. She also noted that the building was huge, but she figured it would it be. Jim pulled the car up and put it in park, "Well, Nooman, here we are". She rolled her eyes, "home sweet home". Jim chuckled and got out of the car. Opening her door up, he pulled out some handcuffs, "I hate to do this, but by the rules I have too. I already broke them by not putting you in them on the way here". She nodded in understanding, and honestly appreciated that he didn't force her to wear them on the 4 hour drive there. She lifted her hands out, and he snapped them on. She then stepped fully out of the car as Jim shut the car door behind her. Putting his hand on her back, he lead her up the stairs to the building.

The building was dull on the inside, unlike the outside, the inside was dull in color. The walls were mostly white, with the exception of a few doors being a dull blue or green color. The tile floor was as white as the wall, but like the doors, had a few random colored tiles. The furniture in the entry way was dark brown. It looked like a hospital waiting room, the few couches, a coffee table with boring magazines, and a water fountain. The first thing you really saw when you came in, was a glass window, with a small opening on the bottom, inside was a woman who was clearly a secretary. As they walked up to the window, Skarlett noticed she was typing away on a typewriter, she then also noticed a few other women working in the office behind her. "Evening, Lydia", Jim said, giving the pretty, red headed woman a smile. She looked up from her work and gave him a playful smile, "hey Jim! Is this Ms. Skarlett Nooman?", she asked politely. "Yes ma'am! Just checking her in before I take her to Marion. She nodded, and grabbed a file that was already sitting out ready. She pulled out a few papers and began to write out some things before looking back at Skarlett. "Your full name is Skarlett Renee Nooman, am I correct?", she asked sweetly. Skarlett cleared her throat, "uh yea". "You're 16 years old, diagnosed with severe depression, attempt at suicide, parents are Anthony and Darian Nooman, is this correct?". Skarlett attempted to not rolled her, "yes ma'am", she replied in an irritated voice. Lydia nodded and went back to writing. After what seemed like forever, Lydia put her pen down and looked up, "alright! You're all set, Jim is going to take you to the nurse who will be looking after you the most and she will explain any further questions you have". Skarlett simply nodded and turned to Jim. "Have a great day, Skarlett!", Lydia replied cheerfuly, "and I'll talk to you later, Jim!". Jim smiled, "yes you will, Lydia", he then softly took Skarletts arm and led her to a door on the side, hearing a buzzing noise, the door opened into a very large hall. It had a thousand doors and hallways and stairs. She saw a few people walking among the halls. "All the other patients in your area are in lunch right now, so this will make it easier for Marion to show you around. If you're hungry, she will take you to the lunch room when she is done", Jim said."Alright, I'm not too hungry, but that's good to know", Skarlett replied. "No big deal, Miss. Supper is served at around 7 for your area, so you can wait if you prefer", Jim said. As they turned a corner, there was an open door, he took her inside and it appeared to be a lounge room. A few other nurses were sitting on a couch, there were vending machine, fridge, tables, a sink, water fountain, etc. "Hey Marion!", Jim said looking down at one of the women sitting on the couch. The woman she assumed was Marion, looked up from her magazine and looked over at them. She appeared to be in her late 20's or very early 30's, her hair was brown and up in a bun, and she was wearing a typical nurse outfit. She smiled at them, "you must be Skarlett". Skarlett nodded, "thats me". Marion stood up, putting down the magazine and walking over to them, "I've been looking forward to meeting you all day! I was getting bored!", Marion said laughing. Jim laughed, "Yea, lunch time is a pretty boring part of the day for some of us, well Skarlett, Marion will be taking it from here. You're in great hands, but you'll still see me around, so this is only bye for now", he said to Skarlett, putting his hand on one of her shoulders and lightly squeezing it. Skarlett smiled at him, "Thanks, Jim. You've been so nice to me. I appreciate it.". "Absoletely! If you need anything, just let me or someone else know", Jim said, he then nodded and turned around and walked out of the room. Marion looked back at Skarlett, "Okay Ma'am, are you ready for your grand tour?". "Ha, as ready as I'll every be", Skarlett replied with a small laugh. Marion smiled, "Well my name is Marion Chambers, but you can call me Mary if you like!. Skarlett nodded, "Alright, Mary". Marion smiled, alright, lets just head this way.".

After going through many hallways, they came to a security door, Mary swiped her card and the door buzzed and she pushed it open, letting Skarlett inside. After walking a while, they came to a door. "Alright, we're at your room, Skarlett", Marion said, opening the door. Skarlett walked inside and imediatley noticed that there was more than one bed in the room. It was a large, white room, with a couple of big windows with bars on them. There were about 6 other twin size beds in the room. Skarlett was confused, she always thought the crazy houses would have each person their own room. Marion saw the confused look on Skarletts face and decided to enlighten her, " We only give single rooms for certain reasons. People who are considered dangerous to other people are kept in their own rooms for example", Marion explained, "Since you're not a danger to anyone, we are putting you in another room with a few other girls. Plus, they suggested that it would be best for you to share a room with others, they think the company may help you". Skarlett wasn't sure she liked the idea of sharing a room with other girls. Being 16, she knew how catty girls were. And she knew the only reason they suggested that was because they knew the other patients may report if they saw her trying to attempt another suicide, which she didn't plan on doing anyways. "The walls are so bare in here", Skarlett mentioned to Marion. Marion nodded, "Yes they are! But you can hang up things if you like, pictures or maybe even drawings if you like. I know it won't make that much of a difference, but it can make a room a little less depressing". "Thats a good idea, I may have to try that", Skarlett replied. Marion then started to explain a few things to Skarlett, "Alright, well there 5 other girls in here, their names are Nina, Megan, Sydney, Lindsey, and Tara. They are sweet girls, but Tara can be a little much sometimes. She's not dangerous, just a little obnoxious at times". Skarlett laughed, she appreciated Marion's honesty. "On the weekdays you will be woken up at 7, and you will have lessons from 8:30 to 11. After that is lunch and then arts and crafts. At 3:30 we have a snack time that is optional, including a recess time. There will also be a time where you guys can socialize with other patients in your area. Dinner is from 7 to 8 and lights are out at 10:30. You also will be having time with your doctor on certain days, so that messes with your schedule at times. By the way, you will be seeing Dr. Loomis." Marion finished. "That's quite a schedule", said Skarlett. "It's not always so strict, I make it sound worse than it is. Oh, and on the weekends you're pretty much free to do whatever. Sleep in, socialize, etc". "That sounds lovely", Skarlett said with a chuckle. "Trust me", Marion said, "it's an easy time of the week on weekends. Oh and one more thing, the boys are on the other side of the hall, so just so you know". Skarlett was surprised that they allowed the females and males to be so close to each other, but she didn't really mind. "Is there a place to shower?", Skarlett asked jokingly. Marion laughed, "Yes, just right down the hall, you can use it whenever you like of course". Skarlett chuckled again. Marion then said, "Well, are you hungry?". "Not really", Skarlett replied, "I'm actually really tired, I didn't get much sleep". Marion nodded, "You can nap then, I'll bring you a change of clothes. You have only a few options of clothing, but when the doctor sees you're almost ready to get out, they will put you in a different part of the building where you can wear your own clothes again". Skarlett sighed, she was a little upset she couldn't wear her own clothes, but she didn't really expect them to allow her to wear them. "Alright, thanks Mary", Skarlett said to Marion. Marion nodded, "That's your bed right there, have a good nap, Skarlett". Skarlett walked over the bed, Marion then turned around and shut the heavy metal door. Sitting on the bed, Skarlett fell over on to the pillow, passing out instantly. It was gonna be a long few months.

Michael will probably be in the next chapter. I really wanted to develop the character more in this chapter and the people and surroundings that she will encounter later. Bare with me :)